They continued on their journey, passing through multiple areas of the palace until, in the heart of it, Lodtrack stopped to observe a glass dome protruding from the ground. This allowed a view of a huge coliseum in the depths of the palace, where the imperial knights trained. There he recognized Jill, his companion and another Draco apprentice, who had been training for a couple of months in the capital. She was a tall and slender girl, with brown hair tied in a ponytail. Lodtrack had always found her very attractive, although now she looked radiant and was about to duel an imperial soldier.

- Would you like to see the face-off? - Versert asked, noticing how Lodtrack looked through the dome – We can take a break; anyway, I have to talk to the Empress for a moment.

- We should cont... - Lodtrack pulled Leonor's clothes to attract him – What the hell?

- Do a favor for a friend and watch the fight with me. I want to see how an imperial soldier fights with my own eyes - Lodtrack asked him. He let go of Leonor, who then looked at Versert.

- I think it's a great idea. If there's no problem, we'll watch the fight while you talk to the empress - said Leonor, a little uncomfortable for giving in so easily, but he owes Lodtrack more than he would like, with all the times he helped him when they were kids. Still, he approached him and whispered in his ear – Are you sure you want to see the soldier?

Leonor leaned on the dome next to Lodtrack as laughed and watched Jill. When Leonor noticed, the formalities were over; they ended with a bow as a show of respect towards the opponent, and they drew their weapons. Jill used a two-handed iron spear without a shield (she said the shield hindered her mobility). On the other hand, the soldier had a long two-handed sword of dwarven make. They remained still for a moment. Lodtrack noticed how they simultaneously analyzed their stances; both were cautious warriors.

"Now," Lodtrack murmured to himself. Jill then ran towards the soldier and thrust at high speed. The soldier narrowly dodged it and swung a slash, but Jill avoided it with ample distance. With the back of her spear, she struck the soldier's abdomen, causing him to lose balance. Stepping back, she turned the spear on its axis, driving it into the soldier's foot. He let out a cry of pain and tried to hit her with the hilt, but using the support of the spear, she propelled herself to kick him. She pulled the spear out of the soldier's foot, and before he could get up, she placed the spear's tip on his neck; then the soldier surrendered. Jill helped him up and looked at her comrades who were cheering. Then she noticed the presence of Lodtrack and Leonor. She greeted them with a wave; Lodtrack returned the greeting, and Leonor would swear he blushed for a moment, but he couldn't prove it.

Jill's superior entered the battlefield and scolded her for going too far by thrusting the spear into one of his men's feet. She lowered her head and apologized, although Leonor and Lodtrack thought it wasn't the first time something like that had happened with her.

- That girl is a real marvel - said a feminine voice from behind the guys – it's a shame she has to return to Gramorg soon - Both turned quickly; Lodtrack, by instinct, put his hand on his sword. He regretted it when he noticed that it was the Empress.

- Your Majesty - Leonor said startled. Lodtrack choked back a scream and made a rather nervous bow, hoping she hadn't noticed how close he was to drawing his sword.

- Good morning, Leonor. Versert told me you had a... mishap - said the empress with a soft and calm voice. She was a tall woman with perfect posture, symmetrical features, and striking beauty. Her lips were painted in crimson red, and she wore a high Victorian hairstyle. Lodtrack wondered if she used magic, but it didn't seem like the best time to ask.

- Good morning, Your Majesty Sylvia. It's a pleasure to finally meet you - said Lodtrack, firm and disguising his nervousness - I hope our visit is to your liking.

- Ah, you're Lodtrack, right? - she asked, and he nodded. - Well, Jill told me a lot about you. She says you're a remarkable warrior. - Lodtrack felt relieved; it seemed she hadn't noticed his lapse. - Although you should be more careful before assuming an attacking stance.

Lodtrack swallowed hard and said - I'm very sorry; it was a reflex. I didn't mean to threaten you - Leonor looked worriedly at the empress; he knew well enough that any mistake could lead to the gallows for anyone.

- Don't worry. That just shows your instincts as a warrior; in fact, it's quite interesting - said the empress with a curious smile. - Maybe you should duel with my eldest son; he's also very skilled with a sword.

- Fight your son? The prince? - Lodtrack was bewildered by the empress's suggestion. - Are you serious? - The last question annoyed the empress as she sensed a disrespectful tone in his speech. Leonor challenged him with a stern look, and Lodtrack realized his insolence. Before he could say anything, Versert entered the room with the emperor.

- I can assure you that my wife is serious; she trusts a lot in our firstborn - said the emperor. He was a short, elderly man. It was unusual to see such an age difference between an emperor and empress. - What do you think, Leonor?

- When I met him a few years ago, he was still very young, and I don't remember much about the prince - he replied, somewhat uncomfortable, remembering his encounter with the heir when he was only 13.

- Although I'd also like to know if you could beat Jill, our little champion - the empress gave Lodtrack a playful look.

- I'm sure Lodtrack will be delighted to demonstrate his skills, but you still need to freshen up - said Versert, looking rushed to take Lodtrack and Leonor away.

- Of course, we'll have time to talk later. See you soon. - The emperors left the room, and Versert led the duo to their room. Their luggage was already there, and Versert asked them to wait for a moment.

When he called them, they headed down to the dining room. Leonor entered, but Lodtrack was ordered to wait at the door while Leonor and the princess ate. This irritated Lodtrack. He waited for almost ten minutes until he finally saw a guard coming with the princess. Lodtrack saw her for a few seconds, a young woman who left him stunned with her beauty: brown hair, violet eyes, and fair skin. The princess averted her gaze and saw Lodtrack; he felt a shiver as their eyes met. The princess entered the room, leaving Lodtrack and the other guard alone. Lodtrack tried to start a conversation, but the other soldier simply ignored him. When Leonor came out of the room, he seemed quite cheerful. Lodtrack asked him the reason.

- I'll tell you later - said Leonor. They headed to the room and lay down on the fine beds. Before falling asleep, Lodtrack caught the noble's attention.

- How did it go with the princess? - he asked, quite curious, sitting on his covers.

- Quite well. We talked about the relationship between Gramorg and the capital and how it will benefit us in the coming years as an advisor to her brother, in exchange for some political and military support from our side to her person. You know, it's comforting to talk to someone who understands what the hell I'm talking about and is a very good negotiator - he said happily, watching as Lodtrack struggled to fully understand what he meant. - Anyway... Did you see how beautiful she is? She truly is a princess.

- You think so? - Lodtrack replied, chuckling, although his expression hardened, and he decided to ask what had been bothering him for a while. - What happened before they arrived? - Leonor looked at him with a grimace of annoyance.

- Nothing... just some ridiculous bandits. They saw the shiny carriage and didn't hesitate to attack, not even when they saw a knight armed to the teeth come out the door. Idiots - Leonor played down the importance, although Lodtrack felt that he wasn't entirely sincere. They had been friends for long enough to know when he was lying.

- Why didn't you tell me as soon as you arrived? - asked the guard, trying to corner him.

- I don't know; it didn't seem important, to be honest - he replied, trying to dodge the interrogation. - Well, if you have nothing else to say, go to sleep.

- But...

- Enough of the subject! - he exclaimed irritably and wrapped himself in the idea of not listening to his roommate. Lodtrack gritted his teeth, annoyed, and also lay down. Both slept until the next day.