Picked Up a Beast, Turns Out He's an Emperor (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 36

“Your Majesty!”

Startled by the emperor’s sudden appearance, those present momentarily lost their words before quickly recovering and hurrying to bow.

The emperor’s crimson eyes briefly lingered on the small brown head standing beside the bound maid before dropping away as he spoke, a slight smirk tugging at one corner of his lips.

“Oh? So Grandmother and Aunt are here as well. It seems the Imperial Selection Committee’s notice—that direct relatives of the candidates should refrain from entering the palace annex—was not properly delivered.”

At the emperor’s words, Empress Dowager Natalia and Duchess Caroline stepped forward from the crowd, their smiles awkward.

“I don’t know how often the Duchess visits the annex, but I myself have never crossed its threshold until now—all to preserve the fairness of this competition. I rushed over immediately upon hearing that Princess Lilibet had become the victim of a serious theft.”

“I, too, merely intended to drop off some books to my book-loving niece at the main gate and leave. But hearing that something unlawful had occurred within the annex, I couldn’t simply ignore it as a senior member of the imperial family. Indeed, it’s been so long since my last visit that I even got lost along the way.”

The emperor smiled benevolently at the two women, who exchanged thinly veiled justifications while eyeing each other warily.

The Empress Dowager and the Duchess, who visited the annex nearly every day, lied without the slightest change in expression—prompting the other noblewomen and maids to force polite smiles, sensing the tension.

Whenever these two powerful imperial women came to the annex, Princess Lilibet and Lady Grace grew ever more arrogant and haughty.

Though the other eight noblewomen seethed inwardly at their audacity, they well knew they still needed to curry favor with the two most likely candidates.

After all, while becoming empress was everyone’s ultimate goal, should that fail, maintaining good relations with the future empress was essential to protect themselves and their families from repercussions.

“Grandmother and Aunt are setting such a fine personal example for the assembled candidates. With such conduct, the discipline of the Imperial Household Office is clearly in no danger.”

Flattered by the emperor’s praise, the two women lowered their heads—but failed to notice the cold glint passing through his crimson eyes.

“Your Majesty, had you only sent word, we would have prepared properly to receive you. For presenting such disorder before you, I sincerely apologize.”

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