Chapter 5

“Transfer that child, Yulli, to the Emperor’s Palace. Ensure she rests fully, and instruct her to report for duty at the Emperor’s Palace the moment she recovers.”

 

Kaisertern issued the order to the chamberlain, then turned his gaze back toward the palace doctor to add a specific directive.

 

“Furthermore, until Yulli is discharged, no one other than the medical staff is permitted to enter this room. That includes the Grand Duke. This is an Imperial Order. Do you understand?”

 

“Pardon? Ah, yes! Your Majesty. I shall obey your command.”

 

Panic flashed across the face of the palace doctor who had previously received similar orders from the Grand Duke. However, this was an Imperial Order—an absolute command that stood above all else.

 

The next morning, when Radak returned to the clinic, he was met with a flustered report.

 

“His Majesty came here personally?”

 

“Yes, yes… And he commanded that no one be allowed in that room. He said it was an Imperial Order…”

 

Caught between the Emperor and the Grand Duke, the innocent doctor could only sweat profusely.

 

‘Did Kai notice something?’

 

Radak thought for a moment but quickly realized that wasn’t the case.

 

‘No. If he knew she was the daughter of the Duke, he wouldn’t have kept her here; he would have moved her to the Emperor’s Palace immediately. It seems Kai doesn’t know Yulli’s true identity yet… but if he keeps her close, there’s no telling when he might find out.’

 

However, he had no power to defy an Imperial Order. After a moment of anxiety, Radak had no choice but to turn away.

 

‘I can’t openly disobey an Imperial Order… If I wait and watch, surely another opportunity will arise.’

 

He feigned a nonchalant expression as he left the clinic. In truth, turning his back on the Duke’s daughter, whom he had searched for so desperately, made his stomach churn. Today, more than ever, he bitterly regretted the imperial power he did not possess.

 

 

***

 

 

That evening, when Roabellin opened her eyes, she was bewildered by the changed atmosphere.

 

‘What is this? Why is everyone acting like this…’

 

The doctors and nurses, who had always treated her cautiously, now tried to avoid making eye contact with her entirely. They would come in, perform only the necessary procedures, avert their gaze, and quickly leave.

 

Because no one spoke to her beyond what was absolutely necessary, Roabellin remained unaware that both the Emperor and the Grand Duke had visited her in turn.

 

After resting for another full day, her body felt light.

 

‘I’ve rested well for the first time in a while. I suppose it’s back to life as a laundress now…’

 

Just as she was mentally sighing and preparing to be discharged, two imperial guards knocked and entered her room.

 

“Excuse us.”

 

In their hands was the luggage bag Roabellin had brought when she entered the palace.

 

“Oh, my bag! Why do you have my things…?”

 

To the confused girl, one of the guards replied.

 

“Yulli of the laundry department has been transferred to the Emperor’s Palace as of today. We were ordered to assist your move immediately upon discharge.”

 

A transfer to the Emperor’s Palace. It was so unexpected that Roabellin stood there, dazed.

 

“What? The Emperor’s Palace? Why there…?”

 

“We do not know. We will carry your bag; please follow us. We will guide you.”

 

Saying only what was necessary, the guards turned and walked out of the room.

 

‘What is going on… What happened while I was hospitalized?’

 

Questions bit at the tail of other questions in her mind, fueled by the incomprehensible situation. However, the guards seemed to truly know nothing more, keeping their mouths shut like clams as they walked ahead of her.

 

As she walked toward the Emperor’s Palace, Roabellin organized her thoughts and came to her own conclusion.

 

‘Right. I don’t know how this happened, but… my goal was the Emperor from the start anyway. This is good. This is a massive opportunity.’

 

 

***

 

 

After walking through the vast palace grounds for quite some time, they arrived in front of the Emperor’s Palace. The accompanying guards handed her the bag and spoke.

 

“We will take our leave here. Do not use the large gate in front; use the small door to the left. That is the entrance for the servants of the Emperor’s Palace.”

 

“Yes, thank you…”

 

After they turned and left, Roabellin stepped into the main gate of the Emperor’s Palace, feeling bewildered. She took one or two steps, then gasped and stopped breathing as she watched her brown hair turn platinum blonde.

 

‘Gasp! Why?!’

 

It felt as though her heart had frozen solid. She quickly checked to see if anyone was watching. Then, she pressed herself flat against the wall, hiding her body as best she could. Her heart pounded violently.

 

‘I didn’t see it wrong, did I…?’

 

She grabbed a lock of her hair to check again; it was still platinum blonde. Roabellin pulled a hand mirror from her bag and looked at her reflection.

 

‘Just as I thought…’

 

Her original face and violet eyes had returned. Her legs gave way at the unexpected situation, and she slid down the wall to sit on the ground.

 

‘The magic is unraveling… Why? Since when? Ah, right. The moment I stepped into the courtyard of the Emperor’s Palace… Ah!! That’s right. The Aventador Palace also had magic placed on it to detect external magic. It seems this place has magic that simply dispels it entirely. The Imperial Palace is incredible after all.’

 

Although Roabellin was panicked, thinking about it, it was a natural measure for the safety of the Imperial Family.

 

‘I should have thought of this beforehand. I was just so out of it, being dragged to an unexpected place first thing in the morning. What do I do now? …Ah!’

 

After agonizing for a moment, Roabellin remembered something and rummaged through her bag.

 

‘Found it!’

 

Fortunately, her medicine bottles were still there, untouched. Thanks to being hidden in a secret pocket inside the bag, they seemed to have escaped the notice of whoever packed her things.

 

‘Wow, thank goodness… truly, thank goodness.’

 

Finding the magic potion she sought, Roabellin was happy enough to cry. This potion couldn’t change her facial features, but it could change the color of her hair and eyes.

 

Relieved, Roabellin downed a bottle of the potion in one gulp.

 

Moments later, her hair and eye color softly shifted back to Yulli’s. Checking the changed colors in her hand mirror, she felt a slight sense of relief.

 

‘Phew… I survived. The effect of this potion is roughly 24 hours, so I’ll just take it every night before I sleep. I need to make more in my spare time.’

 

Roabellin’s original face itself would stand out too much, but for now, there was no other way.

 

‘At least I match Yulli’s profile with brown hair and blue eyes. I’ll just have to cover my face and bluff my way through. Maybe the laundry department would know, but no one in the Emperor’s Palace knows Yulli’s face in detail.’

 

Roabellin let her brown hair down to cover as much of her face as possible, bowed her head deeply, and entered the Emperor’s Palace. The Head Maid, who had been notified in advance, greeted her.

 

“Are you Yulli?”

 

The Head Maid was inwardly surprised by Roabellin’s beauty and examined her closely. Feeling the Head Maid’s suspicious gaze, Roabellin felt guilty and bowed her head even lower.

 

“Ah, yes. I am Yulli. I will work hard!”

 

Fortunately, the Head Maid withdrew her gaze and immediately considered where to assign her.

 

“Right. You will work… in the kitchen for now. Help with the miscellaneous tasks, carry ingredients, and so on. In short, a kitchen assistant.”

 

It was a suitable job for a newcomer, and the tasks were predictable enough.

 

“Unpack in the maids’ quarters. It is already bedtime, so sleep for now and start your duties tomorrow morning.”

 

“Yes, understood.”

 

The maids’ quarters was a shared room, so Roabellin entered cautiously to avoid waking her colleagues and went to sleep.

 

 

***

 

 

Early the next morning, Roabellin chose a large maid’s hat and pulled it down low, and wore a uniform a few sizes too big.

 

It was to hide the beautiful curves of her body. She intentionally let her brown hair hang long outside the hat to make it conspicuous.

 

She felt many eyes on her face, but Roabellin simply pulled her hat down further.

 

She went to the kitchen, introduced herself just as she had in the laundry department, and busily found tasks to do.

 

In the midst of this, Bomira, a maid of noble birth who had just returned from serving the Emperor’s meal, called out loudly to Roabellin.

 

“Hey, you! The new girl. Come here.”

 

At her call, Roabellin went and stood before Bomira with her head bowed low. The maid peered closely at Roabellin’s face and narrowed her brow sharply.

 

“You, what did you say your name was?”

 

“It is Yulli.”

 

“Hmph, right. You—only go back and forth between this kitchen and the food pantry. Do not go anywhere where you might catch His Majesty’s eye. Don’t get any wind in your sails or think foolish thoughts; if you came to work, then act like a kitchen assistant.”

 

“Yes… understood.”

 

Knowing she shouldn’t provoke the mood of a noble maid while pretending to be a commoner, Roabellin answered obediently.

 

If Bomira was working as a maid solely to catch the Emperor’s eye, it was somewhat natural for her to check others. Seeing that she left it at that, the situation didn’t seem too bad. Roabellin decided to think positively.

 

‘So, in other words, if I wander outside the kitchen in the Emperor’s Palace, there’s a high probability of catching the Emperor’s eye?’

 

Thinking this way, she felt like she had finally arrived right in front of her target. Roabellin steeled her resolve.

 

‘Good, I’ve made it this far, so there’s no rush. Calmly, let’s find a way to catch the Emperor’s eye. Since this is the palace he frequents, the probability of meeting him must be high.’

 

While some maids were wary of the beautiful Roabellin, fortunately, many of the kitchen staff were good people. Roabellin quickly became friends with several colleagues.

 

Although she wasn’t used to physical labor, her knowledge of high-quality ingredients and the proper tableware for dishes was of great help to her colleagues.

 

“Wow, Yulli, how do you know so much about fine cuisine and ingredients? If it weren’t for you, I would have made a mistake and gotten scolded terribly. Thank you so much.”

 

“Last time, if not for Yulli, I almost sent out a meat knife for a fish dish! I still get dizzy just thinking about it.”

 

Despite her colleagues’ praise, Roabellin simply smiled shyly.

 

“Not at all, I am glad if my limited knowledge was helpful.”

 

Having struggled alone since entering the palace, Roabellin was simply grateful for colleagues who showed her kindness. Making good friends, Roabellin quickly adapted to life in the Emperor’s Palace.

 

 

***

 

 

About fifteen days passed since Roabellin entered the Emperor’s Palace.

 

Kaisertern had been occupied dealing with reports of suspicious movements among the new noble factions, leaving him no time to pay attention to her.

 

As days of ordinary work continued for Roabellin, who had entered the palace without knowing why, her curiosity about who had transferred her and why began to fade.

 

Then one day, an opportunity to run an errand to the market arose.

 

“Oh my, someone needs to go to the Blanc Merchant Guild that supplies the Emperor’s Palace. When the delivery came earlier, they missed one herb we need for tomorrow morning.”

 

‘A chance!’

 

Hearing the Head Maid’s words, Roabellin’s eyes sparkled.

 

“I will go!”

 

She quickly raised her hand.

 

She had learned the way out of the palace while working in the laundry, but she hadn’t yet figured out the shortest route out of Byzantium (the capital) once outside the palace walls.

 

After receiving permission to go out, Roabellin left the Emperor’s Palace and immediately used magic to change her face to that of the laundress Yulli. Even if she changed her hair and eye color, walking around with her real face was too risky.

 

Stepping out of the palace, where she always worried about her identity being discovered, she felt like she could breathe.

 

“Wow… I feel alive. I should insist on going on every errand from now on. Just stepping out of the palace feels like my lifespan is extending.”

 

Roabellin hummed a tune, feeling a sense of liberation for the first time in a while as she headed toward the guild.

 

However, there was someone who recognized her. It was Kaisertern, who had briefly come out of the palace to secretly contact an external informant, avoiding the eyes of the ministers from the new noble faction.

 

‘Yulli?’

 

Having been frantically busy for a while, he recalled the fact that he had transferred Yulli to the Emperor’s Palace.

 

‘But why is that child outside the palace?’

 

Seeing that she was still wearing the uniform of a maid of the Emperor’s Palace, it seemed she had come out for business during work hours.

 

But watching her, she seemed to be examining the roads rather than looking for goods. She even went to the nearest carriage rental shop from the palace and asked something.

 

‘Is she learning the geography of Byzantium while she’s out?’

 

Without realizing it, Kaisertern was quietly trailing Yulli. He was unaware that he was showing a peculiar curiosity toward her.

 

While roaming the market, Roabellin spotted a whole roasted pig in a corner of the marketplace. A pig skewered on a spit was being scorched by a rather large fire lit beneath it. Seeing it inadvertently, she quickly covered her mouth with one hand.

 

‘Ah…!’

 

Even now, whenever she saw a slightly large fire, memories of “that day” were inevitably summoned in her mind. The day the bodies of her beloved family burned, and she had to watch from hiding. The smell of the pig’s hair and skin burning made Roabellin recall the smell of the moment her family’s bodies were incinerated.

 

“Ugh! Urgh!”

 

She grabbed the wall of the building next to her with one hand and retched dryly. Unaware of the reason, Kaisertern watched her from a distance, slightly surprised.

 

‘What is it? Is she unwell?’

 

After retching a few more times, Roabellin sat down, leaning against the building wall with an exhausted face. The memory of that day, which occasionally swept over her like this, still rendered her powerless.

 

‘I thought I had overcome it all… Not yet. No, Roa. It’s okay. It’s all in the past… It won’t happen again.’

 

With a pale face, Roabellin tried to comfort herself and calm her mind. Her heart was still pounding. After sitting for a moment with her face covered by her hands, she put her hand on the ground to stand up.

 

Just then, a large shadow fell over her.

 

‘Hm? Who…’

 

Looking up at the owner of the shadow, Roabellin was startled.

 

‘Kai?!’

 

He stood out even more starkly against the street ruffians outside the palace. He was extending a hand to her. It was a gesture to take his hand and stand up.

 

“Th… thank you.”

 

As Roabellin took his hand, stood up, and immediately let go to bow, Kaisertern opened his mouth while looking at her.

 

“Your name was Yulli, was it not?”

 

“Ah, yes, yes.”

 

Roabellin answered, flustered. Kaisertern’s expression seemed indifferent, perhaps due to his intense golden eyes that seemed to pierce through her. She felt herself shrinking back for no reason.

