Emperor Maxwell’s Bedroom

Creak. A faint metallic sound was heard from behind the red cherry wood bookshelf that occupied an entire wall of the bedroom, extending from floor to ceiling. It was a sound that would go unnoticed unless one listened carefully, masked by the crackling of the adjacent roaring fireplace.

On the seventh shelf, three thick books jutted out, and a rectangular door shape large enough for two adult men to stand in formed and opened within the bookcase.

Through the opened door, a long foot stepped onto the carpeted floor, followed by a tall figure with a hood covering their head from top to bottom.

As Maxwell, who had entered the bedroom, pushed the protruding books back into the bookcase, the door disappeared without a trace, blending seamlessly with the bookshelf.

Throwing his cloak onto a chair with armrests, he brushed back his fallen bangs with his fingers and let out a short sigh.

‘What have I done, like a cat in the night?’

Suddenly overcome with self-loathing, he roughly rubbed his dry face with both hands.

The hidden door in the bookshelf of the Emperor’s bedroom was connected to an underground passage that could lead anywhere in the capital, both inside and outside the palace. It was a secret door he had never used privately to visit a lady’s quarters.

Until now, this door had been used for covert operations or to personally deal with those who didn’t know their place and acted impudently.

But to use the secret door to deliver chocolate to a lady? And like a thief cat, being cautious all the while.

His face flushed at the memory of himself looking around nervously as he emerged from the door under the magnolia tree behind the third pond in the detached palace.

His frivolous legs, not at all dignified, as he hid behind trees and ran to the annex, fearing detection. His careful hands cradling the box of chocolates, worried it might get crushed.

The fist clenched in joy when the chocolate box he threw landed safely on the second-floor bedroom balcony of the unlit eleventh annex. His throat swallowing dry saliva anxiously, waiting and wondering if she might be asleep and not come out.

His heart pounding when a small figure opened the balcony door and looked around in the darkness where he stood.

The corners of his lips pulled up towards the sky when she smiled towards him, unseen, after opening the chocolate box with eyes widened in surprise. His two feet, reluctant to leave, as he gazed at the closed balcony door.

Thinking that all these were his body’s reactions in that brief moment, he cleared his throat awkwardly, embarrassed even though no one was watching.

He had absolutely no intention of visiting her annex. Arabel is not a child.

If she couldn’t endure this much, how would she break my curse? I even arranged for her to receive four days of intensive training from Kyle, the Empire’s top strategist, and considerately assigned three perceptive maids to be by her side.

What more could be needed? Shaking off his worries about Arabel, he had returned to his bedroom after working late to catch up on accumulated tasks, when…

“Your Majesty, where shall I put this gift box?”

Sebastian, who had long been in charge of the Emperor’s bedroom, asked, holding up a red velvet box that had come from the Emperor’s belongings.

It was clearly a gift box at first glance, but the Emperor had never given such a personal gift to anyone. He had bestowed positions or wealth on meritorious subjects, but he was not one to express his feelings with such a dainty gift box.

Sebastian, unable to even imagine that this box might be for a certain lady, waited for the Emperor’s instructions.

“Place it on the table and leave.”

At the Emperor’s brief answer, Sebastian simply concluded that it was an insignificant box and left the room.

The Emperor, who had lain down on the bed to end the day, finally couldn’t resist and sat up abruptly. He strode to the table and grasped the velvet box in his hand.

“I’m absolutely not doing this out of worry. Even less to see her face. It’s because the chocolate might melt… Hmm, that’s the reason.”

Speaking quickly as if making excuses though no one had asked, he walked purposefully towards the bookcase.

Instead of the long sword he always held when passing through the door, he now carried the ‘dainty’ red velvet chocolate box, as Sebastian had described it.

“This is the first and last time.”

The Emperor, having returned to his bedroom after delivering the chocolate, muttered through clenched teeth as he lay on the bed.

