SWNOVELXO Chapter 13 - The Emperor (6)
✦ Chapter 13 – The Emperor (6) ✦
「Translator – Creator」
𒋝𒋝𒋝𒋝𒋝
And just like that, I was kidnapped again. This time, however, I wasn’t surprised — I had even anticipated it.
I found myself standing before the Emperor once again. Two Imperial abductions in as many days. Not many could claim that.
“Haa…” A heavy sigh escaped the Emperor’s lips.
Is something wrong?
“Your Majesty, you seem troubled,” I ventured cautiously. “Is something the matter?”
The emperor looked at me and pressed his temples as if dealing with a headache.
“Last night, it was reported that the Phantom Cardinal appeared at Baron Ashworth’s estate,” the Emperor said, ”And by this morning, it was all over the empire. Was that your doing?”
“Of course, Your Majesty! As I said, I had a brilliant idea.”
Who else but me could come up with such an ingenious idea?
My confident assertion was met with a wry chuckle.
“Indeed, a brilliant idea. Thanks to you, everyone in the empire is now interested in the Phantom Cardinal.”
It was true. As the emperor pointed out, everyone had started showing interest in the Phantom Cardinal after this incident.
People who lived during the Phantom’s active years speculated wildly about why he would suddenly reappear after more than 20 years. Those born after the Phantom’s era learned about him through this event.
As a result, everyone became curious about the Phantom Cardinal, but none could ever guess that he was the Emperor. After all, everyone in the imperial palace knew the Emperor had been present in the imperial palace the entire night.
“Sigh… Until now, no one has ever impersonated the Phantom Cardinal.”
That was hardly surprising. Who in their right mind would imitate a thief notorious for stealing national treasures? It would be a one-way ticket to becoming the empire’s most wanted.
“That just made my job easier, Your Majesty,” I shrugged nonchalantly.
I was the only crazy one to pull such a stunt.
“Regardless, the fact that I am the Phantom Cardinal remains hidden. As promised, here is your elixir.”
“Your Majesty, I did this to alleviate your troubles as you tirelessly rule the empire, not for the elixir.”
“Then there’s no need for the elixir—”
“Not at all! I would be honored to accept!” I interjected, cutting him off.
I thought if I buttered him up, I might get another elixir, but no luck.
“Here, take the elixir you desired so much,” the emperor said, handing it over.
I received the elixir from the emperor. It gleamed with a golden light—the royal elixir, something money couldn’t buy.
I was basking in the glow of acquiring the priceless elixir when the Emperor casually asked, “So, what did you pilfer from Baron Ashworth?”
However, his casual tone belied the gravity of the question. The words seemed to engrave themselves into my mind, a sign that the emperor was using [Dominance].
The first time he’d used it on me, I could barely breathe, my body trembling uncontrollably. This time, I was able to maintain my composure, albeit barely. The emperor watched me with a pleased expression as I withstood his oppressive aura.
“Ho? You’re improving.”
“It’s just one of my many charms.”
“But I’m not in the mood for jokes right now.”
The pressure intensified as if to signal that lies would not be tolerated.
It felt as if he was daring me to lie.
“According to this morning’s paper, Baron Ashworth claimed that the Phantom Cardinal didn’t steal anything.”
This morning’s paper confirmed that Baron Ashworth said nothing was taken, despite the thief’s appearance.
“A lie, of course. I’ve received reports that he’s dispatched his knights to search for Phantom Cardinal.”
In the short time since last night, the emperor had even placed surveillance on Baron Ashworth.
“He’s keeping it quiet, either because he doesn’t want the theft publicized, or to conceal what exactly was taken.”
The Emperor’s deduction was spot on. Last night, I’d infiltrated Ashworth’s estate and taken ‘it.’ He was clearly trying to avoid drawing attention to the matter.
“So, I’ll ask again. What did you take from Baron Ashworth?”
“I–”
I was about to answer when the doors to the Emperor’s chambers flew open.
BAM!
For a split second, I couldn’t quite process what was happening. Barging into the Emperor’s private chambers unannounced? Unthinkable! But then I saw the intruder, and it all made sense.
Golden hair. Piercing blue eyes. The stunningly beautiful Imperial Princess.
Yerika Leonhart.
The attendants trailing behind her seemed to shrink back collectively, acutely aware of her transgression. Even a princess couldn’t simply waltz into the Emperor’s presence without permission. It was a blatant breach of etiquette.