 

“What is a palace servant doing outside the palace?”

 

“Ah, well, I came out on an errand. I was told to go to the food supply guild to pick up an ingredient that was missed in today’s delivery…”

 

At her rambling answer, Kaisertern’s gaze shifted to the basket she was holding, then back to her face.

 

“You were transferred to the Emperor’s Palace, yet you were nowhere to be seen?”

 

He asked short and concisely, without unnecessary modifiers.

 

“Ah, is that so…”

 

While Roabellin was vaguely answering, not knowing what to say, she sensed something strange.

 

‘How does a chamberlain know that? Ah, don’t tell me Kai was the one who issued the transfer?!’

 

Thinking about it, it was entirely possible. Certainly, a chamberlain who served the Emperor right by his side could easily move a single maid’s post. Even if it wasn’t his official duty.

 

While Roabellin’s mind was racing, Kaisertern continued his questions.

 

“Which department in the Emperor’s Palace, and where do you work?”

 

“The kitchen. I am a kitchen assistant.”

 

“Hmm…”

 

Nodding slightly, he asked her again.

 

“You said it was an errand. Are you finished with your business?”

 

“Ah? Ah… well.”

 

Roabellin, who had intended to scout the roads a bit more before returning, couldn’t answer his question properly.

 

“The sun is already setting. Let us return together.”

 

Since she was already holding the item from the errand, there was no justification to refuse his offer to return together. Roabellin answered reluctantly.

 

“Ah, yes…”

 

Thanks to Kaisertern, who knew the palace geography well, the two were able to arrive quickly in front of the Emperor’s Palace without getting lost. As soon as she saw the entrance to the Emperor’s Palace ahead, Roabellin’s face darkened.

 

‘No, if I pass through there, my face will change…!’

 

Even if she passed through the Emperor’s Palace gate, her hair and eyes would remain Yulli’s because she had taken the medicine the night before. However, reverting to her original facial features was unavoidable.

 

‘If he sees the face of the person he’s been with suddenly change in an instant, Kai, as the chamberlain, will investigate me immediately. No, since I am a servant of the Emperor’s Palace, he might just throw me in prison first.’

 

Either way, it wouldn’t end well. Roabellin hurriedly spoke up.

 

“Uhm, actually, I forgot I have one more errand! I’ll just go get one thing and head in. Please go in first!!”

 

And before Kaisertern could say anything, she quickly turned and ran away.

 

“…?”

 

Kaisertern watched her fleeing back with a puzzled look, then turned his head and entered the Emperor’s Palace.

 

Checking from a hiding spot far away that he had entered the main gate, Roabellin let out a long sigh and swept her hand over her chest.

 

‘Wow… If I do this every day, I won’t live out my natural lifespan. I need to achieve my goal quickly and get out of the palace.’

 

Now, getting out of the palace “quickly” had been added to her goals.

 

 

***

 

 

As Kaisertern ate dinner, his thoughts continued to drift toward Yulli. The more he thought about her, the more suspicious she seemed in various ways.

 

‘I got the feeling she kept trying to avoid me and run away. People like that always have something shady going on behind the scenes. Plus, the fact that she had mana before… She might have a different objective. I need to watch her more closely.’

 

He immediately selected a few men to keep Yulli under surveillance. He instructed them to use a magical device to notify him immediately if she left the palace grounds.

 

A few days later, a report came in from one of the men he had assigned.

 

“Your Majesty, the servant is leaving the Emperor’s Palace. It appears she is going out on an errand outside the Imperial Palace.”

 

Fortunately, Kaisertern was dressed in plain clothes rather than his imperial robes, so he ran straight out of his office to catch up with Yulli.

 

‘There she is!’

 

Kaisertern carefully concealed his presence and followed her at a moderate distance. Once out of the palace, Yulli went straight to the market and bought a few items. Watching her, Kaisertern could easily guess the situation.

 

‘That was probably the errand she was sent on. Whatever happens from now on is her real, personal business.’

 

After quickly finishing the errand, Yulli looked around and walked through the city streets.

 

‘It looks like she’s memorizing the roads.’

 

Walking toward the harbor, she approached a ticket seller. She seemed to be asking about ship destinations and fares. Kaisertern nodded as if he understood perfectly.

 

‘It seems she plans to go somewhere. She’s an easy type to figure out.’

 

Just then, he heard the snickering voices of two dirty, pot-bellied men ahead. By their appearance, they seemed to be rough sailors.

 

“Hey, look at that broad. Over there, the slender one with brown hair.”

 

“The one in the white blouse and long navy skirt? Whoa… just looking from behind is killing me.”

 

They were talking about none other than Roabellin.

 

“Just looking at those pale legs, I can guess what her body is like. Hehehe…”

 

Roabellin was currently wearing the uniform of a maid of the Emperor’s Palace. Even though she was dressed modestly in a skirt that came down to her calves, they were evaluating her body and sexually harassing her with their words.

 

These scoundrels were the type who would roll a woman around on their tongues and harass her however they pleased, even if she were wrapped up from head to toe.

 

Hearing their words, Kaisertern became severely displeased.

 

‘Should I drag those bastards out and execute them on the spot…? Should I wipe out their entire extended families…’

 

It was a rage bordering on murderous intent. He didn’t even realize that he, the Emperor, was excessively angry over a mere commoner servant being harassed.

 

Kaisertern took a deep breath to calm himself. Then, killing his presence, he approached the men from behind.

 

‘I won’t kill them, but I can’t just let them go.’

 

In an instant, he grabbed the sparse remaining hair of the two men and slammed their heads together with tremendous force.

 

Thwack!

 

They collided hard enough to make a loud cracking sound, and without even a scream, they both passed out instantly. The impact spots immediately turned red and began to swell.

 

“Hah… Filthy bastards.”

 

Kaisertern carelessly tossed their unconscious bodies into an alleyway and dusted off his hands. Clumps of the hair they had so dearly cherished fell from his hands.

 

After dusting off his hands, he looked back toward where Yulli was. She still seemed to be standing there, examining the roads. Kaisertern sighed lightly and approached her.

 

 

***

 

 

Although the library where Estina worked had set hours, the Central Temple located within the Royal Palace was open 24 hours a day and was always staffed.

 

Arriving at the Central Temple, Estina meticulously checked once more if there were any barriers or if using divine power would be detected.

 

‘Fortunately, nothing has changed. There are no barriers against divine power, and it’s not being detected. It’s just as I knew it.’

 

Estina hid in the bushes near the temple entrance and observed the people coming and going. Soon, she spotted someone wearing a temple maid’s uniform and used magic to change her clothes to match identical to that maid’s.

 

She also altered her face to look more ordinary.

 

‘Good, looking as inconspicuous as possible…’

 

Disguised, Estina succeeded in entering the temple naturally. Thanks to her education as a future queen, she knew the temple’s structure well and went straight to the library without getting lost.

 

‘Maybe because the timing is awkward, I didn’t run into anyone closely on the way… Good.’

 

Carefully searching the library, she soon found the records regarding the High Priest.

 

The documents were sealed, but since she used the same divine power as the priests, she unsealed them without hesitation.

 

‘This is sealed with a strength that lower-ranking priests cannot open, but my divine power is stronger than most priests. Fuhu. All that studying and training at the magic school was worth it.’

 

Breathing a sigh of relief internally, Estina quickly scanned the records from around the “Day of Annihilation.” Her heart pounded, fearing someone might enter at any moment.

 

‘Aha… It was not uncommon for the Queen to summon the High Priest. Let’s see, around that time… Right, there’s a record here that he went for a private audience in the Queen’s chambers during his night shift on this day. And the next morning, he changed the date of the ordination ceremony for new priests. The originally scheduled date was… the same day the Ducal Castle was attacked.’

 

Estina’s eyes flashed. To suddenly change the date of an event originally scheduled for “that day” after meeting the Queen. Her eyes immediately moved to the records of the day of the massacre and the day before.

 

‘The evening before… Under normal circumstances, the High Priest should be guarding the temple at night this week. But after the private audience with the Queen, the schedule was changed so he had no duty on this day or the next. There are no other scheduled events, yet he cleared a full day for no reason. Of all times, starting just a few hours before our castle was attacked.’

 

Her suspicion solidified into certainty.

 

‘The Queen mobilized the High Priest, and probably other priests under him, for that day. Then the magic users I saw that day must have been priests. The assassins were likely sent by the Queen or mobilized by the King.’

 

It felt like the circumstances before and after that day were fitting together like a puzzle in her mind.

 

‘Good… I’ve confirmed what I aimed for, so now let’s get out quickly.’

 

Estina resealed the documents and carefully exited the library.

 

As she descended to the first floor where the temple entrance was, she felt someone watching her and stopped in her tracks.

 

Turning around, she saw a hunched old woman wearing a temple maid’s outfit standing in the shadows behind a pillar, looking straight at her. Her hair had turned completely white, but her blue eyes were bright and intense.

 

‘She looks very old… but judging by her gaze, she’s no ordinary person.’

 

Frightened by the old woman’s knowing eyes, Estina turned to leave the temple quickly.

 

At that moment, the old woman spoke. It was a quiet voice, yet strangely, it struck Estina’s ears with crystal clarity.

 

“My Lady.”

 

‘…?!’

 

Estina’s mind went blank. She was so shocked that she couldn’t make a sound and froze in place. As if to drive a wedge in, the old woman called her again.

 

“Lady Hertenes.”

 

When she was first called “My Lady,” she thought she might have misheard. But at this point, denying it would be laughable.

 

‘I changed my appearance… How on earth did she know?’

 

Unable to even breathe, Estina slowly turned around. The old woman bowed her already bent waist even lower toward her.

 

“This old one greets a precious, noble person. I was… the Head Priestess who served the Queen before the previous one. If I may dare to have a word with you, My Lady.”

 

It was an unexpected statement.

 

‘She served my grandmother?’

 

Estina quickly looked around. It didn’t seem like a trap, but her anxiety didn’t vanish. Noticing her unease, the old woman reassured her.

 

“It is alright. It will be some time before the patrol comes this way.”

 

After a brief moment of deliberation, Estina decided to trust the person who had served her grandmother—specifically, her paternal grandfather’s sister. Even in the worst-case scenario, she figured she could escape from a frail-looking old woman.

 

When she gave a very slight nod with an anxious expression, the old woman opened her mouth to begin her story.

 

“You have likely come here… to learn the truth of ‘that day.’ Hoping it might be of some small help, this old woman wishes to confess my sin and the truth I know to you, My Lady…”

 

Although she was afraid of the old woman who saw through both her identity and purpose, Estina decided to listen silently for now.

 

“Eight years ago on that day, the High Priest suddenly summoned a few of the highest-ranking priests. Being a has-been by then, I was not called, but I happened to overhear their conversation from outside the door.”

 

The old woman hesitated for a moment, took a deep breath, and continued.

 

“They said… there was an order from Her Majesty the Queen to wipe out the entire duchy in a single night. It was about who would go when, and how to cooperate with the assassins. The story was so monstrous that my heart pounded wildly, and my legs trembled.”

 

Estina’s eyes widened.

 

‘As expected, this was what Queen Aklis and the King discussed together!’

 

The old woman continued.

 

“But I, who was old and running out of divine power, had no strength to stop those who were only the highest-ranking priests. I was also afraid of what might happen to me if I reported it outside. I was a person of the former Queen, who came from the Marquisate—a thorn in the eye of the current Queen…

 

So, I simply decided to step back and stay silent. Believing that the sturdy Ducal Castle would fend off the attack well… It was cowardly beyond measure.”

 

Deep guilt and agony were etched on the old woman’s face.

 

“On the night the attack was scheduled to take place, I stayed quietly in my room. But the more I thought about it, the more painful it became; I couldn’t bear it. It felt like I was betraying my master. So, I decided to try and save at least the Marquis’s daughter, whom they wanted to eliminate the most.

 

That night, I used every bit of the little divine power left in my old body to cast an illusion on the daughter’s room. It was an illusion to make the assassins mistake the pillows in that room for the daughters of the house. They likely attacked the pillows, believing they had killed the children. I wish I could have protected the whole family, but with my remaining power, casting an illusion on just that one room was pushing my limits…”

 

At her explanation, Estina naturally recalled the incomprehensible scenes of that day.

 

‘So that’s why… those intruders stabbed the pillows like that and carried them out to burn them. Then the report to the higher-ups must have been that Roa and I were dead.’

 

Before Estina could think further, the old woman—no, the old priestess—continued.

 

“Honestly, when I cast the illusion, I did not know you were there as well, My Lady. But feeling much more divine power being consumed than I expected, I knew someone else was in that room. Since the illusion was cast on the ‘Daughters of the Duke,’ I soon realized you were also subject to it. I exhausted all my divine power that day, and since then, I have had almost none left. That is why I am treated like an empty shell in this temple, doing menial chores. I consider it a punishment from Dominador for knowing beforehand and not acting. Still, seeing with my own eyes that you are alive like this… I have no regrets.”

 

Estina felt a lump in her throat at the confession of the priestess who had saved her and Roabellin.

 

In any case, this old priestess alone could not have stopped the massacre at the time. Yet, she had done her best within her power to protect the family of the one she served.

 

‘She lost almost all her divine power protecting the daughters of the Duke, and as a price, she has lived treated not with glory, but as an empty shell… A person who was once the Head Priestess.’

 

Just as Estina opened her mouth to express her gratitude, voices and footsteps were heard from a distance. The faint sounds approached rapidly.

 

“There are traces of a power different from what is usually used in the temple! Find it!”

 

Was Estina’s power detected? The old woman quickly whispered to Estina.

 

“My Lady, follow me. I will guide you to an exit the high-ups don’t know well.”

 

The place the old woman led Estina was a door near the kitchen.

 

“Go out that door and go straight. If you open the last door, it leads to the garbage dump outside. I apologize for guiding a noble person to such a place.”

 

To the very end, the old woman only felt sorry toward Estina. Estina wanted to thank her, but the old woman quickly ushered her out and closed the door. Then, picking up food waste from the kitchen’s back door, she approached the direction the people were coming from.

