Chapter 85
Through the small window of the carriage, people moved busily, each carrying their own stories and purposes. Eluana, staring absentmindedly at them, opened the book Tears of the Cold Crown Prince that Sing had placed in the carriage for her to read when her mind felt cluttered.
As the pages fluttered, Eluana’s expression shifted subtly with each turn. She had read storybooks in Aden before, but they had always been nearly out-of-print books distributed across the empire. They had rarely captured her interest—but this book was different. In the final scene, when the crown prince shed tears of sincere remorse, a shiver ran through her.
Kazar, watching Eluana’s engrossed expression, asked,
“Is that a storybook?”
“It’s about a crown prince who abandons the female protagonist to become emperor, only to regret it bitterly afterward.”
“Does he try to win her back?”
“Yes, but by then she already has the Third Prince—a perfect beauty who belongs to the loyal faction—and a grand mage who saved her entirely, heart and soul.”
“Which one do you prefer?”
“I think I like the grand mage better.”
Kazar absorbed the title of the book in his mind and turned his gaze elsewhere. Eluana, closing the book, asked,
“Kazar, what’s your dream?”
“Suddenly?”
“I just got curious.”
“More than a dream, my goal has been to survive until I turn eighteen.”
“Until you take the Dragon’s Test?”
“Right. Only then could I even dream. To become emperor, to manage a rural estate well, or just to travel freely and live leisurely.”
“I see.”
Eluana realized that for Kazar to become emperor, he would have to overcome the obstacle known as the Dragon’s Test. No matter how much support he received from the Spes family, failing the test would make becoming emperor impossible.
Perhaps thinking the same, Kazar asked,
“What if I fail the Dragon’s Test?”
“What exactly is that test?”
She only knew he had to pass the Dragon’s Test. Eluana had no details.
“No one knows. You enter the Dragon Hall, spend one night there, and then come out. No one remembers what happened inside. You either receive a ‘mark’ or you don’t—nothing else.”
A test repeated for over a thousand years with no past problems available. It meant there was no way to prepare—but she wasn’t worried.
“Prince Regis passed it, so it can’t be that difficult. You’ll pass too.”
“Dragons might have different standards than humans.”
“Still, you’ll pass.”
“Why?”
“Just a feeling.”
Eluana’s unfounded confidence warmed Kazar. This time, he asked,
“And you? What’s your dream?”
“Me? I used to dream of making lots of expensive swords and living well with Louis. Living well has already been achieved, so now I just want to live peacefully and comfortably.”
“Isn’t that already realized?”
“Seems like it. I was a bit anxious when I first heard about Cantio, but now I think it’ll work out. Father is helping, and I’ve managed to use my alchemy skills somewhat.”
In truth, Eluana thought she could be content just like this. Once Louis reached the 3rd Circle and returned, everything would be perfect.
Watching Eluana beam, Kazar suddenly reached out.
“Give me a strand of your hair.”
“My hair?”
Eluana plucked a single strand and handed it to him. Kazar pressed the golden hair to the bead on his bracelet. The strand melted into the bead, which faintly glowed gold.
The beads on the bracelet now shone green and gold.
“What is this?”
Curious, Eluana asked, and Kazar pressed the golden bead of the interactive artifact on his arm.
[What we say now won’t be heard by others. Just think it.]
Eluana’s eyes widened as she heard a voice in her head.
“Wh-what is this? I can hear a buzzing voice in my head… it’s like talking to Serus.”
[It’s an interactive artifact. Think of what you want to say to me.]
[Really? Like this?]
[Good. Can you distinguish between my voice in your head and me speaking out loud?]
Eluana focused.
[Good. Ready? Speak.]
Kazar paused briefly.
[The weather is really nice.]
“The weather is really nice.”
Hearing it once in her head, once aloud, she could feel the difference in resonance.
“I can tell the difference,” she said, now accustomed. Kazar released the bead.
“When we enter the Imperial Palace, don’t be surprised if I speak to you in my head.”
“Can I talk first?”
“No. Only when pressing this bead can we converse.”
“Still, this is amazing. I didn’t know this existed.”
“Now get ready to get off.”
While they talked, the carriage entered the Imperial Palace. The carriage carrying Ann and Ring, along with the First Order of Spes, stopped in front of the palace. Only Sing and Line, their guards, remained on horseback behind.
Eluana closed the window and checked her hair, meticulously ensuring that the braids Ring had spent two hours making hadn’t loosened. Even just braiding her hair made her look a few years younger.
