Chapter 7: I Searched for the Mastermind of the Tragedy (1)
In the early morning, Bonil and Eliana boarded a carriage and set off for somewhere.
They passed through the city market, and despite it being morning, they couldn’t move easily due to the crowd of people in the street.
Considering that Bonil refused to let Finn escape with Eliana, she was certain that the client he spoke of was Hera.
‘Oh… I can’t believe I’m physically going to meet the worst villainess in this novel. It’s terrifying to think we’ll meet in person.’
Eliana took a deep, cautious breath.
Hera Owen.
A dancer from another kingdom who deliberately approached the Emperor to gain higher status and bear his child.
Since she was from a different kingdom, she couldn’t become the Empress, but Verkley’s mother, the Empress, suggested she take the title.
However, Hera’s greed didn’t vanish, even after becoming the Empress Dowager.
In fact, she targeted the beloved Empress.
Because the Emperor loved the Empress.
He said that night with Hera was a drunken mistake, and after that, the Emperor never approached Hera again.
This put Hera in deep disgrace.
Because of the Emperor’s indifference, the noblewomen often ignored Hera.
Only the Empress and Verkley treated her well, a strange woman of humble origins.
‘But Hera found that somewhat detestable…’
In the end, Hera wanted to eliminate the Empress and make her daughter Marie ascend the throne, rather than being a beloved Empress to an Emperor who still despised her.
Hera kept her ambitions secret and lived like a mouse.
She poisoned the Emperor and his wife when the opportunity arose, and they let their guard down around her.
Her intention was for Prince Verkley to be there and miraculously survive but become blind.
Hera didn’t let Verkley live out of pity.
She only needed a temporary Emperor as a scarecrow before her daughter ascended the throne.
Otherwise, Duke Cromble would be ready to seize the Emperor’s position.
In other words, if Verkley died, Hera and her daughter’s position would be at risk, so he was saved.
Hera created an excuse while Verkley was on the brink of death and managed to escape all accusations against her.
The criminal who bore all the blame was sentenced to death for Hera’s sins.
When Verkley opened his eyes, the game had already begun for Hera.
In the aftermath of the poison, Verkley became extremely weak, and Hera’s power remained unchanged even after he became Emperor.
She became the regent for the Emperor.
It wasn’t necessary for Verkley, who was eighteen, but Hera ultimately seized the throne.
All because of the strings she mysteriously pulled beforehand.
Verkley was a blind Emperor with a frail body and no significant authority, so no noble could stop Hera.
Keeping him as a substitute Emperor was the safest way to prevent a civil war in the Owen Empire, where the royal family had almost no heirs.
It was a disgrace to Verkley, but he followed Hera’s orders as if he had accepted his fate.
Hera destroyed him gradually.
Waiting for her daughter’s official debut and to gain the power of the Owen imperial family.
“We’ve arrived.”
At the driver’s signal, Bonil opened the carriage door and extended his hand.
Eliana took his hand and quietly stepped out of the carriage.
They were in front of a dessert café in the middle of the capital.
《Carpe Diem》.
It looked like an ordinary café from the outside, but Eliana knew the truth. This was the place where people who worked with Hera secretly gathered.
“Welcome back, sir.”
The employee looked at Eliana and Bonil and bowed.
When Bonil spoke to him in a low voice, they were led somewhere.
‘It looks like an ordinary café from the inside.’
On the first floor, the open hall contained pleasant tableware and furniture.
It didn’t matter that it was morning. The nobles were full of laughter while drinking tea and eating pastries.
The employee led them past the second floor and guided them to the third floor, which was sealed with a door marked “Staff Only.”
Some might think the third floor was just a small resting place, but it was a secret room for the Empress Dowager.
Knock knock.
The employee opened the door immediately after knocking.
Eliana’s eyes were drawn to the red color that stood out.
Thick, fiery red hair cascaded over her shoulder, reaching her waist.
It gave an impression of strength just from her back.
Eliana instinctively knew who she was.
Bonil, standing beside Eliana, approached first and said.
“I’ve brought her to you, Empress Dowager.”
“Good work.”
A high-pitched voice echoed in the room.
Eliana stood stiffly.
Hera slowly turned her head, and Eliana met her red eyes.
Gulp, Eliana swallowed nervously.
It was like a roaring flame inspecting Eliana from head to toe, if that was even possible.
