Chapter 66: Melodies of Fate

Oh my, really? Isn’t this a chance to see His Highness up close?

Whispers spread among the disposable extras, whose purpose was to relay the news, and naturally, Lara Schmord listened intently. A chance to see the Emperor’s Male Lead was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for an extra.

“His Highness…”

“…Here he comes.”

Both Lady Elina I and Lady Elina IV murmured softly.

[Candidates 111, 113, and 114, please proceed.]

At last, their turn arrived. With burning determination in her eyes, Lady Elina I stepped into the interview room first, followed closely by Lara Schmord.

At the far end of the room, a man caught Lara’s eye. His cool blue stare slowly lifted, and when his gaze met hers across the room, his eyes widened in shock.

‘Ah.’

She was left breathless. Why was Pea here…?

‘Seems it wasn’t His Highness, but Pea after all.’

Lara had expected to see His Highness’s dragon emblem up close, yet she masked her disappointment with a spark of excitement as she took her seat.

“Ahem.”

Meanwhile, Karlahee, startled by Lara’s arrival, composed himself and resumed the interview with utmost seriousness.

“Let me warn you: the princess’s moods are notoriously capricious. It would be wise to perfect a lullaby to calm her.”

“…A lullaby.”

Lady Elina I murmured quietly at that moment.

“In that spirit, let’s each perform a verse of a lullaby.”

“…!”

“Let’s start with candidate 111. Are you ready?”

From the moment she arrived, Lara realized she wasn’t a noble daughter but merely candidate 111. With a nervous expression, Lady Elina I stood, clasping her clammy hands together before gently closing her eyes.

“Let’s begin.”

In the silence that followed, Lady Elina I began to sing.

“Aaa… lull, lull… (a crystalline, heart-tugging melody rings out)… lull, lull, aaa…”

A beautiful melody filled the room—a sound so celestial that everyone shut their eyes, completely absorbed in her song.

Lara was utterly captivated by Lady Elina I’s enchanting voice, while the once-arrogant Pea turned his face away in disdain.

With a dismissive swipe of his hand, Pea regained his composure and glanced over; his eyes now bloodshot.

“…I admit it, your singing is quite impressive.”

“You flatter me, Your Highness.”

“And where did you learn that lullaby? It sounds just like the one your mother sang when you were two.”

For the first time, Karlahee’s normally stoic face revealed a hint of emotion—a mix of affection, melancholy, and nostalgia—as he reminisced about childhood. Lady Elina I responded with a soft smile.

“Don’t lie.”

“You got me. To be honest, I can’t even recall it clearly.”

After a lingering moment, Karlahee’s gaze shifted from Lady Elina I to Lady Elina IV. Seeming ready, Lady Elina IV calmly rose.

“I’ll perform the rock version.”

“…The rock version, huh?”

Instead of replying, Lady Elina IV inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly. With a quiet sigh, a clear, commanding voice then exploded throughout the room.

“Rock rock rock rock!! Zing zing lull—lullaby!! Lull—lullaby!! Whoa!”

Lara was momentarily at a loss for how to react. She heard the unexpected rendition but couldn’t decide how to take it. Pea, seemingly in a similar state, remained silent until he slowly applauded with raised hands.

“This is… pure psychedelic rock. I first thought it might be progressive rock, British hard rock, or even heavy metal. It’s amazing how flawlessly you mimic electronic instruments with your voice. Who was your teacher?”

“My teacher was a book, Your Highness.”

Lady Elina IV replied politely. Karlahee’s eyes widened in disbelief—he always knew she loved books, but never imagined her prowess reached this level.

‘Mastering psychedelic rock entirely from a book… it’s ludicrous. Who would have thought a delicate princess like her could achieve what most men couldn’t even learn in person?’

Karlahee was genuinely awestruck.

‘He’s sent an incredible genius to the Forbidden Imperial Palace, Duke Liniat.’

Watching Karlahee chuckle smugly, Lara couldn’t fathom the unfolding events. Dumbfounded, she then realized it was her turn. Taking a deep breath, she stood and began her song nervously.

“Alright, sleep tight—our… ahem, here goes.”

