🔊 TTS Settings
~Chapter 50~
In the center of the grand hall, lavishly decorated with a splendid chandelier and antique furnishings, stood a long dining table.
Seated at the table, which was filled with an extravagant feast, were three people enjoying a warm and cheerful meal.
“Don’t tell lies, Elexina. What animal would ever do such a thing?”
“I’m telling the truth, Mother. The one I’ve been raising lately—”
The Empress responded to the princess while carefully gauging the Emperor’s mood.
Princess Elexina was enthusiastically telling the imperial couple about how clever and talented the animals she kept were.
Just then, one of the attendants waiting in the hall to assist with the meal suddenly approached.
“What is it?”
The Emperor, who had been sipping wine with a satisfied expression, turned his gaze toward the attendant.
“Your Majesty… the lady-in-waiting of Her Highness the Princess has come.”
“My lady-in-waiting?” Elexina asked.
“Yes.”
Elexina set down her utensils and dabbed her lips with a napkin.
It was as if cold water had been poured over the once-harmonious dinner atmosphere.
“Let her in.”
With the Emperor’s reluctant permission, the maid entered.
“I greet His Imperial Majesty and Her Imperial Majesty.”
Holding her skirt, the maid bowed respectfully.
“What is it?”
“Your Majesty… the animals raised by Her Highness the Princess are running wild, so I came to inform you.”
The Emperor and Empress looked as though they were wondering why such a trivial matter required disturbing the Princess.
“Oh my, they’re usually well-behaved. Suddenly?” the Empress said.
Elexina made a troubled expression.
Already irritated that their family time had been interrupted, the Emperor set down his glass heavily.
“And for such a thing, you summon the Princess?”
“I beg your forgiveness. They… only listen to Her Highness. We were unable to control them.”
“That’s right, Father. They only follow me, so the servants have a hard time when this happens.”
As she said this, Elexina turned her head and looked at the maid.
“It pains me to hear that my people are struggling.”
At the sight of his angelic daughter’s concerned expression, the Emperor’s temper softened considerably.
“She’s too soft-hearted, worrying even about the servants,” the Empress added quickly, seeing the Emperor’s mood easing.
“No, Empress. As a princess, it is only natural that she possess such an attitude.”
“Well, of course, but she worries even about the smallest things she needn’t concern herself with.”
At the Empress’s affectionate tone of concern, the Emperor’s mood completely brightened.
“Isn’t that kindness beautiful?”
His lips curved upward, proof that he was pleased.
“So, Father… may I go?”
“Yes. If you are finished eating, you may.”
With his permission granted, Elexina removed the napkin from her lap and handed it to the maid behind her before rising.
“Thank you, Father.”
Smiling sweetly, she approached the Emperor before leaving.
She hugged him lightly and placed a soft kiss on his cheek.
“You’ve come of age. How long will you continue acting spoiled?”
Though he tried to sound stern, the Emperor clearly enjoyed it. The Empress answered gently instead.
“It’s a private setting. What does it matter?”
“That’s right. I’ll be careful in public.”
At her playful tone, the Emperor burst into hearty laughter.
It meant he couldn’t bring himself to scold her.
“Very well. Do as you wish.”
“I shall take my leave. Have a peaceful night, Father, Mother.”
Though her demeanor appeared carefree, she executed a flawless formal bow before boarding the carriage that awaited her.
When the carriage arrived at the Princess’s palace and the door opened, Pan was waiting in front.
“You have returned.”
“Yes.”
Taking Pan’s escort, Elexina stepped down and strode into the palace.
The cheerful expression she had worn at dinner had vanished entirely.
Her face now looked as though she could tear someone apart.
No one dared to speak to her.
Pan followed behind her.
“Your Highness, shall I dismiss the servants?”
“Yes.”
Answering irritably, Elexina entered her room first.
The moment she stepped inside, the sound of something shattering echoed down the corridor.
“Hey.”
Pan turned and stopped the maids who had been following behind.
“Yes, Sir Knight.”
“For the next three hours, no one is to enter this floor.”
“Understood.”
The maids bowed and quickly retreated.
After confirming even their footsteps had faded, Pan entered the room.
The sight before him made him immediately shut the door and draw all the curtains.
Because no one could possibly call what Elexina looked like human.
Her skin was pale as paper, devoid of all color. Her eyes were inverted—black sclera with white pupils embedded within.
Her once graceful body was now emaciated, and vines had torn through her back, embedding themselves into the walls and floor.
The vines writhed and pulsed as if alive.
At her feet pooled thick, black corruption, spreading like sludge.
If he did not calm her soon, it would escalate beyond what could be covered up.
“Your Highness,” Pan called softly.
But she seemed far angrier than he had anticipated. She did not respond.
Instead, she violently lashed the vines around, smashing furniture and striking the walls.
At that moment, the closed door burst open.
“Wait!”
It appeared to be a maid who had come to check on the Princess before bedtime.
Pan shouted sharply, and the maid froze.
“Well… you’ve already seen.”
He clicked his tongue and frowned.
“Close the door and come inside.”
Trembling and tearful, the maid slowly shut the door.
She must have sensed it instinctively.
She looked so young.
She still looks like a child, Pan thought.
But regardless, she had seen it.
She had to die.
If not now, she would die by his hand later.
One of the writhing vines shot forward in an instant and pierced straight through the maid.
Her body was impaled completely. She couldn’t even scream before going limp.
The vine pulsed as if absorbing something.
Gradually, the maid’s body shriveled, turning into something like a mummy.
After some time, the vine shook once—and the dried corpse fell to the floor, crumbling into dust.
Pan ran a hand through his hair, staring blankly.
No matter how many times he witnessed it, he could not grow accustomed to the sight.
“…Haa.”
At last, Elexina slowly exhaled, as if taking a deep breath.
A sound like bones reassembling echoed faintly, and the vines began retreating back into her body.
As if nothing had ever happened, they vanished completely into her small frame.
Simultaneously, her appearance began returning to normal.
Her golden hair shimmered like spun silk, and her fresh green eyes sparkled once more.
Her emaciated form filled out again, restoring her radiant beauty.
The corruption pooled at her feet gradually absorbed back into her body.
Everything that had been broken or distorted returned perfectly to its original state.
Elexina cared greatly about her image. She had never once allowed something like this to happen inside the Imperial Palace.
Pan sighed softly.
“Your Highness. Since you were enduring it anyway, couldn’t you have endured a little longer?”
“I’m not in the mood to hear your nagging, Pan.”
She brushed back her disheveled hair and casually removed her ruined dress, tossing it into the fireplace.
Pan, accustomed to this routine, stepped forward with prepared garments.
His hands were practiced as he dressed her.
Elexina, equally accustomed, obediently allowed him to.
She watched him silently as he finished adjusting her attire, then spoke calmly.
“The connection?”
“It is prepared. The Baron is waiting.”
After smoothing the final wrinkle, Pan stepped back.
Elexina now wore a gentle smile.
Her expression had returned to its usual sweet façade.
“Shall I open the door to the hidden chamber?”
“Yes.”
With her permission, Pan firmly pulled one of the bedroom light fixtures.
The adjacent wall slid open, revealing a concealed passage.
“Let’s go, Pan.”
No matter what form she took, she was still his master.
And so, once again, Pan chose to see without seeing, to hear without hearing.
“Yes, my lady.”
