Running Away Before the Runaway Empress

Chapter 5

“Since we are all alone in this world, rather than being jerked around, I decided to live according to my h—”

At that moment, Sara silenced Lelia by covering her mouth.

The empress’s lips curved into a slight smile as she gazed at them.

“Go on, finish what you were saying. You decided to live according to your…?”

Sara, hesitating, bowed deeply. “Your Majesty, please forgive her! The truth is, Lelia—”

“Having known me all this time, would you say I am the sort to take a life?”

“I, I apologize for my rudeness.”

The empress gestured at Lelia again, urging her to continue. Freed from Sara’s hand/muzzle, Lelia said, “I want to live as I please rather than worry about what others think. Life is short, after all.”

The sincerity in Lelia’s final words was unmistakable. After all, her time in Korea had truly been brief.

“You have about a year left.”

She could still hear the doctor’s calm voice delivering her terminal diagnosis that day. She remembered how surprisingly composed she had been.

“Yes, life is short,” the empress’s gentle voice interrupted Lelia’s fleeting recollection.

There was something about the way the empress mouthed those words that made Lelia tilt her head in confusion.

Did I… did I do something wrong?

Could it be that she had just inspired the empress to run away? Lelia’s face froze in shock, and Sara led her out of the room.

“Lelia, what’s wrong?”

“I shouldn’t have trusted that novel.”

In the story, the empress made the decision on her own...

I helped her.

Lelia shuddered. Sara, alarmed by her sudden movement, looked even more concerned.

“What’s gotten into you? Have you been possessed by the devil?”

Lelia breathed a heavy sigh of resignation. “Whether I gave the empress the idea or not, it’s good to see her at peace,” she murmured.

Sara scrutinized Lelia, who was becoming increasingly unhinged. Then Lelia tapped Sara’s shoulder lightly.

“We may go to hell, but at least I’m glad we’re going together.”

“Get a grip.”

In Lelia’s mind, the image of the emperor’s sword cutting off her head played on a loop.

***

With a renewed sense of determination, Lelia murmured, “Yesterday caught me off guard, but I won’t give up.”

“Just keep your mouth shut in front of His Majesty.”

Sara massaged her forehead, worried about Lelia’s unpredictable behavior. Lelia had once been easy to read, but now she was a complete mystery. Sometimes she seemed indifferent to the world around her, and other times she was deeply committed to life.

It’s as if she’s a completely different person…

Sara shook her head, dismissing the absurd thought. Lelia might have said as much, but it wasn’t possible for a person to change so drastically.

It must be the effect of losing her memory.

Unaware of Sara’s musings, Lelia asked, “Does Her Majesty know we’re the emperor’s spies?”

“We’re not spies. Her Majesty is well aware of everything.”

Consequently, the empress was careful about what she said around her attendants.

“If Her Majesty dislikes us, I wouldn’t blame her.”

“She doesn’t dislike us. We only report what we see.”

Lelia tilted her head, confused by Sara’s cryptic words. Instead of explaining, Sara sternly warned her.

“Don’t say a word in the emperor’s study. Just watch how I do it.”

Despite her repeated warnings, Sara couldn’t hide her unease. She considered sending Lelia back, but she worried she might cause trouble if left alone. So, she stayed close to Lelia, shielding her with her body.

“Why are you hovering? What’s wrong with you?”

Lelia pushed Sara away, annoyed.

She has no idea what she’s putting me through! Sara’s scary glower finally silenced Lelia.

***

Cindy, the emperor’s consort, was a noblewoman from a fallen family whom the emperor had met while traveling incognito. She had saved him from danger, and he had quickly become enamored with her. Cindy, enamored by the emperor who gave her everything, quickly became corrupt in the glitter of the emperor’s wealth.

Willing to do everything for the emperor’s love, Cindy dreamed of replacing the empress one day, even though the emperor made no such promises. He wouldn’t tolerate any attempts to usurp the position of empress. Knowing this, Cindy never spoke of it again but secretly held onto her ambition.

As a result, Cindy viewed the empress’s attendants with disdain, especially Lelia. The emperor had once mentioned Lelia’s beauty, which didn’t sit well with Cindy. Standing before them, Cindy sneered.

“What brings the empress’s attendants here?”

Having dealt with Cindy’s provocations before, Sara calmly replied, “We are here to make our report to His Majesty.”

“And what might that be?”

“I’m sorry, but I am not at liberty to say.”

Lelia, remembering Sara’s warnings, kept her mouth shut. Cindy’s eyebrow twitched in irritation. Despite knowing the truth, the attendants never revealed anything, following the emperor’s orders. Cindy found this infuriating.

“Such unnecessary secrecy. It’s not like he rewards you for it.”

Cindy pushed them into the emperor’s study. The emperor, seeing her, gestured for her to come closer. Cindy sat on his lap.

“What brings you here? You rarely come when called.”

Knowing the emperor would quickly tire of her if she were too compliant, Cindy often defied him just enough to keep him on his toes. She managed this delicate balance to avoid his interest turning into wrath.

“If anyone saw, they’d think I’m indifferent toward you.”

Snuggling against his shoulder, Cindy continued, “Still taking reports from the empress’s attendants?”

“They’re perfect for stirring up trouble for Arctylus.”

Hearing Arctylus’s name, Cindy blushed. His looks and physique were so magnificent that even the emperor paled in comparison. The nobles, led by Arctylus, wielded more influence in the empire than the monarchy. The Arctylus family, along with three other powerful families, had founded the empire and continued to command immense influence.

Despite knowing this, past emperors had generally been wise enough to avoid going up against the Arctylus family. The few foolish ones who tried to challenge them met a grim fate. Meyon felt intense jealousy and fear towards Duke Arctylus, worried he might one day seize the throne.

The first Archduke of Arctylus had refrained from taking the throne. A descendant of the gods and blessed with untold wealth and power, he chose to keep himself humble and support the monarchy rather than place the crown on his own head. However, the current Archduke of Arctylus might not show the same restraint. Thus, Meyon never felt at ease.

He had taken the empress, Arctylus’ sister, partly as a hostage to ensure Arctylus wouldn’t make a move against him.

But when his affair with Cindy reached Arctylus’ ears, Meyon was truthfully scared. Although she was his empress, she was also the archduke’s sister. Expecting retaliation, Meyon was surprised when the empress intervened, preventing her brother from acting on his wrath.

No matter how I mistreat her, he can’t do a thing about it.

He found it amusing that the mighty archduke was powerless because of his sister. Meyon used Deanna’s affections to his advantage, growing more brazen and cruel.

Running his hand down Cindy’s waist, the emperor gestured for Sara and Lelia to enter. They came in and bowed.

“Your Majesty.”

“Your Majesty.”

The emperor stared transfixed at Lelia’s shapely head until Cindy, annoyed, turned his face back to her, cradling his cheek.

“Fine. Don’t sulk.”

He kissed her cheek gently. Watching this display, Lelia felt a wave of nausea. She had no interest in witnessing such intimacy.

Sara, noticing Lelia’s discomfort, glanced at her worriedly. Lelia made an “X” with her fingers over her lips, signaling she would stay silent.

“Raise your heads. Begin your report.”

Sara deliberately left out the conversation between Lelia and the empress, detailing only the mundane daily activities.

As always, it was the same routine. The emperor, bored, waved them off.

“That’s enough. You may go.”

Sara quickly escorted Lelia out. She kept her from speaking until they were safely back in the empress’s palace. When they returned to safety, Sara exhaled deeply, relieved.