 

“Uh, uh… Oops!!”

 

The old woman approached them, pretended to trip, and scattered the food waste all over them. The foul-smelling garbage embroidered their faces and white priestly robes in colorful stains.

 

“Ack, what is this!!”

 

The eyes of the young apprentice priests, who had been diligently searching the temple, focused on the old woman. They immediately recognized the empty-shell old priestess.

 

“What do you think you’re doing?!”

 

But instead of apologizing, the old woman glared into their eyes and shouted.

 

“Keep your eyes open when you walk!!”

 

Annoyed by the cheeky words of an old woman who didn’t know her place, the young apprentice priests flared up in irritation.

 

“You should be bowing your head to the ground, you crazy old hag?”

 

“The useless old thing couldn’t even earn her keep, and now she’s finally gone mad??”

 

The old woman picked up the remaining garbage in her hand, threw it at one of their faces, and struck at their sore spot.

 

“You lot serve someone without a speck of divine power as the Master of the Temple!”

 

“What?!”

 

Enraged to the top of their heads, they began a ruthless assault on the old woman. Rough kicks from young men rained down on the small, powerless woman.

 

Estina, who had run out immediately after the door closed, could only faintly hear voices rising.

 

‘Are they fighting? Is that grandmother… no, that priestess, alright?’

 

She was worried, but she couldn’t go back to where people were swarming. Far from helping, she would only get caught herself.

 

After running through the temple grounds for a while, she safely made it outside. As the old woman said, it was a garbage dump, and there was no one around.

 

“Phew…”

 

Catching her breath, Estina moved while hiding between large dumpsters. While doing so, a breeze that felt slightly different brushed past her ear.

 

‘Huh? What is that?’

 

Turning her head, she saw a butterfly fluttering near her. It was a small butterfly with white wings and dark blue circular patterns. For some reason, it reminded her of the old priestess’s white hair and blue eyes, so Estina couldn’t take her eyes off it.

 

‘The feeling is definitely strange…’

 

Worried about the priestess, Estina turned to go back to her. At that moment, a small, desperate voice reached Estina.

 

‘Please do not go. You must survive…’

 

It was a voice that seemed to echo in her heart rather than her ears.

 

‘What is this?’

 

Estina paused at the strange sound. However, when she hesitated and tried to step toward the temple again, the butterfly flew in front of her eyes and fluttered busily. It looked as if it were blocking her path.

 

‘Then could it be…’

 

Estina turned her steps back toward the exit of the temple district. Only then did the butterfly flutter a bit more by her side before flying high into the sky. Estina watched it, her mouth slightly agape without realizing it.

 

‘It seems… something happened to that priestess…’

 

As Estina carefully slipped away, muffling her footsteps, tears streamed down her face.

 

 

***

 

 

“We meet again.”

 

“Gasp! You startled me. Wh-what brings you here, chamberlain…?”

 

Roabellin, who was standing near the harbor checking the roads, turned around inadvertently at the familiar voice, and her heart sank. Kaisertern was standing a few steps away, watching her.

 

“I came out on business and saw a familiar face. What are you doing? Is this also an errand?”

 

At his persistent gaze, Roabellin could guess why she had run into him in the city and not the palace.

 

‘He was watching me. Whether he saw me by chance and followed, or trailed me from the start… I don’t know the reason, but he thinks I’m suspicious.’

 

She quickly made up an excuse.

 

“I came out on an errand… and after finishing up, I was just looking around. I don’t know Byzantium well, so it was fascinating.”

 

But to Kaisertern, who had been tailing her this whole time, it was an unacceptable answer.

 

‘It was a face closer to tension than curiosity.’

 

However, there was no need to let on that he knew that right now. He spoke in a light tone, as if it were nothing.

 

“I see. If your business is done, let’s go back.”

 

“P-pardon?”

 

“If you have work left, I’ll go with you. Byzantium is a big city, and there are many places dangerous for a woman to walk alone.”

 

‘Ugh…’

 

When he put it like that, it was hard to say she wouldn’t go back. Moreover, as a chamberlain, he was likely a noble, even if lower-ranking, while ‘Yulli’ was a commoner.

 

Trying to hide her fluster, Roabellin answered quickly.

 

“Ah, no. It’s fine. Let’s… let’s go back.”

 

“Let’s do that, then.”

 

Kaisertern accepted her words casually, pretending not to notice her panic.

 

On the way back to the palace together, the sky had become completely dark. Walking the night road together, Roabellin was reminded of the last day of the festival.

 

‘That day, too, we walked up the hill together… Of course, I didn’t have this face then.’

 

Thinking of that heart-fluttering day, she smiled slightly without Kaisertern noticing. In truth, that day was one of the few happy days in her life since her family’s downfall.

 

‘I’m sorry I ran away without a proper goodbye from you, who gave me such a happy day. And I’m sorry I have to seduce the Emperor while you watch…’

 

If she succeeded in being held in the Emperor’s arms, he, as the chamberlain, would inevitably know. The thought made Roabellin’s heart heavy.

 

Walking while lost in various thoughts, they arrived in front of the main gate of the Emperor’s Palace in no time.

 

All the way there, Roabellin had been thinking about the magic-dispelling barrier placed on the Emperor’s Palace.

 

‘The moment I pass through the gate, the magic will peel away, and my original face will be revealed. But thanks to the magic potion I take every day, the brown hair and blue eyes should appear. That will make the change in appearance less noticeable.’

 

However, in her many calculations, there was one thing Roabellin had overlooked.

 

Aventador and Prahenfelt were geographically quite distant; although on the same continent, the weather, soil quality, and vegetation were somewhat different.

 

Herbs gathered from the lands of these two countries, even if of the same species, had subtly different properties and potencies. And Roabellin had made this potion without the time for meticulous testing.

 

She had to do everything alone, from gathering herbs to completion, in the two days before entering the palace, so time had been very tight.

 

Because of this, she was in a state where she didn’t know the exact duration of this potion’s effect. In other words, she thought it was 24 hours, but in reality, it could be slightly shorter or longer.

 

‘If I run away in front of the Emperor’s Palace again today, he’ll definitely think I’m strange. Today, I really have no choice. Since it’s a dark night, I just have to trust that my face won’t be seen well and go in.’

 

Roabellin took the maid’s hat from her bag and pulled it down as deep as possible. After hesitating for a moment, she crossed the threshold of the Emperor’s Palace. Hoping her face would be less visible, she deliberately entered ahead of Kaisertern.

 

But she did not know. The duration of the potion she was relying on had already ended.

 

The moment she stepped into the main gate of the Emperor’s Palace, her braided brown hair turned platinum blonde, and her blue eyes shifted to a soft violet.

 

And unlike ordinary humans, Kaisertern possessed eyes that could see exceptionally well even at night.

 

Kaisertern’s eyes went wide as he watched Roabellin’s appearance change right before his eyes. He stared at her back.

 

‘That platinum blonde hair I’ve been searching for…!’

 

Despite the sudden situation, he quickly reasoned it out and recalled the fact that a magic-dispelling barrier was installed in the Emperor’s Palace.

 

When Kaisertern, who was following right behind, stopped moving, Roabellin turned around, puzzled.

 

“Why aren’t you coming, chamberlain?”

 

Their eyes met in the void.

 

Before Kaisertern’s eyes stood Henna, the woman he had been searching for so desperately. Platinum blonde hair, soft violet eyes—features perfect and beautiful in every way.

 

It was her, the woman he hadn’t forgotten for a moment. Staring blankly at Roabellin, Kaisertern unconsciously murmured the name he knew her by.

 

“Henna…?”

 

Hearing that name at such an unexpected moment, Roabellin froze.

 

‘Henna? Why that name here… What did I just hear?’

 

Roabellin couldn’t believe what she had heard. She didn’t know how to answer. Kaisertern strode toward her as she stood frozen and snatched her wrist.

 

“It was you. You were Henna.”

 

Kaisertern’s voice struck her ears clearly. Roabellin, still unaware of what had happened to her appearance, was greatly flushed.

 

“W-what do you mean…”

 

“Would you care to explain how this happened?”

 

Kaisertern grabbed her long braided hair from behind her back and brought it in front of her eyes. As the platinum blonde hair appeared before her, Roabellin felt dizzy.

 

‘The potion’s effect… is gone? Why…?’

 

Examining her face closely, Kaisertern released her wrist and reached out his hand over her face to detect mana. As if searching for something, he slowly swept his fingertips down her hair and face.

 

There was no sound or light, but some sensation seemed to be conveyed to him. At the feeling of a very weak current flowing, Roabellin flinched.

 

After concentrating on something for a moment, Kaisertern finally looked as if he understood.

 

“Seeing it change as you entered the Emperor’s Palace, the facial features were disguised with magic. The hair and eye color feel closer to a potion than mana… Yes, you used a magic potion. Indeed, a potion of this level contains almost no mana, so it can’t be caught unless specifically scanned for. It doesn’t get caught by the palace’s dispelling barrier either. You put quite some effort into this.”

 

‘What is this… Does Prahenfelt use people with mana even for chamberlains?!’

 

Countless thoughts raced through Roabellin’s mind. Kaisertern stared piercingly into her violet eyes. As if trying to read the thoughts of the girl wearing a complicated expression.

 

“You are indeed the Henna I was looking for. No, is Yulli your real name?”

 

“…….”

 

Roabellin couldn’t answer and averted her eyes.

 

In truth, as the Emperor, he should have interrogated her first on why she changed her appearance and entered the palace. But for Kaisertern, there was something he wanted to ask first.

 

“Right, the name you use in the palace must be your real name. Yulli. That day, why did you run away like that?”

 

The ‘that day’ Kaisertern spoke of meant the day after ‘Henna’ had spent the night with him. Roabellin, unable to answer for a long time, finally opened her mouth under Kaisertern’s persistent gaze.

 

“Because… it had to end that day with Kai. I told you, I need to meet His Majesty the Emperor.”

 

At her words, Kaisertern’s eyes darkened.

 

“…Aside from the Emperor, am I not enough?”

 

Although he, claiming to be the Emperor’s subject, was inadvertently referring to the Emperor too casually, Roabellin didn’t have the presence of mind to find that strange right now.

 

Kaisertern was coming at her directly, but she couldn’t accept his heart as it was. she had her own cause, and it was something she couldn’t speak of lightly.

 

“I’m sorry. I have a reason why I absolutely must receive the Emperor’s favor.”

 

At those words, Kaisertern’s expression turned quite grim as he looked at her.

 

Actually, he just had a straight face, but because his impression was naturally sharp, Roabellin was slightly scared.

 

“What is it? Do you want to become the Empress or something? Did your family order you to do so?”

 

“A commoner… family? Let go of me!”

 

Kaisertern said it under the misconception that ‘Yulli’ was from a commoner family, but Roabellin, who was truly of noble birth, felt a sting inside.

 

But Kaisertern didn’t care about her answer. While holding her wrist, instead of letting her go, he wrapped his other arm around her waist. Roabellin was instantly trapped in his embrace.

 

“Yulli. Don’t avoid my eyes and answer me straight. What is the reason.”

 

Desperation lingered in Kaisertern’s eyes. Finding it hard to lie while looking into those eyes, Roabellin stammered.

 

“I-I told you then. Doesn’t everyone want that?”

 

“I can give you that too. Enough for you to live satisfied for the rest of your life. And above all, didn’t you have feelings for me too? That day, you clearly…”

 

Recalling the last night of the festival, overwhelmed by various emotions, he couldn’t finish his sentence and shut his mouth tight. Even in her panic, Roabellin was surprised by the emotions his face contained.

 

‘This man, who looks so full of pride…’

 

Kaisertern was holding onto her desperately, as if his lofty pride didn’t matter at all. Seeing him like that, Roabellin’s eyes wavered too.

 

‘But…’

 

A life raising a family with the person she loved. Of course, she wanted it desperately, but it was something she could absolutely never have in this life as a fugitive.

 

Thinking that, her situation felt even more real.

 

‘No. If he’s with me, Kai might be in danger too. Who knows when the Aventador Royal Family might find me.’

 

Roabellin opened her mouth with difficulty.

 

“I… mph…”

 

But she couldn’t continue. Kaisertern’s lips covered hers in an instant.

 

His lips carefully and warmly explored Roabellin’s. Contrary to his angry attitude, his kiss was somehow desperate and tender.

 

At the sudden sweet kiss, Roabellin felt dizzy. But she quickly pushed against his chest and pulled her lips away.

 

Just as she pulled her lips away, it was time to sever the ties that kept tangling with him. She couldn’t explain all her circumstances to him, and he didn’t look like he would give up easily. In the end, this was the only way.

 

“Kai.”

 

Roabellin steeled her heart and looked straight into his golden eyes.

 

“I… do not love you. That day was just a one-day deviation for me. So, even if you meet me by chance in the palace, please never act like you know me again.”

 

Once she decided to say cruel words, the lies spilled out smoothly even while looking into his eyes.

 

Feeling self-loathing, she removed his hands that were holding her wrist and waist.

 

Perhaps because of her unexpectedly firm words, the strength drained from his firm hands. Kaisertern just stood there blankly, looking at her who had spat out such cold words.

 

Seeing him look so shocked, Roabellin’s heart ached. Feeling that her resolve would weaken if she kept looking at that face, she quickly turned around.

 

“…I will go in now. Get home safely, Kai.”

 

She felt Kaisertern’s sorrowful gaze, but Roabellin didn’t look back and went straight into the maids’ quarters. Since it was time for everyone to sleep, she quietly went to her spot and lay down.

 

She closed her eyes to sleep, but instead of sleep, his desolate face kept appearing vividly in her mind.

 

‘I’m the one who hurt him… so why does my heart hurt like this?’

 

She felt she had done a terrible thing to him, who had liked her with a pure heart. She felt sorry for him, and sorrowful for her own plight of not being able to take the hand he offered, and tears flowed.

 

She soaked her pillowcase for a long time, stifling her sounds.

 

Meanwhile, Kaisertern, who had stood there for a long time watching the direction Roabellin had gone, turned around with empty steps.