Highlighting the “still a young girl” image was their plan for today. Any mistakes could be brushed off as “I’m young and unfamiliar with all this.” She would answer every question with “I don’t know” while subtly revealing the Empress’s outfit.
Finally, the carriage stopped. Eluana took Kazar’s hand. The place they got off was neither Kazar’s residence nor the Empress’s main residence.
“Why are we stopping here?” Eluana asked.
“The rose garden along the way to the main palace is beautiful. I wanted to show it to you.”
Kazar’s voice was unusually sweet.
‘Already starting something?’ Eluana smiled faintly, conscious of the carriage attendants.
“I’m excited, Kazar. It’s so nice.”
As they walked, Sing and Line followed. It felt as if every eye in the palace watched them. Swallowing nervously, Eluana heard Kazar murmur,
“Nervous?”
“A little. But surely they wouldn’t poison the food—they’d be accused immediately.”
“Remember everything you eat. Some poisons act slowly. I gave you an antidote as soon as the Duke appeared, but rare poisons could still be dangerous. Tell Line immediately if something feels off.”
“Couldn’t I use the antidote artifact Kairon gave me?”
“Artifact?”
“My right earring.”
Kazar examined it closely. Eluana’s green gem earring caught his attention. As he leaned in to inspect, everyone, even those at a distance, held their breath.
“This is high grade. Kairon must think highly of you. You won’t have to worry about poison.”
“Ah, okay.”
Kazar’s breath brushed her ear, causing her shoulders to tense. Eluana awkwardly leaned back.
“Why?”
“Your face is too close.”
“Oh, pretending to be shy now?”
From afar, Kazar spotted a group of noblewomen blushing and nudging each other in excitement. The act seemed to be effective. Kazar pressed his finger to the golden bead, leaning closer. Eluana’s voice echoed in his mind:
[Ah! So startling… He’s handsome, and I’m shocked. Kazar’s face is a weapon. If I let my guard down, it pierces my heart.]
Eluana silently grumbled, averting her gaze to the front. Not wanting her fluster to show, she quickened her pace slightly.
“Let’s finish the banquet quickly and leave for Tuna territory.”
“Okay.”
Kazar’s ears turned red, realizing his thoughts had been heard. He quietly stood beside Eluana, cleared his throat, and spoke in her mind.
[See the rose arbor ahead? Comment on how beautiful or fragrant it is.]
White roses bloomed abundantly along the arbor’s thorny vines, each flower twice the size of what Eluana had seen before.
“Kazar, the flowers are so beautiful. I’ve never seen roses this big.”
Kazar smiled.
[Behind the rose arbor is the palace where Princess Stella lived. Cantio lived there for generations.]
It was the place Cantio had always lived, neither the main nor the outer palace.
‘Mother’s palace?’ Eluana almost said aloud but managed to control herself, gazing beyond the rose arbor. Through the vines, the three-story building with green roofs and white walls was visible. Windows on the third floor were slightly open, as if her mother might appear any moment.
[You can’t enter, but at least see it from afar.]
[Thank you.]
Eluana tore her gaze away and looked at Kazar again. Focusing too much on the palace might arouse suspicion.
“Kazar, I really like these flowers.”
[If I truly become emperor, I’ll give you that palace.]
[Looking forward to it.]
Kazar now had one more reason to become emperor. If he gave her the palace, she would inspect it and demolish it, planting lots of lavender that her mother loved.
Eluana glanced upward, pretending to look at the sky, but took in the palace again. Thinking of all the Cantios who might have been trapped there, she straightened her shoulders. She vowed no Cantio would greet a morning there again.
They turned naturally toward the main palace. Eluana whispered softly,
“This artifact is really useful.”
Unaware that each sentence cost 1 gold, with 25 gold spent so far, Eluana drew closer to the palace as the rose scent intensified.
Upon entering, she wore a broad smile. Watching her dramatic expression, Kazar chuckled.
[Your expression is weird.]
[Really? Am I overdoing it?]
She adjusted her face, realizing she had tensed up.
[Don’t be nervous. Your father is Duke Spes—what’s there to fear? And I’m here too.]
[Right.]
Eluana’s face relaxed as they walked inside. A maid greeted them as they entered the inner hall. When the massive doors of the banquet hall opened, it wasn’t just the Empress who awaited them.
[Ah, I didn’t expect this.]
Kazar scolded himself for his carelessness.
