CHAPTER 024
Emperor Maxwell’s Bedchamber
Creeeak. A faint metallic sound came from behind the floor-to-ceiling red cherry wood bookshelf occupying one wall of the chamber. It was a sound easily drowned out by the crackling of the nearby blazing fireplace.
From the seventh shelf of the bookshelf, three thick books jutted forward, forming a rectangular door large enough for two adult men to stand inside.
A long foot stepped onto the carpeted floor through the open doorway, followed by the appearance of a tall figure cloaked from head to toe.
Entering the bedchamber, Maxwell pushed the protruding books back into place, and the door seamlessly blended into the bookshelf, leaving no trace.
Throwing his cloak over a nearby armchair, he ran his fingers through his disheveled bangs and let out a short sigh.
‘What am I doing, sneaking around like a night cat?’
A sudden wave of self-reproach washed over him, and he rubbed his face roughly with both hands.
The hidden door in the emperor’s bedchamber connected to a network of underground passages that allowed access to anywhere inside and outside the palace, even the capital. It was a secret door he had never used for personal visits to a lady’s quarters.
Until now, the door had only been used for secret missions or to personally handle those who overstepped their bounds.
Yet, here he was, using the secret door to deliver chocolates to a lady, sneaking around like a thief.
His face flushed as he recalled how he had opened the door beneath the magnolia tree by the third pond in the annex and looked around nervously.
Hiding behind trees and running to the annex, worried about being discovered, holding the chocolate box tightly to avoid squishing it—none of these actions were dignified.
Throwing the chocolate box onto the balcony of the dark eleventh annex and feeling a rush of joy when it landed safely. Waiting anxiously, swallowing dryly, hoping she wasn’t asleep and would come out.
His heart pounded as the small figure opened the balcony door and looked around the darkness where he stood. Seeing her smile in his direction, despite not being able to see him, and feeling his lips curl upward. His feet refused to leave the ground as he looked longingly at the closed balcony door.
Thinking about his body’s reaction during those brief moments made him cough awkwardly, embarrassed even though no one was watching.
He had no intention of visiting her annex. Arabelle was not a child.
If she couldn’t endure even this, how could she break his curse? He had arranged for her to receive intensive training from the empire’s best strategist, Kyle, and had placed three perceptive maids by her side.
What more could she need? Pushing away his worries about Arabelle, he had returned to his bedchamber after working late into the night.
“Your Majesty, where should I put this gift box?”
Sebastian, who had long been in charge of the emperor’s bed-chamber, asked while holding a red velvet box from the emperor’s belongings.
It was clearly a gift box, but the emperor had never given such a personal gift to anyone. He had rewarded his subjects with titles or wealth, never with such a cute little gift box.
Sebastian couldn’t even imagine that the box was intended for a particular lady and waited for the emperor’s instructions.
“Leave it on the table.”
At the emperor’s curt response, Sebastian concluded it was just a meaningless box and left the room.
Unable to contain himself, the emperor got up from his bed and walked over to the table.
“This is not because I’m worried. I definitely don’t want to see her face. It’s just that the chocolates might melt... Yes, that’s the reason.”
Muttering quickly, as if making excuses to no one, he strode to the bookshelf.
Instead of his usual sword, he carried the ‘cute’ red velvet chocolate box, as Sebastian had described it.
“This is the first and last time.”
Returning to his bed after delivering the chocolates, he made a vow through gritted teeth.
“Of course, she must be nervous on her first night... And honestly, her well-being is directly tied to mine. If she falls ill, it would be my loss. So, this concern is purely for my own sake. Yes, that’s it. I will never sneak around like this again.”
The emperor, who could always rationally and clearly explain his decisions and actions, found himself unable to sleep, muttering increasingly irrational and unreasonable justifications.
***
Emperor’s Office
“Your Majesty, we pay our respects.”
Count Coralde and his son Timothy knelt on one knee on the marble floor, greeting the emperor seated on the throne.
After brief greetings, the two subjects sat across from Emperor Maxwell and began reporting their recent activities. The emperor’s cool red eyes sparkled with pleasure as he listened to the count, a gentle smile playing on his lips.
Count Coralde Le Hancroire, the continent’s greatest monster hunter, and his only son and heir, Timothy.
With ancient gods and mythical creatures no longer crossing the Ertair River to influence the human world, their traces remained in the few remaining monsters.
Although monsters had almost disappeared now...
“It seems a black panther is planning to infiltrate the capital.”
“What makes you think that?”
“We found traces of the monster we wounded and chased from Termoil Mountain to the south in a cave. There were also the footprints and notes of a woman who seemed to have helped it.”
At the count’s words, the emperor maintained his calm expression as his red gaze fell on the note the count took from his pocket.
“It appears the woman left the note for an ally. It’s in an ancient language, mostly forgotten... I couldn’t fully understand it either.”
Handing the note to the emperor, the count continued.
“But I can clearly read the words emperor, palace, and two months. It seems they plan to infiltrate the palace and target Your Majesty in two months.”
“Perhaps they plan to attack on the day of Your Majesty’s wedding? Taking advantage of the festive atmosphere and the relaxed security?”
