episode_0219

Episode 219 Imperial Council (4)

I walk with Ariel through the palace corridor. My position is behind Ariel. That’s where I stand when attending her.

That being said, I didn’t have much to do right away. Soldiers opened most of the doors, and it wasn’t like a restaurant where I had to take care of Ariel separately.

If anything, it was keeping her company. The walk was boring, and it was also to look natural.

“Charlotte, did you know? The Theocracy of Eustia is a more beautiful country than you think.”

“Did you enjoy your time in the Theocracy, Lady Ariel?”

“It was fun. It was the first time I had stayed in another country for so long.”

A natural conversation as if we had known each other for a long time. Of course, I’m not a real maid, but it wasn’t difficult to act like one.

In the first place, it was easier to match Ariel because she brought up light conversation topics. Of course, it’s the same when I bring up a topic first.

“Then, how about going to the Theocracy again later?”

At that, Ariel suddenly stopped walking. Then, she turned her head towards me and asked.

“Would that… be okay?”

Why is she asking as if she needs permission? Well, I guess she might ask like that since she’s the only one who knows I’m in disguise.

At that moment, I felt a bit mischievous. I answered in a woman’s voice that I was slowly getting used to.

“Isn’t there a Saintess? Can’t you go if you just ask, Lady Ariel?”

Then Ariel’s expression slightly hardened. She looked into my eyes and opened her mouth.

“…Don’t joke around.”

“I didn’t say anything wrong. If you ask the Saintess….”

It was then. Ariel pushed me against the wall, cutting me off. This leather suit allows for almost perfect disguise, but there was a side effect of transforming into the same being. Because of this, my physical abilities were greatly reduced, and I had no choice but to be pushed back.

“Charlotte, I really didn’t mean to say that just now.”

I couldn’t joke around anymore because of her somewhat sad eyes. I immediately lowered my head.

“I’m sorry, Lady Ariel. It was a slip of the tongue.”

“No, it’s okay.”

After that, silence flowed between us, and an uncomfortable atmosphere continued.

‘Damn it….’

I wouldn’t have said such a thing normally. It’s all because I’m in a woman’s form. Of course, I’ll go back to my old self as soon as I take off this leather suit, but… unfortunately, I have to stay in this form until I start the plan.

‘Tsk.’

I clicked my tongue inwardly at the rising annoyance and continued to move.

In the meantime, we arrived at the dining hall. The door was closed, indicating that someone was already inside, and imperial knights were guarding the front. They opened the door as soon as they saw us.

When I entered the dining hall, I saw two people. The Emperor of the Empire and the First Prince.

The fact that the two most senior members of the imperial family were the first to arrive at the meal. If the founding emperor, who was Korean, saw this sight, he would be appalled.

Ariel greeted the two family members who had arrived first.

“Father, Kashaen Oppa. I’m sorry for being late.”

“No, Ariel.”

“Your father and I have just arrived as well.”

Friendly greetings. If you only look at this, it’s a very harmonious family.

As Ariel started to move, I went ahead and pulled out the chair for her. I slowly pushed the chair towards the table at the timing when she was about to reach and sit down.

The two of them didn’t suspect anything about my actions. I stood behind Ariel, waiting to attend to her.

“Is Mother not here yet?”

“Your mother said she has no intention of coming.”

The three who gathered in the dining hall had a light conversation. Following them, the remaining members of the imperial family also entered the dining hall.

The three also exchanged greetings with the rest of the family. Of course, they weren’t as friendly as the three of them.

The Third Princess, who was a magician with a strong researcher temperament, was holed up in her room and had a personality similar to Ruina-sunbae, and the Fourth Prince’s words and actions were a bit frivolous, perhaps because he liked to play.

Even excluding that, it was a happy family. At least until the Second Prince arrived.

“Oh, am I the last one? I hope I’m not too late.”

As soon as he arrived, the air in the dining hall sank. Some of the imperial family members avoided eye contact for no reason.

The Second Prince was as much of a jerk as I was. Since they were family, they knew the Second Prince’s personality even better.

Of course, his notoriety was not well known compared to his personality. He hid his misdeeds other than his personality very well, and I was the unusual one. People like Ariel know, though.

The moment the Second Prince arrived, Ariel raised her hand to her cup. An empty cup. As her personal maid, I approached her and poured water. Then Ariel spoke softly.

“Charlotte.”

“Yes, Lady Ariel.”

“Go check on him first. It looks like the meal will end late. And prepare what I told you last time.”

“Understood.”

I bowed and slowly left the dining hall. Now no one can touch me. I can use the princess’s order as a shield.