“It’s obvious she’d be nervous on her first day… Honestly, isn’t her well-being directly linked to mine? If she were to fall ill, I’d be the only one to suffer. So, all this concern is solely for my own benefit. Yes, that’s it. Never again will I visit secretly in such an undignified manner.”

The Emperor had always been able to explain his decisions or actions cleanly with cool-headed reasoning. However, at this moment, he couldn’t fall asleep, rambling on with reasons that were neither rational nor logical.

The Emperor’s office.

“Your Majesty, we pay our respects.”

Count Korad and his son Timothy knelt on one knee on the marble floor, greeting the Emperor seated on the throne.

After brief greetings were exchanged, the two subjects sat facing Emperor Maxwell and began reporting on recent events. A pleasant curve formed on the lips listening intently to the Count’s words, with cool red eyes twinkling happily.

Count Korad le Hankriel, the continent’s top monster hunter, and his successor and only son, Timothy.

In the present, where ancient gods and mythical creatures no longer influence the human world, having crossed the Erter River in accordance with the flow of time, their traces could still be found in the remaining monsters.

Now, even monsters could be said to have almost disappeared, but…

“The black panther is likely to invade the capital.”

“Why do you think so?”

“We discovered traces of the monster we had wounded and chased from Mount Termoil in the south, in a cave. Along with the footprints and notes of a woman who had aided it.”

At Count Korad’s words, the Emperor, still wearing a plain expression, directed his red gaze to the note the count pulled from his bosom.

“It seems to be left by the woman who aided the monster for her allies. It’s in the lost ancient language… I couldn’t understand all of it, but.”

As he handed the note to the Emperor, the Count continued speaking.

“It clearly mentions the words Emperor, Imperial Palace, and two months later. It appears to be a plan to infiltrate the palace targeting Your Majesty in two months.”

“Could it be that they plan to attack on the day of Your Majesty’s wedding ceremony? Taking advantage of the relaxed security when everyone is caught up in the festivities?”

Timothy chimed in, his eyes wide open, supporting his father.

The Emperor handed the note back to the Count and asked, still wearing a gentle smile on his lips.

“That could be possible. Have you found out more about the woman?”

“Judging from the footprints and handwriting, she seems to be a young woman, but I couldn’t gather any other information. I apologize.”

“There’s no need to apologize. I know better than anyone the Count’s merits. No one else could have discovered this much if it weren’t for you.”

At the Emperor’s praise, Timothy looked proudly at his father, who sat with a solemn expression.

“I swear I will never repeat the mistakes of the past, Your Majesty. I vow to slay the monster with my own hands and present its head to you.”

Count Korad, bearing guilt towards the Emperor who grew up without parents, made a vow to both the Emperor and himself.

“With you and your son here, I feel at ease. You must be tired, so go back and rest well. Make sure to attend the banquet this weekend. Timothy, aren’t you of marriageable age now? If there’s a family you like, let me know. I’ll arrange it.”

Nodding with satisfaction, the Emperor stood up, and the two subjects rose as well and left the office.

“His Majesty the Emperor is always impressive. Even though we’re the same age, he seems much more mature than me.”

Timothy whispered softly as he walked with his father through the palace’s main hall.

Just a few years ago, he couldn’t even look the Emperor in the eye properly. He was overwhelmed by the intense and cold aura emanating from him that seemed to freeze everything around.

Honestly, even now, sweat forms on his back from nervousness when sitting face to face and talking, but his leadership and achievements were truly impressive and admirable, even from a man’s perspective.

“It’s probably because he’s been through countless things that even adults couldn’t handle since childhood.”

Count Korad smiled as he looked at his son, who was the same age as the Emperor but still had eyes full of innocence.

“For today’s lunch, the ten candidate young ladies wish to dine together in the garden to welcome Young Lady Arabel. The Imperial Competition Committee has also given permission.”

