Chapter 50
The Last Attendee
“Did you sleep well, Your Highness? You woke up later than usual today.”
Jane looked at Ellea with a puzzled expression. Usually, when she arrived in the mornings, Ellea had already left the room to train.
But today, Ellea was sitting dazedly on her bed when Jane entered.
“I guess I was a little tired yesterday.”
“Well, you’re allowed to sleep in once in a while.”
“No, I’m fine now. I slept deeply.”
Perhaps the alcohol had helped—Ellea had fallen asleep the moment her head hit the pillow.
As a result, she had woken up later than usual, but she felt refreshed.
“Shall I prepare breakfast now?”
“No, I’ll go for a run first and eat afterward.”
“All right. I’ll tidy up the room in the meantime.”
While Jane was cleaning, she noticed something unfamiliar sitting on the desk and asked curiously:
“Your Highness, is this yours?”
“Hm? What is it?”
As Ellea approached, she saw that Jane was holding the black handkerchief Chaillen had tied around her wrist the night before.
As if to prove that the meeting hadn’t been a dream, the handkerchief was still there.
“Yes, it’s mine.”
“I don’t think I’ve seen it before… I’ll just place it back here, then.”
Jane carefully folded the handkerchief and laid it on the desk. Ellea looked at it, then glanced at her own wrist.
The bruise might last longer than I thought.
It had darkened considerably. As she pondered how to hide it, memories of her mysterious encounter from the previous night came flooding back.
“That makes two things I’ve received from him.”
Every time she met that man, he left something behind. The first time it was a sword. This time, a handkerchief.
She looked down at the black fabric again and, just like last night, wrapped it around her bruised wrist. She had tried not to get involved with him…
But somehow, it feels like I already am.
Trying to clear her head, Ellea stepped onto the terrace, stretched deeply, and gazed up at the clear blue sky.
I hope the days ahead stay as peaceful as that sky.
With that thought, she began to prepare for her morning training.
Elsewhere, just as busy with the start of day—
Chaillen stood before a mirror, removing his shirt. Under the morning sunlight, a scar on his right shoulder came into view.
Its cause was unknown, but judging by its size and shape, it must have been inflicted in excruciating pain.
He soon covered it with a fresh shirt and appeared in far neater attire than usual.
As he tightened his tie, his eyes gleamed with steely resolve.
Today was the day he had been waiting for.
Finally, the day has come.
Though the reflection in the mirror was unmistakably his, what Chaillen saw was someone else—another man with the same violet hair and turquoise eyes.
“This is only the beginning.”
As he muttered those cryptic words, the door opened and Arun entered, his face more tense than usual.
“Are you ready, sir?”
“Everything’s done. Let’s go.”
“The carriage is waiting.”
The two descended to the first floor and approached the carriage parked at the entrance.
The coachman stepped forward and opened the door. Arun handed Chaillen a sealed envelope.
“Everything you’ll need is inside.”
“Good.”
“Please be careful.”
Noticing Arun’s anxiety, Chaillen offered a smile and added with a light-hearted joke,
“You’re acting like I’m heading into battle.”
“Well… it’s not that different, is it?”
“You’re not wrong. But don’t worry. Just wait here.”
As Chaillen climbed in, the carriage quickly pulled away from the mansion.
Arun kept his head bowed until the carriage disappeared. When it was finally out of sight, he raised his head and stared at the empty road.
I’ll be waiting for you here.
Meanwhile, at another estate, Shenil was leisurely sipping tea, pondering the upcoming noble council meeting.
Lately, Hisben had seemed irritated, as if something had gone awry—enough to draw even her concern.
“Father will handle it well. Terban hasn’t made any significant moves either.”
Leaving that matter to Hisben as always, Shenil turned her attention to something she planned to take into her own hands:
Ellea.
That woman has to go. If she’s clearly done something wrong, even Zevenica can’t protect her.
As she mused over her tea, a maid knocked at the door.
“Lady Shenil, the person you asked for is here.”
“Send her in.”
“Yes, milady.”
As the woman entered, Shenil gently set her teacup down. The door opened, and a familiar palace maid stepped inside, her demeanor timid and nervous.
With a reassuring smile, Shenil gestured toward a seat.
“No need to be frightened. Sit here.”
“Yes, Lady Shenil.”
The maid cautiously sat across from her. Shenil studied her carefully before speaking.
“Your name?”
“Marie.”
“Marie. And you serve in Princess Ellea’s palace, correct?”
