As we entered the main temple building, the priests of the temple approached us like ghosts and surrounded me and the group.
“Why are you doing this?”
When I asked, a man dressed as a priest lowered his head and said,
“There was an order to separate you.”
They were trying to isolate me.
Something didn’t feel right.
“The three of you, please follow the priests’ guidance, and Your Majesty the Empress, please follow me.”
The priest didn’t even give us time to greet the group and just turned around and walked somewhere ahead.
“It’ll be fine. Don’t worry too much.”
Magic Tower Lord said in a small voice, but his eyes were filled with worry.
“It won’t be the death penalty. If that’s the verdict, I’ll make sure you won’t be lonely on your way.”
Commander Macrom’s words sounded eerie, but I liked the part where he said I wouldn’t be lonely.
“You have to be strong.”
Empress Elan held my hand tightly and urged me.
I tried to smile at the three people and followed the priest, who was walking alone at a fast pace.
“You can wait here.”
The priest said as he opened the door next to the conference room and went in.
I nodded and stepped into the waiting room.
The inside of the waiting room was extremely bleak.
“The Grand Priest’s Conference Room is where the ministers and priests gather for a meeting before passing judgment on those who have committed serious crimes. In addition, this waiting room is where the criminals stay for a while before entering the conference room.”
The priest explained the situation to me indifferently.
“...I see.”
“Then, please take some time for repentance.”
The priest said as if ordering me and slammed the door shut before leaving.
I sat down on a hard wooden chair.
A large painting depicting hell hung in front of me.
It was a horrifying painting that made me want to run away, let alone repent.
But... Why did the Emperor take me to the main palace?
Why did he cover me with a jacket in the carriage?
There were many things I couldn’t understand about the Emperor’s behavior when he said that his memories of me had disappeared.
“That’s not the problem right now.”
I clasped my hands together nervously and began to organize my thoughts about what I would say if I were given the defense.
I wish I could shed tears like Sharon...
I was practicing a pitiful, tearful expression when the waiting room door suddenly opened.
I instinctively jumped up from my chair.
“...Huh?!”
It was Nelly.
He came into the waiting room with a fierce expression like an executioner.
“You must never let her stay in the palace!”
Roxana called Hetor to her bedroom right after she came up from the underground secret room of the Empress’s Palace.
“Why did the Emperor bring Empress Zelda to the main palace?”
Unlike Roxana, who was anxious, Hetor asked her with a relaxed expression while rubbing his chin.
“I don’t think he had any special intentions...”
Contrary to her words, Roxana’s voice was uncertain.
“You were reckless.”
“What did I do? Is it reckless to punish a servant who tried to steal something from my dressing room?”
Roxana flared up at Hetor’s words.
“I told you that the attendant came to steal the Avatar Sword! Empress Zelda ordered it. It’s clear.”
Roxana was certain.
“Even so, you’re still a Princess, and she’s still an Empress. And whipping the Empress...”
“Who’s the Empress? She was just a proxy Empress to begin with!”
“Anyway, she hasn’t been officially dethroned yet.”
Hetor approached Roxana to console her, who was excited.
She bit her fingernails, thinking deeply about something, and then grabbed Hetor’s hand as he approached her.
“Move the ministers.”
A month ago, the ministers were furious at the Kingdom of Shattonil for deceiving the Laphion Empire over the proxy Empress incident.
They tried to hold the Kingdom of Shattonil and Prince Tesla accountable for this, but Roxana’s interference caused the matter to fall through.
However, the price was paid by lowering the tariff on the goods traded between the two countries to 50% for 5 years.
There was some kind of deal between Roxana and Prince Tesla.
Roxana offered to take responsibility for the safety of the Prince if he confessed to the ministers that Empress Zelda was the 'acting Empress'. Prince Tesla had no other choice.
Although the economy of the Kingdom of Shattonil was greatly damaged, it was a good deal for the price of deceiving the imperial family of the Lapion Empire.
It was also very convenient to pass on his guilt to the missing Zelda.
