Chapter 36 –
She might’ve thought she looked cute, but with that fierce beauty of a face, she just looked plain insincere.
‘Replying to your letter would be a waste of paper, dear Emperor, since all you ever send are repeats full of pointless drivel.’
My blurry eyes naturally blinked open.
As I stood there, blank and emotionless, receiving the Emperor’s touch without resistance, a small arm suddenly extended and slipped between us, cutting through the moment.
“Your Majesty, I have something urgent to discuss regarding Grand Duke Bahar.”
As stood in front of me, blocking the Emperor’s way.
It was a flawless and irrefutable excuse.
Clicking his tongue in annoyance, the Emperor finally withdrew his hand.
“Damn uncle of mine—he manages to be a nuisance even in the smallest things.”
Muttering with a chilling voice, the Emperor suddenly smiled languidly, as if none of it had happened, and extended his hand to me again.
“Let’s talk in the drawing room. As for escorting you, Einra, I’ll make a special exception…”
“Surely, it is not fitting for Your Majesty to take on such trivial tasks yourself.”
As smoothly interrupted, seamlessly taking my hand before the Emperor could finish.
He turned to the Emperor and smiled politely.
“Please allow this loyal subject to perform his duties.”
“…Such a charming exterior with such a contrary core. You avoided Einra for five years, and now you’re holding her hand like it’s nothing?”
The Emperor grumbled irritably, but As’s smile remained completely unwavering.
Watching this unfold from the side, I couldn’t help but admire him inwardly.
To deflect the Emperor so smoothly without so much as a twitch.
As expected, true masterminds are built different.
The Emperor’s drawing room, more majestic than extravagant, hadn’t changed a bit since my last visit.
Even the refreshments had been withheld for security, and as soon as he sat down, the Emperor began speaking seriously.
“Let’s begin with the most important matter.”
His solemn expression was so grave, I instinctively tensed up as I met his eyes.
Looking straight at me, the Emperor opened his mouth.
“Einra, you sold your old house, didn’t you?”
“…Pardon? Yes, I did.”
The sudden change of topic made me nod awkwardly, and the Emperor shook his head with a sigh.
“What a shame. As of yesterday, all property transactions in the capital have been frozen.”
“……”
“There was a real estate tax scandal. We’re arresting everyone involved, so lifting the freeze is going to take time.”
The moment I heard that, my expression soured instantly.
‘Oh please, spare me the act.’
It was painfully obvious that he froze transactions just to sabotage me.
Granted, the scandal may very well be real.
But the problem is, he chose to bring it up now—for buildup.
Then came the words I had expected all along.
“But there’s no need to worry too much. As luck would have it, the Empress’s quarters in the palace are currently vacant…”
“I refuse.”
My response was cold and immediate. The Emperor blinked in disbelief.
He looked like someone whose confession had just been rejected.
Sighing, I spoke again.
“Your Majesty. I’m grateful for your affection, but this is too much. Even staying in the palace already makes me feel like I’m walking on eggshells. And now you’re suggesting the Empress’s quarters?”
“…What’s wrong with the Empress’s quarters?”
“I told you before. Maybe this is just fun and games to you, but the other consorts genuinely see me as a threat.”
Do you have any idea how terrifying palace intrigue can be?
A whole slideshow of lovely and sharp-eyed consorts glaring daggers at me played through my mind.
Especially Consort Evelyn.
The way she glared at me over her fan, as if ready to rip me apart—that demon-like gaze was still vivid, even five years later.
Reincarnation, revenge, politics—and now palace drama too?
And the Emperor is a woman, no less!
‘If I really did move into the Empress’s quarters…’
I’d be nothing more than the clueless extra who gets killed off first in every palace drama. Forced to exit, stage left.
A shiver ran down my spine at the thought, and I trembled slightly. The Emperor slumped as if deeply wounded.
“I’m not joking. I’m being serious…”
“That makes it worse. I absolutely refuse to get caught in the crossfire between the consorts.”
Never again do I want to deal with their veiled threats and chilling smiles!
As I drew a firm line, the Emperor looked like she was on the verge of tears.
Like someone suffering heartbreak.
I sighed again.
“Besides, I’ve already found a place.”
“…You did?”
The Emperor’s eyes widened.
This time, As responded with a smile on my behalf.
“Einra will be staying with me at the Grand Duke’s estate. Given my current youthful form and vulnerability, staying close to her is also the safest option.”
“How very convenient.”
The Emperor sneered, but As just kept smiling, as always.
After grumbling about thieves and foxes, the Emperor finally gave up and leaned back in her chair.
Then her voice, a bit more subdued now, came again.
“So… I heard from Counts Harnen and Chevila. You were kidnapped by your uncle at the victory celebration?”
At last, the real topic of the meeting had begun.
As’s ever-present smile faded from his face.
He lowered his head and answered.
“Yes.”
“Tsk. How drunk were you, exactly…? And to think armed knights could sneak into the palace. The security’s laughable.”
The Emperor grinned wickedly.
Seeing that expression, I almost muttered a prayer for the captain of the royal guards—until I remembered he put As in danger.
Let the Emperor trample him however she likes. He deserves no sympathy.
“My uncle’s grown bold too. To think he’d kidnap one of my vassals right in my palace. Still doesn’t realize that he’s digging his own grave. Foolishness is a crime too.”
The Emperor lazily leaned her head on her hand.
“But more important than that…”
Her gaze shifted to As, who sat beside me.
His body looked small compared to the chair he was in.
The Emperor clicked her tongue.
“A war hero who can no longer use aura… turned into a child.”
“Appearing in public isn’t a problem. Harnen’s nullification spell allows me to temporarily return to my original form.”
As replied calmly.
I turned toward him in shock.
“But As, that means you’ll—!”
“As?”
The Emperor tilted her head in confusion, but I didn’t have time to explain his name.
As smiled brightly at my distressed face.
“Don’t worry, Einra. I’ll only use it when absolutely necessary.”
“Still…”
There are side effects. Of course I’d be worried.
‘And those side effects caused by spells—can’t even be healed with magic.’
The only way to cure the side effects of a curse is to dispel the curse itself.
The idea of having to watch him suffer helplessly made my stomach churn.
The Emperor, having listened quietly, nodded.
“Einra is right. The side effects must be handled with caution. Harnen can only create so many nullification spells, and the one bearing the cost is your young body.”
Surprisingly, the Emperor made a valid point.
‘Even a broken clock is right twice a day!’
I nodded fiercely in agreement. The Emperor chuckled and continued.
“It’s best to avoid showing your face at audiences or official events.”
“But surely someone will grow suspicious eventually.”
“There’s an excellent way to avoid that.”
The Emperor spoke confidently.
As’s expression darkened at the ominous tone, but I—eager to protect As from the side effects—asked quickly.
“What is it?”
The Emperor smiled.
“For Einra to attend every official event in his place.”
“…Excuse me?”
“It’s widely known that you and Grand Duke Serenia don’t get along. But now, suddenly, the returned Einra is appearing frequently at public events?”
The Emperor added smugly,
“Even if Grand Duke Serenia is absent, no one would question it.”
“……”
