***
****
“What do you mean she doesn’t have the energy of the people of this world?”
“It’s hard to say for sure, since I’m not close to the Empress. But she has a different energy than ordinary people.”
“It sounds strange.”
The Empress Dowager looked at Jack with a strange look in her eyes, and Jack said with more force in his eyes.
“I told you the other day. She’s not an ordinary woman. Please give me the opportunity to be in the imperial palace, I will keep an eye on the Empress and make sure I find out her secret.”
His proposal caused a conflict in the Empress Dowager’s mind. But Jack’s momentum brought him closer and closer to the Empress Dowager.
“All of the imperial priests are under the command of the Empress, but many of the Emporium Empire’s priests are still in the hands of Your Highness.”
The Empress Dowager listened to his words quietly.
“If my hypothesis is proven true, they will move. But in order to convince them, I must be sure about the Empress.”
Jack clasped his hands together slightly and raised his eyes. It was as if he was already convinced of his hypothesis.
The Empress Dowager, who had been listening with great interest, felt as if her previously heavy head had been lightened.
‘If only I could use this as an excuse to get rid of her……….’
She took a deep breath and then looked at Jack.
“Yes, how can I help you?”
Jack whispered, coming close to Patricia’s ear so that no one could hear.
“In our family, there is a divine holy water that has been passed down from generation to generation. It is usually sprinkled on the corpses of the dead to purify them of their sins.”
“I think I’ve heard of this holy water.”
“Yes, that’s what most people know. But if you go deep through the flesh of a non-human, their soul will be separated and return to hell.”
“Entering through the flesh…… how do you pierce the flesh of the Empress?”
Jack narrowed his eyes. Then he said firmly.
“We need someone who can use arrows and swords well, Your Highness.”
Patricia was so surprised that her mouth froze. Bows and arrows? Wasn’t it too dangerous?
Jack looked around and recited low.
“If we can penetrate the Empress’s flesh by putting holy water on the arrowhead or the tip of the blade, we’ll get a reaction.”
”Um, what if she dies….”
Patricia couldn’t help but speak louder, then she covered her mouth in surprise and quietly spoke.
“Yes, so what if she dies…..”
Jack smiled wickedly.
“Even if she doesn’t die instantly on the spot, I’m sure she’ll react the moment she touches the divine holy water. We just need to make sure of that.”
The Empress Dowager, overcome with excitement, rose from her seat and strode over to the window.
“The story doesn’t quite add up, does it? Tomorrow there will be a ball to celebrate the Empress’s ascension.”
“That’s a great opportunity. Many nobles will witness it.”
“It seems that God is favoring our Grand Duke.”
As the Empress Dowager looked out the window, an eerie energy came from her eyes, like a viper before its prey.
***
The next evening was the day of the ball to celebrate the Empress’s accession to the throne.
Numerous designers gathered in Liv’s dressing room. They moved about busily because it was the Empress who had to be more beautiful and stood out than anyone else. There were many fancy dresses.
Meanwhile, Liv was just feeling overwhelmed by the thought of Theodore being left alone. She had to get ready quickly, but she couldn’t get off her feet.
She made eye contact with Theodore, who was beside her, staring at her with a nervous look on his face.
‘If you are ever afraid or uncomfortable here, you can always send me a message. Mother will rush out to see you.”
“Yes……………….”
Theodore replied in a small voice. Liv only patted Theodore’s head continuously.
At that moment, Jane, who was standing next to her, quickly said.
“Your Majesty, you must be ready to go to the ball.”
“Yes.”
As she stepped into the dressing room, not knowing what to expect, Liv’s eyes widened at the sight of the colorful sight before her.
Jane put as much effort into her voice as she could towards Liv, who was stiff with surprise.
“Since this is a ball celebrating Your Majesty’s accession to the throne, shouldn’t Your Majesty look the most gorgeous?”
Soon, behind Jane, a number of designers spread out the dresses they had created. There were more than 20 dresses.
“’The Empress’s clothes have attracted so much attention that they are in vogue among the nobility. We will take the responsibility of preparing the most beautiful outfits.”
“And I’m supposed to wear all of this?”
Before the regression, Liv was implicitly alienated and scorned by the nobility. It had been a long time since anyone, let alone a designer, had given the dress a proper look.
So she didn’t have this nervousness about the costumes for the ball.
