134.

“Ah…….”

Ro froze completely. The moment the crown prince spoke, or rather, the instant his gaze landed on her, she began trembling all over as if seized by chills.

Ro stared with desperate eyes at the jewel glowing around the crown prince’s neck. If Calypso’s words were true, that was the soul of Lea. Her body remembered its owner, reacting down to every single hair and drop of blood.

“Hh, uh…….”

Seeing Ro’s face growing paler by the second, the Imperial Princess stepped between the crown prince and Ro.

“It’s a kind offer, but the Lady Viscountess isn’t feeling well. It would be proper to have her examined by the royal physician first.”

“Is that so?”

“The banquet should be postponed, brother. There’s much preparation needed if she’s to attend the victory ball.”

“Preparation? What for? You’re already so lovely.”

Though his proposal had just been rejected outright, the crown prince appeared strangely composed. This was their third meeting, yet his demeanor was drastically different from before. It was impossible to believe he was the same person who had bluntly demanded to know how ‘Lea’s living body’ could still be alive, or who had tested her by giving Nick a bracelet……

Feeling Ro’s intensely wary gaze, the crown prince looked down at her and lifted the corner of his lips. His smile resembled mockery.

“Then, Lady Viscountess. Do rest well.”

Anyone who could lie down and sleep soundly after hearing such words must have nerves thicker than a whale’s hide. The moment the crown prince turned his back and walked away, Ro’s trembling body and held breath finally settled. She barely suppressed the urge to flip him the finger behind his back. The Imperial Princess tapped Ro’s shoulder and said,

“Come, follow me. I’ll guide you to your quarters.”

Ro obediently followed behind the Imperial Princess, but her strength drained rapidly. The imperial palace was, quite literally, maddeningly vast, and the corridors and passageways seemed endless. Despite its enormous size, the number of resident servants appeared surprisingly low. Ro realized that the deeper they went into the palace, the more even the faintest signs of life vanished.

And that wasn’t the only suspicious thing. As Ro passed several gardens, she quickly noticed something odd about the plants. Aside from trees, the flowers were withered or twisted, and vine-like ferns clung densely to stone floors and palace walls. They looked grotesquely like blood vessels standing out against pale skin. The strangest sight was a giant purple flower bud in the center of one garden.

Ro was so captivated by the flower bud that she failed to notice the Imperial Princess had stopped walking until too late. Had a guard not swiftly blocked her path, she would have crashed right into the Imperial Princess’s back. Stretching her neck forward, she saw a man and several knights blocking their way. The Imperial Princess sternly demanded,

“Who are you? I’ve never seen you before.”

“I am Baron Olson, newly appointed to manage the guest quarters, Your Highness.”

“What business do you have with me?”

“To inform you that you may not proceed further.”

“I—cannot enter here?”

“That is correct.”

“By the Emperor’s command?”

“No.”

The Imperial Princess scoffed.

“It’s my brother’s doing, then.”

“…….”

“The guest quarters are, in principle, open for imperial family guests or ladies-in-waiting. I should rightfully have at least five assigned lodgings. Even if it were the Emperor’s order, they’d know better than to overstep by barring me.”

“I merely carry out the orders I’ve received. Her Highness the Crown Princess has instructed that no one be allowed through, as envoys celebrating the Crown Prince’s accession are expected to stay here…….”

“Accession.”

The Imperial Princess laughed coldly. Ro had never seen her wear such an expression before. Baron Olson’s face instantly fell, realizing his mistake.

“I-I apologize! I misspoke……!”

“No need to apologize. It was Lady Audrey who mentioned the accession, of course—though she’s barely a baroness herself.”

“Y-yes, that’s right. Exactly.”

“But do not forget that sometimes merely repeating words can be a crime. Especially when those words concern the imperial succession.”

“I will remember.”

