CHAPTER 136
Everything proceeded perfectly according to the Emperor's plan, like well-oiled gears interlocking seamlessly.
In the forest, they found a green belt typically worn by merchants from the Sempher Kingdom, along with Arabelle’s pink hairband.
The King of Sempher and his delegation were imprisoned in a tower, undergoing intense interrogation.
And it was reported that his terrified granddaughter had confessed everything.
“Sempher will now fade into history,” people whispered.
The kings who had wanted to seize the militarily weak Sempher but had been wary of the Empire now looked at the situation differently.
The King of Cubil, who had already infiltrated key buildings in the Sempher royal palace and capital with disguised special forces, was laughing behind the scenes.
Meanwhile, the Southern Alliance, led by Laicano and Cubil, was intensifying preparations to breach the Empire's coastal regions by destroying the dam.
The Emperor announced that he would personally go to Sempher to search for the Empress.
Everyone was shocked as Sir Jacob and the First Imperial Guard escorted the Emperor on his journey to Sempher late at night, just before midnight.
Of course, the Emperor wasn’t actually among the procession heading toward Sempher.
There was always a double prepared for the Emperor when he went to battle.
This was not only for the Emperor's safety but also to mislead the enemy's attention.
Finding someone who resembled the Emperor to the bone was impossible, but his doubles, who hid their faces and bodies behind helmets, armor, and cloaks, were quite useful.
Commander Peter, along with the 3rd and 4th Imperial Guard, stayed behind to watch over the palace and monitor the traitors within.
The Emperor expected that his aunt, Grand Duchess Caroline, and her cronies would make their move while he was away.
"When the southern coast's dam breaks, causing both flood damage and an attack at the same time, they’ll try to create chaos within the palace."
Those were the Emperor's words of warning to Sir Peter before he left for the port.
Having recovered his health, Sir Derek led the 2nd Imperial Guard to Cubil.
The King of Cubil welcomed Sir Derek and his entourage, who arrived at the port by ship.
The Emperor had already announced that he would send investigative teams to all kingdoms allied with Sempher to look into the forces behind the Empress's abduction.
The King of Cubil calculated that he had to welcome the investigative team without hesitation if he wanted to avoid the Emperor's suspicion.
He wasn't worried, knowing the investigation wouldn't find Arabelle, who was already confined to a ship bound for Laicano.
The King of Cubil was intoxicated with the victory that seemed within reach.
Unfortunately for him, the Emperor had already seen through his plans.
"We’ll return the favor to the King of Cubil, just as he did to King Athor. The marines will disguise themselves as ordinary sailors, and the Imperial Guard will hide in the ship's hold as we enter the port."
The King will feel reassured, especially seeing Derek, an old knight with a missing arm, unaware that he is the continent's greatest sword master.
The Emperor’s ruby-red eyes glimmered with satisfaction as he contemplated how to deal with the prey caught in his trap.
As expected, the King of Cubil willingly opened the palace gates to the Empire's aging knight, relieved that the Emperor, stricken with grief over losing his Empress, seemed to have lost his sanity.
Not only had he impulsively decided to send investigators, but he had also personally departed for Sempher.
He had even entrusted the regency to his aunt, Grand Duchess Caroline Resson.
“The Emperor is no exception when it comes to love,” the departing kings remarked, shaking their heads in disbelief at his impulsiveness.
While everyone’s attention was on the Emperor’s recklessness, he secretly sent troops to the southwestern coastal region.
He silently moved the warships into position, ready to strike.
Not to defend the coast from the Alliance’s attack, but…
“We’ll strike the Alliance first. Once Cubil and Laicano are crushed, the rest will fall within a day.”
Within a week, no, five days, the Alliance would be kneeling at the Empire’s feet.
The knights' blood boiled with anticipation as they kissed the Emperor's ring before departing for the campaign.
After the Empress was abducted, the maids and guards of the Empress’s household were imprisoned in a remote forest outpost.
At first, they trembled with fear, but as no one came to interrogate them, they became puzzled.
Their anxiety gnawed at them, but surprisingly, they were physically comfortable.
They found it strange to call it a prison when they were confined to a warm, cozy cottage, doing nothing but eating all day.
Through the room's window, they could see the golden domed roof in the distance.
The maids huddled together, peeling boiled potatoes and whispering.
"I wonder what happened to the head maid, Dina, Rosa, and Millie?"
"Who knows? All we know is that they were dragged to the underground prison."
“Maybe they're no longer in this world?"
“Oh, don’t say such horrible things. They’ve served the Empress since the selection competition. His Majesty wouldn’t easily dispose of maids he treasures so much.”
"That's precisely why I'm worried. His Majesty isn’t one to grant forgiveness easily."
One maid quickly scanned her surroundings, as if worried about having misspoken.
Another maid let out a deep sigh.
"Who cares about others when we don't even know what will happen to us? When will we get out of here, I wonder..."
“To be honest, I was expecting some terrifying punishment, but nothing has happened so far. It's surprising.”
“Indeed. I thought we’d be starving in an underground prison. Instead, doing nothing but eating is making me feel bloated.”
“Maybe they’re fattening us up… to use us as feed?”
