~Chapter 153~
“…Are you really the Duke of Claudius?”
At that silly question, the Duke looked at the Crown Prince with pure disdain.
Then, as if it wasn’t even worth answering, he introduced me.
“My lover, Lady Ansi.”
“It is an honor to meet Your Highness, the Crown Prince. I am Laritte Ansi.”
I bent my knees in a formal bow and added the customary greeting.
“I’m glad you’ve returned safely.”
“……”
The Duke’s brow furrowed faintly for just a moment.
At the same time, a mischievous smile spread across the Crown Prince’s face.
“Don’t tell me—you’re jealous just because your lover politely greeted me?”
“Of course not.”
“No, no. You definitely looked jealous.”
With a grin, the Crown Prince teased the Duke, then warmly greeted me.
“Anyway, I’m truly glad to meet you face-to-face, Lady Ansi. And oh—Lady Claudius.”
“Your Highness.”
Lady Eva gave an elegant bow. She looked every inch the perfect lady.
But when the Crown Prince looked at her, his thoughts seemed rather different.
“You’ve grown a lot, Lady Claudius.”
He playfully added:
“You used to be so tiny I wondered when you’d finally grow.”
A crack appeared in Eva’s picture-perfect smile.
“How much longer will you treat me like a child, Your Highness?”
“What do you mean? We’ve known each other since we were little—of course I’ll tease you. But really, glaring at me like that? I am the Crown Prince, after all.”
The Claudius family and the Imperial family had never had a bad relationship.
And so it was with the Crown Prince and the Claudius siblings too.
I just smiled as I watched the three of them bicker lightly.
“By the way, is Her Majesty the Empress not here yet?”
Eva tilted her head curiously.
I wondered the same—Her Majesty usually arrived early and checked everything thoroughly.
At that, for the first time, a shadow fell across the Crown Prince’s bright face.
“It seems… my mother is a little unwell.”
“Her Majesty the Empress is ill?”
All of us—Eva, the Duke, and I—looked at him in shock.
The Crown Prince nodded heavily.
“I told her she didn’t need to push herself for a banquet… but she insisted on holding this one.”
Well, that made sense.
Surely Her Majesty wanted to mend the rift between the Temple and the Duke’s house.
‘And besides… it’s her son she hasn’t seen in three years.’
It was only natural for a mother to want to welcome her child.
While I was listening, my eyes happened to wander to the corner of the banquet hall—where Chief Priest Evans stood.
‘Huh?’
He was utterly focused on our conversation, so much so that he didn’t even notice me staring.
A chill crept up my spine.
The talk went on.
“Has she seen a physician?”
“They say it’s just a mild cold.”
The Crown Prince shrugged.
“She’s exhausted, and they told her she should rest.”
“……”
At that moment—Chief Priest Evans’s lips curved into a faint smile.
‘He… smiled?’
The strange smile, and the way he remained silent, both unsettled me.
Normally, Evans would have rushed to speak with the Crown Prince, eager for attention and status.
But now, he only stood there, quietly, with that odd expression.
Just then—
“His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress arrive!”
The herald’s voice rang out.
The Empress entered, escorted by the Emperor.
Her face was pale, bloodless, and her lips cracked with dryness.
My heart dropped.
‘She really does look terribly ill…’
Still, the Empress greeted everyone gently.
“Thank you all for coming.”
Her soft gaze passed across the gathered guests.
“All of you here hold important positions in the Empire.”
Then she finished kindly:
“Please, I hope you will continue to serve not only His Majesty, but also the Crown Prince well.”
“We shall obey your words.”
Everyone bowed in respect.
“Now, enough with heavy speeches.”
She gave a strained smile.
“Please, everyone, enjoy the banquet.”
But contrary to her wishes, the guests could not enjoy the meal.
Her Majesty’s condition worsened before our eyes.
She ate almost nothing.
Her eyes closed as though she were fighting nausea.
‘Her Majesty… is she really alright?’
‘She should go and rest.’
The uneasy murmurs spread among the nobles.
Finally, the Emperor stepped forward.
“Empress, why not go and rest now?”
“Yes, your color is too pale,” the Crown Prince added anxiously.
“No, I’m fine…”
But just then, her face twisted. Her eyes flew wide.
Her hand trembled violently as she pointed to empty air.
“A m-monster! It’s a monster!”
Gasps filled the hall. There was nothing there.
“A devil has descended!”
“Empress, what are you saying?!”
“Mother!”
The Emperor and Crown Prince leapt to their feet in panic.
Her eyes brimmed with terror.
“It came to kill me! No—I don’t want to die!”
Crash!
The Empress collapsed, writhing on the floor.
“Help me! Somebody, save me!!”
Her screams rang like those of a woman possessed.
Her once-intelligent eyes lost all focus, filled only with madness and fear.
“Please, no—no…!”
Her body convulsed, then her eyes rolled back.
She fell limp like a discarded doll.
“Your Majesty the Empress!”
“She’s burning up!”
Everyone rushed toward her in chaos.
Everyone… except one.
Chief Priest Evans.
He alone sat calm and steady, watching the fallen Empress with a mysterious gleam in his eyes.
No surprise, no concern.
Only an eerie stillness.
And at that sight—
A chill ran down my spine.
The next day.
“Mmm…”
Seraphina frowned deeply in her sleep.
“…ess… the Empress…”
“What’s going on…?”
The muffled voices of people drifted through the townhouse walls.
The whole place was oddly noisy.
“Ugh, seriously!”
Seraphina, unable to sleep, sat up irritably.
“Why is everyone so loud in the morning?!”
Even though it was a shared noble townhouse, it was usually quiet.
For it to be this noisy…
‘Don’t tell me everyone’s already awake?’
Normally nobles rose late, not early.
“Honestly, I need to tell them to quiet down.”
Seraphina slipped on her slippers and tried to stand.
Or rather—she tried to.
