CHAPTER 94……………………
The people gathered in the state guesthouse immediately turned around.
Seeing the maids and attendants swarming in like clouds, it seemed not only the Emperor but also the Empress was coming. Everyone bowed their heads deeply in respect.
“Greetings to His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress!”
Amidst the thunderous greetings, the imperial couple’s procession entered along the crimson carpet laid out in the center of the hall.
When was the last audience again? At teatime, perhaps?
Keeping my head bowed, I rolled my eyes upward to take a peek.
Since today was an official occasion, both the Emperor and the Empress were dressed magnificently.
Wearing ceremonial robes of pearly white and crimson silk, and grand crowns upon their heads, they exuded the majesty befitting the Empire’s supreme sovereigns.
“Raise your heads.”
The Emperor spoke as he sat upon the throne alongside the Empress.
“We have received pleasing news at last. In the north, the three Demon Kings have been evading our army’s pursuit, causing us no end of trouble. Yet to have captured one of them—it brings me great satisfaction. Let us see what manner of creature it was.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Imperial knights brought forward a massive chest presented by House Rozen.
Its exterior bore relief carvings of saints and holy women vanquishing monsters, bound tightly with chains to seal it shut.
“Perhaps Your Majesty would wish to shield your eyes.”
The chief lady-in-waiting offered a fan to the Empress, but she waved it away.
“No, I shall see as well.”
True to her reputation as one active in scholarly and artistic pursuits, her curiosity seemed piqued.
“Let’s all step aside a little.”
The Duke and Duchess of Hyperion, along with Serene, quickly came forward again from the crowd. The Emperor turned his gaze to Ruelian.
“Is it safe to open?”
“I will first examine it.”
Ruelian stepped forward, rosary in hand, which he had prepared beforehand.
It looked ordinary enough—merely beads for counting prayers.
But as the holy stigmata opened and Ruelian released his divine power, it burst forth in a radiance so dazzling it hurt the eyes.
Others may not have noticed, but I could see it clearly.
‘Of course. That poor, kind young lord of House Rozen has only just learned that wicked sorcery was being used. As God’s agent, he wishes to protect these unsuspecting people.’
He must have carefully subdued and examined the chest and its contents with his power. Thankfully, it seemed there was no major problem.
“No issues, Your Majesty.”
Once Ruelian confirmed this, Aldensis immediately stepped forward. Drawing his sword in a swift arc, he struck down with a blinding flash, severing all the chains at once.
His clean yet overwhelming skill made everyone hold their breath. When the lid then opened on its own, they all flinched and backed away.
“Don’t be startled. It’s just a reaction.”
Sikren approached. Instead of Aldensis, who loathed touching filth, he reached in and lifted the chest’s contents.
A monster’s head came into view.
Simply put, it was a horse’s head with great, curved Demon King horns sprouting from it. Its fiery mane and glaring eyes were a fierce sight.
“Ohhh…”
Gasps of fear and awe spread.
The Empress asked Zion, “Did you slay it yourself?”
“We struck together. My family’s knights had already dealt it a mortal wound and it was fleeing. By fortune, I caught up and was able to finish it off.”
At being mentioned, the elders stepped forward, kneeling on one knee.
“Well done. Excellent.”
The Emperor beamed with approval.
“Have this head mounted as a trophy in the hall. As for rewards… jewels and treasure must be dull to you by now. Is there something else you desire, Duke?”
“It is glory enough merely to bring cheer to Your Majesty and Her Majesty, who are wearied by the burdens of rule. I dare ask for no more.”
At Duke Canel’s words, the Emperor laughed heartily.
“Then each of your brave knights shall receive a gold ingot, and House Rozen shall be treated to tea. Let us move.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor and Empress moved into the audience chamber inside the guesthouse. I, along with Duke Canel and Zion, followed them…
“Come to think of it, I am thirsty.”
Aldensis, Sikren, Ruelian, and even the Hyperion couple with Serene casually tagged along and sat down as though it were only natural.
But hadn’t the Emperor said tea was to be served only to House Rozen?
The Emperor gave them a look, but since the table was large enough, he allowed it.
When the steward served the tea, the Empress smiled.
“For this Founding Festival, I blended several teas into a new recipe myself. I should like to hear your opinions.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Everyone drank, praising the flavor. Naturally, the topic drifted to the festival.
Stroking his chin, the Emperor remarked, “You’ve returned with your achievement at just the right time before the celebrations. No noble of the Empire would dare miss the Founding Festival.”