 

Sitting at his study desk and thinking for a moment, he summoned the chamberlain. His golden eyes, which had been subdued the whole time, flashed brightly.

 

 

***

 

 

The next morning, the Head Maid called for Roabellin and scolded her.

 

“Yulli, why were you so late yesterday?”

 

Regardless of the reason, returning to the quarters after curfew was a violation. She quickly bowed her head and fabricated a plausible half-truth.

 

“I apologize. I went out of the palace for an errand and ran into the chamberlain by chance in the city. I was late because I accompanied him on his business and returned with him.”

 

However, upon hearing Roabellin’s answer, a look of confusion crossed the Head Maid’s face.

 

“Huh? What are you talking about? The chamberlain was in the Emperor’s Palace all evening yesterday. He is busy these days with measures for the rainy season.”

 

It was an unexpected response. What did she mean?

 

“Pardon? But I was definitely with him yesterday…”

 

“Oh, speak of the devil. Here he comes. I wonder what brings him here so early.”

 

From a distance, a man in a uniform was approaching with quick steps.

 

He was a man of ordinary appearance who looked to be in his thirties. Although she had never spoken to him, she had seen him from afar a few times as he passed by, so she recognized him immediately.

 

“Excuse me? That gentleman is the chamberlain?”

 

“Yes. Have you never seen him?”

 

“I’ve seen his face from a distance, but I didn’t know he was the chamberlain…”

 

Roabellin answered blankly as she watched him approach.

 

‘Then… Kai isn’t the chamberlain? Then what is Kai?’

 

Just as she opened her mouth to ask if there were perhaps two chamberlains, Chamberlain Hail arrived. The Head Maid greeted him.

 

“Chamberlain. Good morning.”

 

“Yes. Good morning, Molly. But…”

 

He seemed to have come in a hurry, catching his breath slightly as he spoke to the Head Maid.

 

“Is there a child named Yulli—Yulli among the maids?”

 

At the sudden mention of her name, Roabellin, standing next to them, stammered in surprise.

 

“Yes? Th-that is me. May I ask what brings you…”

 

At her words, a look of relief washed over Hail’s face.

 

“Oh, you are Yulli? I’m glad I found you immediately. Yulli, as of today, your position has changed.”

 

At his welcoming face and sudden words, Roabellin felt an inexplicable anxiety. Even if a new maid’s position changed, at most, it would be cleaning hallways or the hall.

 

“Pardon? Suddenly? But why would the chamberlain come all the way here for such a thing…”

 

Before she could finish her sentence, Hail dropped a bombshell.

 

“Starting today, you will be in charge of His Majesty the Emperor’s personal attendance.”

 

“WHAAAT?!”

 

Roabellin’s jaw dropped as if it had been dislocated. The Head Maid, who was listening, was equally shocked.

 

“Chamberlain, what is the meaning of this sudden… This child is a cleaning maid, not a lady-in-waiting. And she is a commoner. Could there be an administrative error…?”

 

But the Chamberlain shook his head slightly and replied.

 

“There can be no error. It is an imperial order given directly by His Majesty.”

 

Even if there was an error, even if it was strange, it was a command from the one person whose orders no one could question.

 

At the words “imperial order,” this time the Head Maid’s jaw dropped alongside Roabellin’s. Seeing them, Hail smiled faintly and continued.

 

“I have served him for a long time, but how could I fully understand his mind? I merely do as commanded. Yulli, go to His Majesty’s chambers immediately. The attendants and ladies-in-waiting who have been working there will instruct you on your duties. Move your belongings here gradually during the afternoon.”

 

“Excuse me? Move my belongings where?”

 

“Attending to His Majesty personally is the job of a lady-in-waiting. That means you are now a lady-in-waiting, not a maid, and thus you will move to the ladies-in-waiting’s quarters. I will send someone to guide you later.”

 

Roabellin was bewildered, but at Hail’s urging to go immediately, she headed straight for the Emperor’s chambers.

 

 

***

 

 

The Emperor’s chambers were not just a bedroom, but a vast space that took up about half of the second floor of the Emperor’s Palace.

 

Two large bedrooms, bathrooms, a reception room, a dressing room, a private library, an office, a lounge, and a room for collectibles—various rooms were connected in a row.

 

Because of this, when the servants referred to all these spaces collectively, they called it the “Chamber Zone” or “His Majesty’s Private Quarters.” Even Roabellin, who had visited the Aventador Royal Palace a few times as a child, was astonished by the scale.

 

‘Wow… The Emperor’s private living space is truly different. Is this the difference between a Kingdom and an Empire…’

 

While she was looking around in fascination, forgetting her nervousness, the ladies-in-waiting and attendants who had been serving the Emperor appeared. They were individuals who looked experienced and slightly older.

 

“Ah… Hello. I am called Yulli.”

 

“Right. We heard you were newly assigned.”

 

They glanced at Roabellin with interest but taught her what she had to do without saying much else.

 

Cleaning this massive space was the responsibility of the cleaning team, not Roabellin.

 

Her duties were varied and meticulous: attending to the Emperor when he woke up, helping him dress, tidying the bed after he left, drawing bathwater at the right time in the evening, preparing towels and gowns in the bathroom, serving tea if he worked late in the study, and refilling inkwells. They were truly the duties of a royal attendant.

 

Roabellin had learned about these tasks during her Queen education. Of course, when she learned them, she never imagined she would be doing them herself. It was somewhat comforting that the tasks were familiar, but…

 

‘Right, this is all good. It’s fine. But personal attendance to the Emperor? How did things suddenly work out like this?’

 

No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn’t figure it out. She soon gave up on meaningless guesses and decided to think about the job itself.

 

‘Given the nature of the work, there will be frequent times when I am alone with the Emperor. Then, surely, an opportunity to seduce him will come…’

 

The thought that the day to achieve her goal had come closer made her body tremble. She was both excited and afraid.

 

‘This is good. It worked out well. I’ll serve the Emperor closely and try to seduce him as much as possible. But… but. Why do I keep thinking of Kai?’

 

His regretful expression and sad eyes when he asked if she was really going to seduce the Emperor came to mind. A shadow cast over Roabellin’s eyes as she thought of him.

 

‘I’m sorry, Kai. I really liked you too. I had to reject you because of my situation, but you were my first love. But I hope you forget me quickly. As a connection that just brushed past for a moment…’

 

Sighing softly, she tried on the uniform the lady-in-waiting had handed her. It was a slightly more luxurious design than the maid uniform. It had buttons in the front to make it easy to put on and take off alone, and it was a one-piece dress for convenience.

 

The skirt covered her knees, giving a modest impression, but the upper body was designed to fit tightly, emphasizing her beautiful curves. It was the first time she had worn clothes that revealed her figure, even if only the upper body.

 

‘I was always busy hiding my body, so dressing differently feels awkward. Well, since all the ladies-in-waiting here dress like this, this will actually be less conspicuous.’

 

Deciding to think comfortably, Roabellin left the room, only to hear the lady-in-waiting and attendant who had instructed her earlier whispering.

 

“What is going on? Those tasks were done in rotation by the chamber staff. This is the first time he appointed one person to do only personal attendance.”

 

They were talking about her. She stopped and listened quietly.

 

“Work assignments and department organizations change as we work, don’t they? But looking at that child, I understood immediately.”

 

“Ah, I was surprised when I saw her face too. Such a beauty was unnoticed all this time. But… wasn’t His Majesty completely uninterested in women?”

 

Saying the last part, the lady-in-waiting’s voice dropped a tone. The attendant’s voice lowered as well.

 

“Haha. It is fascinating to me as well.”

 

“But if he brought her because she’s a beauty, shouldn’t he have made her a concubine instead of a lady-in-waiting?”

 

“Well. Maybe he wants to keep her close and observe her before making her a concubine… His Majesty’s intentions are…”

 

Their voices faded away. Roabellin’s head was filled with question marks.

 

‘No one did this specific job before? It’s a newly created position? No, but why talk of concubines? When did the Emperor even see me?’

 

But the more she thought about it, the less it added up. It felt like she had fallen into a trap dug by someone.

 

‘Oh, surely not. Someone just saw me favorably and recommended me. I should find out who and thank them later. For now, let’s just do the assigned work well. So I don’t get caught on anything.’

 

Roabellin rolled up her sleeves and began to tidy up the room, which was already cleaned. However, the cleaning was so perfect that there was actually very little to do.

 

‘It’s the first time I’m worried because there’s no work. What do I do…’

 

Although she suddenly became free, she couldn’t just leave her work area during duty hours on her first day.

 

‘Since I have to stay at my post… let’s look around the place where I’ll be working.’

 

Roabellin went through the various rooms of the private quarters, memorizing the structure and the location of items. Because it was a very large and complex space, the afternoon passed quickly as she examined it carefully. However, even as dinner time passed, the Emperor did not come.

 

‘Wow… I just walked around the Emperor’s private space, and my legs are starting to hurt. It really is huge. Anyway, I should ask for other work tomorrow. It’s embarrassing to have nothing to do.’

 

Thinking this, she sat on the “bed bench” at the foot of the Emperor’s bed. Since the bed was so massive, even the bench was the size of a small bed.

 

‘Just walking back and forth in a large space while tense all day is quite tiring…’

 

Roabellin nodded off while sitting on the bench, and eventually fell asleep.

 

 

***

 

 

Kaisertern had been stuck in his office in the main palace all day. But he couldn’t focus on work. Thoughts of Henna, no, Yulli, would not leave his head.

 

She was cheeky but lovely; he wanted to scold her, yet he also wanted to catch her and keep her by his side.

 

‘I’ve placed her closest to me for now… What should I do next?’

 

It would be all too easy for him to possess Yulli’s body at any time. He was an Emperor with absolute power.

 

But he truly did not want to use his power to take only the body of a woman who had no feelings for him. He wanted Yulli to stay by his side because she wanted the man Kaisertern, not because he was the Emperor.

 

‘A way to make Yulli come into my arms of her own will, to Kai, not the Emperor… like that night.’

 

Thinking about Yulli, he suddenly felt strange desiring someone’s love.

 

‘Is this the first time since my childhood, when I craved the love of my strict and blunt father?’

 

Memories of growing up in the cold imperial palace with no one to trust after his mother passed away. He consciously pushed away those memories that surfaced in an instant.

 

Deliberately thinking of Yulli again, he recalled the incident at the magic tool shop where he first met her.

 

‘Ah, right. The mana Yulli possessed. I need to look into that.’

 

Kaisertern ordered a servant to call the Archmage. As he happened to be in the palace for business, he arrived at the Emperor’s office before long.

 

“Your Majesty, the Archmage is here.”

 

“Yes, send him in.”

 

Soon the door opened, and a tall young man entered. It was Iskal Lexton, the Master of the Magic Tower and the faceless Archmage of the Prahenfelt Empire.

 

A mage with a resume unprecedented in the history of the continent: becoming the Tower Master before the age of 20, and the Empire’s Archmage at barely 21.

 

However, if one met him without knowing these tremendous titles, he would just appear as a handsome young man with warm sky-blue eyes.

 

The Magic Tower was publicly a neutral organization not sided with any nation. Therefore, it was a principle that active mages of the Tower did not hold positions as royal court mages for any country simultaneously.

 

For that reason, the fact that Iskal, the head of the Tower, was concurrently serving as the Archmage of the Prahenfelt Empire was kept a secret. There was no need to make it public and give other nations a pretext for complaint.

 

The Imperial Archmage was the Emperor’s subject. However, because Iskal was royalty of the Aventador Kingdom, Kaisertern treated him like a comfortable friend rather than a subordinate.

 

Seeing Iskal enter, Kaisertern spoke with a faint smile.

 

“You haven’t been sticking around the Tower much lately?”

 

“My apologies if I missed you. I had some business outside. What brought Your Majesty to the Tower?”

 

Iskal answered with the courtesy of a subject, but he too wore a relaxed and friendly smile toward Kaisertern.

 

“I went to the Tower for various reasons. I had a request… but more importantly, I called you now because I have a question.”

 

“Yes, ask anything.”

 

Kaisertern asked point-blank without context.

 

“Is it possible to restore mana to a person who had it but lost it?”

 

It was an out-of-the-blue question. But Iskal answered lightly as if it were nothing. For him, there were almost no difficult magics.

 

“It depends on the cause of the loss.”

 

“How so?”

 

“If they lost their mana completely due to a powerful curse from a supreme-class mage, there is no way. However, if it happened due to an external object or environment, simply removing the cause will suffice. Lastly, if they became unable to use mana due to an internal cause within themselves, there is another way.”

 

‘According to this classification, Yulli seems to fall into the last category.’

 

Kaisertern listened carefully to his explanation, thinking of Yulli. Iskal continued speaking while looking at the Emperor.

 

“That is a method only a supreme-class mage can perform. The caster’s own mana must be very sufficient. And they must be able to use it skillfully. On this continent, other than myself, only you, Your Majesty, would be capable of it.”

 

At his words, Kaisertern muttered inadvertently.

 

“Aha, so that’s why she went to the Tower Master…”

 

At the sudden remark, Iskal looked at Kaisertern with a puzzled face.

 

“Pardon? What do you mean…”

 

“Nothing. More importantly, if it is an internal cause, how can the mana be returned?”

 

“It is a method of injecting mana into the body’s major vital points one by one to release the energy flows that are not operating properly. You can think of it as opening a road that is blocked and unusable.”

 

“Sounds easy?”

 

At Kaisertern’s words, Iskal grinned.

 

“It looks easy, but it is not simply injecting mana; it involves clearing blockages deep inside, so it is trickier than you think. Your Majesty has sufficient mana, but if you intend to cast it yourself, you will need to learn the method from me.”

 

“Then I’ll just leave it to the Archmage.”

 

Kaisertern waved one hand as if it were slightly bothersome.

 

“Haha, if it is an order, I must do it.”

 

Iskal laughed good-naturedly, glanced at Kaisertern’s expression, and continued with a smile. Kaisertern, whose gaze was elsewhere for a moment, missed the playful look that appeared on Iskal’s face.

