'The Capital!' Chiara exclaimed in her thoughts after reaching the capital. It's settled that she's going to stay at the palace while she works as the personal servant of the emperor, so she might as well think of something that she could invest her time with after working hours.
Because eating and drinking tea alone becomes boring as time passes.
And the thing that she's been so curious about since when she was a child, is how to control mana. That's why she's here to buy books about it.
Everyone is born with mana inside their bodies, but not everyone knows how to control it, especially not commoners. There are also a handful of mana users in the whole empire and most of them are priests at the temple, claiming that it was Seruvia who gave them that ability, so the information about the existence of mana disappeared in the blink of an eye.
Most of the people nowadays don't know about it, while
The auction went on as the audience grinned from time to time. Carzus was about to wave his hand to signal the knights on standby, when he suddenly caught sight of several children who were next to go up the stage.Looks like the beauties who are auctioned first were just the appetizers, the main dish will soon be served, and those are the children who don't even know what's going on.Carzus went stiff, especially when he saw a familiar figure that he just saw from a portrait that Ram handed to him.It was a little boy with silver hair and brown eyes. A trait that he was so familiar with even when he was just a child.He stood up from his seat and descended the stairs in between the audience's seats towards the stage."Oh my, what is that man doing?""Where is he going?""The rules don't allow anyone to approach the stage, the goods might
"Boo!" Seviere's thoughts were interrupted by Francia and Zandro who suddenly blocked his way. His brows knitted."What is it, you two?" He asked wearily."Viere, you look so ..." Francia studied his appearance while thinking of the right word to describe him, but the word haggard will be an understatement.Hearing this, Seviere immediately stuck out his chest and combed up his hair using his hand. With a proud smile he said, "I look so amazing and handsome. That's what you're going to say, right? HA. HA. HA. HA! It's no biggie." He waved his hand afterwards, like being handsome is already no big thing given his looks.Francia and Zandro were dumbfounded.'Damn, where did his confidence come from?'"Buddy." Zandro put his arm around Seviere's shoulders, "Your hair is sticking out. You have ink on your cheek. Your clothes are not tucked in properly. Your poor
The meal ended in peace, but Chiara's soul almost left her body."What does he mean by that?" She uttered.Shiela, who was concealing her laughter earlier, glanced at her and chuckled, "The Emperor will always have his dinner here, maybe because he doesn't want to eat alone.""But he does like eating alone, what's the matter with him now?""Hmmm ... Suppose that you never tasted chocolate before, of course you wouldn't think of eating one nor crave for it. But once you know the taste of it, you will begin craving and you will notice that you can't live without eating chocolate anymore."A flash of light passed Chiara's eyes, 'So that's why!' "Shiela, I guess you're right." She said, nodding her head.The latter bit her lower lip and was speechless, 'Yes, My Lady. I specifically compared it to eating chocolate so you will understand it faster. Because My Lady
"Try moving your foot."Chiara moved her foot and found that her ankle doesn't hurt anymore. "T-Thank you ..." She whispered with a flushed face.The man brought her inside a herbal shop and treated her twisted ankle."*Chuckles* No need to be embarrassed. Anyway, stop going outside at this hour, the capital is full of dangerous people, we don't know if the person passing by is good or not."Chiara stared at the man kneeling in front of her. He has a head of white hair and red eyes just like someone she knows. The smile on his lips is so mesmerizing that anyone wouldn't be able to take their sight away once they've seen it.Such a handsome feature that looks like he's been favored by their goddess Seruvia.She was about to ask his name when the door of the shop burst open, both of them glanced at the door and saw a person wearing a beast mask with hurried foo
'Hey, what's happening?!' All the knights in the training hall thought as they watched their Emperor break every single training material one after another."Why is His Majesty training with us?" One of them asked."How would I know?""Didn't you hear? He had a little fight with a beautiful Lady, that's what's been going around since early this morning."I see. Then that explains why he looked so dangerous.""But didn't he hate women? Remember Lady Roban, the upper class noble lady who turned down an arranged marriage with the late prince because she's head over heels for His Majesty when he was still our General?""Ahh, that's disgusting.""Of course. His Majesty made her return home without clothes on after putting sleeping pills on His Majesty's tea and tried to take advantage of his unconscious state.""It was Cha
"By the way, what are you doing at the capital so late at night?"Chiara flinched. 'I knew he would ask this sooner or later, but should I tell him everything? The owner of the bookshop told me to keep the thing about reading books about mana a secret to anyone. And I am talking with the emperor ... I don't think that's a good idea.' She shook her head with that thought."I went to a bookshop in the capital."Carzus examined the lady's face who suddenly averted her eyes. 'I think she's uncomfortable with the topic, but we have to reach for an agreement today, no matter what. I don't want to repeat what happened last night.'"I see. But ... Can't you just buy the book you want and bring it here?""I tried but I can't do that. I am reading the owner's personal book, that's why I can't take it outside. I can only read it at the shop whenever I am done with my work."