“It is the grand event upon which our Empire rests,” said the Duke of Hyperion.
“Yet, these days, young people focus too much on the romantic tales of the first Emperor and Empress…”
“Why complain? Thanks to that, business profits in this season skyrocket,” retorted Duke Canel.
Serene’s father shook his head.
“Well, it’s said that couples formed during this season are always successful, isn’t it?” Zion chimed in with a smile.
“Not all—only one pair,” Sikren corrected.
“Ah, I see. I grew up in the frontier, so I’ve only attended a few festivals. The first time I came to the capital, I was so excited I couldn’t sleep. My sister held my hand the whole time, telling me the legends of the festival.”
‘You?’ ‘Her?’ Curious stares darted my way.
If memory served, it was true.
By Father’s strict order, Aristina had reluctantly guided Zion through the festival, hand in hand—before he revealed his true nature.
“She told me of the great heroism of the first Emperor, of the ‘Mother of All Dragons,’ the Empress, strong and noble. And of their love, which burned fiercely despite their different races. Every tale from my sister was magical.”
There had been such days indeed.
Though at first she sulked, Aristina had slowly found Zion, glowing-eyed and clinging to her hand, rather… cute.
But why was he suddenly bringing this up? I stared, puzzled.
Then Zion blurted, “Ah! I just remembered what Sister told me then. She said, ‘At that year’s Founding Festival, a pair bound by the holy sword must either be together—or one of them will die.’ Is that true?”
In that instant, all movement froze.
The cheerful atmosphere vanished, replaced by suffocating silence.
Serene nearly dropped her stirrer into her teacup, catching it at the last moment. The metallic clink against porcelain rang loudly in the hush.
‘What…?’
I didn’t know why, but it was clear: this was serious. One should never mention such words before the Emperor and Empress.
And I couldn’t deny it, either—it really was something Aristina had once said before others.
What should I do? Pretend to faint? To drop dead?
Breaking the silence, Aldensis spoke calmly.
“That was a story I told the young lady. She had wished to be paired with me at the festival, so I recounted the famous legend of Sir Vienbar and Lady Delamorte as a warning. If one gives the sword without true love, the ending will be tragic.”
Even as he fabricated this, Aldensis’ eyes fixed on Zion—once warm, now cold.
“Oh, right! I was there too,” Sikren jumped in quickly. “Brother told it so grimly, I had nightmares.”
“And that summer’s palace play reenacted that legend, so it was the talk among us children,” added Ruelian, sipping his tea serenely—though his gaze, too, was sharp upon Zion.
Zion accepted their stares with feigned innocence, as if to say, I was only praising my sister. What’s the problem?
“Ahh, so that’s why Sister told me the tale. She wanted me to know everything.”
“I ordered her to,” Duke Canel interjected, glancing at Zion with displeasure.
For him to slip up like this—no wonder the Duke looked vexed.
Zion had knowingly risked provoking the Emperor and Empress with that forbidden legend.
‘So it’s that grave—a topic utterly taboo, not even to be spoken of.’
Still, the danger had been diverted. I hurried to shift the subject.
“Your Majesty, this tea is so fragrant. Might I have another cup? In fact, after the festival, I would love to advertise it as ‘Her Majesty the Empress’ Specially Recommended Blend’ in our department stores.”
“A splendid idea,” the Empress laughed lightly, easing the tension.
The Emperor looked at me.
“Like father, like daughter. Forever seeking profit in everything.”
“Thank you for the compliment, Your Majesty. All the more so now—our family has begun the succession contest to choose the next head.”
“Oh?”
At that, everyone’s eyes gleamed with interest. Serene quickly asked,
“Duke, how will you decide the heir?”
“It will be judged comprehensively, but above all, the result of the Imperial Trade Competition shall be key…”
Duke Canel glanced toward the Empress.
“In fact, I meant to ask what the task will be this year, and who will set and judge it?”
At that, both Aldensis and Sikren’s expressions changed strangely.
Why? Who could it be?
“She should be arriving shortly,” the Empress replied.
A bad feeling seized me.
Wait—the task is always overseen by a female member of the imperial family, isn’t it?
Not the Empress, nor the retired grandaunt… then…
A chill ran down my spine.
Surely not? It can’t be…
Just then, the audience chamber doors burst open.
The person who strode inside made me gasp in horror.
This is impossible!