Her performance was plain and off-key, lacking both humor and charm. Embarrassed, Lara quietly returned to her seat as a heavy silence settled over the room, broken only by a single, satisfied smirk.

‘Seigneur, you’re absolutely adorable…’

It was a charm reminiscent yet distinct from the subordinate Creon. No ordinary woman could rival Lilica, and in that moment, fate had her heart racing. Clenching his fists atop his knees, Karlahee adjusted his lips before speaking.

“Ahem, ahem. Candidate 113, Lara Schmord, you’re accepted.”

Wary of being mistaken for a parachute hire, Karlahee quickly added.

“I’m accepting all three. I believe Lady Elina I’s beautiful voice can soothe—and even lull—the princess. Lady Elina IV’s performance may have the power to awaken the sleeping, and her musicality is unmatched. And while Lara’s talent may not be as refined, she still moved me.”

Satisfied with his subjective yet compelling evaluation, Karlahee stood up.

“Now, the three of you, follow me immediately.”

Moments later, they arrived at a room within the Imperial City. Born as the daughter of a tyrant, lavish treatment was out of the question. The room, tucked away at the far end of the palace, proved just that.

The sound of a music box playing and an eerie cold filled the space, lending it an almost otherworldly aura. Unconsciously, Lara rubbed her arm. Then, when the footsteps stopped abruptly, she turned to see Pea idly lingering by the doorway.

“Pea, aren’t you coming in with us?”

“…Ah, I… well…”

Before Karlahee could even muster an excuse, a strong gust of wind slammed him into the room, and with a resounding bang, the door closed.

“Oh, Father God, please…”

Seeing Karlahee suddenly clasp his hands in a quiet prayer, Lara felt an inexplicable shiver as she turned back. At that moment, the music box suspended above a crib in the center of the room began to spin and play.

‘A doll?’

Taking a few steps closer, she noticed a doll resting in the crib. Just as Lara began to relax and approach it, a large hand urgently snatched her wrist.

“No, don’t come any closer!”

Then it happened. The music box abruptly fell silent. The mobile that had been spinning froze as if someone had forcibly halted it. In an instant, the doll—its blue eyes once fixed on the ceiling—lowered its gaze toward Lara.

The room was suddenly filled with a chilling terror, as if doused in icy water.

“You brought your mother, didn’t you?”

Before its plastic mouth could even part, an eerily childlike voice, almost like ventriloquism, floated out. Lady Elina IV staggered as if about to faint before collapsing. Frozen in shock, Lady Elina I stretched her arms wide.

“Yes, from today, I am your mother.”

‘…Aren’t you surprised? A doll is talking!’

In this bewildering moment, the Female Lead—Lady Elina I—exuded an astonishing maternal warmth that left everyone in awe.

“…Mother?”

“Yes, I’m your mother.”

Watching as Lady Elina I assumed a maternal role despite barely knowing the others, Lara and Karlahee were genuinely stunned. It all seemed less like genuine love and more like insanity.

“Call me Mom, and I’ll be happy.”

“Liar.”

Fortunately, the doll appeared to possess a surprising level of intelligent discernment.

“If you think about it, you and I aren’t even related by blood.”

“The same goes for me…”

In a pleading tone, Karlahee murmured, though the would-be princess quickly covered her ears at her father’s words—whether from genuine sound or sheer stubbornness.

“For now, I’ll treat you like my daughter. But when you have a child of your own, you’re bound to overlook me in favor of them. If you’re only kind to earn your father’s favor…”

“…No.”

Lady Elina I shook her head vehemently, her long silvery hair cascading past her waist as her sorrowful, earnest eyes spoke volumes. The doll silently absorbed every word.

“To be honest, you might be right—we’re not bonded by blood. But from the moment I stepped in here, I felt an overwhelming urge to be your mother. I truly consider you my daughter, though I know you may need time to accept it. I believe we can be great together. I adore you, and having such a beautiful daughter fills me with joy…”

“Geez, stop yapping.”

“What kind of habit is that for a mother? Have I really raised you this way?”

“Who do you think you are? You’ve done nothing for me—I barely knew you until today!”