– Kulaytan Empire, Lady Beliana’s Salon.
As always, the gathering of noble ladies in their extravagant dresses was buzzing with the hottest topics on the social scene.
As the last guest – a woman with striking blue hair – was finally seated, someone muttered expectantly.
“Oh, when is it coming out?”
“Exactly! I've been waiting so long I'm going crazy.”
“I wonder what happened next?”
jingle.
Someone placed a magazine in the middle of the table.
Elegantly printed on the cover, designed for easy portability, the title reads: “”
“I'm dying to know what happens next, but the publisher doesn't even respond to inquiries!”
“I heard their entire office is in chaos due to the number of complaint letters asking for the next issue.”
Traditionally, salons were a place for noble ladies to elegantly sip tea and chat about high society.
But lately, Lady Beliana's salon has been dominated by just one topic – the “” comic series that ran in the magazine.
And for good reason. This graphic novel swept social circles and became the latest trend among the aristocracy.
“There is nothing more exciting these days.”
“I know, right? Abbezzi tried to imitate it, but their copy is so bad...”
"The story is weak! Do they think we are stupid? As for drawing and coloring, they are no less important!"
As the agreement spread throughout the salon, the intensity of the conversation increased.
explosion!
The salon doors suddenly opened.
"Special Edition! Special Edition!"
A young bookseller stood panting in the doorway, and Lady Beliana had let him in without restriction, rain or shine, for such urgent news.
He took the opportunity and shouted again.
“A surprise special edition of the book “Safety Rules for Writing Horror Stories” has been released!”
“Safety rules for writing horror stories,” special edition. Surprise release.
The noble ladies immediately grasped the key words and rose to their feet.
The long-awaited news, which everyone had anticipated with even greater eagerness than the return of their spouses, created a state of excitement in their hearts.
“W-what did you just say?”
Oh, my God! I must have it!
As they rushed forward, opening their bags, the young bookseller smiled, already calculating his record daily sales.
“It seems that this special edition is a little shorter than usual...”
One of the noble ladies looked at the delicate book with a little disappointment, but Lady Pleanna made a kind suggestion.
“In that case, should we have a reading session instead?”
“What a great idea!”
A shared passion can easily replace any lingering regret.
And so the noble ladies, full of eager anticipation, immersed themselves in reading, without noticing that the tea had cooled.
After some time had passed, the fastest reader, Ms. Billiana, finally closed her book and whispered in a daze.
“Blackout curtains…?”
Another noblewoman immediately chimed in after she finished reading the last page.
"I have to buy it. Where can I find such things?"
A hum spread throughout the room.
Then someone shouted,
“Oh! There's a phone number for making custom blackout curtains in the back of the book!”
“Oh my God, you're right!”
While the noble ladies crowded around them in a state of excitement, the only ones affected were their poor servants, who were charged with fulfilling their whims.
But at that very moment, another place was also plunged into chaos.
The Imperial Palace of the Cleita Empire, with the Empress's chambers at its heart.
“Important…”
A woman lay lazily on a sofa and let out a slight yawn.
She looked to be in her late thirties, but in fact, she had long been over forty.
She was Oriana, Empress of the Cleita Empire.
As the Empress of a great empire, one might think that she had no reason to be discontented.
However, she had not been sleeping well for weeks.
“…Merlin.”
Hearing the faint call, the head bridesmaid quickly stepped forward.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Haven't you figured out who the artist of that comic is yet?”
“I… I sincerely apologize, Your Majesty.”
The lady-in-waiting lowered her gray head and answered with great difficulty.
“Haaa...”
Another deep sigh.
When did this start?
Like other noble ladies, Oriana fell completely under the influence of “.”
But the problem was that her enthusiasm went beyond just having fun.
She collected every issue of the magazine and re-read it whenever she felt like it.
It called in scientists to analyze and organize the comics' information.
She became impatient and even ordered her companions to compose original stories based on the characters to entertain her.
“This interpretation of the character is completely wrong!”
“I sincerely apologize, Your Majesty...”
"Don't apologize to me! Apologize to the poor comic you just ruined!"
Famous storytellers, jesters, and even stage actors have fallen victim to her harsh literary criticism.
When will the next issue be released?!
Her patience had finally run out.
She was dreaming of the next part at that moment!
Although a full investigation was ordered to locate the artist, every day ended in frustration.
“Please calm down, Your Majesty.”
“…Huh.”
In response to her maid's plea, the Empress reluctantly returned to her seat.
“This is unbearable.”
Oriana had always ruled at the pinnacle of power, constantly fearing that the same sword she carried might one day take her life.
She has spent her life seizing other people's possessions and fiercely defending them in the harsh world of the palace.
Now that her son is crown prince, she can finally enjoy a period of peace.
But the irony is that that peace has become unbearably boring.
Then I discovered “Safety Rules for Writing Horror Stories” —
This became her new obsession.
But this particular obsession made her hungry for more.
“Your Majesty!”
Just as she was about to launch another complaint, her personal maid, Louise, burst into the room at full speed.
"…What is this?"
Her voice was cold as ice, but Louise did not hesitate.
She took something out of her arms—
The special edition of the book “Safety Rules for Writing Horror Stories” has suddenly been released! I've got a copy, Your Majesty!
On her outstretched hands was a single, heavy book.
“Oh my God...”
Thump.
The Empress rose as if possessed, and let out a shuddering gasp.
What I really need is the next part...
But when one is hungry, does it matter whether the food is rice or bread?
She snatched the book and devoured its contents on her comfortable sofa, not missing a single word.
When she finally finished, her reaction was predictable.
“…Blackout curtains?”
jingle.
She needed them.
A firm conviction coursed through her veins.
“Does the palace have blackout curtains?”
“Excuse me? I... I'm not familiar with such a thing...”
Even the Empress, who had seen all kinds of luxury, had never heard of it before.
“If I had known, I wouldn't have asked. Anyway, I have to get them.”
“Ah, Your Majesty!”
Louise, who had received multiple copies, pointed to the last page.
“Purchase information is included here!”
“Oh?”
Clap!
With a triumphant clap of her hands, the Empress' face lit up.
“Check this seller out.”
"…Excuse me?"
“This graphic novel introduced something completely unknown to high society – blackout curtains. Fittingly, it provides information about the seller as well.”
Years of engaging in a social life full of dangers honed her instincts.
“This indicates a deal between the artist and the curtain seller.”
While her lady-in-waiting nodded in astonishment, A. muttered:
And Rihanna with steely determination.
“I must reveal their identity...”
And above all—
“I must know when the young lady and the Duke will finally meet.”
For the first time in years, the Empress's competitive spirit was ignited.