With that, I turned away from the path to Ariel’s palace. The destination is the palace of the Second Prince, Rayan Tianis. The most secret place where that bastard would hide his secrets was the only place.

But there was something I had to do first. I went to a deserted place and immediately transformed into the Second Prince’s servant. The transformation was quick.

“Hoo, I thought I was going to die of frustration.”

Only then did the familiar feeling return. Even if it’s someone else’s body, a man’s body is still the best. When I was a woman, I hated the unique feeling and the revealing appearance so much.

Of course, it’s not that I hate women, it’s just that I don’t like the feeling when I’m a woman. Rather, I like women.

I repeat, I am a perfectly normal man who likes women.

Anyway, thanks to the disguise, it was easy to go to his palace. And after several more disguises, I was able to reach the Second Prince’s room.

“Let’s see what you’ve hidden, you bastard.”

After that, I started searching his room. Of course, I hid myself so that I wouldn’t be seen, just in case he had taken any measures. I could do that easily now, unlike in the past.

***

Clatter, clatter.

The sound of cutlery clashing echoed. Where did the previously friendly atmosphere go? The inside of the dining hall was quieter than ever.

In fact, the emperor’s quiet presence also contributed to this atmosphere. Originally, dinner during the imperial council period was usually spent meeting with nobles in the banquet hall.

Nevertheless, the dinner was created for another reason. One was to look after his children who had gathered in one place, and the other was to give them unspoken pressure.

If a member of the imperial family was really connected to the incident, it was not something that could be easily overlooked. That’s why this place was created.

The emperor, who had been watching his children during the meal, rose from his seat.

“I’ll be going now. You guys can eat more slowly.”

With that, the emperor left, leaving behind eight members of the imperial family. However, even after he left, the atmosphere in the dining hall was still not good.

That was a matter of course. It was not easy to open one’s mouth under heavy pressure.

Then the First Prince, Kashaen Tianis, opened his mouth.

“Rayan. I hope it’s not you this time. I don’t want to see my blood relatives disappear. I’ll be going now too.”

Having said that, the First Prince rose from his seat. The Second Prince said to his departing brother in an annoyed tone.

“You’re talking as if I’m the culprit. I feel wronged then.”

“If this is my misunderstanding and you are not at fault, I will apologize later. But not now. Reflect on your usual behavior.”

“…….”

The Second Prince frowned at his brother’s words. Then he moved his cutlery again.

After the First Prince left, the other members of the imperial family also rose from their seats and began to leave the dining hall. The Second Prince said to his blood relatives, who were somehow running away.

“Do you guys think I’m the culprit too?”

“Ah, no….”

“I have an appointment later….”

“Tsk.”

The Second Prince, clicking his tongue, continued his meal.

With that, two people were left in the dining hall. One was obviously Rayan Tianis, and the other was Ariel Tianis.

“…….”

Rayan, resting his chin, stared silently at his remaining younger sister.

“You seem to have finished eating, why aren’t you leaving, little sister?”

“…….”

However, there was no answer. Ariel was just sitting still, sipping water.

“Tsk, damn things. This year, that bastard….”

Rayan muttered to himself and finished his meal. And the moment Rayan got up from his seat, Ariel also got up.

The next was the same. When he left the dining hall, Ariel also left the dining hall, and when he started walking, Ariel also started moving.

Rayan was bothered by the series of actions.

What on earth is she doing? Is she doing that to watch me?

However, since she kept her mouth shut even when he talked to her, Rayan was frustrated. In the end, his younger sister’s bizarre behavior continued until she arrived at the palace.

Still, she didn’t follow him after he arrived at his space. And the moment he confirmed that and turned around, his sister’s voice penetrated his ears.

“I know you’re the culprit. So… be careful. I’ll throw you into hell as soon as I catch you. Definitely.”

An angry voice. Rayan scoffed and retorted.

“Are you confident because you trust that guy, little sister? Go ahead and try. If you can.”

“Just you wait… it won’t be long.”

Ariel, glaring at her second older brother, turned around and left the palace. Then she let out a short sigh.

“Hoo… I don’t think I got caught.”

In fact, there was another reason why Ariel followed him to the Second Prince’s palace. It was because of the possibility that Kyle Arden might have been caught.

If that happened, she followed him to get him out separately. Fortunately, it seems that the thing she was worried about did not happen.

“I wonder if he’s back….”

Relieved, she turned around and moved to her palace.

But then, a familiar voice was heard near the Second Prince’s palace.

“Let go when I’m talking nicely. I’m Lady Ariel’s….”

That voice was none other than Charlotte Grace. It was the voice of her personal maid. And Ariel knew who the person currently in her appearance was.

She immediately moved in the direction of the voice.