Chapter 5
“Since it’s a world where we all live alone anyway, I’d rather live how I want than be dragged around by others—mph!”
Rellia was cut off mid-sentence when Sara abruptly covered her mouth. The Empress’ lips curved upward slightly as she watched them.
“Go on, finish what you were saying. You’d rather live how you want than…?”
Sara hesitated and bowed deeply.
“Your Majesty, please have mercy! The truth is, Rellia…!”
“You’ve seen me all this time and still say that? Do I look like someone who kills people so easily?”
“M-my deepest apologies.”
The Empress gestured toward Rellia again, signaling her to continue. Rellia finally resumed her sentence.
“I just meant that in this world where we live alone, I want to live freely rather than be swayed by others. Life is short.”
Those last words were spoken with all of Rellia’s sincerity. Because her time in Korea had truly been short.
“You have about a year left.”
She could still hear the doctor’s calm voice from the day she received her terminal diagnosis.
Rellia remembered how surprisingly calm she’d been upon hearing the news. Her thoughts were broken by the gentle voice of the Empress.
“You’re right. Life is short.”
For some reason, hearing the Empress roll those words around her tongue made Rellia tilt her head in confusion.
‘Wait… did I do something wrong?’
Was she… the reason the Empress decided to run away?
Rellia stood frozen with a stunned expression, and Sara led her out of the room.
“Rellia, are you okay?”
“I shouldn’t have believed in the novel.”
In the novel, the Empress made the decision on her own…
‘I helped her do it.’
Suddenly, Rellia flinched with a start, startling Sara.
“What’s wrong with you? Are you possessed or something?”
To that, Rellia slumped as if she’d given up and muttered calmly,
“Whether I gave her the push or not, at least Her Majesty looks more at peace. That’s a relief.”
Sara looked her up and down and clicked her tongue. The girl was clearly losing it more and more.
Then Rellia patted Sara on the shoulder.
“I might end up in hell, but at least I’ll be going with you. That’s comforting.”
“Snap out of it.”
In Rellia’s mind, she kept replaying the image of the Emperor’s sword slicing her neck clean off.
Rellia muttered to herself with a different mindset than the day before.
“I was a little flustered yesterday, but I’m not giving up.”
“Please, just keep your mouth shut in front of His Majesty.”
Sara rubbed her forehead as she looked at unpredictable Rellia.
In the past, at least Rellia had been open with her emotions. Reading her feelings had been easy. But now? She was unreadable.
She seemed simple but also complex.
She appeared indifferent, yet deeply attached to life. Seemed uninterested in the world, but also clung to it desperately.
Sara couldn’t tell what she was thinking.
‘It’s like she’s become a completely different person…’
Sara shook her head in disbelief.
That couldn’t be true. Even though Rellia had said so, it was absurd. No one could just change like that.
‘She probably just lost her memory, that’s all.’
Unaware of Sara’s thoughts, Rellia asked,
“By the way, does Her Majesty know? That we’re spies for the Emperor?”
“Who’s a spy? Of course Her Majesty knows.”
That’s why the Empress always watched her words in front of the attendants.
“If she hates us, I wouldn’t blame her.”
“She doesn’t. We only speak about what’s on the surface.”
Rellia tilted her head at the cryptic reply. But rather than explain further, Sara gave her a stern warning.
“Don’t say a single word in His Majesty’s office. Just watch what I do.”
Even after the repeated warning, Sara couldn’t hide her worry.
She considered sending Rellia back and going to report alone. But this girl had no sense of direction. Who knew if she’d even make it back to the Empress’ palace?
She worried that Rellia might cause trouble on the way. And now that they were already inside the Emperor’s palace, she couldn’t risk letting Rellia out of her sight.
So Sara positioned herself between Rellia and any watchful eyes. The Empress’ palace might be looked down upon, but Rellia’s gradually returning beauty drew attention.
“Move over. What are you doing?” Rellia grumbled and nudged Sara away.
‘She has no idea what I’m trying to protect her from!’
Under Sara’s intense glare, Rellia quietly shut her mouth.
The Emperor’s concubine, Cindy, was a fallen noblewoman he had met while traveling incognito.
Having saved the Emperor from danger by coincidence, she quickly captured his heart and was brought to his side.
The Emperor, who gave her everything she wanted, spoiled her thoroughly, and Cindy soon became corrupted by all that gold and luxury.
Willing to do anything to win his love, Cindy wished to become Empress and was waiting for the Empress to be driven out.
