episode_0025

The Empress’s summons.

The one who brought my parents to their knees and the kingmaker herself called out to me.

Once again, my heart fell silent.

Grief over my mother’s death did not sprout any feelings of hatred along with it, as it was said to be.

I obediently responded to her wish and ascended to the seat where the Emperor and Empress sat side by side.

The couple scrutinized me from head to toe, as if judging me, especially focusing on the mask covering my face, as if trying to see through it. Of course, there was no achievement to be found.

“Do you understand why I called you?”

The Empress asked sternly. I shook my head, unable to guess her intentions.

“I don’t know.”

“Isn’t it strange that you don’t know?”

“I…”

I couldn’t find the right words to answer easily.

The Empress’s tightly clenched face softened, revealing a gentle expression. Soon, she smiled. She was clearly different from my mother, who was mostly stern.

She spoke.

“I want to express my gratitude for saving my daughter, Seriniel. Not as an Empress, but as a mother.”

The Empress, standing tall in her position as the ruler of all, bowed her head to the daughter of a fallen queen. The nobles who were observing this scene were shocked. They were filled with endless questions about what the author had accomplished.

“Apparently, you may not have thought much of it.”

“…It was a significant event. I apologize.”

I couldn’t bring myself to meet the Empress’s gaze as she lightly brushed off the matter. It was not just a trivial matter; in reality, it was only by chance that our mercenary group’s wrongdoing was rectified.

“Instead of demanding a reward, you even offered a gift. Let me ask you directly. What is your wish?”

It was, of course, for Serin, who lived as an outcast in the palace.

I couldn’t bear to see her wandering alone in the paradise my mother had longed for. Because I thought she was enduring the misfortune that I should be facing. Therefore, I believed that Serin’s suffering was also linked to my own sins.

Above all… I knew better than anyone what it felt like to be alone in the world.

So, if Serin wanted to leave the palace using the gift, I was willing to agree.

Since I couldn’t speak frankly in front of the Empress, I tactfully replied.

“She seemed vulnerable. That’s why I offered it. That’s all.”

“Hmm.”

The Empress raised her surprised eyes. Although I didn’t understand her intentions, at least it didn’t seem to be something negative.

She composed herself after a moment of distraction and spoke softly.

“Richard, Commander.”

“Yes, Empress Mother.”

“I find myself swaying whenever I look at you.”

“I apologize.”

“It’s not a reprimand. It’s just… I keep doubting my past because of you.”

The Empress delved into the nostalgia of the past. Her eyes, lost in memories, momentarily lost focus.

“Your golden hair and aquamarine eyes shake me. They bring to mind the two people I resented, and at the same time, the person I feel most guilty towards.”

The two people she resented must be the fallen queen and her government. So, who could be the person she feels guilty towards? I was curious, but I had no right to ask, so I remained silent.

“But those two people are gone, and one person must be alive somewhere. So, I don’t dislike you. All that remains for me is guilt… Even looking at your appearance doesn’t revive any hatred in me.”

“…”

“You speak so politely to someone you just met. It seems like empty words increase along with the wrinkles. I hope the young you can understand.”

“I didn’t feel uncomfortable at all.”

“Haha, thank you.”

Once again, Serin’s face could be seen in the empress’s expression.

The empress and Serin had similar smiling faces. Especially when smiling, the curve of their eyes and slightly dimpled cheeks were alike. Thinking like that, the ends of their lips formed a gentle curve.

“Seriniel will arrive soon. I hope you have learned the basic etiquette of a ball, as you will be dancing with my daughter. Have you mastered the basics of the ball?”

“I am well-versed in it.”

“Of course, she is Lordric’s daughter. It should be expected.”

The empress once again let out a soft laugh.

It was a laugh that felt like Serin’s mother.

◇

The empress couldn’t help but be impressed as she conversed with Rahilt. The windmill mercenary group, which competed with the empire’s strongest military group. She had expected Rahilt to confidently answer when asked why he was called, but her expectations were completely off. Rahilt not only couldn’t guess the answer but also had difficulty even speculating the reason.

‘He doesn’t even consider rescuing Seriniel a significant achievement?’

It seemed like such a trivial matter that the sense of accomplishment was unclear. To Rahilt, rescuing Seriniel seemed like a burden to help an old woman… just that kind of event.

