“Your Majesty, Lady Cretian has arrived.”
“Come in.”
As soon as permission was given, the heavy door slid open.
As soon as I entered the room, the first thing I saw was the Emperor wiping his hands with a towel.
Graham Clepius Ponz Spenus.
He was a man who looked so young that it was hard to believe he had a grown son.
The Emperor, who appears to be in his late 30s even after being hit a lot, could be considered a mature adult version of Ernest.
“Come in, Ellie.”
He said, crumpling up the handkerchief he had been wiping and putting it in his pocket.
As soon as he saw me, the Emperor moved to the sofa in the center and smiled friendly.
“It’s been a while since you’ve been to Sollerian?”
“Yes. I’m sorry I don’t visit you often.”
“No. You must be busy preparing for the state wedding, so that’s possible. Please take your seats.”
At the Emperor's gesture, I sat down on the sofa.
Then as if they had been waiting, the court ladies who had entered the room put down our teacups.
“My son is really good at catching women. I was worried that he was weak, but he has a great eye for women.”
“You are too kind, Your Majesty.”
When I saw the middle-aged Emperor sipping tea with a generous smile, my tension seemed to ease a little.
It was when I, whose face had become much more relaxed, picked up the teacup in front of me.
A red stain on the Emperor's cuffs caught my eye.
“Your Majesty, I think there’s something on your cuffs.”
Then the Emperor said, grumbling.
“Oh, dear. I guess the stew I had for lunch spilled. I was so busy that I didn’t check it out. This is really embarrassing.”
“I am only grateful to Your Majesty for his efforts for the well-being of the people of the Empire.”
The Emperor, who was laughing heartily at my flattering words, continued speaking.
“Yeah. You have something to tell me?”
I took a deep breath for a moment and then said what I had prepared.
“Yes. It’s nothing else. I recently participated in an auction hosted by the Marquis Verdi family.”
“The Verdi family’s auction is famous. I heard they had imported porcelain from the East this time, so I bought a few.”
My body stiffened at the Emperor's words, which were answered in a flat tone.
'Does the Emperor know about the auction?'
In that case, wouldn't it be possible that he already knew about the Perot auction that was taking place and was condoning it?
It was when I was overcome with anxiety.
The Emperor asked, running his finger down his chin.
“Are you here to talk about the Perot auction?”
“How do you...”
“A Perot auction from the Verdi family. You might be surprised.”
The Emperor already knew everything.
The ugly things that the nobles did behind the scenes under the guise of cultural activities.
Graham continued, eyebrows furrowing.
“Don’t worry too much about it. I’ll take care of it.”
“So, are you going to stop the Verdi family from auctioning off Perot?”
I asked cautiously, watching the Emperor's expression.
“Even so. But it seems like that’s really why you came to see me. This is a little disappointing, Ellie. I thought you came because you wanted to have tea with me.”
“I’m sorry, but I’m actually a little surprised...”
“I’m already thinking about how to handle that right now. Just wait a moment.”
He gave me a friendly smile.
I felt a sense of relief at the thought that the smile somehow resembled Ernest's.
“Thank you, Your Majesty. I truly appreciate it.”
Of course. I thought that if the royal family found out about this situation, they would do something about it.
Ny face relaxed as the tension eased.
The atmosphere was very good after that.
How are the preparations for the national wedding going, and how often will we have this kind of time after entering the palace?
The routine, peaceful conversation continued.
How much time has passed like that?
The servant who came in with a knock came closer.
Then he whispered to the Emperor as if he had something very special to convey to him.
“Ellie. I have to go now because I have something urgent to do. See you later. From now on, come visit me often and be my companion.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I will visit you often.”
The Emperor patted my shoulder twice and left the room with his attendant.
“Then I guess I’ll go now.”
Perhaps because I had achieved my original purpose, my steps as she walked down the hallway were light.
So I declined the servant's offer to guide me to the carriage.
“It’s okay. I want to walk slowly by myself.”
At first glance, the Sollerian Palace was beautiful.
Even though only a part of the palace is visible through the window.
The palace, with the sunset sky, added to its charm, boasted of its charm.
When I came here, I was so uncomfortable that I couldn't look around. Then, I thought to myself, "This is what it looked like." Then, I slowly walked away.
I noticed a person turning the corner with a 'tap-tap' sound of footsteps.
And that person.
'Jenna?'
It was only a moment, but I saw it clearly. The person who had just passed by was Jenna.
She had previously left me a note and disappeared without a trace.
Why is Jenna in the palace?
I, sensing something strange, followed her.
“She definitely went here.”
I followed the path the maid took for a while.
As if possessed by something, Jenna was no longer visible.
'Did I see things wrong?'
But it was definitely Jenna...
I felt strangely uneasy, but I couldn't waste any more time here.
I bit my lip in regret and started walking back the way she came.
However.
“Where is this...”
It seems that I got lost because I chased after Jenna without thinking about the front or back.
