TGBWT 08

Chapter: 08

‘You’ve worked very hard.’

‘…?’

‘The Hand of Confucius.’

A voice engraved into his mind so deeply that it remained unforgettable no matter how much time passed.

Even after losing his parents to the deposed Emperor Razer.
Even after wandering the continent.
Even after losing countless people who had trusted and followed him, all because of his enemy’s army…

In the end, it was the voice of a certain young woman that allowed him to stand back up again.

Though she probably had no idea.

“So this time… I’ll be the one to protect you.”

After such a long journey, at last…

Edrian let out a bitter smile and turned his gaze away.

Beyond the horizon, dawn was breaking.

The heavy darkness blanketing the corridor was gradually pushed aside by the brilliant morning sun until it disappeared without a trace.

It was just like Edrian’s heart.

Lyris, who had been fast asleep, was jolted awake by an obnoxiously loud alarm.

“Beep! Beep! Beep!”

“Mmm…”

Lyris loved sleeping, and mornings were her greatest weakness.

Ever since settling in the southern region, this had been her favorite part—she could sleep in as long as she wanted without worrying about anyone else’s opinion.

Half-asleep, she instinctively reached toward her bedside while rolling over.

“Beep! Beep! Beep!”

“Ugh…”

So the clock was on the left instead of the right today.

She rolled over again and reached around her pillow.

Then she suddenly froze.

“Beep! Beep! Beep!”

“…?”

Hmm.

Did this world even have alarm clocks?

No, more importantly…

Since when did alarm clocks fly around from side to side while ringing?

Something gently landed on the bridge of her nose.

The instant it did, Lyris’ eyes flew open as if someone had splashed cold water on her face.

“Beep!”

The first thing she saw was a pair of tiny bean-sized eyes sparkling at her.

Attached to…

…a fresh green little leaf.

“Am I dreaming?”

“Bee?”

But if it was a dream, the touch of the hand—no, tiny roots—resting against her cheek felt far too real.

Lyris slowly sat up in bed and let out a long sigh.

She desperately needed some time to process what she was looking at.

“Haaah…”

“Bee?”

The leaf slipped off the bridge of her nose and toddled around on her lap.

She stared blankly, wondering how she was supposed to interpret a leaf that had arms and legs—well, roots—and could not only walk around but even cry.

“Wait…”

Yesterday’s events suddenly flashed through her mind.

A single yellow leaf had fallen out from among the clothes she had taken off.

It looked unmistakably like a leaf from the World Tree, so throwing it away had felt wrong.

As a temporary measure, she had simply placed it in a cup of water.

But she swore this was not the outcome she’d wanted.

She had never wished for a mysterious leaf to buzz around her head while making a racket.

“Beep… beep…”

“Haaaaah…”

Knock. Knock.

At that moment, a polite knock came from outside the door.

Lyris hurriedly grabbed the leaf out of the air like she was catching a bee and hid it behind her back.

Committing sacrilege once yesterday had been enough.

She had no desire to pile another sin on top of it.

Just how grave was the crime of giving eyes and a mouth to a sacred World Tree leaf…?

“W-Who is it?”

“Good morning, Doctor.”

It was Xenia.

Still trembling while holding hands—roots—with the little leaf, Lyris let out a sigh of relief.

After receiving permission to enter, Xenia stepped inside carrying a basin of fresh water, a comb, and other grooming supplies.

“It is time for you to get up.”

“Why so early…?”

Judging by the height of the sun outside, it was only around nine o’clock.

Far too early for any reasonable person to be awake and functioning.

Xenia knew that as well.

Which meant there could only be one explanation.

“So they’re finally banishing me from the Imperial Palace?”

“No.”

“What? Then there’s no reason for me to get up this early… I’m going back to sleep.”

“Then I shall relay that message.”

Lyris was just about to crawl back under the covers when something about that response struck her as odd.

She quickly stuffed the buzzing leaf back into the cup, carefully sealed it with the lid, and asked,

“Relay it… to whom?”

“To Her Majesty the Empress.”

“What exactly?”

“That Doctor Lyris has no intention of attending Her Majesty because she requires more sleep. I shall inform the chief attendant from the Empress’s Palace, who is currently waiting outside.”

