Chapter – 26
Bayern had already informed her in advance that she would have a meeting with the Emperor.
He said it would be a very secret meeting, a private audience with just the Emperor and her.
Hearing that, Rapine felt even more nervous. At the same time, she felt an overwhelming burden. She had often been scolded harshly by the Marquis whenever she appeared before nobles or attended banquets.
“What kind of greeting is that! Elizabeth is watching—you need to set an example!”
She had always heard such nagging.
Even though she was now free from the Marquis’ shadow, the years of ingrained criticism had unconsciously bound her.
And this time, it wasn’t just nobles she would meet—it was the Emperor himself.
On top of that, Rapine had heard of the Emperor’s notoriously harsh temperament, which made her anxious.
“Really. You’ll be fine, I promise.”
Perhaps sensing her tension, Bayern came to see her once more before the meeting.
But Rapine still wore a tense expression despite his reassurance.
“You’re the same girl who didn’t tremble even at the banquet. You can do this.”
Rapine’s eyes widened in surprise at Bayern’s words.
Her father had never once praised her. Hearing such words from someone else gave her a small sense of relief.
He repeated what he had said before, telling her that the Emperor was kind and gentle.
“……”
Even if it weren’t Rapine, any noble meeting the Emperor alone would naturally feel the same way.
The Emperor was a figure shrouded in mystery.
Those who wished to gain his favor might see this as a golden opportunity, but Rapine wasn’t that type of person.
Bayern continued to calm her.
“Don’t be so nervous.”
“Ugh… but I can’t help being nervous.”
Rapine muttered to herself as she got ready. She had adjusted her outfit multiple times, even though there was still plenty of time before the meeting. She fidgeted busily, but the nervousness didn’t fade.
Seeing her restless, Bayern spoke gently.
“The Emperor… or rather, His Majesty, is, as I said before, kind and gentle.”
“Really, it’s not believable when you say it like that,” Rapine said with a slight frown.
Bayern touched his chin thoughtfully, then changed his approach.
“How about thinking of His Majesty as me?”
“What?”
“It’s a bit absurd, I know.”
Bayern chuckled awkwardly, clearly aware of how strange his suggestion sounded. But since Rapine was so worried, he tried to help her relax.
“When I meet someone too intimidating, I pretend they’re a close friend.”
“Does that make sense? They’re His Majesty.” Rapine pouted.
Suddenly, Bayern put on a serious expression and began to mimic the Emperor.
“Ahem, are you the eldest daughter of the Lobru family, Miss Rapine?”
“What are you doing?”
“Just practice. Come on, try it.”
Rapine couldn’t help but laugh at Bayern’s attempt to mimic the Emperor.
“I personally called you here to ask a favor.”
“Stop it!”
“See? Doesn’t it feel better thinking it’s me?” Bayern asked.
Rapine nodded. Her tension hadn’t vanished entirely, but her stiff anxiety had softened.
“Thank you. I’ll meet him properly.”
“Tonight, at midnight.”
“Yes. I know.”
She couldn’t forget the appointment with the Emperor. Rapine set her face with determination and swallowed her nerves. Bayern laughed, showing his teeth, and she laughed along.
The time for the meeting had arrived.
The night was pitch black.
The palace was so quiet it seemed swallowed by darkness.
The Emperor’s knight came to escort Rapine from her room.
Even his footsteps were silent, moving as if he were part of the air itself. Rapine couldn’t take her eyes off him.
It felt as if someone was walking ahead of her, yet wasn’t there.
“To be near the Emperor, one must be like this,” Rapine thought, nodding.
“And he hasn’t said a word. Such a stern knight.”
Before she knew it, they had arrived at the Emperor’s reception room.
“If you go inside, His Majesty will be waiting.”
“Ah, yes… thank you.”
The knight stood still against the wall like a statue, which caught her attention, but there was no time to linger. Rapine bowed slightly and entered.
Inside was not the reception room yet, but a long corridor leading to another door.
Her heart raced at the thought of meeting the Emperor, but remembering Bayern’s encouragement, she steadied herself.
“Phew. The Emperor is kind and gentle.”
“The Emperor is a good person.”
“The Emperor won’t harm anyone.”
Chanting quietly to herself, Rapine cautiously opened the door.
“Wow…”
Rapine couldn’t help but exclaim as she entered.
The room was decorated in a very classic style.
Unlike the pitch-black night outside, the crystal chandelier on the ceiling shone brilliantly, making the room feel like daytime. Her eyes, adjusted to darkness, were dazzled.
Then she realized the Emperor was seated at the far end of the room.
The man sat calmly in a chair draped with a red carpet.
He wore a mask, sitting with his legs crossed. The creases of his trousers were stiffly starched, giving him a strict air.
As she had heard, the Emperor exuded an immense presence. Rapine instinctively bowed politely.
“It’s good to see you again.”
“I am greatly honored to meet Your Majesty.”
“Don’t be so stiff,” the Emperor said, motioning for her to relax. Rapine’s eyes widened in surprise.
The Emperor was nothing like the image she had been told about.
Perhaps Bayern was right—the Emperor might actually be kind and gentle.
Rapine smiled awkwardly and sat across from him. Their eyes met, but she quickly looked away, feeling as if his gaze could see through her.
“I believe you have heard everything through my secretary.”
“Yes! Indeed!”
She realized she had overreacted, but it was too late.
Then the Emperor chuckled, suddenly bursting into laughter.
Rapine couldn’t believe it—the Emperor, known for his coldness, laughing like that.
He had never smiled in public, so it felt unreal. She sat dumbfounded, watching him tilt his head back laughing.
His laughter stopped, and he spoke calmly, noticing her flustered state. The atmosphere shifted completely.
“I would like to ask a special favor of you.”
Rapine felt uneasy hearing the word “favor.” It didn’t match her image of the Emperor.
“Yes, I understand.”
They discussed “that matter” at length. As time passed, Rapine’s nervousness naturally eased.
She even found herself surprisingly comfortable during the private meeting, realizing Bayern might have been right. Perhaps many people misunderstood the Emperor. He might truly be a kind and gentle person, she thought, accepting Bayern’s words.
At the end of the discussion, the Emperor asked quietly:
“When would be a good time for your departure? I would like you to leave soon.”
Rapine quickly made her decision. She had no reason to remain here.
Her affection for the Marquis family was gone, and she didn’t want to think about Elizabeth and Cedric—it had been too painful.
“I don’t mind leaving at any time.”
She wanted to escape from Lobru and Cedric. To go somewhere they wouldn’t know, somewhere they weren’t.
