emperor chapter 8

This wouldn’t do. I had to avoid interfering between them at all costs.

“No. It was the tall, dark-haired man who was with me earlier. He gave you that name.”

“My Master?”

“Yes. Helion is the name he chose for you.”

“Is that so…? Then I am to be his servant.” Helion seemed strangely disappointed. In the book, he’d been overjoyed, even tearful, when Lowell named him. Perhaps the impact was lessened because I was the one relaying the information? I felt a pang of guilt.

“Helion, shall we wait over there until Lowell returns?” I decided to buy him something delicious.

I led Helion to a nearby restaurant with a terrace, where I could easily spot and call out to Lowell. The stares directed at the silver-haired beauty from the entrance to our table were almost overwhelming.

“Are you hungry, Mistress?” He seemed oblivious to the attention.

A waiter took our order. I ordered several dishes for Helion. The slave trader likely hadn’t fed him properly, so he must be starving.

My death flag was triggered by Helion being harmed, so I needed to treat him well. This was my own tactic, winning him over with food.

The table was quickly filled with dishes. Oddly, there was also a dessert we hadn’t ordered. I pointed to the small cream cake topped with a strawberry and asked the waiter, “We didn’t order this.”

“A small token of gratitude for your protection of the Dalencia Empire, Your Holiness. Please, accept it.”

“But I’m wearing a robe, how…?”

“You may not recall, but I met Your Holiness at the temple. Your voice just now was the same as then, so I recognized you. Of course, I haven’t told anyone, and this is from my own pocket, so please enjoy it without worry. It would truly make me happy.”

It was a stark reminder of Miniel’s status as the Saint.

“Then I gratefully accept.” I accepted the waiter’s kindness, mindful of Miniel’s reputation. The waiter, beaming, retreated.

“Hmm?” With the waiter gone, I noticed Helion holding his fork and knife but hadn’t touched his food.

“What’s wrong? Does it not taste good?”

“No, it’s not that… but…” Helion hesitated, his eyes darting around.

“The waiter just now called you Your Holiness…”

“Oh, that.”

“P-please forgive my impudence. I am but a lowly… I, I cannot presume to share the same table. I shall eat outside…!”

“Then what about me?”

“P-pardon?”

“Do I have to eat alone?” I feigned a hurt expression. Helion froze, caught between standing and sitting.

“Just eat the food I bought you and say thank you. Here. Say ah~”

“But how can I dare…?”

“Aaaah—I’ll stay like this until you eat.”

“.…” Helion reluctantly opened his mouth, and I seized the opportunity to pop a piece of meat inside.

“What are you two up to? Having a meal, I see.”

Gulp.

Lowell’s voice arrived just as Helion swallowed the meat. I’d chosen the terrace specifically so I wouldn’t miss him, yet I hadn’t even noticed his approach.

Finished with his business, Lowell looked relaxed. He entered the restaurant and stood before our table.

“Would you like some?”

The meat was meant for Helion. While I might share a bite with a close friend, I couldn’t offer Lowell food I’d already fed to Helion.

So, I offered him a piece of cake instead. Unlike Helion, Lowell didn’t readily accept it.

“I can’t eat sweets.” He politely declined, looking at the cake laden with strawberries and whipped cream.

“This isn’t sweet. It’s bitter.” A strange defiance rose within me, and I held out the fork, refusing to back down.

“The cream is sweet, and so are the strawberries.”

“This is bitter cream. And those are bitter strawberries.”

“Do you expect me to believe that?”

“Just pretend you do. Do you dislike sweets that much?”

The sunlight had dimmed; evening had arrived. The bustling square had grown quiet, the only sounds coming from nearby taverns.

“Yes.” Lowell’s answer was firm. I lowered the fork. Helion had also refused the cake, so I would have to eat it all myself.

“Are you alright, Mistress?”

“I should have ordered some coffee…”

With that, our simple meal concluded. We set off for the Imperial Palace.

I followed Lowell, Helion trailing behind me. I enjoyed the comfortable silence between us, simply walking, until Helion tugged at my sleeve.

He stopped me and whispered cautiously in my ear. “Um, Mistress. Or rather, Your Holiness. This may be presumptuous, but I felt I should tell you.”

“What is it?”

“Your Master… he smells of blood.”

“…What?” I gasped, stunned. The cool evening air filled my lungs.