Murderous Emperor’s Inconvenient Behavior

“… Yes.”

“I don’t think you pretended to be Alicia just because you wanted to. What a mess.”

Richard strode about, his brow furrowed deeply. He finally came to a halt in front of her after a nervous back and forth.

“Do you know what kind of event the ball is and have you agreed to attend it?”

“Yes.”

“You could die if you get caught.”

“I’m well aware of it.”

“Are you sure? So, why did you acquiesce so quickly?”

“They threatened to cut off the monastery’s funding if I didn’t go.”

“Did my mother really say that?”

“…”

“Do you realize how critical this is? If you are apprehended, you will not die alone.”

“…”

“Not only our family, but also Grizemen, could be in danger.”

“I’m good at it. Please trust me. I’m not taking this lightly.”

“You were apprehended by me. It’s just a matter of time before the rest of the world finds out.”

“The emperor doesn’t know.”

“…”

“You just witnessed it. He didn’t understand I was an impostor when I presented myself as your sister.”

“I knew.”

“That’s because you know Lady Alicia very well.”

“Anyone else who noticed?”

“No one.”

“And what about the mansion’s employees?”

“Instead of Lady Alicia, I’ve been walking around the mansion for quite some time. They treat me as if I were her every time we meet.”

Richard fixed his focus on Claire once again. He examined her from head to toe, without missing a single detail.

“You definitely do resemble each other. Others are unlikely to notice.”

“Thank you.”

“Is this something to be thankful for?”

Richard scowled and firmly reprimanded her.

She couldn’t see why he was furious because she was doing such a terrific job emulating Alicia.

“Anyway, it’s too late to bring Alicia back now. We could get caught this time if we switch back after the Emperor has seen your face.”

“What if I just keep being Alicia?”

“It would be an issue if you didn’t do it right away… Claire, please take care of the ball this time.”

Richard smiled as he offered his hand.

Claire shook his hand firmly.

She felt as though she had climbed a large mountain. She believed she could handle whatever happened next.

But she quickly realized she had made a huge mistake.

Murmurs.

The ballroom came alive as Richard and she arrived.

“Everyone is staring at you.”

Claire moistened her lips while looking forward.

“That’s not it.”

He leaned up close and whispered something into her ear.

“Pardon?”

“They’re all looking at you.”

At me?

“Ah, there’s my veil!”

She had left her veil pulled back since being caught by Richard in the garden. Claire attempted to shield her face once again by grabbing the veil’s edge.

“Leave it as is.”

Richard stopped her from dropping the veil with his hand.

“But.”

“You said nobody else recognized you.”

“That’s true, but.”

“The Emperor recognizes you as Alicia. Even if you don’t remove your veil, there will be no problem.”

That is correct.

Furthermore, there was no reason to wear the veil now since Richard, the one she was most concerned about, had already granted his consent.

Because she was the only one wearing a veil before, she no longer had to bear the piercing glances now.

“Duke Stanton, it’s been a very long time.”

Ladies were standing there as she turned around. Lady Stanton stood behind them, stunned.

“You’re as beautiful as ever, Countess Solton.”

“Hoho, I wish our gentlemen could say such sweet words.”

“I’ve heard that Count Solton is very affectionate.”

“Of course. He only shows affection to others, not to his wife.”

Countess Solton cast a peek around and responded with a smart remark.

A middle-aged guy with a slender build was attempting to strike up a conversation with a glum-looking noblewoman at that location.

“Enough of him. Oh my goodness, this lovely lady must be the rumored younger sister!”

“My name is Alicia Stanton, and I’m delighted to meet you.”

“Your mother boasted a lot about you. Were we not all intrigued?”

Countess Solton looked around for agreement. With a smile on their faces, the others answered.

“I heard you were sick and couldn’t get out much. Are you feeling better now?”

“Thank you very much for your concern.”

“Oh, you’re very polite. I can see why the Duke is so fond of you.”

Countess Solton smiled with delight as Claire meekly bent her head.

