The Empress’s Beast Selection - Chapter 5

Chapter 5 Guest Of The Empty Palace

“… Why are you laughing?”

He was laughing so loudly that he folded his back a little.

The impression was more of amusement than frivolity.

After catching his breath, the man wiped away a tear and replied.

“Cold or whatever, I’m sure it’s less painful than yours.”

She couldn’t argue with that. No matter how you look at it, it’s true.

Their conversation earlier had convinced her of one thing.

‘This man doesn’t know who I am.’

Like Sepia, she didn’t know who he was.

That’s why this conversation was happening.

Sepia fiddled with the necklace between her collarbones.

‘Perhaps this.’

The gem on the silver thread was a magic stone, intended to mask the scent of its wearer.

The Beastman were shrewd enough that they could usually guess what kind of person they were dealing with by scent.

The stones were excellent at masking very expensive jewelry and bells, and were now a symbol of high nobility.

Five years.

It takes a short time and a long time for people to change.

Sepia had lived under the name Empress of the Beastman Empire.

Everywhere she went, she was known more by her position than her name, or as a stranger.

The man in front of her didn’t even know her from her time in the Huron Empire.

Sepia’s heart fluttered a little at the realization that he didn’t know her.

She gathered a little more courage and asked.

“What are you doing here?”

This was a palace without a master.

Even Sepia didn’t know why she was here.

The man watching her smiled wordlessly, then spoke.

“I’ve been wandering around the palace for a while, and I’ve lost my way. Can you help me find my way around?”

He could have asked, “You,” but he didn’t.

Instead, he was being even nicer to Sepia, asking for her help.

A castle tour so late at night.

There seemed to be a lot of strangers in the city tonight, perhaps because the victory party was nearing.

Suddenly, she remembered the afternoon’s events.

Sepia pushed Titian and Demios out of her mind.

“Good.”

She wanted to move her body a little more, even if it was just to do something menial.

‘I’d like to repay you for lending me your coat.’

Sepia took a step forward, and the man fell in step beside her.

Together they walked through the deserted night.

An unmaintained garden path.

Their steps were slow as they traveled by moonlight alone.

‘Strange.’

Sepia thought, feeling light-headed and relaxed.

Sepia slowed her pace and looked up at the man.

The side of his face was chiseled in the moonlight.

His body was straight, without a trace of cold.

His hands, cuffs, and nape of his neck glistened wherever the light caught them.

Everyone was scared.

Their faces were far from scarred, but if that’s what was exposed, she wondered what was hidden.

‘Perhaps he’s a returnee from the slaughter.’

That was the most likely explanation.

She continued to observe the man in silence.

She didn’t realize he was looking at Sepia, until their eyes met.

She turned her head, but it was too late.

“You can keep looking.”

Sepia blushed at his slyness.

The man poured her another drink and asked.

“I thought you were interested in me?”

“Excuse me.”

After recovering from her blush, Sepia stared straight ahead.

The gemstone at the base of her neck was a triangle, signifying marriage.

It was probably hard to see in the dark.

But the man didn’t look embarrassed.

Instead.

“You must be…”

His golden eyes took on an odd glint before settling back into place.

That was the end of the conversation.

Just as things were getting awkward, they reached a street with lights.

It was the center of the palace, and from here they would be able to find their way anywhere.

‘We’re further out than I thought, the maids will be worried.’

It had taken longer than she had expected to guide the man.

It was time to return to the Empress palace.

The two stood under the streetlight and faced each other.

“Thank you for your help.”

The man thanked her.

Remembering his eloquence earlier, Sepia avoided his eyes.

“If you’ll excuse me, then.”

She would have turned away, had it not been for the man’s question.

“You didn’t ask who I am.”

The words stopped Sepia in her tracks.

Actually, she wanted to ask who he was.

To find the source of the strange familiarity she’d felt earlier.

‘But if I tell you, I’ll have to reveal myself.’

