Episode 16

The white shadow investigated everyone who was near the place where Emperor Nerian died on the day of his death.

The Emperor always enjoyed riding alone. Moreover, since the previous day was the Emperor’s wedding, most of the palace staff were still in a festive mood and slept in late.

Thus, a total of seventeen people encountered or saw the Emperor that day: Chamberlain Tito, the servants on duty that morning, the stable keeper, the Emperor’s bodyguards, the gardeners preparing for their morning tasks, and the gatekeeper responsible for the back gate of the imperial palace leading to the forest.

No one among them appeared suspicious.

After repeated investigations, the white shadow focused on those who should have seen the Emperor that day but did not.

“Those who should have seen His Majesty?”

“Yes. The forest keepers of the back forest in the imperial palace. His Majesty often enjoyed running there early in the morning, so they were supposed to clear the forest paths before dawn.”

“So, it’s possible they didn’t meet His Majesty.”

“Exactly. The problem is, the forest keeper responsible for maintaining the path that day quit his job right after His Majesty’s death, and has since vanished.”

“Vanished?”

“I found out that he suddenly started spending lavishly before the incident. He bought an expensive carriage and talked about moving soon, but then he disappeared.”

“Does that mean someone hired him?”

Aiden grinned, showing his fangs in response to my question.

“That’s right, Your Majesty. We don’t know how involved he was in the Emperor’s death, but it’s clear that someone influenced him.”

“So, who hired him?”

“We need to find the forest keeper first to determine that. We’re searching the entire country, so we’ll catch him soon.”

Aiden smiled confidently, but a chill ran down my spine, leaving me speechless.

I didn’t want to believe it, even though I was suspicious.

If the Emperor of the great empire of Belpator was indeed murdered, there would be no one safe from harm.

Who could benefit from the Emperor’s death? Or could it be one of the three beasts?

Lian? Vitrain?

Or was it Aiden, who harbored resentment towards the Emperor who drove his father mad?

I pretended to drink tea to hide my rising fear, but Aiden’s red eyes persistently followed my face.

Was this what Lian intended? Once I started doubting, the fear grew.

Just as my mind went blank with the worry that I might have allied with someone I should never have, Aiden’s hand reached out to me.

Instinctively, I flinched and dropped what I was holding, but Aiden caught it.

Hot tea spilled over his hand, and Aiden calmly placed the teacup back on its saucer.

Only then did I realize I had been trembling badly, and that Aiden had reached out to steady the shaking cup.

“The news of His Majesty’s murder must be shocking.”

Aiden said, shaking off the tea from his hand.

Unable to look him in the eye, I replied, “It’s strange not to be shocked by the death of one’s husband.”

“Even a single day can create attachment, I suppose. Especially for someone like Your Majesty.”

Attachment in a single day?

I wondered if he was implying I was being overly sentimental, but then I heard him mutter softly.

“Because you are a kind person.”

I didn’t know what part of me gave him such a misunderstanding, but this time I decided to leave it unresolved.

“He was a good person to me. Perhaps it was better because I had no expectations, being practically sold here. That’s why I want to protect Lothania.”

I wanted to speak calmly, but emotions inevitably seeped in.

Aiden didn’t respond to my bitter words.

Everyone in the Belpator Empire knew that I was an empress sold from the kingdom of Dirmil.

Given that I was acting as the Emperor’s proxy, it was natural for some to harbor resentment towards me.

Even if they insulted me as a greedy woman who manipulated an innocent stepdaughter to stay in the empire, there was nothing I could do. They wouldn’t be entirely wrong.

Struggling here felt more like living than returning to Dirmil.

“I understand that Her Highness the Crown Princess sees the Empress as the last lifeline, but His Majesty could have made a different choice.”

“Are you asking why I don’t return to Dirmil?”

“Why would you risk your life for something as trivial as family? Besides, they aren’t even your real family.”

“It is not for you to decide who my real family is, Duke Aiden. And you shouldn’t belittle something someone is willing to risk their life for.”

My words came out sharp, perhaps because I was already lost in unpleasant thoughts. Though my words sounded like a reprimand, I didn’t back down as I looked straight at Aiden. After all, I hadn’t said anything wrong.

He stared at me for a moment, then apologized with a face that didn’t seem very sorry.

“I apologize, Your Majesty.”

Seeing through his empty apology, I stared at him until he glanced around nervously and scratched the tip of his nose before lowering his head. He didn’t look genuinely sorry, but he seemed to acknowledge that he had been reprimanded.

He resembled a large dog caught doing something wrong, which made me chuckle. The suspicions and fear that had gripped me earlier dissolved into nothingness.

Feeling much more at ease, his question resurfaced in my mind.

Why don’t you go back?

If I ignored everything and returned, I wouldn’t have to worry about when I might die. So why was I stubbornly staying here?

“Because if I go back, I will have to marry against my will again.”

“Excuse me?”

“That is my answer, Duke Aiden. Once was enough to be sold off to someone I don’t even know.”

Meeting Nerian and Lothania was a stroke of luck. No one knows if I will be that lucky again. Whether a widowed fourth princess from a small kingdom would fetch a good price is also doubtful.

Or maybe I should worry first about whether my father, who told me never to return even in death, would accept me back.

Thinking of my father and family left a bitter taste in my mouth.

When I tried to drink tea, I realized that I had spilled it all a while ago and my cup was empty. I shook the bell on the table to request more tea, and a maid entered the room.

I waited to ask her for tea as she approached, but she stopped at the door of the reception room, sweating profusely and unable to come closer.

“What is it?”

“I-I-I’m sorry, Your Majesty.”

Stammering and pale, she bowed her head, and I understood why when I turned to where her eyes were fixed.

Aiden was emitting a menacing aura as if he shouldn’t exist in this world.

Even I, who had grown somewhat accustomed to him, had to swallow dryly as he coldly said with fierce red eyes,

“Your Majesty should remain in Belpator.”

“That’s my intention, so calm down, Duke Aiden.”

Aiden lowered his eyes heavily and rubbed his forehead with his hand. Still not fully pacified, he muttered that he would leave after finishing his report and stormed out.

What on earth is wrong with him?

Aiden was an irreverent and emotionally volatile dog.

* * *

That evening, I enjoyed a cozy dinner with Lothania. Sharing meals and chatting with Lothania three or four times a week had become the highlight of my life these days.

I wished I could spend more time with her, but it was challenging to manage my duties as an empress, a role I was still not accustomed to.

It wasn’t just me; Lothania cherished these moments too. Understandably so, as a twelve-year-old child, she should be playing and having fun, yet she was confined within the imperial palace without any friends.

Besides the tutors who studied with her and the maids who were cautious around the crown princess, I was practically the only one Lothania could talk to.

I wanted her to have playmates her age, but given the situation, it wasn’t possible to let just anyone into the palace. Watching Lothania endure loneliness alone made me think of Melbrid Zernia, whom I had met earlier that day.

“Lotti, were you close with Melbrid?”

“Huh? Oh… no, not really.”

My lovely stepdaughter was terrible at lying. Judging by her expression, it seemed they were more than just acquaintances.

I couldn’t easily relay Melbrid’s message about wanting to see Lothania, as I was unsure about our relationship with him and his family.

Lothania probably lied for the same reason I hesitated. As an only child, she must have longed for friends, and she had been holding back her feelings all this time.

It was heartbreaking to see a child enduring so much loneliness on her own.