Chapter 8

* * *

Their journey through the palace did not take long. The platform glided silently through the mirror-gold kaleidoscope of endless corridors and halls, and the princess was clearly not in the mood for conversation after the divination. Soon more colors of red copper and shiny black appeared in the decoration of the halls, and the halls were no longer so desolate. There were noticeably more guardsmen, servants, and court officials in very fancy uniforms of deep blue with lots of gold embroideries. After only a few minutes, the platform stopped at the huge black doors, polished to a mirror-like shine and decorated with metal filigree and plant motifs in bright blue. Near the door were two guardsmen, motionless as statues and standing, clearly waiting for the platform with the guests, was an older man with a tired face in a plain black imperial security uniform without insignia. Alex recognized him; it was the emperor's aide-de-camp.

"I am pleased to present my compliments in person to Your Lordship Prince Cassard." The adjutant bowed his head as the platform with the princess and Alex stopped in front of him. "And a bearing to you, too, Peleng Admiral Niazur." He added, nodding to the princess as she stepped off the platform.

"Uh... Nice to meet you." Confused, Alex replied as he followed, not knowing how to respond because the aide didn't introduce himself.

"His Majesty is already waiting for you." The adjutant pronounced, noting something in the infoblock he had in his hands. "Please follow me."

The guardsmen, having received a sign from the adjutant, opened the doors to let them into a spacious room in pale blue colors, most likely intended as a waiting room. At least there were plenty of armchairs and sofas and small tables with drinks and snacks:

"I'll wait for you here, Prince." The princess declared, avoiding meeting his gaze, and sat down near one of the refreshment tables. "I don't think this will take long." She added with the look of someone who would wait forever.

Alex had only to shrug and hurry after the adjutant, who, without waiting for them, was already heading for the exit at the opposite side of the room. They found themselves in a long empty corridor with many doors, exactly the same as the ones they had come out of. And completely empty except for two pairs of guardsmen at the beginning and end of the corridor. The corridor turned into a staircase that led to a couple of floors below, and the atmosphere changed dramatically. Illumination became painfully bright, and rich decoration, stucco, and walls covered with embroidered silk gave way to the laconic panels of polished wood. There was a simple gray carpet underfoot which, however, was somehow noticeably springy, as if walking on thick moss, but most of all, the ceilings were surprising - they were low. And by local standards, even very low.

Usually, palace architecture was incredibly gigantomaniacal and was more than true for the height of the rooms, where one floor could fit a normal three if not more. Here Alex could probably easily reach the light panels that covered the ceiling with his hand.

They stopped at a featureless door, which could have been easily mistaken for part of the corridor if not for the four guards of honor standing beside it:

"His Lordship Prince Alessandro Cassard." The adjutant announced, entering first and stepping aside to make way for Alex.

A little hesitant with excitement, Alex went in next. The room or office was quite spacious, despite the same atypically low ceilings, the same wooden panels on the walls, a long oval table with lots of chairs, and a huge green sphere at the opposite wall.

A perfect shiny ball of neon-green glass hung motionless, almost touching the floor, its top almost reaching the low ceiling; the wall of the room behind the sphere curved to form a niche, clearly indicating that this was its rightful place, but still, this green ball looked like a completely alien element.

"Lord Cassard!" Smiling broadly, the emperor rose to meet him from his seat at the head of the table. His Majesty, as at the ceremony, wore a snow-white naval uniform, but this time without the mantle and crown. Walking toward Alex, still smiling, he suddenly took him by the shoulders:

"Great shadows. It's as if Galen is standing in front of me again." The emperor pronounced, looking at the frozen Alex and not letting him go. "One face, isn't it?" He turned to the adjutant."

"I, too, noted how his Lordship remarkably resembles his father." The adjutant's voice had evidently warmed.

"You're probably going to have a hard time understanding right now." The emperor continued, turning to a bewildered Alex, who did not know how to respond to such a clear breach of protocol. "But when you see grown-up children carrying on the work of their fathers, there is a special feeling..."

His majesty was silent for a moment, continuing to consider Alex, and then added with obvious sadness in his voice:

"If Galen could see you now, he would be very proud."

Alex, not realizing what was going on, chose to talk his way out of it. He tried to keep a straight face. All he knew was that Galen Cassard was the father of the real Lord Cassard, and had died, along with most of his immediate family, years ago. And I think Taer said he had something to do with the Navy... So he was connected to the Imperial Navy, not the House Navy?"

