The SSS-rank Guide Doesn't Need Saving

The Grand Imperial Hall was packed by the time the sun reached its highest point.

Rows of nobles sat in their finest clothes, fans fluttering, whispers passing from ear to ear. Servants moved along the edges of the hall, refilling wine glasses and offering trays of small pastries, though few people seemed interested in eating.

”Did you hear? Prince Soren just got accepted into the Silver Fangs faction,” a middle-aged noblewoman said, leaning toward her companion. ”He’s the first to join from the royal family in three generations.”

”I heard that too. Quite an achievement for someone his age.”

”Still, isn’t it strange that they’re holding an annulment ceremony on the same day as everything else? You’d think they’d want to keep the mood celebratory.”

Nearby, two young lords exchanged glances.

”My father said the consort wants everyone gathered for something bigger than just the annulment,” one of them murmured.

”Bigger how?”

”He wouldn’t say. Just order to tell my daughters to dress well and pay attention.”

A group of ladies fanned themselves a few rows back, their voices low but excited.

”You don’t think this is about a new consort candidate, do you?”

”Why else would half the empire’s eligible ladies be sitting here today? Look around. My cousin wasn’t even invited to the last royal ball, and she’s here now.”

”If that’s true, then the Novalis girl being tossed aside might actually work out for some of us.”

”Careful what you say. The Novalis family is right over there.”

They all quietened at once, eyes darting toward the front rows.

At the head of the hall, on a raised platform lined with gold trim, sat the Emperor and Consort Gabriel. The seat beside the Emperor, where the Empress should have been, was unexpectedly empty.

Whispers about that empty seat had been circulating for weeks now. Some said the Empress had fallen seriously ill. Others said something darker was at play, that her position was no longer as secure as it once was, and that the woman sitting a few feet closer to the Emperor than protocol usually allowed might have something to do with it.

Emperor Nikulaus Valerius sat with his hands folded over the armrest of his throne, watching the crowd settle into their seats. He was an imposing man even seated, broad-shouldered, his dark hair streaked with silver at the temples.

”There are more people who have come to attend the ceremony,” he said, his voice low, meant only for the woman beside him. ”Do you have any idea, my consort?”

Consort Gabriel’s pressed her lips tightly.

She understood exactly what he meant. His hidden words made her heart pound against her chest. There were more people today than what was normally seen in the past. With such extravagance and a crowd gathering around just for her son’s annulment ceremony, the Emperor was doubting the purpose of today’s ceremony.

The Emperor wanted the crown prince as his successor, and he never missed a chance to make her understand it. Even now, he was being suspicious of her purpose for calling an annulment ceremony for their son.

She hated it. She hated the man beside her, whom she loved and wished could only belong to herself. But as much as she loved him, Consort Gabriel loved the throne more and wanted it for her son.

Yet even she still has to be extremely careful around the emperor. It was all for the sake of the throne and her son.

Consort Gabriel smiled to cover the fear and hatred she had toward the emperor. ”An annulment ceremony is usually where people come to entertain themselves, Your Majesty. But I imagine the reason so many have gathered today has more to do with rumors.”

Emperor Nikulaus turned his head, one eyebrow lifting with faint interest. ”What rumors?”

”Prince Soren isn’t young anymore.” Consort Gabriel kept her tone light, almost playful. ”And since his engagement to the girl from the Novalis family is about to be dissolved, I’ve taken it upon myself to help him find a suitable princess consort among the ladies of the empire.”

She allowed the Emperor to take her words in before she continued, ”Today, I intend to announce this to everyone gathered, and decide who among them will become his future consort.”

The Emperor said nothing.

Consort Gabriel took his silence as permission. Not that it mattered much either way. If he objected, she would bring the matter before the Council of Elders and push for a Royal Selection anyway. But it was always easier when he didn’t fight her on these things.

A glance at the ornate clock mounted near the hall’s entrance told her the ceremony was set to begin in a matter of minutes.

She turned and called softly, ”Charlotte.”

Her lady-in-waiting stepped forward at once, bowing her head. ”Yes, Your Imperial Highness?”

”Who are we still waiting for?”

”Lady Aisha, Your Highness. She has not yet arrived.”

Consort Gabriel frowned. ”They haven’t arrived yet? All of them?”

”Only Lady Aisha is missing. The rest of the Novalis family arrived nearly half an hour ago.”

Consort Gabriel followed Charlotte’s gaze toward the front section of the hall, where the Novalis family sat in their designated seats. Aisha’s parents were there, dressed in fine dark blue, along with her siblings. Irene sat closest to the aisle, her posture perfect, her expression composed and gentle.

Their eyes met briefly.

Irene lowered her head in a graceful curtsy, and Consort Gabriel found herself nodding back before she’d even consciously decided to.

That was when she noticed the bandage wrapped around Irene’s neck.

Her frown deepened. ”What happened to Lady Irene? Was there some accident?”

Among the young women she had already been considering for her son, Irene ranked at the very top of her list. It wasn’t just because the Novalis merchant family funded her imperial residence’s coffers generously each year, but because Irene herself was awakened as an S-grade Guide, a rarity that would elevate any family’s standing overnight. Her son’s chances for the throne would also rise if they matched.

Charlotte shook her head slowly. ”I’m not certain, Your Highness. Would you like me to find out what happened?”

Consort Gabriel considered this for a moment, then gave a small nod.

Before she could say anything further, a commotion stirred near the entrance of the Grand Hall. Several heads turned as the low murmur that had filled the space moments ago dropped lower until no one spoke.

The herald’s voice rang out over the crowd as he announced someone’s arrival to everyone.

”Lady Aisha Novalis has arrived!”