Astoria's POV
It has been a week since I became her majesty's lover, But since the empress is busy with her work running the empire, I decided to ask for permission to meet the elder dwarve who forged the sword that was given to me,
Her majesty gave me her permission and I am now being led by the butler to the palace smithy On our way, I heard sounds of swords exchanging blows and I can't help but to be curious,
"This is where the elite Claymore Knights train. Have you heard about the Claymore Knights?" I nodded. Who doesn't? The Claymore Knights are elite soldiers who protects the imperial family
"On the surface, the Claymore Knights seems to be protecting the monarchs, But in reality, they are an elite group of knights who protecting the empress. There is a saying that once the enemy spotted the Claymore Knights in the battlefield, you should start praying to your God."
I've heard of the Claymore's before, I was save by one when I was younger. I see- so they're the knights who protect the empress, I chuckled when I saw how terrible one of the knights stance are.
"Care to share your thoughts, countess?" Oh- I forgot I'm with the butler, Damn it, Astoria.
"One of the knights there has terrible stance. Did he got into the knightage through connections and bribe?" The butler raised an eyebrow before turning his attention to where the knights are.
"How did you notice that? We are so far away." I smiled.
"After years of slaughtering monsters day and night, my eye sights are clearer than most people. I could even see in the dark, Maybe someday I could challenge the best swordmaster among the Claymores." The butler smiled.
"Perhaps." We continue our journey towards the smithy I was surprised by how busy the smithy is.
"It's a bit busy since the elder dwarve has taken in a few disciples. Follow me." We got into the smithy and immediately I was greeted by many sort of swords, dagger, bows and even shield used by the palace knights.
"Wow"
"I recognise that scent everywhere. You must be from the North, What brings you here-" the dwarve's eyes widen when she saw the sword in my hands.
"Where did you got this?! Did you steal them from the owner?!" The dwarve started yelling at me. How did he knows that this sword belongs to my father?
"Elder Bondas, this is Countess Astoria Aspen," The elder dwarve turned to me with wide eyes.
"You're Sullivan's daugther?! Ah- you must be the new lad the empress mentioned about. Have you taken a second to test out the sword I forged around your waist?" I shake my head no.
"When the empress asked me to forged a dragon slaying sword, I know just the sword that fit such description, I didn't realised she would give it to Sullivan's daugther." The dwarve suddenly laughed.
"So- why are you here, Aspen?" Ah-I handed the sword I was holding to him.
"I was wondering if you could repair this sword." The dwarve hummed before he unsheathe the sword to see its condition,
"Oh my- this sword is in pretty bad shape, You must have depended on this sword as if it's your life. How many monster you taken with this sword?" I smiled, I lost count of how many monsters I slayed,"Hmmm-I can fix them, Give me a few days. So, is that all you wanted to tell me?" I look around the smithy and asked if I could take a look around.
"Sure. It's not like I can't say no. You are the empress lover after all." The dwarve walks to the back of the smithy while I look around. The butler stayed by the door while I take a look at all the weapon.
"What do you think of the palace smithy, countess?" What do I think?
"It has everything that the North lacks. How did her majesty convince a dwarve to work for her?" The butler.
"I rather not say. Would you like to have a tour of the empress palace, countess?" I think for second before nodding my head. I have a feeling that if I decline his offer, I might regret it.
We started by going through the empress private garden, Only certain people has access to it- including me, The garden alone is as big as the Northern castle.
"Fun fact, it took almost a thousand servant to take care of the empress palace. And the only royalty who lives here is the empress and the princess. The princess is currently studying at the academy. She would only be here on holidays." Ah-I heard from Jennifer than the empress has a daugther.
"This pathway leads to the kitchen. If you have any meal request, all you have to do is inform the maid. They shall prepare it at once. On your right is the path to her majesty's greenhouse. Sometimes she would enjoys tea time there for a change of scenery. Follow me."
I followed the butler to another path that leads us to the empress palace front entrance.
"If you walk this path, you'll find a stable. Both the empress and the princess enjoys horse riding. Sometimesthey would play polo together with the knights." Huh? Polo?
"Have you ever heard of Polo? It's a game played on horseback between two teams of four players each who use mallets with long, flexible handles to drive a wooden ball down a grass field and between two goal posts." I have never heard of that before.
"What sort of sport played in the North?" The butler asked.
"Hunting? Whoever catches the most monsters wins a sack of grain. It's what we have to do to cheer up the people. Sometimes we would held festivals for those who sacrifice themselves to protect the Northern border. It's a way for us to honor their death." Did I said something wrong?
Somehow the atmosphere changes to gloom,
"Who are those people?" I asked when a couple of noblewoman walks down the stairs as we entered the palace.
"Ah, those are consort Lydia and Rosanna, They are the emperor's new concubines. There is four of them but those two are chosen to help her majesty with empire's affairs." I see-
"Then what does the emperor do?" The butler chuckled.
"Things- I guess. Anyway, since the consorts are here, the meeting must have ended. I guess it's fine if you went to see her majesty, I'll prepare the refreshment. You know where her office is, right?" I nodded before ascending the stairs to her majesty's office.
I knock on the door before I wait for the empress's permission to enter.
"Oh- did you met elder Bondac? Is it possible for him to fix your old sword?" I nodded before smiling at theempress, I still couldn't believe than I am here talking casually with the ruler of this empire,
"I have discuss the next step into rebuilding the North First, we shall appoint you as the official countess of Aspen, Second, we shall announced that we are lovers. And third, I will have to introduced you to my daugther." Huh? I understand the first step but why do we have to announced our relationship and introduce me to the princess?
"You seems confused, I thought that even if I appointed you as the countess, your relatives would continue to use other means to take away what is yours. If the fact that you're my lover went public, they might stayed docile. And the reason why you have to meet my daugther is because I don't want any rumours about us spreading like wild fire. It's better for my daughter to hear what is going on from my own mouth than someone else's."
I see-I understand now. The butler came with refreshment.
"Did sarah went home?" Her majesty asked,
"Yes, your majesty."
I was enjoying the dessert that the butler had prepare when the empress tap her finger on the table.
"I have a mission for you, my dear lover. And if you succeed, I will provide the North soldiers with new suits of armour and weapons for the next monster subjugation." I almost choke on the desserts I was swallowing when I heard that.
"Are you alright?" I nodded my head while hitting my chest to let it run down smoothly
"Your majesty, you shouldn't joke about those things to a Northerners. It's our dream come true to have better equipment to subjugate the monsters." Her majestysmiled.
"Who said anything about joking around? I'm being serious. That is if you could complete the mission I'm about to give you." Her majesty smiled.
"What kind of mission?"