Prince Tesla admitted his wrongdoing in front of the ministers of the Lapion Empire.
The Prince lied to Emperor Linel and the ministers, saying that the acting Empress Zelda was planning to embezzle the financial funds of the Lapion Imperial Family.
She also demanded a large sum of money under the pretext of revealing that she was the acting Empress to the royal family of Shattonil, so Prince Tesla appealed for leniency, emphasizing that he had made every effort to have her step down from her position.
The ministers of the Lapion Empire wanted to hold the Kingdom of Shattonil more accountable.
However, due to the absence of the person directly involved, Empress Zelda, they were unable to find someone to hold them accountable and let it slide. Because of this, the ministers still felt hurt by the deception of the Kingdom of Shattonil.
“It might actually be a good thing...”
Roxana smiled with a repentant smile.
It was a golden opportunity to turn the anger of the ministers of the Lapion Empire, which had not yet been resolved, onto Empress Zelda.
“Tell the ministers that the acting Empress entered the palace without permission and threatened me, who was about to marry the Emperor.”
“Are you going to push it that far and eventually sentence her to death? The Magic Tower Lord won’t just sit still, will he?”
A smile spread across Roxana’s face at Hetor’s question.
“The ministers are rising up, so what can the Magic Tower Lord do? Empress Zelda must die.”
That way, I can live.
Roxana pleaded with Hetor with earnest eyes.
Hetor could not refuse her.
“Before the Emperor calls a meeting, let’s gather opinions with the ministers.”
“W-how is this place...?!”
As soon as I saw Nelly’s face, all my thoughts stopped.
How did he know I was here?
Oh, he must have waited for me at the inn and then returned to the palace.
Since he was the Emperor’s confidant, he must have heard the news of the ‘acting Empress’ right away.
However, for someone who had just found out my true identity, he seemed overly calm.
He must have calmed down already after coming in.
Should I apologize first for lying about the fact that I was the Empress of this country?
Or should I apologize for not being able to go to the meeting place today?
I hesitated for a moment.
Ah, Nelly unilaterally said he would wait, so it wasn’t a promise.
“You were really surprised, weren’t you? I couldn’t tell you that I was the Empress. I’m sorry...”
I looked at him while sincerely apologizing.
His face looked very confused.
“You don’t know me either...? What Magic Tower Lord say is true? Ha, haha... What the...”
I wish I could shed tears like Sharon...
I was practicing a pitiful, tearful expression when the waiting room door suddenly opened.
I instinctively jumped up from my chair.
“...Huh?!”
It was Nelly.
He came into the waiting room with a fierce expression like an executioner.
***
“You must never let her stay in the palace!”
Roxana called Hetor to her bedroom right after she came up from the underground secret room of the Empress’s Palace.
“Why did the Emperor bring Empress Zelda to the main palace?”
Unlike Roxana, who was anxious, Hetor asked her with a relaxed expression while rubbing his chin.
“I don’t think he had any special intentions...”
Contrary to her words, Roxana’s voice was uncertain.
“You were reckless.”
“What did I do? Is it reckless to punish a servant who tried to steal something from my dressing room?”
Roxana flared up at Hetor’s words.
“I told you that the attendant came to steal the Avatar Sword! Empress Zelda ordered it. It’s clear.”
Roxana was certain.
“Even so, you’re still a Princess, and she’s still an Empress. And whipping the Empress...”
“Who’s the Empress? She was just a proxy Empress to begin with!”
“Anyway, she hasn’t been officially dethroned yet.”
Hetor approached Roxana to console her, who was excited.
She bit her fingernails, thinking deeply about something, and then grabbed Hetor’s hand as he approached her.
“Move the ministers.”
A month ago, the ministers were furious at the Kingdom of Shattonil for deceiving the Laphion Empire over the proxy Empress incident.
They tried to hold the Kingdom of Shattonil and Prince Tesla accountable for this, but Roxana’s interference caused the matter to fall through.