 

“And this has a somewhat… erotic aspect. When performing this treatment, nothing, such as clothes, should block the contact between the caster’s hand and the subject’s vital points. But since there are more than one or two points to release, the person receiving the treatment usually undergoes it without clothes.”

 

“Wh-what?!”

 

Kaisertern, flustered, slammed his hands on the desk and sprang up. An image of Yulli and Iskal in an intimate situation was instantly drawn in his mind.

 

It was a reaction rarely seen from him, who was usually so calm he felt cold.

 

Seeing him like that, Iskal’s mischievous smile deepened.

 

“Haha, is the person to receive treatment a man? If so, I’m a bit reluctant too.”

 

Iskal grinned as if joking, but Kaisertern felt steam coming out of his ears.

 

“No, it’s not. Absolutely do not do it. Absolutely. If anyone asks you to do it, do not do it. I will do it, so teach me how right now.”

 

‘I threw it out there just in case, and he fell for it. It was a woman after all. Our Emperor has a cute side unlike his appearance. Just who is this woman that makes him act like this?’

 

Unaware that the prank-loving Iskal was teasing him, Kaisertern was busy trying to erase the image of Yulli and Iskal that kept popping up in his mind.

 

 

***

 

 

How much time had passed? Roabellin, who had been sleeping on her side on the bed bench, suddenly snapped her eyes open. The silence was strange, and the feeling was ominous. Feeling the foreboding with her whole body, she rolled only her eyes to look out the window; the sun had already set.

 

‘Gasp… How many hours have I been sleeping like this?!’

 

Startled, she sprang up, but her limbs tingled terribly from sleeping in an uncomfortable position. Eventually, she collapsed back onto the bench.

 

“Ouch, ouch…”

 

Massaging her numb limbs, Roabellin looked up and suddenly noticed a faint light ahead. Light was leaking through the crack of the bathroom door on the other side of the vast room. The sound of water could also be heard.

 

‘Hm? Who is that…’

 

Having just woken up, she was disoriented, and her thoughts didn’t return immediately.

 

But gradually her mind cleared, and her reason reminded her that there was only one person who would be washing in this room.

 

‘Th-The Emperor is here? But without turning on the lights, and without other attendants or maids? …Ah, I was supposed to do that! But I was asleep on my first day of work? I must be crazy!’*

 

Startled, Roabellin sprang up for real this time.

 

‘The room is dark, so maybe the Emperor didn’t see me… That must be it… F-First, let’s do what I should have done!’

 

She went around the room lighting the night lamps, and finally, the interior became a little brighter. Thanks to the yellow light from several candles, the bedroom quickly became warm and cozy.

 

In the meantime, the sound of water from the bathroom stopped.

 

‘I put the towel and bathrobe in the bathroom earlier… so he must have used them…? I didn’t hear that bathing assistance was my duty, but since it’s personal attendance, I can just start from now, right…?’

 

Roabellin went toward the bathroom door, extremely tense, clasped her hands, and stood with her head bowed politely.

 

A moment later, the Emperor came out of the bathroom wearing a bathrobe. Walking silently on the carpeted floor, feet in indoor slippers stopped in front of her.

 

“You are the lady-in-waiting in charge of my personal attendance.”

 

The low, baritone voice sounded somewhat familiar. But right now, Roabellin didn’t have the mental capacity to wonder where she had heard it.

 

“Yes, I am called Yulli. I will serve you with my best.”

 

Afraid that the Emperor might have seen her sleeping on the job on her first day, her voice came out thin and trembling. Right now, the thought that he was the target she came to seduce didn’t even cross her mind.

 

‘Is this the Emperor’s intimidation? Or am I trembling because I have a guilty conscience?Ah, what do I do… If someone serving the Emperor closely is negligent… is it death? Was it a capital offense?’

 

To her, trembling like a rabbit in front of a lion with her head bowed, the Emperor spoke. Fortunately, it was a calm voice that didn’t seem angry.

 

“Raise your head.”

 

At those words, Roabellin slowly lifted her head.

 

Her gaze started from his slippers, passed the long legs covered by the bathrobe, past the robe tied loosely enough to reveal a glimpse of abs, and up to his muscular chest.

 

But lacking the courage to face him, she lowered her gaze again.

 

Then the Emperor commanded again.

 

“Again. Raise your head and look into my eyes.”

 

Thinking it was fortunate he specified where to look, she lifted her head. And she met his golden eyes.

 

Roabellin almost screamed Kai?! but with superhuman will, she barely swallowed the word and picked a different one.

 

“Cha… Chamber… lain…?”

 

In the morning, she had confirmed he wasn’t the Chamberlain, but she had no other title for him.

 

‘Kai, why are you coming out of there?’

 

Watching her confused face, he opened his mouth.

 

“No. I am the master of this room and the master of the Prahenfelt Empire. Kaisertern Erlenkönig Prahenfelt.”

 

Roabellin’s mind went blank in an instant.

 

‘Why, why, what, this, what… Ah!’

 

In the midst of that, a word flashed through her dazed mind.

 

‘Kaisertern… Right, I remember. In the ancient language of the Western Continent, it means “Ruler”…’

 

Roabellin, who had learned the languages of the major powers and royal customs as a child, quickly recalled that in the Prahenfelt Empire, only direct imperial lineage could use a name with that meaning. Her mouth fell open slightly without her realizing.

 

‘The man I spent the night with, thinking I’d never see him again, was the Emperor…’

 

Shock waves hit her mind successively like an earthquake—second, third waves.

 

While Roabellin was frozen blankly in shock, Kaisertern reached out to her just like yesterday and simply reverted her hair and eye color to their original appearance.

 

Roabellin stared blankly as her braided brown hair turned platinum blonde. She didn’t even have the mind left to be surprised anymore.

 

In the space where the shockwave passed, recollection and reflection took over. What had she said to the Emperor yesterday?

 

Running away without a word after that night? Only then did fear rush over her.

 

The reason Roabellin was afraid wasn’t just because she was caught changing her face by the Emperor.

 

‘If I could change into another face, I could find a way to escape the palace after handling this situation…’

 

Right now, her divine power wasn’t intact, so she couldn’t change into just any face at will.

 

‘My original face and the one face I can change into with my current power—I’ve been caught in both.’

 

Now, it was impossible to leisurely escape using a face the Emperor didn’t know, like the day after the festival.

 

‘Will I be executed immediately for the crime of deceiving the Emperor? Or, will he execute me after playing with me for a bit? Oh, no… Right, give up on the Emperor’s child and just find a way to escape first…’

 

Roabellin bit her lip lightly in bewilderment. She was caught by the Emperor in both faces she could use, and she could be charged with the crime of mocking the Emperor. Now, it was just time to find a way to escape the palace alive.

 

In contrast to Roabellin, who was frantically trying to come up with an escape plan with her panicked brain, Kaisertern was relaxed. He looked quietly at her face with his deep golden eyes and spoke.

 

“Did you say you would seduce the Emperor?”

 

Even without the power of being Emperor, he was a man with immense mana feared by neighboring countries.

 

‘No, forget mana. He’s such a huge man. Even if he just uses physical strength, I can’t run away…’

 

She truly felt like a deer standing before a lion. Because she was thinking this, Roabellin processed Kaisertern’s words a beat late. Then another great realization rang in her head like a gong.

 

‘Ah, right. I told the Emperor to his face that I would seduce the Emperor…’

 

Thinking about how he must have viewed her, she couldn’t lift her eyes out of shame. And then, another important thing came to mind.

 

‘Ah, contraception!’

 

On the last night of the Vicent Festival, Roabellin had taken a contraceptive pill while Kaisertern was showering. It was one of the medicines she made and carried around. Before meeting the Emperor, she couldn’t have a child with a man she didn’t even know, so…

 

‘Kai was the Emperor… Why did I use contraception that day?’

 

She felt dizzy and a sigh came out automatically. If she had known he was the Emperor then and hadn’t used protection…

 

‘I wouldn’t be suffering like this. I could have just confirmed the pregnancy and returned straight to the house in Avery.’

 

It was something she couldn’t have known back then, but looking back now, regret washed over her.

 

Watching Roabellin’s face darken by the moment, Kaisertern asked again with a relaxed face.

 

“So. Now that you know I am the Emperor, do you feel like seducing me?”

 

Roabellin couldn’t bear to look him in the eye and looked down. She couldn’t say it aloud, but a silent plea burst out in her heart.

 

‘No! Seduction my foot, just please let me live…’

 

Seeing her face not knowing what to do, Kaisertern spoke again. There was a sigh mixed in his low voice.

 

“That day. You and I, we were both sincere to each other. Were we not? Not knowing who the other was, we just fell for the person in front of us. I intended to reveal who I was to you the next morning and bring you into the palace.”

 

At his sincere confession, Roabellin’s conscience pricked her belatedly.

 

‘Back then, I thought Kai was the son of a wealthy noble family. So I thought he would think lightly of a commoner woman he spent one night with, and I left with a light heart too. But Kai, no, Kaisertern, no, His Majesty… was sincere about me.’

 

With no way to express her apology, she just bit her lips. Kaisertern continued.

 

“If you didn’t feel my heart was sincere, it must be my fault for not conveying it enough. But as a result, you became the woman who took the Emperor’s first night and ran away without my permission. Do you know that is also a crime?”

 

“Pardon?!”

 

Roabellin lifted her head in surprise.

 

‘The rumor that the Emperor had never been with anyone… that was true? I was really his first woman?! Oh my god…!’

 

How to escape this burdensome situation? No brilliant idea came to her confused mind.

 

But Kaisertern misunderstood the point of her surprise. People standing before the Emperor usually feared the word “crime” the most.

 

“Yes, it becomes a crime. Because you acted against the Emperor’s will, and if you ran away carrying imperial offspring, you could be charged with a crime equivalent to kidnapping a royal family member.”

 

Roabellin, who hadn’t thought that far, turned pale.

 

‘Ah… There’s no choice now. I have to deny everything. That never happened.’

 

Avoiding his eyes, Roabellin executed the denial strategy she just decided on.

 

“Y-Your Majesty. We… spent the first night? What do you mean…”

 

At her strange reaction, Kaisertern, who had looked relaxed the whole time, furrowed his brow.

 

“Are you saying you don’t remember?”

 

“W-We did fall asleep in the same room that night, but we really just fell asleep. Nothing… happened… right? Don’t you remember?”

 

Not used to lying, Roabellin stuttered because she felt awkward herself. At the completely unexpected words, Kaisertern looked at Roabellin with an incredulous expression.

 

“Have you had an accident recently? Did you hit your head hard somewhere?”

 

Roabellin was flustered when her lie didn’t work at all. She didn’t know that while she was drunk that day, Kaisertern hadn’t been drunk at all.

 

In fact, his memory of that night was likely much clearer than hers.

 

‘Ugh… When I think it won’t work, I have to push harder confidently! Insist on it!’

 

Roabellin tried to erase her flustered expression and lifted her head as shamelessly as possible.

 

“No, my memory is fine. We drank, got drunk, and just fell asleep.”

 

Kaisertern was so dumbfounded he was on the verge of laughing.

 

“Ha, you don’t remember? Was that night so insignificant to you that you don’t remember?”

 

Of course not.

 

‘How could that be. It was the unique and best memory of my life… But I can’t be honest right now.’

 

She bit her lip once and added more lies. The first time was hard, but after doing it a bit, she could tell bigger lies.

 

“It’s not that, but nothing remains in my memory. Because nothing happened. I remember all the times with the many men I met before that…”

 

Kaisertern recalled her from that night—awkward and slightly afraid, as if unused to a man’s touch. Thinking of the small bloodstain he saw on the bedsheet the next morning, the corners of his mouth twisted slightly in a sneer.

 

“Fine, let’s say that’s true. That nothing happened between us.”

 

His words “let’s say” left an ominous lingering feeling, but Roabellin quickly nodded her head vigorously.

 

“Yes, yes. That’s right. Nothing happened! How could a commoner like me dare to take the Emperor’s first night?”

 

Kaisertern, meeting her eyes with a sharp gaze that seemed to pierce through to her soul, spoke after a moment.

 

“Didn’t you say our day together was just a one-day deviation?”

 

He was no longer talking about that single night in the past, but referring to what she had said just yesterday.

 

‘Ah, why did I have to say that yesterday… It contradicts what I’m saying now…’

 

Roabellin lamented inwardly. She wanted to go back to yesterday and cover her own mouth.

 

While she was regretting her words, Kaisertern continued.

 

“Then I shall return those words to you. You are aware that you are now the property of me, the master of the Emperor’s Palace.”

 

Simply put, he was her master, and as she was now technically a sinner, he was someone who could do whatever he pleased with her.

 

“I am considering enjoying you and then discarding you as I please. Just as a deviation. What do you think?”

 

Of course, discarding a woman who had spent the night with the Emperor was unheard of in the history of the Empire. There was the possibility of an imperial heir, and even without that, the Emperor’s woman could not be cast aside so easily. As the Emperor, he knew better than anyone that it was nonsense.

 

But Kaisertern wanted to throw those hurtful words back at her, to show her just how much her words had pained him.

 

At his words, Roabellin’s eyes went wide.

 

‘Oh my god, that is exactly what I wanted?!’

 

Ironically, those were the words she most wanted to hear from the Emperor.

 

‘Good heavens! Oh my god! Hurray!! Thank you, Dominador! You are granting my wish.’

 

However, her face, contorted bizarrely in an effort to suppress a smile, caused Kaisertern to misunderstand her yet again. Only Roabellin was unaware that she looked as though she were struggling to hide shock and sorrow.

 

“K… No, Your Majesty.”

 

Barely composing her heart and expression, Roabellin spoke. Kaisertern gazed at her with a look of slight regret.

 

“As you said, regardless of the details, I am a sinner who has hurt Your Majesty’s feelings. Therefore, if doing so makes you feel better, please do so.”

 

Startled by her unexpected response, Kaisertern maintained his feigned cold expression and asked.

 

“What do you mean by that?”

