Chapter 87
Eluana had no prior information about the Emperor. She often heard stories about the Empress, but the Emperor himself was rarely mentioned. What she knew was that he was in conflict with the noble faction centered around the Empress and had granted a sword to Cazar.
She had heard of matters related to Lord Aden, but since they were longstanding affairs, they offered little insight into the current Emperor’s character.
Standing in front of the audience chamber, Eluana glanced nervously at Cazar. Since the Emperor had summoned only her, Cazar could not enter.
Eluana pointed at her wrist with her finger. Noticing her intent, Cazar moved his finger to the beads on her bracelet, and she thought silently:
[Was there nothing else mentioned when the sword was granted?]
[It was a bit unexpected that you were summoned too.]
[What kind of person is His Majesty?]
Cazar’s expression grew subtle.
[I’m not really sure.]
[You don’t know?]
[I haven’t had much chance to speak with him.]
Even though he was the Emperor, she thought, he’s my father, and he hasn’t spoken much with me?
‘Then he must be distant.’
For a moment, Regis’s face flashed in her mind. She hoped it wasn’t a case of “like father, like son.” Taking a deep breath, Eluana said:
“I’ll go in.”
[I’ll be right here. Don’t worry.]
Eluana smiled and turned. The heavy doors in front of her opened smoothly. After taking five steps, she heard the doors close behind her, the sound alone imposing a sense of pressure.
‘I never imagined I’d enter the Emperor’s audience chamber.’
Eluana lowered her head and stepped carefully. Click, click. The sound of her own footsteps seemed deafening. Unsure how close she should go, she paused only when she could see the Emperor’s feet.
“Your Majesty.”
Her voice came out louder than she expected, and she flinched.
“Raise your head.”
Eluana slowly lifted her gaze. The Emperor sat on a high throne, looking down at her. The aura of the ruler of the Empire pressed down on her. Yet, when their eyes met, she felt an unexpected warmth in his orange eyes.
He was not at all like the image she had vaguely imagined.
“So you are Stella’s daughter.”
Eluana’s expression shifted sharply. She thought he might be testing her, but the Emperor looked certain. Cutting through the steadily rising tension, he said:
“It seems I’ve caught you off guard.”
“…I’ve often heard that I resemble Princess Stella. The Empress herself has said so. I consider it an honor.”
As Eluana took a polite step back, the Emperor smiled quietly. It was a smile of unmistakable pleasure.
He was enjoying this situation.
“I was the one who helped Stella escape.”
Unexpected words continued.
“I knew she was pregnant. I was also the one who provided the disguise artifact.”
Eluana failed to hide her reaction. She had imagined that her mother might have had an accomplice—escaping the Emperor’s palace and avoiding the Spes Duke was no small feat—but that the accomplice was the Emperor himself?
‘How much of this can I believe?’
Trying to mask her surprise, she stepped back once more.
“I don’t quite understand, Your Majesty.”
“You should practice hiding your expressions more.”
Their eyes met again. Eluana could not read the Emperor’s thoughts. His outward expression suggested goodwill, but everything could still be an act.
The Emperor, staring at her intently, spoke again:
“It was about a month before the marriage to the Duke. Stella came to me, saying she was pregnant and demanding my help. She insisted she had to escape for everyone’s sake.”
Her mother’s story, spoken by the Emperor, captivated Eluana. Every word pressed itself into her mind.
“If Stella had stayed by the Duke, one of two things would happen: the fate of Cantio would continue, or war would break out. So Stella chose—peace.”
Hearing that her mother’s choice was peace hit Eluana heavily. The peace she had desired was for herself, Louis, and a few others she cherished. But Stella had wished for the peace of all.
“Since Regis is still alive, I suppose the Duke must have realized something too. Isn’t that so?”
Eluana felt like she was standing on thin ice. Regis may be a rascal, but he was the Emperor’s son. Yet the Emperor spoke of his son’s life and death so lightly.
“I cannot fathom Your Majesty’s intentions.”
The Emperor smiled kindly once more.
“It is probably too late now, but the Duke likely honored Stella’s wish to avoid war. That, of course, assumes you survived.”
Listening quietly, Eluana realized that pretending not to know would be pointless.
“…I will be careful.”
“You should. If a war broke out between the Imperial family and the Spes family, the Empire would fall. The Dragon’s blessing only repels invasions at the borders. Internal rebellion cannot be controlled. The current Empire cannot defeat the Spes family. Even if the Imperial Palace, protected by the Dragon’s relics, survives, that would be all.”