However, the price was paid by lowering the tariff on the goods traded between the two countries to 50% for 5 years.
There was some kind of deal between Roxana and Prince Tesla.
Roxana offered to take responsibility for the safety of the Prince if he confessed to the ministers that Empress Zelda was the 'acting Empress'. Prince Tesla had no other choice.
Although the economy of the Kingdom of Shattonil was greatly damaged, it was a good deal for the price of deceiving the imperial family of the Lapion Empire.
It was also very convenient to pass on his guilt to the missing Zelda.
Prince Tesla admitted his wrongdoing in front of the ministers of the Lapion Empire.
The Prince lied to Emperor Linel and the ministers, saying that the acting Empress Zelda was planning to embezzle the financial funds of the Lapion Imperial Family.
She also demanded a large sum of money under the pretext of revealing that she was the acting Empress to the royal family of Shattonil, so Prince Tesla appealed for leniency, emphasizing that he had made every effort to have her step down from her position.
The ministers of the Lapion Empire wanted to hold the Kingdom of Shattonil more accountable.
However, due to the absence of the person directly involved, Empress Zelda, they were unable to find someone to hold them accountable and let it slide. Because of this, the ministers still felt hurt by the deception of the Kingdom of Shattonil.
“It might actually be a good thing...”
Roxana smiled with a repentant smile.
It was a golden opportunity to turn the anger of the ministers of the Lapion Empire, which had not yet been resolved, onto Empress Zelda.
“Tell the ministers that the acting Empress entered the palace without permission and threatened me, who was about to marry the Emperor.”
“Are you going to push it that far and eventually sentence her to death? The Magic Tower Lord won’t just sit still, will he?”
A smile spread across Roxana’s face at Hetor’s question.
“The ministers are rising up, so what can the Magic Tower Lord do? Empress Zelda must die.”
That way, I can live.
Roxana pleaded with Hetor with earnest eyes.
Hetor could not refuse her.
“Before the Emperor calls a meeting, let’s gather opinions with the ministers.”
***
“W-how is this place...?!”
As soon as I saw Nelly’s face, all my thoughts stopped.
How did he know I was here?
Oh, he must have waited for me at the inn and then returned to the palace.
Since he was the Emperor’s confidant, he must have heard the news of the ‘acting Empress’ right away.
However, for someone who had just found out my true identity, he seemed overly calm.
He must have calmed down already after coming in.
Should I apologize first for lying about the fact that I was the Empress of this country?
Or should I apologize for not being able to go to the meeting place today?
I hesitated for a moment.
Ah, Nelly unilaterally said he would wait, so it wasn’t a promise.
“You were really surprised, weren’t you? I couldn’t tell you that I was the Empress. I’m sorry...”
I looked at him while sincerely apologizing.
His face looked very confused.
“You don’t know me either...? What Magic Tower Lord say is true? Ha, haha... What the...”
He stared at me intently and muttered something incomprehensible.
“...Did you meet Magic Tower Lord?”
Why did Nelly meet the Magic Tower Lord?
“Why? What did Magic Tower Lord say?”
“How are you feeling?”
But he ignored my question and looked me over as he asked.
“Huh?”
“Your back got whipped.”
As he spoke like that, it seemed like he had heard the whole story of how I was dragged to the Great Hall.
“Oh, did you hear about my condition from the Magic Tower Lord? The part where I was whipped hurts so bad. My heart hurts even more...”
I replied, hitting my heart with my fist.
Then his expression turned sour.
"You said you wouldn’t get treatment for your wounds.”
Is treatment a problem now, when I might die?
“Yeah, if Princess Roxana tries to avoid it later, I’ll show people my back as evidence.”
When I spoke combatively, he opened his mouth and let out a ‘huh, huh’ sound in bewilderment.
“...So you’re not getting treatment? It must be so painful?”
“I’m going to hear how the Emperor treats me and get it. The problem isn’t that I’m in pain right now.”
The problem is that I’m not dying...
Suddenly, the fear of death surged over me.
Suddenly, the fear of death surged over me.