Timothy added, his eyes wide.
Handing the note back to the count, the emperor asked with a serene smile still on his lips.
“That’s possible. Have you learned anything more about the woman?”
“Judging by the footprints and handwriting, she seems to be a young woman, but we haven’t gathered much more information. I apologize.”
“No need to apologize. I know your contributions better than anyone. No one else could have found out this much.”
Pride shone in Timothy’s eyes as he looked at his father, who maintained a solemn expression.
“I swear I will never repeat my past mistakes. I promise, Your Majesty. I will personally hunt down the monster and present its head to you.”
Count Coralde, who carried guilt for the emperor’s parentless upbringing, made a vow to both the emperor and himself.
“With you and your son by my side, I am reassured. You must be tired, so get some rest. Be sure to attend the banquet this weekend. Timothy, you are of marriageable age now. If you have any families in mind, let me know, and I will arrange it.”
The emperor nodded in satisfaction and stood up. The two subjects also rose and exited the office.
“His Majesty is impressive as ever. Even though we’re the same age, he seems much more mature.”
Walking through the main hall of the palace with his father, Timothy whispered quietly.
A few years ago, he could barely meet the emperor’s eyes, overwhelmed by the cold yet intense aura he emanated.
Honestly, even now, his back would be drenched in sweat from the tension during their conversations, but the emperor’s leadership and achievements were undeniably admirable.
“He’s experienced countless challenges since childhood that even adults would struggle with.”
Count Coralde smiled at his son, whose eyes still held an innocence.
***
“Today’s luncheon is to welcome Lady Arabelle. The ten other candidate ladies will join her in the garden. The Imperial Selection Committee has granted permission.”
Lauren, who oversaw the empress candidates’ quarters, conveyed this news respectfully, her gaze lowered.
“Let me think. Where should we start?”
“First, we need to choose the best dress. She needs to make a strong first impression among the formidable candidates.”
“No, no. Dressing too elaborately for a simple lunch could make her look like an unsophisticated country girl. Today, we need to keep it subtle and natural.”
As Lauren left, maids Vera, Rosa, and Dina clapped their hands in excitement.
“Oh my, my lady. Where are you going?”
“For a walk in the garden…”
Arabelle trailed off in response to Vera’s question.
Arabelle had never spoken down to the Kendall family’s employees since she was young and continued to use formal language with the three maids, prompting Vera’s firm persuasion.
‘My lady, we appreciate your consideration, but it could put us in a difficult position. There are strict customs in this society, and we wouldn’t want to be dismissed because of this, right?’
Arabelle agreed with Vera’s point but still found it awkward and often trailed off.
“There isn’t enough time to prepare. How about you have lunch and then walk with the other ladies?”
The three maids led Arabelle back into her bedroom, her round eyes drooping.
She wanted to walk around the garden and see what creatures lived by the pond... It bothered her that she hadn’t even heard the common morning bird songs.
The surroundings were splendidly beautiful, but the absence of nature’s vitality made her uneasy.
Though the pink organza dress she wore was splendid, it wasn’t until she tried on six more dresses that the three maids smiled in satisfaction.
Vera applied a light peach blush and proudly said,
“As I’ve mentioned before, my lady, you’re more beautiful without too much adornment. Your pure and radiant energy shines from within your skin.”
Her exaggerated tone of encouragement not to feel intimidated was genuine.
She seemed like a common wildflower but felt more like a unique, noble flower. She had a brilliant aura that attracted hearts rather than attention. Yet, she seemed embarrassed, not believing any of it.
Arabelle, who seemed to have endured a hard childhood akin to a maid’s life, evoked a sense of camaraderie in the three maids.
Living a difficult life usually makes one cunning for survival, but seeing that she wasn’t made the maids’ hearts ache.
“The other ladies are heading to the garden.”
Dressed in a fluttering sky-blue dress and adorned with a crystal headband, Arabelle stood in front of the mirror as Millie spoke.
Seeing Arabelle’s warm smile directed at her, Millie bit the inside of her cheek.
‘If this succeeds, I will pay off your parents’ debt. Then you can bring your younger sister from Baron Beron’s house.’
‘Can you promise? That you will take Adele away from... that man.’
‘I swear on my honor.’
She thought she would be dismissed when she was called into Head Maid Brigitte’s room while packing her things.
Honestly, she hadn’t known the other maids had agreed not to clean that day, which allowed her to answer confidently.
She had covered for them for four days, hoping to meet her sister in the afternoon, not realizing they had lied. She was a fool for trusting them.
And the contract with Head Maid Brigitte: [Your job is to help get Lady Arabelle expelled from here before the selection ends.]
No need to know the reason. Royal intrigues were everywhere.
If it meant getting out of the crushing debt and saving her sister Adele from Baron Beron, she would walk through fire.
Even if expelled from here, the noble lady would never lead a hard life like hers. She might shed a few tears over not becoming the empress, but she would soon marry a good nobleman and live comfortably.
There was no need for guilt.
Millie smiled brightly at Arabelle’s crescent-shaped eyes.
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