Chapter 84:
The emperor was in a bad mood. Rumours about Janice were bothering him.
‘Besides, Count Edgar suddenly sends a letter saying that he has found Elle.’
The emperor frowned.
“Your Majesty, I think the princess knew about it.”
After meeting with her, Elle disappeared, so the royal family’s position was quite difficult.
If Janice knew Elle wasn’t missing, the story would be different.
So the empress tried to drive a wedge between the two.
“……It’s better not to say such a thing as a guess.”
He turned a blind eye to the Empress’s words and clicked his tongue.
At this time, he did not know that she was trying to narrow the princess’s position.
When it looks so obvious.
“However! The vassals will also rise with it. Isn’t there a lot of talk about her being a half princess anyway?”
“Does it matter if they say half? She was born with the power of a saint. It’s bad that you’re trying to take down the princess whom everyone recognizes.”
“…You’ll regret it.”
The Empress jumped up from her seat and stared at the emperor.
He’s old and dying, and his neck is still stiff.
It was evident that he was unaware that Janice was moving to gather strength.
No matter how narrow your insight is, how can you not see so far.
Since he’s the emperor, so the kids below him will die.
The Empress would have told him if only Delther was not involved.
“Keep floundering in your memories.”
“Empress.”
The emperor grabbed her hand, clutching his throbbing head.
“I know what you’re thinking, but you shouldn’t do something like that.”
“My dear, your Majesty.”
The empress turned and held the emperor in her arms. He swept his back slowly and whispered in his ear.
“Don’t get on my nerves if you don’t want to lose your beloved princess. Don’t you know I’m not very generous?”
“Empress!”
He raised his voice to anger. However, the Empress’s expression was fierce.
“It’s because of Delther that I’m holding back. If she harms my son, I won’t put up with it either.”
After removing the emperor from her arms, she opened the fan with a smirk.
Gently.
Her smiling face was still overflowing with life.
“Then I’ll go to my room now.”
She whirled out of the room.
The Empress, who came out of the room, full of blood on her face in anger.
Soon after, she whispered quietly to the aide who was waiting.
“Try to recruit the vassals secretly.”
“……If His Majesty knew, he would not stay still.”
“I don’t care. Isn’t he not interested in anything else anyway. It’s just to share opinions, so don’t worry.”
The empress clenched her aide’s shoulder with a friendly smile.
He was forced to nod.
The Empress was a scary person.
She managed to get what she wanted, and killed all those who stood in her way.
Janice’s mother also died at the hands of the empress.
Even Deppeloa’s sister.
“Yes, I’ll make your orders.”
“You’re a very smart person, so you know well. If this ends well, I’ll give you a big reward.”
The aide swallowed a dry spit.
The Empress’s words were like taking his life if this didn’t work out.
* * *
“Elle, you can come out now.”
“Wow! Really? Am I finally escaping?”
“I think we should go straight to the royal palace instead.”
“Booooooo…….”
I booed with my thumb pointed to the floor.
“I can’t help it, so come out before I pick you up.”
My father showed up adjusting his clothes. Then he looked at me and shook his head.
“You were so frustrating.”
“But I didn’t expect to be freed so suddenly.”
I heard that it will be soon, but I am not ready yet.
“What did the emperor call me?”
“They didn’t say much.”
I don’t have any faith. What deal did you do with the emperor?
“I was informed that it had nothing to do with the royal family and asked for permission to enter the capital.”
“Really?”
“Yes, but they said there were conditions. I think you’re going to see and speak for yourself.”
Well, it was a great opportunity for me to be free to come and go in the capital.
“Nothing much will happen. It’ll be like a show.”
I nodded.
However, I was reluctant to go to the imperial palace tomorrow.
The thought of seeing the strange emperor with my eyes was terrifying.
“You’re going with me, aren’t you?”
Edgar shrugged at my question.
“I can’t go in because the emperor only called for you.”
“… … It’s going to be okay, right?”
He looked at Edgar like a poor lamb.
“It’s no use looking at me like that.”
“You’re so mean!”
I had no choice but to prepare for the palace.
It was clearly evident from the expression on my face that I was being forced.
“Stretch your face.”
“I think it will work out well.”
I sat leaning against the carriage with a sad expression on my face.
What will the emperor ask me? He might questions like where I was and how I got back.
“I’ve dealt with everything, so don’t worry.”
“……How you deal with it?”
