episode_0010

“Ah, I’ve been too hasty, it seems. Come to think of it, I don’t even know your name yet,” the emperor said with a sly smile.

Elaine’s face showed a bewildered expression, one that I couldn’t care less about as I wiped my face.

Without looking in my direction, she cautiously replied, “Um, my name is Elaine, Your Majesty.”

“Does it mean ‘sacred rain’? What a truly lovely name. So, what are your thoughts?” the emperor asked.

“I, I’m not sure what you mean, Your Highness…”

“It’s about marriage. I believe you would be a suitable match for my son. What do you think?”

Marriage to Elaine.

Is that nobleman out of his mind all of a sudden?

I couldn’t fathom why he was doing this at all.

It could not only create considerable emotional burden and strong resistance by pushing her so recklessly, especially when it seemed like Elaine already disliked me.

It would only make it more difficult to win her over to my side.

“I… I…” Elaine struggled to respond.

Blushing deeply, she kept her head down, unable to find the words to say.

Perhaps now was the moment for me to intervene.

“Why are you suddenly doing this, Your Majesty?” I interjected.

The emperor looked at me with a completely different expression than when he looked at Elaine. It was a stern look, unlike the one he had when scolding or being solemn.

“I will lower the ducal rank, so leave the palace and establish a household. Spend the rest of your life managing an estate and atoning,” he commanded.

Establish a household with Elaine? What absurd and nonsensical words. I was so baffled that I couldn’t even figure out where to begin refuting him, and my words failed me.

It was then that someone’s presence was felt.

“This is quite disappointing, Your Majesty,” a voice as delicate as a jade bead gently flowed across the table.

It was a voice that seemed as if someone had finely ground a beautiful rose full of thorns into sound.

The emperor’s face, upon seeing the owner of the voice, froze as if he had bitten into something foul.

The uninvited guest was Herpina Schleyn, the current empress of the Mersenne Empire.

“Your Majesty, you are truly cruel. How could you discuss the death of your eldest son and yet completely overlook me like this? Even the prince, despite my status as his mother, how could he not even mention such a significant matter?” Her expression and tone were incredibly delicate.

It was an outstanding performance from someone who seemed determined to ruin me in order to solidify her son’s position. “You didn’t summon me, so how did you know to come here again?” The Emperor couldn’t hide his disgust. His expression was deeply furrowed, and his voice seemed to simmer. He appeared like a wolf protecting its cub. However, the Empress effortlessly met his heated gaze with lively eyes, showing no hint of wavering. She continued to smile confidently, standing tall, not batting an eyelash. Without the Emperor’s permission, she sat beside Elaine. It was truly an impressive display of authority.

Without answering the Emperor’s question, she looked through Elaine with a strange smile, seemingly unconcerned about any uncomfortable gazes. “Your name is Elaine, right? Did I hear correctly?” Her nonchalant voice seemed to pay no attention to any discomfort. With her gloved hands, she tucked Elaine’s hair behind her ear. There was undoubtedly grace flowing alongside her composure, and it was certainty. Whether it was the Emperor or anyone else, her unwavering belief vividly permeated every small gesture.

“Yes, y-yes….” Elaine couldn’t hide her bewilderment at the Empress’s excessive boldness. Her stuttering and fidgeting pupils were evidence of her confusion. “Elaine, Elaine…” Traditionally, when speaking a name, one should include the surname as basic courtesy. If the surname wasn’t mentioned, it meant the person was a bastard child who hadn’t received a surname from their parents. This was a long-standing custom in the Mersen Empire. Even though the Empress would surely be aware of this fact, she persistently inquired, “No surname?”

It was an unmistakable act of scrutiny that everyone could see. “None….” It was a cruel act, akin to stabbing the vital point of someone already dead.

“Goodness, does that mean you’re a love child? Yet here you are, dressed like that. You’re quite an amusing one, aren’t you?” After speaking loudly enough for all the nearby attendants to hear, she even chuckled brightly.

