Elias was sitting in his study, enjoying a cup of tea, when Berlot opened the door:
"Your Excellency, Sir Arthur Hamilton has arrived."
There was no need for permission. Arthur, as always, entered unceremoniously with several stacks of papers in hand. From his face it was clear he hadn't slept properly these past few nights.
Elias said in a reproachful tone:
"You'd better drop this bad habit."
Arthur threw himself onto the sofa beside the desk:
"Funny no one says that to you."
"What do you mean?"
Arthur waved his hand impatiently:
"Forget it, that's not why I came."
He tossed the papers onto the desk:
"Here are the rules and outline of the competition. I wrote down all the details."
Elias reached out and picked up the papers:
"Did you follow the points I gave you?"
Arthur smirked:
"Oh, those? They really made my job easy! Let's see what you wrote…."
He pretended to think:
"Ah yes, all girls aged sixteen to eighteen, whether noble or common, are allowed to participate. They can come from anywhere in the country. Second, the winner must possess the knowledge of an emperor, especially in politics. Third, she must also know combat skills. Fourth, the competition must be completed within thirty days."
Elias was so impressed that he clapped for him:
"Well done, you memorized it perfectly."
Arthur, thinking he was being mocked, retorted:
"Since I had to keep looking at them, maybe I could make some sense of it. Take a look and see if you're satisfied, so we can begin."
Elias began reading through the papers. As he expected, everything was written in detail—from the registration forms to the method of gathering participants.
He skimmed over those parts until he reached the main rules of the competition. The contest would be held in four stages:
1. Basic literacy
2. General knowledge
3. Politics
4. Combat
Since the first stage involved basic literacy, nobles did not need to participate in it. In the second stage, only those who achieved a perfect score would pass. In the third stage, the five highest scorers would be selected, and in the final stage, participants were free to use any form of combat they knew. Whoever proved superior would be declared the winner.
Elias asked:
"Didn't you make it too difficult?"
Arthur protested:
"The winner is supposed to be the Empress, isn't she? You yourself emphasized that point. Besides, if we make it too easy, the competition will drag on too long."
Elias nodded in agreement and went back to reading.
The next section was about how the stages would be held. Since Neora was a vast land, for easier travel, each temple had a magical gate that connected to the gate of another temple. But because of the high cost, most common people could not use it.
Participants would complete the first stage in their own city, then the winners would enter the capital through the gate. The supervisors were also chosen from people of that same city.
It was the best way—and the hardest. Elias knew he would have to make up for this trouble later.
Arthur yawned:
"So… no problem?"
Elias rearranged the papers again:
"You're really clever. You wrote such a plan in just two days."
Arthur gave a proud smile:
"Since I'm the overseer of the competition, anyone who passes under my watch must be the best."
Elias paused:
"Only one thing needs to change."
"What?"
Elias tapped the stack of papers with his finger:
"From the third stage, only two people should enter the final stage."
Arthur sat up straight:
"Two people? But the score differences will be very small. The top five might only be separated by a few decimals."
Elias knew this, but it didn't matter to him:
"That's true. But it's possible the top two will get perfect scores."
Arthur said hesitantly:
"The chance of that is one in fifty!"
Elias knew exactly who those two would be. He wanted only them to face each other at the end. Because this battle belonged only to them—not to anyone else.
"No matter how small the chance, I want it to be two."
There was nothing more to say. Arthur stood and stretched his body:
"Alright, whatever you say, Your Majesty. I'll be going now. I've got plenty of work."
He picked up his stack of papers and headed for the door. Elias made one last attempt:
"Arthur."
Arthur turned and looked at him questioningly.
"Next time, don't come in until I give you permission."
Arthur opened the door casually:
"Fine!"
Elias thought to himself:
"Will the day ever come when this boy grows up?"
Elias walked in the garden, enjoying the spring air. His mind, as always, was tangled with countless thoughts—from daily tasks to the schemes turning in his head.
Even at night, when he laid his head on the pillow, nightmares came slithering like snakes ready to strike. The sleeplessness of recent days was sometimes accompanied by severe headaches. Even now, thinking of them sent pain to his temples. He forced his mind onto something else. For example, the competition. The excitement since its announcement had not only swept through the city but had reached the palace as well. Everyone wanted to try their luck. Perhaps a Cinderella would be chosen among them!
Berlot hurried to the Emperor:
"Your Majesty, Lady Anna Warren has arrived."
Elias had not expected such a guest. It must be something important that brought Anna to see him.
"Guide her to the garden pavilion."
Berlot nodded and was about to leave, but saw the Emperor himself walking toward the pavilion instead of the chamber.
"Your Majesty, don't you want to change your clothes?"
Elias glanced at his attire. He wore a white collared shirt with a few buttons undone and black trousers. Lately he had grown used to this style—it made him feel less suffocated. Berlot probably thought this look was not suitable for meeting a lady. Elias knew Anna well enough to be certain such formalities didn't matter to her.
"No, this is fine."
They arrived at the pavilion at the same time. After a simple greeting, they sat down. A servant brought two cups of tea.
Elias said:
"What has brought you to see me?"
Anna smiled:
"I'm always worried about you. I heard you've been very busy because of this competition. I thought maybe meeting me would be an excuse for you to rest."
Elias could imagine Arthur's face after hearing such words.
"Thank you for your concern. But I've entrusted all the work to Arthur."
Anna had wanted to speak with Arthur for some time, but he kept saying he was busy. Now she understood why.
"I see! He must be working hard now."
Elias took a few sips of tea:
"That's right. It's a heavy responsibility, and I couldn't entrust it to anyone else. Except you, of course!"
Anna was surprised by his last words:
"What? Me?"
Elias smiled:
"If it were something other than the competition, I would certainly ask for your help. Even now, I have faith in your intelligence and wit."
Anna's expression changed after hearing this:
"Then why did you start this competition?"
Elias grew a little worried at her look:
"What?"
Anna gave him a sharp glance:
"If you trusted me, you would never have done this. Forgive me for saying so, but I feel insulted by having to participate in this competition."
Elias hadn't expected her to take it that way:
"You mean you don't want to participate?"
Anna sighed:
"Unfortunately, because of my parents I've already registered. I have no choice but to take part. But I can't bear this feeling of humiliation."
Elias knew about Anna's family problems. In the past, after their marriage, Anna had tried to distance herself from her parents. Elias had helped her as much as he could when he realized it. Anna had set aside the mask of the calm, intelligent girl and tried to live as she wished. Perhaps this competition had caused her emotions to surface sooner.
Elias provoked her a little:
"But I think you're afraid."
"Afraid?"
Elias clasped his hands together:
"Yes. You already knew you would become Empress under any circumstances. But now you must compete with others. And that means if you make a mistake or lose, everyone will judge you and think you're incompetent."
Anna's voice rose:
"You said incompetent?"
"Isn't that so?"
Anna protested:
"It's true I was certain of marrying you, but that doesn't mean I took it lightly. I've tried my best to be the right person for this position, and with this competition you've put me under question."
Elias leaned toward her slightly:
"Then why don't you prove me wrong?"
Anna was so angry she preferred not to answer.
Elias continued:
"Enter the competition and win. Show me that no matter how many times you compete, the winner has already been decided."
Elias looked at Anna's face as she remained silent. She stared at him as if she wanted to burn him with her dark eyes. Perhaps he had gone too far. Suddenly Anna returned to her usual composure. She stood and bowed:
"Very well, Your Majesty. I promise you I will show my best in this competition."
Her tone was gentle again.
Elias said:
"I look forward to it eagerly."