Chapter 41……………………………………………….
Reversal
“Hero!”
A voice Lowell had never heard before settled over her as she lay half-asleep.
What…? Who are they calling?
Lowell buried herself deeper under the blanket.
“Hero! Please wake up!”
The voice beside her suddenly grew louder.
“Gah—!”
Lowell sharply sucked in a breath and jolted upright, still dazed.
“You must rise now. His Majesty the Emperor is waiting.”
The woman standing beside the bed spoke politely to Lowell, who was still blinking blankly.
“Ah… yes.”
Lowell answered and looked around.
A room overflowing with dazzlingly beautiful decorations—an imperial chamber.
Hmm… even so, this feels a bit too excessive…
Then Lowell froze.
Her neck snapped toward the person beside her so fast it practically creaked.
“W-What? The Emperor—no, His Majesty—is waiting for me?”
“Yes. Everyone else has already gone down to the audience hall.”
“Ack! Why didn’t you wake me up sooner?!”
All traces of sleep vanished instantly.
“His Majesty instructed us to let you rest properly if you were fatigued, and then escort you once you awakened.”
The woman said kindly.
Unfortunately, that kindness did nothing to calm Lowell’s panic.
“I—I’ll go right now!”
Lowell hurried out of bed and rushed toward the bathroom to change.
“…Um, why?”
But she didn’t get far.
Imperial attendants stepped in front of her, blocking the way.
“Hero. We understand, but we will assist you with your preparation.”
“What? No, I can do it myself—”
“You are going to meet His Majesty. Would it not be best to receive professional care?”
The woman smiled gently as Lowell stumbled over her words.
“……”
In the end, Lowell had no choice but to surrender herself to the experts.
After all, she had no idea what one was supposed to wear before an emperor.
“…Um… is this really appropriate attire to meet His Majesty?”
A long time later, Lowell asked while staring into the mirror.
Her fingertip trembled slightly as she pointed.
“Yes, Hero.”
The attendants beside her looked quite satisfied with their work.
“Do you dislike it?”
The woman asked carefully when Lowell stiffened.
“Huh? No! Haha… I like it. It’s great. Really.”
Remembering the painfully long styling session, Lowell awkwardly lowered her hand.
Is this really proper etiquette? I kind of look like… a lizard with too much confidence…
She stared at herself.
Hair piled absurdly high, heavy makeup, a dress with dramatically flared shoulders.
She looked far too extravagant.
Almost like someone was playing a prank on her.
“Then… shall we go?”
Lowell forced a smile as she turned.
* * *
“Hero Lowell is entering!”
The imperial knight standing at the door shouted loudly.
The massive, heavy doors swung open.
“W-What? Ah, no, that’s a bit much…”
Lowell fidgeted at the overly grand honorific as the doors opened fully.
“Pfft.”
Leon, seated directly in front, immediately locked eyes with her.
After scanning her, he couldn’t hold back his laughter at her flamboyant appearance.
I know it’s awkward too, okay…
Feeling her ears burn, Lowell clenched her fists inside her dress.
“Greetings, Your Majesty.”
At last calming herself, Lowell lifted her skirt slightly and bowed toward the highest seat.
“Oh! Yes! I’ve been waiting!”
The man who looked ready to leap up immediately was—
Kaitius Khan.
The sole sun of the Khan Empire.
The Emperor.
Lowell raised her head and met his bright smile, quickly scanning the room.
Next time, I’m coming first…
That was her only takeaway.
Not only the Emperor, but also Aria, Leon, and the knights she’d seen on the plains filled the hall.
Meaning—
Everyone had been waiting for her.
I’d rather not sleep at all than be late again…
Lowell was drowning in regret.
“Come, sit here.”
“Yes.”
Nearly on the verge of tears, Lowell sat in the empty seat at the center.
“I can’t tell you how astonished I was when the demon lord suddenly retreated! And to think that great figure was you! Excellent!”
