Murderous Emperor’s Inconvenient Behavior

“…”

Alicia said nothing; she didn’t respond.

Careful planning and execution are required for successful deception. As a first step, using a person’s correct name wherever possible is a must.

That’s why she suggested it in the first place.

The fact that she was in a poor mood and acting spitefully is a possible contributing factor as well.

Did she cross a line, though? The look on Alicia’s face indicated she was distressed.

With an attempt at additional persuasion, Claire opened her mouth. Before she could elaborate, though,

“…It’s going to be so much fun!”

In exuberance, Alicia clapped her hands.

Claire returned Alicia’s grin with one of her own. People are naturally perceptive, thus a simple explanation suffices.

“And yet, Richard could pick up on it.”

Mrs. Stanton said.

“Since the young lady hasn’t been out and about recently, not many people would remember her, but the Duke sees her on a daily basis and may notice right away if something were to happen.”

The maid seemed apprehensive as she answered.

“If we can fool Richard, it may work.”

Mrs. Stanton could be seen walking back and forth, clenching her teeth.

“How about this?”

Claire made a suggestion, which caught everyone’s ear.

“Do you have a good plan?”

Concerned, Mrs. Stanton inquired.

“Leave it to me, mom.”

Claire’s grin was very broad.

In honor of her status as the sister of the Duke of Stanton and the sole daughter of the Stanton Ducal line.

* * *

<Claire, will you come with me?>

Adoptive father Samuel inquired with a sorrowful expression on his face the day we buried Mom.

Claire, who didn’t share a single gene with him, was a victim of his pity.

<Follow me, and you won’t have to worry about heartbreak anymore.>

Claire’s hair was lovingly brushed by his rough hand.

He may have lost his motivation to live after the death of his wife.

Shortly after they entered the convent, Samuel passed away.

Claire, left alone, completed her tasks in silence.

She cleaned the barn after eating a dinner of thin soup and hard bread, then peeled an enormous pile of potatoes. In the midday sun, she was stooping to gather grapes.

Then one day, scandalous gossip about Claire spread, and she was nearly kicked out of the convent.

Thankfully, because of the Director’s generosity, Claire was able to get a position in the household of the Stantons.

As the monotonous, isolating days wore on,

A visitor dressed entirely in white arrived.

<Were you feeling lonely? Will you come with me?>

This guy basically repeated what her adoptive father had stated.

She decided to join his pursuit.

However, that road led only to certain death.

The guillotine’s chilly blade cut through the air and descended toward her.

* * *

“Gasp!”

Claire jolted awake from her nap.

Desperately, she took a deep breath of the air surrounding her.

“My neck…”

She reached for her neck and touched it, hands shaking.

Her neck may have been bathed in freezing perspiration, but at least it wasn’t broken.

The concept of dying never crossed her mind.

The guillotine’s chilling blade was a clear memory.

She had actually died in her dream.

Those awful, terrifying feelings returned.

Claire’s history and present included her upbringing, her time at the convent, and her time as a maid in the Duke’s home.

But then things happened after the man in white robes had her executed by guillotine. That development was still to come.

Can a dream really foretell the future?

If not, the argument falls apart.

The dream sequence she had just seen was so realistic that she was convinced it would actually occur soon.

If dreams can foretell the future, then we can take steps to avoid unfavorable outcomes, right?

Claire’s face briefly lit up with joy, but then she looked disappointed.

She wasn’t some sort of prophetic dreamer with superpowers; she was just a servant.

Poor maid who will probably be sent to the Empire shortly.

“I must have had a nightmare since I woke up exhausted.”

Claire gave a furious jerk of her head.

Today was the big day for the victory party.

In preparation for today, Claire had studied the manners of a proper woman and adopted Alicia’s manner of speech, demeanor, and routines. She was also occupied with having a dress altered for the ball.

But of all days, this had to be the one with the bad dream.

Claire moaned as she dragged herself out of bed. Then she stopped, pondered for a while, and ultimately decided otherwise.

She made up her mind that she would never again follow a man dressed all in white.

* * *

Ratles. 

As the carriage swung back and forth, so did her body.

Claire sat in silence, staring out the window at the world.