A whole week passed and Chiara's face was full of worry ever since she had a picnic with the emperor.She was not allowed to enter the emperor's office, she didn't even see a glimpse of him for the past week. 'Just what the hell is going on?!' She racked her brain to come up with a possible answer but to no avail. 'Maybe he's busier than ever? Or maybe he's not feeling well? Argh! But isn't it the more reason why I should be there taking care of his needs and cleaning everything for him?'She sighed as she replaced the flowers on the vase after cleaning His Majesty' room.She looked at the bed, on the floor, on the coffee table and at the couch. There was really no trace of Carzus coming back to his room.'Aarrghh!' She held her head in frustration. "So what if he didn't return to his room for a whole week? I don't even care that he didn't want to see my face anymore! Hah. Who was the one acting so s
Triton palace's private kitchen."This is the herb that only grows in the mountains of Maccesa and this root is from the tree that you said, My Lady." A knight approached with all the ingredients she needed to make medicine for Carzus."Thanks, Sir Kian."The night named Kian didn't dare raise his head. "It's my honor, My Lady. I sincerely thank you for standing up for us last time and this may be too late but I really want to apologize for what happened that night at the capital.""It's all done and I don't have any grudge with you or something." Upon hearing her response, Kian felt relieved for the first time after the past week. He really blamed himself for what happened to the Lady, that's why he took this chance to apologize. But who knows that their Lady was this kind?"I sincerely thank you, My lady. I shall leave you now so you can start the preparations."
Red light district, located at the western part of the empire. This is the only land in the empire that isn't owned by a noble, this was given by the previous emperor to the current head── Elissa Beatrice.The only woman who beat the previous emperor in swordsmanship during their early twenties.This piece of news isn't new to Chiara. This is in fact one of the reasons why she wanted to come here, to see this woman who made a name for herself.But ...Chiara turned her head and saw several ladies wearing pieces of thin clothings on their bodies, revealing their sexy curves and alluring breasts.She turned red in embarrassment. She squinted her eyes at one of the ladies and those bouncing boobs made her self esteem decrease.'Ahh, why am I not blessed with large breasts like hers? Hah.'She thought helplessly, while the knights with her we
"We've stopped the interrogation since they're barely breathing. Both of them didn't admit who was behind that incident, Your Majesty." Zandro reported. He just came back from the underground prison of the palace.Carzus expected this much since those servants have families of their own. The Duke must've already done protective measures right before they hired those servants."Let them starve to death." He said coldly as he touched the mask on his face. "If Francia wasn't there, It wouldn't be possible for Lady Florentine to get out unscathed."A loud thud resounded on his office table when he slammed his fist on it. He really wanted to eliminate those people who tried to harm Chiara, but he needs evidence and witnesses though he also believes that it wouldn't be the last one. Maybe at this time the Duke was already planning something against the Lady.'Why do they hate Chiara so much?' Carzus asked
"And who are you, young man? I believe that coming to a party uninvited was already rude. I can also put you behind the bars for stepping into another family's business.""By family, do you mean your family except Lady Chiara?" The man's voice seemed to become much deeper and colder as he uttered every word.Duke Florentine and Creyson became weary of the uninvited guest."What are you──""Because that's how I see it.""What?!""Nobody asked her what happened, but everybody asked the other lady what happened to her face. Then all of you jumped up to a conclusion that Lady Chiara slapped her because she accidentally spilled wine over Lady Chiara's dress."Hearing someone standing up for her was already overwhelming for Chiara, much more when he pointed out how they treated her with unfairness. She found the coat around her shoulders warmer
