Episode 25: Discord (3)
What was interesting?
Percy thought of Sienna. It wasn’t in the realm of logic, so even Percy couldn’t explain it with clarity.
It was like being drawn to a magnet. The moment he saw her, she was interesting.
‘Especially the expression that looks like she’s forcing herself to speak out loud. It’s amusing.’
If you’re going to speak out loud, why does it look like you’re forcing yourself to do it?
‘Talking like someone who can’t say what they want to say’
Percy Stewart had experienced not being able to say what he wanted as well.
-Percy
In Percy’s very old memories, a delicate voice floated like a thin thread.
A faint breath that seemed like it would disappear with a clench of the throat echoed in his ear.
She spoke in a young, soft, yet firm voice.
– Don’t laugh.
Remembering it made him smile, but at the same time, it sent shivers down his spine. A very strange and eerie memory. Percy shook his head to clear the memory and spoke in a stern voice.
“I don’t know. Even if I hear it, I can’t imitate it.”
“Stubborn, aren’t you?”
Julius clicked his tongue, but he didn’t press further. If there was a clear hierarchy between Julius and Percy, Julius was clearly the weaker one.
“There’s nothing to gain from showing off to someone who already knows that my guard is down.”
And Percy Stewart wasn’t a man who would be swayed by showing off. Julius asked Percy with a nonchalant tone.
“But the fact that you didn’t throw me out means you’re seriously considering my proposal, right?”
“I have one question.”
He wouldn’t nod obediently. Julius barely held back his scowl and faced him. Percy tapped his chin with his long fingers, which looked even longer due to the white gloves he always wore.
“What benefit does His Imperial Highness gain from the Empire being divided?”
“I…”
A benefit. Julius clenched his fists.
“This is revenge.”
Revenge, what an emotional word. As someone aspiring to the throne, it was a word that should never be uttered. Those who stood on the throne had to move according to the cold instructions of the mind, even though their hearts might be burning.
But Julius spoke the word “revenge.” This was the one thing he couldn’t give up.
“It’s revenge against those who dared to accuse me of having what rightfully belongs to me due to the division of the empire. If my misfortune is the natural consequence of what I have, I would gladly give it up and mock them.”
Sitting quietly, waiting for the Emperor to fall due to his illness would mean that the complete empire would fall into his grasp. However, Julius was saying that he would give it up just to mock the Emperor and Empress.
Percy pointed out that part with a cold tone, “What’s the point of mocking them if you become destitute?”
“Even so, there are things that can’t be endured without doing them. Revenge is one of those things for me.”
“Hmm.”
To Percy’s dismissive comment, Julius pursed his lips. It seemed like it was indeed an unreasonable story. It was a story that was overly emotional even to himself. It was only natural that he couldn’t convince Percy.
‘I should step back here…’
Julius thought, and when he raised his head, Percy responded in a casual tone, “It’s an interesting story. I’m in.”
“That… it’s…”
“It means I’m willing to be of help to His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince.”
With a faint smile, Percy’s face resembled more of a devil than an angel.
* * *
The way the commoners used to treat me in the past was like cockroaches. They didn’t know my worth and lived in a place where humans live. So I could torment them and oppress them without any sense of guilt.
But their attitude has completely changed. I sighed.
‘Now they treat me like they would treat a snake. They are afraid to even meet my eyes, as if I were a venomous snake that would bite if touched. It’s a polite but obviously wary attitude.’
Suddenly, there was only one reason that came to mind for their change in behavior.
‘What on earth did he do while I was gone?’
It was Percy Stewart, that man. He was the one who had been with me until I lost consciousness, and so the changes in the palace must be related to him. But I couldn’t imagine him getting angry or scolding someone. I shook my head.
‘Well, he had a terrible meal, and he received guests. He couldn’t have just stayed quiet.’
Percy was a rational person, but at the same time, he seemed to have a strong sense of pride. He would have been more upset about being ignored than ignoring me. But again, I couldn’t imagine him getting angry.
‘I really don’t know. The man named Percy Stewart.’
