Galaxy's Only Triple-S: Five Lords Can't Hold Her novel Chapter 230

Chapter 230 Because They’re Afraid of You

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A ripple of unease moved through the soldiers. The rifle muzzles that had been held level now dipped a few degrees without any conscious order.

The Royal Guards weren’t made up of front-line dead-cyes who followed orders without question. Most of them were noble sons padding their résumés, and what they valued above all else was family standing and reputation. Blocking the Regent on the Cabinet’s orders was one thing. Taking the fall for treason was another thing entirely.

“The ones who should be showing understanding are the people who sent you here.” Margaret patted Colin on the shoulder-not hard, but the contact made his entire body go rigid. “They put a gun in your hand, staked your family’s entire future on the line, and told you to hold this gate.”

Sweat beaded on Colin’s forehead. He knew she was right. The cabinet politicians gave the orders. When things went wrong, the men carrying them out would be the ones left holding the bag.

“Ryan.” Margaret didn’t waste another breath on Colin.

“Here!” Ryan stepped forward, the heavy weapon in his hands charging up. A low mechanical hum cut through the stillness outside the compound gates.

Margaret ordered, “Clear the way. Anyone still blocking the path gets disarmed on the spot. If they resist, put them down for treason.”

“Yes, Your Grace!”

The Aegis Squad’s rifles came up in a single, synchronized motion, their muzzles leveled squarely at the Royal Guards’ line.

Only twenty-some men, but the weight of their presence rolled forward, and the soldiers behind Colin were visibly rattled.

Colin stood frozen, his face drained of color, unable to give the order to engage. The soldiers behind him traded uncertain glances. No one wanted to fire the first shot.

Cheiron stepped forward and took Norman’s other hand. “Let’s go,” he said to Margaret.

Together, the two of them led Norman straight toward the barrier.

Colin ground his teeth, but his hand finally released its grip on his holster. He stepped aside and let them pass. It didn’t mean he accepted it.

“Your Grace, Colin had backed to the side of the road, his voice low but still carrying that bone-deep arrogance of old nobility. “Even if you are the guardian appointed by the late sovereign’s will, marching Federal troops into the Imperial Compound is difficult to justify.”

His gaze swept over the standard-issue Federal gear on the Aegis Squad, and he let out a cold, humorless laugh. “Since when do Federal soldiers dictate Imperial affairs? This disregard for the Empire seems rather pronounced, don’t you think?”

The words landed. Behind Colin, some of the Royal Guards who’d been wavering straightened their spines again and steadied their grips on their rifles.

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Chapter 230 Because They’re Afraid of You

Even Ryan’s brow furrowed. He had nothing to feel guilty about. He was just irritated.

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Margaret stopped walking. She didn’t turn around. She simply tilted her head, her voice unhurried. “Let’s get one thing straight. The Aegis Squad is not a Federal military unit.”

Colin’s expression flickered.

“Their funding comes from the Federation, but the chain of command runs to one person only. Me. The Federation cannot order them. The Empire cannot order them. They don’t represent the Federation, and they don’t represent the Empire. They represent me.”

She lifted her chin toward Ryan. He understood, stepped forward without a flicker of hesitation, and followed Margaret past the gates and onto Imperial soil.

Once they were some distance away, the tension in Norman’s small frame finally eased a little. She clung to Margaret’s arm and asked quietly, “Margaret, why did they try to stop us?”

Margaret smoothed down her red hair. “Because they’re afraid of you.”

“Afraid of me?” Norman didn’t understand.

“Afraid that once you take that seat, they won’t be able to do whatever they want anymore,” Cheiron answered from Norman’s other side, his smile gentle. “Those were just a handful of nuisance gnats back there. The real trouble’s waiting inside.”

The main hall of the Imperial Compound was quieter than Margaret had expected. As they walked through the corridor, the protocol officers lining both sides kept their heads bowed, but their eyes kept drifting toward Margaret and Norman. Some faces held curiosity, others unease. Most were simply watching.

Portraits of past sovereigns lined the walls. The last one was Lesley in her youth-proud, striking, that same red hair and gold eyes unmistakable, exactly like Norman’s.

Norman’s steps slowed for just a beat. She looked up at the portrait, then lowered her head and walked on, her stride steadier than before.

They reached the steps of the cabinet chamber. A cluster of high-ranking Imperial officials came filing our and planted themselves on the stairs, blocking the way.

Al their head was an old man with white hair, leaning on an ebony cane-Craig, Chief Secretary to the Cabinet. Margaret had seen him outside Lesley’s hospital room.

He looked down at the people below from his position on the steps, his gaze stopping on the Aegis uniforms. His brow furrowed hard.

“Your Grace.” He tapped his cane against the stone. “Entering the heart of the Imperial Compound with a Federal armed force in tow shows a rather pronounced disregard for the rules of this Empire.”

Margaret stopped at the foot of the stairs. She didn’t even look up. Debating with a fossil like this was a waste of breath.

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