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Chapter 04
The soldiers and executioner saw the banner and immediately dropped to one knee.
It seemed to be the proper way to greet a messenger sent by someone of great authority.
Astrid wanted to bow along with them, but if she did, the noose would tighten around her neck and make the suspension of her execution meaningless. So she remained standing stiffly atop the stool.
The rider gradually slowed his horse and finally came to a complete stop directly before the gallows before dismounting.
Looking closer, his appearance was no better than Astrid’s. He looked as though he had ridden for a very long time without rest.
The messenger pulled a rolled parchment from inside his coat. After clearing his throat several times, he straightened his voice and began to read.
“Hear this, loyal soldiers of mine. I command that the execution of the red-haired woman captured off the coast of Luz Rosada be halted immediately. Furthermore, there are matters I personally wish to confirm with this woman, and therefore I order that she be delivered safely into my custody.”
It was a short imperial decree.
The messenger gestured toward the soldiers, then turned his gaze to Astrid.
The soldiers leapt to their feet and quickly, though with confused expressions, removed the noose from Astrid’s neck and helped her down from the stool.
Only then could Astrid kneel before the messenger as the soldiers had done.
“Hey, untie her hands too.”
At the messenger’s command, the rope binding Astrid’s wrists was cut away. They had been tied for so long that having free hands again actually felt strange.
Astrid wiped the sweat from her palms onto her skirt.
“Is your name Astrid?”
the messenger asked.
She nodded fervently.
At this point, even if her name had not been Astrid, she would have answered yes and lived the rest of her life as Astrid if necessary.
“His Majesty the Emperor wishes to meet you.”
And so she ended up riding in a luxurious carriage.
Once she organized the situation in her mind, she calmed down a little.
First of all, regardless of the reason, it was certain that her death had been postponed. Even if it turned out the Emperor wanted to kill her personally after she had unknowingly caused him massive losses.
‘Massive losses!’
The Ortega Merchant Company flashed through Astrid’s thoughts.
Had she somehow interfered with goods meant for the imperial family? Had targeting that merchant company been a mistake after all?
Astrid tried to think of reasons why dying by the Emperor’s sword would be preferable to hanging on a desolate beach, but she found none.
Still, for someone supposedly guilty before the Emperor, neither the imperial messenger nor the carriage driver treated her harshly. The driver even shared his own drinking water after noticing how dry her lips were.
Moreover, despite the driver’s kindness, the carriage itself already contained a basket filled with soft bread and wine.
She had no appetite, but after reviewing the situation and calming her trembling somewhat, Astrid took a sip of wine, hoping it might help ease her nerves.
Once the time of trembling to death had passed, the time of dying from boredom began.
Aside from being slightly softer and less damp, Astrid found little that made the carriage better than the prison cell.
Worst of all, the carriage shook.
She was used to the rocking of ships, but the motion of a carriage was completely different. It felt unlike seasickness or land sickness.
When she opened the window and dry-heaved, the imperial messenger riding alongside the carriage advised her that sleeping might help.
But how could a piece of candy rattling inside a shaking bag possibly fall asleep?
Astrid had no watch, so she could not be certain, but the carriage ride lasted roughly five hours. The sun was slowly sinking beyond low mountains.
The scenery outside the window changed from forests to villages, then from villages to bustling streets after they passed through the city gates.
The carriage continued onward, crossing a drawbridge before passing through yet another gate. Finally, it stopped before a gigantic iron door.
The imperial messenger looked three times more exhausted than he had earlier that day. After speaking briefly with the guards, the heavy iron gates slowly creaked open.
“Miss Astrid. From here on, we’ll proceed on foot. Just follow me.”
After sitting for so long, Astrid was actually relieved to hear they would walk.
Beyond the broad brick-paved road stood a massive and magnificent structure stretching straight ahead. The messenger briefly explained that this was the main palace.
They passed beyond the palace and continued farther inward.
After walking for some time, the messenger stopped before another building. It was smaller than the main palace, but just as elegant and refined.
A noblewoman stood waiting at the entrance.
The messenger bowed deeply to her, and Astrid awkwardly copied him. Later she would learn that this was improper etiquette for a woman.
The noblewoman gave only the slightest bow in return before glancing at Astrid.
Without realizing it, Astrid brought her feet together and clasped her hands politely before her.
The noblewoman carefully examined her from head to toe before letting out a small sigh.
“Miss Astrid. From now on, you will follow me.”
“Yes.”
Feeling oddly like the cloth in a game of hot potato, Astrid climbed the stairs while attempting to at least exchange a farewell glance with the messenger.
But the worn-out messenger was already walking away into the distance. Apparently the moment Astrid was handed off to the noblewoman marked the end of his workday.
Embarrassed, Astrid ran her fingers through her hair. It was still stiff and sticky with salt.
The moment she absentmindedly licked the stickiness from her palm out of habit, the noblewoman caught her doing it.
This time the noblewoman didn’t even bother hiding her sigh.
“If it were up to me, I would scrub you clean and change your clothes before presenting you, but His Majesty wishes to see you as soon as possible.”
Flustered, Astrid wiped her hand on her skirt instead. The crease between the noblewoman’s brows deepened further.
“Do not do such things in front of His Majesty.”
“Understood….”
In the end, Astrid hid both hands behind her back. Later she would learn this, too, was improper etiquette.
She felt like she would go insane wondering why the Emperor himself wanted to meet her.
Of course, Astrid was certain it was not because he wished to praise her. She had committed far more mistakes than accomplishments in her life.
Following the noblewoman, Astrid walked down a corridor lined with plush carpets.
Candles illuminated the walls, while small chandeliers hanging at regular intervals from the ceiling reflected the light.
Though night had already fallen outside, the interior of the building felt bright and warm.
The softness of the carpet beneath her bare feet soothed her nerves, if only slightly.
Eventually, the noblewoman stopped before an ornate door. It was no larger than the others, yet the delicate carvings in the wood and the surrounding decorations made it clear that whatever lay beyond was different and special.
The woman stepped forward and knocked gently.
“Your Majesty, this is Juliana. Miss Astrid has arrived.”
“Send her in.”
A soft, low voice came from within the room.
The noblewoman silently opened the door, pushed Astrid inside, and immediately shut it behind her.
The room, like the corridor, felt warm and inviting.
The chandelier hanging from the ceiling was far larger and more splendid than those outside. The windows were open, and whenever the cool night breeze brushed against the glass ornaments, they sparkled brilliantly, scattering candlelight across the room.
Not only the chandelier, but the sofas, tables, and chairs as well—every piece of furniture was more beautiful than anything Astrid had ever seen in her life.
It was a moment that redefined the meaning of luxury.
“Astrid.”
A soft and low voice, yet one carrying unmistakable sharpness, called out to her.
Astrid tore her gaze away from the room and looked toward the owner of the voice.
She had no idea how she was supposed to greet the Emperor. Should she press her forehead to the floor and beg forgiveness first? Hesitating, she decided at least to kneel.
“Come closer.”
Astrid shuffled forward on her knees toward the middle-aged woman seated upon the sofa.
Compared to the room’s decorations, the woman’s dress could almost be called simple. Yet entirely apart from such things, an overwhelming presence radiated from her. Astrid instinctively lowered her head.
The Emperor’s fingers approached.
Astrid flinched, but the fingers merely lifted her chin gently upward.
Only then could Astrid clearly see the Emperor’s face, and the same was true in return.
A satisfied smile appeared around the Emperor’s lightly wrinkled eyes.
“It is good to meet you, Sasha. You do not resemble your father at all.”
