What I wouldn’t give for a nice hot bath.

Also, this Palace is way too huge!

Considering this is the Imperial Palace of the Atlantasia Empire, its massive size fits to serve as the residence of the Imperial Family that rules an Empire spanning the whole continent. The Imperial Palace is technically a complex roughly the size of a city with numerous Palaces, gardens, and Government Buildings.

And “this” Palace I was referring to is the Grand Imperial Palace. This is the largest of them all and could be seen from the farthest corner of the metropolis.

As such, it serves as the main residence of the Emperor.

A.K.A. Me.

‘m thinking of moving into one of the adjacent and smaller palaces. There’s no actual precedent that the Emperor must stay in this particular Palace.

It takes thirty minutes to get from one point to another and that’s just in the Inner Palace. I would’ve sprinted or flown but after today, perhaps a walk will do me good.

I finally arrived at the main entranceway to my apartments. I can never get used to this entrance hall. This place has a giant domed rotunda with massive statues for pillars, high arc windows, and a giant pair of gold-leafed doors that screamed luxury.

“Halt! Who goes there!”

Ah, I forgot to mention that there were guards underneath each pillar who protected this entranceway.

And they were now pointing their halberds at me.

“State your name! How dare you attempt to enter the Emperor’s Chambers!”

I completely forgot that I changed my clothes and wasn’t with an escort.

“Since when do my own Knights speak to me in such a way? Not to mention, as you’ve mentioned, these are my chambers.”

I took off my hat.

“W-Wha?! Y-Your Majesty?!”

All of them drew back and quickly stood in attention.

“I don’t need to explain the change of my outfit to you, do I?”

“Y-Yes Your Majesty! Do forgive us for our short-sightedness!”

“Hmph…”

“But Sire…I do beg your pardon but where are your escorts? Lord Stahlin’s orders were that you were to be accompanied by a guard at all-”

“Don’t mention that man ever again. Am I clear?”

I coldly cut him off causing the knight who raised that question to flinch.

“And mind you, who is the monarch and supreme ruler of this palace? Whose orders are you going to follow? Him or mine?”

“Well…”

“You dare to hesitate? Where are your loyalties?!”

They all backed away. It was the first time they've heard me raise my voice. Well, that and I released a bit of Intimidation to let them know I am not to be trifled with. Some of them fell to their knees. These guys were supposed to protect the doors to my chambers? Pathetic.

The knight who questioned earlier was now on his knees shaking. But I did not let up. I need to establish who truly rules.

“I have yet to hear your answer. To whom do you swear your loyalty?”

“Y-You, of course! Your Majesty!”

I let a few seconds of Intimidation flow over them before I withdrew it a bit. With that feeling of oppression lifted, some of them began to breathe in relief.

“And don't forget it. All of Stahlin’s orders are hereby voided. Am I clear?”

“Yes!”

Everyone stood firm but it did not hide that they were either frightened or bewildered by my sudden display of attitude. Ho? I can hear some rather bullshit whispers and thoughts.

What the hell is going on?

What was that just now?

Was His Majesty always this...intimidating?

Acting high and mighty now that he became Emperor?

This damned brat. He’s nothing more than a mere puppet!

I’m sure once Lord Stahlin hears of this, he’ll be put in his place.

Some of those here were sons from Stahlin’s inner circle’s lackeys. They had some bit of pride being here “guarding” the Emperor. They were already aware that during the regency, Stalin held the true power and “I” was nothing more than a mere puppet. Well, “I” acted as such which gave them some ego boost to act condescending towards me.

Well, they were both right and wrong. Well, the attitude that “I” was always showing to them was that of a meek mouse.

“Now then, I shall retire to my chambers.”

I made my way to the doors, upon my glare, the guards opened them for me.

“Before I forget, I am expecting Prime Minister Wynston von Vismark and Knight-Captain Leofold von Schweiz of the Imperial Guard to come to my chambers tomorrow morning. Inform the next shift change to let them in immediately.”

The guards once again looked confused as I said this.

“Pardon me, Your Majesty...but who-”

Ah, it hasn’t spread yet. They were all waiting here instead of being at the banquet. And this place is heavily guarded so they weren’t able to see what transpired outside either.

And that would explain why they thought Stahlin would be coming round to put in my place.

“It seems you weren’t informed yet. There have been some management changes. I have dismissed Adolv von Stahlin and Wulfric von Schweiz from their respective positions.”

