Ett was silent and didn't say a word. She just continued eating her snacks.

There's a problem.

Well, it's not entirely a problem. But if Ett mentioned her thoughts, it would look like she is either indifferent or ruthless.

"Leave them be."

"Pardon?"

Dean Antonel felt like something just smashed a massive boulder in his head.

Ett just glanced at him and continued to eat her snacks.

For a while, no one spoke as she continued to eat and sip her tea.

After a while, Ett added, "Instead, add a policy. Once you leave Adiand, if the students disagree with the contract, everything you do is your discretion and the cause of your ending."

No wonder he was left alive by the former Emperor. He is too weak for his students when they graduate.

He cherishes them, even if it's outside the realm of professionalism. Easy to manipulate with just a bit of precaution.

"It'll be Cross-Institutional Program Act of...what year is it today?"

"Year 815."

Akan answered.

"Cross-Institutional Program Act of 815."

Dean Antonel dumbly stared at her. "I am not exactly sure what you mean, Young Lady."

"Teacher exchange."

"Teacher...exchange?"

Dean Antonel paused, thinking thoughtfully. "Then does that mean we would exchange teachers with the other empires?"

"No."

"Young Lady?"

"That's termed that way to make it fancier yet easier to make it blunt for you of its true meaning."

Ett placed down her tea. "In this scenario, they need our people, not us."

"You can even let them learn our language."

While some deemed them barbaric, more people from neighboring empires were interested and eager to enter the empire.

Hehe, officially spreading the language of Adiand to other empires could also widen the influence of Adiand, and if Guren wanted to, it could be penetrated better since the language barrier wouldn't be that hard. It could be beneficial.

For example, when the Anglo-Saxons conquered England, the native population switched to speaking old English rather than Latin or Celtic Languages.

However, if we shift to the other side, like many cultures along the eastern Mediterranean, they continued to speak Greek despite the Romans conquering them, which could be one of the factors in the Roman empire eventually splitting east and west compared to most of the western Mediterranean switching to Latin.

Ett shook her head. She's changing the genre here. No, that's too ambitious. We're not going down that road any time now; it could be discussed in the future, but not now. Ah, why is she having such thoughts?! Is she the tyrant instead of her son!

"What does the Young Lady mean?"

Etta didn't answer his question and continued, "Akan will cooperate with you by giving you reliable subordinates to save as many of them as possible. But there's no next time."

"I..."

"Write a proposal to the Emperor."

She tapped the table. "Any empire and kingdom can hire tutors from Adiand by 'subjects.' Hiring a teacher will be limited and must be protected at all costs. Cough."

Ugh, it must be for speaking too long.

"Excuse me, cough. And depends on what kind of tutor they want."

She exhaled a breath and continued, "Those empires who have records and evidence to assist us regarding the missing graduates and those that are dead will submit a report of compensation for the family that was left behind and double, no triple, the salary of our tutors."

"But what if our neighboring empires won't do so, Young Miss?"

She frowned.

"Is there a need to ask what will happen?"

"Ah, no! No! Thank you so much, Young Miss!"

The Dean Antonel bowed lowly.

For intelligent and quick-witted people, there's no need to tell it all in one go. Let them think to themselves, then recheck what they've done. Telling it all is a no-go; it's far better than what she thought if they put their mind to it.

"Make sure those tutors won't disgrace the face of our empire."

"Understood, young lady."

Ett looked at Akan, who nodded. "Dean, on behalf of Her Ladyship, don't be burdened to tell me if you have any troubles or need clarification."

***

On their way, Akan and Ett changed different carriages. At times, she waited on the sideline.

Just two crossroads, she can arrive at the House of Isotel, where Cashim is. However, she can't do anything about it. It's been months already, and she wasn't sure how much information Cashim had gathered.

When Ett opened her eyes, it was already morning. She missed her familiar quilt during her travels, but now she could feel it crumpling softly in her hands. It must have been that Akan carried her to her chamber. There was also a tray of food on her side. The timing of when she woke up and the food's warmth was just the right time.

Did Akan do this?

Ett didn't think too deeply and ate her meal sumptuously.

However, "Is it just me, or does this palace seem to be quieter than usual?"

No maids are hanging around.

If it was before, one or two of them would attend to her. It's not that she's mistreated, but this place has few workers. Guren doesn't dwell much on having too many people in his residence. As long as the job is done, then all is well.

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Ett only went out when she was done with her morning ritual. She was also pushing the trolley where the empty plates were. Isn't it an excellent way to exercise this body, even if it's just a little bit? It just makes her helpless how, even after just twenty steps, she's already starting to pant like a pig.

Where have they all gone to?

The palace seems colder than usual as well. She kept smelling something beyond the fragrance of this hall, yet the scent was not distinguishable.

"???"

What's this?

Ett picked up a locket necklace stuck in one of the indoor plants. It was a picture of a man holding a baby.

What a warm scene.

Why was the maid careless? Did she not notice her necklace went missing?