I had faced the fear of death once a month ago at the monastery, but that experience only increased my anxiety and didn’t help at all.
He called me with a confused look on his face.
“Dazel, no, Zelda, no, Empress.”
“...Choose one and call me.”
“I don’t know which one is the real you.”
His voice sounded extremely cold.
“You deceived me not only for a long time, but also what are you doing?”
I didn’t want to argue, but I unconsciously reacted to his cold tone.
“...”
“And I, the former Empress who was abandoned by her husband because he had his eyes on another woman, am more pitiful than you who has a woman to remarry.”
You were waiting for a remarriage, but I might be waiting for the guillotine, so I was more pitiful.
“Who had his eyes on you?”
“Who, the guy you serve!”
“Haa...”
Nelly sighed deeply, washing his face with one hand. He didn’t like people insulting the person he served, did he?
“You’re not doing this on purpose, are you?”
He suddenly tilted his head and asked in a suspicious tone.
“What?”
“Even if I don’t remember, why did you...why did I...”
He muttered, playing with his hair.
What was he saying all of a sudden?
“But who let you in? Did Raphael tell you something?” Something like, “Don’t worry too much, or something like that...”
I asked with a little anticipation, but he shook his head.
“What, then, did you sneak in? What are you going to do if you get caught? I told you, there’s nothing good about being involved with me. Get out, get out now.”
I said, pushing his shoulder.
“Are you worried about me right now? In a situation where you could die?”
Nelly looked touched for a moment, then quickly changed her expression and asked incredulously.
“Of course. And when I see you later in the conference room, don’t pretend not to know me.”
“Whew, do you want to run away with me?”
He stood with his back against the wall, grabbed my arm, and pulled me toward him.
“!”
Wait a minute. What will happen to Sharon if I run away? What about Magic Tower Lord and Commander Macrom?
What about Empress Elan, who betrayed Emperor Adrian because of me?
I can’t run away.
So is it right for me to just be dragged to the guillotine?
My mind was spinning.
“Don’t think about it. Stop thinking about other people. Just think about the two of us.”
“Are you seriously asking?”
“Then you think it’s a joke?”
“No, but it’s weird that you’re risking your life for me.”
“?”
“It’s been a few days since we met, right?”
And you have a woman you’re going to remarry.
I didn’t say that.
“I didn’t say I’d risk my life. I asked if you wanted to run away with me.”
Oh, right.
Embarrassed, I said exactly what I really thought.
“...The thought has crossed my mind a hundred times.”
I replied with an almost liberated expression.
“If only. If only there was a way for me to be by your side, where you don’t have to run away, where no one gets hurt, and where everyone is safe, especially with me...”
“If there was a way for me to be by your side, I’d act crazy. I’d do anything!”
As time passed, my heart grew more anxious, and I felt like grabbing at straws.
In fact, at some point, I found myself holding onto Nelly’s arm, which was more trustworthy than straws.
“I get it.”
He nodded to himself as if he had come to a conclusion.
“What do you know?”
“I knew what you were thinking.”
“?”
“Listen carefully to what I say from now on.”
He looked into my eyes and said.
I nodded absentmindedly at his gaze, which seemed quite desperate.
“There is a way to live.”
“How can you save me?”
I sat down on the chair, and he came and sat next to me.
“There is no time to explain right now. Just... you will find out soon. Anyway, I am in a very confused situation, just like you. Just understand that.”
He pressed his temples.
“I don’t understand what you are saying at all.”
“It’s the same for both of us. I don’t understand why you are the Empress either.”
Yeah, I guess so.
I nodded my head, giving him a look of understanding.
Then I said something I had been curious about all along but had never dared to ask.
“Um... the ministers are all demanding that I be put to death, right? Is that true?”
I hoped he would say no, but he nodded his head vigorously up and down without mercy.
Damn it.
“If it were a majority vote, no. Even if it was unanimous, you would have been sentenced to death.”
“The Emperor? Do you think he would sentence me to death?”
