Chapter 146
As soon as she returned to her seat, people immediately surrounded Eila.
“Congratulations, Lady Eila. To have already gained His Majesty’s trust at such a young age—it’s truly remarkable.”
“I heard you’re very close with Princess Piony as well. After graduating from the Academy, do you intend to enter the Imperial Palace?”
Eila smiled awkwardly.
At her side, Piyo was tugging at her clothes and twisting his body impatiently.
It seemed his patience had reached its limit.
But before Eila could find a way out of the crowd hemming her in, commotion suddenly arose from a distance.
Turning her head, she saw the Empress walking toward them, flanked by her attendants.
Eila’s eyes narrowed.
‘Of all times…’
She couldn’t avoid this encounter, so she quickly patted Piyo’s back.
At that, Piyo steadied himself again.
By then, the Empress had pushed her way through the people and come right up to them.
“It’s been a while, Lady Eila.”
“Have you been well, Your Majesty the Empress?”
While Eila offered a polite bow, the Empress’s gaze remained fixed on the black-haired boy.
“So this child is the Black Dragon? Can he speak?”
“There’s no difficulty in communication… but he hasn’t yet learned human manners,” Eila answered carefully, glancing at the Empress.
The Empress nodded as if to say it was fine.
“Of course. He’s not even of the same race. Would it be alright if I spoke with him briefly?”
Though uneasy, Eila slowly nodded.
The Empress bent down, peering into the boy’s yellow eyes, then stretched out her hand to gently stroke his head.
“Do you remember me? You must have seen me a few times before in the palace.”
“……”
The boy stared at her blankly for a moment—then gave the smallest of nods.
The Empress’s smile deepened.
But then, the boy suddenly spoke.
“…There was a time when red blood soaked the earth and rivers, and gray ash scattered in the skies.”
His voice grew increasingly distorted as he continued.
“You carry it too. The scent of that ash, of blood and betrayal…”
The boy’s pupils stretched into long, vertical slits.
The Empress’s smile vanished.
Eila realized what was happening and quickly looked around.
But the crowd wasn’t alarmed at all—rather, they laughed and whispered as though entertained.
“Did you hear that? Such a strange language.”
“I’ve never heard sounds like that before!”
“That must be the Dragon’s tongue they say exists only in legend.”
It seemed no one had understood what Piyo had said.
The Empress, however, bit her lip in silence. Slowly, she stood straight again, eyes narrowing.
“Even young, a dragon is still a dragon. Such mysterious power.”
Her calm demeanor made Eila falter.
Had only she heard those words?
But the Empress’s gaze was colder than before—almost as if she had understood everything.
“So, Lady Eila, where do you plan to go after graduation?”
The Empress quickly regained her composure, raising her lips in a smile.
“Like His Majesty, I too have great expectations for you. And so does…”
She deliberately turned toward the dais.
“My son, Darian. If you were to lend your strength to him, it would be of great help.”
Murmurs immediately spread through the crowd.
The Empress was kind, but she didn’t casually praise just anyone.
And now, after the Emperor, even the Empress and the likely next crown prince, Prince Darian, had all acknowledged her.
People’s gazes toward Eila shifted rapidly.
The Empress’s attendants chimed in enthusiastically:
“Indeed, if someone as talented as Lady Eila were to serve His Highness, it would be most reassuring.”
“She would certainly be a great asset to the Empire’s future.”
“Yes, His Highness’s future looks even brighter.”
Pleased by the reaction, the Empress added:
“I recall when it was first revealed that Lady Eila was the master of the Black Dragon. At that time, I asked if you would serve under Darian.”
Eila quietly inhaled, then answered, “Yes, I remember.”
“You declined back then, saying you lacked the qualifications. A pity, I thought…”
The Empress sighed lightly, resting a hand against her cheek.
“But the situation is different now. You graduated early from the Academy with outstanding ability, and you were awarded the Imperial Medal. I believe you are now more than qualified to stand at Darian’s side.”
“…That is too much praise, Your Majesty.”
Eila frowned faintly, troubled by how openly the Empress was pressing her in such a public setting.
“Haha, Lady Eila’s ability is acknowledged by everyone. There’s no need for such modesty.”
“Indeed, she’s more than qualified now.”
The Empress’s attendants spoke as if it were already decided that Eila would side with Darian.
Even if she had just been honored by the Emperor himself, if she rejected the Empress’s offer so firmly here…
‘They’ll resent me, and rumors will spread for sure.’
She should have hurried to Felix or Duke Argenta before being cornered like this.
Biting her lip, Eila searched the crowd anxiously.
Just then—
“So, everyone is gathered here.”
A deep, commanding voice matched by heavy footsteps.
Eila’s eyes widened in relief.
‘Duke Argenta…!’
“It’s been a while, Your Majesty the Empress.”
“…Duke Argenta.”
The Empress slowly turned.
“Indeed, it has been. Is this the son who was said to have been missing? He’s grown into a fine young man.”
“Haha, so the rumors even reached Your Majesty’s ears. He grew up well on his own, without a father to guide him. I couldn’t be prouder.”
The Duke chuckled, patting Felix’s shoulder lightly.
The two exchanged small talk, and for a moment, the focus drifted away from Eila—she let out a breath of relief.
But then—
“Ah, but I was in the middle of an important conversation with Lady Eila.”
The Empress gracefully recounted what she had just proposed.
The Duke’s eyes widened, stroking his beard with a chuckle.
“I understand Your Majesty’s intentions well. Lady Eila is indeed a talent any would desire.”
“Hoho, then you must know her well too. With your son courting Lady Eila, you must have had many occasions to interact.”
“Aha, I merely watch quietly to see what future the two will build. But that being said, Your Majesty…”
The Duke stepped forward.
“Forgive my boldness, but I would ask that you not press Lady Eila so strongly in this setting.”
The Empress’s smile froze.
Her eyes flickered coldly—but only for a moment. Then she forced a gentle smile back onto her lips.
“Press her?”
“Lady Eila already promised long ago to stand with Princess Piony.”
“……”
“So please, withdraw the offer for her to serve under Prince Darian.”
A strange silence fell over the hall.
The Empress’s hand, holding her fan, trembled slightly. She raised the corners of her lips with effort and murmured lowly:
“…Is that true?”
