Several days passed in a storm of unbearable embarrassment, which prevented me even from looking properly into the face of the Grand Duke as we continued our journey.
However, time passed smoothly, and before I knew it, our team had arrived at the Imperial Capital.
“Your Highness, welcome to the Imperial Palace.”
“Thank you for your efforts.”
After completing the identity check at the castle gates, the carriage, which had stopped briefly, began to move slowly again.
Even though the carriage bore the Pleyel logo, they insisted on a search.
The tight security measures were making me feel exhausted, so I pressed my head, which was throbbing with pain.
After passing through the vast outer palace and entering the inner palace, the carriage that was moving at a slow pace stopped.
“This...”
“Shh! Watch your words.”
Although I had glimpsed some lesser nobles in the distance, I never imagined that I would one day set foot inside the Imperial Palace itself. The artists who were with me whispered anxiously.
Even the three elderly painters, who were very experienced, seemed equally nervous. Their usual calm and gentle expressions were gone, replaced by strict discipline.
...And of course, I was no different.
I actually ended up here...
Next to me, the Grand Duke continued walking, his facial expression was ambiguous, and his steps were slow.
Meanwhile, I could barely stop my legs from shaking.
To make matters worse, the place we arrived at was not a reception hall prepared for visitors, but rather the Empress’s Palace, located in the heart of the Imperial Palace…?
There's something going on.
My instincts were screaming at me.
Is it possible that the Empress herself was the one who invited us?
As if to answer my unasked question, a maid - who seemed to hold a fairly high position in the Empress's palace - politely came forward and guided us.
“From this moment on, only those involved in the comic book industry will be allowed entry.”
"Show."
It was a clear refusal, but the Grand Duke simply nodded without any sign of annoyance.
“It seems our journey together ends here. Goodbye.”
Wait, but—
How could he turn his back and leave like that?!
After the departure of the Grand Duke - who was my only reliable support - my anxiety increased. But since it was by order of the Empress, there was nothing I could do.
In the end, the artists and I had no choice but to follow the palace staff hesitantly, our steps filled with fear.
Soon after—
“Her Majesty the Empress arrives.”
As the host announced, a woman appeared wearing a luxurious dress.
Her golden, brightly colored hair was elegantly styled in an elaborate updo.
Oriana was Clytan, Empress of the Empire.
As I bowed my head in greeting to her, I remembered what I had read about her when I was working in the Salt Castle.
In her youth, she ruled the upper class. Later, she eliminated many of her political rivals to secure her son, Raiden Kletan, as crown prince...a cold and ruthless character.
“Are you the artist who drew ?”
She glanced around the room reverently before stopping right in front of me.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” replied Ashley, the lead artist for the project.
But the Empress frowned slightly and looked at us with an ambiguous expression, not making any immediate response.
As the silence continued, my anxiety grew. Is it possible that there is a problem with the content of the comic?
While I was nervously rubbing my cold fingertips, waiting for her to speak—
“You must have had a long journey.”
Suddenly, a warm smile spread across the Empress's face, replacing her emotionless expression.
At the same time, the gloomy atmosphere in the room completely changed.
huh? What's going on?
Although we had never met before, I could clearly feel her sincere interest in us.
“You must be tired. Let's talk things over while we eat.”
Upon hearing her words, the nearby attendants immediately came forward and bowed deeply.
“This way, please.”
Now that I think about it, it's already almost dinner time.
Ignoring the unsettling feeling that crept over me, I followed the Empress, who seemed uncharacteristically excited.
* * *
Fortunately for me, dinner started a little early without incident.
In fact, after the Empress learned that the artists had pushed back the deadlines for their works just to meet her, she ordered the butler to treat us with the utmost care, and seemed somewhat apologetic.
An endless array of rare foods – dishes never before seen even in Grand Duke Blair's estate – were served to the table.
It was a very delicious sight.
However, I couldn't bring myself to enjoy the meal.
Instead, it felt like something was stuck in my throat.
“So…what do you think, ma’am?”
The Empress suddenly pressed for an answer.
Like me, she barely touched her food.
How did it end up like this?
For the first time, the Grand Duke's absence was keenly felt.
“This is going to be difficult, Your Majesty...”
I could barely muster the courage to refuse.
The reason is—
Who asks an author to spoil the ending of his story himself?!
As soon as we sat down, the Empress made an unexpected and very difficult request.
At first, she casually shared her thoughts and compliments on the comics.
But her true intentions soon became clear.
“I want to know the ending.”
"pardon?"
“I'm tired of waiting for the next part. So, for my peace of mind, you should tell me how the story ends.”
Although her words were firm, her tone remained gentle and solemn.
It seemed as if even a tantrum could be thrown off with elegance...
“But I am just an insignificant member of a branch of the Grand Duke’s family, which is the Great Empress of Clytan.”
It wasn't even a competition.
Considering that her son – Raiden – was portrayed in the original story as a ruthless lunatic, the last thing I wanted to do was upset his mother.
Absolutely not!
“Is it possible for me to believe that you are hesitant, even after my sincere request?”
A hint of coldness seeped into her previously measured voice.
It was an implicit warning not to test her patience any further.
This is bad.
Honestly, it would be easier to tell her the end right away.
But I couldn't do it.
No, I refused to do that.
“No, that is not the case… I simply cannot accept Your Majesty’s request.”
Cough, cough—
There was a heavy silence in the room, interrupted only by the sound of someone coughing.
"…What?"
The Empress's voice trembled slightly, as if she couldn't believe what she had just heard.
“What did you just say, ma'am?”
“I mean...”
Hoo.
I took a deep breath and began to explain in a firm tone.
“The end has not yet been determined, which is why I must refuse Your Majesty’s request.”
Fuck, cough!
This time, loud coughing sounds came from the elderly artists.
They knew, of course, that the ending had been completely planned.
My refusal must have been quite baffling to them.
But-
“If you reveal the ending now, it will ruin the fun of the comic.”
As an avid reader who spent years immersed in comics, this was simply unacceptable.
It wasn't just a matter of losing the element of surprise.
The joy of turning each page with anticipation, and the excitement of waiting for the next volume.
Everything will be lost.
“No end?”
The Empress raised her eyebrows, apparently unconvinced.
Every story has an end.
The excuse I made must have seemed ridiculous to her.
The tension in the room was like walking on thin ice as I continued walking.
“The Ghost Duke and his bride are living, breathing characters in my imagination. I am merely a storyteller relaying their tale.”
“…….”
“Just as no one can predict their future, neither can they. Therefore, the ending remains uncertain.”
I tried to seem as eccentric and artistic as possible.
Will this work?
In the end, when one faces immense power, the only thing stronger… is strength of character.
When I was first kidnapped by Blair's Grand Duke, I managed to survive the ordeal by adopting the persona of a slave.
“Hmm...”
The Empress's expression became ambiguous as she stared at me silently.