 

Roabellin spoke with downcast eyes. Her large, beautiful eyes created a pitiful atmosphere.

 

“It is as Your Majesty said. If playing with me and then discarding me relieves your heart, then please do so.”

 

Kaisertern’s brow furrowed deeply.

 

“You… you are saying it doesn’t matter if I treat you that way?”

 

“Before the supreme Emperor, what importance does the heart of a mere commoner like me have?”

 

Kaisertern was speechless. After momentarily organizing this absurd situation in his mind, he spoke.

 

“I understand your thoughts. I will decide how to proceed gradually. for now, attend to my personal needs properly. And you are now forbidden from going outside the Imperial Palace.”

 

“Pardon?!”

 

Roabellin lifted her head in surprise.

 

“Why are you surprised? Do you have business that requires you to scout the geography outside?”

 

Struck too accurately by his words, she couldn’t answer immediately and only rolled her eyes.

 

“If not, stay within the Emperor’s Palace at all times, and preferably within my private quarters. Somewhere I can see you whenever I wish.”

 

She felt that things had gotten terribly tangled. But she couldn’t ask “Why?” to the Emperor who spoke like that, so Roabellin simply bowed her head and answered.

 

“Yes, yes…”

 

It was ruined. How on earth was she supposed to escape now?

 

“Phew… You may leave for now. Do not go far. I do not know when I might call for you.”

 

Although things were a mess, Roabellin was relieved that she could escape this spot for the moment and answered quickly.

 

“Yes, please rest…!!”

 

Roabellin bowed deeply in a hurry, then left the room as if fleeing. Once she closed the door, her legs gave way, and she slumped to the floor. Only then did her heart start pounding.

 

“Whoa…”

 

Her startled heart and various thoughts tangled together messily.

 

‘Kai—no, the Emperor—also drank that day, so his memory might be slightly confused by my words. For now, I’ll work and look for a chance to escape. I don’t know when something might happen, so I must carry the illusion incense and dream incense with me at all times.’

 

Barely calming herself, Roabellin forced her trembling legs to stand and headed to her quarters.

 

Left alone in the bedroom, Kaisertern fell into thought while looking at the door Roabellin had exited.

 

‘Play with her and discard her… Was I too harsh? In truth, I only intended to keep her right by my side and watch over her.’

 

He made excuses to himself that it was because she was ‘cheeky for lying to him and leaving,’ but in reality, he just wanted to keep seeing her.

 

‘Should I have just used my authority to make her a concubine immediately?’

 

Regardless of her will, he could simply announce, ‘I spent the night with this woman,’ and that would be it. No, whether they spent the night or not, he could just appoint her a concubine. Thinking about it, her reaction felt even stranger.

 

‘Even if nothing happened, it would be normal to insist that we did spend the night.’

 

Did she not know how rare and precious the opportunity for a commoner to gain the position of an imperial concubine was?

 

Kaisertern found it hard to understand why she was pretending that something that definitely happened didn’t exist.

 

Right now, with not even a single concubine, let alone an Empress, no woman, even among the nobility, would refuse the position.

 

‘Is me as a husband so unappealing to Yulli that she doesn’t need wealth or glory? No, but I was okay as a one-night stand?!’

 

Kaisertern’s eyes snapped open. It was time to sleep, but sleep would not come. Eventually, he pulled the call bell. The attendant on night duty entered and bowed.

 

“Did you call, Your Majesty?”

 

“Bring Yulli.”

 

“Pardon? Yes. Ah, ah… Should I tell her to… prepare herself?”

 

The attendant asked hesitantly. Calling a maid rumored to be a beauty to the bedroom at this late hour—he had misunderstood the intention.

 

At the unexpected comment, Kaisertern felt his face heat up slightly. However, he skillfully hid his expression and feigned indifference.

 

“No, it is not like that. I cannot sleep, so I intend to do some work in the study. Just tell her to come to the study.”

 

“Yes, understood.”

 

 

***

 

 

Soon, Roabellin arrived at the study. She looked slightly out of breath as if she had come in a hurry, but she was dressed in the neat lady-in-waiting uniform just as before. Fortunately, it seemed the attendant hadn’t misunderstood the Emperor’s intention and passed on any strange message.

 

She just seemed flustered to be called back suddenly in the middle of the night. Or perhaps, given the earlier conversation, she might be harboring the same misunderstanding as the attendant.

 

“Your Majesty, you called for me.”

 

Kaisertern stared blankly at her as she bowed gracefully without realizing it. To him, it was just the uniform he saw every day, yet…

 

‘How can she be so beautiful even wearing that?’

 

When there was no answer to her greeting, Roabellin lifted her head with a slightly puzzled look. Only after their eyes met did Kaisertern realize what kind of expression he had been wearing and cleared his throat.

 

“Ah, right. Bring black tea. I want it strong. And…”

 

He glanced at her.

 

“A cup of flower tea as well. And plenty of snacks to accompany them.”

 

“Yes.”

 

It was a bit strange that he ordered two types of tea for himself, but it wasn’t her place to question it, so Roabellin bowed and left the study.

 

Heading to the kitchen, Roabellin recalled the image of Kaisertern she had just seen. Kaisertern, who had been wearing a bathrobe, had changed into a comfortable shirt and pants. Even in comfortable clothes, his breathtakingly solid physique could not be hidden. Perhaps because of his damp black hair, he felt strangely provocative.

 

‘Why is he unnecessarily sexy when he’s the Emperor? He’s in a position where he doesn’t need to seduce anyone…’

 

Arriving at the kitchen, she encountered Bomira, the noble-born maid who had previously warned her not to catch the Emperor’s eye. Bomira looked at Roabellin with jealous eyes.

 

‘With her eye and hair color back like that, she’s even more flashy and pretty. A mere commoner with just a pretty face, tsk. Honestly, with a girl like that around, would the Emperor ever notice me?’

 

To the palace staff, Roabellin’s appearance change had been explained as the result of a cosmetic potion she used for style. This was a measure Kaisertern had taken to minimize gossip.

 

Despite Bomira’s sarcasm, Roabellin calmly stated her business.

 

“Hello. His Majesty is working in the study and asked for black tea, flower tea, and plenty of accompaniments.”

 

“At this hour? Hmph… Fine.”

 

No matter how annoying Yulli was, Bomira couldn’t refuse an Imperial Order. As the night-shift maid was away, Bomira had to prepare the refreshments herself.

 

‘I want to prank her a bit… Putting something in what His Majesty eats is too big a deal. Is there a way that won’t cause problems even if it gets blamed on me…’

 

After a brief thought, she left the black tea as is but swapped the flower tea for something else.

 

‘If she serves the wrong tea because she remembered the name incorrectly, she’ll just get lightly scolded and fall out of favor. After all, people will believe me, a noble, over an ignorant commoner.’

 

Laughing silently, she quickly prepared the refreshments.

 

“Here.”

 

Bomira handed Roabellin a tray with black tea, Tline tea, and a bowl of snacks. Tline tea was made from flowers grown in the western continent and was hard to distinguish from ordinary flower tea by appearance alone. Moreover, since its main production area was far from Aventador, Roabellin did not know about Tline tea.

 

“Thank you.”

 

Roabellin took the tray and returned calmly to the study.

 

“Your Majesty. I have brought the refreshments you ordered.”

 

At her words, Kaisertern, who had been scanning documents, looked up. Perhaps because the lighting was dim at night, the shadows cast on his sculpted nose and masculine jawline created a strange atmosphere.

 

Thump.

 

Facing his golden eyes within that cool gaze, Roabellin’s heart reacted.

 

‘Is it just my mood? Is it because it’s night? Why is this man so dangerously sexy all by himself…’

 

Kaisertern, who had been staring at her for a moment, answered a tempo late.

 

“Right. Place it over here.”

 

While Roabellin went to where he pointed and set down the tray, Kaisertern watched her and adjusted his posture to sit more relaxed.

 

Having set down the tray calmly, Roabellin asked.

 

“Shall I pour the water now? Which tea would you like first?”

 

“Prepare both now.”

 

“Ah? Ah, yes.”

 

It was puzzling again, but Roabellin prepared the tea without questioning. She checked the water temperature and poured the warm water from the kettle. The tea leaves in the cups unfurled with a soft rustle in the water.

 

Her movements in preparing the tea were practiced and elegant. Brewing tea was something she had learned before she was even ten years old.

 

‘It’s been a long time since I brewed tea with such fine teaware…’

 

In many countries on the continent, brewing and drinking tea was a basic refinement for nobles.

 

The process of brewing tea with water at the correct temperature for the type, waiting for the precise amount of time, and pouring it with elegant movements to savor the deep flavor was considered the most aristocratic and noble hobby.

 

Commoner servants were not taught this in the first place, and the handling methods and elegant movements for the many types of tea were not things one could learn in a day or two.

 

Therefore, unless they were of butler rank, servants of noble families did not know how to prepare tea in the noble way. They simply stopped at pouring water over tea leaves.

 

Since the maids and attendants of the Emperor’s Palace were of noble birth, naturally, they prepared the Emperor’s tea in the noble manner.

 

Roabellin, who took over duties from them, inadvertently brewed the tea in the noble way she was accustomed to. There was not the slightest hesitation or clumsiness in her hands. Kaisertern watched this silently.

 

“…….”

 

Only after pouring the water did Roabellin realize that Kaisertern had been watching her continuously. Feeling awkward, she kept her head down and chose something to say.

 

“While the tea steeps… please wait a moment, Your Majesty.”

 

“Kai.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

At his sudden word, Roabellin lifted her head.

 

“Not Your Majesty, call me Kai. When it is just the two of us.”

 

Kaisertern spoke with an indifferent expression, but Roabellin was tremendously flustered.

 

‘What is he saying? A lady-in-waiting calling the Emperor by his name? No, not even his name, but a nickname?’

 

As the Emperor’s servant, she had to obey his instructions unconditionally, but this was not an instruction she could easily obey. Roabellin answered hesitantly.

 

“Th-that, Your Majesty. That is… difficult.”

 

Kaisertern lifted his beautiful golden eyes to meet hers.

 

“Why? You called me that just fine before.”

 

He was talking about when they dated during the festival. Feeling a prick of conscience, she shifted only her eyes to avoid his gaze.

 

“Th-that title… was used when I mistook Your Majesty for a commoner. How could I call you that knowing you are the Emperor? I cannot do that.”

 

The command itself was absurd, but her heart pounded at the thought of talking back to an Imperial Order. Still, she succeeded in phrasing the thought ‘I called you that because you lied about being a commoner!’ politely.

 

But Kaisertern did not accept it easily.

 

“It is the first time I have seen someone resist my command like this even knowing I am the Emperor.”

 

At his voice, which suddenly dropped lower, Roabellin felt dizzy for a moment. In the low voice, she felt the dignity and intimidation befitting an Emperor.

 

‘Roa, why do you keep forgetting? This man is the Emperor! I am his servant right now!! I should have just done whatever he said… Surely he won’t behead me now for insubordination?’

 

Her imagination, running wild, stopped at Kaisertern’s next words.

 

“It is an Imperial Order.”

 

Startled, Roabellin jerked her head up.

 

‘Really? You’re beheading me now?!’

 

“Call me Kai. From this moment on.”

 

“…Ah.”

 

She was dumbfounded at herself for imagining something so extreme in an instant. Roabellin organized her thoughts and returned to reality.

 

‘Ah, right. Surely he wouldn’t behead someone over this. Phew… Fine, I’ll just call him that. Since he told me to, surely he won’t punish me for being disrespectful.’

 

Seeing her silent, Kaisertern spoke again.

 

“If Kai is uncomfortable, would you prefer Kaisertern?”

 

‘Is he crazy! That’s even more uncomfortable!’

 

Roabellin opened her mouth inadvertently, then fixed her expression.

 

“N-no. K… Kai. Kai. Understood.”

 

“Your tone, too.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“When we are alone, speak casually too. Like that day.”

 

‘Seeing him keep bringing up that day… Is he teasing me, or getting petty revenge? I have no choice but to suffer through it. Sigh… Status is a bully, a bully.’

 

When Roabellin didn’t answer immediately, Kaisertern stared into her eyes with intense golden eyes. Unable to withstand the pressure he exuded, she barely answered.

 

“Y-yes… Kai. O…kay.”

 

Only then did Kaisertern lean back in his chair with a satisfied expression.

 

“Right. Keep doing that from now on.”

 

As he leaned back comfortably, one corner of Kaisertern’s mouth lifted soundlessly.

 

‘If you want to pretend that night never happened, then I will turn our relationship back to that day and start over. As many times as it takes.’

 

He gazed at her with a look that suggested he found this situation satisfying.

 

“Ah, the tea! The tea must be ready.”

 

Unable to bear the awkwardness, Roabellin quickly used the tea as an excuse and turned around.

 

She poured the tea and presented the tray with two cups and a bowl of cookies and madeleines. He picked up the black tea first. Then, he signaled with his eyes to one end of his large desk.

 

“Put that tray there, bring that chair, and sit there.”

 

When Roabellin did as told, he spoke again.

 

“What about dinner?”

 

“Ah, dinner.”

 

Thinking about it, she had skipped dinner. She had fallen asleep waiting for him and missed the time.

 

“I forgot…”

 

“Good. That tea and those snacks are your share. If it’s not a type you dislike, eat it all now.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

Kaisertern kept saying increasingly incomprehensible things. Roabellin tilted her head.

 

‘Ah, did he intend this from the moment he asked me to bring two types of tea?’

 

Grrrr…

 

Roabellin tried to decline, but her stomach, seeing food, sent a signal at the perfect timing. Perhaps trying not to laugh, Kaisertern’s lips tightened slightly.

 

“Drink the tea. I will drink mine too.”

 

He took a sip of the black tea Roabellin had brewed and fixed his eyes on the documents again with a relaxed face.

 

To be drinking tea alone with him in such a quiet place.

 

It was awkward, but she had no choice. Roabellin took a sip of tea and started eating an Earl Grey cookie. Although Kaisertern had been considerate enough to say ‘if you don’t dislike it,’ there was no way refreshments made by the imperial chef for the Emperor would taste bad.

