CHAPTER 119
Arabelle's round eyes scanned the dim room.
Her steps hesitated as she entered, and the Emperor quickly signaled with a nod.
Antonio and Secretary Lex hurriedly drew back the curtains, letting the fading orange light fill the room.
Tap.
A faint sound of a door closing reached Arabelle's ears.
She turned her head toward the sound, but all she could see was the large wardrobe that filled one wall.
Advisor Kyle quickly brightened the room’s lights.
Commander Jacob and Deputy Commander Peter smiled warmly and bowed their heads.
Advisor Kyle and the two secretaries also greeted the Empress with respect.
Arabelle's face flushed slightly with embarrassment.
“I heard the meeting was over... I’ll wait in the audience chamber.”
“No, the meeting has already ended. I was just catching up with my loyal subjects. I was planning to come to you anyway.”
The Emperor stepped forward, wrapping his arm naturally around Arabelle's shoulders.
Deputy Commander Peter tactfully chimed in to assist the Emperor.
“We were just discussing the recent news about Count Corald and his son, whom we met last evening.”
“They’ve returned to the capital! How are they both doing?”
Arabelle clasped her hands together, pleased to hear a familiar name.
Sir Jacob nodded and replied.
“Yes, they returned the day before yesterday and are planning to enter the palace tomorrow to formally greet His Majesty.”
“Sir Timothy…”
Arabelle trailed off, glancing around cautiously.
It was Timothy whose body had been taken over by Kaligo. Although she knew he had safely regained it, she had been worried all along.
She couldn’t ask in detail in front of the advisors and secretaries, who weren’t fully aware of the past events.
Understanding Arabelle's concern, Sir Peter quickly reassured her.
“Don’t worry, he’s in very good health.”
“He is sincerely happy about Your Majesty's marriage. He no longer harbors any... other feelings... at all... Ahem...!”
Sir Jacob, who had been enthusiastically talking, suddenly fell silent, covering his mouth like a shy girl.
The Emperor was looking down at him with a chilling expression, one that could freeze the flames in the fireplace.
Arabelle didn’t know how Kaligo had been able to take over Timothy’s body.
She only knew that the monster Kaligo had used dark magic on him.
If she knew the real reason, she would surely feel even more pity for Timothy, despite it not being her fault.
The Emperor spoke calmly.
“Oh dear, look at the time. I’ve kept you all too long, enjoying our conversation.”
The red eyes that had sparkled kindly at his wife just moments ago now glinted with a different light.
Get out, now.
The loyal subjects didn’t hesitate and quickly left the office.
***
As soon as they were gone, the Emperor embraced Arabelle and walked her toward the wall.
There was a large table right in front of him, but he deliberately avoided looking at it.
If he laid her on the table, he knew he would break the promise he had made to himself.
The promise not to share marital love during the day until their wedding.
It required excruciating self-control, but the moment of victory was near.
Once they were wed in less than two days, the promise would be null and void.
But as soon as he saw his wife enter the office, he knew he couldn’t control the beast stirring inside him.
When had he become so weak-minded?
He sighed in frustration, but he knew there wasn’t much time left.
There was a dinner planned for this evening, along with a marionette play from the Semper Kingdom.
It was a performance Arabelle had been looking forward to.
The Emperor lifted Arabelle vertically and pressed her against the wall.
Arabelle's cheeks flushed red as she found herself at eye level with the Emperor.
Her light brown eyes sparkled shyly, unable to hide her excitement and anticipation.
The ruby-colored eyes, trying to control the growing flame, darkened.
The Emperor tilted his sharp chin slightly to the side.
His red lips softly brushed down from her long eyelashes to her smooth cheek.
Underneath her dress, the Emperor lifted her slender leg and bent her knee.
His large hand gently caressed her rounded knee before slowly moving upward.
When the callouses of his palm brushed over her most delicate skin, her slender waist twisted involuntarily.
Feeling the heat spreading to her eyes, Arabelle bit her lower lip, unsure of what to do.
The once gentle lips suddenly bit down, filling the space between them without leaving a gap.
Her small mouth was completely claimed.
The thrill of being possessed and possessing in return made her entire body tremble.
As the Emperor pressed her slender body against the wall, ripples spread through the room.
The framed landscape paintings and glass candlesticks on the walls quivered slightly.
With surprising gentleness, his large hand cradled the back of her head to protect it from injury.
The red eyes gazed hungrily at her transparent neckline.
He wanted to leave marks that would last for days, baring his sharp teeth.
But remembering that she would have to wear a dress with an exposed neckline at the wedding, he silently cursed the imperial tradition.
Instead, his unsheathed lips trailed down her neck, burying themselves in her collarbone.
Unable to contain the growing fire inside him, Arabelle's slender fingers tangled in his black hair.
A husky moan escaped from the depths of her throat, filled with the sweetness of breath.
If she missed tonight's marionette play, he would show it to her morning, noon, and night for an entire year.
The Emperor's long fingers began to untie the strings of her dress when—
Dang, dang, dang...
The chimes from the palace tower announced the evening hour.
The Emperor’s hand paused on the back of her dress, and a startled voice brought him back to reality.
“Your Majesty... I have something to discuss with you before the dinner.”
The Emperor's hand, which had been holding the loosened ribbon, fell helplessly to his side.
***
The Emperor listened intently as Arabelle spoke, his expression serious.
