TCBUP 49

Chapter 49

 A Strange Reward

<MISSION>
Correct! The item you need to find is the Emperor’s Seal.

As a reward for completing Stage 1, you have obtained the Imperial Palace Map.
Check your belongings in the <ABOUT YOU> section to view the Imperial Palace Map.

…What is this? It feels like they just forced the answer to fit.
Feels like the game’s just trying to push me to Stage 2, whether I like it or not.

I stared blankly at the status window, dumbfounded, as the game eagerly spit out the next mission.

<MISSION>
Since you have completed Stage 1, you are now entering Stage 2.

Stage 2: Capture Leonardo
Reward: Special Item → Advance to Stage 3
Failure: Unable to earn the Emperor’s trust

A special item, huh.
Guess I’ll decide whether to take the mission or not after checking out the reward.

Unlike last time, this mission doesn’t involve a threat to my safety.
Maybe that’s why I felt oddly relaxed about it.

[ABOUT YOU]

Name: Siena Hagrives
Age: 21
Occupation: Investor
Wealth: 210,934,777G
Current Status: ☀
Current Inventory: Harness, Imperial Palace Map
Others’ Evaluation: “Tch, people are probably going crazy over that so-called Crown Princess.”

Available Love Interests:
✤ Damian Ortiz: I can never tell what he’s thinking.
♦ Nox Green: A respected teacher, trusted business partner, and my ongoing goal.
♠ Leon/Aiden: We’re in the same boat.
♥ Huperion: He’s second in line for me, but still…

Ongoing Mission: Find the Emperor’s Most Precious Belonging (Stage 2)

What the heck is a harness?

Then I remembered—the reward I got last time when Nox’s affection rate went over 50%.
Wait a minute, the reward was a harness?!

And for Nox of all people? A guy buried in work and books who doesn’t even know the meaning of “rebellion”?
What kind of perverted game is this?!

[Harness]
A soft leather harness designed to wrap around the shoulders and chest.
Wearing it gives a sense of secure restraint and allows the wearer to be controlled.

Ack! No! Don’t start thinking weird things!
I shook my head to chase away the suspicious image of Nox that tried to dirty my thoughts.

To distract myself, I quickly clicked on the Imperial Palace Map I had just received.

[Imperial Palace Map]
The Imperial Palace—largest, most ornate, and most complex building in the Empire.
It’s only natural to get lost the first time, and even after the second or third visit, the confusion remains.
This map helps you quickly and easily find your way in the maze-like palace, built over 500 years of continuous expansion, renovation, and demolition.

Yeah. The palace was definitely confusing.
I needed to catch Leonardo and find the seal, so this tool would definitely come in handy.

When I clicked on the map, it appeared in front of me.

This area was Aiden’s residence. That blinking pink figure inside must be me.
If I head south, there’s the Empress’s separate quarters. To the east of that is the largest building, where the Emperor stays.

‘But why are some areas blacked out?’

Curious, I clicked on the magnifying glass icon.
Immediately, a bright red warning popped up.

<ERROR>
This area has not yet been accessed. Map cannot be opened.

So I have to physically go there before I can view it?

Isn’t the point of a map to help you understand geography without going everywhere?

What’s the point of a map if I still have to run around on foot?

“As if I didn’t already know…”

Of course this damn game wouldn’t do me any favors.
And yet I keep getting my hopes up every time—stupid me.

“What did you say?”

Yujin looked up, having heard me muttering.

“Oh, nothing. Will you stay here until His Highness returns?”

“Yes.”

“Then I’ll be going now.”

“You won’t see him before you go?”

“Who knows when he’ll be back.”

I figured I’d stroll around the palace a bit before heading home, expand my map while I’m at it.
It’s summer and I wasn’t wearing much, so I didn’t have much to carry.

“Take care, Yujin.”

“Yes.”

“See you later.”

“Yes.”

His responses were stiff and indifferent—but that made sense, since we weren’t exactly close yet.
Still, I gave him a friendly smile before getting up—
—and then I heard a faint clattering sound from an empty display cabinet.

