CHAPTER 135
-The Night Before the Empress's Abduction on Their Wedding Day-
A royal guard stood in front of the carriage from the Mecker family as it was about to leave the palace.
The window of the carriage opened, and Sir Theo leaned out.
He had just finished overseeing the Empress’s dance steps and was on his way back.
“What’s going on?”
“You must return to the palace immediately.”
A familiar royal guard, directly under the Emperor’s command, conveyed the message to Sir Theo.
Confusion clouded Sir Theo’s mind as he was summoned back to the Emperor without any explanation.
Could it be that the Emperor saw his hand touch the Empress's waist when he assisted her with her turn?
It wasn't even his hand but the back of his hand, which was covered by three layers of gloves he had prepared.
Or was it because he grabbed her wrist to steady her when her tempo faltered, causing her to stumble?
If he hadn’t grabbed her, the Empress might have fallen.
Well, the Emperor would have caught her before that happened.
Because the Emperor was so close by, watching with intense eyes, it almost felt like the three of them were dancing together.
Every time he unintentionally made physical contact with the Empress, he felt the Emperor’s hot breath blow down on him from above.
"Be careful. You might actually be exiled this time. If it’s the Emperor, he might really do it. Ha, ha, ha."
Sir Jacob and Sir Peter had joked, and he had laughed along with them.
But as Sir Theo walked towards the Emperor’s office, his expression grew increasingly troubled.
Could the Emperor have been suspicious because he stared at the Empress when she first appeared?
Honestly, the reason he looked at her was because of the dress she was wearing.
If she danced in that flowing cream organza dress, she could win the grand prize at the upcoming Grape Festival Dance Competition.
He was envious of the dress.
If he had had any improper thoughts, he wouldn’t have felt so wronged.
His heart raced with anxiety despite having done nothing wrong.
From what he had observed so far, the Emperor was anything but ordinary when it came to matters concerning the Empress.
Not that he ever was ordinary.
But that doesn’t mean he had any complaints.
He had traveled across the continent with the Emperor and the knights, experiencing countless unimaginable adventures.
He took immense pride in living as the Emperor’s knight, something that couldn’t be compared to anything else.
When the guard guiding him passed the Emperor’s office, Sir Theo’s eyes widened in surprise.
He glanced at the silent guard beside him but swallowed his curiosity, sensing the unusual atmosphere.
The place the guard led him to was... the reception room of the Emperor’s bedchamber.
Standing before the closed door of the reception room, Sir Theo’s eyes widened even further.
Sir Jacob, Sir Peter, as well as Sir Derek and Viscount Corald’s father and son, were all waiting for him.
The three advisors were standing behind the Emperor, who was seated in the central armchair.
The Emperor glanced at Sir Theo and gave a crooked smile.
Excitement sparkled in Sir Theo’s eyes, sensing the anticipation of yet another brilliant adventure.
It was just like the Emperor.
The mouths of those gathered in the Emperor’s bedchamber gaped open.
They were his closest confidants, those who had served him for a long time.
Yet, they could never hide their astonishment.
How could he always piece together all the elements of the puzzle to create a complete picture?
The Emperor wasn’t just someone who saw the whole forest or the flowers and butterflies within it.
He saw everything. And he saw what wasn’t visible as well.
The ability to perceive and comprehend everything.
And once he set a goal, he devised a tailor-made strategy to achieve it.
He meticulously prepared and executed without hesitation.
The knights listened intently to the Emperor’s strategy, barely daring to breathe.
The muscles in the arms of the Empire’s strongest warriors, who would be participating in this operation, tensed in anticipation.
And they were reminded once again why Maxwell was the undisputed ruler of the continent.
"The Southern Alliance Subjugation Operation."
That was the name of the operation.
Seated in the Emperor’s reception room, Sir Theo realized that the operation had already begun.
Before the representatives of the kingdoms arrived for the wedding festivities, the Emperor had already completed his investigation into the southern island nations' alliance.
Sir Theo’s eyes widened in realization as he connected the dots.
“So, the King of Ator was detained under the pretext of investigating the puppet show incident...”
“To put Kubul and Laicanor, and the rest of the Southern Alliance, at ease,” Sir Jacob responded with a satisfied expression.
The three advisors provided further explanation.
“His Majesty wanted the other kingdoms to believe that the longstanding alliance between Helterd and Senfer was fracturing.”
“That way, Kubul, who had sent special forces disguised as laborers to Senfer, would show his true intentions.”
“The other powerful nations, who had kept their ambitions of conquering Senfer hidden due to the Empire, would seize the opportunity. It’s a classic example of killing two birds with one stone.”
While the King of Ator was detained to divert attention, the Emperor had already completed his investigation into the special forces from the allied nations who had infiltrated Senfer under the guise of laborers.
Sir Theo stared at the Emperor, his mouth agape.
At that moment, a new voice spoke from behind him.
Somehow, without anyone noticing, the leader of the Emperor’s shadow unit had appeared behind him.
