Darkholm Translation

CHAPTER 130 The rising sun began to cast a dim light over the Emperor's drawing room. The morning of the wedding day was devoid of the lively, festive atmosphere one would expect. The air was sharp and lethal, as if it could cut through anything that touched it. The Emperor sat in an armchair, flanked by knights standing guard. His gaze was cast downward, his brows not so much as twitching. At his feet knelt Vera and six other maids, their heads bowed low. "Sob, sob, we are deeply sorry, Your Majesty. We failed to protect Her Majesty the Empress. We deserve severe punishment. Sob, sob..." As Vera wept and apologized, the other maids followed suit, pleading for forgiveness. An incomprehensible situation had unfolded. The Empress, who had gone to bed, had vanished without a trace. Three maids had been on night duty in the living room adjacent to the bedroom, and four guards had been stationed outside the door. To enter the Empress's bedroom, one would have had to pass t...

CHAPTER 129 Arabelle grabbed Tristiny’s hand and hurried towards the bedroom. After making sure no one else followed them, she closed the bedroom door. The two cousins sat on the bed, facing each other. “What do you mean by that? How can you say that my mother—no, my aunt—is still alive...?” Arabelle's voice trembled slightly. When Tristiny had revealed the truth about their switched destinies, she had said, *“Mother has passed away. She was coming to Laicanoer to find Aunt Elenia and me, but the ship she was on met with a storm, and...,”* and had shed tears. They had cried together, embracing each other. But now, to hear that she was still alive... Arabelle’s eyes, which had been wide with shock, now sparkled with joy. Kisha was not just an aunt. To Arabelle, she was the beloved mother who had raised and cared for her since she was a baby. Jonathan had mistreated and despised young Arabelle, who had not shown any signs of healing powers. It was as if he blamed all his failures on ...

CHAPTER 128 The Empress's bathroom. A small, plump figure quickly crossed the garden. It was Sir George, the imperial physician, rushing to the Emperor’s quarters after hearing about the accident in the garden. He hurried along, adjusting his attire, only to run into a messenger sent by the Emperor. “His Majesty has said he will receive treatment in Her Majesty the Empress’s quarters.” Though puzzled, he had no time to question it and changed his course to the Empress’s quarters. Although it was said the injuries weren’t severe, the fact that treatment was necessary implied that the Emperor had been hurt. Especially with the wedding tomorrow, any injury to the face would be a significant problem. Just as he was nearing the Empress’s quarters, his assistants came running with medicinal herbs. Sir George directed the palace attendants to mix herbs that would cleanse and numb the pain into the bathwater. He prepared disinfecting alcohol made from strong spirits and began mixing the he...

CHAPTER 127 It was on their way back from the Garden of Light. A small voice murmured from within his arms. "Your Majesty, please put me down now..." "Just until we reach the bedroom." The Emperor tightened his grip around Arabelle, making it clear he had no intention of letting her go. When the beast had leaped onto the table in the darkness if he had reacted just a moment later… The cool air seeped through the tear in his uniform and touched his skin. It was only for a brief moment, but for the first time, a shiver-like chill swept over his entire body and then disappeared. He had almost lost Arabelle again. The Emperor’s palm gently cupped her small face. His long fingers slowly traced over Arabelle’s forehead, eyelids, cheeks, and lips. It was as if he was trying to confirm that she was really there in his arms. He could only feel at ease if he held her like this every day for the rest of his life. The Emperor’s gaze lowered to take in the sight of her head buri...