There was No One Beside Her

Arbeuta was pushed to the side, although his gaze remained on the boy.

Meanwhile, the petite child kept nervously glancing towards Arbeuta.

As soon as his round eyes perceived the scary expression on Arbeuta’s face, he would burst into endless tears.

No matter how much he tried to comfort the child, it was all in vain.

In the end, the old chief secretary Jars lifted the boy in his embrace and calmed him down.

“I apologize for disregarding Your Majesty.”

“That’s fine. Did you find out anything?”

“Not yet. Your Majesty seems to be in the way, so please step outside.”

A slight crack formed Arbeuta’s face. But he could not deny that the boy was afraid of him.

The child wept while staring at him, tears filling his round eyes.

This boy held significant importance towards their goal.

Of course, it crossed Arbeuta’s mind that the parents of the kid might be attempting to gain payment by spreading unfounded rumors.

“If all of this is a facade, I shall obliterate three generations of your family.”

Arbeuta directed a fierce gaze at the boy’s parents.

The couple, who spread the rumors of how their child encountered an angel and was miraculously cured, attributing it to the empress, fell silent upon hearing the Emperor’s words.

However, Arbeuta remained indifferent.

His sole focus had always been on one individual: Cecile.

“I miss you, Cecile.”

He mumbled out of habit.

Jars, unable to tolerate Arbeuta’s ruined state, reprimanded him sharply.

“Oh, please just leave.”

___

The knights diligently gathered various rumors circulating throughout Alcaden.

It didn’t matter if the rumors weren’t directly linked to the empress; Arbeuta had no intention of leaving out any piece of information.

To maintain secrecy, the knights adeptly disguised themselves as ordinary citizens, seamlessly blending into the diverse crowds.

Arbeuta, too, adopted subtle methods, pretending to engage in activities like reading a book in the park or chatting at a bar to discreetly collect information.

Alcaden’s status as a bustling port city, with its foreign guests, aided this covert operation, as individuals rarely knew each other well enough to find anyone suspicious.

“We finally have a clue.”

Arbeuta let out a deep sigh.

At the same time, the suppressed demonic energy within him surged, momentarily causing him to lose his sanity.

After a struggle, he managed to regain control, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

“Huk!”

Arbeuta let out a heavy exhale. He wiped the sweat from his forehead with one hand and closed his eyes.

He could no longer restrain himself. This was his limit.

So Cecile had to be here. Definitely.

The whites of Arbeuta’s eyes turned a bright red.

While he managed to suppress the bursting energy for now, it was gradually approaching its limits.

‘If I wait any longer, I might endanger the boy and everyone else here.’

Just as the tension escalated, Jars left the shabby cabin.

He calmly spoke, not at all surprised at his master’s deteriorating condition.

“He said she was an old woman. The child described a beautiful silver-white light pouring down to heal his injuries, which matches her Majesty the Empress’ abilities.”

“Is that so? That’s fortunate.”

His mumbles were filled with sincerity. Arbeuta’s state was pushing its limits.

It was only thanks to the Empress Palace, which held traces of Cecile, that he was able to hold on and ended up reaching this far.

So this had to be the last time. Cecile had to be back after this.

So that he could live, she could live, and the empire could live.

A strange joy filled his eyes as he thought of the bright future.

“Let’s go. We must prepare to welcome the Empress.”

Arbeuta mounted his horse.

___

Cecile gazed at the crimson hues of the setting sun and hummed a melody.

As she let out beautiful tunes, the wild animals in the vicinity gathered around her.

Initially, Cecile had been startled by the presence of these wild beasts. However, her fear dissipated when she realized their gentle nature.

Now she joyfully shared food with them and found solace in their company.

‘Thanks to you, I felt less lonely.’

Cecile rubbed the back of a roe deer while gazing pensively at the lakeside.

The once clear, gleaming surface gradually darkened.

As the sky lost its light, a shadow fell over Cecile’s expression.

‘I have to go back.’

The realization of her impending return intensified the guilt she had suppressed. The recent incident with the boy stimulated such feelings.

It felt like a warning. A warning not to abandon her duties.

The thought of the imperial palace constricted her neck, leaving her frustrated.

“…Let’s think about it later.”

She leaned against the roe deer and submerged her hand in the lake water.

A thick fog enveloped her, creating a mystical ambiance.

Contrary to the enchanting scene surrounding her, Cecile, in her habitual manner, mused aloud.

