Chapter 13

Inside the detached palace.

Lilia, now officially a lady’s maid, delivered news that had arrived from the main palace to Evelyn.

“…And so, special instructions were given to make thorough preparations. But, Your Highness, what is a feeding competition?”

Her face was full of confusion.

“If it’s in four days, isn’t that the day the execution was originally scheduled? I heard the captured rebels were going to be punished…”

“That’s right.”

At that moment, the door opened and Morian, whom she had sent on an errand, returned.

“Your Highness, I brought some desserts.”

“Perfect timing. Both of you, have a seat.”

Though she usually kept Mol at a distance, this time she wanted to explain the same thing to both of them.

She still had no intention of trusting her, but she did want her to know what sort of person she was serving.

“I only happened to overhear it at the main palace recently. It’s confidential, so keep it to yourselves until the day arrives.”

In truth, she had seen it in a previous life, but that hardly mattered.

“The feeding competition is an execution event that the Head Attendant prepared for Her Majesty.”

“An… event?”

Execution.

Event.

The two words did not belong together at all.

Two pairs of eyes gleamed with curiosity.

Then Evelyn began to explain.

As she spoke, the curiosity vanished from their faces, replaced by expressions of utter shock.

“You’re saying they make people do something like that…?”

“Is that even possible?”

“Yes. They brainwash them with aura.”

“The Head Attendant can use aura too? And brainwashing, of all things? I’ve never heard of anything like that before!”

At Mol’s astonished voice, Evelyn let out a faint scoff.

“That’s the power of the Emperor. Humans who receive a Blessing can forcibly raise their aura to its limits. As for the Head Attendant, since he originally couldn’t awaken aura at all, his ability developed in a rather unusual direction.”

“…”

The mouths of both women remained open, but no further words came out.

Across from them, Evelyn continued calmly.

“At first, everyone will be horrified by the cruelty of the event. But the moment they hear the prize money, their eyes will light up.”

“…”

“I won’t stop either of you if you want to place a bet. But I wanted to tell you properly while you’re still capable of thinking rationally.”

The heavy green eyes of Evelyn turned beyond the window toward the arena, where the final stages of construction were underway.

“Just how horrifying that event really is.”

***

Four days later, the gates of the Imperial Palace, which had remained tightly closed since the coronation, were opened.

When word spread that this event was open to everyone, not only the nobles residing in the capital but commoners as well flocked to attend.

“Even commoners are being allowed in… What could Her Majesty possibly be thinking?”

“I heard this event was planned entirely by Viscount Hopnagen, the Head Attendant.”

“Oh my, then the person responsible for transforming the grand banquet hall into this as well was…?”

“Yes. They say the Viscount personally oversaw the entire project.”

“Oh my.”

The grand banquet hall, which had once existed to host major events such as debutante balls and victory celebrations, had now been transformed into a massive arena.

The nobles seated in the stands looked around in admiration.

The spectator seating, arranged across two levels, was spacious enough to accommodate a massive crowd.

The first floor, which offered a close view of the arena, was occupied by nobles who had received invitations.

The second floor was filled with commoners fortunate enough to secure seats on a first-come, first-served basis.

There was a clear distinction in seating according to status, but one thing was common to all of them:

anticipation shone on every face.

“I heard there was supposed to be an execution today?”

“So they say. They even let people like us in. Is Her Majesty a rather generous ruler?”

“I suppose so. I heard she even allowed her half-sister to live in the detached palace!”

The commoners could barely contain their excitement simply from being allowed to attend such a prestigious event.

True, not every part of the Imperial Palace had been opened to them.

But still—this was an extraordinary opportunity.

It almost made them feel special themselves, and they could not stop smiling.

In contrast to the noisy atmosphere around them, a quiet silence hung over the seating area at the center of the first floor.

“…”

“…”

The faces of Princess Evelyn and her attendants, Morian and Lilia, were shadowed with gloom.

Not a single word passed between them.

Seated upright, Evelyn was dazzlingly beautiful.

The green silk dress that emphasized her slender waist was embroidered with blue flowers along its hem, evoking the arrival of spring.

The square neckline highlighted her straight collarbones and elegant shoulders.

Seated in the closest section beside the Imperial Family’s viewing area, Robert leaned toward her.

“Your Highness, you are truly beautiful.”

“…”

“Even the splendid weather of a spring day cannot compare to Your Highness. Did you dress up so beautifully for my sake?”

“As if.”

Evelyn’s gaze, which had been fixed on the empty arena, shifted toward him.