‘Is he foolish… or excessively righteous…’

It needed to be confirmed. So, the empress casually added one more question.

[You didn’t even demand a reward, but instead handed over silver coins. I’ll ask you directly. What is your intention?]

A pretentious answer was useless. He was a soul who had lived a life twice as long as others. Even if he hid his face behind a mask, he was not someone who couldn’t see through falsehoods.

However, the empress was greatly surprised.

[She seemed distressed. That’s why I handed it over. That’s all.]

That was Rahilt’s true feelings. It was a voice that revealed a pure heart without a hint of falsehood.

‘How…! How did such a person come out?’

She seemed distressed.

She must have been.

Seriniel’s physique was a masterpiece that replicated the absolute ruler of the empire, Emperor Harum Litherion’s prime years. It was unlikely that such a girl had experienced a life-threatening situation. But the poison that seeped through her invincible body had taken its toll, and as a result, Seriniel faced her first true crisis.

She must have seemed distressed.

At such a young age, experiencing a life-threatening situation, how could she not seem distressed?

Rahilt handed over the silver coins to reassure Seriniel. Even if it was a method of handing over silver coins that could determine the fate of the mercenary group…

It was a foolish decision as the leader of an organization, but as a mother to Seriniel, it was truly a thoughtful decision.

‘Have I ever met such a pure human being? Even the purest white canvas cannot compare to her purity, and yet, this child…’

Clear water.

So transparent that it was difficult to even grasp its substance.

‘I never thought such a day would come.’

The last remaining fairy hybrid in the human world was the empress. Although diluted through generations and becoming increasingly human-like, the ability to sense human emotions remained. Yet, the empress could not detect even a speck of impurity in her concern for Seriniel.

“Seriniel is my daughter, but she is a remarkable child. Excessive purity may be a flaw, but Seriniel possesses the character to lead that purity.”

Above all, I like the fact that there are no impure intentions towards Seriniel. Although there is no plausible territory, with wealth and power, there is no room for criticism… If there were any remaining flaws, it would only be the mask covering the face.

I cannot see through this as much as I would like. Even if it’s a true-blooded fairy and not a mixed-blood, the ability to see through is absurd.

“Didn’t Seriniel know the true face of the monarch from the beginning?”

If it suits the daughter’s taste, it may be fortunate, but if not, one could feel a great disappointment. Knowing it’s rude, yet becoming cunning is human nature.

“No, it’s not that. Seriniel’s words that the monarch’s face, even if it’s covered in burn scars and chubby, is irrelevant, were undoubtedly sincere.”

I feel uneasy about my child emitting not just passion, but even madness. It was almost like an arrogance that without him, it could never be accomplished.

“Blonde and with a wall… How wonderful it would be if the monarch were the child of the empress.”

Seeing how sincerely Seriniel treats him, it seems he has no regrets about joining the royal family.

Is it a pragmatic wish for him to be the child of the empress?

“Unfortunately…”

The empress’s wish poured out as a crack in the ice.

The emperor sitting next to her quietly watched the empress before holding her hand.

The emperor knew well what she was regretting. The burden her consort feels towards the child of the empress is often expressed even in normal times.

The empress quietly moved her lips in response to the warmth of his hand holding hers.

“Thank you, my dear.”

“It’s nothing grand.”

“Still.”

“If Seriniel hadn’t been late, I wouldn’t have been able to do this.”

“That’s true, hehe…”

It seems he was late because he was spending time with the monarch. It’s fortunate that the palace was closed, as otherwise, the unmarried princess would have been severely reprimanded.

“You should scold Seriniel a bit.”

“He’s grown up so much that he doesn’t even respond to me anymore.”

“Am I any different?”

“It seems like neither of us are destined to be wise parents.”

“Phew…”

As the empress sighed, the emperor followed her like a mirror.

Seven footsteps away from a conversation that would be embarrassing if heard by others.

An elderly knight displayed a dignified posture and glared fiercely at Rahilt.

The emblem signifying the commander of the imperial knights adorned his shoulders – he was a man with a scar cutting diagonally across his face, adding to his fierceness.

After maintaining silence, he muttered.

“Finally…”

He found him.

The child of the empress.