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Chapter 11
Astrid immediately sensed that her escape had failed the moment she locked eyes with the navy soldiers.
Still, she had to try everything she could. If she got to a high place first, she could quickly decide where to run next and then dash away. And who knew—maybe mapping out the city now would help her escape later.
She took a deep breath and sprang toward the bell tower’s outer wall. The pursuers wouldn’t be able to do much anyway while the ceremony inside the chapel was still ongoing.
The thought that she might get caught filled her with excitement and energy. Being chased always made her feel more alive.
Astrid climbed the tower with the ease of someone used to scrambling up and down ship masts. Driven by experience and urgency, she reached the top in no time. Hanging from one arm, she looked out over the city.
“Wow…”
It was vast. And beautiful.
For a moment, she forgot her pursuers.
Red rooftops rippled endlessly across the city, wrapped in two layers of pale stone walls. Colorful flags fluttered everywhere. The view resembled either a wave glowing under sunset light or a mosaic on a cathedral wall.
There was no sea in sight. That made sense. The capital wasn’t close enough for it to be visible. Still, Astrid felt a faint disappointment.
She quickly studied the layout. From the palace, the main road split into five directions at the square, and three of them led to the outer gates. One of those must lead toward Luz Rosada. She wished she had a compass.
Then she heard noise below. The ceremony was ending. People were pouring out of the chapel.
“Uh oh…”
She lowered herself quickly, clinging to the wall again. Footsteps rushed up the stairs inside the tower. Her urgency spiked. Her skirt kept tangling around her feet, making it harder to climb down.
“Ugh, seriously…”
She slipped. Her body dropped.
But before she could fall, a strong hand grabbed her arm. A navy uniform sleeve with embroidered trim—an officer.
Astrid weighed her options instantly.
Death vs. being punished and grounded by Lady Vasquez.
The second was clearly better.
She let herself be pulled back up.
The officer stood breathing heavily beside her, having just sprinted up the stairs. Astrid looked up at his face.
“…That dog-head guy!”
“…Could you not call people that?” the officer replied, exasperated.
It was the same navy officer she had met aboard the Orteze ship.
He sighed and pointed a musket at her casually. Astrid stiffened—she had trauma involving muskets.
“Let’s go.”
“I won’t run, so put that thing down…”
She raised both hands in surrender.
Going down the tower felt harder than climbing it. On the way up, adrenaline had carried her; now each step felt heavy, as if shackled.
Outside, more soldiers were waiting.
“Wow, that rescue was impressive.”
“I didn’t know you could run like that.”
They joked around while the officer ignored them. He spoke briefly to palace guards, who then ordered a carriage.
“Let’s go.”
He held out a hand. Astrid reluctantly took it.
The ride back to the palace felt strangely shorter than her escape. The carriage was open, the wind rushing past.
She was taken not to the inner palace but to the main building near the entrance. Inside, the scale felt even larger.
They were led to the Emperor’s office. The officer knelt.
“I greet the radiant sun of the empire.”
“…Greetings,” Astrid added awkwardly, following his lead.
The Emperor looked at her and suddenly burst into laughter.
“My little foal, just like your father!”
He wiped tears from laughing too hard.
“Lieutenant De Galicion, well done. I’m glad my important guest is unharmed.”
The officer only bowed lightly.
The Emperor then told Astrid to greet him properly. She hesitated, then awkwardly extended her hand for a handshake.
The officer looked surprised—but then calmly took her hand and kissed the back of it.
Astrid nearly lost her composure completely. Behind her, the Emperor laughed even harder, pounding the desk.
“Del Ponte Astrid… I am Astrid Del Ponte.”
“Pleasure to meet you. Alejandro De Galicion.”
His voice was calm and distant.
Later, Lady Vasquez received a note from the Emperor and surprisingly did not scold Astrid much.
“I see now how bold your temperament is.”
She sighed, then resumed etiquette training immediately.
They covered tea etiquette, posture, handling cups, and even how to avoid making noise while drinking. Astrid eventually felt nauseated from too much tea.
“Let’s end today with the lesson you missed earlier—greetings with young gentlemen.”
Astrid brightened slightly. Finally, something that meant the lesson was ending.
The instructor demonstrated: curtsey, slight skirt lift, proper posture.
Then she added:
“Also, extending your right hand means requesting a hand kiss. For ladies, this implies romantic interest. So never offer your right hand casually.”
Astrid suddenly remembered the officer’s expression.
“Oh… so that’s why…”