She didn’t want to reveal that she was the Empress right now, even if she would find out soon enough.

As she started to walk away, she realized she still had the man’s coat around her shoulders.

“Thank you for the coat.”

“Please return it the next time we meet..”

The man’s hand stopped Sepia from taking off her coat.

For a moment, their hands overlapped, each covered in calluses beneath straight, well-groomed fingers.

A sensation unfamiliar even to her.

Sepia turned her thoughts in another direction, trying to shake off the strange feeling.

‘As expected, he will be one of the guests of the victory ceremony.’

Then they can meet again.

She glanced at the guest list again.

“Roxanne!”

In the distance, a red-haired knight rode panting towards them.

Stopping in front of the man, he sighed as if he’d finally found him.

“Where have you been?”

The red knight appeared to be part of the man’s entourage.

‘Your name was Roxanne.’

It was still a name she didn’t remember.

The man who called himself Roxanne shrugged at the knight’s glare, then ordered him back.

“I’ll look for her later, I’ll take her home.”

“What… No.”

The knight straightened up as if he had a headache.

Meanwhile, the man said goodbye to Sepia.

With a verbal promise.

“I’ll see you later.”

The night fog was slowly enveloping with the growing darkness.

The man turned with a smile and slowly disappeared from sight.

The knight refused the offer of a ride back to the palace.

The Empress’s palace was unusually well lit.

“Your Majesty, where have you been!”

“I’m sorry.”

Surrounded by her maids, Sepia apologized again and again.

They were all worried that she had made the wrong choice.

She may have been a newcomer, but they were all sweet.

‘And I don’t think I’m ready to take this step.’

She felt bad that she had caused her so much trouble.

When the Empress’s court had quieted down, Sepia took off her coat and handed it to her maid.

“Keep this for me.”

“What? What kind of coat is this? It’s a man’s…?”

Sepia evaded the question with a laugh.

Back in her bedroom, Sepia went straight to bed.

‘I couldn’t sleep until just now.’

Maybe it was the cold air.

Suddenly, drowsiness overtook her.

She repeated his name through her half-closed mind.

‘Roxanne.’

She needs to give his coat back.

She was beginning to look forward to the triumphal entry, which she had thought was only the Empress’s business.

It would be the biggest party of the year.

Sepia closed her eyes.

***

The next morning.

Breakfast with the Emperor was first on Sepia’s agenda.

Demios hadn’t shown up for the second and third dinners since the first.

‘I thought it would be the same today.’

Naturally, she expected him to have breakfast with Titi.

But Sepia’s guess was wrong, and Demios was seated at the table before her.

Sepia took her seat.

The courtiers served the meal.

The meal began, but Demios did not pick up his utensils.

“I didn’t think you would, Empress.”

Sepia’s hand hovered over her spoon.

‘Is it because of what happened last night?’

The lights were on in the Empress’s palace in the middle of the night, so he might have heard her.

Sepia was considering her answer when he spoke.

“You stabbed Titian in the back.”

Now, what?

‘What did I just hear?’

A sudden sense of foreboding flashed through her.

Sepia managed to compose herself.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You’re talking out of your arse.”

Red eyes glared at her.

Sepia’s mouth fell open at the accusing look.

‘Do you think I pushed Titian?’

He talked about yesterday, right after Sepia and Titian rode in the carriage together.

‘I didn’t mean to trip her up when we got off…’

‘Ha.’

She couldn’t believe her ears.

Sepia asked in disbelief.

“That’s what she said?”

“The Young  Lady?”

“I mean Lady Titian, the one who bears His Majesty’s name.”

She was just stating the facts.

Nevertheless, Sepia felt a pang of pain, as if her heart had crashed.

Unbeknownst to him, Demios was silent for a moment, then nodded.

“Yes.”

It was a confirmed kill.

What on earth had they been talking about in the Imperial Palace?

The person who claimed to be the victim was not present.