"If you please, Your Majesty?" The adjutant inquired and, receiving a consonant nod from the emperor, closed the door behind him, leaving them alone.

"You'll have to excuse my sentiment." The Emperor said in a good-natured tone, finally letting Alex go, and pointed to the chair next to his. "Have a seat, Lord Cassard. How's the palace treating you?"

"It's more than that." Confused, Alex sat down and quickly looked around. He could smell the ozone that seemed to be coming from the green sphere.

"What, is it interesting to try?" Suddenly the emperor asked, following Alex's gaze.

"I ...." Alex started, but it was too late. The emperor had already jumped up from his seat again. "Don't be shy. Everyone is curious." He exhorted condescendingly, dragging Alex with him vigorously toward the sphere. "There are so many stories around them..."

Near the sphere, the smell of ozone was even stronger, and there was a strange feeling as if you were standing next to something very massive, like a mountain.

It's kind of creepy. Alex thought, peering over the Emperor's shoulder at his distorted image on the glass surface of the sphere. He generally trusted his intuition, and now his intuition was somehow unsettling.

"Just getting close to it." The emperor continued with undisguised enthusiasm and approached the sphere, stopping about two meters in front of it. "And... " He froze, waiting for something, and indeed in a few seconds, a distinctly audible female voice came from the side of the sphere, saying something in an unfamiliar language, and a screen with the bright yellow outline of a human palm appeared in the air in front of the emperor:

"It means: 'Identify yourself.'" The Emperor commented, covering the emerging outline with his right hand. "Although, who am I to explain it to? You must have flame language as your native tongue."

Above the outline of the palm appeared columns of rapidly changing numbers, gradually some groups of numbers were highlighted in yellow:

"Isn't it dangerous?" Alex asked apprehensively, watching the chaotic yellow pattern sprawl across the screen. 'Cause that thing looks like it might explode.

"No." The emperor replied confidently, absorbed in the swift running of the numbers. "Not usually." He corrected himself. "Very rarely, people just drop dead during an inspection and no means of resuscitation help. A few hundred years ago, there was even a heretical cult whose members believed that such dead people ascended."

"And for real?" Cautiously asked Alex, who didn't really believe in any method of salvation through death.

Meanwhile, the yellow numbers filled more than half of the screen. It blinked red, and again from the sphere came a phrase in an unfamiliar language:

"Denied." The emperor withdrew his hand from the outline with apparent reluctance. "Two-thirds at most. As for your question," he continued with a philosophical sigh, turning to Alex. "It's really only the Second knows. The only thing we know for certain is that the spheres are left over from before the Starfall when the world was blessed by the Second Incarnation of the Flame. Well and what is important in a utilitarian sense, that the abilities of adepts around the spheres do not work, and earlier somehow managed to make them produce energy, one such energy sphere still works in the old castle, though not needed for a long time, but to turn off the fear. And so..." He shrugged. "It's believed that if all the numbers turn yellow then such a person will definitely be accepted by the Second, but..." His Majesty grinned. "Honestly, this idea is no better than the one those poor heretics had, or any other."

The Emperor stepped back from the sphere, and the screen with the outline of his palm disappeared.

"Well, will you try it?" The emperor made an inviting gesture with his hand and looked questioningly at Alex.

"I'd rather not take any chances." Sincerely, he admitted, reflexively backing away from the sphere; he didn't like that thing at all. "I wouldn't want to suddenly add to the statistics of the dead."

"Well, what have you got to fear, Lord Cassard?" The Emperor was genuinely surprised. "You are guarded by the Second. But if you don't want to, that's up to you. We're already distracted."

The emperor returned to his seat and after waiting for Alex to sit down as well, continued in a solemn tone:

"In our reasoning, it pleased us to decide that the illustrious Prince Cassard would serve this onstum by honor and antiquity as the First Lord of the High Side and Ergo Seneschal of the Capital."

"In honor and antiquity, by my word and by the word of my ancestors, I, Alessandro Cassard, accept this service from Starfall to Starfall," Alex repeated a long-learned protocol phrase. And memorized a huge bunch of other protocol phrases that apparently are just unnecessary because his majesty doesn't really follow protocol.

"Hold out your hand, Illustrious Prince." The emperor commanded.

Alex obeyed, and His Majesty pulled a large ring with a bright blue stone from his hand and placed it on the index finger of Alex's right hand.

The ring was a little big, and to keep it from falling off, Alex had to hold it down with his thumb, peering furtively at what he received. The stone of the ring was intricately engraved with seven stars intertwined with vines.

