Chapter 23

Deep within the Imperial Palace, there was an abandoned annex, long neglected, with dead tree branches tangled and stuck to its structure. At first glance, it appeared to be completely deserted. 

However, this annex served as a decoy for Lady Evelyn to stay within the palace without being noticed by court officials and nobles. Contrary to its old and shabby exterior, the interior of the annex was as lavishly decorated as the Emperor’s office. 

“Ah… ah! More, more… ah… ahhh.” 

From early morning, the bedroom of Lady Evelyn in the abandoned annex was filled with the loud moans of a woman. Evelyn was lying diagonally on the bed, her chemise skirt flipped up, with a blond man’s head buried between her legs. He was a slave Evelyn had recently purchased. 

Evelyn, having long forgotten any sense of shame, spread her pale thighs as wide as possible, pinching her own n*pples while trembling in pleasure. The blond man skillfully used his tongue, pointed and firm, to penetrate Evelyn’s wet, glistening hole, slick with her fluids. He sucked deeply, his cheeks hollowing with the effort. 

“Ahhh… ah, yes. Go deeper. Harder! Quickly. Ahhh.”  

The woman’s eyes rolled back as she arched her back, urging him on. The slave, who had already shared several nights of passion with her, caught on quickly. He lifted his head and hastily threw off his pants. 

His enormous manhood sprang up, reaching as high as his navel, twitching slightly. 

The man smirked as he climbed on top of Evelyn, rubbing his length against her pale inner thighs. 

“Where did you learn such insolence? Hah. Did I spoil you too much? Can’t you just put it in already?” 

Lady Evelyn, who had long abandoned any sense of dignity, grabbed the man’s large member with her own hands and guided it into her wet, pulsating opening. Only then did the slave begin his rough thrusting. 

Thud, thud, thud.  

Each time the slave’s rugged, veiny member pounded against her entrance, Evelyn was overwhelmed by a mad rush of sensation. Drool dripped from the corner of her mouth as she reveled in ecstasy. To heighten her pleasure, she clawed at her reddened n*pples with her fingernails. 

“Ah-ha. Ahhh, hngh.” 

The sounds of moaning, animalistic and primal, escaped both Evelyn and the slave. 

It was then. 

“Ahem! Ahem! His Majesty the Emperor… has arrived…!” 

It was exceedingly rare for Joseph Henrique to visit Evelyn Fleur’s quarters in the Imperial Palace. Especially this early in the morning! 

Typically, if the Emperor wished to see Evelyn, his chamberlain would discreetly summon her, and she would go to his bedroom. Thus, she had been caught off guard. 

If not for Chamberlain’s loud announcement from a distance, Evelyn might have been caught in bed with the beautiful young slave from Fargone by the ever-suspicious Emperor. 

“His Majesty is here!!” 

Chamberlain had likely raised his voice the moment he saw the Emperor heading toward Evelyn’s quarters. 

Given Lady Evelyn’s usual insolent behavior, it might have been better for the Emperor to find out and punish her. However, Evelyn would never quietly accept her punishment. Naturally, the chamberlain’s head would be the first to roll if he failed to warn her in time. So, he shouted with all his might. 

Lady Evelyn, completely unfazed by the announcement, gestured for the trembling young man on her bed to hide beneath it. 

That foolish Emperor. 

Whether in his youth or after regaining his vigor, he had never been fit to rule. He was nothing more than a jealous man. How foolish could he be to send his only son, Theodore, to his death and even cast away his grandson, Adrian, all because of her manipulative words? 

Human greed is a dangerous thing. Blind them just a little, and they won’t even realize their throats are pressed against a blade. 

After confirming that the man had hidden under the massive bed, Evelyn stood up, picked up her discarded dress, and hastily shook it out before putting it on. She then left the room and headed to the parlor, where the Emperor stood, surveying the lavishly decorated space. 

“What is that mess on your head, Lady Evelyn?” 

Ah! She had underestimated the Emperor and made a rare mistake. 

“I greet His Majesty the Emperor. Your Majesty… I have not been feeling well today. I went out for a light stroll this morning, but perhaps the dew chilled me, and I started to feel feverish. I rested briefly in bed, which is why I appear so disheveled. Please forgive me.” 

She offered him a sweet smile, fully expecting the Emperor to respond lightly and smile back. 

But his reaction was unexpected. 

