🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 5
“Phew… phew.”
As soon as the guards disappeared, Vivianne began gulping down the hot oatmeal porridge, blowing on it in haste.
The men no longer properly looked at her. They didn’t even attempt to speak to her anymore.
Since the day Aaron had come, she had been provided clean water and meals every time. She even received a stiff robe to cover the dress that had once looked like a candy wrapper. It was low-quality, made from wild grass mixed with cheap dye, but for a prisoner it was undeniably luxurious.
Vivianne assumed Aaron must have taken some kind of action.
A pure white handkerchief, utterly unsuited to her shabby appearance, was tied around her wrist beneath the wide sleeves. She had tried to keep it precious for a week, and it remained unstained. She held onto it tightly, as if it were a lifeline.
‘The wound is completely gone.’
She scooped another spoonful of tasteless porridge and looked at her hand. Dirty and worn as it was, the skin was unnaturally pale. The scratches that had once been there had vanished without a trace.
A week had passed, and nothing had happened.
Leiden Valder might have completely forgotten her.
She might have been just one of countless passing pawns.
He had not ordered her skin to be flayed, burned, or her head displayed above the imperial palace. To him, Vivianne Lethe was just another prisoner who passed like a passing shower—someone who might survive if lucky.
Then perhaps… could she ask Aaron for help the next time he passed by?
He seemed righteous and kind. Maybe he would accept such an unreasonable request.
Her grip tightened on the handkerchief. He hadn’t returned since, but her improved condition was undoubtedly because of him.
‘Ah… I wish I could see him just once more.’
If she could only gently stir the guilt in his heart and present herself as a pitiful woman…
If he would just help a little. Just speak a little kindly…
“Come out.”
Clank—the cell door opened. Vivianne, who had been thinking of Aaron, instinctively stood and backed away in shock.
“Come out.”
“What’s going on?”
“Commander Aaron has ordered your release.”
“Then… can I go see the commander now?”
Her face immediately brightened. The guard did not answer, but his reluctant expression suggested it wasn’t a lie. Limping slightly, she followed him. Just the fact of leaving this dark, filthy place made her heart race. Light filled her eyes.
This was surely her salvation.
* * *
“Wait! Where is the commander? The commander…!”
“Th-this woman has become even noisier…”
“You are…”
The place they arrived at, following an unfamiliar path, looked strangely familiar. At first she had missed it, but upon closer inspection it was the same place where she had first awakened. In one corner, maids were pouring steaming hot water into a bathtub. Clothes and jewelry were scattered across the floor.
And there stood the same woman who had bathed her before, arms crossed and glaring. The other familiar woman stood beside her.
“You should get ready too.”
“Ready for what?”
As soon as Vivianne widened her eyes, the woman waved her hand sharply. Several maids rushed in and grabbed her roughly.
“W-what are you doing!”
“Oh my… how did this beautiful dress end up like this…”
As they began stripping her clothes off, Vivianne struggled violently. When one tried to remove the handkerchief tied around her wrist, she resisted even harder.
“No! I said no!”
“This is going to take forever again…”
“Take me to Commander Aaron Clark! He ordered that I be released!”
She screamed, and the maids wrestled with her clothes.
“Stop. I’ll explain.”
Then a young but calm voice spoke.
Vivianne froze. It was the same girl who had once at least spoken to her politely. Slim, but with a youthful face.
‘Fifteen? Sixteen?’
Freckles dotted her face, and her curly brown hair was neatly tied back. She walked straight up to Vivianne.
“Chelsea! What are you doing?”
The sharp-tongued woman from earlier shouted behind her.
“It’s better if I explain. Besides, we got a lot of gold thanks to her.”
The “incident” from a week ago had become something of a legend among them. The steward had rushed in excitedly, shouting that “His Majesty was satisfied,” and the head maid had nodded repeatedly in joy.
After Vivianne had survived in the Emperor’s chamber, they—mere low-ranking maids and attendants—had received gold coins distributed from above. The story had grown more exaggerated ever since. Especially how “Vivianne Lethe” had been prepared.
Some claimed they had chosen the perfume well, others boasted about the jewelry or dresses. Even the sharp-tongued maid Arien insisted she had chosen the dress. What exactly had satisfied the Emperor remained unclear—her body, her eyes, it didn’t matter. The fact she survived was proof enough.
Chelsea decided it was only fair to tell her something.
“Today there will be a loot auction.”
Vivianne frowned.
“A slave auction?”
“There have been cases of prisoners being introduced before, but this is the first time for royalty…”
“Chelsea! You don’t need to say that much!”
Behind them, Arien began barking orders again.
The room grew busy once more.
But Chelsea, noticing the sorrow in Vivianne’s large pink eyes, felt a flicker of pity. She leaned in, avoiding Arien’s gaze.
“Prove your worth. That’s the only way you’ll survive.”
She placed Aaron’s now-dirty handkerchief into Vivianne’s hands.
* * *
On the eastern side of the Valder Imperial Palace stood a vast grand banquet hall.
The ceiling was decorated in gold and crimson tones, painted with constellations known as the “language of the gods,” enhancing its grandeur.
A massive chandelier hung at the center, and hundreds of candles illuminated the hall. Valder’s imperial banners adorned with deep wine-colored insignias stood throughout the room. Expensive floral arrangements and soft piano music added to the atmosphere.
Royal family members, high-ranking nobles, and their relatives filled the hall. The atmosphere was lively. Lavish dishes—tarts, crumpets, sweets—continuously appeared and disappeared from the tables.
At the end of the banquet, sugared acacia cookies and champagne were served, and only then did the atmosphere settle. Conversations shifted from pleasantries to quiet maneuvering.
The topic was the upcoming auction.
“The gold and jewels of Lethe are said to be of excellent quality.”
“There are many skilled artisans there. I hear Lady, you’re interested in jewels?”
“Oh ho, not exactly. I’m more interested in a certain prized possession of the late queen.”
“I heard Countess Remill mention that too—what could it be?”
“Shh, lower your voice. I heard it’s a glass shoe. Worth a fortune.”
The nobles exchanged glances, probing each other’s intentions, spreading rumors, and scheming openly.
At the center table, in the seat of honor, two elegant women whispered.
“So many are interested in this auction.”
“Empress Dowager, it seems the items from Lethe are said to be quite beautiful.”
“Yes, Vanessa. Are you planning to buy something as well?”
“Oh! I haven’t even received the list yet.”
“You must be slower than I thought.”
“If rare herbs or materials appear, I might bid.”
“You and your herbs again.”
Empress Dowager Beatrice scolded her lightly but smiled in approval.
Among all the nobles, the most eye-catching was Vanessa Blanchett, daughter of the Blanchett ducal house.
She wore a cream velvet dress, simple yet breathtakingly elegant. Pearls and diamonds adorned her, not as extravagance but refinement.
She carried herself with the dignity of the empire’s most beautiful woman, returning greetings with a gentle, radiant smile.
“By the way, Empress Dowager. I heard there will be a hidden, extremely valuable item at today’s auction. Have you heard anything about it?”
Her innocent smile shimmered brightly.
