Meeting the emperor in a private audience at the imperial court was considered a tremendous privilege.

Only the heads of the Empire's Seven Great Noble Houses could secure an audience with the emperor within the same week they requested it. Others had to wait at least six months to meet him.

This was understandable, as meeting every noble one by one would leave the emperor no time for his duties, let alone meals.

And now, Rupert, who had been granted rights equal to those of the heads of the Seven Great Houses, was once again standing before the emperor.

"The …