 

‘Wow, this is really delicious. How long has it been since I had top-quality tea and cookies?’

 

This level of luxury sweets was essentially the first she had eaten since her family’s downfall.

 

Savoring the taste, Roabellin suddenly remembered teatime with her family in the garden of the Ducal Castle during her childhood. The happy and warm memories of those days were the mental pillars that allowed Roabellin to endure even now.

 

Her mother and Roabellin loved cookies made with Earl Grey tea leaves the most.

 

“Roa, try this cookie.”

 

“Hmm… It’s Earl Grey, but something is a little different. Is the scent deeper?”

 

“Yes, that’s right. Earl Grey from the Silone region is usually considered the best, but a small amount is also grown in the southern region of our Aventador. This is made with those leaves. Because the production is so small, most of it is supplied only to the royal family, so even ordinary nobles don’t know about it well. It has a better scent than the ones from Silone, so sometimes it is sent as tribute to the Empire.”

 

Since Prahenfelt was the only Empire on this continent, people often simply called it “The Empire.”

 

“Mmm~ The scent is stronger than the Silone ones!”

 

“Yes, correct. And it smells a bit like earth too, right?”

 

“Yes! It’s fascinating. And fragrant!”

 

The Earl Grey cookie she was eating now. It was made with tea leaves from Aventador, just like the ones she used to eat occasionally as a child. A scent containing memories she missed so painfully.

 

“Aventador Earl Grey…?”

 

Delighted enough to cry, Roabellin muttered inadvertently. Her nose stung.

 

Kaisertern was pretending to look at documents, but since all his attention was on her, he didn’t miss the words she whispered. One corner of his lips lifted slightly.

 

‘There’s no way a commoner would know that. Even most nobles wouldn’t have heard that Earl Grey grows in Aventador, yet she guessed it after one bite…’

 

 

***

 

 

Eyes fixed on the documents, Kaisertern spoke.

 

“Can you speak now?”

 

Roabellin, who had been lost in memories savoring the scent of Earl Grey, returned to reality at his sudden words.

 

“Pardon? What do you…”

 

“You said you lost your mana, yet you could still use magic to change your face. No, come to think of it, you were healing a puppy on the day of the festival when we first met. What is the reason a person with mana entered the palace as a laundry maid? Did you approach with the proclaimed intent of seducing the Emperor to attempt something like regicide?”

 

Indeed. Kaisertern’s questions were extremely common-sense.

 

In fact, these weren’t questions to be asked in a cozy study while eating refreshments presented to the Emperor. It wouldn’t have been strange if he had thrown her in prison or started an interrogation with torture the moment he saw her appearance change upon entering the Emperor’s Palace.

 

Thinking of that, Roabellin felt dizzy.

 

She quickly thought of an answer. It was improvised, so it would be clumsy, but she had no choice. First, she got down from her chair and knelt on the floor. It was time to look as pitiful as possible.

 

“It is true that I have a very tiny amount of talent left. But the fact that the Emperor of Prahenfelt possesses immense mana is famous even among commoners of neighboring countries. How could I dare to think of harming such a person?”

 

This was true. Kaisertern kept almost no security personnel because he didn’t need them. And naturally, he didn’t think Roabellin had dared to harm him either. He was simply curious about her true intentions.

 

Kaisertern looked at Roabellin silently. He wanted to meet her beautiful eyes, but she was only looking at the ground.

 

“I… In my hometown, I… heard that I was a beauty quite often. It was a small city with no great beauties, so anyone who looked slightly decent was called a beauty. So, not knowing my place and full of confidence, I set out for the Empire to try and win the Emperor’s favor…”

 

Since she had said with her own mouth that she would seduce the Emperor, to match that setting, she had to at least pretend to be a naive country girl dreaming vain dreams.

 

“I realized my place immediately after arriving in Byzantium. Unlike my hometown, there were so many beauties on every street… Since I came a long way, I applied to the laundry department, which had the lowest threshold, just to try and enter the palace.”

 

At her hastily constructed clumsy setting, it was Kaisertern who was baffled.

 

‘She’s the greatest beauty not just on the streets of Byzantium but in the palace too, so what is she talking about? Has she forgotten that she already succeeded in seducing the Emperor on the day of the festival?’

 

Sighing lightly, Kaisertern closed his eyes for a moment and opened them with a slightly tired face.

 

“Fine, let’s say everything you said is true. Then why did you change your face? You said you wanted to seduce the Emperor, so why change to a face more ordinary than your original one?”

 

“…….”

 

This was something that absolutely could not be explained by the setting of ‘a country girl with ambitious dreams of seducing the Emperor,’ so this time Roabellin was speechless too.

 

After agonizing for a short time, she concluded that she had to get through this situation even if she was treated as a slightly strange person.

 

‘Ugh… No choice. Be shameless, Roa!’

 

Biting her lower lip, she made up her mind and blurted out.

 

“Uhm, was the changed face… not good? I-I changed it because I thought that face was prettier…”

 

Kaisertern was dumbfounded, but it was hard to refute. Judgment of beauty is subjective, after all.

 

To most people, Roabellin’s beauty would be otherworldly, but there might be one or two people in the world who thought the face she changed into was more beautiful.

 

Barely composing his bewildered mind, Kaisertern spoke to her as if interrogating.

 

“…Right. So you used mana to try and deceive the Emperor with a fake appearance.”

 

‘Gasp. Does the conversation lead there…? Then, which crime is lesser?’

 

Roabellin busily calculated in her head again and offered an excuse.

 

“I tried my best to change my face, but there were so many beauties in the palace that I thought it would be impossible… Anyway, I just thought I should try to catch Your Majesty’s eye first…”

 

“Right, seeing you wearing that face yesterday, it seems you hadn’t given up on that dream until yesterday. Good, I will give you a small punishment. Stand up for now. Back to the chair.”

 

‘Punishment?’

 

Roabellin got up from the floor and sat on the chair, squeezing her eyes shut in fear.

 

“I forbid the transformation into that face you think is more beautiful. You wouldn’t be able to use mana in the Emperor’s Palace anyway, but now, you cannot do it anywhere. Go around with your original face always. Let’s see if you can seduce me with this face.”

 

Of course, this was just an excuse he made up because he wanted to see Roabellin’s real face all the time. Roabellin lifted her head in surprise at his words. Their eyes met.

 

The next moment, Kaisertern reached out his hand right in front of her face and used magic without a sound. A faint light came from his hand, illuminated her briefly, and vanished.

 

“And now, if you use mana within the palace, it will be detected immediately.”

 

Roabellin lamented inwardly.

 

‘I’m doomed… It’s not just the Emperor’s Palace; he cast a detection spell specifically targeting me…’

 

“Sensing your mana, it certainly is at a meager level.”

 

‘He sensed it in that instant?!’

 

“You said you were looking for the Tower Master to restore your mana. What did you intend to do once you restored it? Were you planning to cast a seduction spell on me? Groups wanting to assassinate me might try to use you.”

 

‘No, why is the conversation going there?!’

 

Roabellin couldn’t say anything and just opened and closed her mouth.

 

“If you restore your mana, I might use you as a servant of the Empire. But I will watch you for now. Let’s end the talk here. Eat all of that without leaving anything.”

 

Kaisertern ended the conversation without giving her a chance to refute or make excuses.

 

At his words, Roabellin looked down at the plate she had brought.

 

“It is a bit too much to eat it al…”

 

“Think of it as dinner.”

 

Cutting her off cleanly, Kaisertern turned his eyes back to the documents. His attitude said he wouldn’t even listen to complaints about being unable to finish.

 

Since she had become hungry after realizing she hadn’t eaten dinner, Roabellin didn’t refuse anymore and ate the tea, cookies, and madeleines.

 

A while later, when the sound of eating stopped, Kaisertern glanced at her, organized the documents he was viewing, and stood up.

 

“I will sleep now. There seems to be nothing more for you to attend to here, so go and rest.”

 

He cast one more glance at her, then turned and went to the bedroom.

 

‘Finally, off work!’

 

She was overjoyed to be liberated from this study, but Roabellin stood up with a feigned calm expression and bowed slightly toward his back.

 

After Kaisertern left the study, Roabellin turned off all the lights in the study, leaving only one night lamp. The study instantly became dark.

 

She was just turning to leave, carrying the refreshment tray she had essentially cleared herself, relying on the faint light of the night lamp. Suddenly, a pain like something sharp and long piercing through her head struck, and her breath was choked off.

 

“Ugh, heuk, hoo, hup…!!!”

 

Muscle pain like being beaten all over her body assaulted her. It felt like someone was strangling her neck with invisible hands and beating her.

 

Crash! Clang! Thud-

 

As Roabellin collapsed to the floor, she dropped the tray she was holding. Plates, teacups, and forks hit the floor, making a loud noise.

 

“Gasp, heuk…”

 

She couldn’t understand what was happening. In the midst of losing her mind, tears flowed uncontrollably from fear and pain.

 

‘What is happening… Am I dying like this? Someone, please help me…!!’

 

The next moment, hearing the loud crash of the tray, Kaisertern ran into the study. He immediately discovered Roabellin lying on the floor.

 

“Yulli?! What is it, what’s wrong!”

 

“Haa, ugh…”

 

Kaisertern immediately recognized that she was in no state to explain her condition. To take action, he first needed to know the cause.

 

‘For a perfectly fine person to suddenly act like this…’

 

His gaze immediately turned to the tea set rolling on the floor. Kaisertern picked up a pinch of the flower tea leaves remaining in the cup and smelled it. His eyes went wide.

 

‘This is Tline tea…!’

 

Having grasped the situation, Kaisertern didn’t hesitate. He laid Roabellin properly on the floor and quickly unbuttoned the row of buttons down the front of her one-piece uniform.

 

‘The Archmage said the caster’s hand and the vital points must not be blocked by anything like clothes.’

 

He swiftly undid the buttons down to her navel, pulled her arms out of the sleeves, and peeled back the top part of the dress. In no time, the skirt of Roabellin’s uniform hung around her hips, leaving her upper body clad only in a camisole.

 

Not wanting to make Roabellin lie face down on the floor, Kaisertern lifted her upper body into his arms. Then, he placed one hand on the bare skin in the middle of her back. It was the point that governed respiration.

 

Checking the flow of her energy, he felt it tangled and rampaging severely.

 

‘I don’t have time to properly release all the energy points right now, so let’s start with this one.’

 

Following Iskal’s instructions, he placed his hand on the vital point and concentrated.

 

Blue light began to emanate from his hand. Soon, a small amount of faint black smoke was sucked out from the vital point, and the chaotically rampaging energy gradually calmed down.

 

Roabellin’s breath, which had been choked off, slowly returned to normal.

 

“Haa, ha… Whoo…”

 

Able to breathe properly again, Roabellin went limp in Kaisertern’s arms. Relieved, Kaisertern hugged her tightly just as she was. He could think of nothing but how fortunate it was.

 

While holding Roabellin, he inadvertently lowered his gaze and noticed something on her back. Above her right shoulder blade, there was something like a drawing. Although more than half of it was covered by the camisole, he recognized it because he had seen it faintly when they spent the night together.

 

‘Right, I was curious about this back then too. What is this?’

 

Kaisertern unconsciously brushed the tattoo with his finger. At that, Roabellin, who had been limp in his arms, flinched and quickly pulled away from him.

 

His arms felt suddenly empty, but Kaisertern tried to ignore the feeling and spoke nonchalantly.

 

“It seems you’re okay now. By the way, what is that on your back?”

 

At the sudden question, Roabellin shut her mouth tight.

 

‘What should I answer…’

 

If she lied and said it was a slave mark, she might be treated like a slave from now on. Since she was pretending to be a commoner, she couldn’t explain that it was engraved in case family members were separated by war, following the customs of ancient nobility.

 

If she said she didn’t remember because it was from her childhood, this persistent Emperor might investigate the meaning of the pattern and offer to find her family. In the process, he would learn that it was the ancient word for “Queen (Huga)” from the Aventador region. If that was discovered, her identity would naturally be revealed.

 

‘Either way is dangerous… It’s best to make Kai lose interest in my tattoo.’

 

After agonizing for a short time, Roabellin mumbled an answer.

 

“Ah… I just got it because it looked pretty.”

 

It was a foolish-sounding answer, but she had no choice. For Kaisertern, who thought there would be some serious story behind it, it was an unexpected reply.

 

“You got a tattoo in a place that’s hardly visible when you’re dressed, just because?”

 

“Ah, well, I heard that revealing clothes are trendy in Byzantium… I wanted to look pretty in case I ever wore a backless dress.”

 

Feeling like she was sounding more foolish the more she spoke, Roabellin had to focus on managing her expression.

 

‘Ugh… Will he believe this?’

 

The tattoo was about the size of a palm excluding the fingers, not small, and it wasn’t a commonly trendy pattern either.

 

However, although it was a bit silly, it wasn’t something he could really argue with, so Kaisertern was left speechless.

 

Taking advantage of his pause, Roabellin quickly pulled up her half-removed clothes. Her chest, arms, shoulders, and fair skin that had been exposed were hidden back inside the black uniform.

 

While Kaisertern stared blankly at the sight, Roabellin quickly buttoned up and spoke, avoiding his eyes.

 

“Uhm, thank you for treating me. Thanks to you, I lived.”

 

‘Oops.’

 

Kaisertern belatedly realized he had been staring at her blatantly and quickly looked away. Even if they had seen everything there was to see of each other, they had only spent one night in a dim bedroom.

 

In any case, reunited as Emperor and lady-in-waiting, this was an inappropriate place and inappropriate attire. Unless the lady-in-waiting intended to seduce the Emperor.

 

‘This is a secret… I’m going to try and seduce the Emperor!’

 

Kaisertern suddenly recalled her flushed face on the day of the festival. Saying those words with an innocent face in front of him—the very ‘Emperor she intended to seduce’—without knowing who he really was.

 

How surprised he had been then, and how jealous he had felt of her mentioning another man in front of him. Yet, at the same time… how happy he had been that the man she was targeting was him.