His words were harsher than she expected from the Emperor.
Yet Eluana had a lingering question. He was Fortuna. He had said that if all of Cantio were gone, the Dragon’s blessing might vanish. He helped her mother escape to avoid war, but if her mother—the last Cantio—had suffered, even the Imperial Palace might not have been safe.
Then why…?
“Your Majesty, may I ask something?”
“You may.”
“Why did you help my mother escape?”
The Emperor looked at the ceiling and took a breath.
“I only revealed to the Duke, years later, that I was the one who helped Stella escape. I never told him she was pregnant.”
Eluana swallowed hard.
“He asked the same back then. My answer was this: because Stella wanted it.”
Because her mother wanted it?
“The Duke seemed quite shocked. He said he had prepared, knowing Stella did not want war, all for her sake.”
What Stella wanted versus what was for Stella.
Eluana thought that perhaps the reason the Spes Duke had honored all her requests was because of this.
The Emperor watched Eluana as she thought deeply. No wonder the Spes Duke was flustered—she resembled her mother so much. Even if she hadn’t, it probably wouldn’t have made a difference.
Eluana looked up at the Emperor again.
“Did you know my mother was in Aden?”
“Stella never told me her destination. I just guessed she would live well somewhere since I provided enough artifacts. It is regrettable I couldn’t see her final moments. When did she leave?”
“Six years ago.”
“I see. You truly resemble Stella.”
His voice carried a deep sense of longing. Drawn by it, Eluana touched her face.
“Were you close to my mother?”
What began as a single question quickly became several from Eluana. The Emperor answered generously.
“I had seven brothers and two sisters. Stella was the only one who did not threaten me. She was like family to me.”
She had been the only person at the tense Imperial Palace who allowed him to relax.
“Unlike us, who could freely come and go from the Palace after age ten, Stella could not leave. She enjoyed the stories I told—boastful adventures, which she applauded and enjoyed. Your father met Stella that way too. I often took the Spes Duke to her private palace.”
Eluana listened intently. The stories of her mother from the Emperor were new to her. Emerging from memories, the Emperor continued:
“I wanted to see you because I suspected the Empress might be bothering you, and since you had fulfilled my wish, I wanted to give you a gift.”
Eluana was puzzled. She could not recall ever doing anything beneficial to the Emperor. He continued:
“I wanted to prevent Regis from becoming Crown Prince. The ceremony had been delayed because the Fifth Prince was still young. But now that Regis has passed the Dragon’s trial, he cannot be delayed much longer.”
“So I provided the justification for you?”
“The Spes Duke sent thirty-two letters. The content was meaningless, but there was a message: he would provide an excuse to avoid the most unpleasant task.”
Eluana finally understood.
It had been the appointment of the Empire’s Crown Prince. The ceremony had been publicly announced, yet it was canceled without resistance, because the Emperor wanted it. The Emperor’s faction likely agreed as well.
“Actually, I didn’t expect you to take Cazar’s hand. I had considered the Fifth Prince as the next Emperor, but Cazar will do. Nothing is amiss, except he lacks a maternal backing. I thought him cold, but recent rumors suggest otherwise. What do you think of Cazar?”
Eluana thought of Cazar.
“He is loyal.”
The Emperor laughed heartily.
“Indeed. In a way, that may be the most important quality in a partner—to be trustworthy.”
“Yes. I trust Cazar.”
Hearing her firm voice, the Emperor’s gaze softened.
“I have high expectations for you. On your way out, my attendant will give you a gift. I hope it helps you.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Eluana bowed and left the audience chamber. Somehow, the Emperor, seated at the highest place in the Empire, looked a little lonely.
Once outside, Cazar rushed up. Seeing no shadow of distress on her face, he felt relieved.
[Nothing unpleasant happened?]
[I heard something surprising, but I’ll tell you in the carriage.]
Eluana reached out her hand. When she placed it willingly over Cazar’s, the Emperor’s attendant approached, offering a key on a silk cushion.
“This is granted by His Majesty.”
Eluana accepted the key with proper courtesy. It was beautiful, but just a key.
‘What is this? Does it have symbolic meaning?’
Before she could wonder further, the attendant explained:
“It is the key to the Imperial villa you are visiting today. From now on, the villa is granted to Miss Spes. The relevant documents will be sent to the Spes Duke’s residence.”
Eluana’s eyes widened. The Emperor’s gift was… an Imperial villa.
Oh my goodness. Dad! I have a home now!
