Chapter 994 A Visit to the Imperial Palace
"How do I look? Am I handsome?"
Nolan stood in front of the mirror, examining himself from head to toe.
He was wearing a black robe with four buttons running down the right side. The outer fabric was made of silk and velvet, sewn with care and precision.
The lining was made from a different kind of silk called azure silk.
It came from tiny silkworms deep in the magical forest in the southern part of the continent.
These silkworms could only be harvested once every five years, so their silk was rare and expensive.
Even when it was available, it cost a fortune.
However, Nolan wore it casually, as if it were worthless.
"So handsome!" Shion clapped her hands excitedly, drool dripping from the corner of her mouth. "Your hairstyle suits you perfectly, and a little makeup makes you even more handsome, Master!"
If she didn't have any morals, she would've jumped on Nolan right then and there.
He looked like a walking hormone, enough to make any woman want to kidnap him.
Nolan noticed her hungry gaze and got goosebumps.
"Ahem! All right, I'll be going now."
"W-Wait a minute! Something's still missing."
Shion hurried over to her desk, grabbed a black rose-shaped brooch, and pinned it to the right side of Nolan's robe.
"There, perfect."
Shion took a step back and nodded in satisfaction.
Nolan stared at the brooch curiously.
"What's this for?"
Shion scratched the right side of her face, looking embarrassed.
"It's a charm."
"A charm?"
Shion nodded slightly.
"I got it from a mysterious man on the street. He sold it to me for cheap and said it would make a good gift for a guy I… like."
As she said the word "like," her face turned as red as a tomato.
Nolan chuckled softly and gently ruffled her hair.
"Thanks."
"Hehehe…"
Shion squirmed happily. Getting a compliment from Nolan was more than enough to make her happy.
"Well then, I'm heading out now."
Shion nodded slightly.
"Be careful."
…
"What's wrong, Sister?"
Elina's voice startled Novaria, who had been lost in thought.
Novaria turned to her, meeting her curious gaze.
"N-No, it's nothing."
She shook her head.
"I was just thinking about Mother and Aldric."
Elina was quiet for a moment before speaking.
"Why don't you go back to the queen's place?"
Novaria's face froze.
"Huh? Are you kicking me out?"
"No, it's not like that."
Elina laughed.
"I mean, it's been a long time since you last visited, hasn't it? You must miss her. I'll ask the Crescent Moon Swordsman to go with you."
Novaria hesitated for a moment.
"Is that okay? Aren't you afraid I'll tell my mother about your plan?"
She was often drawn into discussions between Elina and Rafine about various matters. One of those matters was Elina's long-term plan for the battle for the throne.
"If you want to tell her, I don't care."
Elina shrugged.
"Besides, Aldric is off at war, isn't he? The queen's full attention must be on that. Not to mention, she's forbidden from using her power in this battle for the throne unless she's prepared to face severe punishment."
If her father were still in power, that might have been difficult. After all, Vanessa was his first wife.
But things were different with Seira. That woman wouldn't forgive anyone who broke the rules, not even the queen herself. Calling her an iron fist wouldn't be an exaggeration.
Novaria stared at her in silence. The more she got to know Elina, the more she admired her.
If it had been any other candidate, they might have gotten angry or locked her up somewhere to prevent her from leaving the mansion.
But not Elina. She remained calm, even with the threat right in front of her.
"In that case, I'll accept. I'll return to the southern region for about five days. Is that okay?"
Elina smiled and nodded.
"Of course."
…
The horse-drawn carriage carrying Nolan to the imperial palace finally arrived.
There was nothing special about it, except for the flag bearing the blue moon emblem fluttering above it.
The servants and guards didn't dare be careless. They quickly formed a line to welcome him.
The imperial palace's head servant stepped down and opened the carriage door.
"Welcome, Mr. Frey," he greeted him.
Nolan, wearing a half-face mask, stepped out and gazed at the front hall of the imperial palace with a nostalgic look.
It had been six months since he had last been here.
It would be a lie to say he didn't miss the people inside.
"Is Her Majesty Seira already waiting inside?" he asked as he walked up the stairs.
"Yes. Her Majesty is waiting for you in the throne room. Allow me to escort you."
Nolan didn't object and followed her inside.
…
"The leader of the Blue Moon Trading House came to the imperial palace?"
Clarisse was surprised when she heard the news.
The maid nodded eagerly.
"That's right, Ma'am! He just arrived and is on his way to the throne room to meet Her Majesty Seira."
Clarisse's face lit up.
"This is a great opportunity!" she said excitedly. "I have to get that man's support!"
No one knew who had founded the largest trading house in the empire—not even her husband, Ragan.
The man was incredibly mysterious, and his identity had been kept a secret from the public.
If she could secure his support for Adalen, Clarisse could only imagine how devastating the impact would be.
Elina?
Aldric?
Cedric?
Hahaha! None of them will be able to defeat my son!
Overflowing with joy, she grabbed the maid's right hand.
"Come with me!"
The maid nodded.
"As you command."
…
"Your Highness, the owner of the Blue Moon Trading House has arrived at the imperial palace."
An elderly man in a red cloak bowed before Isabella, who was reading a book.
"What? The owner of the Blue Moon Trading House?"
Isabella looked up in surprise.
"Are you sure?"
"That's right, Your Highness. He's on his way to the throne room to meet Her Majesty Seira."
Isabella fell silent, lost in thought. The owner of the Blue Moon Trading House had always been a mysterious figure.
Even with the Izanagi Eastern Empire's intelligence network, she still couldn't uncover it. Of course, she had no malicious intentions in trying to find out.
She simply wanted to thank the man for helping her daughter, Eliza, obtain what she wanted.
Unfortunately, she had been unable to find him and had eventually given up the search.
"I'm going."
Isabella stood up with a smile.
"I want to see what kind of man could build such a massive business empire."