Chapter 50: Betrayals in the Imperial Shadows

As soon as her eyes closed, sleep swept over her. How long had she been asleep? Suddenly, Lara awoke when a hand clutched her shoulder.

“Lara! Wake up!”

“…Hmm, what’s happening?”

“Look at this—Lady Elina I…!”

A grave expression appeared on Elina II’s face. Still half-asleep with swollen eyes, Lara read the letter extended before her.

[To all my loved ones,

I can no longer forgive the selfishness that has overtaken me, so I’ve decided to leave home. Thank you for everything. Lara, you truly are a good child. I couldn’t ever replace that friend.

But that child is so kind they promised only to stay as a guest. Although they longed to be me for a day, my presence made it impossible. So I’m yielding everything and leaving.]

‘Hmm?’

Lara wondered if she’d misunderstood, and she widened her eyes to read more slowly.

[So, accept Lara as a noble lady in my stead. Once a spot is vacated, someone must fill it.

I want you all to live happily without worry. Farewell.]

“What on earth…? How could they misinterpret me? I’m exactly that—a seemingly kind but truly wicked foster daughter!”

“…Lara, I don’t know what you said to Lady Elina I last night, but honestly, I’m shocked.”

Elina II let her hand drop dejectedly.

“Right. I can’t entirely blame you. I’m partly to blame for bringing you into this house!”

“You shouldn’t behave like that! That’s absolutely unacceptable!!”

“I had no idea Lady Elina I harbored such thoughts. My failure to notice is immense. I don’t deserve to be here. So if you want to claim Elina II’s place, go ahead.”

With that, Elina II irresponsibly bolted from the room, declaring she’d let someone sleep. Too stunned to react, Lara could only blink blankly.

The door swung open, and Lady Elina III appeared with a steely gaze.

“I never meant to eavesdrop, yet I’ve heard everything.”

“Lady Elina III, you trust me, don’t you?”

“If you covet my position, then take it.”

Coolly, she departed without a backward glance. By the time Lara rushed after her, Elina III had long vanished as she hurried down the corridor.

In the commotion of a collision, books and papers cascaded to the floor—the scattered materials turned out to be magical research documents.

“…Lady Elina IV? Ah, I’m sorry. But where exactly are you planning to take these this morning…?”

As Lara bent over to gather them, a cold hand shot out from the opposite side.

“Don’t touch them. I’ll take care of it.”

“What’s your problem?”

“Isn’t it obvious, Lara? It seems they’ve grossly underestimated us.”

Through her glasses, Lady Elina IV’s sharp eyes flashed briefly. She methodically arranged the documents and then retrieved them again.

“We may have failed to read your true intentions. Do as you wish—I’m leaving this house anyway. For a moment, I felt utterly foolish for having trusted you.”

“No, I’m here as a guest! Why does everyone look at me as if I were some scheming foster daughter trying to usurp the Female Lead’s position?! This rejection is too much…!”

“Even if you protest, we’ve long seen through your charade.”

“I’m telling you, I’m a guest! That’s who I am! Besides, I was planning to leave today!”

“Lady Elina I and Elina II might be oblivious, but you’ve misjudged them. That’s all.”

With resolute determination, Lady Elina IV strode past Lara. Frozen for a moment, Lara turned when someone patted her shoulder.

With a serene smile as pure as freshly fallen snow, Lady Elina V stood quietly.

“Even if you harbor dark thoughts, I will forgive you. Even if you’ve devised plans to devour our family, I can understand.”

“No way—a guest like me wouldn’t ever devour anything…”

“Had we paid more attention, this tragedy might have been avoided. Isn’t it ironic that a saint of the Empire, sworn to peace, can’t even protect her own household? Heh heh.”

Her laughter, though soft, carried an undercurrent of menace, as if another devastating beam might erupt at any moment.

“For now, I plan to take refuge at the Daeshin Shrine. Meanwhile, pursue what you desire here. I won’t interfere.”

“…No! I—I’m busy, so I’m out!”

Terrified, Lara fled. She felt that if she didn’t escape this maddening realm of the Female Lead, she’d lose her mind.

Then, across the corridor, Lara met the gaze of a man with deep golden hair—undoubtedly the Male Lead, Creon.

