EOSL CH 21

Chapter 21

I ran until my lungs burned.

It had been a long time since I used this shortcut. The last time was three years ago—when I stormed into the Imperial Palace to declare to Rubellus that I was quitting my one-sided love.

I thought I would never return to the palace again. And yet, in the meantime, I had already come here twice.

Clutching the hem of my skirt tightly, I hurried up the stairs.

If I passed through this narrow alley and climbed these steps, I would reach the left side of the palace’s outer wall, avoiding the capital’s main road. And there, hidden in the wall, was a tiny hole.

Still… it might have been sealed by now. Palace security was strict.

Out of the fifty or so holes Rubellus had shown me when he was Crown Prince, about eighty percent had already been blocked back then.

I glanced around and felt along the wall, kicking lightly at the spot where the hole should be. If my memory was right, it would look solid but break easily.

…Here.

“You’re all dead. Seriously.”

I kicked hard two or three times. Soon the area crumbled with a crash. Seeing the exposed hole, I bent down without hesitation.

Once I passed through, I could run the rest of the way with my eyes closed. It led straight to the Great Forest.

I dashed through the thick bushes. On the eastern side of the palace, there was a passage used by maids. If I used that route, I could reach the corridor outside the second-floor audience chamber in no time.

After checking my surroundings carefully, I stepped into the palace corridor.

Of course, I absolutely could not run into anyone. If a patrolling guard saw me, it would be a disaster.

“You don’t look like a working maid. Who are you?”

“…”

No. No, wait.

I stared at the young knight standing directly in front of me.

This isn’t even a novel. Did I really have to get caught immediately? And this passage was usually empty… So why was there a knight in a full frock coat uniform standing here?

Not even a regular guard. A knight of the order. Why?

Sh-should I run?

Just as my eyes darted around frantically, the knight suddenly went, “Ah.”

“Are you Lady Wildenbiston, by any chance?”

“…?”

What—what am I supposed to say?

And how does he recognize me? Did I accidentally write “Wildenbiston” across my forehead?

My gaze drifted toward the large, elegant mirror at the end of the corridor.

“Holy—who is that?”

The moment I saw my reflection, I almost fainted.

My hair was a complete mess. I was drenched in sweat. The dress I was wearing was a simple indoor dress with no decorations—just a tiny ribbon on the chest.

I startled myself. If I hadn’t known it was me, I would’ve kicked the mirror.

Just then, the knight pulled out a sheet of paper from his coat and compared it to me.

A portrait. Wait. A portrait?

Why do knights have my portrait? Am I some kind of wanted criminal? Wait… Is this actually that? Am I wanted?

I froze stiff on the spot.

The knight nodded once after checking, then looked at me again.

“Lady Wildenbiston, identity confirmed. His Majesty is currently in the Grand Audience Hall. When His Majesty sees Lady Wildenbiston, he instructed that—”

What is this?

I took a step back.

“When he sees—” I already knew how that sentence would end.

In my mind, I pictured Rubellus sitting with his legs crossed, distributing my portrait to the knights guarding him. Then, tilting his sharp jaw at a perfect angle, he would command:

—She’s a madwoman trying to harm me. If you see her, capture her and lock her in the underground prison.

“AAAAAH!”

I screamed, clutching my skirt with both hands.

No! Absolutely not! Do you know how hard I worked to crawl in here?!

Who does he think he is, blocking my future and ordering knights to detain me?!

Of course, logically speaking, detaining me would make sense! But thankfully, I wasn’t thinking logically at all!

The only thought filling my head was that I needed to find that infuriating Rubellus immediately.

“L-Lady Wildenbiston?”

Startled by my sudden scream, the knight hesitated.

I slowly bent my knees.

Elphain Wildenbiston, who taught me self-defense, once said, “If you want to break through someone, aim for the lower right side at the most unexpected moment.”

I didn’t know why. But he definitely said the lower right side.

As I lowered my body like an enraged bull, the flustered knight tried to calm me.

“Lady Wildenbiston, please—”

“Move!”

I charged at him. “W-wait—!” he cried, hastily stepping aside.

Before his trained reflexes could overcome his confusion, I slipped past him.

Even if I get dragged out later, I’ll say everything I need to say first!

“Lady Wildenbiston! Stop right there—!”

“Move!”

I ran wildly down the corridor. It was fortunate that His Majesty was in the Grand Audience Hall—because it was on this very floor!

“No, Lady Wildenbiston! You mustn’t go that way! His Majesty will see you later separately—!”

I heard the knight shouting behind me, but I didn’t look back.

I turned the corner.

Right in front of me stood the grand double doors engraved with the imperial crest. The guards at the entrance stared at me, mouths hanging open in shock.

“Lady—!”

“Move!”

For a moment, everything felt like slow motion. Their startled faces. Their arms reaching toward me.

I ducked under one easily, rushed forward, lifted my right leg, and delivered a powerful side kick to the door.

The doors burst open with a loud crash.

Ah.

There he was.

In the center of the sunlit Grand Audience Hall.

Rubellus sat on the throne, resting his chin on his hand.

Though the room was vast, all I could see was his face.

If this were the old me, I would’ve made a fuss about how picturesque it was and called for a painter. Even yesterday, I might have tried to memorize it with my eyes.

But not now.

“Your Majesty!”

I shouted as if coughing up blood.

Rubellus’s head snapped up. The moment he recognized me, his face turned to shock.

“Aira—”

He seemed about to say something, but I didn’t care.

Clenching my fists, I yelled at the top of my lungs.

“Isn’t this going too far?! Fiancée? Fiancée?! You brought the entire knight order and said that there—what does that make me?! When did I ever get engaged to you?! Isn’t that too cruel for a joke?!”

“Wait.”

Rubellus stood from the throne. He looked genuinely flustered.

I had never seen him like that before.

A twisted sense of satisfaction rose inside me.

Yes. I came all this way looking like a mess—at least he’s flustered!

He walked toward me. But I wasn’t finished.

“I know I followed you around for twelve years and probably made things difficult! But I never thought you’d go this far! My reputation aside, what about the Shoden heir who was with me?! How could you call me your fiancée there?! Did you hate me so much you had to humiliate me like that?!”

“Wait, Aira.”

“I’m not finished—oh!”

I gasped.

His uniform suddenly filled my vision.

It was the Emperor. Somehow, he had come very close.

When I instinctively stepped back half a step, he lifted his hand and spread his cape.

I was completely hidden within it.

“W-what are you doing?”

“I’m protecting your honor. There are many people inside. Didn’t you see?”

He smiled softly, his violet eyes gleaming.

Smiled? What’s so funny—wait. People?

I stepped closer and lifted the edge of his cape slightly.

“—What.”

The Grand Audience Hall was packed.

Count Tohan—Father’s close friend. Marquis William. And… Father himself, looking utterly stunned.

Viscount Salenne was there too, sweating nervously. Oh no. Even him? That’s dangerous.

His wife was infamous for spreading gossip. Even if he tried to stop her, she never listened. In fact, it was common knowledge that he unknowingly supplied her with gossip.

The moment I recognized them all, my vision cleared as if rain had washed mud away.

It seemed they were holding the morning council here.

Everyone looked shocked beyond words.

“…”

My lips went dry.

One thought echoed in my head, as it always did in situations like this—but today, more desperately than ever.

I’m doomed, aren’t I?

I looked up at the Emperor with teary eyes.

He was smiling brightly.

“Lady Wildenbiston, let us move elsewhere.”

He nodded toward the door. Knights quickly stepped forward beside me.

“Please relocate.”