I sighed. In reality, the current situation didn’t give me much reason to think of Percy.
I was walking down a corridor towards the imperial palace. I had sent a messenger to the palace asking to see me as soon as I arrived.
‘Ah, why is that old man so healthy when he seemed close to death? His ears must be sharp.’
I disliked the Emperor more than anyone in this game. It was only natural that I would be annoyed that such a person was whining about wanting to see my face.
‘I wonder if the Emperor was this annoying in the original work? I hope there isn’t an ending where I get kidnapped by the Emperor in one of Beth’s bad endings, right?’
If that were the case, it would be a travesty. Even the idea of strongly claiming a company that advertised such a story in a bright pink color to an all-age audience outside the game store didn’t seem far-fetched.
‘But that’s something to deal with once I’m out of this game.’
Even if I wanted to make a claim, I had to get out first. I gazed down the corridor with a serious expression.
‘Until I reach an ending in 90 days. I will never die. I will definitely change the ending and escape from the game.’
I made a resolution, again and again. No matter how determined I was, the reality of not wanting to go to the imperial palace didn’t change. I sighed deeply. Suddenly, palace servants actively started following me, so I couldn’t control my walking speed.
‘Ugh, I really want to fall face-first. I want to tumble and fall flat, even if I break my ankle.’
But thanks to Percy’s consideration, the shoes I was wearing had almost no heels. It wouldn’t be easy to hurt myself even if I fell, and there was no reason to fall in the first place.
How far had I walked like this? Just as I was about to enter the imperial palace, a very unpleasant face greeted me. It was Gerard, the head of the Emperor’s attendants, who had even found Duke Stewart.
“Your Highness, it’s been a while.”
As if aware of the gazes of others, Gerard had the same neat and upright impression as when we first met. However, the voice whispering in my ear was still as vile as ever.
“A gaudy dress. It doesn’t suit Your Highness.”
The dress I was wearing was personally ordered by Percy. It was a delicate lace dress that covered everything from my hands to my neckline.
‘Why on earth does this dress look gaudy to him?’
I couldn’t believe it, so I clenched my fist and snorted. Perhaps because Gerard wasn’t a major character, I could freely throw out harsh words.
‘It’s much better than the tattered clothes I wore before. Surely the eyesight of an attendant like you, compared to me who spent time confined in the palace, isn’t lacking?’
In response to my answer, Gerard’s face instantly turned bright red, and he burst out angrily.
“Tattered clothes?! Are you criticizing the dress that the attendants meticulously selected for me?!”
“I want to return those words exactly. The one who chose this dress is Duke Stewart. Are you mocking Duke Stewart’s taste?”
“Disrespectful.”
He didn’t continue his response any further, whether it was because Stewart Duke was more fearsome to him or because of Gerard’s retort.
I smirked at him, chin raised. Then, Gerard, grinding his teeth, whispered in a low voice.
“Arrogance pierces the heavens. I wonder how long you can be so arrogant.”
“That’s what I want to say. Do you think I’ll just let you be? If the system loosens up even a bit, watch out. I’ll be the one to send you to the gallows.”
Gerard and I glared at each other with sharp eyes. Of course, the standoff didn’t last long. There was someone we had to meet.
Gerard walked ahead of me, bowing deeply towards the Emperor.
“Your Majesty, Princess Sienna is here.”
Ugh, I really don’t want to go in like this. I wanted to turn around and leave right away, but I held back and stepped inside.
I guess I should consider it fortunate. The Emperor’s room was still dimly lit, but unlike last time, there weren’t injured people lying around, and there wasn’t a whip-like object roaming about.
The Emperor, dressed in a casual conquering attire, greeted me with a kind smile.
“Welcome. Are you in good health?”
It seemed like he might be a kind father unless he did something crazy like last time. He had an unblemished face.
“Thanks to the Duke’s careful attention, I have returned in good health.”
“Ah.”
Of course, that well-being didn’t last long. The pupils in the Emperor’s eyes began to dilate as he looked at my face.
“My love, my lady, Marygold.”
“…”
Here we go again.