“…So you really wanted me dead, huh. That’s what this was.”

Lyris shot out of bed faster than the speed of light.

The Empress’s Palace, known as the Moon of the Empire, radiated overwhelming majesty from the very entrance.

Sunlight poured through crystal windows like foaming waves, spilling across pure white Mediterranean marble.

Every pillar supporting the palace was carved with scenes depicting the moon from ancient myths, while the walls glittered with gemstones scattered like stars.

“This way, Lady.”

“But… this doesn’t look like the audience chamber…”

The chief attendant stopped before the Empress’s private reception room.

Unlike the audience chamber, where every conversation was recorded by royal scribes, this was a secret place where whatever happened inside remained hidden from the outside world.

Even if the neck of some insignificant doctor happened to roll across the floor, no one outside would ever know.

“Her Majesty wishes to speak with you in private.”

“Uh…”

I’d really rather not.

Lyris planted her feet stubbornly, like a puppy refusing to enter a veterinary clinic.

The chief attendant bombarded her with impatient looks, silently urging her to get inside already.

In the end, Lyris was practically shoved through the doorway.

Am I seriously about to lose my head…?

The thought didn’t last long.

Someone seated on the sofa in the center of the reception room caught her attention.

Lyris immediately lowered her head as respectfully as possible.

“May everlasting glory shine upon the Moon of the Empire. I-I offer my greetings to Your Majesty, the Empress.”

“You may rise.”

Only after receiving permission from Empress Aitana did Lyris straighten up.

Wow… it’s really the heroine…

Her presence was overwhelming.

Lyris had sworn to herself over and over that she wouldn’t entertain any personal thoughts.

But this was the first time she had seen the protagonist of the original novel with her own eyes, and she couldn’t help staring.

Aitana looked exactly as she had been described.

Flaming crimson hair.

Large, striking features.

Deep, brilliant golden eyes.

Long, elegant limbs.

Above all, there was the natural arrogance shining from her piercing gaze.

She was the kind of dazzling beauty who would make anyone turn around for a second look on the street.

Yet one thing contrasted sharply with her noble appearance.

A large scar stretched across her hand.

A reminder of the harsh past she had endured.

So that’s the scar she got during her days as a slave. Not hiding it and displaying it proudly… that’s so like the heroine.

The previous emperor, Razer, had been utterly incompetent.

Born the eldest son of the imperial family, he had ascended the throne through sheer luck.

But he had never possessed the ability to bear the weight of the crown.

His son, Kairos, on the other hand, was wise and benevolent.

The people praised him as the very model of an ideal ruler.

Naturally, the balance of power gradually shifted away from the emperor and toward the crown prince.

Razer couldn’t stand it.

Born foolish yet consumed by greed, he could only be satisfied if all power and attention were focused solely on himself.

Then came Kairos’s engagement to Aitana.

To Razer, the Akshad Ducal House had become the Crown Prince’s greatest source of support.

He could already envision a future where he himself would be overshadowed by their influence.

And so, he acted.

“Execute the Duke and Duchess of Akshad along with their heir. Strip their daughter of her noble title and sell her into slavery.”

The emperor framed House Akshad for treason.

The Crown Prince knelt before his father’s chambers for days and nights, begging him to spare the family of the woman he loved, until he finally collapsed from exhaustion.

During that time, the duke and duchess were executed without even receiving a proper trial.

Edrian had been away managing the northern territory and narrowly escaped.

Aitana, however, was not so fortunate.

She had already entered the palace in preparation for her wedding to the Crown Prince.

“Aitana! I’ll come save you! I swear I will!”

“Don’t. Kairos, I’ll find my own way to survive. You must survive as well and become Emperor. Promise me that is the only thing you’ll think about.”

As she was dragged out of the palace, Aitana left Kairos with those final words.

She told him not to worry about her in the slightest.

All he had to do was survive under Razer and one day become emperor.

Then, keeping her promise to her beloved…

The moment she arrived at the northern slave market, she drew a greatsword, cut down her guards, smashed the prison to pieces, and calmly escaped.