Even without considering the other party’s feelings,

the empress’s dignified demeanor, never forgetting to cover her mouth when smiling, once again caused Elaine to lower her head. Perhaps it was to hide the sudden burst of tears.

Whether it was the emperor’s words or the empress’s,

Elaine must have felt unbearably uncomfortable. Enough to want to leave this place immediately. It seemed likely.

The emperor glared at the empress with a cold, ruthless expression.

“What insolence to my guest.”

His voice grew even softer as his anger mounted. It could be said that he was on the verge of exploding.

But as expected,

as someone who had faith in a certain corner of her heart,

the empress casually smiled and placed her hand on Elaine’s trembling shoulder.

“Did I make a mistake? Elaine, I’m sorry. Actually, do I… really like you too much? Your Majesty, this marriage, I also agree.”

Despite the empress’s alignment with his intentions, the emperor’s expression of silence was hardly different from before.

An unquenchable rage burned fiercely like a dry mountain swallowed by a wildfire.

The food arrived late. However,

the empress didn’t touch it.

As if confirming what was necessary, she rose from her seat.

“Well then, Your Majesty. I’ll take my leave. Oh, by the way.”

Without hesitation, the empress turned around, even applauding before turning back once more.

“But, Your Majesty, it seems too severe to exile the first prince for such a great offense. Even though he’s a son who wouldn’t hurt even if you put him in your eye, if you were proper parents, shouldn’t you be stricter with your child’s mistakes?”

After giving the emperor a meaningful glance, she turned her head to look at me.

Even her crescent-shaped eyes and the hatred concealed within her violet irises couldn’t be completely hidden.

“….”

Though she smiled, it was actually a warning.

To the emperor.

And to me.

Dreaming in vain meant that I wouldn’t see a good outcome.

“I will take my leave now, Your Highness. Until we meet again, Elaine?”

Even though it was just a brief visit by one person, it felt like being in the aftermath of a storm-ravaged ruin.

Sure enough, she was like a witch with a significant presence, befitting a weighty antagonist.

“Elaine.”

“Yes, Your Highness…”

The Emperor’s face had softened once again, but he looked quite weary. Just meeting the Empress seemed to have aged him several years.

“We’ll continue our unfinished conversation another time… alright?”

“…Yes, Your Highness.”

“Eos, escort Elaine back yourself. We have much to discuss, so return directly without wandering off.”

***

Inside the carriage heading towards the viscount’s estate.

“Thank you for saving my life.”

I expressed my gratitude to Elaine politely.

“…”

She remained silent, only nodding slightly and averting her gaze while fidgeting with her fingers. Her eyes were slightly reddened from wiping away tears multiple times.

“You need not concern yourself with the words of His Highness.”

“…”

Elaine wordlessly turned her gaze out the window. After arriving at the viscount’s estate, she didn’t say a word until nodding once more before disembarking.

It was an incredibly awkward situation.

The saint, Elaine.

Her abilities were the most crucial thing for me to survive in the future. However, it seemed that due to the Emperor and Empress, Elaine had developed a strong aversion towards me. Especially the Empress, who had blatantly insulted Elaine. Everything was so sudden. I was caught off guard and left helpless.

I was furious.

The Empress’s visit was definitely not a coincidence. It seemed highly likely that it was related to my collapse and Glenitno’s treachery. Without a doubt, she would be suspicious of Glenitno’s betrayal and my condition. The Empress came to confirm these things. She would certainly be on guard, expecting a cornered mouse to attack.

Perhaps an unexpected variable had arisen, causing discomfort in a place where it was clearly unnecessary to seek out. Nevertheless, even if she had planted her people throughout the imperial palace, as Herpina Schleyn, it would be difficult for her to accurately grasp all the truths. I intend to exploit that weakness.

