Chapter 103: Chapter 103: Arrival at the palace

A month had passed since we began preparing for the Imperial Hunt.Time flew by surprisingly quickly — before I knew it, the days of intense preparations were replaced by the final touches before departure. All this time, it seemed as if life around me had frozen in anticipation of this event.

And now, when the day had finally arrived, I looked out of the carriage window and watched as the outlines of the Imperial Palace began to appear in the distance.

The tall towers of light-colored stone reflected the sun’s rays. Neat avenues decorated with flags bearing the imperial coat of arms stretched out on both sides of the road, and every detail — from the golden spires to the austere lines of the walls — seemed to remind us of exactly where we were.

Guards in full dress uniform stood along the road, standing straight as if on command in their impeccably ironed uniforms. Their armor sparkled in the sun, reflecting the light like mirrors. Everything here was a reminder of the grandeur and order of the Empire.

"We’re really here," Ruby said quietly, sitting next to me. Her voice betrayed a slight excitement mixed with admiration.

"Yes," I replied, smiling slightly. "Welcome to the palace, Ruby."

Outside the window, I could see the faces of courtiers, footmen rushing with trunks, and other aristocrats who had come directly for the hunt.

Finally, the carriage slowed down smoothly. A guard’s voice came from outside:

"The Weinstein family’s carriage!"

Ruby instantly sat up straight, looking a little nervous. I just leaned back slightly and adjusted my glove.

"Remember," I said quietly, lowering my voice so that my words would not leave the carriage. "When you are in the palace, it is always important to be vigilant."

The girl nodded, and her gaze flashed with determination mixed with anxiety.

"I’ll... try."

The carriage stopped at the main entrance, and the servants immediately rushed to open the doors for us. We stepped outside, and the cool morning air touched our faces pleasantly.

A tall man stood before us. His figure immediately stood out from the rest — his posture was confident, his gaze calm but piercing. He wore a dark blue camisole with gold patterns, which fit him perfectly. His every movement seemed calculated, as if rehearsed in advance.

"Lady Weinstein, Lady Rubiella," he said in an even voice, bowing his head slightly. "On behalf of His Majesty the Emperor, I am pleased to welcome you to the palace."

Of course, I knew this man. Chancellor Kestler was the Emperor’s right-hand man, a man who was both feared and respected in equal measure. We had met many times before during my visits to the palace, so this time he didn’t even need to introduce himself.

Ruby curtsied politely, while I limited myself to a slight nod.

"Chancellor Kestler," I said calmly, lifting my chin slightly. "It’s good to see you in good health."

He allowed himself a slight smile, almost imperceptible, like a shadow gliding across his lips.

"Your arrival was expected, milady," he replied.

"Thank you for the welcome," I replied, bowing in return. "It is an honor for us to be invited to such an important event."

"The Emperor has ordered that all guests invited to the hunt be accommodated in the palace for the duration of the event. You will stay here for three days," he said. "Your rooms are already prepared."

"How thoughtful of His Majesty," I said with a slight smile. "The Emperor, as always, pays attention to detail."

"His Majesty appreciates the participation of the Weinstein family," replied the chancellor, his expression unchanged.

He then turned to the footman standing nearby.

"Show Lady Weinstein and Lady Rubiella to their rooms. Make sure they have everything they need."

"Yes, my lord," the footman bowed respectfully and stepped forward.

When Chancellor Kestler turned back to me, his gaze lingered on me a fraction of a second longer than necessary.

"The hunt will begin tomorrow at dawn," he said a little more quietly. "I advise you to get a good night’s rest, milady. And tonight there will be a small reception for the hunt participants."

I gave only a brief nod.

"Thank you for the warning, Chancellor. We will certainly attend."

He bowed his head slightly, and that was the end of our meeting. The Emperor’s chancellor withdrew, while Ruby and I followed the footman who was leading us to our quarters.

As we walked through the long corridors of the palace, Ruby walked beside me, looking around every now and then.