“What cake should I eat today~?”

Determining her evening treat became Cecile’s sole source of pleasure.

Especially when numerous thoughts overwhelmed her mind, like now.

Cecile observed the roe deer, which stared back with big, gentle eyes, and inquired.

“What do you think? Carrot? Earl Grey? Or chocolate?”

Lost in contemplation, Noru, the roe deer, remained silent.

Eventually, as if unable to find an answer, the deer grunted and raised her body.

The sudden movement caused Cecile to tumble to the floor and dirty her clothes. She grumbled at the deer and scolded her.

“You… If you don’t know, just say that.”

Despite Cecile’s critique, the roe deer donned an innocent expression.

Then, upon spotting a group of baby roe deer that had come to visit, Noru approached them.

The three tiny babies followed behind their mother.

Cecile observed the scene for a moment, then rose just in time to witness the darkening sky.

Simultaneously, a faint moon emerged on the back of the three baby deer’s left leg, casting its full light.

However, the moon’s power flickered dangerously. As if forewarning something.

‘Are they urging me to return?’

Cecile pondered. It seemed that the time to leave had truly arrived. After a brief silence, she stood up from her seat.

“Let’s go out first.”

She shook the dirt off her clothes and took on the appearance of an old woman. Then, Cecile meticulously adjusted her gloves and smoothed down her robe.

Only after completing these procedures did she descend to Alcaden.

Perhaps this visit would mark her final time in Alcaden.

___

“Welcome!”

Cecile’s preferred dining spot, ‘The Starlight Coffin.’

A group of unfamiliar men entered and sat down.

Alcaden was known for its influx of out-of-town customers, so this was nothing out of the ordinary.

The restaurant owner, accustomed to casually guiding patrons to their seats, couldn’t help but notice a peculiar atmosphere among this group.

As the owner attempted to flee, the tallest member of the group stepped forward, his voice low and intimidating.

“I heard there is an old woman who visits this place every day?”

The tension was palpable. So much that if she offended him by mistake, he would immediately pull his sword and strike her down.

“I heard she only comes at night, is that correct?”

“Yes, yes. You’re here at the right time.”

Just then, an old woman emerged outside the window. True to the saying, the old woman never passed by the restaurant and did not enter.

The clear chime of a bell resounded as the door swung open.

She headed towards her customary window seat and removed her coat to call for the owner.

“Here please!”

“Right on the way! Oh my, you’re here again~”

The owner snuck a glance at the suspicious man before warmly welcoming the familiar customer.

While the group of men feigned nonchalance and remained in their seats, they kept a watchful eye on the old woman.

Unbeknownst to others, she was, in fact, their one and only Empress. The stark contrast between the remarkably beautiful Empress and the unassuming old woman made it inconspicuous to onlookers.

However, the transformation didn’t fool Arbeuta.

Regardless of her appearance, he would always recognize Cecile.

As he secretly scanned the old woman’s face, a deep smile formed Arbeuta’s lips.

“Found you.”

___

The sky followed a familiar cycle. Likewise, each day was the same for Cecile.

She traversed the same streets daily and exchanged greetings with familiar faces.

“Hey, want to go buy cake again?”

“I would love to.”

“Oh, by the way, be careful; you might get caught in the cycle of life.”

“I wonder how much longer this old woman will live.”

Cecile beamed, feeling every bit like an eighty-year-old woman in those moments.

She happily selected her dessert and strolled along the streets, enjoying a perfect night with a cool breeze.

However, her joy was short-lived.

On her way out after purchasing dessert, Cecile noticed a commotion on the main street—a group of people engaged in a heated fight. She let out a soft sigh.

Evil spirits hovered around, cackling and laughing, entwining themselves in people’s hair.

Those possessed by evil spirits would become excessively sensitive and violent, unaware of the reason behind their chaotic outbursts.

Unable to stand idly by, Cecile utilized her power to expel the evil spirits from their hosts.

The two individuals who had moments ago lunged at each other with the intent of harm now opened their eyes, gazing at each other with confusion.

“Ahh!”

The one who had experienced pain clutched their stomach and rolled over, while the other wore an apologetic expression.

Cecile observed the scene and quietly left.

Her expression remained somber.

‘The evil spirits are running even more rampant than before.’

She clenched her fists tightly.

_______

Note: Now that he found her, are the demonic entities going to disappear when she returns to the palace? I wonder if there’s more to it…