“I’m going to show you today because the princess is also involved”
“…Haa.”
That’s a relief.
I’m not going to ask you any questions because you said it was a show.
“The emperor must know anyway. That I was protecting you.”
“Isn’t that more dangerous?”
“If it was that dangerous, even a Count did his best.”
I really have to admit my family pride.
Still, I feel a bit more comfortable.
* * *
Soon afterwards, from the royal palace, I looked at Edgar with eyes that I didn’t want to go.
He waved his hand and said,
“Go ahead.”
‘You’re so cold-hearted.’
It’s because your daughter is going to the beast alone and you’re so fine.
I struggled to take a step I didn’t want to go.
As I followed the guide into the palace, the servants glanced at me with a surprised look.
It’s surprising that a person who disappeared came to the royal court.
“Haaa.”
I took a deep breath before I went in.
“Welcome.”
“I greet the Emperor.”
That sharp gaze that I face again.
I tried to keep my face calm.
“Yes, I heard the story. It was hard to find Miss Elle even with the royal family.”
“I’m sorry that I make you worry. Thanks to you, I came back safely.”
“Yes, that’s enough. I called you because I had a favor to ask.”
“…Favor?”
What is this old man going to say.
I swallowed dry saliva.
The emperor did not withdraw his smirk.
He seemed to be looking at my reaction for a moment, then brought up the main point.
“It’s a simple request.”
I don’t think it’s simple at all.
“I’m thinking of holding a hunting contest this time, and I’d like you to attend with Princess Janice.”
“……A hunting contest?”
“It would not be bad to hold a banquet to show harmony with the two families. No one will believe it when they see it”
That was right. I don’t think I’ll believe it either.
In addition, it is not known that people was found after their disappearance, so he seems to be planning for me to attend the hunting contest with Janice and inform them.
‘I guess you’re going to make it look like you found me in the royal family.’
It didn’t matter.
“Yeah, we have to show something to others, too. Shouldn’t we let them know that what happens to you has nothing to do with us?”
Well, a big event was a good place to let everyone know.
One thing to worry about was the presence Duke Sen.
Is it okay to accept that he will also attend?
“As you know, it hasn’t been long since Princess Janice’s existence was revealed. You are similar in age, so wouldn’t it be good to participate together?”
“……I’ll ask my father.”
I couldn’t answer hastily, so I implicitly withdrew. It’s not a simple request at all!
“Maybe you should attend. Otherwise, the Velois family will be quite in trouble.”
Besides, it’s not a favor, it’s a threat.
It was strange that the word “request” came out of the emperor’s mouth.
What can I ask for?
I nodded helplessly.
‘Ah, I think the Duke Sen will take this opportunity to slit my throat.….’
The emperor looked at me quietly and soon laughed loudly.
“I really don’t have much thoughts, so there’s nothing to be nervous about. It’s just a formal event.”
“All right. Do I just have to attend the hunting competition with the princess?”
“That’ll do. Isn’t it a simple thing?”
It’s simple. It was obvious that everyone would think it was strange if I suddenly attended as her friend.
Why are we pretending to be close to each other when you kick us out to the outskirt.
The Duke still thinks I’m missing! Why are you calling out someone who’s hiding.
I could have come without difficulty because there was a gate, but at this rate, it was better to live in the capital.
“Then I’ll be on my way.”
The emperor nodded. Can I really go like this?
You could have just sent me a letter.
“Ah, lady Elle Natasia. Don’t let Janice have a false hope.”
“……What do you mean?”
I was frightened for a moment.
What if Janice told the emperor that she met me secretly?
Then my neck would have already said goodbye to my body.
The emperor appeared to have just spoken to me out of anxiety.
“You won’t have to worry about it at the hunting competition. I haven’t seen her since.”
Yeah, there was a time when I invited her and we talked together.
It’s already too late now, but…
Janice seems to have let go of my hand, so I don’t have to cling to her.
All I did was live.
I don’t have to take a path that everyone doesn’t want.
As I got out of the suffocating space, I relaxed.
“Well…I have to leave quickly”
I’m in trouble if I bump into Janice or Delther while I’m here.
I didn’t know what I was going to say, and they were also would likely to show hostility to me.
I hastened my steps a little faster.
When I saw the entrance, I reduced my stride a little more, and I was relieved by the bright sunlight.
But when I turned my head and looked at the palace, I made eye contact with someone.
