~Chapter 13~
The marquis had been far too modest. The hospitality business he ran was far too large to be called a mere hobby. He operated a luxurious marble complex in the center of the imperial capital, combining a hotel, casino, upscale restaurant, and a massive banquet hall.
It was named the Fernandez Hotel, after his family.
Only nobles or the ultra-wealthy could afford to stay there, as the rates were astronomically high.
“I want you to secure 50 vacant rooms by the end of today. I’ll pay upfront.”
“…I apologize, but I doubt we even have five rooms left, let alone fifty.”
“Did I sound like I was making a request just now?”
Antonio rested his hand casually on the marquis’s shoulder and smiled calmly.
The marquis flinched slightly at the subtle pressure and returned an awkward smile.
“M-May I ask why you need fifty rooms all of a sudden?”
“As you know, my precious third brother is hosting his 24th birthday celebration, and guests will be coming from everywhere.”
“The guest halls inside the imperial palace should be more than enough, don’t you think?”
“That’s only for the official list. There’ll be a long line of girls wanting to marry him, along with their parents and a flood of noble ladies from across the empire and abroad.”
“Well, in that case… I’ll return immediately and begin preparations.”
The marquis gave a short bow and left the room.
Antonio smiled contentedly at the closed door.
That night, a sharp scream echoed from the rooftop of Ruby Palace—so piercing it could split ears.
“Fire!”
A fire in the middle of the night. It was a disaster that came like a bolt from the blue.
Just after returning to her room late in the evening, a crisis broke out. Frozen in shock, Josephine stood in the middle of her room. Acrid smoke drifted in through the slightly open window.
Moments later, loud crashes came from the hallway. People had begun to evacuate.
“Whatever happens, take care of your own first.”
Antonio’s words flashed through her mind. She quickly packed a few clothes and valuables into a bag and rushed out.
In the hallway, several princesses were struggling to drag their heavy luggage outside.
“Move this stuff! You’re blocking the hall!”
“Just climb over it! What do you want me to do with all these valuables?”
Even amid the chaos, they bickered.
Their bags, stuffed with expensive jewels and dresses, were too large and numerous, narrowing the hallway and creating obstacles. Escape was becoming difficult.
“We don’t have time for this! Take only what you need and go down immediately!”
Josephine finally snapped and scolded them.
“Easy for you to say when you’ve got nothing to lose!”
“Don’t act like it’s no big deal! This is everything I worked hard to gather!”
The princesses retorted sharply, hoisting bags in both arms and slowly descending the stairs.
Josephine followed, hurrying her pace—until she heard a door slam behind her.
It was Tilla, the princess who lived next door.
She emerged pale-faced, dragging her bag behind her.
She didn’t look well. After a few steps, she stumbled and collapsed onto the floor.
Three others passed by again, ignoring Tilla entirely as they grabbed their own luggage.
Josephine rushed back and helped Tilla to her feet. She lifted the heavy bag and tucked it under one arm, using her other to support her.
She could manage it only because her own bag was light.
“…Josephine?”
Tilla looked up at her through dazed eyes. She was sweating heavily and looked very sick—possibly drugged.
“Let’s go. Watch your step.”
Tilla’s bag was so heavy Josephine wanted to toss it aside—but she held it tightly. She knew how desperately Tilla had acquired these valuables.
Step by step, they made their way down the stairs.
At the exit, emergency bells clanged. Smoke in the air was getting thicker, but no flames were visible yet. The fire hadn’t reached the first floor.
Cough cough. Her eyes stung, and coughing racked her chest. Leading the much taller Tilla out was exhausting.
But she clenched her teeth and pushed forward.
She was gasping, her arms aching like they would fall off. Her vision blurred.
Tilla seemed to lose consciousness again. Her eyes glazed over, her body going limp. Josephine had to grip her tighter and drag her along.
Just a little more. Almost there. But the distance to the exit felt endless.
Suddenly, through the smoke at the entrance, a tall figure in a black robe appeared.
His face was hidden, but from his build, she guessed he was male. He ran through the smoke toward her.
“Did my words mean nothing to you?”
That frosty voice was oddly familiar.
“I told you to look after yourself first.”
The moment he said it, Josephine recognized him.
“…Anton?”
Cough cough. She tried to ask what he was doing here, but only managed more coughing.
“This is why I can’t leave you alone.”
Anton sighed as if scolding himself. He took the bags from her side and shoulders.
Then, he effortlessly lifted Tilla and slung her over his shoulder.
The burden vanished. Josephine felt light as air.
From that moment, they sprinted together toward the exit.
Outside, she could finally breathe again.
Evacuees had gathered a good distance from Ruby Palace.
There were over 40 people, by rough count.
“Anton, do you think anyone is still inside?”
“It looks like most made it out.”
Someone else answered—it wasn’t Anton.
Josephine looked up. It was Prince Adrian of Tegal, holding Tilla in his arms. Anton was nowhere to be seen.
“…Adrian, where’s Anton?”
“Anton? If you mean the knight in the black robe—he just left.”
She looked around. No sign of him.
How could someone vanish so quickly?
Josephine took her bag from Adrian. Tilla, regaining consciousness, stepped carefully to the ground.
“Thank you, Josephine.”
Tilla’s faint words caught Josephine off guard. It was the first time she’d ever thanked her. Surprised, she forgot to respond.
Tatatak. Boom. Boom boom boom!
Suddenly, a loud explosion erupted behind them.
At once, a red glow filled their vision.
Her mouth fell open.
A monstrous wall of flame engulfed all of Ruby Palace.
The palace’s princes muttered in disbelief.
“What the…? It was just the rooftop and the third floor earlier.”
“How did the fire get this big, so fast?”
“Someone must’ve poured oil on it.”
“It’s weird. The guards splashed lake water on it multiple times, but the fire didn’t go out at all.”
One prince shook his head, tongue clicking.
Nearby, a dozen guards holding buckets stood, staring blankly at the blaze. Likely, they had rushed from nearby outposts, tried to extinguish the flames, then gave up when nothing worked.
Ruby Palace burned rapidly with crackling sounds, until only its blackened frame remained.
Josephine could only stare in shock like the others.
The place she had lived for the past five years was now a heap of ashes.
The scene was so surreal, it didn’t feel real.
A few palace officials came running, clearly just woken up, their eyes crusted with sleep. They quickly lined up the hostages in two rows.
“Excuse us, but we’ll be doing a quick headcount!”
Only after they finished did Josephine realize—
Every prince, princess, and servant from Ruby Palace had escaped safely.
The overnight blaze that completely destroyed Ruby Palace had not claimed a single life.