She needed to pass for Alicia in all except name.

However, her efforts were met with increasing facial pain.

This was due to Richard’s intense concentration across the seat from her.

Claire feared he would realize something was wrong and become suspicious.

However, they need not have worried about being discovered. After all, she was armed with a hidden weapon.

“You’re not going to take off the veil?”

Richard tapped her on the noggin.

Her anticipation couldn’t stop her heart from racing when it finally happened.

In reality, Claire wore a delicate veil with flower designs.

It was a ploy to fool Richard on the way to the palace in the horse-drawn carriage.

The face concealed by the pastel fabric would fool even the sharpest of eyes.

“Yes, isn’t it pretty?”

Mrs. Stanton, who was seated next to her, hurriedly stroked the veil and murmured,

“The veil is unnecessary since you are beautiful without it.”

“Brother, please understand; it’s my first ball, and I’m afraid that people will talk behind my back.”

Claire attempted to imitate Alicia’s feeble, pleading tone.

“Your voice sounds a bit strange?”

Richard’s cocked head caused Mrs. Stanton to discreetly twirl the handkerchief in her palm.

“Cough, cough, the ball kept me awake all night,” she said.

Rapidly, Claire coughed.

“Oh no, please remove your veil at once.”

Richard extended a hand.

The curtain rustled under his touch. The Madame, Mrs. Stanton, took a deep breath next to him.

Once the veil is removed, they will see that she is indeed Alicia in disguise.

“Brother.”

Thump. Before taking off her veil, Claire reached for Richard’s hand.

“Brother, I’m so nervous.”

With a sob in her voice, Claire squeezed his hand even closer.

‘Will this work?’

“Of course, my dear Alicia; I will guard you.”

Richard comforted her by patting her hand behind.

“I trust only your words, brother. Then, I’ll try to catch some sleep until we arrive. It’s so cozy with the veil on. I feel like I could fall asleep.”

“Let Alicia sleep, Richard; she’s exhausted.”

Mrs. Stanton caressed her on the shoulder and readjusted the veil, pleading with her to go back to sleep.

Mrs. Stanton proved to be an unexpectedly reliable sidekick.

Closing her eyes tightly, Claire arranged her limbs neatly. Richard then made a comment.

“But you know,”

Is he suggesting that she remove the veil and go to sleep?

Claire awaited his next words with bated breath.

“You must remove your veil when introduced to the Emperor.”

Richard, to her relief, didn’t object to her continued use of the veil.

“Whew, ugh… cough… I’ll remember that.”

Claire let out a sigh of relief, but she had to hide it under a cough as Mrs. Stanton quickly squeezed her leg. Otherwise, she may have gotten on Richard’s bad side.

* * *

They made it to the palace with only a few minutes to spare before being ambushed.

As Claire looked around the ballroom, everyone’s eyes were on her.

It wasn’t her shimmering clothing that caught everyone’s attention.

The veil she wore concealed her whole face.

The only other person in the ballroom to be veiled was her. As they watched Claire, the aristocratic women muttered amongst themselves.

“You had to have known this was going to occur, right?”

Claire just shrugged and continued on. Women of nobility might be seen off in the distance. It was attended by Mrs. Stanton.

“Hehehe, it’s been a while. You’ve been doing well, Mrs. Stanton?”

“Countess Solton, you look great as well.:

“I ran across Duke Stanton not too long ago; he’s grown up and quite attractive!”

“You flatter me.”

“There are many young women who are green with envy since the Duke is only close to Mrs. Stanton and his younger sister.”

“Tell him to adore those unfortunate women just as much.”

A second woman joined them.

“Haha, he’s my son, but I wonder whom he takes after in cherishing his family so much.”

Mrs. Stanton was engaged in conversation with the noblewoman and paid no attention to Claire.

Richard made sure Alicia was okay before he went to see the Emperor.

“This is not for the daughter.”

Claire took a chance by slipping away from Mrs. Stanton.

Claire’s hidden look at Mrs. Stanton was palpable.

“Why isn’t he coming?”

“Haven’t he gotten here yet?”

Claire turned her head to hear what was being said behind her.

