Darkholm Translation

CHAPTER 060 As Emperor Maxwell left the Second Reception Room and headed towards his office, he was in an exceptionally good mood. For an emperor who rarely displayed emotional fluctuations, being in a good mood indicated that his plans had either been successfully executed or were on the brink of completion. Indeed, the Earl of Korald's quest team had successfully returned all the Empire's citizens who had been sold into slavery, and the Emperor's plan to eradicate the Venom Pirates along the southern coast had been a resounding success. Moreover, the corrupt loan sharks and human trafficking organizations that had extended their reach from the Eastern Continent to the Empire had been dismantled. Not only had these groups been thoroughly eradicated, but the nobles who had cooperated with them had also been uncovered and stripped of their titles. The immense wealth they had amassed, hidden from the Empire's eyes, was confiscated and transferred to the Empire's treas...

CHAPTER 059 A chilling silence persisted. But soon, a small voice was heard among the women. “I-I saw it, Your Majesty. Clearly… that man jumped down from Lady Grace’s second-floor balcony.” “Your Majesty, I also witnessed him coming out of Lady Grace’s bedroom.” Two maids, trembling and stepping forward, testified. They were the maids of Princess Lilibet. The women gathered outside the bedroom stared at them, mouths agape. “You…!” The faces of the Duchess and Grace twisted in anguish as they glared at the Empress Dowager and Lilibet with seething anger. The Empress Dowager, who had been laughing and celebrating with them just moments earlier, was no longer present. Now, she stood there, ignoring the Duchess’s gaze with a sinister smile. The Empress Dowager, who quickly understood the Emperor's intention, began to calculate her next move. Though the plan to expel Arabelle had fallen through, another great opportunity to eliminate a thorn in her side had presented itself. Her eyes g...

CHAPTER 058 “Miss… I…” Millie sobbed uncontrollably, her shoulders shaking as she struggled to speak. She confessed everything, from her story and that of her sisters to Grace’s vile scheme to expel Arabelle. “I put you in danger for my sisters… I reported every move you made to Head Maid Brigitte. Sob, sob.” Unable to meet Arabelle’s gaze, Millie lowered her head. “You saved all of us, and I… I…” She couldn’t finish her sentence and knelt down. Being punished and expelled was only fitting. The sobs escaping her throat sounded shameless, and she bit her lip hard. Then, gentle arms wrapped around her shoulders, offering a warmth that melted into her. Without a word, Arabelle held the taller Millie, her embrace strong and comforting. Millie buried her head in Arabelle’s shoulder and sobbed like a child. “When we arrived at the convent, I wrote a letter to the palace, but didn’t you receive it? I heard from Head Maid Brigitte that it was delivered.” When Adele, wiping her tears, had said ...

CHAPTER 057 Two days ago, the evening Grace and Millie met. “What are you doing here?” Startled by the Emperor’s low voice above her head, Arabelle looked up, tilting her head back. His handsome face, blocking the darkening evening sky, filled her wide eyes. The ruby-colored eyes, deeper than the sunset she had just seen, came closer and closer until his warm lips playfully kissed the tip of her round nose. Seeing the Emperor suddenly appear without a sound, Arabelle's lips bloomed into a bright smile, her heart pounding with joy. But then, remembering why she was standing by the wall, her large eyes began to dart around in confusion. The Emperor's mouth curled into a slight smile as he watched her face, clearly showing her bewilderment. He had been on his way to Arabelle's annex with a piece of jewelry he liked from the gifts brought by the envoy he met earlier in the morning. Having entered the palace through a secret passage, the Emperor planned to leave the gift on Arab...

CHAPTER 056 "Reveal yourself!" The commander of the palace's special guard drew his long sword and aimed it at the man crouching on top of the wall. The man, half inside the palace and half outside, quickly scanned his surroundings. The soldiers had already surrounded the area to prevent his escape. However, the man had no intention of escaping. He needed to appear as if he was trying to flee to avoid suspicion, but his goal was to be caught within the palace. "Do not get caught easily. That way, you won't be suspected." Grace had told the young soldier as she handed him a pouch of gold coins. The man hesitated for a moment before leaping from the wall, only to be restrained by the soldiers who rushed at him. After feigning a struggle, he was captured and dragged back into the palace by the guards. "Is this the man who fled from Lady Arabelle's quarters?" "Yes! I saw him with my own eyes. He jumped from the balcony on the second floor of t...