"Then I shall leave you here. Marquis Clermont will be coming with Creyson, so behave yourself and make your presence as little as possible."The Duke whispered."I understand." Chiara answered with bitterness. 'What a bunch of trash. When Creyson proposed to me, they were all against it. They even purposely treated the Marquis with indifference just to tell them how unimportant I was in this family. Now, they will greet the guests themselves and what, they want me to make my presence as little as possible? Hah. Ridiculous.'She sat at an empty seat near the white roses and poured herself some a cup of tea, not giving a damn to the people around her.'Serves you right. Don't you dare forget who is the real master of this house.' Clareen smirked and began exchanging compliments with the noble ladies surrounding her.How big of a difference. Clareen was like a flower surrounded by a bunch of butterflies
"Shiela ... I'm exhausted." Chiara complained without energy left in her body.Shiela woke her up before the sun rises, now it's already time to depart to the Duke's estate."What are you saying, My Lady? You look perfect!" Shiela said excitedly that her eyes turned into hearts."Kyaaa! My Lady is already beautiful, but her dress and everything made her beauty rise up to another level!""Of course, Lady Chiara is the prettiest!""I wonder what will His Majesty's reaction be when he sees My Lady like this?""Should you even ask that? Of course he'll fall over and over again! Aaahh My Lady is like an angel!"Several maids together with Fey are all fangirling behind Chiara who was already exhausted from all the beauty procedures she had to go through.This might be just a tea party, but this is also the first time that C
'What's with him all of a sudden?' Chiara asked in her mind while racking his brain for possible answers. Even her back was full of cold sweats.She looked at the man sitting opposite of her with legs crossed, leaning his back effortlessly while his cheek rested on his fist.'Aahh, why does this puppy look like a mad dog? Oh no, oh no! Wait, shouldn't I act angry because of our last conversation? When he said he will reconsider the marriage!' She calmed herself and nodded her head. But before she could utter a word, her thoughts turned into a mess again.'But what should I get angry about? Aren't I the one who suggested it? And even if he gets married, it has nothing to do with me. I-I ... suppose ...'"Please enjoy some tea." Shiela purposefully interrupted the heavy atmosphere. "I've prepared a chamomile tea for the Lady and mint tea for His Majesty. Both of these are for calming the body and mind
"I will have the dress delivered to your estate, may I know your address?" The young attendant's mother, Gretta, asked.Chiara was taken aback. "Can I just pick up the dress here tomorrow?" 'You see, I can't tell you that I live in the palace or you might overprice the dress. I don't have that much money, hehe, hehe.' She thought that way based on personal experience."O-okay then. I will immediately work on this dress and make sure that this will fit you. I will also add some details that I think will suit My Lady.""See you tomorrow then."Gretta and her daughter bowed as Chiara exited their shop. After the latter left with her carriage, they raised their heads and the tears they were holding back from earlier flowed non-stop."Mother ... I thought we wouldn't have a choice but to close the shop! Huwaaaaaaa!""I was thankful that I didn't pack everything ye
"My Lady, you were invited for a tea party." Shiela said with a gloomy face. 'Of all tea parties, why does it have to be that woman's party? Will My Lady come?'She glanced at her lady worriedly.Chiara glanced at the stamp of the letter and her mood also dropped. She didn't want to go, but she didn't want His Majesty to get involved in meaningless gossip if she turned down this invitation.She was sure that her dear sister who was the best at acting would spark a rumor about His Majesty being the reason why she can't attend the tea party. If that happens, then the people who looked disgusted with her sight will spread more false rumors because of Clareen's misleading.'I don't want that to happen. I'd rather put up with all the humiliation than drag innocent people on this. Especially not the one who helped me.'"Shiela, I managed to earn quite a sum of money. Let's go to the ca
"What?!""Who ... Who would do this to a young child?" Chiara mumbled. Her heart was so heavy. She suffered so much as a child, but the child in front of her was literally dying."Have you gone to the herbal shop yet?" Dale asked the child's father."Yes. But they don't have medicine left to treat wounds. He just gave me some medicine to reduce the pain, but ... but his wounds ...""Then why not just make one? Those old geezers."Dale tapped Wilner's shoulder. "They might not have the ingredients. The merchant that was supposed to visit the Capital didn't come for 2 weeks now, maybe that's why they ran out of ingredients."Chiara thought something and asked, "What are the ingredients they need? I can order the knights with me to get it for you."Everybody looked at her with gloomy eyes, "The ingredients for making medicines to treat wound