Chapter 25

As the silence in the chamber stretched on, the Emperor arched one eyebrow in clear displeasure. Noticing this, Diego finally gave the answer the Emperor wanted.

“…I’ll obey your command.”

It was a little late, but not unacceptable. The Emperor, whose instincts had dulled with time, judged Diego’s response.

Intent on keeping Diego under his thumb, he drew out his next words.

“The medicine. I’ve had plenty prepared, so take it with you.”

At a wave of the Emperor’s hand, an attendant stepped forward and let a pouch fall upon the marble floor. The sound echoed softly yet deliberately.

Thud.

Diego picked it up and bowed his head even lower.

“…Thank you.”

Concealed beneath his lowered gaze, a faint, bitter smile played about Diego’s lips.

This was the Emperor’s obvious attempt to remind him of his place. Still, he played along and accepted the medicine without protest. Whatever the Emperor’s motives, the medicine was essential to him. He relied on it to restrain his magic rampancy, which otherwise threatened to consume him.

“I’ve personally seen to it that the ingredients were of the finest quality, just for you.”

“I shall take it gratefully.”

“That’s good. So, how are you faring these days?”

The Emperor peered down at Diego, his chin lifted in an imperious tilt.

There was little warmth in his words. It was the tone of a man seeking facts, not that of a father worried for a son so dependent on medicine.

“My magic core is gradually closing. At this rate, awakening as a transcendent will be nearly impossible.”

“Is that so.”

His tone held not a shred of regret. It was only natural. After all, it was the Emperor himself who had brought his son’s magic core to such a state. The medicine he had been given contained both herbs that soothed his magic rampancy and ingredients meant to shatter his magic core.

And yet, fully aware of this, Diego continued to take it. The Emperor wasn’t ignorant of this either.

The Emperor’s voice drifted over, calm and almost indifferent.

“Good. Now, at last, everything is falling into its proper place. Only one royal shall awaken as a transcendent, and only one son of mine will inherit the throne.”

Clearly pleased, he let out a satisfied laugh.

“I’m quite pleased you know your place so well, Diego. Serve the Crown Prince, the future Emperor, and continue just as you have.”

“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”

“You may go. The ceremony will begin soon.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Once again, Diego bowed his head. Hidden from sight, a chill and murderous intent flickered across his face. But the Emperor, utterly absorbed in his own contentment, failed to notice any of it.

︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ཐི༏ཋྀ ໒꒱ ˚₊ ୧‿︵

The Crystal Hall was one of the smaller chambers within the imperial palace. Inside, a wedding was being prepared. It was modest by imperial standards yet far too lavish for any mere noble.

At last, the ceremony began.

Anais and the Grand Duke, guided by the palace attendants, entered the hall.

Upon the pristine white marble floor, a crimson carpet had been unfurled in a straight line. As the pair began their stately walk, the murmur and commotion in the hall died at once into silence.

“….”

But only for a moment.

Soon, low murmurs swelled again, filling the chamber with whispered voices.

Anais could feel the change in atmosphere prickling across her skin. Feeling a bit overwhelmed, she took one step after another, moving ever closer to married life with the Grand Duke. Thankfully, the white bridal veil shielded her face from view, so she kept her composure, following the designated path as though nothing at all were amiss.

“So that’s the Grand Duke. I’ve never seen him before. They say he was cast aside by the Emperor, called a madman and the Emperor’s hunting dog, but he looks surprisingly normal, doesn’t he?”

“Shh. Be careful what you say. There are rumors that every word spoken about the Grand Duke eventually reaches His Majesty’s ears.”

Snatches of conversation, drifting from all directions, were all about the Grand Duke. Anais, hearing them, turned her gaze toward him. She couldn’t tell what sort of expression he wore, hidden as he was behind the many layers of her bridal veil.

Just then, he turned his head toward her.

“….!”

Even through the sheer white veil, his crimson eyes were strikingly vivid. Flustered, Anais found herself unable to break away from his gaze. In that state, the two of them walked side by side.

Strangely, in that moment, the hum of voices around them seemed to fade into silence.

They were walking down the aisle for their wedding vows. In Anais’s violet eyes, the Grand Duke’s brilliant red gaze was all she could see.

Their eyes had met quite by accident. At last, regaining her composure, she turned her face forward.

“Are you tired?”

His voice, low and gentle, brushed against her ear.

It was the same warm tone as always. Even without seeing his face, she could picture the expression he must be wearing. Somehow, the tension in her chest began to dissolve, a soft flutter in its place.

Anais hurriedly shook her head.