Chapter 107
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Chapter 107
Emma began her work as a double agent about two years after Enya Lockhart ran away from home.
[To Emma Smith]
[I will give you an opportunity to lift the restrictions on your movement. Come to the Imperial Palace.]
Emma had once been a notorious thief.
Before being taken in by Enya Lockhart, or rather, before she lived as an experimental subject in House of Hexagon, she had been a reckless vagabond.
As a result, she underwent extensive scrutiny when she was hired as a servant at the Duke's House.
"I've turned over a new leaf, I promise."
At first, no one but Enya and the masters believed Emma's words.
But Emma thought it was only natural. Kleptomania was like a habit and hobby—not something easily shaken off.
To be honest, during the inspection, she had nearly stolen a treasure from the Duke's House.
"Hold on. Just hold on."
Emma didn't want to disappoint the small young lady who had saved her.
So she was successfully hired as a servant at the Duke's House, but there was one problem.
"Your movement is restricted. You received a court judgment, didn't you? You cannot leave the Capital."
It was true. But the place where the young lady of the Lockhart Family had first discovered her was near the Lockhart Territory.
And Emma had undergone her inspection at the main castle of House Lockhart.
This meant that Emma had originally escaped beyond the boundaries she was forbidden to cross.
"But for my daughter's sake, I need a brave child like you."
I had heard rumors about Duke Lockhart.
The mercenaries who had hunted monsters alongside him would recite his exploits whenever alcohol touched their lips.
I thought those stories were exaggerated, but when Emma actually faced the Duke, she couldn't move an inch—terror seized her, and she could only nod her head.
She couldn't muster any other response, couldn't think clearly.
She was a worm placed before a tiger.
Raised on the streets, Emma knew well to whom she should bow her head.
Emma had been a shrewd child from her earliest days, and she was starved for affection.
The love that Enya—younger than herself—had given her was a precious and sweet gift. Emma cherished Enya as a sister, as a friend, and swore her loyalty to this treasured existence. She had decided to live for the young lady who was her only salvation.
I had resolved to live for the young lady who had saved me when I was dying.
The young lady Enya, who had rescued me from death; the Duke, who had exerted himself to allow me—one who should have remained only in the Capital—to serve as a servant in House Lockhart and dwell in Lockhart Territory.
But the appearance of The Emperor had never crossed my mind.
'What could this be about?'
As Emma examined the letter bearing the Imperial Palace's seal, she realized something far more unsettling.
'His Majesty had written this letter with his own hand.'
It wasn't written in the formal tone of official documents. The gentle yet respectful letter written in his own handwriting appeared to be penned directly by His Majesty.
"Ah...."
I had no capacity to refuse a summons from The Emperor. He would surely ask about the young lady. I must deny everything.
Emma obediently went to the place that had summoned her—not the Imperial Palace, not the Capital, but a remote location.
'As expected. His Majesty summoned me.'
She passed through the checkpoint easily. Accompanied by the suspicious soldiers who had attached themselves to her from that point onward, Emma encountered The Emperor in the forest.
The masked Emperor seemed both similar to and different from what the young lady had speculated. His presence was overwhelming, yet he didn't appear cold enough to casually kill someone.
He wasn't a man who carried murderous intent with him.
Still, I had expected torture or interrogation to begin next, but an unexpected situation unfolded instead.
"You know the whereabouts of Enya."
The Emperor, having received all information from his Aides, asked about the young lady's whereabouts.
I had resolved not to speak even if my lips were torn....
Whatever torture came, I would endure it!...But then....
"I beg you."
"...!"
"Tell me where Enya is."
The solemn Emperor of the Empire bowed his head before me. But I tried not to be swayed by it. If he was the Emperor and needed something, he could be more cunning about it.
However, as Emma listened carefully to his voice, she recalled a very old memory.
In the past, when the young lady was injured, a boy would often come to House Lockhart, unable to approach the bed, watching from afar with tears streaming down his face.
A boy who wasn't the young master—one who remained in her memory with a hazy impression.
* * *
"The letter delivered to Enya bore the signature of the Imperial Palace checkpoint, so she grew suspicious as well."
Dale stared intently at only Enya's reply that Emma had brought.
As I naturally raised my hand, Emma respectfully placed the letter in my palm with proper courtesy.
Now it was time for everyone else to leave.
Dale had not read Enya's letter in front of everyone.
Receiving her heart was a precious moment that only he should savor, so he had to read it thoroughly when alone.
But Dale sensed the motionless servants and advisors of House Lockhart and lifted his head.
"Is there more to say?"
"...Your Majesty, I apologize for speaking out of turn, but when delivering letters, you shouldn't entrust them to that foolish advisor. The checkpoint signature nearly exposed that the letter came through the Imperial Palace."
"Ah, that was it."
With all his attention fixed on Enya's reply, he dismissed it lightly.
To be honest, at this moment, everything except Enya was beyond his concern.
"The Emperor himself must publicly reveal that you are Dale."
This was a promise Dale had made when he won over Enya's maid after failing to find her.
Dale's lips curved slightly as he heard Emma's bold request.
"I promise."
"I betrayed my lady and played the role of a double spy because you seemed to be the one who loves her more than anyone else."
Emma spoke earnestly, placing her hand over her heart.
"Even if my lady brought someone else, it wouldn't satisfy her, and some unverified charlatan—"
"You are in the presence of His Majesty. Mind your words."
"It's fine."
Dale listened to Emma's words slowly.
"You are a hundred, a thousand times more suited as my lady's match than any unverified charlatan!"
"...More suited?"
"Yes! Though I haven't seen your face, Your Majesty seems like you must be quite handsome. Your physique is healthy, and from every angle, you seem to match my lady's taste perfectly."
"...Is that so?"
"I helped you because I hope my lady will stop suffering and return to Emma's side, and it seems there's a misunderstanding my lady holds."
"...."
"But since you—I mean, Dale—make my lady laugh and cry and disappointed, Emma worries so much."
The advisors grew restless at Emma's blunt words and watched for the Emperor's reaction.
"So you're saying Enya's mood is changing greatly because of me."
"Of course. My lady waits for your letters every day. She thinks of you constantly, day and night. I'm truly very worried."
"I see."
The advisors thought they should stop Emma soon. Though she was closest to Enya, this was excessive interference.
"Yes."
But at that moment, the advisors witnessed something remarkable.
'Is he smiling?'
Enya isn't even present, yet he wears a smile.
The advisors rubbed their eyes, unable to believe what they saw with their own eyes.
Team leader Soho felt the same. Getty even more so.
"I didn't realize you thought of me so often."
Even as he covered his face with his large hand, joy spilled out unmistakably. The Advisors were startled by his pure, boyish smile.
Only Emma allowed herself a quiet, knowing smirk.
'I must unite these two quickly so our young lady doesn't suffer any longer.'
That was why Emma had come directly to The Emperor today—to urge him forward, to prevent any dangerous complications from arising.
"And beyond the letter, there is something else I must tell you."
"Say whatever you wish. I will listen."
He seemed in such high spirits that he couldn't suppress his laughter, his eyes softening with warmth.
"It appears that Enya intends to provoke House of Hexagon so that Dale can earn merit and receive a title."
But at her next words, the smile froze on his face.
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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