CHAPTER 082
“Please forgive my rudeness in requesting an audience at such a late hour.”
“If you’ve come to see me at this hour, it must be urgent. Don’t worry, take a seat.”
As Timothy entered the Emperor’s reception room and bowed his head in greeting, the Emperor drew a line of amusement on his lips and offered him a seat.
When Timothy took a seat to the Emperor’s left, Jacob and Sir Peter also took seats to his right.
“What of Count Corald?”
“He remained in the mountains to confirm something. He will arrive in time for Your Majesty’s birthday the day after tomorrow.”
Timothy answered the Emperor’s question and then took a thick book from inside his uniform jacket.
He opened the book and placed two sheets of papyrus, tucked between the pages, onto the black ivory table in front of him.
“Isn’t this the papyrus found in the underground storage?”
The Emperor’s eyes, which had been reclining at an angle against the back of the chair, sparkled sharply.
The two sheets of papyrus, are the only ones written in ancient language among the prophecies related to the three kingdoms and Lumen Savior.
“Have you deciphered their meaning?”
At Jacob’s excited question, Timothy shook his head before answering.
“But I have found someone who can read the ancient language.”
The atmosphere, which had momentarily sunk with Timothy’s response that he had not deciphered the papyrus, was quickly elevated.
“Where is this person? Did you bring them?”
Unable to contain his excitement, Sir Peter asked as he shifted in his seat, to which Timothy looked up and met the Emperor’s red eyes.
After swallowing dryly, he slowly answered.
“It’s Lady Arabelle. The person who can read the ancient language is Lady Arabelle.”
Timothy’s unexpected answer brought silence to the Emperor’s reception room.
After a while, the silence was broken by a deep, resonant voice.
“How did you find out?”
“There was a time when I pursued a black panther in the mountains of Cander, I mean, Your Majesty. I found a letter written in an ancient language in a cave following the trail... and discovered that the author of the letter was Lady Arabelle.”
With an expressionless face, the Emperor listened to Timothy’s explanation, his jaw momentarily tightening before relaxing.
Yes, Arabelle had left a letter for her mentor in the cave when he took her from the Cander estate. He hadn’t imagined that she wrote it in ancient language as he hadn’t read the letter.
“How did you confirm it was Lady Arabelle?”
“My father, who discovered a reply to an old letter of mine by chance, remembered the handwriting and compared it to the letter found in the cave, confirming it.”
The Emperor’s eyes narrowed at Timothy’s thorough response.
For a very brief moment, blue veins popped up on the back of his hand resting on the chair’s armrest, but no one noticed.
“So, if we show Lady Arabelle the papyrus tomorrow morning, she’ll be able to tell us what prophecy it holds?”
When Timothy nodded in response to Jacob’s question, Sir Peter couldn’t contain himself and stood up, cheering silently.
“Does this mean we can finally break the Emperor’s curse?”
Count Corald had speculated that the papyrus might tell the story of how the princess of Lumen Savior saved the last king of Helterde.
If Arabelle could read the prophecy, they might discover an important clue to breaking the Emperor’s curse.
“Nothing is certain yet. The content of the papyrus might not be related to the demon’s curse.”
In a calm tone, the Emperor tried to calm down Jacob and Sir Peter, but Timothy spoke up.
“If we show it to Lady Arabelle tomorrow morning, we can confirm it then.”
At that moment, the door to the Emperor’s bedchamber, connected to the reception room, opened.
“If it’s alright, I’ll read it now.”
A clear voice came from behind them.
***
Timothy’s heart ached as he watched Arabelle sitting next to the Emperor, reading the papyrus.
At this late hour, when everyone else had retired, the fact that she had emerged from the Emperor’s bedroom, carrying his scent, made him feel sick.
Her sweet and pure scent mingled with the Emperor’s strong, masculine one, indicating who had been holding her just moments ago.
Even with her neck buttoned all the way up and hidden by her dress, the marks left by the Emperor were evident on her transparent, delicate skin.
Despite having no experience, Timothy was a healthy young man.
Her swollen lips, the faintly visible red marks on her earlobes, and the side of her neck peeking through her hair.
