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Chapter 2
After putting mana into the water, I tightly closed the lid of the reagent bottle.
The water sparkled brightly as proof that it had absorbed mana.
“Have you finished the reagents?”
The door suddenly swung open from behind me.
I quickly hid the newly made reagent among the other bottles and turned around calmly.
Gregory walked closer with a cold, stern face.
“You said this is an imperial tribute, right? You’d better have made it with extra care.”
“Yes, of course.”
I nodded.
Every magic family submits their secret creations to the imperial palace once a month as a kind of tax. The Ferdinand Count family also sent its tribute as required by law.
Even while being scolded, I always used that day as an opportunity.
Because it was my chance for my potions to definitely reach the imperial palace.
“I will keep sending them until someone properly discovers it.”
Ten seemingly ordinary potion bottles.
They looked like simple stamina recovery potions—but one of them contained my message.
Gregory, of course, had no idea that what he was holding was a hidden dagger aimed at him.
As always, he began his brainwashing.
“You said your power is something evil, right?”
“…Yes, uncle.”
“So don’t show that power carelessly. What did I tell you to think about it?”
“That even my filthy power should be used for the world’s benefit… so I must serve others.”
I answered blankly.
Gregory looked satisfied and left the room with the box of potions.
These words were like magic spells that once trapped me in my previous life.
Gregory wanted to monopolize my power that could create miracles. That was why he never allowed anyone to see my abilities.
He also brainwashed me into thinking that making potions every day was my duty.
And most of all, he called my power “filthy” so I would never think of escaping or defying them.
Even though this power was the foundation of the Ferdinand Count family.
Among many noble magic families in the empire, only a few could infuse mana into potions—and Ferdinand was one of them.
In other words, I—Alicia Ferdinand, the legitimate daughter of the family—was the current generation’s alchemist.
It was only natural that Gregory’s branch family never awakened this power. Even among direct descendants, only a few could.
“Without mana, they couldn’t even read my message.”
I clicked my tongue and smirked at the closed door.
Now I just had to wait for a reply.
I only hoped that wait wouldn’t take too long.
And the reply came surprisingly fast.
I had expected it would be discovered by imperial mages or someone with dragon blood…
But—
“Small.”
A man stood before me.
A strong, solid-looking body.
A sharp, well-defined jawline.
Neatly flowing black hair like falling dust.
And crimson eyes like rubies.
“He’s like a black lion.”
An overwhelming arrogance and strength surrounded him, as if he had never once lost anything in his life.
And I knew exactly what those red eyes meant.
“The symbol of the royal bloodline.”
The first-born of the imperial family always had red eyes.
So this man was—
“The Emperor…!”
I did not expect him to come personally this quickly.
That meant my message had clearly shaken him.
I gently pushed away the knight’s hand holding me and knelt down.
I didn’t know proper etiquette, so I just did my best.
“Greetings, Your Majesty. I am Alicia Ferdinand, the legitimate daughter of the Ferdinand Count family.”
The Emperor’s red eyes flickered slightly.
Power surrounded him like an aura.
An overwhelmingly powerful man.
Truly worthy of someone blessed by all five dragons.
“Now… I have to convince him.”
While I focused, the Emperor let out a soft hum.
“You’re really small. This child is an alchemist?”
“Gregory Ferdinand confessed it himself.”
The knight behind him answered in a firm voice.
The Emperor hummed again and waved his hand.
“Stand up and sit.”
Wait… he meant me, right?
I carefully stood and sat on the sofa.
It was my first time sitting on it, even though I cleaned it myself every day.
The soft feeling made me shift slightly, and the Emperor’s eyes sharpened.
“Tell me. Did you send this potion?”
“Yes, I did.”
“How did you know about the Black Dragon?”
“Because he governs disease and death…”
Let me explain.
I sent mana inside one of the potion bottles and wrote a message.
Only those with mana could read it—written as “Black Dragon.”
“At this point in time, no one knew it was a curse from the Black Dragon.”
Information about dragons was a royal secret.
Even when trying to remove the curse, they never revealed who cast it.
Because the empire was built on the myth that dragons blessed the royal family.
If people learned dragons could also curse, everything would collapse.
“An eternal sleep curse… I thought only a god of dragons could make something like that.”
“So you just guessed?”
The Emperor chuckled in disbelief.
There was no way I could explain the truth without sounding insane.
“It was already an absurd curse anyway.”
Only the royal family knew that the first imperial child was born with dragon energy.
So at birth, they invited the five dragons to give blessings.
But—
The Black Dragon’s invitation was accidentally lost, and he never arrived.
Angered, he placed a curse on the newborn prince.
“That’s why I thought… I might be able to help.”
“Ferdinand Count family… are you really its daughter?”
The Emperor studied me.
“You have mana… but why do you look like this?”
Indeed. I looked like a neglected servant, not a noble lady.
“The entire estate shows signs of abuse.”
The knight spoke again.
“I see. This is a matter for the noble court.”
The Emperor said it casually, as if stating a fact rather than showing concern.
“Now tell me. Why did you create that potion?”
Finally.
My chance to speak.
I had hidden my message inside the potion because of the system’s advice.
“If you make him recognize the word ‘Black Dragon,’ your fortune improves.”
And now I knew this world was indeed the novel Sleeping Emperor of the Forest.
I clenched my fist.
“Y-Your Majesty… I wanted to reply to the letter you sent, but I had no way to contact you.”
“My letter?”
“Yes… do you still need a potion that weakens the curse?”
The Emperor’s eyes widened.
Of course.
No alchemist had ever claimed such a thing before.
“I still don’t fully know how… but I think I can help a little.”
Even if I couldn’t fully break the curse, I could reduce its suffering.
And the system’s advice about using imperial potions gave me confidence.
This might actually work.
It was a win-win situation.
The Emperor gets help for his son, and I gain protection and resources.
“Can you really make it?”
“…Honestly, I still need more research. But I can at least reduce the pain caused by the curse.”
“That alone is something I’ve never heard before.”
The Emperor studied me carefully.
“Who taught you alchemy?”
“I wasn’t taught. I just know.”
No one taught me. It was instinct.
The Emperor sighed quietly.
“How old are you?”
“Ten years old.”
This event involving potion requests would later happen when Kadelos was twelve.
So I was two years younger—ten.
“If I give you a potion, what do you want in return?”
“…Shouldn’t I just obey whatever Your Majesty commands?”
“You summoned me. So you must want something.”
I blinked innocently and asked:
“By the way… where is my uncle?”
“I moved him. He couldn’t understand words properly.”
“I see… then, Your Majesty, look at this drawer.”
I walked over and pointed.
This was also something the system’s “today’s advice” had told me.
“Inside this drawer are items my uncle values. And he often hides… bad behavior.”
Simply put—it was evidence of corruption.
The Emperor’s eyes sharpened.
“So if I remove your uncle and appoint a new guardian, that would be enough?”
He had already understood my intent.
I couldn’t live alone as a minor anyway. I needed a guardian.
“…Could you go a little further?”
I twisted my fingers shyly.
I needed someone trustworthy.
A state-approved guardian.
If I became the crown princess, I could live safely with proper education and support.
And Kadelos could also avoid being called a cursed crown prince.
Win-win.
I would break off the engagement when I came of age.
“By the way… do you need a daughter-in-law?”
