“The reward.”
“I thought you’d remember… I see.”
Even though she looked calm, her lips were quivering a little as though frightened. I could feel Raniero’s lips touching my hair.
“Yes.”
As always, he had the power to grab people’s attention without saying much. My nerves, which couldn’t keep him in sight, were all focused on him.
“As promised, I’ll appoint Sylvia Jacques as the maid of the Empress Palace.”
As those words continued so plainly and casually, the aristocrats didn’t have time to be surprised by the treatment given to her as Sylvia stood up calmly.
“I’m moved to tears by gratitude.”
Kneeling down and bowing once to Raniero, she left the banquet hall through the crowd staring at her in astonishment. It seemed that most of the nobles were astounded at the fact that the daughter of a sinner was so easily appointed to the high position of the Empress’s handmaiden.
While an incomprehensible confusion spread between them, Raniero glanced at the chaos with pleasure.
‘Sylvia…’
At the same time, I fixed my gaze on Sylvia’s back.
‘She’s really clever.’
She could’ve received the position quietly after the banquet was over, but there must be a reason why she left her seat as if the task was over after she came into the banquet hall and asked for Raniero’s appointment and he confirmed her position.
First, it was to convey to the multitude of people gathered here that she was now a member of the Empress, so do not be reckless.
And second, to entertain Raniero by unseemly embarrassing the nobles.
I was struck with admiration.
‘She would have done really well if she became the Empress.’
If it had been so, Angelica could’ve spent her days comfortably in the Kingdom of Unro, and she wouldn’t have to survive her day-to-day life like this.
It was only for a moment that I glanced faintly at Sylvia’s back. Soon, people who came to their senses began to recall the desired purpose that they came to me. When I met their eyes, I was startled to see that their eyes still had a strangely sweet color.
‘Ah…’
Conceivably, was it because the God of War, Actilla, protected the country? Every time we made eye contact, I realized that all of these people have more or less madness. I didn’t really feel it when these people were trying to politicize because they were the same.
I laughed awkwardly.
“I’m very grateful that you all have welcomed me with such kindness.”
It was a little burdensome to have dozens of pairs of eyes staring at me at once. Breathing in, I paused before exhaling with determination.
“…I’ll take turns to greet each person individually.”
Please, keep it in an orderly fashion…
_____
My social skills have been exhausted. Both my energy and social skills were drained today, so I decided to sneak out of the banquet hall—where people laughed, chatted, ate, and drank—before staggeringly heading into the garden.
“Whoa…”
I slightly pointed out to Cisen and Duchess Nerma where I was going so that if there were an urgent matter, they could just come to find me quickly. Still, unless it was absolutely necessary, I’d been told to stay close as much as possible.
“…Haa.“
I sighed.
How come I was possessed by such a view of the world? Why had I possessed here in the first place?
Of course, there was no reason.
My face flushed red from the two drinks I drank in the banquet hall. Sitting by the fountain, I glanced up at the sky. The summer solstice was late at night, so the sky was as red as blood. What happened in the hunting ground spread in my mind like a panoramic picture. The horrible appearance of Roberta Jacques lying around ironically became proof of my survival.
“I feel relieved when there isn’t anyone around. Relieved…”
It was challenging to remain a common-sense person in this strange country.
‘It’s truly a lax and strange country.’
A country that was victorious in war and expanded its territory with an unprecedented reputation. Nonetheless, the political battles that took place inside were nothing short of child play.
The plot was so simplistic… so obvious it was insignificant.
Although the strange madness of envying the armed forces was real, the formation and maintenance of a great nation weren’t achieved simply by power and madness. How was the Empire maintaining its position as the most powerful country…?
Suddenly, I could hear footsteps behind me.
I sprang up to my feet and turned around. My body, which had been reflexively vigilant, relaxed the next moment.
“You recognize me today, unlike the first night.”
I licked my lips and bowed my head deeply at those words.