“Yes.”
Shenil smiled sweetly, trying to put the girl at ease.
“There’s no need to worry. I didn’t summon you here to scold you.”
Marie relaxed slightly and finally asked the reason for being called.
“May I ask why you wanted to see me, Lady Shenil…?”
Seeing her question as the perfect opportunity, Shenil began the story she had prepared.
“You might not remember, but I’ve seen you before. When I visited Her Highness’s palace.”
“Oh, I see…”
“And that’s when I realized—you could help me.”
“Help… you?”
Marie was confused. She had no idea what Shenil was talking about.
“What could I possibly help with?”
Deeming Marie’s response acceptable, Shenil feigned concern as she continued.
“You know Princess Ellea came from Zevenica. But I’ve noticed some strange things about her. As if she has some ulterior motive.”
As expected, Marie took the bait.
“I’ve thought so too. There are definitely suspicious things about her. I’m sure she has a hidden agenda.”
“That’s why I brought you here. You’re the only one who’s noticed. Everyone else has been fooled by her appearance—but not you, right?”
“Yes. People keep saying she’s kind and good, but I never felt that way.”
Marie poured out everything she had observed and felt. Ellea meant nothing to her.
If anything, this was a golden opportunity to escape the shadows of Ellea’s palace and align herself with Shenil.
To be a maid in Shenil’s palace—envied by everyone…
“Then Marie, will you help me?”
“Me?”
“Yes. This isn’t just for me. It’s for the Empire. And if all goes well, I plan to bring you into my palace. I really like you.”
Realizing that Marie had fully taken the bait, Shenil cast her final lure.
As expected, Marie bit without hesitation.
“Of course. If I can be of any help to you, I’ll do anything within my power.”
“Thank you, Marie. I’m lucky to have you.”
“What exactly should I do?”
“Keep an eye on everything the princess does—who she meets, where she goes. You’re the only one close enough to do it. Can you manage?”
Marie nodded with conviction. Her earlier nervousness had melted away.
More than anything, the idea of leaving that secluded palace and becoming Shenil’s maid thrilled her.
Shenil smiled warmly at the girl, who had no idea what she was truly walking into. Pleased with how everything was unfolding, she took another sip of tea.
Let’s see what secrets you’re hiding, Princess. I’ll expose them all.
And with that, her dark thoughts dissolved into the steam of her teacup.
At that same moment, in a grand room of the imperial palace, a long table was surrounded by chairs. Most of them were already filled.
Duke Hisben was one of the attendees, and his expression made it abundantly clear how displeased he was.
His gaze was locked on one empty seat.
That seat’s occupant was the only reason he had come—along with the fury he had been storing up.
No response to his letters, no sign of contact.
He had even considered going in person—until he heard that the man would attend today’s meeting.
He better be ready. I’m going to drag the truth out of him, no matter what.
But even as all the other seats filled, the one he waited for remained empty.
Until the last attendee appeared.
As murmurs settled into silence, the doors at the front of the room opened. Everyone immediately rose and bowed their heads.
“We greet His Majesty, the Emperor.”
Emperor Terban ascended the few steps to the platform at the head of the room. His aides and Vandel stood beside him.
“You may be seated.”
At his command, the nobles returned to their seats.
From his vantage point, Terban scanned the room—and also noticed the vacant seat.
“One chair is empty.”
His aide shook his head, clearly unaware of the reason.
The tension among the nobles spiked.
Just as Terban was about to begin regardless, the door at the back of the chamber creaked open.
In the silence, all heads turned.
One man entered. He paused mid-aisle and took a slow, measured look around the room.
His gaze quickly found its target.
Hisben, recognizing the face first, stood up abruptly—his eyes wide with shock and his voice trembling with rage.
“You, you’re—!”
Yes. That’s the reaction I was waiting for.
Terban, observing the situation closely, intervened immediately.
“Duke Hisben, take your seat. And you—if you don’t want to be dragged off in chains, identify yourself now.”
Reluctantly, Hisben obeyed, though his eyes never left the man who had just entered.
The stranger, meeting Terban’s stern gaze, took a breath, bowed respectfully, and finally spoke.
“It is an honor to meet you for the first time, Your Majesty.”
Then he raised his head.
“My name is Chaillen Kaischer, and I am here today as an attendee of this meeting.”
His voice rang clear through the hall as he locked eyes with the Emperor, a mysterious smile playing on his lips.