The young maid's comment elicited shrieks from the gathered maids.
The maids confined to the cottage had no way of knowing that the Empress wanted to let them know she was safe.
The more people knew, the more likely the secret would leak.
The Emperor wasn't pleased about informing Vera, the three maids, and Millie of the truth.
His original plan was to confine all the maids belonging to the Empress's household in the cottage.
To be more honest, he had intended to lock them in the underground prison for a perfect deception.
"An underground prison? You must be joking, Your Majesty!"
He couldn’t bring himself to ignore those wide, surprised eyes looking at him.
After Arabelle's earnest persuasion, he decided to keep Vera by her side.
The Emperor extracted a promise from Arabelle, who asked him with her hands clasped together.
Once this matter was successfully resolved...
She would allow them to share in the sweet act of intimacy that had startled Arabelle on the bed.
When he whispered, “You won’t have to do anything; just lie there and let me do it. If you agree, I’ll let you keep Vera, Dina, Rosa, and Millie by your side,” Arabelle, her face flushed to the point of bursting, promised.
In the eleventh pavilion of the imperial palace, where no one but the Empress’s guards was allowed, Arabelle and her three maids, along with Millie, were sitting together, chatting quietly.
All the windows were covered with thick curtains, but this was not unusual.
After the Empress selection contest was concluded by the Emperor, the palace was practically empty.
Soon, it was said, the twelve pavilion buildings would be torn down to make way for a small palace.
It was to be a place where the Emperor could retreat from the complexities of state affairs and rest with the Empress and their future children.
Occasionally, Arabelle would visit the pavilion to tend the garden by the pond or receive lessons on royal etiquette, but now the place was filled with nothing but silence.
In the dimly lit drawing room of the pavilion's first floor, Vera rolled up her sleeve, revealing a sturdy arm.
"How can someone with such an innocent face be so deceitful? Look, I have goosebumps on my arm."
"I was so happy to meet her, thinking she was the Empress's cousin. And to think I smiled foolishly in front of her, not knowing anything... It makes me so embarrassed and angry," Dina fumed, her indignation evident.
“I told you, didn’t I? There was something off, something eerie about her. My father always said to look at a person's eyes, not their face. The eyes hidden under her eyelashes weren’t clear,” Rosa said, not slowing the pace at which she sharpened a dagger.
After it was revealed that Rosa was part of Arabelle’s guard, she didn’t bother hiding the fact that she would often sharpen her dagger and short spear whenever she had the chance.
“Then why did she stay behind? After letting the Empress be abducted, why would she stay here in the palace?” Millie pouted, clearly puzzled.
“I’m curious about that too. If the Empress was still around, she would obviously get a lot of benefits as her cousin. But knowing that Her Majesty might not return, why would she choose to remain in the palace?” Dina's question made both Arabelle and Rosa nod in agreement.
It was something Arabelle had wondered about as well.
She never imagined that Tristini would deceive her.
Arabelle had informed the Emperor about her plan to meet Tristini in the forest for a simple reason.
It was because of her agreement with the Emperor: “No secrets between husband and wife.”
After hearing everything, the Emperor was certain it was a trap.
“If Tristini appears in the forest alone, I’ll personally step in and save your aunt. I promise.”
When the Emperor's intuition turned out to be correct, Arabelle shed tears in solitude.
Tristini was her cousin by blood.
They shared a mother and aunt.
And she genuinely liked her.
They hadn’t known each other long, but Arabelle liked Tristini.
She was thrilled to learn that her aunt was still alive.
She was overjoyed at the hope of rescuing her aunt from the witch...
Arabelle pressed her eyelids with the back of her hand, but tears continued to flow down her cheeks.
Seeing her tears, Vera shook her head while the four pairs of eyes watching her were filled with confusion.
Sighing, she answered Millie and Dina’s questions.
“So innocent... She stayed in the palace to be near His Majesty! She’s planning to comfort His Majesty, who’s grieving the loss of the Empress, and win his favor.”
The maids, now understanding Tristini's intentions, trembled with anger.
“That’s right. She stayed behind so she could take the Empress's place by comforting His Majesty!”
“How dare she, knowing that His Majesty would never give her a second glance! Unbelievable!”
“It’s just as well. Since she’s still in the palace, it’ll be easier to arrest her once everything is over.”
Vera and the maids hurled curses toward the palace where Tristini resided, raising their fingers in defiance.
This time, even Arabelle joined in, muttering the newly learned curse words under her breath.
***
On the fifth day after the Empress's abduction—
The wedding was canceled, and the Emperor had departed for Sempher.
The representatives of the kingdoms who had come to attend the wedding had all left the Empire.
Unpermitted, Caroline entered the Emperor's primary office, humming a tune.
She walked gracefully toward the grand imperial throne at the far end.
"Everything is ready."
The Grand Duchess’s eyes gleamed with delight.
Climbing the steps, she stood atop the gold-adorned throne.
As she slowly lowered herself, the office doors suddenly flew open on both sides.
“Seize the traitor!”
Vice Commander Peter burst into the office.
No sooner had his command been given than dozens of swords were pointed at her neck.
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