“Well, if I keep going like this, there’ll probably be a palace maid passing by.”
Then I can just ask that person to show me the way.
I soon started walking down the hallway with a light heart.
As I was walking along, looking at the long row of doors.
Thud-.
Just then, a strange sound was heard from the room next door.
“Who is in this room?”
I put my ear to the closed door.
Then, a repeated friction sound was heard from inside.
“There’s definitely someone inside.”
I, who was pondering for a moment what to do, grabbed the doorknob.
But the door opened slowly as if it hadn't been closed properly.
“Why are there stairs here... ”
Then, what I saw was not a room, but a staircase leading down to the basement.
I walked slowly down the stairs as if possessed by a ghost.
But as I went down, a pungent smell of iron stung my nose.
There was no way I didn't notice this unpleasant smell.
'This smell...'
I was shouting with my head that I shouldn't approach and that I should ignore it, but my feet were moving on their own.
At the end of the stairs, I finally arrived, and there was another door.
I should have stopped here.
But my hand was already pulling on the doorknob.
And the sight that unfolded before my eyes.
“What the heck is this...”
It was such a shock that I even forgot to breathe.
All sorts of torture devices would be suitable for use in a prison. Stacks of unidentifiable objects in a corner.
There was a large pool of bright red blood near the piles.
All my thoughts stopped.
Because of that, I couldn't even think about leaving this room or hiding somewhere.
All I can do is stiffen my whole body.
Knock. Knock-.
At that moment, a creepy sound echoed, whether it was a drop of water or a drop of blood.
"This."
A familiar voice pierced my ear.
“You saw it.”
Unlike before, in a very cold voice.
“Ellie.”
The Emperor stood behind me.
The Emperor, who had come within a stone's throw, closed the open door.
My body froze as the door closed with a rusty creaking sound.
'Am I going to die?'
Fear of seeing something I shouldn't have seen. Fear of an uncertain future.
I was biting my lip, wondering if I too was becoming part of the pile in the corner.
The Emperor suddenly burst into laughter and tapped me on the shoulder.
“Well, there’s nothing I can do. It’s already been discovered.”
But when my face still didn't relax, he continued to speak as if to reassure me.
“I guess you’re really surprised, Ellie.”
He took a handkerchief out of his pocket and wiped the blood from his hands.
A simple but expensive handkerchief made of silk.
It was what I had seen a moment ago when I entered the Emperor's office.
The Emperor was seen wiping his hands with a handkerchief, with his back to the door.
“Come in.”
As soon as permission was given, the heavy door slid open.
As soon as I entered the room, the first thing I saw was the Emperor wiping his hands with a towel.
Graham Clepius Ponz Spenus.
He was a man who looked so young that it was hard to believe he had a grown son.
The Emperor, who appears to be in his late 30s even after being hit a lot, could be considered a mature adult version of Ernest.
“Come in, Ellie.”
He said, crumpling up the handkerchief he had been wiping and putting it in his pocket.
As soon as he saw me, the Emperor moved to the sofa in the center and smiled friendly.
“It’s been a while since you’ve been to Sollerian?”
“Yes. I’m sorry I don’t visit you often.”
“No. You must be busy preparing for the state wedding, so that’s possible. Please take your seats.”
At the Emperor's gesture, I sat down on the sofa.
Then as if they had been waiting, the court ladies who had entered the room put down our teacups.
“My son is really good at catching women. I was worried that he was weak, but he has a great eye for women.”
“You are too kind, Your Majesty.”
When I saw the middle-aged Emperor sipping tea with a generous smile, my tension seemed to ease a little.
It was when I, whose face had become much more relaxed, picked up the teacup in front of me.
A red stain on the Emperor's cuffs caught my eye.
“Your Majesty, I think there’s something on your cuffs.”
Then the Emperor said, grumbling.
“Oh, dear. I guess the stew I had for lunch spilled. I was so busy that I didn’t check it out. This is really embarrassing.”
“I am only grateful to Your Majesty for his efforts for the well-being of the people of the Empire.”
The Emperor, who was laughing heartily at my flattering words, continued speaking.
“Yeah. You have something to tell me?”
I took a deep breath for a moment and then said what I had prepared.
“Yes. It’s nothing else. I recently participated in an auction hosted by the Marquis Verdi family.”
“The Verdi family’s auction is famous. I heard they had imported porcelain from the East this time, so I bought a few.”
My body stiffened at the Emperor's words, which were answered in a flat tone.
'Does the Emperor know about the auction?'
In that case, wouldn't it be possible that he already knew about the Perot auction that was taking place and was condoning it?
It was when I was overcome with anxiety.
The Emperor asked, running his finger down his chin.
“Are you here to talk about the Perot auction?”
“How do you...”
“A Perot auction from the Verdi family. You might be surprised.”
The Emperor already knew everything.
The ugly things that the nobles did behind the scenes under the guise of cultural activities.