“Lady Evelyn. Are you growing old? Your once-sharp wit seems to have dulled. It has been especially noticeable lately. Even if you are unwell…” 

“…” 

“What is this sluggishness that keeps you bedridden? And what is this indifference that prevents you from properly grooming yourself even when I visit? I have been tirelessly working to elevate you above the position of Empress, yet it seems all of this has become meaningless to you. Or have you changed because of your age?”  

Lady Evelyn was left speechless by the Emperor’s brazen criticism. 

She had risked her life to steal the Lion’s Stone from Estelle Fleur and present it to the Emperor. Yet now, after attaining youth and immortality, he mocked Evelyn’s aging appearance. 

She already knew that the Emperor had been calling her to his bed less frequently these days. Instead, he had been visiting a young noble widow named Juen and was even considering elevating her to the position of concubine. 

Though Evelyn held immense power on the surface and was close to becoming Empress, she lived in constant fear of being cast aside into obscurity. 

Is this really what it all comes down to? That beautiful Estelle Fleur… I sold our promise to hell itself, and this is what I’ve gained in return? 

Evelyn couldn’t hold back a bitter laugh as she looked at Joseph Henrique. 

“Your Majesty, please forgive the indifference of this old woman. Could you perhaps tell me the reason for your visit to my humble quarters today?” 

I’m sorry, but your immortality… it’s not eternal. When I fall into ruin, I’ll make sure you’re dragged down with me. 

Her mother had withered away pitifully, but Evelyn had sworn never to live that way. She had made that vow at her mother’s funeral. Her closest friend, Estelle, would never have known about Evelyn’s resolve or her prayers, even in death. 

The Emperor, noticing that Evelyn’s gaze was different from usual, quickly hid his irritation and changed the subject. 

“That girl, Lady Jenna… With the recent White Bloom incident and everything, she may be young, but she’s as sharp as her father, Morgan. She’s proven to be quite insightful.” 

“What do you mean, Your Majesty?” 

Evelyn sat down naturally, offering the Emperor a cup of tea while maintaining her polite smile. 

“Our great victory this time… It seems that the Red Stone of Lucus has lost its power and has been reincarnated as a human. And…” 

Lady Jenna Fleur, how dare you know about that! 

“And what, Your Majesty?” 

Joseph Henrique, though clueless and lacking in ability, had always followed Evelyn’s words because she had granted him immortality. But now, seeing him hesitate to continue, Evelyn realized that Lady Jenna was no ordinary girl. 

Though his lips curled into a smile, the Emperor ground his teeth audibly. 

How much do they know? The Emperor and Lady Jenna… 

“Oh, well, that’s all. Apparently, our wheat harvest has increased significantly. Do you know what’s amusing, Evelyn? According to Lady Jenna, an increase in wheat harvests means that in ten or so years, the number of conscripts will also grow! Isn’t this young lady truly brilliant?” 

Lady Jenna. A cunning manipulator even at such a young age. Magnificent. Estelle must be laughing in the land of the gods. 

* * * 

When Evelyn’s mother returned home, Evelyn always hid in a small space behind the kitchen or near the stove. 

If she was lucky enough to hide before her father got drunk, she might at least get to eat some stale bread. If not, she would have to endure hunger, waiting until her father finished everything and collapsed. 

It always began with her father, Viscount Fischer, staggering into the narrow hall of their shabby country estate. 

‘Damn it! Fleur! Where is that wretched woman? Fleur… Where the hell are you? You think I can’t find you just because you left, you arrogant b*tch? Huh?’

He would shout at the top of his lungs, opening every door in the old, cramped house. One, two, three, four… 

Since there weren’t many rooms, her mother was always dragged out by her hair before long. 

Slap, slap. 

He would hit her with his palm, and when the kicking started, her mother would finally start begging. 

‘I was wrong! I was wrong! Please… I won’t leave again. Please spare me… No!’ 

Even as her mother knelt and begged, her father would strike her back. Only then would her mother, resigned, begin to undress. 

‘You finally know your place, huh? Kneel.’ 

Her father expected her n*ked mother to take his throbbing manhood into her mouth. And this act always took place in the hall of the house, where anyone could walk in at any moment. 

‘Mmgh, mm… mm…’  

Evelyn’s mother, with her head buried in her father’s groin, had tears streaming down her face, and saliva dripped from her mouth. Only then did her father stop speaking. He gripped her long hair fiercely, repeatedly pulling her head closer to his crotch. It was the perfect image of submission.