"Well, that's it. You have the Seal of the First Lord." With a smile, the emperor threw up his hands. "The official part is over. Congratulations on your appointment. I'm sure you'll do more than adequately."

"Your Majesty, I don't know if you were warned, but I..." Alex sincerely doubted that he could cope all the more decently and wanted to tell the story of his unconsciousness.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

"Lost your memory." The emperor finished in his place, raising his hand reassuringly. "I know, I know everything. That is why the assignment is this way, though, of course, I would like to put you in command of the second 'Scarlet' fleet that Galen once commanded."

"I have completely lost my memory, Your Majesty. I do not even know what an Ergo-Seneschal of the Capital should do."

"Oh, Lord Cassard." His majesty laughed, raising his eyes to the ceiling in agony. "If you were the only one holding a position without knowing what you should be doing, the Empire would be a much better place. As it is, you are one of the few who have the honor to admit their ignorance. That's why I've chosen this assignment for you, where honor and judgment are paramount, qualities I'm sure the Cassard family possesses. Concerning the rest," the Emperor leaned closer to Alex and gave him a wink. "I don't think we really need to assemble a noble militia and have you command it. And besides, do you really think I'd leave you without help?"

"Ask for Nadina." Pronounced the emperor to the side, pressing a key on his chair. "Of course not." He continued, turning to Alex again. "You know Nadine Pell, don't you? And she's already been the Ergo Seneschal of the capital twice."

"Her Serene Highness Princess Nadina Pell. " The adjutant announced, opening the door and stepping aside to let Nadina follow.

She wore a very simple closed gown of silver fabric and looked austere and elegant:

"Your Majesty, Lord Cassard." Lady Pell greeted them, not hiding her surprise at Alex's presence.

"Please, illustrious princess, join us." Smiling cordially, the emperor offered, pointing to a seat across from Alex. "And don't be surprised by Lord Cassard's presence. There is a reason for that."

"The fact is," His Majesty continued as Nadine took her seat. "That I have decided to appoint Lord Cassard, Ergo Seneschal of the Capital, and rightly so, you should have told me earlier that you have longed for the position." He added with participation.

"But I wasn't burdened..." Nadine objected, confused, clearly not quite sure what was going on.

"It's just that with age, you somehow forget what it's like to be young." Without noticing Nadine's objections, the emperor continued. "And it's quite normal that you're tired of being in the capital all the time, that you want to travel, to see other worlds..."

At these words, Nadine's confusion vanished, and her eyes began to stare into Alex's, two green lasers radiating pure, piercing anger.

She assumed I had told the emperor about our conversation. The conclusion was self-evident. Except I didn't, and I guess I was right about the outside surveillance. The thought gave Alex a kind of moral satisfaction at being right. I wish I understood why His Majesty would set me up like this. Is that divide and conquer? But we're not friends anyway.

"Lord Cassard, on the other hand, is in the capital for the first time." The Emperor continued. "So I expect that everything will be new and not a burden to him, but as your Ladyship should know, his memory has been damaged, and so I ask that he not be refused assistance."

"Did I understand correctly," inquired Lady Pell coldly, "that it pleased Your Majesty to appoint me Second Lady of the High Side to assist Lord Cassard?"

"No, of course not." Without stopping to smile, the Emperor assured her. "In that case, from the outside, it might seem as if I wanted to belittle your family or House, and you know how much regard I have for your House, illustrious Princess Pell."

At that moment, it seemed to Alex that the Emperor's smile was not kind, and for some reason, it evoked associations with dentists.

"I know, Your Majesty." Nadine smiled back at the emperor, but her face was so tense at that moment that one would have thought she was in the throes of a wild toothache.

"I, therefore, ask you, Your Ladyship, to help Lord Cassard get used to his appointment, not as a service, but as a favor to me personally. And then we will find you some appointment worthy of the ancient honor of your family, which will enable you not to be confined to the capital. If Your Ladyship will, of course, deem it possible to answer my request with consent."

"How could it be otherwise, Your Majesty? Of course, I will gladly help Lord Cassard in any way I can."

"That's so encouraging to hear, especially since you and Lord Cassard seem to get along well with each other and are about the same age, so it will be easier for you to find understanding anyway."

"Oh, Lord Cassard and I, we understand each other literally without words," Nadine pronounced, looking at Alex with such a charge of non-verbal communication that he really did understand without words.