“Eiden Lucas Natan Atark Immortelle, Emperor, has arrived! Please, everyone, show your respect!”

A piercing shout rang out from the ballroom’s entryway.

The whispering crowd came to a halt and turned towards the door. They bowed and walked aside like parting waves.

Eiden, with his strong build, stormed through them.

The black outfit with gold trim and the flowing crimson cloak gave an intimidating atmosphere.

The silver mask glinted in the light beneath his short hair.

“He looks truly terrifying.”

“Can’t you smell the scent of blood?”

“Does the rumor hold water? He is said to adore murdering.”

“Those who served in the military refer to him as the ‘murderer.'”

“Oh, how dreadful.”

“But why did he wear the mask?”

“They say his face is hideous.”

“Oh, my. Tsk tsk, such a horrible appearance for a killer.”

The women muttered, their gazes drawn to the Emperor.

Claire, who was listening in, smothered a laugh. They would never dare to say such things if they had seen his face without the mask. He wasn’t awful at all; in fact, he was breathtaking to the point of making one swoon.

Claire cast a peek towards Eiden, thinking.

Eiden happened to walk right past her.

“Oh, no, what should I do? Our gazes locked.”

One woman gasped for air.

“Are you okay, Madam?”

“Oh, I think I’m going to pass out. What should I do?”

The females had anxious looks.

Unfortunately, that was only one lady’s mistake.

He’s looking at Claire.

For a moment, Eiden’s attention was riveted on her as he went.

Claire instantly touched her arms, experiencing shivers as she felt the wavering stare.

“Why is the Emperor looking at you?”

Richard wrinkled his brow in perplexity.

“I honestly don’t know.”

Why would he be staring at her if it weren’t for the fact that she was delighted to see him? That was the question she had in mind.

Eiden sat on the dais on a richly furnished chair. On each side of him stood the Grizmen King and Queen.

“When exactly did His Majesty the King arrive?”

“I didn’t know, either.”

“I couldn’t see him because I was too busy watching the Emperor.”

The ladies enthusiastically murmured.

In reality, the Grizmen King trailed behind the Emperor. However, there was a height difference, and the Emperor’s charm was so strong that he eclipsed the King.

Standing up, the Grizmen King offered an homage to the Empire and the Emperor.

The veiled Eiden remained expressionless in his seat as the repetitive statements continued. Claire, on the other hand, was aware of his stare.

The throng gradually followed his gaze and caught sight of Claire.

The air was filled with buzzing sounds.

Finally, the murmuring of the people drowned out the King’s remarks.

Eiden glanced at Claire freely, his chin resting on his palm.

“Why is he doing that?”

Richard shifted his gaze to Claire.

“I’m curious, too.”

Despite his cool response, she couldn’t help but remain on edge.

Eiden tapped the armrest with his finger, apparently annoyed, while Claire and Richard leaned in to converse.

Eiden soon raised his hand.

The attendant standing behind him immediately bowed. Eiden gave an instruction without looking away from Claire.

The attendant approached the Grizmen King and whispered something to him.

“Ahem, then let us raise our glasses and toast to the Imortelle Empire’s eternal immortality.”

The Grizmen King raised the glass he had been given by the servant. The guests at the ball also lifted their glasses.

“To Imortelle, forever!”

“To Imortelle, forever!”

Claire and Eiden’s gazes met among the applause.

“He’s just about to make the announcement.”

Richard murmured to himself from the side.

“Do you think I’ll be able to handle it well?”

“Huh?”

“I never imagined the Emperor would choose me as the hostage. Hostages are usually chosen from among the King’s offspring.”

“Usually, yes.”

Richard remained silent after those statements.

Eiden would be enraged if an unsuitable person was announced as the Empire’s court lady. He could even depose the Grizmen King right now and replace all of the courtiers with Imperial officials.

Despite this, Richard’s expression remained serene. No, his confidence in avoiding the Emperor’s wrath was palpable.