Did I mishear that?

Startled, I turned toward Yujin, but he was nonchalantly taking off his robe, having heard nothing.

No way—was it something only I could hear?

Like that creepy sensation from before?

The hair on my neck stood up. A chill ran down my spine.

Frozen, unsure what to do, I watched as the cabinet with a full-length mirror creaked open—

And a head of black hair peeked out.

“Hey there, Siena.”

“…A crawlspace? Isn’t that a bit undignified for a prince’s secret passage?”

Relieved it was just Leon, I still felt oddly cheated after all that tension.

He chuckled and crawled the rest of the way out on his long limbs.

“The hole’s small. Can’t be helped.”

Apparently, the escape route under the cabinet connected to the outside, but was narrow compared to Leon’s frame.
He had dug it as a kid, back when he didn’t realize how well he’d grow up.

“Well, I’ll be going now.”

Yujin, now dressed, was about to head into the crawlspace.

So this is how Leon and his double swap places, huh?

“Isn’t that kind of sloppy? Someone might find it if they search hard enough.”

“There’s only one entrance, but once you’re inside, it branches off into lots of paths.
If you go in without knowing the way, you’ll get stuck and starve to death.”

Just as I was curiously peeking into the cabinet, Leon gently held me back.

As I backed away, he closed the mirrored door behind me.

“So? What brings you here?”

“She summoned me.”

“Ahh.”

“I saw His Majesty while I was at it.”

Leon, mid-change, froze for a moment.

“He’s still alive?”

“Barely. He couldn’t speak, but he could just barely move his fingers.”

“I see.”

“When was the last time you saw him?”

“Who knows.”

He finished changing and dropped onto the couch.
He didn’t seem all that interested in his father’s condition.

Maybe the accident and their lack of contact had made him emotionally detached.
Can’t blame him.

If I were him, I’d probably feel the same.
After all, it’s hard to care for a cold, unloving father who didn’t protect his son after the tragic loss of his mother.

“I’ll be going now.”

“Already?”

“I’ve stayed too long. And His Highness doesn’t exactly like me.”

“Me?”

Aiden had reluctantly accepted the engagement under the Empress’s pressure.
Meanwhile, Siena clung to the title of crown princess, hoping to become royalty.
I had reasons to visit his quarters often, trying to win favor, but Aiden neither wanted this engagement nor had the strength to entertain frequent visits.

That was the story.

“Well, it sounds about right.”

“Doesn’t it? Anyway, I’m off.”

Just as I stepped out of the bedroom, I turned back.

“Oh right. She said I should return to high society.”

“You sure you’re ready for that?”

Since Aiden was “sick” and in seclusion, he couldn’t accompany me as a partner.
Even if he pushed himself to appear, there was always the risk of his identity being exposed—which neither of us wanted.

In other words, I had to survive in high society alone.
Leon knew that too, and his face showed concern.

“I expected this. Don’t worry.”

Even though I said that, I wasn’t thrilled.
High society… Just hearing the name was enough to make my stomach turn.

I had nothing but bad memories there.
Well—except maybe for one.

Back then, I loved seeing Damian all dressed up.

But that was a different time—when I was completely obsessed with him, lost in my feelings. A time I’d never go back to.

Whether Damian was dressed in fine clothes or completely naked, I had no reason to look now—and I shouldn’t.

Two Days Later – Back at the Palace

I returned, hoping to find clues about the seal.
The fastest way was probably to ask the Emperor directly.

But he was in too deep a sleep to respond.

I waved off the chamberlain who offered to escort me and walked out of the palace alone.

Will I get to speak with the Emperor again?

He looked worse than two days ago.
I felt sorry for him, but not in any personal way—more like the general sadness one feels watching someone near death.

What if he dies just like this…?

I knew the Emperor hadn’t been a good father to Leon.
I wasn’t going to preach forgiveness or beg Leon to visit him.
I too had parents who didn’t love me, so I didn’t dare say such things.

Even so, there was a lingering fog in my chest—something that just wouldn’t clear.

“…What’s that dog doing here?”