Robert sat with his legs crossed in a somewhat insolent posture.

“I’m beginning to worry that you may be suffering from delusions. Perhaps you should speak to Her Majesty. Tell her you need some rest.”

“Pfft.”

A laugh escaped him.

Letting out a breath that sounded almost like a whistle, he shrugged and added,

“Well, that’s fine. We have plenty of time ahead of us.”

Ever since revealing his true nature the last time, Robert had stopped bothering to hide his natural slyness.

‘I wanted to strip away that hypocritical facade of his.’

‘If I’d known it would turn out like this, I should’ve just left him alone.’

Once again regretting her own poor judgment, Evelyn sighed inwardly.

“Wouldn’t you agree, Your Highness?”

“…”

The corners of his lips curved upward as his eyes slowly traveled up and down her figure.

The sensation of that sticky gaze crawling over her made goosebumps rise along Evelyn’s back.

The unpleasant feeling twisted her stomach.

She decided to ignore him.

“Your Highness? Are you not hearing me?”

“…”

“Haha…”

A small laugh escaped Robert.

Lightly covering his mouth with one hand, he murmured,

“You really are entertaining.”

‘Even more than I imagined.’

As he suddenly leaned in until he was right in front of her, Evelyn’s brow twisted sharply.

“The more you act like this, the more interested I become… Are you deliberately doing it to lure me in?”

“Do you lack the ability to learn? Or is your head made of stone?”

“Ha!”

At last, Robert burst into loud laughter.

Using his long fingers, he covered his eyes.

After a few breathy chuckles, he continued,

“We’ll see in time.”

When Evelyn stopped responding to the pointless argument, Robert also withdrew without further comment and returned to his original posture.

Just then, a massive drumbeat thundered through the murmuring arena.

“Everyone, observe proper decorum!”

For a brief moment, the arena fell silent.

Then another voice rang out.

“May endless glory shine upon the Empire! His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Mary Ares Strovana, enters!”

Amid thunderous cheers, Mary appeared through the entrance that had previously been closed to all.

The imperial crown shining like the sun.

The crimson cloak trailing across the floor behind her.

The languid expression that symbolized absolute authority.

Everything about her was fitting for one who stood at the pinnacle of power.

“My goodness! It’s Her Majesty the Emperor!”

“I heard she even manifested the Blessing of Strovana.”

“She treats even people like us as human beings. She’ll surely become a great ruler!”

Since the Emperor had not appeared in the plaza on the day of her coronation, using the portraits of the late Emperor and Empress Blair as an excuse, the effect was especially powerful on the commoners seeing her for the first time.

Amid the praise being directed toward Mary, conversations about Wilcock, who followed behind her, could also be heard.

“I heard Viscount Hopnagen exposed House Epister. Apparently they tried to seize the throne the moment the late Emperor passed away.”

“Then does that make the Viscount one of Her Majesty’s key supporters?”

“Isn’t that why the Emperor keeps him so close?”

“That makes sense! He’s going to become one of the most powerful people in the Empire.”

Tsk.

The sound of Robert clicking his tongue reached Evelyn’s ears.

Unlike before, he now sat with perfect posture, his expression noticeably darkened.

After making a half-circle around the arena, Mary finally arrived behind Evelyn’s section.

The throne plated in gold was magnificent enough to draw attention from anywhere in the arena.

“We greet Her Imperial Majesty.”

Before she took her seat, everyone around her rose and bowed.

Following the nobles’ synchronized movements, the commoners hurriedly stood and bent at the waist as well.

The sight of hundreds of people facing one direction and paying their respects was truly spectacular.

At last, a change appeared on Mary’s usually indifferent face.

Her crimson lips curved into a satisfied smile.

After sweeping her gaze across the arena, she sat down.

The audience followed suit and took their seats once more.

“Your Majesty, we will now begin the event.”

Mary gave a small nod.

At once, the Head Attendant behind her stepped forward and took his place at the railing.

His amplified voice echoed throughout the circular arena.

“From this moment onward, we shall begin the Feeding Competition.”

At last, the mystery behind the event was about to be revealed.

The eyes of the audience sparkled with anticipation.

“First, let us express our gratitude to the sun of the Empire, Her Imperial Majesty, Emperor Mary Ares Strovana, for gracing this occasion with her presence.”

A wave of applause erupted through the arena.

“From this point forward, all events will involve audience participation. Each of you received a sheet of paper upon entering, did you not?”

Evelyn lowered her gaze.

On the pure white paper were five boxes, each marked with a number.

The expressions of the maids standing behind her were filled with unease.