“We’ve identified the traitors who handed over the secret weapon designs and the maps of the southern coastal fortresses to the Kingdom of Kubul. It was Baron Hawthorne and the Marquess of Cavell’s families. We also discovered that Grand Duchess Caroline Le Sang was manipulating them from behind the scenes.”
Commander Peter furrowed his brow as he elaborated.
“The alliance of the five island nations plans to simultaneously blow up the dams holding back the seawater. If the series of dams built between the eight islands below them collapse...”
“The Empire’s southwestern coastal region would be thrown into chaos due to a sudden flood. And then the alliance, strong in naval warfare, would launch an attack.”
Sir Theo nodded, understanding the plan.
“With the Empire’s military focused on the southwest, the alliance, having seized Senfer, would then threaten the capital.”
Secretary Antonio spoke with a grave expression.
Commander Jacob placed his finger on the map spread out on the table.
“This subjugation operation will be carried out simultaneously. Senfer, Kubul of the Southern Alliance, Laicanor, and the remaining three island nations.”
Sir Theo narrowed his eyes as he studied the map.
Looking around at the knights encircling the table, his eyes filled with a sense of resentment.
“So, what you’re saying is... that the plan is already well underway, without me?”
At Sir Theo’s sharp question, the knights all avoided his gaze as if on cue.
Commander Jacob tried to offer a flimsy excuse in an unconvincing voice.
"None of us have been part of the operation for long."
A large hand rested on Sir Theo's slumped shoulder.
Looking up, he saw the Emperor gazing down at him.
"I plan to assign you to the most critical task. The success of this operation depends on you, Sir Theo."
The momentary disappointment melted away like snow, and Sir Theo responded firmly.
"Just give the order, Your Majesty."
Soon, a dark blue dress was draped over his arm.
"An unexpected situation has arisen. However, my instinct tells me that it is closely related to this operation."
The Emperor didn’t mention the Lumens Savior, but he did share that the Empress had arranged to meet Tristini in the forest at midnight tonight.
He even personally placed a pink headband on Sir Theo’s head.
With the hood of his long robe pulled down to his eyes, Sir Theo pondered the Emperor's plan.
"If Tristini appears alone, treat her with respect and bring her to me. However, if she tries any trickery from Laicano, demonstrate your swordsmanship. The Shadow Unit will follow you."
As Sir Theo stepped out the door, Kyle the Advisor whispered secretly into his ear.
"His Majesty said that after this mission is completed, he will have a dress identical to the one Her Majesty is wearing today made for you as a reward."
As expected by the Emperor, Tristini did not appear, and Sir Theo, disguised as Arabelle, was kidnapped by Laicano soldiers and taken to a ship.
The morning after the Empress was kidnapped—
The head maid and maids under the Empress’s command, along with the guards protecting the Empress’s chambers, were summoned before the Emperor.
They were guilty of the grave crime of failing to protect the Empress.
Perhaps they were even suspected of conspiring in the plot that led to the Empress’s disappearance.
Facing the harsh reality ahead, everyone hung their heads low.
Vera, one of the three maids, and Millie trembled in fear like leaves in the wind.
It was a punishment they could not escape.
More than the punishment, they were tormented by the anxiety of not knowing Arabelle’s whereabouts.
Vera and the three maids, who truly cared for the Empress, were dragged to the underground prison.
"As you are the closest to Her Majesty, a greater punishment will befall you."
Kyle the Advisor relayed the Emperor's will in a stern voice.
Though tears welled up, they couldn't utter a single word in their defense.
After all, it was true that they had failed to protect Her Majesty the Empress.
Even as they were being taken away, they fervently prayed for her safety.
The backs of the three maids and Millie bristled as they descended the damp, narrow stone steps of the underground prison.
Their minds went blank at the sound of screams echoing from various corners.
When they finally reached the lowest level, even the sounds were no longer audible.
Standing before the door at the very end of the hallway, Kyle nodded to the guards who had escorted them.
In an instant, the maids' and Millie's vision was covered with cloth.
Holding onto a long rope in a line, they walked as the guard led them.
How big is this room? They walked for such a long time.
And soon, the three maids and Millie realized they weren’t walking inside a room.
The room they entered was connected to another passageway.
They thought they would die without anyone knowing.
The three maids had witnessed firsthand how the Emperor had annihilated Count Laurel’s family when they plotted treason.
They stifled their sobs as they walked.
How long had they been walking through winding, sloping paths?
The sound of flowing water grew closer to their ears.
Fresh air seeped into the passageway and filled their noses.
Somewhere, birds were chirping.
"Stop here."
At Kyle’s command, they all stopped walking.
Click.
As the door to the dark hallway opened, the cloth covering their eyes was removed.
As bright sunlight suddenly poured in, the maids squinted all at once.
"Vera, Rosa, Dina, Millie!"
A voice they never expected to hear rang in their ears.
Was it a hallucination? Confused, a small figure ran toward the maids and hugged them.
It was then that the three maids and Millie realized they were in the eleventh annex of the secluded palace.
And the woman with open arms hugging them was…
Arabelle.
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