Chapter 241: A Pleasant Surprise
The razor-sharp blade halted just a few millimetres from the mirror’s surface.
The imperial guards paused, confused, though they still kept their weapons drawn and eyes fixed warily on the armoured figures reflected in the mirror.
Emperor Alaric let out a long breath. His heart had nearly leapt into his throat. In that brief instant, if they had struck even a hair closer, the mirror would’ve shattered.
"Stand down!" He ordered with a sharp tone.
Only then did Carl truly look at the mirror and then at the man inside. A second later, he let out an awkward laugh. "Your Majesty, this old servant has truly made a fool of himself. As if His Highness Prince Simon would ever send an assassin! It’s a mirror!"
The guards glanced again at the reflection, now slowly realising what they were seeing. The mirror image was them.
Alaric stepped forward and pressed his palm against the cool glass. The sensation of resistance confirmed it; it really was a mirror.
Then, laughter. A bold, unrestrained burst of laughter rang out from the emperor, echoing through the chamber. The shock of the moment only served to underscore just how extraordinary this object was.
Carl grinned ear to ear as he walked up and pressed his fingers against the glass. "Your Majesty, this mirror, it feels like it’s made of glass!"
"Likely so." Alaric chuckled. "But how did Prince Simon make the glass reflect a person so clearly?"
"Knowing His Highness?" Carl said with admiration. "The man always has a way. But given he only sent one mirror this time, I imagine it’s quite rare."
That only pleased the emperor more. "Is that so? It seems Prince Simon is getting better at navigating the court. Good, very good. I’m quite pleased."
"But, Your Majesty," Carl said, looking slightly amused. "Once the ladies in the harem find out about this, they’ll be begging to see it themselves!"
Alaric chuckled knowingly. He was still human, after all, and humans loved to show off their treasures. Especially something as rare and breathtaking as this.
Even children wanted to show off their new toys.
"Well then." He said with a grin. "Let them come. It’s better to share the joy than hoard it. Ha ha ha!"
Carl bowed and departed. "Yes, Your Majesty. I’ll inform the ladies."
Once alone again, Alaric returned to the mirror, staring into it, admiring his own reflection with increasing fondness.
Soon, Empress Gretchen arrived, leading a group of consorts into the room.
Carl had already briefed her on the mirror’s marvels during their walk, so the women rushed straight to it the moment they entered.
And then, they froze.
The moment they laid eyes on their own reflections, they gasped in astonishment, which quickly gave way to excitement.
In the mirror, every fine detail of their elegant faces was clear as day. Empress Gretchen stood before it, wide-eyed and motionless.
She had a bronze mirror in her own quarters, of course. But its blurry image couldn’t hold a candle to this. This glass mirror was like standing face to face with oneself.
No wonder the guards had mistaken the reflection for a real person.
"Your Majesty, is this the mirror sent by Prince Simon?" Empress Gretchen asked, her voice tinged with desire.
Alaric smiled. "It is. What do you think of it?"
"It’s divine... A true masterpiece. Your Majesty, could I... Might I have it?" Her voice was sweet, the tone flirtatious and coy, a rare sight even in front of the other consorts.
Every woman in the imperial harem vied for beauty. Who wouldn’t want such a mirror?
The other consorts panicked. "Your Majesty! I want one too!"
"I want one as well!"
Alaric grinned with satisfaction. "Ahem. Well, there’s only one, and I’m rather fond of it myself. But... Perhaps I’ll send an express courier to Prince Simon and see if he can spare more."
The women surrounded him, some clinging to his arms, others leaning into his embrace, each giving him pleading glances. Flustered but pleased, he kept nodding and smiling.
Then someone remembered someone else.
"Lady Isolde." A consort said suspiciously. "Every time Prince Simon sends something, he always sends one to you. Be honest, do you already have one?"
"Yes! Do you?" The others crowded around her.
Lady Isolde let out a wry smile. "Honestly? Not this time. If His Majesty hadn’t summoned me today, I wouldn’t even know such a thing existed. Simon seems he only has eyes for His Majesty now. He’s forgotten all about his own mother.*
Hearing this, Alaric beamed with joy. Even this small gesture showed just how much Simon respected him.
In truth, Lady Isolde’s eyes sparkled with pride; her son had made the right call.
The consorts groaned with disappointment. With only one mirror present, they had to take turns admiring themselves in it, each trying to squeeze in just a few more seconds.
None of them wanted to leave.
Empress Gretchen lingered for a while, glancing at the mirror, then at Alaric. Her heart was heavy.
Her nephew, William, had sent a complaint to her after returning from Brambleford, telling her everything.
As his aunt, she was caught in a difficult position. The artillery secrets involved were no small matter. Even if Simon had killed Steve, it had been to protect those secrets.
With the emperor placing such high value on Simon’s cannons, there was no way he’d side with the Prince of Ravencrest.
And now, this mirror had the emperor overjoyed. What could she even say?
Eventually, the consorts were ushered out, reluctantly and regretfully.
But it was too late. Word had already spread across Eldora. Tales of the emperor’s magical mirror, of Carl crying out in panic, of the consorts visiting the emperor’s chambers daily- it was all the city could talk about.
Even court officials confirmed it. After all, those summoned to morning court had seen the mirror for themselves.
Within days, the nobles of the capital were buzzing about it. Wealthy households sent their stewards and merchants straight to Brambleford, hoping to buy a mirror of their own.
Back in Brambleford, the city exploded with activity. Merchants flooded in. Even aristocrats began arriving, all wanting one thing: a mirror.
And it was at that time that Simon received a letter from the emperor, an express dispatch carried eight hundred kilometres without pause.
"My Lord, if His Majesty is this eager..." Said Baldwin, smiling broadly as he bowed. "It’s safe to say this mirror is even more impressive than soap or perfume. Congratulations, Your Highness! Sincere congratulations!"
Simon, on the other hand, looked exasperated.
Baldwin, ever the bookkeeper, had already set his eyes on the profits from the mirror. The moment the silver started pouring in, he’d divert it straight to the city treasury.