She seems like a smart girl, Alex thought, looking tiredly at Nadine, almost boiling with anger, But she ignite over nothing, and she doesn't ignite in a good way. She ignite up in a bad way. Though, maybe it's just her character, and she ignites instantly in the good sense, too.

"It's wonderful, so wonderful that the new generation doesn't give a damn about the old squabbles." The emperor blossomed, admiring them like a proud parent at a children's amateur night. "And I'm so glad you agreed to help. I do not know how to thank you. Maybe Your Ladyship has some wishes about where you would like to go. What worlds to visit? If so, pass them on to my office. We'll try to work something out with your assignment."

"I wasn't expecting this opportunity, but I'll certainly think about it," Nadine assured him as she continued to send out discharges of mute speech toward Alex.

And, of course, I am not a telepath, but there is a strong feeling that what she is trying to transmit to me decent girls are not even supposed to know, let alone said.

"Well then, I won't keep you." Declared the emperor, rising from the table. "I'm sure you now have much to discuss. And remember, I am always ready to help any of you." He added when they were already at the door of the study.

The obligatory protocol farewells, Alex noticed that the Emperor was very prim and formal in his dealings with Lady Pell did not take too long, and soon they were on their way to the "normal" part of the palace.

"Lord Cassard, please allow me a few minutes of your time," Nadina asked serenely as they stepped out into the corridor led to the room where Princess Artala was waiting for him. "As his majesty correctly noted, we have much to discuss."

"As you wish." Reluctantly Alex agreed, despite the serene tone, Nadine's eyes were still seething with anger, and he couldn't stand women's hysterics. But, thanks to the Emperor's assignment, we do have a lot to discuss.

Having received his consent, Nadine nodded goodbye to the adjutant and took Alex under her arm, and walked confidently to one of the doors. Behind it was exactly the same waiting room as the one through which Alex came, and there was also the guardsman who had accompanied Lady Pell.

"Arlette, please leave us alone for a moment. We have a business to discuss," Nadine spoke quickly, avoiding meeting her attendant's gaze.

The guardsman was clearly somewhat surprised but said nothing and only nodded to greet Alex and left silently.

"Lord Cassard!" Nadine hissed angrily as soon as the door closed behind the guard. "I knew you were a man of questionable morals, but I had no idea you were capable of such baseness. Like some derelict snitch to tell of a private conversation between equals, and for what? For position? For favor? Great shadows, how low it is!"

"Lady Pell, I don't see the point in making excuses for something I didn't do," Alex replied tiredly, looking at the seething Nadine. "Especially in front of you. You're such a stubborn person that you can hardly be changed, no matter what I say. But you are a clever man, do you really think that the question of the position was solved because of some conversation?

"Or maybe not." The flushed Nadine glared angrily. "Maybe it was decided even before we arrived, but his majesty clearly knew the details of our conversation during the ceremony, and it was just you and me."

And a few dozen droids, with unknown equipment." Alex added, trying to suppress a silly smile because he caught himself thinking that Nadine was surprisingly beautiful when she was angry. And it was strange because she was already an amazingly beautiful woman, and not that anger made her prettier. Rather, from amazingly beautiful, she became - attractive.

"Or it's simpler than that, and you told him everything! And now you're laughing at me. Do you think I don't notice?"

"I'm sorry." Alex sincerely didn't mean to offend Lady Pell, but he couldn't control his facial expressions one hundred percent. "You're just very cute when you're angry. I can't help it." He admitted honestly.

"So you're really doing this on purpose just to make fun of me." Nadine got even more turned on. "It's even more disgusting than if you were doing it for the position." She added with obvious disgust.

"That's enough, that's enough." Alex shook his head, realizing that this conversation was going nowhere. "You may not believe me. You may think I'm being intentional, but why? Our conversation has clearly gone in the wrong way. Let's really discuss the business of the service."

"As you please." Demonstratively, Lady Pell lifted her chin. "When would be a good time for you to meet so I can bring you up to speed?"

"I honestly don't know. I wasn't expecting this appointment at all, and I have no idea where to even begin. But probably tomorrow afternoon. If it's convenient for you?"

"I don't care." Cut off Nadina. "Even if it's at night. Since I promised the emperor, I will help you."

"Then let's exchange communicator numbers to make it easier." Totally on the fly, Alex suggested.

"My House Representative knows exactly how to find me," Nadine hissed, clearly losing her composure. "And your representation certainly has the competence to find mine."

She looked as if she had something else to say or rather do, but clenched her fists, she silently stepped aside, pale with fury, making it clear that the conversation was over.