"Auntie, it’s so beautiful here," she said admiringly.

"Yes," I replied calmly. "It really is beautiful here. But we shouldn’t get too relaxed, because this is a palace."

The girl nodded, as if memorizing my every word. Her gaze became a little more serious, although a slight admiration still shone in her eyes.

We walked in silence for a while, our footsteps echoing in the corridor. I couldn’t help but think. Indeed, even though this wasn’t my first time in the palace — or even my second — every time I crossed its threshold, I felt the same thing: a slight, almost unconscious admiration.

Even those nobles who were accustomed to living in luxury could not remain indifferent to the palace. After all, it was the Imperial Palace, the very heart of the Empire.

I also couldn’t help but notice how majestic everything around me looked. Marble floors, painted arches, antique tapestries on the walls — all of this created an atmosphere of solemnity and power.

When we were finally led to our own, pre-assigned quarters, I allowed myself to breathe freely — for the first time all day. The long journey had indeed left me feeling slightly tired.

Ruby was also going to her quarters. Fortunately, they were not far from mine — just a couple of doors away. This was convenient: if anything unexpected happened, we could quickly contact each other and meet in person.

"Remember, Ruby," I said to her before she left. "Be vigilant, and if anything happens, be sure to come to me, okay?"

She nodded.

"I’ll be careful, Auntie. I promise."

"Good." I allowed myself a brief smile. "Get some rest. We’ll meet later when the reception begins. Don’t be late."

"Of course."

After that, Rubiella went to her room. I stood there for a moment, listening to her footsteps fade away, and then headed to my room, where a servant escorted me.

We walked a little further, and soon the footman stopped in front of tall double doors made of dark wood and decorated with elegant carvings. He bowed respectfully.

"Your chambers, milady."

I stepped forward, and the doors swung open. The room that opened before me was striking in its grandeur: high ceilings, light streaming in from large windows, fabrics shimmering with gold and cream, and the light scent of jasmine in the air.

As soon as I crossed the threshold, I couldn’t help but let out an unconscious sigh of admiration.

The room was spacious and bright, with a high balcony overlooking the inner garden. Through the half-open balcony doors came the light scent of jasmine and the sound of water falling into the stone basin of the fountain.

The servant bowed silently and withdrew, leaving me alone.

I walked around the room, running my hand over the smooth surface of the carved furniture. Everything here spoke of luxury and order — not a single detail had been overlooked. A tea set was already laid out on the table by the window: delicate porcelain, saucers with cookies, and a cup from which the steam of freshly brewed tea rose.

Well, my quarters in the palace were indeed quite cozy.

I took off my gloves and placed them on the armrest, allowing myself to relax. Outside, the diverse sounds of the palace continued to echo.

I glanced at my watch. There was still plenty of time before the evening reception began.

"Three days in the palace..." I murmured quietly, approaching the window and lifting the heavy velvet curtain.

Servants and officers bustled about the alleys, shaded by tall cypress trees. Some were checking the carriages, others were giving orders, and still others were hurriedly carrying boxes and baskets of provisions. Everything around me was alive with anticipation of tomorrow’s Imperial Hunt, one of the most significant events of the season.

Even from here, I could sense the special mixture of tension and solemnity that always hung in the palace on the eve of such events. The servants moved quickly but without fuss — their actions showed a practiced precision. Everyone knew their place, their role. Everything had to be perfect.

I ran my hand over the cold glass, leaving a light mark on it. My own silhouette flashed in the reflection of the window — calm, outwardly imperturbable, but with an unclear shadow on my face.

I frowned involuntarily.

Well, now that I was here, I could only hope that everything would go smoothly. I really wanted to get through this without any incidents.

Nevertheless, for some reason, a slight feeling of anxiety arose within me. I couldn’t explain where it came from. There were no specific reasons for concern. And yet... a strange premonition, which I myself could not explain, still did not leave me.