I say that to them nonchalantly.

The shock was registered in their faces. Some of them looked as though they were about to ask questions which I have no time for.

“And before I forget, there will be some changes amongst the servants and the guards. Be prepared. I will personally evaluate if you are worthy to continue working at the Palace.”

My words caused all of them to stiffened.

I did not miss that I could hear them talking frantically as soon as the doors were about to close. I do wonder how they’re going to take it when they learn I obliterated Stahlin and turned Schweiz into an ice statue. Well, although I say I will evaluate them I already made my mind up to remove them. I snicker as I proceeded deeper into my private chambers.

***

My private apartments consist of several enormous rooms and adjacent chambers. One can describe it as a fancy and luxurious large mansion inside a palace. Well, this is the Emperor’s Private Chambers after all.

When I finally made it to my study, I placed the Imperial Crown on its pillow-topped pedestal then with a loud sigh I collapsed on a sofa.

“Ah~ I’m so tired… Why do they make that crown so heavy!” I rotated my neck and it made several loud cracks.

That thing was about eight pounds! Wearing that the whole day may have compressed my neck in the wrong shape.

“King...Queen...It’s about time you two pop out of there.”

A couple of shadows leaped from the windows at the same time a curtain blew. Normally, a pair of cloaked figures entering an Emperor’s rooms would be the tale of an assassination.

Well, usually.

“Already the first day on the job and you’re complaining, Will?”

“Give me a break. It did not help that guy resisted to the very end.”

“But you are a full-fledged Emperor now. And as for you Nils, you should start properly addressing him.”

“Since when do we need formalities in the first place?” I waved nonchalantly.

They both took off their hoods, revealing similar faces. One can easily tell they were twins. One was a boy with short ginger hair while the other, his sister, had longer hair tied in a ponytail. Both were a year younger than me but had the normal proportions of someone their age. Poking out of the top of their heads was a pair of cat ears, one of the notable characteristics of the Beastclan race.

Ah, we’ve started a conversation before I could introduce them.

The girl’s name is Nera, Codename “Queen”. She’s the older of the two and was the more mature and stricter one. Her brother’s name is Nils, Codename “King”. He is the more laid-back and carefree of the two.

Given the way they entered my salon, their outfits, and their codenames you can guess that they were members of the Night Lurkers. However, like all the Night Lurkers, they both have cover jobs. For Nils, he is my personal attendant. As for Nera, she was my private maid.

A little background on them.

Nils and Nera are children of the late Marquis von Melvylle. He used to be the Guild Master of the Free Merchants Guild. However, due to Stahlin and their family’s rival Marquis Rasfutin (yup, the same guy I blaster within an inch of his face earlier) their family fell victim to a sinister plot where they were attacked by hired bandits on the way from a business trip. Luckily, due to Verdict, leader of the Night Lurkers, simply passing by she was able to save them. The four children: the heir Niko, twins Nils & Nera, and the youngest Nyla, were able to escape harm but unfortunately, the Marquis and his wife were killed.

In a situation similar to mine, Niko being the eldest despite only being 13 became the new Marquis Melvylle. Fortunately, their legal guardian was their aunt who was the kind and respected Duchess Mosart. The seat of Guild Master of the Merchant Guild, however, fell to the hands of Marquis Rasfutin. And from there, the economy played into Stahlin’s hands.

Verdict then made contact with the Marquis Family and informed them of the truth from her findings.

Wanting revenge for what happened to their family, Niko, Nils and Nera joined with the Night Lurkers. While Niko worked hard to manage the Marquisate and their father’s business. Nils and Nera trained to become spies while also keeping up their education to become aides to higher rank families.

They eventually entered the Palace as spies but things happened and I made them my Personal Aide and Maid.

It’s a big story, so I’ll explain later.

“Anyhow, I take it you’ve dealt with Stahlin’s prick of a son, Napolyon?”

“As you’ve expected, he colluded with your former governess to turn us to slaves. Napolyon, especially, wanted to make me his slave.” says Nera, with obvious disgust.

My expression grew dark and angry.

“So he finally went down on that route, huh? That prick has been lusting after you for quite some time now ever since you turned him down.”