 

Kaisertern shook his head slightly to shake off the thought.

 

‘What am I thinking with a sick person in front of me… Without even intending to, you seduce me just by being yourself.’

 

Having redressed, Roabellin leaned on the desk and stood up unsteadily. Kaisertern supported her and stood up with her. Roabellin expressed her gratitude with her eyes and spoke.

 

“It was terrifying to suddenly not be able to breathe. What was that? How did you save me?”

 

To her question, Kaisertern answered seriously.

 

“It was likely due to the tea you drank. It is called Tline tea, and it helps circulate energy. It is harmless to those whose mana operates normally, but if a person with tangled energy drinks it, the mana trying to circulate rampages within the blockage, causing pain throughout the entire body.”

 

“Ah…”

 

Hearing his explanation, Roabellin found it hard to hide her flustered face. Now Kai knew not only that she had lost most of her mana, but that her energy was tangled—meaning she was someone with latent mana.

 

“For now, I hastily absorbed the medicinal effect of the tea to calm the mana down again. Until your energy flows are properly released, you should be careful about what you eat. Although I didn’t do it knowingly, since I was the one who ordered you to drink it, I apologize. I am sorry.”

 

To think that the person at the pinnacle of an Empire could apologize.

 

Received with a fresh shock, Roabellin stared at him blankly without realizing it. However, at his subsequent words, she immediately snapped out of her sentimentality.

 

“It ended at this level because it was tea. If it had been a concentrated medicine with the same ingredients… you would have died of suffocation, your whole body twisting in pain before anyone could even try to help.”

 

‘Gasp… It’s poison to me?’

 

Just hearing it made her body shudder.

 

“For now, remember that the tea is called Tline, and avoid its ingredients. It is used quite frequently in Prahenfelt.”

 

“Yes, th-but… If it is used frequently… I am too scared. If, if you would let me go to meet the Tower Master to treat my twisted energy flows…”

 

Harboring a hope that she might be able to escape while pretending to go to the Magic Tower, Roabellin threw a move, feigning trembling fear.

 

But as soon as he heard that, one of Kaisertern’s eyebrows shot up.

 

“That is not allowed.”

 

“But…”

 

“From now on, I will ban the entry of that tea and all ingredients containing that component into the Imperial Palace. It is not something I need that much anyway.”

 

Kaisertern was about to say that he could treat the tangled energy flows himself, but he shut his mouth.

 

Unlike him, a fearful feeling quietly raised its head. The feeling that if he fixed her broken wings, she would fly far away from him with those very wings.

 

Just then, a thought flashed through Kaisertern’s mind.

 

“Ah, come to think of it. I asked you to bring flower tea, but what you brought was Tline tea?”

 

*‘Huh? I definitely passed on the order for flower tea.’*

 

Roabellin’s eyes grew round. On the other hand, Kaisertern’s face turned serious as he contemplated something.

 

“Does anyone know about the condition of your energy flows?”

 

“Pardon? Ah, no. I have never told anyone. Even I didn’t know exactly.”

 

“Then was it a simple mistake… Who prepared that tea in the kitchen?”

 

At his words, Roabellin quickly glanced at Kaisertern.

 

“Ah, well… Are you perhaps going to punish that person…?”

 

“Well.”

 

Earlier, he was distracted because her condition was critical, but now that the situation was settled, Kaisertern was angry. Honestly speaking, he wanted to sentence the person who nearly killed Yulli to capital punishment.

 

The stronger his anger inside, the colder he became on the outside. Kaisertern answered her with a cold face and low voice.

 

“What shall we do. Do you want them punished?”

 

“Ah, no! It seems like just a mistake… so I hoped you wouldn’t punish them.”

 

Of course, Roabellin didn’t particularly like Bomira.

 

But this was the Emperor’s Palace. Roabellin knew well that even small mistakes were not tolerated for those who served the Emperor. Therefore, she was afraid Bomira might receive too severe a punishment for a simple mistake.

 

“A mistake? If I hadn’t been in the next room just now, you could have died.”

 

Imagining Yulli dying so absurdly, Kaisertern’s expression turned grim without him even realizing it.

 

Watching Kaisertern’s expression change in real-time before her eyes, Roabellin thought about Bomira.

 

Even if Bomira had intentionally given the wrong tea, she probably didn’t intend to put her in this much danger. There was no way she knew about Roabellin’s condition.

 

It seemed she wanted to prank her a little out of jealousy, but understanding that feeling somewhat, Roabellin didn’t feel like punishing her severely.

 

“I heard that punishing small mistakes severely is not the way to establish the dignity of a ruler…”

 

When Roabellin hesitated and looked at him cautiously, Kaisertern felt the rage surging from his core snap and break.

 

“It is food served to the Emperor. Even if it was a mistake, it must be investigated to clarify the facts. I will listen, and if it is a simple mistake, I will punish lightly, so tell me who it is.”

 

His tone had changed to a soothing one before she knew it. Hesitating a little longer, Roabellin answered unavoidably.

 

“It is a maid named… Bomira.”

 

Judging by his expression, it seemed to be a name Kaisertern didn’t know. He pulled the bell rope to summon an attendant.

 

“Contact the Internal Audit Department and have them take a maid named Bomira, who is in charge of the Emperor’s Palace kitchen. Interrogate her regarding the circumstances of sending a different tea than what I ordered today. Tell them my guest suffered great trouble due to the tea’s side effects.”

 

He spoke vaguely on purpose, fearing that telling the truth—that Yulli almost died from eating it—would reveal her mana and current physical condition.

 

“And call the cleaning staff to clean this place.”

 

Kaisertern pointed to the broken teacups and pottery fragments rolling on the floor. Hearing that, Roabellin quickly stepped forward.

 

“Ah, Your Majesty, I will…”

 

“No, leave it. You don’t seem to be in a physical condition to work right now.”

 

Dismissing Roabellin’s words simply, Kaisertern turned his head and spoke to the attendant.

 

“As you can see, I had this child drink this tea, and it didn’t agree with her body. But there is no need for what you saw to be spoken of outside this room, is there?”

 

“Ah, yes! Of course.”

 

The attendant, who had been listening to their conversation with curious eyes, flinched and bowed his head.

 

 

***

 

 

After giving a few more instructions regarding Bomira’s disposal, and once the attendant left, Kaisertern held out his hand to Roabellin.

 

“Take it. You still look like you’re struggling.”

 

Roabellin felt inwardly burdened by the continuous contact with him. But the pain that had battered her whole body still lingered, and she was extremely exhausted right now.

 

After hesitating for a moment, Roabellin reached out her hand to Kaisertern. He immediately placed his hands behind her back and knees and lifted her up lightly.

 

“Eek, Kai?!”

 

Startled by Kaisertern’s sudden action, Roabellin inadvertently let out a small scream. A faint smile hung on his lips, but because the room was dim, Roabellin failed to see it.

 

“I thought it might be hard for you.”

 

Speaking quietly, Kaisertern walked from the study to the bedroom carrying her.

 

Realizing they had arrived in the bedroom, Roabellin was flustered once again.

 

“W-Why here…!”

 

“I told you. Because I thought it would be hard for you.”

 

Kaisertern set her down gently on the vast bed. She momentarily lost her balance and almost lay down, but Roabellin quickly propped herself up with her arms and sat up. She felt the atmosphere would get weird if she lay down.

 

“Your body must still ache. Receive a bit more treatment from me, and sleep here tonight.”

 

Kaisertern said it as if it were nothing, but Roabellin’s face flushed hot.

 

“Pardon?! Sleep here? Wh-what does that… I…!!”

 

Even if they had spent a night together, it was still embarrassing for it to be expressed so blatantly. Roabellin shook her head reflexively.

 

However, despite her reaction, Kaisertern’s expression remained unchanged.

 

“It’s not pain that goes away on its own with a little rest. It disappears only when I carefully inject mana into the still-rampaging energy flows to calm them.”

 

‘But… does he really intend purely to treat me?’

 

Although she had asked him yesterday to ‘play with her and discard her,’ Kaisertern hadn’t explicitly promised to do so. If he declared he would make her a concubine, she would be tied down. Moreover, this was the Emperor’s private chamber. If she slept here, she feared other servants would catch on to their relationship. If that happened, it would truly be irreversible. So unless the entry of attendants or cleaners was restricted in advance, she couldn’t relax.

 

After being at a loss for a moment, Roabellin asked resolutely but hesitantly.

 

“Uhm, th-that, Your Majesty. That… I will ask bluntly. You, you don’t mean… to sleep together right now… do you?”

 

Hoping her tone didn’t sound too challenging, Roabellin secretly glanced at Kaisertern. At her words, Kaisertern opened his mouth with a dissatisfied expression.

 

“Kai.”

 

“Ah, yes. Kai.”

 

“I didn’t have that intention, but now that you ask, I’m curious about your thoughts. What do you want to do?”

 

When Roabellin lifted her eyes to check his expression, Kaisertern nodded slightly, meaning she could speak freely. Encouraged by his signal, Roabellin spoke carefully.

 

“Uhm, right now, like this… I think it would be difficult. If you ask my will, I… today, I was so surprised… I am very exhausted.”

 

Roabellin declined him circuitously, hiding behind the excuse that she wasn’t feeling well. Kaisertern looked at her for a moment without much change in expression.

 

In truth, no one would say anything if Kaisertern forced ‘Yulli’ right now, whether by power or strength. He was even a man of character who would more than take ‘responsibility’ for his actions.

 

But to him, her heart was more important than any legal or moral issues.

 

He wanted Yulli’s sincere heart. His body was ready to run to her at any time, but he decided to wait for the time when her heart was the same as his. Believing that since it had opened once, it would open again someday.

 

“Fine. I respect your will. But that mind… will have to change someday. The sooner the better.”

 

‘Huh…?’

 

To back down so obediently. It was very unexpected for Roabellin.

 

‘I thought he might get angry or try to do something by force.’

 

Roabellin gazed up at his face. The bedroom, with night lamps lit here and there, was brighter than the study, so they could see each other’s faces well.

 

Kaisertern gathered his complex emotions and hid them behind an expressionless face as he spoke.

 

“Take it off.”

 

“P-Pardon?! That is, uh… You just said you respected…”

 

At his speech style of cutting off the beginning and end and stating the main point, Roabellin’s eyes went wide.

 

To her stammering, Kaisertern continued to speak with an indifferent expression.

 

“I need to treat the energy points on your body, but there shouldn’t be clothes between my hand and your points.”

 

*‘Ah. I wondered why he undressed me earlier, so that was the reason…’*

 

Roabellin accepted it in her own way, but Kaisertern quickly added, fearing she might not believe him.

 

“It’s what the Imperial Archmage said. I didn’t make it up.”

 

“Ah, yes. Th-then, how much should I take off…?”

 

Embarrassed by the content of her own words, Roabellin couldn’t look at Kaisertern and turned her eyes elsewhere. Thanks to that, she missed his face turning bright red at her words.

 

When Kaisertern didn’t answer immediately, Roabellin looked up at him carefully with a flushed face.

 

Avoiding her gaze for a moment, Kaisertern finally answered slowly.

 

“…Just taking off the outer uniform should be enough.”

 

Thinking it was fortunate, Roabellin stood up and undid the buttons on her uniform one by one. Having taken off the outer garment, Roabellin arranged the clothes neatly on the nightstand and returned to the bed.

 

Kaisertern, who inadvertently turned his head toward her, felt dizzy upon seeing her in her undergarments.

 

‘I thought I’d be okay…’

 

He had to forcibly drag his memories, which kept trying to return to ‘that night,’ back to the present. Taking a deep breath without being noticed, Kaisertern suppressed his surging emotions and spoke stiffly.

 

“Lie down. I’ll start from the lower abdomen.”

 

“Yes, yes…”

 

Kaisertern touched Roabellin’s major vital points and injected mana as gently as possible.

 

Was it because he was using mana, or was it another reason? Roabellin felt his touch on various parts of her body was hotter than she expected. She felt it to be strangely erotic but tried hard not to think that way.

 

‘This is treatment, treatment. Not something weird. But does mana usually have warmth? Or… are Kai’s hands just hot?’

 

Kaisertern didn’t completely release her deeply tangled energy flows, only calming the parts that were suddenly rampaging due to the tea’s side effect. His heart was heavy thinking she wouldn’t know he was making delicate adjustments not to return all her mana right now.

 

Roabellin, for her part, couldn’t focus solely on the treatment. Every time his hand touched her body, her face felt hot for no reason. However, as the pain gradually disappeared wherever Kaisertern’s hand moved, her body became increasingly comfortable.

 

‘Wow… This was real. Honestly, I was half-doubting. Ah, this is good… It feels like my body is sinking into the bed…’

 

Touching various parts of her body and calming the energy flows, Kaisertern took a long sigh after a good while and removed his hands.

 

It wasn’t because he used mana, but because he was extremely tired from focusing on the treatment while ignoring his instincts that kept rearing their head.

 

“Phew… I think it’s done.”

 

Thanks to his warm hands touching various parts of her body and relaxing her energy flows, Roabellin had become drowsy and half-asleep without realizing it.

 

“Yes…”

 

Kaisertern looked down at her face as she defenselessly crossed the boundary of dreams. Her pale cheeks, sharp nose, and plump lips were truly lovely. He tried hard not to look toward her body clad only in underwear.

 

After watching her for a moment, Kaisertern took off his shirt and lay down next to Roabellin. Just lying side by side with her made his heart react. He couldn’t take his eyes off her face lying next to him.

 

‘I want to hold her right now… but since I promised to only let her sleep today.’

 

Feeling regretful, Kaisertern reached out and pulled Roabellin’s waist. Her sleeping body was pulled without resistance and pressed against him.

 

“Mmm…”

 

Roabellin tossed a little at the movement, but she was in a deep sleep and didn’t wake up.

 

“Haa…”

 

Kaisertern took a deep breath to calm his wildly beating heart. Yet, he couldn’t take his eyes off her. Even though he lay down with his eyes closed, instead of sleep coming, his mind became increasingly clear.