The Emperor's grip tightened around Arabelle’s hand as they sat side by side.
At last, Arabelle finished talking about Tristiny and their mother.
A silence fell between them as they met each other's gaze.
When the Emperor cupped her round cheek, Arabelle buried her head even closer to him.
Just being together brought comfort and reassurance.
The Emperor embraced Arabelle, pulling her into his arms.
His deep voice fell warmly over the top of her head.
“You must have been very surprised and saddened.”
Her large eyes, glistening with tears, looked up at the Emperor.
Arabelle forced a smile and shook her head.
“But I’m happy we found Tristiny. I’m sure Mother and Aunt both wanted us to reunite.”
“I think so too.”
“I was very surprised to hear that Camille and Roxy aren’t really sisters... but the fact that they grew up together doesn’t change.”
Tristiny had revealed that Camille and Roxy were not Kisha’s daughters.
They were half-sisters, sharing the same father as Tristiny.
Although Camille and Roxy didn’t share a drop of blood, having grown up together, they were still Arabelle’s sisters.
“I knew that your father... well, I guess we don’t need to call him your father anymore... that man’s two daughters weren’t actually Kisha’s.”
Arabelle’s round eyes widened further at the Emperor’s words.
The Emperor tucked a stray lock of hair behind Arabelle’s ear as he explained.
“When I brought you from that house, I investigated. Camille was born to a married woman before Jonathan got married, and Roxy was the daughter he brought back after an affair with a gypsy.”
The Emperor ended his explanation with a soft kiss on her clear forehead.
“I didn’t tell you because I thought it might shock you... Do you hold it against me?”
A small head shook from side to side against the Emperor’s chest.
“No. If I had known the truth back then, I would have been terribly confused.”
Thinking that the Emperor had tried to protect her even then, she felt a pang of emotion.
When the Emperor brought Arabelle to the capital, he relocated her father, Camille, Roxy, and her aunt’s family.
He had sent them to one of the empire’s satellite states.
Her family, who had escaped poverty and were now living a prosperous life, had no reason to miss Arabelle.
In fact, they had probably forgotten about her entirely.
Even so, Arabelle felt relieved to hear that her family had left the empire and were living well and healthily.
Looking back now, she knew it had all been the Emperor’s consideration.
“I should suggest to King Bergen that he stay a few more days after the wedding. Your cousins might want to spend more time together. If you wish, we could invite them back soon.”
Her small hand fidgeted in the Emperor’s strong grasp.
Her soft lips moved as if she had something to say.
Suppressing the urge to devour them in one bite, the Emperor waited quietly.
With a determined look, Arabelle lifted her head to meet the Emperor’s gaze.
“Your Majesty, I have a favor to ask.”
Every time he looked at her lovely face, he could understand the old foolish kings who were ruined by their infatuation with wicked women.
It was a face that made him want to grant her every wish.
The Emperor smiled gently and nodded.
“May I choose Tristiny as my lady-in-waiting?”
“It’s not unusual for noble families from other kingdoms to send their daughters as ladies-in-waiting to the Empress.”
Arabelle’s expression brightened at the Emperor’s words.
“Of course, the kingdom’s approval is necessary.”
For a moment, Arabelle’s expression darkened.
Noticing something odd, the Emperor raised an eyebrow.
His long fingers lifted her chin, making her light brown eyes meet his.
“Have you forgotten the promise we made when we returned from the underworld?”
Arabelle didn’t avoid the Emperor’s crimson eyes and shook her head.
“What was the promise?”
“That we wouldn’t keep secrets from each other.”
After breaking the curse and almost losing Arabelle forever, the Emperor made this promise. Arabelle hadn’t shared the secret of the curse she had uncovered because she had already resolved to sacrifice her light to save him.
It was the first thing they had done after returning to the palace—promising not to keep secrets from each other.
Meeting the Emperor’s gaze, Arabelle’s round eyes were filled with sadness.
“I heard from Vera... that Tristiny has fallen out of favor with King Bergen. They were originally betrothed, but for some reason, King Bergen’s feelings have changed.”
Not only had she lost his favor, but she was also suffering invisible humiliation within the palace.
Many noble families were vying for the king’s attention, waiting for an opportunity.
Vera had relayed what she heard from Tristiny’s maid.
Tristiny had even been evicted from the former queen’s bedroom, where she had long resided.
There were even rumors that King Bergen intended to marry her off to barbarians to secure an alliance with another country.
Arabelle’s eyes, reddened from holding back tears, hardened with resolve.
“It’s hard to describe how sad and frightening it is to be despised for no reason.”
The Emperor’s brow furrowed slightly, recalling how Arabelle had been shunned by the petty nobles in the palace.
Her light brown eyes looked at the Emperor with determination.
“I want to bring Tristiny here to live with us.”
“If the Empress desires it, then so be it. I’ll make the offer to King Bergen at tonight’s banquet.”
Arabelle’s face lit up with relief and joy at the Emperor’s response.
When she wrapped her arms around the Emperor’s neck, he willingly bent his head down to her.
The Emperor’s voice, laced with amusement, slipped out between his lips.
“You’ve already got the Emperor wrapped around your finger. It seems the true power in Helterd Empire lies with the Empress.”
***
Imperial Palace Crystal Banquet Hall.
“A w-wolf!”
“Your Majesty, watch out!”
“Your Majesty!”
Desperate shouts from the guards echoed through the chaotic banquet hall.
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