She will give this to Akan or a maid. Maybe they know who the owner is. Nevertheless, even when she strolled in the kitchen, only the head chef was there.

"Where are they?"

The Chef bowed his head, containing his shocked expression. "Erm. Empress Dowager, that... They're with Sire Akan. It's the monthly time they change shifts and report their duties." Huh?

"Then the Head maid?"

The moment she uttered those words, the Chef became more nervous looking.

Strange, why is his emotion like this?

"Along with the head maid. Since few workers are here, Sire Akan would arrange things in rotation."

Etta nodded.

"I see." It must be that he is also with Butler Xiwen, then.

"Just bring my food like usual, and you collect it later."

"I understand, I'll inform Sire Akan."

"Mm." Ettt didn't linger and went out of the kitchen.

"Haa..."

The Chef signed in relief. Why must he do this anyway? If not for Sire A--"Is the Dowager gone?"

"Yes, yes, Sire." The person who asked was Akan.

"That's good."

Akan smiled; he should be thankful that the Dowager now is not as sceptical and inquisitive as before.

"Sire, can I drop these plucked rose petals?"

"Alright. Your three assistants should be arriving soon. You just wait for them."

"Alright."

"Make sure to tell your fellow ones to always treat the meal of the two rulers, especially the Dowager, with utmost importance. Never spilling everything that's in the bowl."

A hidden meaning that the Chef understood. That's to not let the Dowager know what happened.

In this palace, every servant was intelligent, quick-witted, and could do their job correctly. You'll die without realizing it if you're not that quick-witted enough and sharp. There was no replacement here. Whatever happens in this palace should remain here without breaking out in the open.

"Understood, Sire."

"Then I'll lea—ah? My Lady?"

The two of them were both surprised to see Ett come back.

"How...How much did she hear?"

The Chef whispered.

Yet Akan smiled like an old fox, "Did you wait long, Your Ladyship?"

"I just forgot to give you this."

Ett plainly uttered and gave the locket necklace to Akan. "Saw it on one of the plants."

Akan took the necklace, "Oh, thank you, My Lady. Ah, this is what the Head Maid is usually wearing. She was looking for it everywhere. Thank you so much, Your Ladyship."

"..." Ett went away.

Seeing the Dowager leave, both the Head Chef and Alan gave each a look.

"Oh dear, what to do? This couldn't be sent outside. Forgive me, Head Maid."

The Head Maid has kept this locket for decades when she came here and always bears it so fondly that it's evident to anyone who stays in the palace. Akan sighed.

The Chef shook his head, "We can't mask it as poison or die of old age." Her head was cut off.

"What about the family, Sire?"

"Keep it as such." Almost all those serving the Adiand royalties are of noble girth not any lesser than a marquis lineage, and all have been brainwashed by him to submit and be loyal to the Emperor. They were chosen very carefully.

Some counted individuals are orphans who don't have any affiliated group or organization.

"Make sure our Eyes inform me if some suspicious person opens his tongue."

Eyes, they were chosen among the servants that were once orphans.

Both don't even know each other but know of their loyal duty to keep an eye on what's happening in the palace.

Yes, even if they are few. In this palace, even if they all share the exact location in which they live, they still have a mind of their own. A freedom of every living being that he should still be cautious with.

"Hm. They have arrived. Alright, let's go."

Seeing the Head Chef's three assistants returning from the Secret Door, Akan and the Head Chef entered inside, heading to the farthest back of the palace that Ett had yet to discover. Pulling the lever to enter another pathway.

They soon arrive at the underground garden. Here, different kinds of flowers exist. It grows where it requires no sunlight as long as it's regularly watered.

At the farthest end, new beds were made. The servants offered a basket full of rose petals. A cold and lonely place filled with colourful flowers. Taking the basket full of petals from the black rose, Akin was the first to spread it high in the newly acquired bed so that the following flowers could grow.

Next, it was the Head Chef.

They were silent the whole time and stood for a good minute.

After the other servants did the same thing, Akan took a flower seed and planted it on the front side. The following servants did so in an orderly manner.

Soon, it was done.

The Silence Ceremony, which Butler Xiwen and Akan needed to end, has now been completed. This was the resting place of the people in the palace that can't be taken outside. This massive underground flower garden had another bed for growing another batch of flowers.

Akan first left, letting the servants weep. Of course, in this desolate place, they only had themselves. They're not entirely cold, and Akan won't mistreat them if they want to mourn for their fellow helpers.

After all, no matter how much they were brainwashed, there's still a pang of humanity he left for them.

"I'll leave first."

"Take care, sire."

The servants bowed in unison.

He then arrived at Butler Xiwen's chamber only to find it empty.

"Where did he go? Hm."

Thinking momentarily, Akan made another detour and arrived at the Emperor's chamber.

"So you're here."

"Akan." Butler Xiwen had a chair beside the Emperor's bedroom as if watching over His Majesty. An empty seat was beside him, expecting Akan to come and visit.

"How's the Emperor's situation?"

Butler Xiwen shook his head, "Not exemplary."