Chapter 70
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Chapter 70
...Here?
...Why?
Before my eyes could even process what was happening, The Emperor's Advisors lined up on both sides and entered the Banquet Hall.
"Your Majesty The Emperor!"
"We behold the sun of The Empire."
Those who had held their breath at The Emperor's entrance regained their composure and offered proper courtesy.
Could I faint right now?
The saying that people freeze completely when shocked beyond measure seemed to ring true.
I couldn't tear my eyes away from the Imperial Family members advancing with enough force to consume the entire Banquet Hall, and I stood rigid as stone.
My heart pounded as though it might burst.
Thump! Thump!
So this is the male protagonist of this world—his very presence was different.
Merely by appearing, the air around him grew heavy, and a chilling atmosphere permeated the Banquet Hall.
As The Emperor entered the solemnized Banquet Hall, my legs trembled.
To face The Emperor like this.
I never imagined he would launch a direct, unannounced assault just to eliminate me alone.
If he had summoned me to the Imperial Palace, perhaps—but to come directly himself...? For me...?
Light glimmered and flashed as he walked in.
I gazed at The Emperor's legs before slowly lifting my gaze upward.
I traced his long legs, swept across his frame, and finally reached his face, his face, his face...!
"!"
In that instant, my heart sank.
'He's wearing a mask?'
I couldn't see The Emperor's face.
More precisely, I couldn't discern it.
He wore a black mask that concealed every feature, leaving nothing recognizable.
The Emperor, his face completely hidden, appeared all the more oppressive because of it.
The masked Emperor halted before me.
There was no room for doubt—the masked man was indeed The Emperor.
The numerous Advisors bearing embroidered sashes symbolizing The Empire surrounded him, which was undeniable proof.
The overwhelming pressure emanating from his imposing frame—the way he could silence people's breath merely by standing still—required no words as evidence.
"...."
The mask was so dark that I couldn't even discern the color of his eyes, yet the sensation of his gaze sweeping coldly across me made my teeth chatter involuntarily.
I was trembling now. Far worse than I had anticipated.
A man who could kill me at any moment, who could bring this entire house to ruin.
Facing such a person delivered quite a blow.
My mind went blank for a moment—so much so that I couldn't even recall the original story.
I had no idea what his temperament was like, or how I could possibly appease The Emperor's displeasure when he came seeking me out with such negative feelings.
I couldn't think at all.
'So this is the weight the male protagonist carries in this world....'
All I could think was how overwhelming it felt.
The only thing I managed to focus on was The Emperor's hair color.
Just as described in the original work, The Emperor had gleaming golden hair.
When referring to The Emperor, people called him the sun of The Empire, and that expression fit perfectly—his hair was like pure gold.
Before I could stare any longer and accidentally meet his gaze, I turned my head away.
Apparently my expression looked embarrassed to those around me, because the atmosphere began to stir.
'So it's true that Adeline is being considered as the next Empress. This isn't just a rumor at all.'
'The fact that His Majesty personally attended House Lockhart's event means his relationship with Adeline has already progressed to that extent!'
Just by scanning people's eyes, I could read their thoughts.
I seemed to have an unfortunate talent for mind-reading.
That's when The Emperor approached me.
'Go!'
Go! Get away!
My brain was screaming desperately, but my lips and legs wouldn't budge.
If I hesitated and tried to avoid The Emperor here, it would be absolutely disastrous. There were hundreds of eyes watching.
"...."
I stood there, staring only at the ground.
Then I saw The Emperor's feet approaching right in front of my face.
"It's been a long time, Adeline."
A long time?
We were meeting for the first time right now.
'...Ah, wait.'
Could it be that The Emperor was going along with it because saying we were meeting for the first time would put me in a difficult situation?
Thinking of the original Emperor, such consideration seemed impossible, so I was uncertain.
I opened my eyes wide and glanced up slightly before slowly raising my head.
"It is truly an honor that you have traveled such a distance to grace our House with your presence, Your Majesty."
I was still suspicious, but my legs faithfully bent in a curtsy to him.
Since I was already facing him, I stared intently at his face.
I even tried narrowing my eyes, thinking I might see better that way.
But I couldn't.
His face behind the mask was hidden so thoroughly that I couldn't see even the tiniest bit.
"You seem to be doing well, which brings me joy. Splendid clothes and jewels lose their luster before you, I must say. They suit you well."
The Emperor's voice was quite low and pleasant.
It was among the best male voices I'd ever heard, and it suddenly made me think of Dale.
But our Dale, even with a low voice, spoke with crisp articulation that was easy to hear—a soft voice that was pleasant to listen to at night.
The Emperor's voice, on the other hand... I suppose it could be considered pleasant if I were generous, but it's so low that I can barely make out the pronunciation, and I have no idea what he's saying.
It's a similar baritone, yet somehow so different.
'Ah, I wish I could run away to Grunvalt and see Dale.'
But this isn't the time for that...
I swallowed my tears and flashed the Emperor a brilliant smile. After all, I needed to preserve my life. I had to conduct myself with propriety before the Emperor.
Since I'd already been caught once, I couldn't afford to further tarnish my family's honor because of me.
"It is all thanks to Your Majesty's gracious benevolence."
But why does the Emperor seem to be acting friendly toward me?
Ah, I understand now.
'A compassionate and tender-hearted Emperor concept?'
My quick intuition allowed me to deduce this.
My facial muscles were beginning to cramp from smiling at the Emperor.
The Emperor was gazing at me with an uncomfortable intensity.
Is he perhaps thinking about how to punish me?
Whether to confine and torment me, physically punish me, humiliate me, and so on.
As a prospective bride who had disappeared for years, there was no way the original Emperor would simply leave me alone given his nature.
No matter how much my father is Duke Lockhart, he would surely harbor some personal resentment toward me.
I had already prepared myself for this.
From the moment I duped the Emperor and fled, I had weighed the consequences.
'Is he thinking about wanting to blow my head off?'
A chill ran down my spine.
"My lady."
The Emperor called out to me again.
It felt like the moment the Grim Reaper calls your name three times.
"Y-yes, Your Majesty?"
"I heard that today is an occasion where everyone brings out their cherished possessions. Is that correct?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. All proceeds from the bazaar will be donated."
"Then, though it may be late, I would like to donate an item to House Lockhart as well. Would that be possible?"
At the Emperor's words, I heard someone gasp as if they might faint.
Even if the Emperor were angry with me, it seemed he wouldn't rebuke me immediately at this gathering, but rather...
A donation?
And one of the Emperor's cherished possessions at that?
The kind of treasure that must be enshrined forever in the Imperial Treasury?
Donated to House Lockhart?
And to such an event where someone could purchase it for far less than its true value?
"...I am grateful, Your Majesty, but I dare not presume to deserve such an honor."
"I am the one who feels honored to attend an event hosted by you, my lady."
Why is the Emperor...?
Why is he being so kind?
I eyed the object the Aide was bringing with suspicion.
"That's...!"
"Good heavens!"
Gasps of astonishment erupted from every corner of the room.
"It is the ceremonial sword of the First Emperor."
I stated matter-of-factly that I would be donating one of the Empire's ten most treasured artifacts—as casually as if I were selling secondhand goods.
Had I heard that correctly?
Even when I pressed my ears repeatedly, the words remained the same.
"...It is a great honor."
I could only repeat the word honor.
As everyone held their breath, the First Emperor's ceremonial sword entered the auction.
Moments later, it shattered the bazaar's auction record and was sold to an Imperial antiques collector.
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