The vassals of the empress and the empress herself were taken aback by my words.
Only the most trusted people of the empress knew about the fact that the marquees of Annora are the ones who is responsible for information gathering and assassination who receive orders directly from the ruler of the empire, same as how the Veulad duchy works.
And I, who is an outsider, knew that fact.
"Well now, I wonder if there is a rat in my house"
The vassals conflicted expression was changed into an expression filled with doubts on one another.
"Not at all, I assure you. This is purely from my own men. They are very good at their work after all, your majesty"
"..."
"One more thing, your majesty"
"What is it?"
"Instead of having a maid may I ask for a knight instead. If possible a knight who can be with me at all times even at night"
"Why would you want a knight instead of a maid?"
"My father is very worried for me. And I fear that many would come after me. Besides wouldn't it be better to have all my movements under surveillance"
"I don't think that there would be any idiots who would dare touch a guest of mine"
"But that does not rule out the possibility of it from happening"
The ends of her lips curved upwards. She was having fun.
In the novel the empress was portrayed as a very strong and intellectual woman who hates incompetent people the most while she would do anything to have someone who has enough potential that intrigues her. Which is also the reason why the prince of Chejada became her royal consort in the middle of the novel.
"Sure, I will assign someone shortly. For now, come inside the palace and rest. It would be rude of me to let my guests to stand under the sun"
A maid appeared and ask me to follow her.
My room was on-rather, the place that was given to me was the entire emerald palace.
If I remember correctly, the heroine got a villa so how come I'm going to live in a palace?
I'm not complaining though.
"This will be your sleeping chamber, my lady"
"Thank you"
"Shall I bring some refreshments and some snacks?"
"Please do"
Although the room is much bigger than my room back in the duchy, the bed is smaller.
The decorations is over the top. There is simply just too many.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
"Come in"
The door opened.
A knight entered the room.
"You do not know who it will be but you are allowing them to enter your room so easily my lady"
"I doubt someone would come and kill me on my first day here, Sir knight"
He knelt down in front of me.
"I apologize for the late introduction. My name is Jonathan, vice-commander of the imperial knights. Please refer to me as Sir John"
No last name? He is a commoner then.
I held out my hand.
"I am Dianna Emond, the guest of honor from the kingdom of Loate"
"Eh...?"
"It is rude to kept a lady to wait you know"
John hesitantly kiss the back of my hand.
He stood up looking confused as to what just happened.
"Why are you so nervous?"
"Well, normally, noble ladies are disgusted at the sight of me who came from lowly origin. I thought that you would not want something as to let a commoner kiss the back of your hand"
"Why would I mind something as trivial as that? You are a knight and I am a lady. So it is only normal for me to be this way"
"I see. Thank you very much for your kindness"
Ugh. If I didn't knew what his real personality is like I would have been fooled with that act of his.
It is not part of the novel but an idea of the author itself.
The author Jessica, my friend, told me that the vice-commander of the imperial knights is actually the one responsible with 'information extraction' within the palace. A secret disciple of the previous marquees of Annora.
A man who enjoys seeing blood the most.
I did said that I am okay with my movement being watched but to think that he, of all people, would be my knight is a bit uncomfortable but he never disobey the empress so I suppose it would be fine as long as I do not say anything bad towards the empress when I am alone with him.
The maid came back with the refreshments and some sweet snacks.
After resting for a bit, I took a tour around the emerald palace with John.
For them it would look as if I am trying to familiarize myself here but I'm actually not. There is no need to familiarize myself in this new place since I was the one who constructed all the passages on each palace in the novel by the request of my friend.
Still, though there are only a few who manage the emerald palace it is well kept. The garden is flawless. It doesn't have any weeds growing from here or there. The windows doesn't have any dirt on them. Especially the bathroom.
As someone who came from the modern times who values cleanliness, I'm so happy that I get to use a toilet again.
"John"
"Yes my lady?"
"Let's go to the kitchen. It is near lunch, so might as well make some"
"You will cook, my lady?"
"Yes"
In the kitchen there were a lot of ingredients prepared in advance. There were also a variety of cooking utensils and tools.
"What kind of dish will you make my lady?"
"Grilled chicken with barbecue sauce and potato salad"
As I cook, the number of audience increased.
It is a shame that I don't have enough time to marinade the meat overnight. Well, it is my first day here so that would be impossible.
I finish cooking an hour later.
There was enough for everyone so we ate at the table.
"My lady, what is this?! It is so delicious!"
"Right, right!"
"I have never tasted something as good as this!"
"My lady, where did you learn to cook such good food"
"I learn it at home economics in high school"
"Home economics?"
Oh, my tongue slipped. Of course they wouldn't understand what I just said.
The food vanish instantly.
Everyone enjoyed the dish I made.
Bang.
The door opened violently by a guard.
"My lady the second prince is currently at the drawing room"
Of course, that guy is here.