SPMG Chapter 17

Chapter 17

The attendants waiting at the entrance swung open the massive doors at just the right moment. Starting from the grand entrance decorated with ornate patterns, every door within the palace lay wide open so that we could pass through unhindered.

How many doors are there, anyway?

Even as I followed behind Licht’s back, my eyes were busy rolling everywhere. The dazzling decorations of the imperial palace, the people who wore dry but dignified expressions—all of it was endlessly fascinating.

The tension I’d felt before stepping down from the carriage had long since vanished.
What should I say… it finally felt real, like I had truly stepped into the world of the novel.

Is this too careless of me, considering the situation?

It wasn’t until we approached the end of the long corridor that my head started to clear. Up ahead stood a set of massive, closed, dark-brown doors.

Above them, the imperial crest of Ludenza—a dragon—loomed, exuding oppressive weight. My instincts screamed: Now’s the time to be nervous.

Licht and I paused briefly before the doors.

Then, with a heavy creak, the enormous doors slowly began to open.

Wow.

It was a sight I never would have witnessed if I had stayed in the tower.

Inside the vast hall stretched a long red carpet, leading up to a high throne. Seated upon it was a man, and flanking him on either side stood a golden-haired woman and man in perfect posture.

The middle-aged man, whose dark gray hair had once surely been as black as Licht’s, rose from his throne as though he had been waiting. Ergo Glacies Ludenza, the current Emperor of Ludenza.

And that beautiful golden-haired woman must be…

The mastermind herself.

From the novel, I had assumed that the mother of the second prince—Empress Elisia—would be a woman well into her middle years. But standing before me was someone impossibly young and breathtaking.

A tiara shimmered faintly upon her bright golden hair, her skin glowed with vitality. There was no trace of the woman who had bribed a mage of the tower to assassinate Licht—only an elegant, benevolent figure.

It’s always the ones who look like this that are the scariest.

A brief silence fell before the emperor strode forward toward Licht.

“Licht, my son…”

“Your Majesty.”

In the novel, the emperor had only been painted lightly—a father who loved Licht deeply, but without much detail. His bluish eyes and neatly combed gray hair bore the marks of time.

As Licht approached, the emperor seemed overcome, falling silent for a moment. Though no tears fell, the joy radiating from his entire being was palpable.

Compared to that, our male lead looks as calm as ever.

With composed movements, Licht knelt and gave a formal bow before stepping closer.

“Licht.”

“I have caused you worry.”

The emperor embraced him. It was a deep, lingering embrace.

Yes, this is what a family reunion should look like!

If this were a TV program, the handkerchiefs would already be out. But there was no time for me to bask in the sentimentality, because the Empress soon approached.

“You must have suffered so much, Licht.”

“…Your Majesty, the Empress.”

“I always believed you would return this strong and steadfast.”

Wow.
If you didn’t know the truth, you’d think she was on the verge of tears with joy.

Even I might have been fooled, had I not read the novel. From the way the attendants at the edges of the hall were tearing up, it was clear her acting was nothing short of masterful.

Right, in the novel she always kept up the act of the benevolent empress—especially for the common folk.

With a face brimming with emotion, she clasped Licht’s hand tightly. It looked heartbreakingly affectionate.

“Thanks to Your Majesty’s care, I was able to return safely.”

Licht smiled softly, eyes crinkling as he clasped her hand back.

A beautiful mother and her even more beautiful son—a scene so dazzling it almost hurt to look at. And yet, for me, it was chilling.

If I hadn’t known the story, I’d have been fooled one hundred percent.

Whether Licht had anticipated this or not, he wasn’t flustered in the least. With practiced ease, he smiled back at her with equal warmth. What thoughts lay beneath those smiles, I couldn’t begin to imagine.

And this is why I didn’t want to come to the palace!

My plan had been to live quietly in the tower and prepare for job-hunting. Already, that plan was in ruins.

Finally, the second prince, Caidan, stepped forward to greet his brother. His gaze flicked briefly toward me, but quickly returned to Licht.

Once the greetings between the royals ended, a short silence fell. Even the sound of swallowing seemed too loud in the tense air.

Standing calmly, Licht glanced back at me with eyes that held a fleeting tenderness.

Ah, he’s going to introduce me now.

I swallowed nervously. The moment had come to face them head-on.

“As you may have been informed, my mana is still unstable.”

All eyes turned to Licht. More accurately, to me standing just behind him. I shrank back instinctively, hiding in his shadow.

“So, the duke’s disciple, the mage Edel, will remain close at hand to monitor my condition.”

“If Duke Evgenin has sent her, then there is no cause for worry.”

I stepped forward and bowed deeply. To show proper respect, I even pushed back the hood of my cloak.

“Before the sun, moon, and stars of the Empire, Edel of the Magic Tower greets Your Majesties.”

Was that right? I repeated the half-remembered words in my head, keeping my head bowed.

“The mage Edel may lift her head,” the emperor commanded gently. He approached and placed a hand on my shoulder.

“Edel, was it?”

I quickly lowered my head again. I didn’t dare meet the emperor’s eyes.

I’m not overreacting from watching too many dramas… right?

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Please take good care of Licht.”

The hand on my shoulder tightened slightly. Though his tone was warm, I couldn’t help but hear a subtle threat: if anything happened to Licht, the emperor would lose control.

Not that I could really do anything, Your Majesty…

Serving as a vassal was never in my fate. I was used to being a corporate slave, but this was another matter entirely.

“Yes, I’ll do my utmost!”

What else could I say?

I can feel it—her stare.

Even without turning, I knew. The Empress’s sharp gaze was fixed on me.

I’m just a passing extra, Your Majesty!

I tried to reassure myself—my light attribute wasn’t even important right now. Surely she wouldn’t see me as a threat. But the look in her eyes was far too unsettling.

Maybe she just distrusts anyone close to Licht…

To think this was the woman behind the weakened barriers, the apostle’s attacks—no wonder goosebumps prickled over my skin.

If I make one wrong move, she could cut me down in an instant.

I had no desire to fall onto a death route just after getting a new lease on life. Coming to the palace had definitely been a mistake.

Walking straight into the lair of the most dangerous figure of the original story… even if not entirely of my own will.

But sadly, there was no way to leave now. Unless Licht himself declared me unnecessary, I would be stuck here.

All I could do was keep my head down and survive quietly. And—

Find the heroine, Sephina! With her light attribute, everything will fall into place, right?

If anything, it might be easier to find her in the palace than in the tower, with so many connections to the temple here.

While my thoughts whirled like a rollercoaster, Licht’s expression beside me remained perfectly serene.

I shot him a resentful look, but he only stared back blankly, as if nothing was amiss. Then, as though realizing something from my face, he turned to the emperor.

“The mage must be tired from the journey. We should return to the prince’s palace.”

That wasn’t what I meant, but it was music to my ears. After all, the carriage ride alone had left me exhausted.

Just sitting inside it was tough enough—but the violent jolts when passing through the Gate were like an amusement park ride. Honestly, I didn’t understand how this world didn’t have motion sickness medicine.

Ugh. I just want to be alone already.

“Yes, you must be weary. I’m sure the prince’s palace is eager for his return as well,” the Empress answered smoothly, as if waiting for the chance.

Fine. It wasn’t like I wanted to keep facing her anyway.

“…Very well.”

With the emperor’s reluctant consent, Licht and I finally stepped out of the main hall.