The emperor pressed his temples, clearly irritated.
“You may all leave,” he ordered.
The attendants, eager to escape the tense atmosphere, practically scurried out of the room.
“Yerika,” the Emperor said, turning his attention to his daughter, his voice laced with disapproval. “We have a guest. You will show some decorum.”
She finally seemed to notice me, her eyes widening in surprise. She recovered quickly, though, schooling her features into a polite smile as she curtsied gracefully. Her every movement was fluid and elegant, radiating a regal aura.
“We meet again, Mr. Humble Clown. Have you been kidnapped and brought here once more?”
‘I was kidnapped and brought here to the imperial palace.’
Remembering my previous words, she laughed as she recalled them.
“Yes! This time, I was brought here while having breakfast!”
Surprisingly, it wasn’t an exaggeration.
I’d been having a leisurely breakfast at the inn when I suddenly blacked out. Next thing I knew, I was here.
“You remain as entertaining as ever. While talking to my brother over the communication orb yesterday, I mentioned I met you at the palace and he seemed quite envious.”
Communicating through an orb? Does that mean Lucas isn’t in the palace right now?
“Where is Lucas, if I may ask, Your Highness?”
She laughed as she responded, her laughter oddly comforting.
“He was so shocked after seeing you during the entrance exam that he left for training. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him heading to train with such a joyful expression.”
The emperor, who had been silently observing our conversation, finally spoke up.
“Do you two know each other?”
His gaze had changed from earlier. Whereas before, he looked at me with annoyance, now it was as if he was staring down a hyena trying to get close to his daughter.
I quickly clarified before he could jump to any conclusions.
“I happened to meet Her Highness briefly as I was leaving the palace yesterday. We talked for just a moment.”
I emphasized the word “briefly” to clear any misunderstandings. In Croaka’s lore, it was often mentioned that the emperor was particularly fond of Yerika. If someone like me, with nothing but a handsome face to my name, were to be seen making advances towards the princess, who knew what the Emperor would do?
Seemingly appeased by my response, the Emperor turned his attention to his daughter.
“Yerika, what brings you here without permission?”
Though his words were a reprimand, his tone was gentle, his lips even curving into a fond smile.
“Father! The Phantom Cardinal! He’s appeared again!”
“Haaa…” The Emperor let out a long sigh, glancing at me wearily.
I recalled our conversation from yesterday when he mentioned someone was investigating the Phantom Cardinal. When I suggested he use his power to stop the investigation, he had replied—
‘That person is not one to be swayed by my order.’
Surely not…
‘The princess is the one investigating, isn’t she?’
The Emperor closed his eyes slowly, a silently resigned expression on his face.
He didn’t need to voice his confirmation. I could already read it loud and clear.
Oblivious to her father’s torment, she continued, her eyes alight with determination.
“Father, if you would just lend me a few of your men, I’ll capture this Cardinal myself!”
‘The “Cardinal” you seek is standing right next to you…’ I thought wryly.
“Hmm, I’ll consider it. Now, run along. I still have matters to discuss with Loki.”
As Yerika made her way toward the door, she turned to me with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
“If you recall anything that might be helpful to my investigation, Mr. Clown, don’t hesitate to share!”
“Ahahaha…”
I could only respond with laughter.
How could I tell her, ‘You’re looking for the Phantom Cardinal amongst the very two in front of you!’?
“Haaa…”
The Emperor released another weary sigh as the door closed behind his daughter.
This time, I had a bit more understanding of his feelings.
To have your own daughter, practically vibrating with excitement, request manpower to investigate you? That was rough, even for an emperor.
‘But why is Yerika so intent on finding the Phantom Cardinal?’
No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t fathom why Yerika would want to catch him. In Croaka, both Yerika and the Phantom Cardinal were barely mentioned entities.
Seeming to want to set aside thoughts of Yerika for the moment, the emperor changed the subject.
“Now, about that item you stole from Ashworth.”
I hesitated.
The last thing I wanted to do was burden the already-beleaguered Emperor with ‘it.’
But he deserved to know. With a heavy heart, I presented it to him.
“This, Your Majesty, is what I took from Baron Ashworth.”
As the Emperor laid eyes on the object, his face contorted in a grimace.
— End of Chapter —
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