Graham continued, eyebrows furrowing.
“Don’t worry too much about it. I’ll take care of it.”
“So, are you going to stop the Verdi family from auctioning off Perot?”
I asked cautiously, watching the Emperor's expression.
“Even so. But it seems like that’s really why you came to see me. This is a little disappointing, Ellie. I thought you came because you wanted to have tea with me.”
“I’m sorry, but I’m actually a little surprised...”
“I’m already thinking about how to handle that right now. Just wait a moment.”
He gave me a friendly smile.
I felt a sense of relief at the thought that the smile somehow resembled Ernest's.
“Thank you, Your Majesty. I truly appreciate it.”
Of course. I thought that if the royal family found out about this situation, they would do something about it.
Ny face relaxed as the tension eased.
The atmosphere was very good after that.
How are the preparations for the national wedding going, and how often will we have this kind of time after entering the palace?
The routine, peaceful conversation continued.
How much time has passed like that?
The servant who came in with a knock came closer.
Then he whispered to the Emperor as if he had something very special to convey to him.
“Ellie. I have to go now because I have something urgent to do. See you later. From now on, come visit me often and be my companion.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I will visit you often.”
The Emperor patted my shoulder twice and left the room with his attendant.
“Then I guess I’ll go now.”
Perhaps because I had achieved my original purpose, my steps as she walked down the hallway were light.
So I declined the servant's offer to guide me to the carriage.
“It’s okay. I want to walk slowly by myself.”
At first glance, the Sollerian Palace was beautiful.
Even though only a part of the palace is visible through the window.
The palace, with the sunset sky, added to its charm, boasted of its charm.
When I came here, I was so uncomfortable that I couldn't look around. Then, I thought to myself, "This is what it looked like." Then, I slowly walked away.
I noticed a person turning the corner with a 'tap-tap' sound of footsteps.
And that person.
'Jenna?'
It was only a moment, but I saw it clearly. The person who had just passed by was Jenna.
She had previously left me a note and disappeared without a trace.
Why is Jenna in the palace?
I, sensing something strange, followed her.
“She definitely went here.”
I followed the path the maid took for a while.
As if possessed by something, Jenna was no longer visible.
'Did I see things wrong?'
But it was definitely Jenna...
I felt strangely uneasy, but I couldn't waste any more time here.
I bit my lip in regret and started walking back the way she came.
However.
“Where is this...”
It seems that I got lost because I chased after Jenna without thinking about the front or back.
“Well, if I keep going like this, there’ll probably be a palace maid passing by.”
Then I can just ask that person to show me the way.
I soon started walking down the hallway with a light heart.
As I was walking along, looking at the long row of doors.
Thud-.
Just then, a strange sound was heard from the room next door.
“Who is in this room?”
I put my ear to the closed door.
Then, a repeated friction sound was heard from inside.
“There’s definitely someone inside.”
I, who was pondering for a moment what to do, grabbed the doorknob.
But the door opened slowly as if it hadn't been closed properly.
“Why are there stairs here... ”
Then, what I saw was not a room, but a staircase leading down to the basement.
I walked slowly down the stairs as if possessed by a ghost.
But as I went down, a pungent smell of iron stung my nose.
There was no way I didn't notice this unpleasant smell.
'This smell...'
I was shouting with my head that I shouldn't approach and that I should ignore it, but my feet were moving on their own.
At the end of the stairs, I finally arrived, and there was another door.
I should have stopped here.
But my hand was already pulling on the doorknob.
And the sight that unfolded before my eyes.
“What the heck is this...”
It was such a shock that I even forgot to breathe.
All sorts of torture devices would be suitable for use in a prison. Stacks of unidentifiable objects in a corner.
There was a large pool of bright red blood near the piles.
All my thoughts stopped.
Because of that, I couldn't even think about leaving this room or hiding somewhere.
All I can do is stiffen my whole body.
Knock. Knock-.
At that moment, a creepy sound echoed, whether it was a drop of water or a drop of blood.
"This."
A familiar voice pierced my ear.
“You saw it.”
Unlike before, in a very cold voice.
“Ellie.”
The Emperor stood behind me.
The Emperor, who had come within a stone's throw, closed the open door.
My body froze as the door closed with a rusty creaking sound.
'Am I going to die?'
Fear of seeing something I shouldn't have seen. Fear of an uncertain future.
I was biting my lip, wondering if I too was becoming part of the pile in the corner.
The Emperor suddenly burst into laughter and tapped me on the shoulder.
“Well, there’s nothing I can do. It’s already been discovered.”
But when my face still didn't relax, he continued to speak as if to reassure me.
“I guess you’re really surprised, Ellie.”
He took a handkerchief out of his pocket and wiped the blood from his hands.
A simple but expensive handkerchief made of silk.
It was what I had seen a moment ago when I entered the Emperor's office.
The Emperor was seen wiping his hands with a handkerchief, with his back to the door.
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