Lauren, who oversees the quarters of the Empress candidates, reported respectfully with her eyes lowered.

“Let’s see. What should I prepare first?”

“First, we need to choose the best dress. To avoid feeling intimidated among such formidable candidates, you should make a strong impression from the start.”

“No, no. If I go all dressed up and adorned for a simple lunch, they might gossip that I’m unsophisticated, coming from the countryside. Today, let’s keep it natural and understated.”

As Lauren left, the head maid Vera and Rosa, along with Dina, clapped their hands and made a fuss.

“Oh my, young lady. Where are you going?”

“I was going to take a walk in the garden…”

Arabel trailed off as she answered Vera’s question.

Arabel, who had never spoken down to even the Kander family’s employees since childhood, continued to use polite speech with the trio of maids until Vera firmly persuaded her.

‘We appreciate your consideration for us, young lady, but it could actually put us in a difficult position. There are customs that must be followed in this society, and you wouldn’t want us to be dismissed, would you?’

Agreeing that Vera had a point, Arabel still found it awkward and often trailed off at the end of her sentences.

“There’s not enough time even if we start preparing now. How about having lunch and then taking a walk with the other young ladies?”

Arabel’s round eyes drooped as she was stopped by the maid trio and entered the bedroom.

She had wanted to see what creatures lived by the pond while walking in the garden… It bothered her that she couldn’t even hear the common bird chirping that usually filled the mornings.

While everything around was brilliantly beautiful, she felt uneasy because she couldn’t sense the vitality of nature.

The pink organza dress she was wearing was already splendid, but it was only after trying on six dresses that the maid trio showed satisfied smiles.

Vera proudly said as she lightly dabbed pale apricot-colored rouge on her cheeks.

“As I’ve said before, you’re more beautiful with less makeup, young lady. Your pure and clear energy shines from beneath your skin.”

She spoke in an exaggerated tone to boost her confidence, but it was the truth.

She seemed like a common small wildflower, but in reality, she was a unique and noble flower.

The young lady possessed a captivating light that drew people’s hearts, not just their eyes. However, she wore a shy expression as if she couldn’t believe Vera’s words at all.

She seemed to believe others easily but couldn’t believe compliments about herself at all. The maid trio felt a sense of camaraderie with Arabel, who had undoubtedly spent her childhood in a life no different from that of a hardworking maid.

Seeing her not become cunning for survival despite such a life, a part of their hearts was deeply moved.

“The other young ladies are heading towards the garden.”

Milly said to Arabel, who was standing in front of the mirror wearing a flowing sky-blue dress and adorning her long hair with a crystal headband.

Looking at Arabel, who gave her a warm smile, she bit the inside of her cheek hard.

‘If this job succeeds, I’ll pay off all your parents’ debts. Then you’ll be able to bring your younger sister back from Baron Namjak’s house.’

‘Can you promise that? That I can bring Adel back from him… from that man?’

‘I give you my word of honor.’

Thinking she had been fired, she was packing her things when she was called to head maid Bridget’s room.

Honestly, that day she could answer so confidently because she didn’t know the other maids hadn’t cleaned as promised.

In exchange for taking on the cleaning alone for four days, she had left her post that afternoon to meet her sister. She hadn’t thought they would tell such a blatant lie to her. It was foolish of her to have believed them.

And the contract made with head maid Bridget. [Your job is to help expel Young Lady Arabel from this place before the competition ends.]

There’s no need to know the reason. The imperial power struggles are their own affairs happening everywhere.

If it could free her from the endless debt. If it could bring her sister Adel back from that Baron Namjak fellow. She would jump into the fires of hell.

Even if she’s expelled from here, that noble young lady won’t live a hard life like hers. She might shed tears over the disappointment of not becoming Empress, but she’ll soon marry a good noble man and live a comfortable life.

There was no need to feel guilty.

Seeing the crescent moon-shaped eyes directed at her, Milly smiled brightly in return.