Chapter 95
“Oh… Joshua Sanders…”
The girl behind the wall, Serciarin, seemed equal parts amused and bemused. The way he had introduced himself made it clear that he wasn’t a noble. It had to be weird for her to hear that a commoner managed to enter the Imperial Palace.
“You have a beautiful name.”
“What?” Joshua asked, astonished.
“I came across it in a book: Sanders, a flower that only blossoms in the Tripia region, at the empire's eastern extremity. It’s said to be more beautiful than a rose in full bloom, but its meaning in the language of flowers couldn’t be more tragic…”
Joshua frowned and said, “You need to stop.”
“What?” Serciarin was perplexed by Joshua’s words, and she said, “Did I say something wrong? If that is the case, then you have my sincere apologies.”
“You did nothing wrong.” Joshua shook his head resolutely. After a moment of silence, Joshua opened his mouth to ask, “By the way… Is it really fine for you to go out of the palace without an escort? Are you going to be okay on your own?”
“How did you…” Serciarin muttered, surprised.
.
At that, Joshua revealed a sour smile and said, “I’ve heard of the story of the beautiful yet tragic Princess of the Magnificent Flower Palace.”
“Ah…” Serciarin gasped, and she asked in a pleasant-sounding voice, “Would you tell me more about the rumors you’ve heard about me?”
At that, Joshua responded, “Hmm… Magnificent Flower Palace is a secluded area from the rest of the world, and there lived the most beautiful princess to have ever existed…” Joshua trailed off. Eventually, he sighed and continued. “However, it was rumored that she’s blind.”
“Ah. I see...”
Joshua shook his head at Serciarin's melancholic voice.
'That's why I didn't want to see you right now.'?
The world had no idea, but Joshua knew of the imperial family’s misfortune. In addition, he knew that the princess behind the wall was one of the worst victims of the disaster.
‘His Majesty probably decided to imprison and monitor his daughter because she’s born disabled,’?Joshua muttered in a voice only he could hear as he recalled the past.
“The eyes that see the truth… Heart’s Eyes.”
“I hope you don’t feel sorry for me..”
Upon hearing the bitterness in Serciarin's voice, Joshua cursed himself. 'I knew it would be a mistake…’'
While Joshua was wallowing in self-hate, Serciarin softly said, “I think I understand Young Master Joshua’s reaction a little. The rumors… After all, my father has a reputation for being overprotective to the extent that he decided to lock me up here, right? But…”
Joshua kept his mouth shut, and Serciarin continued. “The rumors are wrong. My body is simply too weak for me to go out. If I were to go out, I would randomly faint out there.”
Joshua chewed his inner cheeks with his molars until they bled.
Finally, he understood.
Even if the Emperor was a Master, Serciarin still saw right through him with her ability, Heart's Eyes. As such, there was a huge chance that she knew everything from the start. Of course, it included the true reason why Emperor Marcus imprisoned her here. And she also probably knew the awful truth behind the tragedy that only a few people in the imperial family were privy about.
‘If I were in her shoes, would I be able to act like her when confronted with the truth?’
Joshua shook his head at the question.
He could never be like her—not in a million years.
After all, it was something that one could never really deal with rationally.
“Why am I crying…” Serciarin sniffles could be heard from even beyond the wall.
“What is this sadness…? Joshua, you…” she trailed off.
“Yes?” asked Joshua.
“Are you not sad?”
“You—”
Joshua was astonished. However, he soon revealed a determined look.
He had to double-check. It seemed she knew the truth from the very beginning.
As for the matter of helping her, Joshua could still make a decision later.
With a stiff look, Joshua spoke slowly, “Do you know why you were born with a disability?”
“What?”
“The tragedy of your birth,” added Joshua.
“...!”
He could no longer hear her voice, but Joshua was sure of it.
She knew everything from the start—even before she met his past self.
“Damn it!”
Joshua couldn’t help but curse.
***
The emperor didn’t usually meet with his guests here. This time, however, the emperor and his guest met in a private annex at a corner of the palace.
“I greet His Majesty Marcus ben Britten, the sun of the empire and the great master of Avalon.”
“Are you the War God’s daughter?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. My name is Anna bel Grace.”
Emperor Marcus revealed a warm smile as he glanced at Anna, the young lady who was bowing politely in front of him.
“Did you enjoy my present?” asked Emperor Marcus.
“I am very grateful to Your Majesty for the gift,” Anna responded.
