With him sleeping quietly in her arms, it wasn’t hard to picture the cute, quiet person he was before. Oh, when he was so harmless. She stroked his head, and carried him over to the bed. Tucking him in, she breathed in and steeled herself.

Katalina did not see the ones that she wanted to see. No Empress Haein, no Minister Wynt. She wandered around the camp. Several soldiers milled about, drunk out of their minds. It was close to midnight by now, with the moon hung in the starry night sky. If she didn’t bump into her, Katalina would go to her. There were only so many places the empress could be. She pushed the curtains to the main headquarters camp open.

“Oh, wasn’t expecting the Lady Knight here,” Empress Haein said.

“Indeed. I assume he passed out, then?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. And I apologise, Minister, may I please have a private chat with Her Majesty the Empress?”

Katalina bowed her head, with her eyes peeking at the scene she walked onto. Both of them were blushing, and oddly close. Of course, she said nothing of it.

“Ahem. Of course, of course. I’ll see myself out then. See you later, Your Highness.”

With a casual bow, Minister Wynt walked out of the main encampment and off to some unknown location. He carried with him a fine bottle of alcohol, the very same one that got her lord drunk. It seemed that the minister was capable of holding his alcohol, though he still walked with a bit of a stagger. He didn’t notice his own slurred words either, and she hoped he found his way safely.

Empress Haein, on the other hand, looked much more impressive. Sitting in a way that exuded confidence, her legs crossed and eyes sharp as always. Her face was stoic as usual, and gears moved and turned behind those blue eyes. Even in conditions like war, her blonde hair retained the same beauty and texture as she had in the imperial palace.

“Let’s just make it quick, yeah?” She spoke with a certain nonchalance that was hard to place. “Just say what’s on your mind. And I’ll do the same. Discard the ideas of formalities and social standings.”

“If you insist,” Katalina said after a long deep breath.

“So what’s troubling you?”

“I’ll skip over the steps and cut right to the heart of the issue. Haein, what exactly are you doing with my master?”

“What do you mean? Your master, that is to say, my husband. We’re just a married couple.”

“That’s not what he said. He mentioned that you particularly enjoy committing acts of violence against him.”

“And what makes you say that?”

“My mas- Francis. Francis said that you like to hit him, and that he didn’t particularly mind it.”

“Hmm.” Haein down some of the hard liquor, pondering her next words. “If he already said that much, then I won’t deny it.”

“So you are guilty of abuse.”

“Who said that it was abuse? You said it yourself, that he didn’t mind it.”

“May I know the extent of it?”

“Nothing that will leave a permanent scar. Just a few slaps and punches here and there. Is a spouse’s duty not to help in married life?”

“What kind of warped worldview do you have?”

“Indeed, if he wanted to fight back, I wouldn’t stop him. But, Emperor Fita was the one that started the tradition, and his reign lasted for 60 years. His daughter, Empress Fiora carried out the same tradition, and lasted for 40 years before succumbing to disease. We should always take out our anger on each other, rather than taking it out on the blameless citizens.”

“What?” There was nothing to hide the confusion and rising anger in her voice.

“Put another way, he is my stress relief. And in the same way, I am more than willing to act as his stress relief. Such is the tradition of the royals. The system works, Katalina.”

“That isn’t how it should be.”

“That’s how it is.”

“Why?”

“Do you really think you are in a position to comment on my habits?”

“And what do you mean by that?”

“You work as his bodyguard. His sword and shield.”

Katalina scowled. It was true, to an extent. Her entire life revolved around violence. Did a person as violent as her have a right to comment on the issue? Haein glared at her. For a moment, there were sparks as their eyes met. It was as if she issued a challenge.

“Even so, you shouldn’t be hitting him.”

“And if he likes it?”

“Do you know if he does?”

“How about you? Do you know if he doesn’t?” Haein shot back.

There was a thud outside a soldier probably tripped and fell. Still, nothing could break the impenetrable silence. The empress stood up and approached her. Like a shark from the fables, though Katalina herself never witnessed one. With every step, the knight felt her fight or flight instincts kick in. Maybe if it had been someone else, they would have fled. But as the empress herself pointed out, Katalina’s entire life revolved around fighting. She crossed her arms and stared straight at the approaching predator.

Seeing no sign of her stopping, Katalina stood her ground. Until Haein ended up pressing her own chest against hers. Even then, the two continued staring at each other.

“I know about who his heart desires,” Haein said simply. “Is that why you’re attacking me like this? To make up for the fact that you can’t be there for him? That through politics he married me?”

“Don’t talk nonsense.”

“Katalina, the world is so much more than fighting. Your master, he has a gift.”

“You’re trying to change the subject.”

“Hm. You got me.”

“Um, Sergeant Kara Adreti reporting as directed, Your Majesty!” A woman shouted from outside.

With her back illuminated by a beautiful bonfire, her stocky body cast a dark shadow on the inside of the tent. Her arms tight and elbows turned at perfect degrees, she could have been a model soldier. Beside her, a much more restless figure paced around.

“Ah! Wait!” The good sergeant tried to prevent the intruder from entering, but to no avail. Hye-Sung waltzed into the tent with her hands shoved into her pockets.

“God fucking damn it!” Hye-Sung shouted. “Is he dead? I can’t reach him.”

“I apologise, Your Majesty!”

The sergeant, pitiful as she may be, bowed her head in a near exact 90 degrees. She held that position for a moment, before gesturing for Hye-Sung to do the same. But all she did was crunch on a piece of hard candy before walking towards the scene. Even then, the empress and the knight were too close for comfort.