She caught a glimpse of many nobility engaged in discussion while looking around.

“He’s underestimating Grizemen.”

“That’s accurate; he sure was cocky during the victory party.”

“Tsk tsk, he shouldn’t have come if that’s the case.”

The debate was then joined by a nobleman who had made his way through the mob.

“How is he going back?”

“Well, this is trouble.”

As if someone may overhear him, the nobleman softened his tone.

Claire crept up on them quietly. She eavesdropped on the chat while pretending to do something else.

It sounded like the Emperor of the Empire was the target of their hidden criticism.

“We don’t know where he is right now.”

“Hehe, well.”

“What about the people who were accompanying him?”

“I don’t know.”

“What do you mean he perhaps won’t even go to the victory ball?”

“He promises to be there, but when, exactly?”

Claire stopped listening at that point and left the room quietly.

“Hmm, so they don’t know when the emperor will arrive?”

There was instant relief from the anxiety.

It seems that she had been worried subconsciously.

The air became stifling as the stress subsided.

Her heart raced and her eyes grew hazy.

Rapidly shifting her body, Claire headed towards the door.

She hurried down the steps, leaving the ballroom and its soft music behind.

A pleasant evening was falling outside as the sun sank.

As she proceeded, she listened to the insects to determine her path.

She was wandering aimlessly till she came to a dim area.

“Sigh… Phew.” 

Claire threw the veil off her head and exhaled slowly. Her perspiring forehead felt relief when the breeze blew.

“I felt like passing out”

Rustle.

Then she heard the crunch of dried branches underfoot.

A startled Claire whirled to face the source of the noise.

The heavy shadows cast by the trees in the garden were not eliminated by the garden lighting.

Claire strained her eyes to peer into the darkness.

Rustle.

Someone was moving.

“Who’s there?” 

“…”

There was silence on the other side.

“What’s that awful odor?”

Claire wrinkled her nose at the stench that was blowing through the air.

The air was thick with a putrid odor.

That time,

A dark figure was exposed with the swish of a branch.

“Gasp!”

Claire hid her mouth and nose.

A tall dark creature with a putrid stink loomed above her, staring her down.

A dirty green liquid had pooled around the figure.

The unpleasant odor might be traced back to this green liquid.

Green liquid spilled from the mask that covered half of the figure’s face.

She peeled it off to reveal a flawless set of lips and chiseled jawline.

Claire, seemingly transfixed, raised her eyes.

The man was wearing a silver mask in the shape of an eagle.

The turquoise eyes within the mask were unblinking as they observed her.

“Who are you?”

Claire looked at him with wide eyes and shook her finger at him.

Yes, that was the guy.

The brave knight she encountered on her way to deliver a donation to the Valles Monastery.

The wealthy knight who assisted a destitute maidservant and demanded payment for his trouble.

She had no idea she would run into him in this city.

“It’s my first time meeting the lady; do you know who I am?”

He fixed her with his bright turquoise gaze.

Ah!

Claire slammed her lips together hastily.

Alicia, younger sister of the Duke of Stanton, was a noblewoman right now.

She was a maid when she ran into that man.

It’s hardly surprising that he doesn’t recognize the woman in front of him as the same Claire he met in the woods.

“Why can’t you speak? I asked if you know me.”

The baritone tone was pressing for a response.

“You, you… Are you invited to the masquerade?”

In spite of her mental resistance, she managed to get the words out.

The masked man laughed beneath his mask.

“I was invited, so I came.”

“With that outfit?”

Claire examined the man thoroughly.

He did not appear to be attending a masquerade.

A foul-smelling substance on his body would guarantee that he would be escorted out of the masquerade.

“Anyway,”

Slowly, the guy spoke.

“The woman’s face, upon closer inspection, doesn’t seem familiar.”

His pupils contracted somewhat.

She felt the man’s attention on her more keenly now that she wasn’t hiding behind the veil.

“We’ve met before…”

He must suppress all thoughts of the woodland girl he encountered there. It may be awkward if he finds out the maid he met is actually pretending to be a lady. Especially if she claimed to be Alicia, a member of the family of the Duke of Stanton.

It would be a catastrophe if the emperor found out about this.