“Great!” Emperor Marcus clapped his hands and chuckled.
“Anyway…” Emperor Marcus started in a low but serious voice.
At that, Anna’s expression turned grim, and she bowed her head to hide her demeanor.
Emperor Marcus continued. “I’ve heard things have become a bit complicated…”
“...”
“I heard that he has finally shown himself after so many years?”
Panic flashed across Anna's face for a brief moment when she realized what Emperor Marcus was talking about.
“It was just a run-of-the-mill rumor. Avalon has Duke Aden von Agnus, and Swallow has Grand Duke Lucifer.” Emperor Marcus leaned back gently, and he revealed a tranquil smile before continuing. “Are you sure he can handle it? Your father is capable, but I think even he will find it difficult to handle.”
“To tell His Majesty the truth…” Anna started.
Emperor Marcus tilted his head.
Anna continued. “I'm not sure...”
“Huh?”
Emperor Marcus was surprised.
It seemed Anna shared the same sentiments as her father. No wonder they had this strange spiritual bond between the two of them.
‘I've also never seen them say anything with uncertainty in all the years we've known each other.’
The nickname war god was not given to him at random.
The title War God would never be bestowed upon someone on a whim, and Anna’s father, Draxia Bel Grace, was an undefeated general who had led his troops to victory in hopeless battles time and time again.
‘And even now, I still want more…’
Emperor Marcus's grin widened.
He was of the same mind.
However, Ulabis was an unexpected variable. Everything started to go downhill the moment Ulabis appeared from out of nowhere. After all, the Swallow Empire's most recent defeat was something even Emperor Marcus couldn’t have predicted.
“How dare you say you’re not sure after things had gone to the dogs like this?”
Anna gasped, and she couldn’t breathe. She started shivering against her will as Emperor Marcus coldly spoke once again, “I showed you mercy because you were a hundred percent confident in your victory.”
"..."
"How did you talk of planting spies in my land!"
“Your Majesty…” Anna desperately clutched her neck. A Master’s mana wasn’t something someone with low mana resistance could endure. As such, it was only natural that Anna was suffocating under the pressure of Emperor Marcus’ mana.
“Ugh!”
Eventually, Emperor Marcus reined his mana back.
“Haah!” Anna collapsed to the floor and started coughing violently.
“I thank His Majesty’s everlasting kindness…”
At that, Emperor Marcus burst into laughter. It seemed Anna’s pain was amusing in Emperor Marcus’ eyes.
“Change of plans.” Emperor Marcus started. “The reward shall be a duke’s seat.”
At the truly unbelievable proposal, Anna's eyes widened in astonishment.
“Your Majesty, what do you mean—”
“Your father would understand. Betting on an unpredictable game is a shortcut to disaster.”
“...”
Anna bit her lower lip so hard that it bled when she realized what Emperor Marcus was trying to do. With that in mind, it seemed that it had been unnecessary to slaughter those border guards.
In that case…
'The current affairs are just fun games for Emperor Marcus. He’s truly a madman obsessed with murder and war.'
Anna hurriedly changed her expression and said, “Your Majesty, I know this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity you are offering us. But I don’t know if we can accept it...”
Emperor Marcus’ lips rose into a sneer.
“Jacken.”
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Anna felt as if she had fallen into an icy bath when a figure clad in black arrived without a sound.
“...”
“Would you mind answering for me? Who would dare to stop me from doing whatever I want with this empire?”
“No one. Everything will be done in accordance with His Majesty's wishes.”
Emperor Marcus' smile widened when he saw Jacken prostrating without hesitation.
“Tell your father not to be concerned. Since things had gone south, we will be proceeding with our plans earlier.”
“You mean…”
“A famed sword that can't be used does not deserve its name. It can't even be compared to a butcher's knife.”
At that, Emperor Marcus stared at Jacken, who was standing in front of Anna.
“Jacken. Start the preparations for Operation Comet in secret. Make sure no one else notices.”
“I heed and obey.”
Afterward, Emperor Marcus turned to Anna.
“I have never been a patient person, so I will not be kept waiting for long.”
“We'll get back to you as soon as we can,” Anna respectfully responded.
At that, Emperor Marcus stood up and walked carefully out of the annex with a delighted smile.
Amidst the silence of the night, Anna was left alone to shiver in fright because she was still too afraid to even raise her head.
This content is taken from (f)reewe(b)novel.𝗰𝗼𝐦