CHAPTER 145
A heavy silence filled the Emperor's audience chamber.
Everyone present seemed to have forgotten how to breathe, their eyes focused intently on a single point.
The Emperor’s hand, resting silently as he watched his wife and the witch, tensed, revealing bulging veins.
His grip on the hilt of his sword was ready, prepared to draw it at any moment.
The instant the witch made a wrong move, her hand would no longer be attached to her arm but would be lying on the floor.
Vesilchia extended her arm forward, turning her palm upward.
Without hesitation, Arabelle placed both of her hands on top of the witch's.
Vesilchia suppressed a smirk, forcing her lips into a tight line.
She lowered her gaze, concealing her sinister expression.
Gradually, a warm sensation began to spread from Arabelle's hands onto the witch's rough palms.
“This is the light of Lumen Savior,” Vesilchia murmured in awe.
It was incomparable to when she held Tristini’s hand.
Arabelle's light seeped beneath her skin, traveling up her arm and spreading through every part of her body.
Light has no form. It cannot be smelled, touched, or tasted.
But the light flowing through her veins satisfied all her senses.
It was so beautiful and noble that Vesilchia could envision it clearly in her mind.
It was a sweet and pure scent she had never experienced before.
She felt as if she were floating in the most peaceful and cozy bubble in the world.
It was almost miraculous.
Vesilchia’s shoulders trembled slightly, overwhelmed by the indescribable experience.
She knew she could never possess the light of Lumen Savior.
But blood—she could have that. When skin is pierced, blood flows.
If she could obtain the blood of Lumen Savior...
The thought alone made her mouth water.
But she quickly pushed the desire from her mind.
She couldn’t let Arabelle, who had taken her hand to confirm the truth, sense her schemes.
She filled her mind entirely with thoughts of Crown Prince Luka and the Crown Princess.
Between their clasped hands, a soft, moonlit glow began to emanate.
After a moment, Arabelle's light withdrew from the witch.
Vesilchia clicked her tongue in disappointment. Her weary body craved Arabelle's light.
Arabelle turned to face the Emperor.
Her dark eyes softened as they met his crimson gaze.
Arabelle knew her husband was trying hard to conceal his anxiety.
The witch's claim that his parents were still alive, despite his resigned belief that they were long gone.
Even though he had steeled his heart against false hope, he could not fully rid himself of it.
Arabelle spoke slowly, her voice firm and unwavering.
“The witch is telling the truth. My lord, your parents are alive. And she knows where they are.”
A sigh of relief rippled through the chamber.
Sir Jacob, Sir Peter, his mentor Sir Derrick, and Count Corald, all dear friends and trusted allies of Crown Prince Luka, couldn’t hide their elation.
All eyes turned toward the Emperor, his figure now visible through tear-blurred vision.
In contrast to their efforts to suppress their overwhelming emotions, the Emperor remained unaffected.
Tristini, who had experienced the Emperor's merciless coldness, averted her gaze in disbelief.
“How can he not even flinch when told his parents are alive?”
Disheartened by his unfeeling nature, Tristini turned away.
But those who knew the Emperor well, like Arabelle and his knights, looked upon him with sorrow.
The Emperor had lived a life where he had to suppress his emotions in moments of great turmoil.
For survival.
He couldn’t afford to reveal his emotions to enemies who eagerly awaited any sign of weakness.
Moreover, his rational mind had to dominate his thoughts to achieve his goals.
His grandfather, who used his grandson for his own ends, and then sought to kill him when he became dispensable after siring a son with his new Empress.
His uncle Gustav, who, unwilling to relinquish his regency, sent his sixteen-year-old nephew to war.
His grandmother, Empress Dowager Natalia, who tried to assassinate him since he was an infant.
His aunt Caroline, who repeatedly conspired to hand him over to enemy nations.
Countless nobles and courtiers, who sought to exploit and destroy the lonely, powerless young prince.
Factions within the Empire who allied with enemy nations, all vying to seize the Empire for themselves.
To protect his life, his throne, and the Empire, emotions were a luxury he could not afford.
Expectations, disappointments, despair, hatred, fear, sorrow, and resentment—these emotions only clouded judgment and reason.
He hadn’t shed tears when Arabelle’s light fell into the Underworld.
He knew that showing any emotion would lead to his downfall.
His thoughts and actions were driven solely by the need to retrieve her.
And now, the same was true.
He wouldn’t allow hasty joy or anticipation to cloud his reason.
Impatience leads to mistakes, and excitement blurs vision.
The Emperor's crimson eyes fixed coldly on Vesilchia.
Vesilchia hid her ominous gaze beneath her pale lashes.
As expected, he wasn’t easy to deal with.