Timothy’s throat tightened with a burning sensation.
‘I want to punch the Emperor’s handsome face for claiming Arabelle.’
Clenching his fists tightly at the thought, Timothy’s face turned pale as he realized what he was thinking.
“Sir Timothy, are you alright? You don’t look well.”
Sir Peter asked quietly with a concerned look.
“I’m fine. I think I overexerted myself coming back to the capital in a hurry.”
In response to Timothy’s answer, the two knights, smiling warmly, told him to rest well when he returned.
While the three knights were conversing quietly, the Emperor’s red eyes were solely focused on one woman.
Without saying a word, Arabelle carefully read the two sheets of papyrus.
After some time, she placed the papyrus back on the table with care.
A silence so profound it seemed to absorb sound settled over them.
Arabelle lifted her head, turning from the papyrus to meet the Emperor’s gaze.
Her long lashes held tiny droplets of moisture, her round eyes curling into half-moons.
Holding the Emperor’s wavering red eyes in her clear gaze, she spoke in a steady, confident voice.
“I can break Your Majesty’s curse.”
The Emperor’s long arms swiftly wrapped around Arabelle, pulling her into his embrace.
Only then did Jacob and Sir Peter, who had been holding their breaths, exhale and silently cheer, embracing each other with joy.
Timothy, too, smiled widely with genuine relief and happiness.
In the Emperor’s embrace, Arabelle bit down to calm her trembling body, as if seized by a chill.
She gripped the Emperor’s clothes tightly with both hands to hide the pounding of her heart.
No one noticed the loss of color on Arabelle’s face as she closed her eyes tightly to hold back the tears.
***
The Crown Princess’s residence.
The Crown Princess’s maids were bustling about with seamless precision.
It was natural for them to assist Arabelle in preparing for the evening’s boat ride with the Emperor on Lake Inis...
But what kept them so intensely busy was the Emperor’s twenty-sixth birthday celebration set for the next day.
It would be the day Arabelle, now the Crown Princess, would be officially presented to the people of the Empire.
Every preparation had to be flawless for this crucial event.
Vera, already exuding the charisma of the head maid of the Empress’s quarters, directed Millie, Rosa, and Dina, as well as the five new maids who had come to help with the preparations.
“Rosa,”
“Yes, miss.”
Arabelle quietly called Rosa, who was carefully brushing her hair.
They were alone in the bedroom.
“Do you miss your mother and siblings?”
Rosa scrunched up her nose before responding boisterously.
“Oh, it’s been so long since we’ve been apart that I don’t really miss them anymore. As long as they’re living well with the money I send, I’m grateful.”
Despite her words, the longing for her widowed mother and siblings was thick in her voice.
Since Rosa came to the Empire, the qualification conditions for the work permits issued to Utekr immigrants had become extremely stringent.
Unable to obtain the status guarantee certificate due to lack of property, Rosa’s family could not follow her to the Empire and lived off the money she sent from their impoverished homeland, which was constantly torn by internal strife.
“By the end of this month, Rosa’s mother and siblings will be able to come to the Empire. Advisor Kyle has promised to help.”
“Lady Arabelle...!”
Rosa was so shocked by Arabelle’s words that her eyes nearly popped out, and she was left breathless. Arabelle took a blue velvet pouch from a drawer and handed it to Rosa.
“You’ll need this when your family arrives. I hope it can help you settle in.”
Tears fell from Rosa’s eyes onto the gold coins inside the velvet pouch.
***
“See, I was right, wasn’t I? You look much more elegant with a thin pearl belt around your waist than with a thick silk one.”
Dina spoke as she adjusted the third dress Arabelle would wear at the festival, and Arabelle nodded. Dina had a bold personality but a delicate and meticulous touch. Making every dress fit Arabelle’s slender figure perfectly was a point of pride for Dina.
“At the festival, everyone will be captivated by your beauty. So don’t feel intimidated, okay?”
“Okay.”
As Dina proudly looked at Arabelle in the mirror and clenched her fist, Arabelle also smiled and clenched her fists.
