Luna was given a fresh outfit and a black cloak to put on. Elias escorted her towards the Great Hall in utter silence and it honestly felt stifling so Luna looked around to take in the excellently magnificent interior of the palace. She couldn’t remember the exact path they took but it seemed like a long way. 

When they arrived, they stood side by side as the doors of the Great Hall were opened by two soldiers guarding the doors. 

A red carpet led the pathway towards the throne, which was situated at the far end. Massive chandeliers made of crystals and glass were hanging from the high ceiling. On either side of the room were several people of various ranks. 

Elias halted in the middle and knelt with a bow. ‘I greet the emperor, glory to the kingdom of stars,’ he spoke, his voice slicing the thick air of tension. Luna copied his action of bowing and kneeling, not really sure how the whole thing worked.

A scornful laugh echoed.

Luna frowned. Was that from the emperor? Why did he suddenly laugh? Wasn’t he supposed to be indifferent, stern, and devoid of emotions?

‘I was informed that after the bandits’ attack, you have lost your magic mana. Do you admit it?’ a voice spoke. 

Luna’s eyes widened. The exact phrase was being played out right off the novel. It felt surreal, and somewhat creepy. What should she say?

‘Your Majesty–’ Elias began.

‘Oh? I didn’t know Luna is a guy,’ Lucilius interjected quickly, smiling at Elias, to which Elias went silent. Then he rolled his eyes and fixed his gaze on the girl bowing her head. ‘I demanded Luna to answer me.’

Luna gulped nervously as she stared at the red carpet, feeling all eyes in the room fixated on her.

‘I…’ Her voice that came out was like the squeak of a mouse. ‘There is no way for me to prove that I lost it, or if I still have it.’

A pause.

‘Oh?’ Lucilius was obviously surprised at her answer.

Luna took a leap of courage and lifted her gaze—and almost choked on her saliva. He looked absolutely unreal, like a fictional man jumped out of a digital screen. Glistening black hair, blood-red eyes that seemingly shone, and a killer—almost seductive smirk. His overcoat jacket hung loosely on his shoulders and he wore a simple white shirt underneath. 

Suddenly aware of heat rushing to her cheeks, she faked a polite cough to mask her embarrassment. ‘I-It’s just that—’ she stammered and mentally cursed at herself for the frail shine of confidence she tried to put on. ‘—I have forgotten how to conjure magic.’

The emperor smiled. 

Huh? It was weird. He was depicted as a cold-blooded murderer in the novel and the smile did not suit the image she had had of him.

Lucilius removed his elbow that was resting on the throne’s armrest and sat upright. 

‘You forgot?’ he asked.

Luna bit the inside of her cheek. The emperor might be smiling, but he sounded like he would kill her in an instant. ‘Yes,’ she replied in a small voice, and quickly added, ‘Your Majesty’

He chuckled and crossed his right leg over his left one and stroked his chin with his forefinger. ‘Hmm, Elias,’ he called.

‘Yes, Your Majesty,’ Elias answered carefully.

‘What do you think of this?’ he asked, raising an eyebrow.

‘Your Majesty, I–’

He only gave a second for Elias to reply and he cut him off before the redhead could say anything. ‘Should I behead her or hang her upside down and slit her neck until all blood drains out?’ Lucilius interjected. 

Elias gasped. ‘No, Your Majesty–’

‘Ha! Beheading it is!’ he concluded excitedly.

Luna gaped. He’s not cold and heartless, he’s a psycho…! This is not the Lucilius I imagined when I was reading the novel!

Lucilius stood from his seat and walked towards them. He tightened his glove on his right hand and held it out before materialising a sword in it. His steps were leisure but still held the regal air around him. It was only a matter of time until someone’s head would roll.

‘W-Wait!’ Luna yelled, both hands in front of her. But he didn’t halt. In fact, his eyes lit up when she told him to wait. ‘Stop! Lucilius, stop!’ 

Only then his tracks ceased. 

But loud gasps had echoed throughout the room. Elias, who had his head down, was looking at her in bewilderment.

Ah. She had called his name instead of “Your Majesty”.

Somehow in the middle of frantically trying to avoid death, she had forgotten everything about manner of address and how it was truly important in that kind of setting. She even disregarded all sorts of appropriate wording when talking to the emperor. Nice one, she thought sarcastically. Double death penalty.