She thought once again that she had made the right decision not to confront him head-on.
“I will now show you where Crown Prince Luka and the Crown Princess are,” Vesilchia said, bowing her head and extending her hand once more.
As Arabelle reached to take it, the Emperor gently held her shoulder.
“What do you want? You know better than anyone that the information you hold is of immense value. Do you expect us to believe you’ll give it away without any conditions?”
The Emperor's icy words made the knights’ expressions harden.
In their excitement over the survival of the Crown Prince and Princess, they had failed to consider the witch’s true intentions in coming to the palace.
A witch always demands payment in exchange for her help.
If you fail to fulfill the agreed-upon payment, the witch will take something even greater.
Vesilchia chuckled, her shoulders shaking with amusement.
"Of course, I expect compensation. If I were to offer such valuable information freely, Your Majesty's pride would never allow it. Heh, heh."
"What do you want?"
Vesilchia's downcast eyes traced the delicate skin of Arabelle, then she looked up at the Emperor with a servile smile.
"Give me the red diamond discovered in the Heltered Witepel Mine."
Last year, a raw red diamond, as large as an adult's head, was found in the Witepel Mine.
Its size, color, and clarity were unparalleled, far surpassing any diamond ever seen.
The priceless gem was currently on display in the Imperial Palace Museum.
"If Her Majesty the Empress holds my hand, she will know the whereabouts of the two, so hand over the diamond right here and now."
It wasn't an unreasonable request.
It was a fair exchange for the information she held.
The others in the audience chamber glanced at the Emperor, seeming to agree.
With an unchanging, cold expression, the Emperor slowly nodded.
"Once the Empress learns their location, you will receive the diamond."
"Usually, I would draw up a contract, but I'll make an exception and accept a verbal agreement. Heh, heh."
Vesilchia extended her arm upward, turning her palm to the ceiling.
The thought of what was about to happen excited her, and red veins pulsed at her neck.
"Fools. As if I would be content with that mere red diamond. Heh, heh, heh."
Watching Arabelle's hand approach hers again, she swallowed eagerly.
Just a little closer...
The nail on her index finger slowly grew longer, a change so subtle that it went unnoticed.
The sharp nail was hidden beneath Arabelle's hand as it rested atop hers.
When the nail pricked Arabelle’s skin and drew blood, the true contract would be sealed.
Not for the red diamond, but for Arabelle's blood.
As the blood of Lumen Savior seeped through her nail, Vesilchia would only have to declare, "My terms are for the blood of Lumen Savior!"
By that time, Arabelle would have already received the knowledge in her mind, fulfilling the terms of their contract.
"How ignorant, not knowing that a verbal contract with a witch holds no power. Tsk."
Even if they tried to nullify the contract, it would be futile.
The moment the witch's nail pierced the skin, her dark magic would flow into Arabelle's veins.
If the witch did not receive the blood she demanded, Arabelle would live in agonizing pain, her flesh burning for the rest of her life.
A life that was no life at all.
Arabelle, like her cousin Tristini, would share the same cursed fate.
No matter how formidable the Emperor might be, he would not be able to save his wife this time.
Vesilchia imagined the Emperor's expression when he realized that the price of learning his parents’ whereabouts was losing his wife.
The thought thrilled her, making her shoulders tremble.
Perhaps instead of taking Arabelle’s blood bit by bit, she could command the Emperor to live with her.
He wouldn’t dare harm her, knowing that failure to fulfill the contract would endanger Arabelle.
How furious would he be?
Even his anger would be handsome to behold.
The witch's eyes gleamed as she admired the Emperor’s perfectly sculpted jawline.
How it would feel to be held against that chest—she would feel as if she owned the world.
His chest looked even stronger and more solid than any other man.
She hadn't considered desiring the Emperor before...
But realizing that he would do anything for his wife made her begin to covet him.
The thought of the Emperor, kneeling at her feet in bed, sent a rush of heat through her throat.
At that moment, Arabelle's hand settled once again on the witch's palm.
With the blood of the two Lumen Saviors in her possession...
Along with the creatures she had nurtured and imprisoned in the Forest of Spirits, she could rule this world as well.
Suddenly, Count Corald and Tristini's urgent voices filled the audience chamber.
A sudden, foreboding thought struck them both, and they rushed forward simultaneously.
"Wait! A witch's contract cannot be sealed verbally!"
"No! Your Majesty, beware of the witch's nails!"
But Vesilchia’s sharp nail had already pierced the tender flesh, leaving a long gash.
"Aah..."
A short cry of pain escaped Arabelle's lips.
The witch, now with Arabelle's blood on her nail, shouted triumphantly.
"The condition of my contract is the blood of Lumen Savior!"
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