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~Chapter 39~
Grey’s eyes went to the hourglass. Just like the falling sand, his own time was slipping away.
He thought to himself how foolish it was for Diane to act blindly, never asking why he wanted to pass the throne to the princess.
He looked back at Diane. She was forcing herself to stay upright, but she looked as fragile as a candle about to blow out.
If he told her about his illness—if she understood how foolish her choice was—she’d probably die full of regret.
“You’re a Déc. Your job is to obey me, not to think for yourself.”
Diane lowered her eyes to the floor, her shoulders trembling.
“I won’t forgive you.”
That was all he could say.
Diane had made her choice, and the price was death.
She tried to smile at his cold words, but her face wouldn’t move.
Of course, she could never expect the Emperor’s forgiveness.
But she didn’t regret her choice.
To her, only Emperor Grey was the true ruler of the empire. She would always be loyal, at his feet, forever.
Her vision blurred. She tried to shake her head but couldn’t move.
Diane’s body slowly slumped to the side.
Thud.
I want to see the Emperor one last time… There’s one more thing I need to say… About Silvia, behind her…
Diane died, her eyes wide open.
Grey watched silently, then rang the bell on his desk—a sound only the Déc could hear.
Soon, Oréon came in. He quickly took in the scene and frowned.
“So, she betrayed us.”
He looked down at Diane’s body with cold eyes, all playfulness gone.
“Go over all the reports Diane has given until now. Investigate everything.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Oréon took off his jacket and covered Diane’s face, then gently picked her up.
As Déc leader, it was painful to see a comrade betray them, but he couldn’t show it in front of the Emperor.
After leaving the room, Oréon walked slowly, jaw clenched. The jacket slipped, showing Diane’s open eyes.
He closed her eyes with a sad face.
“You foolish girl…”
Dahlia was having tea with Annie in Annie’s room when she suddenly set her teacup down hard.
“I must’ve lost my mind last night. I can’t believe I actually hit someone.”
“You hit people sometimes.”
Annie dropped back into informal speech, worried someone might overhear.
She poured more tea into Dahlia’s cup.
“When have I ever?”
Dahlia pouted, but then there was a knock at the door.
Hart quietly stepped inside.
“Good morning, ladies.”
“Good morning. What’s up?”
Dahlia looked at her over-full teacup and decided not to lift it.
“I’m being transferred to the main palace for a few days—they said they’re short-staffed.”
“Oh, that works out. Can you give this letter to the head maid for me?”
Dahlia handed her a letter she’d written last night.
“Of course. But please don’t cry, even if you miss me!”
Hart dabbed her dry eyes with a handkerchief, pretending to be sad.
Dahlia grinned.
“I won’t. Don’t worry.”
“See? You hurt people with words, too,” Annie muttered.
Dahlia tilted her head, confused.
“Huh?”
Annie gestured for her to look at Hart.
This time, Hart was actually tearing up.
“You do want me gone, don’t you?”
Dahlia quickly tried to fix it.
“No, Hart. I’ll really miss you. So come back soon.”
“There, I knew it!”
Hart stopped crying and giggled.
Was that all just an act?
Dahlia eyed her suspiciously, but then another knock sounded.
Hart hurried to open the door.
Princess Viviana stood there in a bright yellow dress—a dress her maids had prepared in advance.
“Good morning. Thank you for preparing the dress.”
Viviana shyly greeted the two girls as she stepped inside.
“You’re very welcome, Bibi. We were waiting for you,” Dahlia said, rising to greet her.
“For me?”
Viviana looked surprised.
“We promised to go save Monet together, remember?”
Dahlia smiled as if it was obvious.
Viviana’s nose tingled with emotion and she bit her pink lips.
Last night, she’d wanted to ask them to come with her, but felt too guilty after causing so much trouble.
But now, as she lowered her head, she felt a gentle hand.
She looked up—Dahlia was smiling kindly.
“We’re friends, right?”
“Yes!”
Viviana smiled brightly.
They all rode a carriage together to the princess’s palace.
Soon, they arrived. Dahlia looked around.
The palace was grand, made of marble, with wide gardens and a small pond with fish swimming.
“In summer, lotus flowers bloom in that pond—it’s beautiful. That tree over there, my mother planted it. It only blooms in winter.”
Viviana’s face glowed as she showed them around.
It was her first time having friends visit her palace, and she was thrilled.
When she looked at Dahlia beside her, she felt calm—maybe, this time, she could be brave.
Just then—
“Your Highness!”
Silvia spotted the princess and hurried over.
Viviana flinched in surprise.
Dahlia, standing close, gently patted her back.
Viviana glanced up and saw Dahlia mouth the words, “You have a friend beside you.”
That’s right. I’m not alone anymore.
She nodded and stood tall as Silvia approached.
“Your Highness, do you know how worried I was last night? I didn’t sleep at all. You’re unharmed, right?”
Silvia’s face was full of worry.
“Yes.”
But as Silvia turned to Dahlia, her look became sharp.
“Did these people hurt you? You can tell me the truth.”
“No, never.”
Viviana shook her head firmly.
“Then why did you disappear so suddenly last night?”
