Chapter 76 ….
“The imperial palace is like this…”
A vast collection of massive, majestic stone buildings.
It was so luxurious and extravagant that it radiated the empire’s power.
It looked like a place where one would have to pay an entrance fee just to tour.
“I wonder how Decarus is doing.”
Even though they had only parted not long ago, worry came almost immediately.
Seeing her this anxious was unusual.
His face kept flickering before her eyes.
“But there was no other choice.”
Elena sighed deeply and kicked a stray stone.
Wearing a dress made movement awkward.
And on top of that, high heels.
She didn’t even wear these comfortably back in Korea.
She had nearly twisted her ankle more than once while walking.
“Ouch…”
Her ankle hurt after barely walking a few steps.
It seemed better to sit on a bench and take off her shoes.
“I feel like I might survive.”
Her toes hurt as if bound by something, like in ancient foot-binding.
So that’s why high heels are bad for health.
But at the banquet later, she couldn’t take her shoes off. What should she do?
“Maybe I should secretly slip them off…”
At that moment, the sound of someone running hurriedly reached her ears.
Turning her head to see who it was, a familiar face appeared.
“Aiden…?”
It was definitely Aiden.
She hadn’t expected to meet like this in such a vast place.
Friends must have some kind of connection even from afar.
Elena waved her hands energetically to greet him.
He, in shock, ran even faster toward her.
“What on earth…”
Aiden glanced around cautiously as he spoke softly.
Well, he couldn’t have known she had entered the palace.
“It’s a long story, if I start explaining.”
Elena looked at him with a calm and composed expression.
Aiden washed the surprise from his face and helped her up.
“Come here.”
Pulled suddenly, she walked barefoot, unable to put her shoes back on.
It was much more comfortable than walking in heels anyway.
When they reached a secluded, empty area, he caught his breath and spoke.
“Why on earth are you here?”
“The emperor said he’d adopt me as a daughter, like a foster child.”
“What?”
Aiden jumped as if he had bitten his tongue.
“I had no choice. Carus almost died.”
“Ha… tell me properly what the hell you mean.”
“Well, the imperial carriage passed by, and I thought it was you, so I stared. But it was the empress. So…”
Elena explained everything that had happened that day.
The deeper the story went, the more his expression hardened.
“This isn’t the time. You need to leave here immediately. Come on.”
“If I leave, it’ll only make Carus’s situation difficult. I told them I’d enter the palace.”
“Are you even sane? Do you know where this is…!”
Aiden looked angrier than she had ever seen him.
His face flushed red and blue, ready to explode.
“This is no place for you, Elena. Please, just listen.”
He grabbed her hand and urgently pulled her along.
She felt like livestock being dragged back to the slaughterhouse.
“Ouch, Aiden! Gently…!”
“Over there.”
From afar, a deep, firm voice called out.
Following the sound, she looked up and saw the empress standing tall.
Wearing a dress of a different color than before, she was still beautiful.
Her maids and guards lined up neatly on both sides.
“What brings the prince here?”
“Your… Your Majesty, the Empress of the Imperial Moon, I pay my respects.”
Aiden’s face turned pale as if he had seen a ghost.
The empress smiled lightly, seemingly unbothered, and opened her fan.
“It seems you are quite familiar with Lady Kayla.”
He fell silent for a moment at the unfamiliar name.
The hand he held trembled as if an electric current ran through it.
“She is unknown to me. She just looks like an intruder…”
“An intruder? She is my foster daughter. Isn’t that right, Kayla?”
“Ah… y-yes…”
Elena stammered at the word “foster daughter.”
The empress lowered her fan and smiled.
“Well then, let’s head to the palace annex. I took special care for Lady Kayla today.”
The empress took Elena’s opposite hand and led her away.
Aiden, however, remained standing, still holding her hand.
“Prince.”
“You cannot take her.”
He gripped her hand tightly, signaling he would never let go.
“Ha… are you saying you would defy the empress?”
The atmosphere was tense.
It felt like something big was about to happen, just like before.
“Rude. Let go.”
Elena wrenched her hand free.
It was an unavoidable choice.
She didn’t want Aiden to get into trouble.
“Then…”
Elena turned and stood beside the empress.
Her heart felt like it was being torn apart.
But she promised herself she’d explain everything later and took a step forward.
“Are you hurt anywhere? The prince seems overreactive.”
The empress said, holding her hand firmly.
