PLML 46

Posted by Zahid, Released on August 12, 2025

CHAPTER 46……

The golden lights shone down on those standing at the very top of the red-carpeted stairs. The only two without masks—His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress—commanded the gaze of all with their regal presence.

“First, I thank you all for accepting our invitation. This is a party we have prepared with great care, so please enjoy it to the fullest.”

No sooner had the Emperor finished speaking than the room erupted in thunderous applause. Jaina clapped weakly along.

“As you all know, this party has special rules. In true imperial fashion, we have prepared prizes worthy of the name, so you may look forward to them. Well then, I’ll end my dull speech here.”

With the end of his short address, gentle music began to flow. Beneath the soft lighting, women in gowns and men in suits joined hands. As if on cue, the nobles paired off to dance—leaving Jaina the only one standing alone in a daze.

For a married lady, the first partner at a ball should, of course, be her husband. But the man who ought to be right beside her was nowhere to be seen.

And right in front of her, couples danced with eyes so full of affection it was nauseating. Jaina’s bottled-up hurt finally boiled over.

Why had she even come here in the first place?

It was all for Theoris.

To bolster the standing of the Grand Duchy of Akrana for a husband who shunned society, she had come here as his wife. She had fasted for three days and dressed herself to perfection.

And for what?

She felt pitiful, left standing all alone. The lights made her eyes sting, and she fled the ballroom before the tears could fall.

She ran blindly down a darkened hallway and suddenly dropped to her knees.

“Ow…”

In her high heels, she had twisted her ankle.

Carefully, she removed her shoe. The back of her ankle was red and swollen, throbbing with pain. She tossed the shoe away in frustration.

She hated the beautiful dress, the shoes—everything.

I just want to go home…

Dragging her injured foot, she limped down the corridor. Thankfully, the imperial palace floors were spotless, so she could walk barefoot.

After a long, limping walk, she finally reached the door to a guest chamber.

I’ll just rest inside for a bit.

Sighing, she opened the door—and was met with the sight of a man and woman locked in a heated kiss. Startled by the sound, they sprang apart and stared at her.

“S-sorry!”

Jaina slammed the door shut and fled.

What is this, a guest chamber or a cheap inn?!

Running without thinking, she soon realized she was lost. She trudged down a deserted hallway with not a guard in sight, then happened to glance out a window.

“…Well, at least the view’s disgustingly nice.”

Beneath the blue moonlight stretched a beautiful garden. Amid the vines twined with crimson roses stood a white-roofed pavilion. Drawn as if bewitched, Jaina made her way down to it.

The damp earth and grass tickled her bare feet. The chill night air brushed over her skin, making her shiver.

Seated on a bench, she finally exhaled.

This is the worst.

The gentle scent of roses gave her the smallest comfort.

She tilted her head back, eyes dazzled by the sky crammed with stars and moonlight. One tear, long poised to fall, slid down her cheek.

Hurling the shoe she still held far into the bushes, she shouted:

“Theoris, you bastard!”

A black figure emerged from between the vines, holding her shoe.

Wait—there was someone here?

A man with hair more perfect and luminous than the moonlight approached. Beneath a black mask, eyes darker than the mask itself curved gently at her.

“My lady, has something unpleasant happened?”

His voice was as rich and smooth as an orchestra. Standing under the moonlight, he seemed like a secretive fairy who had stolen into the night.

Even masked, his beauty couldn’t be hidden. Jaina found herself staring up at him, dazed.

The man knelt before her, hand reaching to slip her shoe back on—then halted as he touched her ankle.

“You’re injured.”

Rising, he stepped closer.

“Pardon me.”

Before she could respond, his arm slid around her waist. With practiced ease, he lifted her into his arms.

“W-wait!”

She squirmed to free herself, but his grip didn’t loosen.

Why is someone so lean this strong?!

Ignoring her protest, the man carried her toward the building.

“Hey, are you even listening? Put me down!”

“My lady, if you keep moving like that…”

Her body tilted sharply to one side. Afraid she might fall, she instinctively clutched his shoulder.

Fine strands of his hair brushed her cheek. His unreadable black eyes met hers, and he smiled faintly.

“If you don’t want to fall, best stay still.”

Jaina gave a quick nod. Better that than be dropped for real.

Judging by his mask and attire, he’s definitely a noble. Was there any noble with white hair and black eyes who’d receive an imperial invitation?

Of course, he could’ve changed his hair and eye color with magic to hide his identity.

Casually, so he wouldn’t notice, Jaina moved her hand to her necklace. Feigning fright, she pressed the button hidden behind the pendant—sending a signal straight to Levan.

Levan, hurry.

Thanks to the location-tracking feature she’d had installed just in case, Levan found her quickly.

Sweat still on his brow, he leveled his sword at the man.

“Put Lady Jaina down. Now.”

Even with cold steel before him, the man showed no sign of panic. He had no weapon, yet looked entirely at ease.

“Hm… I’d rather not.”

“If you persist, I will use force.”

The man’s lips curled into a smile. The cheerful expression somehow felt cold. The eyes behind it, sharp as a hidden blade, reminded Jaina of someone she knew.

“Levan Dimir.”

The man spoke his full name with precision. At the same time, golden motes shimmered into being around Levan.

“I’m going to enjoy some time alone with Jaina now, so stay right there.”

“What—”

Levan’s face betrayed his surprise. Though still pointing his sword, his body froze in place.

“You… you’re—!”

“Shh.”

The man raised a finger to his lips. Levan, who’d been about to speak his name, clamped his mouth shut at the gesture.

Leaving Levan immobilized, the man strolled away unhurriedly with Jaina still in his arms.

They turned several dim corners, climbed a flight of stairs, and stopped at a door at the end of a secluded hallway. Setting her down, the man smiled knowingly as Jaina smoothed her dress, clearly looking for a chance to bolt. He caught her wrist.

“My lady, don’t worry. I’m not a strange man.”

Only strange men say that.

Jaina swallowed the retort and forced a smile.

With his free hand, he fished a key from his pocket, unlocked the door, and switched on the light with the ease of someone who’d been here before.

A storeroom? Or… a room?

It was too big for a storage closet, too shabby for a proper room. The wooden walls were speckled with mold; dust lay thick everywhere. On a worn bed sat nothing but a threadbare blanket.

“This is…”

“Sit down, my lady.”

He pulled an old wooden chair from the desk, laid a handkerchief on it, and gestured for her to sit.

She did, then asked:

“So, what’s your game, Ferus?”

Her voice was firm with certainty. He replied lightly:

“My lady, I’m not a man of such high station.”

“Don’t talk nonsense.”

“Nonsense? My, what a sharp tongue you have.”

Brushing off her words, he bent down again. Soft pale-yellow motes gathered in his hand as it cupped her ankle. The warmth spread, and in moments the throbbing pain was gone.

“How is it? Better?”

Jaina nodded silently.

So Ferus can use healing magic too…

“So, where are we?”

“Guess.”

“You brought me here without asking—how would I know?”

“Ha ha, true enough.”

His smile made it clear he had no intention of answering. Normally, Jaina would let it go out of regard for his position—but not tonight.

Hunger and hurt had her at the brink. One more wrong word and she’d grab him by the collar and shake him.

After laughing for a while, Ferus suddenly grew serious.

“By the way… you’ve lost a lot of weight since I last saw you.”

He no longer seemed to be hiding who he was.