“Ahem, today we have a very important announcement.”

The Grizmen King cleared his throat, bringing the audience’s attention.

“The Grizmen Kingdom swears loyalty to the Imortelle Empire. I, Jake Albert Grizman, have chosen to send my niece, Alicia Stanton, to the Empire as a vow of fealty.”

The ballroom erupted in a frenzy as soon as he finished speaking.

“Alicia, please come forward.”

The Grizmen King went in search of Alicia.

“Don’t be concerned about anything. I’ll guard you.”

Claire took a step forward, ignoring Richard’s soft words.

People in front of her moved to the side, making a passage on both sides.

Claire moved forward, head held high, towards the dais.

Her legs shook and her palms sweated.

She strolled smoothly in her swaying gown, encapsulating the spirit of a lovely lady.

The shocked women talked to each other with each step she made, while the noblemen were attracted not by the stunning statement, but by Claire’s never-before-seen pure and attractive look.

Eiden straightened up in his chair. And he never took his gaze away from her as she went.

She finally came in front of the dais.

“Alicia, Alicia! You’ve changed a lot since the last time I saw you.”

The Grizmen King grinned broadly.

“It’s been a very long time since we’ve seen each other.”

Claire greeted by lowering her knees.

“Permit me to introduce her, Your Majesty. This child’s name is…”

The Grizmen King turned to meet Claire and Eiden.

“Why isn’t the tribute your own child?”

Eiden’s voice, on the other hand, was as icy as ice.

Those who were watching held their breath in unison.

“Where is your second prince?”

“Well, he’s not feeling well at the moment…”

The Grizmen King paused, a chilly scowl filling the air. He wiped the perspiration from his brow and moved his attention back and forth.

“And so you chose your niece as the tribute?”

“Although she may not be a direct descendant, as stated in the document, Alicia is also of royal blood.”

The Grizmen King brought up the provision in the surrender contract.

<Send one member of the royal bloodline to serve as hostage.>

“Alicia means more to me than any of my own children. It breaks my heart to send such a kid.”

A boisterous chuckle arose as soon as the Grizmen King finished speaking.

People on high alert, holding their breath and focusing their senses, were astounded, as if they had seen a ghost. Their brains cleared as they recognized who was laughing, and they opened their mouths in surprise.

Eiden rose up and laughed coolly.

“Oh my goodness, I’ve been duped.”

“Your, Majesty?”

“The person who devised this shallow scheme deserves a large reward.”

Eiden made a menacing approach to the Grizmen King. The Grizmen King shook like a trapped mouse.

Eiden ignored him and descended off the dais.

Claire raised her head.

Despite the fact that he had come down the steps, he still seemed gigantic.

“Lady Alicia, I am delighted to have you as the hostage.”

“…”

“Shall we dance as a congratulations?”

Despite the gravity of the situation, Eiden nonchalantly asked for a dance.

Something didn’t seem quite right. Claire guessed as she immediately placed her palm lightly on the extended hand.

She then tried to remove her hand, recognizing it was too late.

“Am I what you expected?”

As she tried to flee, he grasped her hand firmly with a pleasant smile.

Then he escorted her to the center of the hall in style.

The two faced each other as the attention of the crowd descended on them.

“Why are you trembling?”

Behind the mask, the blue eyes looked down at her hand, which was clasped in his enormous hand, which was wrapped in a broad cuff. Her hand shook like a little bird.

“Am I frightening?”

“…”

Claire was completely perplexed.

Eiden remained calm despite the fact that the hostage was not a direct descendant of the Grizmen King, but rather his niece. He didn’t even blink at the Grizmen King’s deception.

There was something more she couldn’t figure out.

The emperor requested a dance with the hostage directly. She’d never heard of anything like that.

Eiden guided her as if he had been waiting for this moment for a long time.

Perhaps this was a deft move to put her at ease before launching a knife at her?

Setting aside everything else, she was frightened because the guy in front of her was none other than the emperor, the one who had promised to kill her if they ever met again.