"I'm sorry. Really, I didn't mean to offend you." Alex apologized again, but Nadine didn't seem to hear him.

What can you do? He shrugged and went out into the hallway.

As the door closed behind, there was a muffled but distinctly audible cry of anger from Nadia's room and the sound of breaking dishes. In a situation like this, it's better not to do anything.

When he entered the waiting room, through which he himself arrived, there was a complete idyll.

Relatively sure: the princess was sitting at one of the refreshment tables with a bored look, and next to her was Sir Ulter Ralval who told her something enthusiastically.

From the look of the princess, Alex would have guessed that the conversation was bothering her, but she wasn't smashing plates, flashing her eyes menacingly, or looking as if she wanted to kill someone.

One could say that she is practically satisfied. As they say, everything is learned by comparison.

"How did it go?" Artala was clearly glad of the opportunity to interrupt the "conversation" with Sir Ulter.

"I hope it's good." Uncertainly Alex smiled, showing the signet ring. "I have nothing to compare it to. It was my first audience with the Emperor. But it pleased him to appoint me First Lord of the High Side and Ergo-Seneschal of the capital." Whatever that means.

"Congratulations, Prince." Artala was clearly not surprised by the appointment. And she said she knew.

Sir Ulter, on the other hand, did not seem to remember himself for joy:

"Congratulations! Hail the Second. It's so great." The House Representative was literally jumping around Alex, which, given his pudgy build, created a comical effect. "Congratulations," he repeated excitedly. "Finally, in nine years, the First Lord of the High Side will be from House Fyron. Now we can..."

What exactly will now be possible, Sir Ulter did not specify, clearly embarrassed by the presence of the princess, and apologized and ran out of the room that would: "To inform the head of the representation of this wonderful news."

"How did it really go?" Asked the princess. She looked at Sir Ulter as he ran out.

"I really don't know. I don't even know what my position means."

"Well, it's only natural, given your memory. Father planned to find you an assistant."

"Yes." Nodded Alex. "He asked Lady Pell to help me get up to speed."

"Nadine? To you?" Artala was clearly surprised. "I'm sympathizing." She added quite sincerely after a pause. "Though they say you seem to be getting along with her?"

"It's all comparative." Alex shrugged. "Sometimes I think we get along quite well, sometimes not at all."

"Anyway, you're as free as a cosmic now. Will you go to your apartment at once, or will you stay at the palace for a few more days? I don't even ask if you will stay at the palace for the entire service. The whole capital already knows that they are rebuilding a tower for you, with some inconceivable number of servants and guards."

Artala is obligated to accompany me while I'm at the palace, and she has so much to do that she literally has no time to sleep.

"I'm going straight to my room. I don't want to take up any more of your priceless time."

"Prince..." Artala squinted disapprovingly, showing that she wasn't buying that crap.

"No, really, you said that you haven't been able to sleep in days because of your new assignment. I'm sure you've got your hands full, and I'm here."

"There really are so many things to do that one doesn't know what to do first." The princess sulked. "But you don't annoy me one bit. On the contrary, some distraction from the endless stream of documents and meetings."

"I've probably still got it all to do, too," Alex admitted, hoping he could hide his nervousness because inside, he was panicking. What the First Lord and Seneschal, I don't know what that means, and with Nadine as my assistant, just when she got the reins under her belt.

"Afraid you can't handle it?" Clearly teased Artala with a sly face.

"Let's say I don't feel ready at all."

"I don't know if that makes you feel any better, but if you think about it, you have to try very hard in this position, to fail in a way that has any real negative consequences."

"You underestimate me." With a serious expression, Alex declared. "I'm a man of many unexpected talents." Which caused an involuntary giggle from the princess.

At least someone understands when I'm joking.

"Lord Cassard." Sir Ulter ran into the room again. "I have just spoken to the Head of Representation. It would be so wonderful if you could meet him this evening."

"Why not. I'll be glad to meet him at my place. I think you know the address." Alex added without certainty since he didn't know the address himself. Somewhere not far from the palace, but no more than that.

What do you mean?" Sir Ulter was sincerely upset. "Are you leaving already? Couldn't you stay until tonight?" Pleadingly folding his arms, he asked. "It's just Count Barazu has business at the palace. He would certainly find time to talk to you, but for a whole visit, it's hard."

"No." Alex objected calmly. "I don't want to abuse Lady Niazur's time, and I have a lot to do myself."

"I'll try to think of something." Sir Ulter panicked and hurriedly said goodbye and ran out again, pulling out a com as he went.

* * *