As if she was already tired of the enormous number of clothes, Liv gradually stepped back. Jane, who soon approached her, firmly said.
“Of course, Your Majesty. Look how many ladies will be there.”
She whispered in Liv’s ear.
“The young ladies will line up and dance with the Emperor.”
“How is that possible…?”
“The young lady you were asking about, Alish von Baxter, will be there as well.”
At Jane’s words, Liv’s eyes suddenly took on a different look. She quickly changed her words out of sheer competitiveness.
“Then recommend me a dress.”
After trying many designer dresses, Liv chose a red satin evening dress, based on Jane’s recommendation.
Her ivory colored hair was raised high with a crown on top, and she wore the ruby necklace that Carius had given her, and a veil hanging down behind her shoulders.
“Your Majesty, the Emperor has arrived.”
Liv’s eyes opened wide in surprise at Carius’ sudden visit. She turned and said to Jane.
“Please stay with the Prince today instead of me. If anything happens, send a message quickly.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Don’t worry.”
Liv smiled, relieved by Jane’s strong reply. She hurriedly finished her preparations and headed for the garden of the Empress Palace.
Soon, she saw Carius, dressed in a white uniform with a golden insignia and a fluttering red cape.
Standing there, escorted by the imperial guard, Carius was the perfect image of an emperor.
Liv paused at the sight of him, his black hair and red cape fluttering in the wind.
Immediately, Carius turned his head, sensing her presence and looked at Liv.
Carius approached slowly and held out his large hand to her. Liv took his hand and walked.
As she and Carius boarded the carriage, Liv turned her head and looked out the window.
The fresh breeze, the dancing crisp air that could be felt as they passed the imperial garden. It was a perfect day for a ball.
Liv, who had been silently looking out the window, suddenly turned her head. She met Carius staring at her.
“I can’t recognize you. You look different than usual.”
Liv didn’t even know her face felt hot for a moment, and her whole body went rigid.
‘What should I do? It’s so awkward when he’s complimenting me…’
At that moment, Liv smiled at Carius, hoping to loosen the mood, but her smile made Carius blush and he turned away shyly.
At that time, the outline of the ballroom began to be seen in the distance. Liv looked out the window at the bright lights of the ballroom.
The sunset scenery and the grandeur of the castle blended together perfectly.
The country flag with the imperial crest fluttering on top of the castle. The golden eagle statue loomed large in the center of the castle, seemingly representing the imperial bloodline and authority.
When they arrived and disembarked from the carriage, the imperial guards stood and escorted Carius and Liv.
Liv was escorted by Carius, she straightened her back as much as possible and entered the ballroom with graceful gait.
In the midst of the numerous Dukes, Duchesses, and noble ladies and worthy knights, the emperor’s aide drew their attention.
“His Majesty, the Emperor, and the Empress are entering!”
Carius and Liv had everyone’s attention as they slowly walked down the two flights of stairs. Then many people greeted them with great courtesy.
“We are pleased to meet the Emperor and Empress.”
Carius and Liv nodded to the people, then walked past them to the top seat.
Carius took the wine glass that his aide gave him and lifted it in front of everyone. And they all followed him and lifted their wine glasses.
All the eyes of the nobles focused on Carius.
“Thank you for attending today’s imperial ball celebrating the accession of the Empress. This is a most joyous occasion. May you put aside your heavy political duties for a while and have a good time!”
Carius took a sip of wine with a loud gulp of congratulations. Liv also took a sip of her wine as she sat next to him.
Meanwhile, Edgar, who was standing in the center of the first floor, his expression was becoming increasingly stiff. He was surrounded by many ladies, but his gaze was always fixed on one place.
‘Why does she keep getting caught in my eyes when she’s with the emperor? Why do I want to have her more now that she is far away…’
Despite the Empress Dowager’s warning, he had no way of winning his heart. In order to hide his impatient, fluttering heart, Edgar took the glass of wine that was placed beside him and drank in one gulp.
Unbeknownst to Liv, she was greeting the many noblewomen standing in front of her, not knowing Edgar’s mind.
She had no idea how many people she had greeted, and her lips began to tremble, almost to the point of convulsions.
At the same time, Liv was looking sideways at Carius. No, she had to look at him. She couldn’t see the dour look on his face when he was surrounded by so many ladies.
‘Was Carius always so popular? Was I ever so indifferent that I didn’t notice?’
While Liv was peering at him, a certain young lady approached Carius to greet him.