Chapter 16: You Actually Investigated?

In the palace study, charcoal burned brightly as the old emperor reclined in a broad chair, tapping its armrest. Below him stood the Second Prince, Vincent, holding a thick stack of ledgers. Behind his monocle, his gaze was attentive and respectful.

“The fur trade with Elsen to the east stabilized last month. Customs revenue is up twenty percent over last year.” Vincent closed a ledger. “The border crossings remain peaceful, and caravans are coming and going. There’s no sign of relations turning sour.”

The emperor grunted and sipped his tea. “Those people aren’t much at fighting, but they’re good traders. Your grandfather fought them several times, with wins and losses on both sides. Neither could finish the other. Now that we’re at peace, there’s plenty of money to be made.”

“Peace on the border is best.” Vincent smiled and opened another book. “We’ve also calculated the cost of the campaign in the Silvermoon Autonomous Region. My eldest brother’s cavalry consumed considerable supplies and damaged equipment, but compared with the captured prisoners and confiscated royal assets, it’s a profitable venture.”

The emperor waved dismissively. “A bunch of long-eared commoners who could barely put together a few suits of plate armor thought they could rebel. They were asking for death.”

Vincent lowered his eyes and smiled faintly without replying.

The emperor sighed and leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “Speaking of the elf queen… Selena, was it? I met her once when I was a boy. She was already queen then. How do those elves get to live for hundreds of years?”

“I’m researching that very subject,” Vincent said. “You met her, Father?”

“When I was crown prince. She came to the capital to pay tribute. She was quite beautiful and dignified, now I think of it.” He leaned back. “But so what? A few centuries didn’t make her people strong. They couldn’t even pick the right time to rebel.”

He chuckled. “That little bastard probably wanted her for her looks. No matter. Letting the Third have their queen will offend those long-ears more than an execution. An additional humiliation.”

“I’ve always admired my younger brother’s talents in that regard,” Vincent said.

The emperor glanced at him. There was little sharpness in the look, but Vincent immediately subdued his smile. Wood crackled in the brazier. The emperor held his hands toward the heat and spoke casually.

“You’ve kept the accounts clear these past few years, Vincent. I trust you. But some accounts concern personal ties as well as figures. Your eldest brother’s veteran generals fought through fire and steel with me. They can be stubborn and rough. Relax your rules occasionally; don’t push him too far.”

Vincent’s smile remained unchanged, though he blinked twice. “Of course, Father. The empire’s interests come first. I’ll have the military funding procedures reviewed and simplified where possible.”

The emperor nodded, satisfied.

A guard called from outside. “The Third Prince requests an audience!”

The emperor raised an eyebrow. Vincent was also surprised. Rhode normally avoided the palace; why had he come of his own accord?

“Let him in.” The emperor waved a hand. Vincent stayed where he was, and his father did not ask him to leave. Whatever the Third had to say was unlikely to concern affairs of state.

Rhode was striding across the stone square before the palace. He had jumped from the carriage before it fully stopped and nearly twisted his ankle. Hongye called after him to change clothes first, but he waved without looking back and hurried inside.

Years in an office had taught him that on the first day of a new project, you showed your face to the big boss. Whether or not you’d accomplished anything, the boss should know you were working. Otherwise, when something went wrong, no one would speak for you.

In the corridors, several maids carrying silver trays spotted his red hair and went pale. The first ducked behind a pillar, scattering fruit from her tray. Two others dropped their cleaning cloths into a bucket, gathered their skirts and fled toward a side hall as though a creditor were after them.

Rhode’s mouth twitched. He searched his predecessor’s memories for the reason people cleared a path for him. The images made him wince. Whenever the prince saw a pretty maid, he put his hands on her waist. Several times he had barged into the council chamber to demand that the emperor give him a woman official he fancied. Before long, every attractive young woman in the palace fled from him faster than from a ghost.

“What a world-class freak,” he muttered, crossing three corridors to a towering oak door. The guards opened it for him.

Rhode drew a breath and entered. The emperor was reclining inside; Vincent stood below him with an open ledger. Rhode searched the prince’s memories for the proper greeting: kneel on one knee, right hand to chest, head lowered, and greet Father. Simple enough.

He stepped forward and bent his right knee. It cracked, and he nearly pitched forward. Gritting his teeth, he steadied himself, placed his fist against his chest and said, “Greetings, Father.”

The emperor’s teacup stopped halfway to his mouth. He stared for two seconds. Vincent closed his ledger and looked Rhode over through his monocle.

“Third, have you taken the wrong medicine?”

Rhode got up and brushed imaginary dust from his knee. “Why do you ask, Father? Isn’t it normal to greet you properly?”

The emperor set down his cup and leaned forward with interest. “Last time you came to my study voluntarily, you wanted some palace maid. The time before that, you wanted money. Who have you set your eye on today?”

“You’ve misunderstood.” Rhode stood straight, hands folded before him in a businesslike pose. “I took charge of interrogating the three elven prisoners yesterday. Today was the first day, so I ought to report my progress.”

The study fell silent for three full seconds. The emperor looked at Vincent, who adjusted his monocle and said nothing.

“You actually went and investigated?” The emperor leaned back, incredulous. “I thought you’d found an excuse to take them home and have your fun.”