He soon came to lust after Nera when she started to grow into a womanly figure. Make no mistake, he had no love. He just wanted to indulge in the pleasure of domineering a beautiful woman from a race he considered beneath him. This whole situation came about because he flirted with her, thinking she’d fell for his charms. But Nera knew full well about his character and coldly refused him which stoked his male ego. Being a Night Lurker she was able to elude and refuse him despite his many underhanded tactics which further fueled his lust and obsession.

“Not to mention that the Rasfutin Siblings were in on it,” adds Nils.

This made my frown deeper.

Those little punks desired Nils and Nera’s positions. They’ve been pulling stunts to disgrace Nils and Nera for years to have them removed from my sides but we always turned things right on them.

“Persistent pair of cockroaches. They really can’t take “no” for an answer. Well, I think what’s coming to them is going to put a stop it. So I assume all of them have been captured?”

“Actually, we captured the Rasfutins and that old hag of a governess. But Napolyon had been axed.”

This was a code word for “killed” in the process of being apprehended.

“Axed? Weren’t you supposed to capture him?”

“He put up a fight. Nera was the one who finished him off. A fitting end to him.”

“Ah…Should’ve guessed.”

Nera shrugged. “Well, it wasn’t much of a fight.”

Nils nodded in agreement, “Compared to the training with you, that guy wasn’t much of a warm-up. Those slave traders didn’t put up much of a fight either and were complete wimps. The Rasfutin Siblings just pissed themselves.”

I laughed, “Between experienced fighters and snobby noble kids who’ve neglected their combat training to focus on scheming, I think it’s safe to say who won your little fight. As for that old hag… the executioners and the podium are ready for her tomorrow. Supposedly, with Stahlin’s son. But...oh well...Great work out there. We’ve achieved our major goals tonight.”

The twins smiled at me.

“Shouldn’t we say that to you? I didn’t expect you to cut a meteor!”

“Ah, you saw that?”

“I don’t think people are going to miss a giant rock falling from the sky. Those nobles were practically screaming their heads off when they saw that thing coming down through the domed glass roof. Even I thought we were all goners!”

“Honestly, I didn’t expect Stahlin to pull that stunt either. A Grand Magic of all things. Well, it’s because of this..”

I pulled out the Medallion he was using. I explained to the two of them what it was and how it supplied Stahlin with Magic Power. The both of them stared at this medallion with disgust and anger.

“I’m gonna give this to Verdict later. With it, we can finally locate the missing kids.”

“I shudder to think what kind of horrors Stahlin has put those poor children through.” Nera looked at me in concern.

“I’d rather not speculate. What’s important is that we rescue them soon. I take it that Verdict has already received the message?”

“She’ll be here shortly at the usual time. I’ve received word that the other members have succeeded in their respective tasks,” says Nera.

“Perfect, you better change before anybody becomes suspicious. I’m gonna go and give myself a relaxing bath. We’ve finally achieved one of our major goals tonight and I’ve prepared a sumptuous meal for us tonight to celebrate. I made some of your favorites.”

“Alright! It’s been a while since I’ve eaten any of your cooking! Did you make that?” says a cheerful Nils, with a slight drool in his lip.

“What kind of Emperor does the cooking for his servants?” says Nera, shaking her head.

“The one standing in front of you. A little treat is in order. After all...it’s finally over for you guys, right? Marquis Rasfutin is going to get what’s coming to him.”

“Yeah...about that, Will? There’s something we’d like to say to you.”

“Hmm?”

Before I knew it. Both of them bowed to me.

“Thank you!”

Now this is awkward. I scratched my cheek.

“No problem...For now, let’s get things ready for our private little celebration. Things are gonna be hectic for a while after all this. Now if you’ll excuse me. I need that bath.”

“Ah! Wait! Will, there's another thing we’d also like to say-”

“Yeah, I know but please save that for after dinner. We have all the time afterwards. For now, I want my bath.” I turned on my heel with a wave of my hand.

“Oh, do you need help?”

“No, I’m good.”

I deliberately kicked a fuss until nobody would help bathe me. This is one of the few things I’d rather not let anyone interfere with: my bathing regimen.

I am rather particular about it. Luckily, the Emperor’s Private Baths were designed to allow me to take a bath. I carried that over from my previous life.

As I soaked in that huge luxury tub, I thought back about how everything led up to this point.

Oh, right. I just mentioned it in passing just now. That’s right. I am a reincarnated person who retained his memories.

To explain, let me start at the beginning.