NOVEL ONLINE FREE #74
#74
The Emperor’s pale face looked even more bloodless under the candlelight.
Emperor Alceides Del Claude, who once held the empire in the palm of his hand, now looked like a fragile bird. The purple silk ceremonial robe hung loosely on his thin shoulders, and the gold-embroidered cape made his weakened body appear even smaller. Even the imperial crown now seemed like a heavy burden on his whitened hair.
“…”
Kain, standing far from the podium with Jersian, furrowed his brow. The Emperor is a human who hasn’t even lived 100 years. For elves who live a thousand or several thousand years, that time is too short to accomplish anything. Yet he’s aged so much after living just that long.
His face, in particular, showed clear signs of illness. Deep shadows were cast under his sunken eyes, and his sallow, pale complexion resembled old parchment. His wrinkled cheeks were hollow.
Alceides Del Claude, standing at the center of the podium, cleared his throat and began to speak. The old man, who until just moments ago appeared to be nothing more than a frail elder, suddenly exuded an overwhelming dignity as he opened his mouth. Though his body was weakened, the absolute power of the empire could still be felt in the Emperor’s gaze and posture.
“Beloved nobles of the Empire.”
However, perhaps due to his illness, his words were inevitably punctuated by heavy, rough breaths.
“And I welcome the distinguished guests who have joined us from other kingdoms.”
The people in the vast banquet hall fell silent, as if not wanting to miss a single breath from him. Not even the rustle of clothing could be heard.
“Yes, it’s already time for the hunting competition to begin.”
His breathing was irregular, occasionally pausing before continuing, and a hoarse cough escaped from deep in his chest with each word.
“Remember that the annual hunting competition held by the Empire is not merely a festival for our Empire alone. It also represents the honor and glory of the entire continent. Is that not so?”
The nobles gathered from various regions and foreign dignitaries were overwhelmed by the Emperor’s eloquence. It was a moment when the majesty and power of the Empire were keenly felt.
Soon after, champagne was handed to the Emperor and Empress. Emperor Alceides Del Claude raised his glass high, slowly looked around the audience, and said,
“Then, please enjoy yourselves for the peace and prosperity of the Empire.”
With the Emperor’s final words, everyone in the banquet hall raised their glasses in unison.
“Long live His Majesty the Emperor!”
“Long live the Arkner Empire!”
Thunderous applause erupted in the vast banquet hall.
Amidst the cheers echoing to the ceiling of the banquet hall, the Emperor and Empress clinked their glasses together. Though their expressions showed concern for the empire’s imminent future, there was a sense of willingness to savor this moment as a celebration, at least for today.
The eve of the hunting competition began in such splendor.
After starting the eve party, the Emperor remained in his seat for a while before disappearing behind the curtain, supported by the Empress. It seemed he had only intended to be present for the start of the party. As Kain brought the champagne he received from Jersian to his lips, he overheard the conversation of nobles talking in the distance with fans covering their mouths. In fact, it was less eavesdropping and more that he couldn’t help but hear.
“Rumors say His Majesty’s illness has worsened.”
“Judging by his appearance…”
“He’ll probably pass away soon.”
The nobles’ whispers continued in the corner of the banquet hall. Their eyes were already calculating what would come next. They were weighing Crown Prince Kemirun against the other heirs bearing the Claude name.
“There will be turmoil.”
“Do you think so? This time, the First Prince’s influence is far superior to the other heirs, so the transition of power should be smooth.”
An older man shook his head at the young noble’s words and said,
“No. Still, this is about determining the ruler of this empire. There can’t be no discord in the process.”
It seemed to be wisdom born from the experience of one who had lived longer.
That’s right.
Kain agreed with his words to some extent. As someone who had witnessed it firsthand by Jersian’s side, he could be certain that the competition for imperial power would intensify from now on. Thinking this, Kain drained the champagne he had been holding to his lips when Jersian called out to him.
“…Why do you look so serious? Is there something over there?”
“No. I just heard an interesting conversation.”
Kain immediately turned his gaze to look down at Jersian in front of him.
“…”
An interesting conversation? Jersian looked at Kain with a blank expression, then turned his head away sharply and said,
“Let’s leave for now.”
He meant they had fulfilled their obligation to attend the eve party and would now leave. Both of them detested noisy places. Kain nodded and followed Jersian out of the banquet hall.
It was then.
“Lord Jersian Gerold, Lord Kain Starchis.”
Someone called out to Jersian.
It was the imperial servant who had guided them when they first arrived at Whinicer Forest.
“As you requested this morning, I’ve prepared your accommodations. Shall I guide you there now?”
Only then did Jersian remember that they had agreed to stay here tonight. He nodded and replied,
“Please do.”
“Yes, then please follow me this way.”
The imperial servant led Kain and Jersian somewhere. On the opposite side of the imperial family’s annex where the banquet hall was located, there was an area prepared for high-ranking guests. The servant gestured to two rather large-looking doors among them and said to Jersian and Kain,
“You two can use these two rooms. Please make yourselves comfortable. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.”
Despite being essentially temporary lodgings prepared by the imperial family for the hunting competition, it was as large and splendid as the Gerold Marquis’s castle. It seemed too elaborate for a place meant to be used for only two weeks out of the year.
This is the imperial family of the Arkner Empire, the most powerful on the continent. It must be to show off the empire’s high prestige and wealth to guests gathered from all regions. With that, the servant who had guided them here bowed his head and left.
Once again, like at the Gerold Marquis’s residence, the imperial family had assigned them separate rooms.
“…”
At times like this, Kain was reminded that Jersian was not yet considered an adult even among humans. Although Jersian himself would never think so, he was still a young being who needed protection in human society.
In Fiokhim, it was only natural for elves to show no interest at all in young elves who had not yet received the revelation of their destined partner. So there was no need to separate or divide rooms like this.
…It seems humans don’t trust each other this much.
Thinking this, Kain stood in front of the room with his name written in an ornate script. As he was about to open the door and enter, Jersian spoke from beside him.
“Come out here by 5 AM tomorrow morning.”
It wasn’t a difficult task for Kain, who doesn’t sleep for long periods anyway. Kain nodded readily.
Then Jersian said something cryptic.
“…We’re only staying here for tonight, so no matter how annoying it gets tomorrow, try to endure it.”
Hm? Kain, who was about to open the door, tilted his head. There hadn’t been anything particularly annoying so far. He wondered if tomorrow would be any different. Seeing Kain’s expression, Jersian smirked, then entered his own room without further explanation.
…I feel like I’ve seen that expression before.
Kain entered his room with a strange sense of déjà vu.
Inside, it was so dazzling with shining gold objects that it hurt his eyes despite being nighttime. The room prepared by the imperial family was just as lavish and luxurious as the one provided by the Gerold Marquis’s house, with all the furniture being ornate and high-class.
In the center, Kain’s luggage brought by carriage was neatly arranged. Kain glanced at the formal uniform that looked like it was meant to be worn tomorrow and comfortable clothes hanging neatly on hangers, then slowly sat down on the soft bed.
“…”
Kain’s ears could hear all the movements of Jersian in the next room. The sound of him pouring and drinking a glass of water, changing clothes, and lying down on the bed. Listening to all of this like background music, Kain closed his eyes. Although there was a wall between them, to Kain it felt as vivid as if they were lying on the same bed. He planned to fall asleep like this and wake up when Jersian did.
Kain would come to realize the truth behind that meaningful expression the next morning.