emperor chapter 20

Wait a minute. Speaking of…

“Raphaerd, have you seen Helion? Lowell said he locked him up in the prison.”

“If you mean the prison, it’s probably the one underground.”

“Isn’t that where they keep those who’ve committed serious crimes? Helion hasn’t done anything wrong.”

“His Majesty can make even the most innocent citizen a traitor if he so chooses. But this time is different. I investigated, and there are no charges against Helion. No accusations of insulting the Imperial family or treason, which His Majesty could easily fabricate.”

“So there’s no justification?”

“No. However, in this case, a price is required.”

“I’ve already paid it.” He’d suffered enough. I felt I’d earned the right to have Helion back.

‘Honestly… did you really think I would extort money from you? I don’t need it, so take it back.’

“Understood. I’ll retrieve him.” If Raphaerd, who never made mistakes, said he would do it, I could trust him to rescue Helion.

“Nothing will happen in the meantime.”

“What do you mean? You’re not planning anything dangerous, are you?”

“Huh? No, I wasn’t talking about me.”

“I’ll set the maximum vacation period to one year.”

“Why…?” I grumbled, though the duration didn’t really matter. The entire plan, if it could even be called that, was completely improvised.

It was a change of tactics. Instead of interfering between Lowell and Helion, I’d decided to leave them alone.

It was a dilemma. My very presence was a hindrance to their relationship. Hurting Helion was Minielle’s death flag. Kind as she was, Minielle, worn down by Lowell’s contempt, had lashed out.

I didn’t intend to defend or side with her. I just wanted to avoid dying the same way. That’s why I’d been kind to Helion, freeing him from slavery years earlier than in the original story and protecting him from Lowell’s abuse.

That was the problem. Sometimes, trials became catalysts for growth, and I felt like I was preventing that. As long as I remained, a turning point for Lowell and Helion might never arrive.

It was time for this foreign element to exit the stage. Of course, love wouldn’t magically blossom just because I was gone, but the rest was up to Helion.

“What are you saying? If you don’t receive revelations for over a year, you’ll be stripped of your title as Saintess.”

“Yes, well, a year will be enough.”

“I’ll tell the temple you’re away on an inspection. What should I tell His Majesty?”

“I’ll tell Lowell myself.”

“I expect resistance.”

“It’s fine. I plan to inform him unilaterally.”

“I can’t be held responsible for the aftermath.” Raphaerd’s sigh was heavy with exhaustion.

***

A few days later…

“You seem cheerful, Minielle. Anything good happen?”

“Hmm. I don’t know. Maybe it’s the nice weather.”

“The weather.”

“Yes. The weather.”

I’d run into Lowell and exchanged a few words. I treated him as usual. Even Lowell couldn’t discern the secret I concealed beneath this superficial encounter.

The thought of the letter of notification tucked safely away, unbeknownst to him, sent a thrill through me. A heart-pounding vacation like this would be enough for a lifetime, though making a habit of it would be problematic.

Raphaerd had taken care of everything, so all I’d done was pack a few clothes.

The day before my departure, I slipped into Lowell’s office. I’d timed it to coincide with the State Council meeting, ensuring he wouldn’t interrupt.

Farewell. I’m leaving to find happiness, free from all constraints and shackles.

I wondered what his expression would be when he found my letter on his desk. I wanted to see it, but I couldn’t. I’d have to leave it to my imagination. I left his office with a light heart and headed to the prearranged meeting place: the Chamber of Revelations.

“Your Holiness…!”

“You’ve arrived.”

Raphaerd and Helion were already there.

I’d arrived on time, at the right place. Finally, I could ask Raphaerd the question that had been on my mind. “How exactly is this going to work? This is a room. If I’m leaving the Imperial Palace, shouldn’t we have a carriage, or at least a horse? My hair isn’t dyed, so my identity could be exposed. Wouldn’t that be a problem?”

“There’s no need to worry. I’ll take care of the minor details. Please finish your preparations for departure.”

His explanation was vague, but I trusted Raphaerd. Before picking up my bag, I handed Helion a small pouch.

“What is this?” Helion asked, tilting his head.

“It’s the money you earned. I thought you should have it.”

Inside was the payment for Helion’s freedom, which Lowell had refused. Leaving them alone was easier said than done; my conscience pricked me. To ease my guilt, I’d added more money to the pouch.

From now on, you’re on your own. And it would be even better if you were on your own together.

“Rather than this…” Helion took my hand instead of the pouch. Had he grown attached to me, sweet as he was? I was sorry, but the person he should be attached to was Lowell, not me.

“Take care. And visit the rose garden sometimes.”

“The rose garden?”

“The one right next to the Imperial Palace.”

It was a place where over a hundred varieties of roses bloomed in breathtaking beauty all year round. Past the arch entwined with pink and ivory roses lay a fountain designed by the Empire’s finest architect. At night, the white roses glowed, brighter than any streetlamp.

It would have been a tourist attraction if it were in the public square, but its location beside the Imperial Palace made it inaccessible to most. Only the gardeners and the slaves residing in the Imperial Temple were privy to its beauty.

Anyway, I wished him well.

Raphaerd, sensing our conversation had ended, stepped between us. He extended his hand towards me. As he opened his long, elegant fingers, a bright light emanated from them—a white light, different from the pale green of divine power. Could this be the magic I’d only heard of in this fantasy world? Then a sudden thought made me furrow my brow.

Divine power and magic were opposing forces. Even a genius like Raphaerd couldn’t use magic… could he?

I tried to ask, but it was too late.

“Please bear in mind that it’s been a while since I’ve done this. You may lose consciousness or experience dizziness.” This wasn’t some medicinal potion with side effects written in microscopic print.

As his warning echoed in my ears, the bright light enveloped me, and I lost consciousness.