The Emperor laughed heartily, utterly pleased that the war had ended in the empire’s overwhelming victory.
“So, I heard you’re a commoner… but with power like that, surely one of your parents must be noble? Where do they live?”
He leaned closer, staring intently.
“Huh? Th-That is…”
“Your Majesty.”
A new voice cut into the conversation.
Aria, smiling faintly, turned her head.
“Did you not have something you wished to announce once the Hero arrived?”
Aria spoke slowly while looking at Lowell.
“Ah! Yes, that’s right. To commemorate the end of the war, I intend to hold a festival in your name. We’ve shown those demons that the empire’s sun still shines strong—this calls for celebration!”
The Emperor leaned back, laughing in satisfaction.
“…It is an honor.”
Lowell replied slowly under the weight of everyone’s gaze.
* * *
“Stop laughing. Seriously.”
After leaving the hall, Lowell glared at Leon.
“Ah, sorry. I’ll stop.”
Even then, Leon struggled to suppress his amusement as he looked at her extravagant hairstyle.
“I didn’t do this! The imperial attendants dressed me up! And you too, Leon—”
She wanted to say he looked ridiculous too.
But unfairly—
Leon was the kind of person who looked good even when overdressed.
“What?”
“Never mind.”
Lowell stomped ahead, irritated.
Thud.
In her haste, she collided with a knight standing right in front of her.
“Gah! Hero!”
The knight recoiled dramatically, as if shocked by the contact.
“I-I’m sorry!”
“No, Hero! Please go first!”
He bowed deeply and stepped aside.
Lowell could only think internally—
Is there no way to fix that awkward title? Maybe I should ask Leon if there’s a way to change how people address me…
But the thought vanished quickly.
“Good. You go first.”
Leon strode forward proudly, as if the apology had been meant for him.
It seemed Leon was quite satisfied playing the role of the Hero’s husband.
“Aren’t you coming?”
Leon turned back.
“Yes. I’m coming.”
And without realizing it, Lowell let out a small laugh.
* * *
“Very well, Lady. So… are you certain you wish to meet your brother directly?”
Back in the now-empty audience hall, the Emperor lifted his teacup leisurely.
“Yes. There is something I wish to confirm myself before the official punishment is decided.”
Aria bowed slightly.
“Hm. Very well. If that is what you want.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
“Nonsense. Rather, I regret not learning of this sooner. As the empire’s sun, I should have watched over the nation more carefully.”
His cup clinked heavily against the marble table.
“No, Your Majesty. It is my failure, and my family’s shame. It pains me that a ducal house meant to set an example caused such disorder.”
“Hm. And your father is returning to the capital now, was it?”
The Emperor looked pleased.
“Yes. He said he would come immediately upon hearing the news.”
“The Duke must have been shocked. His daughter saved the empire… yet his son abused his own sister and even sold her magic on the black market.”
The Emperor frowned dramatically, as if delivering a grand revelation.
“Indeed. That is why I thank Your Majesty once more for allowing me the chance to earn merit.”
Aria smiled politely and bowed.
“Haha. Very well. We will discuss the young duke’s punishment further later. You may withdraw for now.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
* * *
“Have you been well, Brother?”
A familiar voice reached Sion, who had been standing blankly behind iron bars, staring at the floor.
Bang!
“You… Aria!!”
Sion slammed both hands against the bars.
“You—what have you done?! What have you done?!”
His voice tore sharply through the air.
“Could you step out for a moment?”
Aria spoke calmly to the knight beside her.
“You! What did you do?!”
Sion’s voice cracked with fury.
“Then I will take my leave, Lady.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
Aria even smiled kindly as the knight exited and closed the door.
“……”
Her eyes shifted to Sion.
At the same moment, Sion flinched under her gaze.
“So this is what it feels like.”
Aria spoke slowly.
“To watch someone struggle… all alone.”
Mockery laced her voice.
