~Chapter 16~
“The Empress requested a wager with conditions. If my client, the Duke, attempts to kill me to destroy evidence, then I will become a loyal subordinate to Her Majesty, the Empress.”
Ern frowned as he replied,
“I don’t understand.”
Roxanne, watching the Emperor closely, thought to herself,
‘Promises or no promises, I don’t want to be going in and out of this palace with that monster around. I need to escape soon…’
At that moment, a sword was pressed to her neck.
“You wouldn’t dare break a promise with the Empress, would you?”
“Of, of course not! How could I possibly have such a treacherous thought?”
She answered meekly, but Ern’s lethal aura did not diminish.
“From now on, don’t speak carelessly or entertain foolish thoughts. If you want to live.”
Hearing the threat, the master assassin nodded vigorously.
Once the Emperor disappeared, the master muttered under his breath,
‘Damn it, this couple is insane, both of them going at it.’
He wanted to run immediately, but…
‘If I do, who knows when the Emperor might decide to kill me…’
For the next three years, he would be forced to tread the perilous halls of this ruthless palace.
Meanwhile, Gretchen paced anxiously in the office.
‘Where on earth has His Majesty gone? There’s still a report I need to give…’
Knock-knock—
“Your Majesty, Hans.”
Gretchen opened the door, and Hans entered the office.
“Oh, where has His Majesty gone?”
“He suddenly disappeared somewhere. We’ve searched everywhere he might be, but he can’t be found.”
“I see… but his expression isn’t good. Is something wrong?”
“Well, Admiral Stephan has reported that movements within Etar are unusual. To prepare for any situation, he requested reinforcement of artillery and troops, and we must reply quickly—but His Majesty’s whereabouts are unknown…”
“We’ll need to release Isha. After all, she’s clever and can locate the Emperor well.”
Gretchen looked troubled.
“It’s not that I haven’t considered that. The problem is, that little falcon is currently away on training.”
Bad things always come all at once, it seemed. Why did they keep piling on like this?
“Go and find His Majesty.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“And just in case, contact the Empress’ palace as well. She may be there even though she insists otherwise.”
The palace physician examining Melanie spoke.
“For the next four days while the medicine takes effect, you absolutely must not overexert yourself. Doing so could make you collapse again.”
Melanie didn’t reply, so Izaya turned to the physician.
“Yes, thank you. You may leave now.”
Watching the physician leave, Melanie sighed.
‘They say it was exhaustion that made me collapse, but that’s impossible. I definitely saw an assassin…’
Now alone with Izaya in the room, Melanie said,
“Your Majesty, I definitely saw an assassin. But… why…”
“Yes, what you saw was correct. I simply concealed it for my own purposes.”
Melanie thought deeply about the situation, confused.
Izaya then bowed her head slightly.
“Thank you. It’s thanks to you that I am safe.”
“Huh?”
“You noticed the assassin and could have escaped alone. But instead of fleeing, you tried to protect me.”
“Well… if Her Majesty had been injured, I would have been responsible since I was in the same room.”
Answering honestly, Izaya smiled.
“Yes, but very few would remember responsibility in a life-threatening situation. I merely intend to reward you for that sense of duty.”
Izaya then handed something to Melanie.
Melanie’s eyes trembled as she saw it.
“T-This is…!”
Her throat tightened and her voice choked.
She hesitated, unable to take it.
“What are you waiting for? Take it quickly.”
“How did you…?”
“I told you, I can handle even your sibling in prison however I please.”
Melanie had become the Empress’ maid to rescue her brother from prison.
Now, having achieved her goal so suddenly, she felt strange.
‘Is it really alright for me to accept this?’
Izaya smiled softly.
“It’s the reward for saving me.”
Even a minor act she could have ignored, the Empress acknowledged her merit.
Overcome, Melanie accepted the pardon with trembling hands, bowed deeply, and spoke sincerely:
“I will never forget this favor for the rest of my life.”
For five years, she had followed Duke Lauchen just for this moment.
But unexpectedly, the person who truly helped and recognized her was someone else entirely.
‘I will do my absolute best to serve the Empress from now on.’
At that moment, Izaya spoke again.
“You may leave the palace now.”
Melanie’s face turned pale in shock.
“What… do you mean?”
“You’ve accomplished your goal. Now you must stop being my maid.”
She had intended to leave the palace once her brother, Jade, was free and live comfortably.
But…
‘How can I do that?’
She had been a maid, but she had not served the Empress sincerely.
She had even tried to manipulate the Empress for Duke Lauchen’s benefit.
‘I know I don’t deserve to be beside her… but I still want to repay her.’
The guilt of her past actions pierced her heart like a thorn.
Tears began to fall as Melanie knelt beside the bed.
“I… I was wrong. Please, don’t cast me away.”
Izaya looked troubled.
“But if you stay here, it might be dangerous. Your father…”
“My father, Duke Lauchen, would try to use me as a tool. He would even resort to threats.”
Thus, she could not leave the Empress’ side.
She knew well that if she left, the Duke would replace her with someone else. Then the Empress… would be used and discarded as before.
‘The Empress saved me and my brother. I must protect her.’
Melanie knelt, speaking firmly.
“I have served Duke Lauchen, so I know him well. Moreover, he will try to pressure the Emperor through the Empress.”
“I take it you are saying I should betray my father?”
If she refused, she might keep her position, but she wanted to warn the Empress even if it meant being cast out.
“Yes.”
As she swallowed hard, Izaya reached out.
Instinctively, Melanie closed her eyes, but then opened them wide.
“Stand up. If you keep kneeling, you’ll collapse again.”
The Empress extended her hand.
“Wh-why…?”
“I want to hear what you have to say.”
Melanie was still dazed, trying to understand the situation.
Then Izaya spoke again:
“I intend to betray your father. That’s why I need someone trustworthy.”
At last, Melanie understood everything.
“You were testing me, and now you are revealing the truth because you trust me.”
Her eyes shone with devotion and loyalty, stronger than when she served Duke Lauchen.
“I pledge my life in service to the Empress.”
Izaya shook her head.
“If you die, you can’t help me. So live and assist me.”
Though harsh, her words felt warm.
Overcome, Melanie choked back tears.
“Thank you for giving me the chance to serve you again, Your Majesty.”
Izaya merely smiled.
‘Now the debt is repaid.’
If Melanie had not revealed Duke Lauchen’s misdeeds before the regression, the Empress would have been used foolishly and Ern might have died.
Thus, Izaya had already forgiven Melanie long ago.
Meanwhile, Duke Lauchen grimaced as he received a report.
“The master didn’t appear?”
“Yes… I don’t understand what happened…”
Before his subordinate finished, a crash rang out.
“Damn it! All failed! Do you think this is acceptable?”
The Duke, unable to contain his anger, threw a decoration. His subordinate swallowed nervously.
“Gale, as you know, I do not believe in coincidences.”
Many assassins had disappeared. Clearly, something was protecting the palace from infiltration.
“There must be something in the Imperial Palace. Investigate carefully and report any suspicious signs to me immediately.”
