Chapter 224 - 3−27
Nyaa.
Kyu! Ever since Kuro arrived, Rose had been pestering him relentlessly, much to his annoyance. Right now, she was trying to crawl into his bed, earning herself a soft punch to the head. Before Rose had fully woken up, Kuro had been curious about her, but now that she was active and clingy, he was over it. Nel-sama seemed to dislike dragons too. Maybe spirits and dragons just don't get along.
Nel-sama... if only I could contact him. He would know about the dragons and Tratia. If only I had the Pendant he gave me... I reached for my chest, but there was nothing there. I had a feeling Nel-sama wouldn't interfere anyway. He helped me because he found me entertaining, but he wouldn't go out of his way if it became a chore. This was a problem I had to solve myself.
"Where do I even start...?" I sighed, watching the two animals play. Kuro hopped onto my lap and I stroked his fur. "I need to find Theodore-sama and escape. Those are the priorities."
As long as Alec Tratia remained Emperor, the Empire would be a threat to the entire continent, including Dutoit. To stop that threat, I would need Louis-sama, Theodore-sama, and the Saint, Anna-san. I’d also need the cooperation of King Ricardo of Orta and other nations. And if possible... I’d want Nel-sama’s help too. But first, I had to find Theodore-sama.
"Rose and Kuro can leave this room, right?"
Kyu? Rose wrapped herself around my neck. "If spirits and dragons can come and go, maybe I can too. But first, I need to understand the secrets of this castle." I knew so little about this country. What Princess Margaret told me was only a fraction of the truth. I needed more information to escape and find Theodore-sama. I needed an ally who knew the Empire.
But who?
"Hey."
A voice right beside me made me jump. "Gah!" I looked up and gasped in shock. "Rachel Marcel, I presume."
The voice seemed to rumble from the depths of the earth. Those sharp, reddish-purple eyes pinned me in place. I felt as though I were standing on the edge of a precipice. "Yes... Your Majesty." My throat was dry, and it was hard to speak. "We haven't spoken since the dungeon. Your eyes look a bit better than they did then."
The Emperor knelt and grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at him. Being this close to him made my teeth chatter, and I had to clench my fists to stay still. After observing me for a moment, he stood up and turned away. Only then could I breathe. I gasped for air, my heart hammering against my ribs. What is he doing? Why show up now after ignoring me for a week? My face was likely pale and slick with sweat.
"Follow me."
"Eh...?"
He looked back at me, scowling with annoyance. "I said follow me. Or would you rather stay in this room forever?"
The sudden opportunity caught me off guard. I didn't know where he was taking me, but leaving this room was a start. It could be a trap, but I’d take a trap over sitting here in fear. "N-no... I’m coming." I forced my trembling legs to stand. I was still terrified of him, but I couldn't let him win. I met his gaze, and his eyes widened slightly. Without a word, he began to walk, and I hurried after him.
♢
Leaving the room was nerve-wracking. I had imagined the Dragonewt castle to be something dark and sinister, but the reality was more mundane. It was a heavy, historical building, and the grounds were vast beyond measure. We walked down a long corridor in silence. I didn't even know if we were in the Main Building or an Annex.
"Um... Your Majesty."
"...What?"
"Is this the same building as the dungeon?"
Lute-sama’s behavior suggested Theodore-sama hadn't been found. But if he had been captured, he’d likely be in the dungeon. I needed any information I could get. "No."
"Eh?"
"Your room is in the Main Building. The dungeon is in one of the Annexes connected to it." He answered so easily it surprised me. "The Main Building contains nothing but what the Emperor requires. It is a building for the Emperor alone." He stopped and looked back at me with a smirk. "What does that mean?"
"Who knows."
I frowned at his cryptic answer. He seemed satisfied and kept walking. What does that mean? That my presence here has some meaning to him? No, I shouldn't overthink it. The important thing was that everything vital to the Emperor was in this building. This was likely the most heavily guarded place in the castle—the final hurdle for any escape. I noticed guards stationed outside the windows, though the halls themselves were eerily empty.
"Your Majesty."
A familiar voice made me look up. Lute-sama was standing at the end of the hall. "And Rachel-sama? Ah, I see you are together." He looked surprised to see us together. "Yes. It’s about time, isn't it?"
Lute-sama smiled at the Emperor’s words. "Indeed. Rachel-sama must be bored. And since foreign envoys are visiting today... it’s a good opportunity to hint at the existence of the next Empress."
He spoke in a low voice, and I only caught fragments. Next Empress? "Wait, what did you just say?"
Lute-sama’s smile widened. "Nothing. Let’s take a stroll through the castle on our way to the Audience Chamber."
The Audience Chamber? Is that why he brought me out? But why? With no answers and a growing sense of dread, my feet felt heavier with every step.