Warmth flowed through her hand.
“I’m fine, Your Majesty. Thank you for your concern.”
“Caring for a daughter is a mother’s duty. It’s only natural.”
The atmosphere became cozy.
The empress tended to her as if she were her own daughter.
She even helped Elena put on the shoes she hadn’t managed to wear earlier.
Oddly, though, the maids and guards around them remained expressionless, like wooden dolls.
A strange feeling crept over her, but she brushed it off.
“Wow…”
The palace annex was beautiful.
Sunlight streamed through long windows, filling the space with warmth. The room was adorned with lush plants, like a greenhouse.
White tables and chairs, along with potted plants, added to the clean and charming atmosphere.
Mirrors framed in gold on either side added a touch of luxury.
“It feels like a small garden…”
“This place was personally arranged by the empress long ago. Our daughter loved it as well.”
The empress smiled gently.
Elena walked slowly, mouth agape at the beautiful scenery.
“Let’s take a look around. It seems the food isn’t fully prepared yet.”
“Yes…”
Elena’s attention was drawn to the windows, as if spellbound.
From the annex on the hill, the view was breathtaking.
The wide windows revealed the imperial palace, its vast gardens, and a long lake stretching before it.
The red sun sinking below the horizon bathed the white palace in a pink glow, adding to the beauty.
“I’m glad you like it. We should visit often.”
Elena nodded lightly and moved toward the long table.
White tables held small potted plants, vintage candlesticks, and an array of delicious dishes.
“All of these were prepared with Lady Kayla in mind.”
“Th-thank you.”
It felt magical—her favorite salmon dish was right in front of her.
There was even artichoke stuffed with ham and mushrooms.
Everything looked utterly delicious.
“I really love salmon…”
Elena gazed ahead, moved.
The empress smiled faintly, pleased.
Not just salmon, but soup with clams, roasted lobster, abalone, and pasta with black olives.
As a land of seafood, all the dishes were seafood-based.
“Shall we eat?”
Elena, following etiquette lessons, cut her food gracefully.
Dining here with the empress was a thrilling experience.
“Our daughter loved salmon. And Lady Kayla loves it too. Quite remarkable.”
The empress’s kind smile lifted the corners of her lips.
“It’s fascinating that you have so much in common with my daughter. It’s almost as if you’re truly my child…”
Then she suddenly lowered her spoon, her expression turning somber.
Elena paused, worried she had done something wrong.
“Your Majesty, did I make some mistake…”
“No, it’s not that.”
The empress covered her mouth with her hand, looking distressed.
“Your Majesty…”
“Just once… could you call me ‘Mother’?”
“Eh?”
Elena asked, confused.
Did she just say to call her “Mother”?
“No, no… this old fool is being foolish…”
“Ah… no… Mother…”
Tears streamed from the empress’s eyes as she smiled like an angel.
Her smile was purifying, clear, and heartwarming.
“Ah, no, let’s not dwell on that. Let’s raise a glass to commemorate today. Lady Kayla, can you drink a little?”
“Yes, yes.”
The empress picked up the wine bottle and stood.
It reminded Elena of the time she had gotten drunk in front of Decarus.
Hopefully, she wouldn’t pass out this time.
“Now then.”
The empress approached with the wine.
But suddenly Elena remembered proper etiquette: the younger person should pour wine for the elder, especially for the empress!
“I-I will pour, Your Majesty.”
“No, I’m in a very good mood today. Don’t worry.”
Elena froze, unsure whether to sit or stand.
Deep red wine filled a transparent glass.
It felt like some ceremonial ritual.
The empress poured her own glass as well.
“To commemorate our first day together.”
“It’s an honor, Your Majesty.”
Elena smiled shyly, raising her glass.
The empress nodded slightly in response, clinking glasses.
“Thank you for becoming my daughter.”
“Yes, of course.”
They clinked glasses in the air and slowly sipped the wine.
Unlike grape juice, it was bitter with a hint of sweetness lingering in her mouth.
“This wine is really delicious.”
“Of course. I added a little medicine, so it had to taste good.”
“…Excuse me?”
Elena frowned, wondering if she had heard her correctly.
The empress still wore a gentle smile.
“What did you say…”
“Foolish girl.”
But now her smile was no longer angelic—it was demonic.
The icy expression made Elena’s heart freeze.
The empress rested her chin gracefully on her hand, lips curved like a crescent moon.
“Sleep well, Elena.”