All the thoughts I had just a moment ago felt foolish. The reason the Empire enjoyed unprecedented explosive prosperity is because of its existence right in front of me.
Raniero Actilus…
A human who killed his brother and his father, to prove his credentials to become the great son of the predecessor. In fact, proficiency in destruction and warfare didn’t directly translate to the ability to prosper a nation. What made this country so prosperous was the reward given to the country where the God of War was satisfied with Raniero’s actions, as he ruled as the Emperor.
As I was bending over, something cold and moist suddenly touched my ear. Without realizing it, I moved my hand to touch it and realized that it seemed to be a flower stalk.
“Ah…“
I blinked stupidly.
Raniero’s eyes gradually narrowed.
“You’re fine.”
Was there a reason to say it like it was amazing…? After all, he was the one who declared in front of the nobles that I wasn’t hurt, not even a single strand of hair.
“I’m not talking about your body.”
Ack. I got caught thinking again.
Handling the flower stalk that was stuck in my ear, he carefully fixed it to my ear.
“You don’t look as indifferent as I thought. You killed a person. Weak people are afraid of killing people…”
Uh… Well, yes.
Events such as ‘hunting’ in Actilus, which were inherently belligerent and didn’t respect the lives of the weak, weren’t a big deal. However, actively taking the life of the same species, both in the sense of modern people and in the sense of ‘Angelica Unro,’ was a terrifying thing.
I was now a murderer.
Originally, I only wanted to protect myself though because of the medicine he gave me, I became active in hunting. All of that was crafted by Raniero Actilus in front of me.
Regardless, I did kill people.
Still… Even if I was not a murderer, what would be different? I killed them with words. The moment I offered them to Raniero for the hunt, they were already dead. There would be no prey that could survive in the hunting grounds if the Emperor entered as the hunter. Because of that, I have no intention of feeling self-loathing again for taking someone’s life directly.
Feeling guilty wouldn’t change anything. Even if I had gone back, I would have suggested hunting to protect myself again since I wanted to live.
Besides, to be honest, this was even more strenuous for Sylvia. Apart from the fact that her family insulted and mistreated her, Sylvia was in the position to kill her mother and brother. Besides… I heard that she still loved such a mother. So, even if Sylvia took the substance honorably, I’m not in a position to whine about becoming a murderer.
“I just won the battle of who dies…”
I whispered quietly. Raniero’s hand didn’t fall from my ear as he rubbed along the part where the auricle rotated with his thumb.
“Yes?”
I nodded slightly as I went on.
“I would’ve felt guilty if I had to kill someone who was kind to me, like my ally, but that’s not the case. I…I just survived by winning.”
On the day when the sun was highest, even the evening air was lukewarm. Raniero gazed at me without saying a word for a moment. He wasn’t wearing a speechless face. Rather, the red eyes grazed my face sharply as if they were trying to pierce my heart.
Somehow, it felt kind of hot.
I turned my head away and muttered softly.
“It feels like my sight was awful because of the medicine…”
When I squinted while adding words for no reason, the gaze of the man who tilted his head was still persistent.
Still, I have nothing to hide, my heart is beating like when I lied for nothing. I was also glad it was sunset since my face was turning red. Raniero’s fingertips went down to my earlobe before moving under my chin. As he gently pressed where the blood vessels ran with his index and middle fingers, he then swept it down the neckline.
…Was it so much fun when I was nervous and trembling for him?
It felt like he was putting his hand somewhere on my body — without any intention, without meaning — saliva passed down my tense neck. Unable to stand the strangely creepy atmosphere, I uttered hastily.
“And, thank you…”
“What?”
When we came out of the hunting ground after the hunt was over, I was frantic and forgot about it, but there was something I really wanted to say.
“You appeared there then… If Your Majesty hadn’t killed Henry Jacques, I would’ve died.”
Even though he was the one who would kill me in winter…
Right now, he was my savior.
I smiled a little awkwardly, trying not to avoid the blood-red eyes that were staring at me face on.