Chapter 02
- Shake the Carrot, Please. (2)
Facing the suspicious Emperor directly made her uneasy. Part of her also wanted to run away right before the audience and give him a little surprise. After all, isn’t quitting your job in front of your boss every office worker’s dream?
It wasn’t a resignation, but the label of “unauthorized desertion by an Archmage” didn’t make much difference.
Alright, let’s run.
The moment she made up her mind, the carriage stopped. From here on, it was the hippopotamus path, where everyone had to walk regardless of status.
“Countess Kim, please disembark.”
Selena raised the corners of her lips in a small smile. Perfect timing. She scanned the traces of teleportation-interfering magic circles installed throughout the palace, looking for the weakest spot.
Even if there were interference circles, she could analyze them in seconds and temporarily nullify part of the magic, allowing her to teleport.
Of course, it wasn’t easy.
A fifth-class magician could never manage it, sixth-class almost impossible, seventh-class still difficult. She was extraordinary. Naturally.
After all, she was one of only three Archmages in the Empire.
Her sharp green eyes drifted toward a corner. Hmm… the garden at a 45-degree angle had the weakest interference. That’s perfect.
“Feeling dizzy from being outside for the first time in a while. Let’s rest a little.”
“Shall I call a doctor?”
“No, I’m fine. Not that bad. I think sitting in that garden for a bit will do.”
The palace servant, unable to rush the Archmage, bowed politely and led her.
It wasn’t an emergency, an official summons, or a crime-related request—just an ordinary meeting.
Completely refusing would have been awkward, but arriving a little late was no problem.
Especially for an Archmage like Selena, who was planning to leave the Empire anyway.
The Emperor might be annoyed, but so what? Not her problem! She was leaving! Free from all the chains of the Empire, she’d go abroad!
An Archmage from the Empire, escaping via teleportation from the so-called fortress of the Emperor.
“Hmm-hmm.”
She shivered with excitement just imagining the expressions of the nobles.
Selena floated through the garden with a light step.
Trees bloomed with pure white flowers. Elegant marble bird statues decorated the paths. Smooth, ornamental tiles formed the walkways.
No doubt it was a heavily taxed palace garden—beautiful beyond words.
Few people were around, only a few palace guards spaced out like statues.
Selena felt satisfied.
Just as she began reading the interference magic circles to teleport, she sensed a group approaching her slowly, their presence carrying through the sensitive aura.
Her brows furrowed.
From the mana signature, these were no ordinary knights.
They would sense her mana the moment she moved, and come investigate.
Might as well let them pass. A few minutes’ delay wouldn’t matter. Selena sat on a bench comfortably.
The unexpected wait was a bit annoying but also intriguing.
Who could they be? Four skilled individuals together… What rank might they hold? If they were knights assigned to accompany an administrator resting in the garden near the Emperor’s office… maybe a Count?
Then a simple nod would suffice.
Mocking the nobles who were angry that she didn’t act subserviently was one of her small pleasures.
“Become an Archmage yourself if you’re upset. Hahaha.”
“Her one and only, most esteemed Empress of the Empire approaches. Count Kim, please pay your respects.”
Selena’s amusement ended.
She muttered under her breath and stood, lowering her gaze, folding her left hand over her right chest—a formal gesture when meeting someone of higher rank.
“Selena Kim greets Her Majesty the Empress.”
“Welcome, Count Kim. Raise your head.”
At the Empress’s permission, Selena looked up, curiosity in her eyes.
Pink hair like cotton candy, eyes bluer than a dawn-lit lake. Her long eyelashes seemed strong enough to support five matchsticks, and her lips were more delicate than flower petals.
Selena was impressed.
No wonder the current Emperor had married so soon after his coronation. If she were the spouse of someone so beautiful, she’d also want to sign the marriage papers as quickly as possible.
It was clear why she became the Emperor’s partner purely by her appearance—and she had been with him since he was still only a nominal Crown Prince, overshadowed by half-brothers, always at risk of assassination. Aria Elsaik, former princess and now the current Empress, had protected him every step of the way.
Her romance and rise to power were the stuff of legends.
Even Selena, busy with the dimensional transfer magic circle, had heard stories in passing.
The palace had even allowed a romance novel inspired by them, Love of the Century, to be published.
Recalling that novel filled with dreams and hope from about two years ago, Selena nodded.
If even half of it were based on truth, the Emperor’s love for the Empress must be utterly genuine.
…but then.
The Empress’s complexion… looked… odd?
Selena only noticed because her overwhelming beauty had distracted her at first.
As her eyes moved down from the face, she noticed the slender arms and neck beneath a simple sleeveless dress.
The small basket she held made Selena wonder if she would drop it.
…Why was the Empress carrying a basket?
Some new fashion trend in this world?
Shaking her head, Selena decided she wouldn’t understand this world’s fashion.
Was the Empress sick? That would have caused an uproar in the Empire. No, perhaps she had always been frail as a princess.
Too bad. Beautiful people should live long and healthy to bring peace to others’ hearts.
Not wanting to linger with someone unwell, Selena prepared to greet politely and move further into the garden.
But before she could speak, the Empress preempted her.
“Are you here to meet His Majesty the Emperor?”
How did she know? Their official duties didn’t overlap… perhaps pillow talk? No wonder—they were the Empire’s most powerful couple. No separation of work and private matters here. Selena simply nodded.
“Yes.”
Though she planned to run away afterward.
She answered briefly and politely, hiding her true intentions. Objectively, there was nothing improper in her response. She could swear on her mana.
“…Huh… sniff… sniffle… finally…!”
The Empress’s beautiful blue eyes weren’t crying at her answer.
Selena was startled by the tears streaming down.
“E-Empress?”
What on earth? Why are you crying?! Did I accidentally curse? Did I commit some royal insult? Are those knights about to chop me into pieces?!
Selena rotated the mana ring in her heart, ready for any attack.
Fortunately, she did not have to battle the Emperor’s knights.
“Count Kim, I…”
The Empress wiped her tears with one hand and tried to continue.
Rudely, one of the bodyguard knights stepped forward.
“Your Majesty, the Empress, you may not speak further. You have already used all three permitted words granted by His Majesty the Emperor.”
The Empress’s rose-colored lips closed.
Selena blinked.
…Did I hear that correctly? Three permitted words? What…?
The palace servant, who had been bowing at a right angle since the Empress arrived, quietly explained to the bewildered Selena.
“Her Majesty the Empress may not speak more than three times a day to anyone, by imperial decree.”