Baron Olson’s face immediately brightened. Clearly, he believed the kind Imperial Princess wouldn’t punish him severely. But the Imperial Princess suddenly ceased smiling and coldly commanded,

“Cut out this traitor’s tongue.”

“Wh-what? N-no! Please! Your Highness! M-Mercy! Your Highness!”

The knights standing behind the Imperial Princess swiftly seized Baron Olson’s arms. The knights behind Olson merely stared in stunned silence, doing nothing as he was dragged away. His shrieks tore noisily through the air. The Imperial Princess, deep in thought with a grave expression, murmured,

“There’s something…… something I don’t know about.”

“…….”

“For now, you go inside.”

Without hesitation, the Imperial Princess opened the nearest guest quarter door and led Ro to this floor. Inside was a fine suite with a private sitting room, bathroom, and bedroom—clearly meant for a high noble serving close to the imperial family.

“Wait here a moment.”

Leaving Ro alone in the room, the Imperial Princess left with a serious look, but soon returned, handing her a key.

“Lock the door from the inside if possible. I have no idea what’s happening in this palace. At least my own servants haven’t all been replaced yet……that’s something to be thankful for.”

“…….”

“I’m leaving five of my knights with you. Travel with them if you need to move around. If anything’s amiss, let me know through a maid.”

Ro could read unease in the Imperial Princess’s expression. As Ro’s own face grew serious, the Imperial Princess shifted tone, speaking a little more brightly.

“Most likely, they just need new staff ahead of the pre-peace ball. No need to overreact. At least not all familiar faces have vanished…….”

“…….”

“I’ll send your maid soon. And the royal physician. Rest as much as you can before the ball.”

The Imperial Princess gave Ro’s shoulder two quick pats and swiftly left before Ro could respond.

* * *

“Mistress!”

The maid sent by the Imperial Princess was, as expected, Anna. Habitually calling Ro by her old pet name, Anna rushed forward with a tearful smile and grabbed her hands. Then, her trembling eyes quickly scanned Ro’s shortened hair, thin frame, and hollowed cheeks.

“Your hair……”

She looked as if she couldn’t believe her eyes. Her gentle eyes twisted as if about to cry.

“I truly thought I’d die of grief…….”

“…….”

“Do you even know how many sleepless nights I’ve had because of you? You, who never even went near the sea in your life, suddenly sailed off like that—with rumors spreading, and not a single letter sent…….”

Tears welled up rapidly in Anna’s eyes. Ro awkwardly scratched her head.

“I’m sorry.”

“You’ll have to apologize to the duchesses. Both of them are on their way up to scold you.”

“Yes, yes. It’s all my fault. So please, calm down.”

Ro gently soothed Anna. Meeting a familiar face in this sea of strangers softened her heart. The fact that she even felt uncharacteristic guilt suggested, unbelievably, that she had grown fond of this stubborn maid. Anna, inspecting Ro’s arms with a tightly controlled expression, finally broke down upon spotting the purple bruises.

“What on earth happened to you!”

“I’m fine.”

“How can you say you’re fine!”

“It’s true. It doesn’t hurt at all anymore.”

“First, I’ll prepare clean water. I’ll trim and tidy your hair too. I can’t imagine who did such a terrible job cutting it.”

Ro subtly avoided Anna’s gaze. It was better not to admit she’d cut it herself.

After briefly stepping out, Anna soon returned with servants carrying hot water. The tub was quickly filled, and flower petals and perfumed oils were generously poured in. When Ro emerged, clean and refreshed, the Imperial Princess’s maids arrived right on time, carrying a box.

“Sent by Her Highness.”

Inside were several elegant white muslin dresses. They were slightly loose-fitting—someone had clearly taken note of her dislike for corsets. Anna’s face visibly brightened. At least the worry of having to wear the same dress for a week was now gone. The maids helped Ro change into the new clothes and then quietly withdrew. Ro glanced around briefly, then grabbed Anna’s arm as she adjusted the clothes and led her to a corner.

“Anna. When did you arrive here?”