Lucilius casted his gaze down at her, giving her goosebumps.

‘I-I can actually turn into a dragon!’ She blurted out. What? 

What did I just say? 

‘What?’ Lucilius frowned.

Elias blinked at her confusingly. 

‘I mean, it’s a shame that you decide to kill me now,’ she said. ‘For all you know, I could turn into a dragon or something!’

‘But can you?’ he asked.

‘Well, it takes time,’ she replied.

Lucilius strode forward again. ‘But I don’t have one,’ he said.

He was right in front of her by then. His hand was raised. His sword glistened against the light and as it slashed down– Luna quickly closed her eyes, bracing for impact.

I have nothing to fear, she told herself. I will go back to my world if I die here. 

She was ready for it.

But then, rather than an excruciating stab like her first death experience, she felt a sharp pain on her neck, and it didn’t feel like a blade wound. It felt like an… electrostatic. Hmm?

Luna opened one of her eyes to sneak a peek, and was immediately surprised by what she saw. Between her and the sword Lucilius was holding, there was a translucent barrier, preventing the sharp blade from reaching and hurting her. It was like a scene out of a comic.

Lucilius’ brows furrowed disgruntledly. ‘Put down the barrier, Elias,’ he said.

‘I can’t let you hurt her,’ said Elias, touching Luna’s shoulder and pulling her so she would shift backwards. ‘Do you truly believe that she lost her magic mana?’

‘You're committing a grave sin.’ Lucilius thrust the sword while Elias continued to defend. The barrier was buzzing and small fire sparks exploded around them. ‘You’re getting in my way.’

'With all due respect, Your Majesty,' Elias said through gritted teeth. 'I have no intention of doing so. I just want you to reconsider your decision.'

‘My decision is absolute,’ Lucilius replied.

‘Not even a single shadow could go past her without being noticed, the attack was obviously a scheme!’ Elias argued.

‘That’s not the point here. What matters now is the fact that she’s worthless, and I don’t need someone like that. Whether it was an intentional attack or not, that could be investigated later.’

Luna lifted her brows incredulously. This man makes no sense.

‘Would you say the same if your aide was the one who’s been attacked?’ Elias seemed to think that it was absurd as well, as he asked such a question.

Without hesitation whatsoever, Lucilius curtly replied, ‘Yes.’

Bullshit, Luna thought.

The emperor then changed his grip on the sword to the transverse volar grasp and stabbed the barrier, putting in every strength he had. Elias winced at the force. It looked like he wouldn’t be able to hold the barrier any longer.

Luna saw the barrier thinning and the tip of the sword was inches away from Elias. Lucilius appeared to be using magic as well since the redhead was somehow weakened.

Oh no…! Luna lunged towards Elias without second thoughts. ‘Careful!’ she warned.

Her intent was only to push Elias away from the blade, but as soon as her body overlapped his, the sword penetrated through the barrier and pierced the left side of her body.

Luna yelped in pain, instinctively touching her waist that had been stabbed. The ineffable sense of pain coursing through her veins made her sweat and her eyes watered with tears as blood poured out like spilled tea. 

She began crying. It was almost comparable to the time she was murdered and she hated going through it again. Luna whipped her head to frown at Lucilius, who displayed no sign of remorse as he pulled his sword off her body.

I will haunt you when I die! She wanted to curse him, but only hiccups came out as she breathed heavily. His sword dematerialised and his blood-red irises stared into hers nonchalantly, as she lost her… 

Hmm?

The pain had vanished as if it never existed. To add, she felt healthier and more energised. She removed her hand that was applying pressure on the wound and inspected her waist. Bloody, yes. But the skin was unscathed. It made her feel like she was dramatically overreacting over nothing.

Luna blinked repeatedly, making sure of her eyesight. Her outfit was torn but her skin was as good as new. There was no cut or any scars. As if it had been magically healed.

‘L-Luna,’ Elias, who was watching, whispered in surprise.

She remained silent. What the hell happened? Was that magic? Did she suddenly impulsively do magic?

Lucilius, who was anticipating her death, frowned as he saw her unharmed body.

‘Healer…’ the emperor spoke.