“Long time no see, Schomord Youngae.”

“Ah, indeed. Nice to see you.”

Unsure whether to address him formally or casually, Lara paused to gauge his expression. Then Creon closed the gap and nuzzled near her neck.

As he began sniffing, Lara instinctively held her breath, wondering if an odd odor was emanating.

“What are you doing…? Ho ho.”

While Lara shrank back, Creon bent down slowly—sniffing her shoulder, belly, legs, and ankles—before straightening up, locking eyes with her, and saying,

“I think you should get a checkup.”

“…A checkup for what?”

Lara asked, but he offered no explanation. Instead, he courteously escorted her, leading her to the chamber of the family physician from Duke Liniat.

There, Lara received a startling diagnosis:

“Cancer.”

“Ah, I figured as much.”

* * *

In the heavily guarded heart of the Forbidden Imperial Palace, a man in a billowing indigo robe strode imperiously down the corridor. He found a suitable room and gently laid a woman he had been carrying onto the bed.

Even in the dim light, her silver hair shone brilliantly atop the bed. It was Lady Elina I, celebrated as the living, vibrant bloom of the Empire.

Overlooking her, with the authority of the Empire’s sun mixed with a cosmic blaze, stood Emperor Karlahee.

About an hour earlier, he had covertly visited the Duke Liniat residence. While Lara had only intended to confirm his presence before leaving, she encountered a suspicious woman fleeing out the back door.

Hidden under his robe, Emperor Karlahee easily caught up with the woman. It wasn’t Lara—it was Lady Elina I.

‘Where is she off to at this hour?’

‘Your Majesty? …Could you possibly pretend not to notice me?’

‘I’m sorry, but I can’t. Isn’t it dangerous for you to be out alone so late? Let me escort you to your room.’

‘No, that’s not necessary. It may sound immature, but I’ve left home. I can’t go back.’

‘I don’t know what’s going on, but you’re not planning to wander the streets, are you? Where will you stay?’

‘…….’

‘Did you just leave on a whim? In that case, heading to the Imperial Palace is best.’

‘…Ah, I could never impose on someone so exalted.’

‘One more thing—Is Schomord Youngae here?’

At his words, Lady Elina I’s eyes widened. For some unknown reason, her silver gaze seemed faint.

‘…Have you come looking for Lara?’

‘Who’s to say?’

‘If it’s Lara, she’s probably asleep by now. She stayed late comforting me in my room. What a truly good friend she is.’

At dawn, Lady Elina I quietly trailed behind him. During the carriage ride back to the palace, he carried her—her head resting against the window in sleep.

‘Time to return…’

Just as he was about to leave, thinking of the guards in his office, a small tug on his sleeve stopped him.

“Lady Elina I?”

“…Hmm.”

In her sleep, her eyes remained closed. As Karlahee hurriedly released his hand, his other arm reached out and firmly grabbed the back of her hand.

“Lady Elina I!”

“Mmm…”

‘She’s truly deep in slumber.’

Clinging to her sleeve with surprising tenacity—as though she were clinging to a cliff—even her other arm, hindered by a cast, could not break free.

An hour passed in that struggle. In his attempt to free her delicate hands, Karlahee gradually lost all his strength.

Collapsing onto the bed, his strong frame crumpled as Lady Elina I suddenly yanked his robe aside. Unprepared, his sturdy body fell weakly onto hers.

The position they ended up in would be scandalous to any onlooker. Karlahee’s warm breath grazed his lips as his eyes slowly closed, his grip slackening.

Lady Elina I’s face drew nearer. Overwhelmed by fatigue and drowsiness, Karlahee managed to open his eyes in a final burst of defiance before they fluttered shut—succumbing to an irresistible sleep.

‘…I had sworn to offer my innocence to Lilica!’

With a slight nod and his head settling against her forehead, Karlahee adjusted his position as if leaning over a desk, eventually dozing off with one arm resting on Lady Elina I’s face.

‘I mustn’t spend my first night with another woman…’

Lady Elina I awoke, her face throbbing as if she’d received an intense massage.

Blinking to clear her vision from the purple-black strands obscuring her view, she slowly realized the heavy weight now atop her body.

“……!”