Chapter – 19
Bayern woke up with a slightly dazed expression. When his eyes met Rapine’s, he smiled brightly, as if he was happy for some reason.
That smile suddenly made her face heat up. Startled, she quickly raised her hand to cover her mouth.
A strange feeling flowed into her heart without defense. It felt like cold winter melting into spring.
The ticklish sensation wasn’t unpleasant.
Not knowing her feelings at all, Bayern smiled even more brightly and spoke.
“You’re awake? Do you feel a bit better?”
“……”
Rapine widened her eyes in surprise at his question, then quickly answered.
“Y-Yes! Why… why are you still here? I’m sorry.”
“What is there to be sorry about between us? I couldn’t leave because I was worried.”
Of course, he would probably get scolded badly by the head servant later.
Bayern winked, then suddenly his expression turned unpleasant.
Seeing Rapine as soon as he woke up was a wonderful thing, but the bad things that had happened to her came to his mind.
“Really… Rapine.”
He spoke carefully, choosing his words.
“I didn’t know you were having such a hard time here.”
Because she had always only told him good things.
Of course, he had guessed a little because of Cedric’s actions, but the Marquis’ cold treatment and Elizabeth’s attitude were worse than he had imagined.
He wanted to help her leave the Marquis’ house as soon as possible, but he didn’t want to hurt her pride either.
So he carefully chose his words.
But then—
“Yeah. That’s why I’m going to leave this place.”
Thankfully, Rapine spoke first.
“I just want to leave quietly… without anyone knowing.”
She hated being the subject of gossip among nobles.
It would be good if she could correct the false rumors and expose Cedric’s wrongdoing, but more than that, she just wanted to quietly disappear to a place where no one was.
At that, Bayern quickly added:
“His Majesty wants to help you.”
“…What?”
Rapine’s eyes widened.
The Emperor—the peak of power—wanted to help her. It was a strength she desperately needed.
This was not the time to pretend she was fine.
Then suddenly, something made her curious.
“But when did you become His Majesty’s aide?”
“Oh, I forgot to tell you.”
“Yeah… talking about the Emperor did sound a bit unbelievable.”
Rapine chuckled lightly. Bayern quickly changed the topic.
“You… have an ability, don’t you?”
“…!”
Rapine’s eyes widened as if asking how he knew.
“People with abilities can sense each other.”
“Ah…”
“His Majesty… that day, when you fell from the tower…”
Rapine listened quietly and nodded.
“He already knew you had an ability.”
“Ah…”
She was a little surprised but tried to stay calm.
Bayern then continued in a low voice, saying that His Majesty had suggested a good plan.
A few days later.
The kingdom’s biggest festival, the Founding Festival, was only one day away.
During that time, Rapine had stayed quietly in her room, so the Marquis thought she had finally come to her senses.
But on the night before the festival—
The Marquis’ estate was thrown into chaos.
A magnificent carriage suddenly appeared in front of the mansion, bearing the Emperor’s seal boldly on it.
It was clearly the carriage the Emperor usually rode.
The fact that it had come to the Marquis’ estate caused a huge stir.
Rapine was startled when she saw the luxurious carriage in front of her.
“Wow…”
Without the Marquis’ permission, the carriage passed through the main gate and stopped right in front of the annex where Rapine stayed, showing off its presence.
Everyone nearby, including the servants, stared at it.
Although Bayern had hinted at it before, she never expected the Emperor to send his own carriage.
For a moment, she wondered if she deserved such treatment.
Then, someone stepped out of the carriage to escort her.
“His Majesty has ordered that Lady Robru be brought personally. Please, get in.”
The person who came to escort her politely was none other than Knight Rayen. His striking red hair made him easy to recognize.
With his help, Rapine quickly got into the carriage.
At the place they arrived—
The finest dress and jewelry had been prepared for her.
Still in shock, she quickly finished getting ready and soon arrived at the Great Hall of the Imperial Palace, where the pre-festival banquet was being held.
The Great Hall, already magnificent, shone even more brilliantly for the occasion.
She was so captivated that she didn’t even notice the Emperor approaching her.
“Lady of Marquis Robru.”
“Ah!”
Startled, Rapine quickly bowed when she realized the Emperor had spoken to her first.
The Emperor let out a low laugh.
Today, his hair was red.
It seemed to match the spirit of the festival, as red symbolized fire.
For a moment, when Rapine met his eyes, she felt something strangely familiar and thought of Bayern—but quickly dismissed it.
The Emperor’s presence, wrapped in his ability, felt completely different from Bayern’s.
“Are you able to control your ability more easily now?”
“Ah.”
Rapine nodded.
There was a reason she had stayed in her room before the festival.
She had hidden her ability for a long time, so it had built up greatly.
But since she had never properly used it, she didn’t know how to control it when she needed it.
So she practiced alone, learning how to use it skillfully.
With the Emperor’s help.
Although the Emperor never visited the estate directly, he taught her many things through Bayern.
“No, if you release your energy all at once, it could go out of control. Take your time and release it slowly.”
Bayern held her hand as strong winds burst out.
Rapine used to open and close her hand as if controlling invisible wind.
Her hand, filled with wind energy, was very cold.
But Bayern’s hand was surprisingly warm.
Embarrassed, she tried to pull her hand away.
“……”
But instead of letting go, Bayern held her hand tighter—then slowly loosened it.
“Look. Think of my tight grip as sealing your power completely. Now, slowly… very slowly, relax your hand and release it.”
The wind, which had stopped suddenly, began to blow gently.
Like a spring breeze, it softly filled the space between them.
Their hair swayed like flowers in the wind, creating a strange feeling.
‘How strange… he talks like he knows everything about abilities, even though he doesn’t.’
Rapine unconsciously opened and closed her hand.
Now, if she wanted, she could freely use her ability.
“Yes. It’s all thanks to His Majesty.”
“Then, shall we go inside now?”
When the Emperor extended his hand, Rapine confidently took it.
The Emperor, who was said to hate physical contact, held her hand without hesitation—as if he were a completely different person.
When Rapine appeared escorted by the Emperor, the banquet fell into chaos.
The nobles couldn’t understand their relationship and began whispering among themselves.
“Usually, appearing with His Majesty at the Founding Festival eve means…”
“Oh my… it can’t be.”
During the eve of the Founding Festival, an important ritual was always held.
Originally, the festival began as a celebration among four families with special abilities, honoring the “Flame of the Sun” and strengthening their bond.
Abilities were considered a blessing, and the festival started among those who possessed them.
The ritual that marked the beginning of the festival—
Was lighting the four braziers in the grand garden of the Imperial Palace, representing the abilities of the four families.
Until now, since there had been no one in the capital with a strong ability, the Emperor had always performed the ritual alone.
“Then… does that mean Lady Robru has awakened an ability?”
“Oh my…”
Everyone shook their heads, refusing to believe it.