“Well? I heard that he was really worried about it.”
Nellie narrowed his eyes and answered.
Huh? What is it that the Emperor is so proud of?
You were just looking around.
But the Emperor and Roxana I saw in the basement of the Empress’s Palace didn’t seem that close. Did the Emperor fall for Roxana’s face and then lose it after seeing her personality?
“Emperor, you son of a bitch…!”
I was so angry that I couldn’t help but curse.
“Ugh!”
“You can curse when the Emperor sentences you to death.”
He covered my mouth with his hand and said.
When I calmed down and nodded, he finally took his hand off my mouth.
“It’s time for me to go into the conference room now.”
He took his pocket watch out of his pocket and checked the time.
“Um, I’m sorry. I fooled you... And thank you for coming to see me like this...”
I apologized and thanked him.
I might not have another chance after this.
Then he put his hand on my shoulder and said quietly,
“The only person I know is Dazel, so I’ve decided to only think about that. Today.”
Today?
“It sounds like something will change after today.”
“I think a lot of things will change.”
He continued after a bitter laugh.
“I’ll tell you again, no matter what is said in the conference room later, don’t argue.”
He seriously urged me.
“Even if he sentences me to death?”
“Whatever.”
Nelly’s answer made me even more anxious.
“I’m nervous, so before I go, could you hold my hand?”
I cautiously held out my hand to him.
He just looked at my hand and then got up.
I looked up at him blankly.
Of course, you must find my presence burdensome, too.
I wasn’t particularly upset.
But this could be the last time, so at least shake my hand...
I took a deep breath, got up from my seat, and held out my hand to him again.
He slapped my hand aside, regaining his courage.
The second rejection was a bit embarrassing, and I felt really bad, so I didn’t look at him kindly.
Nelly pushed my hand away, and it stopped near his side.
I thought about pinching his side, but I just put my hand down.
Yes, life is like this anyway.
I sat down on the chair again, feeling weak.
But as soon as I sat down, his two hands grabbed my arms tightly and lifted me up again.
“What? Huh?”
Nelly hugged me tightly.
“...What is it?”
“What do you think it is?”
He tightened his arms around me and asked me again as if he was questioning me.
“They’re killing me?”
“What?”
“You know what? Right? The Emperor finally sentenced me to death? So this is... the last... hug, isn’t that what it means?”
“It sounds like something will change after today.”
“I think a lot of things will change.”
He continued after a bitter laugh.
“I’ll tell you again, no matter what is said in the conference room later, don’t argue.”
He seriously urged me.
“Even if he sentences me to death?”
“Whatever.”
Nelly’s answer made me even more anxious.
“I’m nervous, so before I go, could you hold my hand?”
I cautiously held out my hand to him.
He just looked at my hand and then got up.
I looked up at him blankly.
Of course, you must find my presence burdensome, too.
I wasn’t particularly upset.
But this could be the last time, so at least shake my hand...
I took a deep breath, got up from my seat, and held out my hand to him again.
He slapped my hand aside, regaining his courage.
The second rejection was a bit embarrassing, and I felt really bad, so I didn’t look at him kindly.
Nelly pushed my hand away, and it stopped near his side.
I thought about pinching his side, but I just put my hand down.
Yes, life is like this anyway.
I sat down on the chair again, feeling weak.
But as soon as I sat down, his two hands grabbed my arms tightly and lifted me up again.
“What? Huh?”
Nelly hugged me tightly.
“...What is it?”
“What do you think it is?”
He tightened his arms around me and asked me again as if he was questioning me.
“They’re killing me?”
“What?”
“You know what? Right? The Emperor finally sentenced me to death? So this is... the last... hug, isn’t that what it means?”
I was barely holding back tears when he suddenly grabbed my face with both hands and kissed me... I guess I really am a death sentence. Is that why Nelly is stirring my mouth like there’s no tomorrow?
I pushed Nelly’s chest and asked.
“Is it really a death sentence? So this is...?”
My voice was shaking more than I thought.
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