“Dina, here.”
“What’s this, Lady Arabelle?”
Arabelle handed a red velvet pouch she had taken from a drawer to Dina, who looked puzzled.
“Your dream is to open a dress shop, right?”
“Yes, but my dream has changed now. My dream is to serve Lady Arabelle, who will become the Empress, for a long time.”
Arabelle smiled gently and said, “If your dream changes again and you decide to open a dress shop... it’s not much, but I hope it helps.”
Seeing the gold coins inside the pouch, Dina’s eyes widened, and she looked at Arabelle.
“Lady Arabelle, why...”
“The encouragement money and prizes I received as a candidate for the Empress aren’t necessary for me. I was originally going to give it to you as a wedding gift, but I thought it wouldn’t hurt to give it a bit early.”
Arabelle added, “I asked Madam Blair, who makes the imperial dresses, for help. She promised to assist you when you open your shop.”
***
“Lady Arabelle, try this. It’s really sweet.”
Millie came running in with dried figs and pears soaked in honey.
“I noticed you didn’t have a proper lunch while preparing for the boat ride…”
Initially, Millie had been stern and quiet, but now she often chatted and smiled brightly. Though she was still calm and composed, she was always there to quietly take care of what Arabelle needed.
“Millie,”
“Yes, Lady Arabelle? But please eat this first. You need to leave for the lake soon.”
Millie responded while feeding Arabelle a fig stuffed with walnuts.
“Here.”
“…?”
Millie stared blankly at Arabelle, looking at the yellow velvet pouch placed in her hand.
“I hope this helps when you live with your siblings.”
“Lady Arabelle…! I don’t need it. What you’ve already sent for my siblings is more than enough. How can I accept this?”
Millie vigorously shook her head, returning the pouch full of gold coins to Arabelle.
“Please accept it. I truly want you to be happy with your siblings.”
Arabelle held Millie’s hands and spoke with a voice full of sincerity, causing Millie to lower her head.
***
“Shall we go?”
In front of the guest room door, Vera adjusted Arabelle’s hat ribbon once more, beaming with a proud smile as she picked up the parasol.
“Vera,”
“Yes, Lady Arabelle. Do you need something?”
As Vera turned her head toward Arabelle, a small body leaned into her wide embrace.
“Lady Arabelle…”
Vera cautiously patted Arabelle’s head, feeling a lump in her throat as memories of Arabelle’s hardships flashed through her mind.
“I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you so much.”
Vera’s reputation for guiding a country girl candidate to the Empress’s seat was renowned not only in the imperial palace but also among the noble houses. Her value had skyrocketed, and many families were eager to have her as their headmaid.
“Vera… even if I’m not here, you’re a crucial person in the palace, so don’t worry.”
“Oh dear, Lady Arabelle, why wouldn’t you be here? You’re about to become the mistress of the palace. And I’ll be right by your side. I won’t stray from the center of power.”
Vera forced a smile despite the tears welling up in her eyes.
“Lady Arabelle, His Majesty is waiting.”
Dina and Rosa urged Arabelle with beaming smiles.
As Millie opened the guest room door…
The Emperor, dressed in a red uniform, smiled and extended his hand toward Arabelle.
***
The horse of Count Corald exhaled puffs of white breath as it sprinted toward the capital. The horse shook its head as if tired from running all day without rest, and Count Corald patted its mane, calming it down.
“I’m sorry. But there’s no time. Please hold on a little longer. If we don’t arrive on time…”
Cold sweat beaded on the Count’s hand as he gripped the reins.
The witch Besilkea, with the blood of elves and goblins, had been found deep in the mountains after a strenuous search. Upon reading the papyrus the Count had given her, she cackled, revealing her yellowed teeth.
‘Do you know what it means for the Lumen Savior to give her light to revive the demon?’
Her green eyes flashed a warning at Count Corald.
‘It means losing her soul. Just like the last Lumen Savior Princess who sacrificed her light to save the man she loved and lost her soul. Her soul is eternally trapped in the dark underground world.’
“Yah!”
The Count’s face was cut by a branch as he dashed through the cold air.
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