—

The Empress of the Mersen Empire, Herpina Schleyn, was strolling with a refreshing feeling after a long time. It had been quite a while since she had seen the Emperor’s angry expression. In fact, it had been quite some time since she had seen his face at all. Then, for a moment, her smile faded. It was because she thought of the arrogant brat, Prince Eos. Perhaps due to his recent silence, she had thought Glenitino might have made a mistake. Of course, perhaps it wasn’t a mistake but rather betrayal. But does that make sense? He was someone who had already crossed the line by framing the prince for murder. Such a greedy person. There was no way she would let go of the sturdy golden opportunity that would only rise higher if she just held onto it. Then she heard it. Suddenly, the prince had collapsed. His condition rapidly deteriorated, and it was undoubtedly going to be difficult for him to make it through the night. Unexpected news from the physician. Herpina felt elated as if she were about to fly. It didn’t matter whether Glenitino, who was imprisoned in the underground dungeon for failing to properly honor the prince, lived or died. That thorn in her side, Prince Eos, if only that trash who had burdened the Elven Kingdom’s king were gone. This great empire would solely be taken over by her son, Servis. She couldn’t fathom how happy she was at the thought. Finally, the time had come for her long-cherished wish to be fulfilled. She fervently hoped that the terrible hybrid left behind by the former empress, Wiblea, would be wiped out soon. She had yearned for it so desperately that she hadn’t been able to sleep a wink all night. But what was this? As soon as day broke, the attendant rushed in, panting heavily, and blurted out the unbelievable news that the prince had fully recovered. It was a situation that warranted a good slap across the face until the anger subsided. The attendant, with a swollen face, tearfully said, “Last night, the carriage from the palace brought the daughter of Count Bart. It seems likely that the count’s beloved revived the prince.” Tsk. It was truly an unbelievable story.

The royal court physician and high-ranking officials couldn’t accomplish what a mere viscount, Yeongae, did? What nonsense. How could there be such nonsense? Perhaps there was some misunderstanding. Or maybe… the emperor or the crown prince is hiding something else. I went to the dining hall to check on him. That’s when I heard about Elaine. Judging by her lack of surname, she must have been a bastard. A bastard surpassing high-ranking officials? It was unbelievable. “Well, if that’s the case,” I thought disappointedly as I turned away.

– When would be a good time to serve the meal?

It seemed like they had marked that child as the prince’s partner. It was quite absurd. The disappointment I felt due to the survival of the crown prince had silently vanished like the darkness of dawn, pushed far away. As the infamy of the crown prince diminished, the legitimacy of the service would only strengthen. The reason I had slowly destroyed the crown prince instead of killing him outright was for this very purpose. Of course, the burden of the war that the death of the crown prince would bring about was also a fact. Nevertheless, the benefits of keeping him alive outweighed the desire to kill him. However, recently… I was quite irritated by the sudden calmness of the crown prince. It was during this time that I learned about a child named Elaine. Could there be a better tool than her to destroy the crown prince? Of course, to do so, there were things to confirm first. He was about to… confirm whether Elaine was truly precious to the crown prince. So, he deliberately probed. Deliberately, he mentioned Elaine’s status. The result was quite intriguing. In fact, to some extent, he had already anticipated it. The emperor, well, as always, he couldn’t hide his anger. Tsk tsk. Such an ignorant person. He was truly a stubborn man. He was a foolish man who didn’t even know who killed the woman he loved. If I were to reveal the true identity of the former empress, I wonder what expression he would make. And the crown prince… Maybe it was because of his mood, but he seemed to have somehow neutralized the poison.

If not, it wouldn’t make sense for her to be sitting so peacefully with the emperor.

The likelihood of Glennitno’s betrayal had significantly increased.

Of course, any questions about “why” were carefully set aside.

After all, Glennitno would soon meet his end.

Regardless, the fallen prince.

He might have regained the elven abilities he displayed in his youth.

However, even if that were the case,

he had already missed the time for growth, so he could easily be subdued by just about any knight.

And most of all,

what was particularly amusing was

the emerald eyes that glared like the sun, pretending to be nonchalant.

No one would know

how much joy the empress felt inside at that moment.

If she could just make good use of a child named Elaine,

it seemed she could create quite an interesting picture in the future.