‘Though Mayon never promised he’d make me Empress…’
In fact, the Emperor would never tolerate anyone aiming higher. If she showed even a hint of ambition for the Empress’ throne, he would cast her aside without hesitation. So Cindy never brought it up again.
But that didn’t mean she had given up.
That’s why Cindy always eyed the Empress’ palace maids with suspicion whenever they came to the Emperor’s office.
Now, she stood in front of Sara and Rellia with clear displeasure.
Especially Rellia. The Emperor had once briefly mentioned her beauty, and that alone made Cindy wary.
Cindy stepped in front of Rellia. As Rellia instinctively began to raise her head, Sara poked her in the side.
The Empress’ maids reported to the Emperor in turns, and Cindy knew that well. Yet she deliberately mocked them.
“What brings the great Empress’ maid here?”
She’d picked fights like this before, so Sara calmly replied with courtesy.
“We have a report for His Majesty.”
“Oh really? And what might that be?”
“Sorry, but I can’t say.”
Rellia, remembering Sara’s warning, kept her lips tightly sealed.
Cindy’s eyebrow twitched. She clearly knew what they were up to, but none of the maids, including Sara, would ever speak of it aloud.
Even knowing it was by the Emperor’s order, it infuriated her. Cindy clicked her tongue while looking Sara up and down.
“Such tight lips. As if you’re actually gaining anything from this.”
Then she passed by and entered the office. The handsome Emperor motioned her over, and she perched herself on his lap.
“What a surprise. You usually don’t come even when I call.”
Cindy knew too well that obeying him too easily would make him tire of her. So she intentionally defied him just enough to keep his interest.
It was risky, but she maintained the perfect balance to avoid his wrath.
“People might think I ignore Your Majesty too often.”
Leaning on his shoulder, Cindy brought up the real reason she came.
“By the way, are you still receiving reports from the Empress’ maids?”
“They’re perfect for stirring up Grand Duke Achtilus’ temper.”
At the mention of the Grand Duke, Cindy blushed slightly. His appearance and physique were enough to make even the Emperor feel inferior.
Especially in a country where the aristocracy held more power than the throne, Achtilus’ influence far surpassed that of the Emperor.
The three founding families had established the empire around the Achtilus house.
Most emperors had no complaints about this arrangement. Occasionally, a foolish one did, but the Achtilus family swiftly cut those ambitions down.
Despite knowing the gruesome fate of emperors who challenged them, the current Emperor deeply envied the Grand Duke.
He feared that one day, the man might take his throne.
The first Achtilus Duke had never become emperor only because, as a descendant of the gods, he already had unmatched wealth and power. He deliberately chose not to take the crown.
But the current Duke? Who could say?
That’s why Mayon had never once felt at ease on the throne.
He’d made the current Empress—Achtilus’ sister—his wife, essentially taking her hostage.
He thought: “She’s in my grasp now. No matter how poorly I treat her, they can’t retaliate.”
But when rumors of his affair with Cindy reached Achtilus, Mayon had been scared.
She was still their sister, after all. He thought conflict with the Grand Duke was inevitable.
But the Empress had stepped in to block it.
Thanks to her, Achtilus didn’t lay a finger on him.
‘No matter how I mistreat her…’
It was almost laughable how even the mighty Grand Duke was paralyzed because of his sister.
Mayon shamelessly took advantage of the Empress’ concern for his well-being.
As he caressed Cindy’s waist, the Emperor motioned for Sara and Rellia to enter. When the waiting attendant opened the door, the two stepped in.
“We greet Your Majesty.”
The Emperor stared at the back of Rellia’s head. Cindy, annoyed, cupped his face and turned it toward her. He chuckled at her jealousy.
“Alright, don’t pout.”
He kissed her cheek lightly. Watching that, Rellia felt sick.
She had no interest in seeing others flirt.
Sara glanced worriedly at her, but Rellia crossed her index fingers in front of her lips, signaling an “X.” She wouldn’t speak.
“Raise your head and begin the report.”
“There were no major changes today. Her Majesty rose early, had breakfast…”
Sara deliberately left out the conversation between the Empress and Rellia and reported everything else.
The routine was the same as always. The Emperor waved his hand, already bored.
“That’s enough. You may go.”
Sara quickly ushered Rellia out. Every time she tried to speak, Sara covered her mouth.
Only when they reached the safety of the Empress’ palace did Sara finally exhale in relief.
