Chapter 09
Only after Cartian had gone to attend to his work could Ria finally have time to herself. She opened the book she hadn’t finished reading yesterday.
Contrary to her expectation that it would be boring, Ria quickly became absorbed in it. But her focus was broken by a memory that suddenly came to mind.
She didn’t know why that memory had appeared—it had simply arrived, unbidden.
In the memory, Liarna seemed ill, though it was unclear whether she had been poisoned or was simply unwell. She left her room looking pale and exhausted.
During the few days that Liarna had been unconscious, the only people who had visited her were the maids.
The emperor had not come.
Ria couldn’t tell whether he didn’t know or if he had intentionally stayed away despite knowing.
Ria was merely peeking into Liarna’s memories.
Perhaps it was the body’s memories flowing in.
Ria quietly watched Liarna’s memory unfold.
Liarna, leaving her room, walked down the corridor.
Even though she knew it was pointless to hope, Liarna wanted to see the emperor.
Perhaps if he saw her in her sickly state, he might soften his heart. Perhaps she could even receive a fragment of pity.
There was a chance she might never see him again.
Yet she could not let go of that small hope and walked on.
Fortunately, Liarna was able to see the emperor. Whether this was a good thing for her, she couldn’t say. In fact, it wasn’t.
What followed only caused her greater pain.
“The radiance of the empire, the noble light, I greet Your Majesty, the Emperor.”
Liarna struggled to present her greeting, her weak body trembling.
The emperor did not acknowledge her. By his side stood Freya.
“Freya, Freya… damn Freya.”
Ria clenched her thoughts, forcing back her curse.
She couldn’t accept it—his attention, his affection for her, his feelings—all of it directed elsewhere.
The emperor brushed past Liarna without a word.
Even though her sickness was plainly visible, he showed no concern.
His gaze held nothing but contempt for her.
Rising to her feet, Liarna felt a sudden dizziness. She should have rested longer, but she had left her room just to catch a glimpse of the emperor, even briefly.
The dizziness hit sharply, and she stumbled—just as the emperor passed by her side.
Even seeing her falter, the emperor did not reach out to help. Liarna collapsed to the floor with a hollow thud. The sound drew his attention.
“Tsk. You would’ve been better off staying in your room.”
He spoke coldly, without a trace of pity.
“Ma’am, are you alright?”
Freya, standing by the emperor, stepped toward Liarna.
“Enough. Step aside.”
Ria flung Freya’s hand away sharply.
“Do you want that hand cut off? Who dares touch anyone’s hand right now?”
Ignoring Liarna’s weak state, the emperor’s tone remained icy.
Tears threatened to spill, but Liarna held them back. She didn’t want to show weakness. Even the venomous words she usually used to hide her vulnerability could not come out.
Freya, led by the emperor, moved away, and his figure disappeared from sight as well.
Yet no one approached Liarna. She sank to the corridor floor in despair, forcing herself to hold back her tears.
