~Chapter 94~
The Emperor was getting closer to Troxia, so we had to finish our final preparations.
Everyone was tense, except for Calix, who always seemed relaxed.
“The Emperor is coming to Troxia to see the dragon.”
The weight of those words was crushing my heart, yet Calix was maintaining his calm. How was he doing that?
I pressed my chest, feeling the pounding of my heart.
Finally. Eventually. How should I express this? Anyway, the important thing was that the Emperor was getting closer to the dragon. This time, he might even see it with his own eyes and take it for himself.
It had been 5 years since the Emperor destroyed Troxia for the dragon, and 7 years since I met Calix.
What was the Emperor feeling right now? Was he excited? Nervous? Or was he indifferent, just thinking about taking what was his?
When the Emperor was halfway to Troxia, he sent a message. He was coming, so we should get ready.
It was a little rude that he told us halfway through his journey instead of before he left, but it didn’t matter.
By the time we received the message, we had already arrived in Troxia. The letter delivered by the bird was burned to ashes after I read it.
“Are you nervous?”
“No. What about you?”
“I’m fine too.”
Right now, Calix and I were waiting at the edge of the forest near Troxia. The knights who came with us were waiting at their designated positions as well.
The weather was chilly, but it was fine since we were in a large carriage with warmth magic. Calix, sitting across from me, was calm as always. But his eyes showed how seriously he was taking this.
I said something I had repeated many times already.
“If something goes wrong…”
“Nothing will go wrong, Rena.”
“But you never know.”
“There’s no such thing.”
He answered firmly.
“This is a plan we made together, and we’ve reviewed it together.”
“What about the variables…?”
“We’ve accounted for those too.”
Calix took my hand in his and held it gently. His hand was warm. As he gently stroked it with his thumb, I felt my tension ease a little.
Then, Calix said something unexpected.
“Should I kiss you?”
“What?”
“You seem more focused on other things than me.”
“……”
I couldn’t help but laugh. Somehow, that ridiculous suggestion made all my tension disappear. I was about to look out the window with a silly smile when…
Zing! My fingertips tingled. My whole body froze.
Thump, thump, thump. My heart started pounding out of control.
“Now?”
My eyes fluttered, and my mouth went dry.
I had set up magic alarms when we arrived here this morning, so I would know if anyone approached.
The signal had just come through.
“Calix.”
My voice dropped, and Calix’s expression became serious.
“Is it here?”
I nodded.
“Yes. Let’s get ready.”
He extended his hand to me with the calmness of someone who had anticipated this.
I silently took his hand and stood up.
Thump, thump. My heart was pounding so hard, it hurt.
Aiden was holding onto his jacket, which was blowing in the wind. The cold was biting. He looked at the Emperor from behind, who was confidently riding ahead without his coat.
Aiden, the Emperor’s head servant and trusted aide, was always by his side. When the Emperor declared his vacation and left the palace, Aiden was naturally with him. When the Emperor went hunting, Aiden was there, catching birds alongside him. And when the Emperor strayed from the hunting ground with only a few trusted knights, Aiden stayed close.
The Emperor’s destination was the old lands of Troxia.
Aiden, one of the few who knew the full story of Troxia’s downfall, was uneasy. He had seen the fall of the prestigious Troxia family, who had once been known for their magical prowess.
When the Emperor wanted something, Aiden knew how far the Emperor was willing to go. Now, as they headed toward the ruined Troxia lands, Aiden’s chest was filled with anxiety.
The land, which had once been rich and fertile, now lay in ruins. The once-thriving estate was gone. The people had fled, and no signs of life remained.
The mansion, once grand, now lay in ruins. Aiden couldn’t help but sigh as he saw the changed landscape.
It was a far cry from the rich estate he had once visited. Now, it was a wasteland. The once-beautiful mansion was nothing but a pile of debris, and the land surrounding it was empty and desolate.
The Emperor approached the place he had destroyed without hesitation. His horse trotted over a piece of old clothing, once belonging to someone, and he avoided looking at the dirty rags.
“Ah, there’s the mansion.”
Aiden looked up at the Emperor’s voice.
“Duke Hertio is here to greet us.”
Aiden didn’t immediately understand where the Emperor was pointing, but after a moment, he realized the “mansion” was the ruined home of the Troxia family.
Slowly, the grand image of the mansion returned to Aiden’s mind, superimposed over the current ruins.
What he saw now was nothing but rubble, but the Emperor still called it a “mansion.”
A small group of people was gathered near the ruins, just where the forest began. Aiden recognized a tall, dark-haired man standing with them.
It was Calix Axel Hertorio.
Standing beside him was a red-haired woman. Aiden immediately recognized her. It was Renia, and she clearly came from Troxia’s bloodline. The red hair was unmistakable, even from a distance.
The woman, whose family had been destroyed five years ago, had returned to her home and now stood waiting for the enemy who had killed her family.
Aiden couldn’t help but glance at the Emperor, whose back was all he could see. But Aiden could easily imagine his face.
The Emperor had always been wary of the growing power of the Troxia family. Even though they were focused on magical research, the Emperor feared they would threaten his own power. He was constantly anxious about the deep knowledge of Troxia, worrying it might surpass his own authority.
It was only a matter of time before the Emperor attacked Troxia.
Now, Aiden was witnessing the consequences of that attack. The Emperor approached without hesitation. As they got closer, the tension between the gathered people was palpable.
“I see you, Duke Hertio.”
The Emperor acknowledged Duke Hertio with a dismissive wave.
“Don’t bother with pleasantries. There’s no one else to see, Duke.”
Calix smiled quietly without responding. The Emperor clicked his tongue in annoyance.
“You’ve brought quite a few people.”
“Everyone is here to serve you, Your Majesty.”
“What nonsense.”
The Emperor showed his distaste for Calix openly, but Calix remained composed, maintaining his polite demeanor. Aiden watched, feeling uneasy.
“Let’s get to the point. Time is precious.”
“Very well.”
The Emperor gestured toward the woman next to Duke Hertio.
“It’s been a while, Troxia’s sorcerer.”
“…Your Majesty.”
A quiet voice responded, and as Duke Hertio stepped aside, Aiden could see the woman’s face more clearly. Her delicate features were evident, as were her dark green eyes.
Renia Troxia, though seemingly afraid of the Emperor, bowed her head. Seeing this, Aiden’s throat tightened. Despite his age, his heart raced as though he were still afraid of such confrontations.
“I’m glad to see you’re healthy. I’m very sorry for what happened at the palace.”
“…Thank you. Your concern means a lot.”
“Yes, I’ve heard of my Lady Rena’s remarkable skills.”
The Emperor glanced around the ruins.
“…I didn’t know she was so good at finding hidden things.”