After a moment of silence, Hera greeted her with a light smile.
“Pleased to meet you.”
Eliana bowed out of fear, her voice trembling.
“I-I greet you, Empress Dowager Hera Owen, the flower of the empire!”
“You’re quite perceptive.”
Hera burst into a fit of laughter.
She petted the white cat on her lap.
Despite her grace, Eliana couldn’t smile while knowing her true nature.
She trembled without realizing it.
It was true. This woman possessed immense power.
She wasn’t as scared as she was now when she escaped from Count Museau and slapped Marquis Valkyrie.
Hera overwhelmed Eliana with her presence alone.
The cunning Emperor Verkley might be terrifying, but Hera was also a formidable adversary.
‘I’ll be walking on thin ice with both of them.’
Hera turned to Bonil while Eliana trembled.
“Do you think she’s scared?”
“You must have startled her.”
“My goodness. Didn’t you tell her about me?”
“…Didn’t you ask me to bring her secretly?”
“Very astute. That’s what I like about you.”
Hera extended her hand with a wicked smile, and Bonil kissed the back of her hand before stepping back.
Meanwhile, when Eliana finally straightened up, a maid ushered her inside.
As Eliana sat face-to-face with Hera, she spoke with her fingers crossed.
“You have magical powers.”
“…But I can’t handle them properly yet.”
“I’m very interested in magic. Ice magic with power comparable to Duke Harpoons’ wind magic. That’s excellent.”
“Thank you for the praise.”
“No need to worry if you can’t control it. You just need training. I’ll inform Duke Harpoons separately.”
“I don’t know how to thank you for your concern.”
It would be easier for Eliana to handle her powers if she were trained by Duke Harpoons.
She had been thinking about how to learn to control her powers, but fortunately, there was no longer any need to worry.
When Eliana thanked her, Hera responded with a soft smile.
“I know you’re not on good terms with your father. I investigated him and found he’s not a good man. You must have had a hard time.”
“…”
Hera subtly hinted at the fact that she had people investigate her life.
Eliana interpreted Hera’s words differently.
Now that I know your secret, you can stand by my side.
Nothing more, nothing less—it was exactly what it seemed.
Eliana was certain she didn’t say it out of concern.
When Eliana didn’t respond, Hera uncrossed her fingers and tapped them on the table.
“So, if I support you, what will you do for me?”
Hera’s expression demanded that Eliana lay her cards on the table.
But Eliana had no intention of revealing her cards first.
Even if they were sitting at the negotiation table, the power gap between them was still clear.
So, she shouldn’t show all her cards but let the other side reveal theirs first.
And when her opponent showed what they had, she needed to present a fake card to divert attention.
Eliana knew what Hera would ask her to do.
To become someone Verkley could rely on.
To find out who was helping Verkley by becoming an insider.
And finally… all Hera wanted from Eliana was to seduce Verkley, betray him, and kill him in the end.
Eliana tried to look foolish and hesitant before exclaiming in a rush.
To make Hera see her loyalty and feel at ease.
“Whatever you want me to do, I’ll do it!”
When Eliana suddenly shouted, Hera frowned for a moment, then spoke with a gentle smile and tone as if nothing had happened.
“Yes, I have a job that suits you.”
Eliana rejoiced inwardly.
It was because Hera’s expression was softer than when they first started their conversation.
It seemed she viewed Eliana as a naive young lady.
“I need someone who can keep the Emperor company. I want you to play that role. I heard you have nowhere to go anyway. Don’t you want to stay in the palace?”
“The—the Imperial Palace?”
Eliana stammered, pretending to be surprised.
Hera smiled with satisfaction upon seeing Eliana’s excitement.
‘I look like I’m taking the bait without knowing, don’t I?’
The best way to keep someone at bay is to underestimate them.
And the safest way is to act like a simple-minded person who can’t see beyond an inch in front of them.
“Yes, I’ll send you to the brightest being in the empire. All you have to do is stand by his side and listen. That’s easy, isn’t it?”
“Yes, that’s very easy! Thank you for giving me this precious opportunity, Empress Dowager!”
Eliana shouted, jumped to her feet, and bowed at the waist.
Like an employee praising their boss, saying, ‘That’s so kind of you, sir!’ Eliana did her best to express her admiration.
She could feel Bonil sitting in the back staring at her with a strange expression, but she didn’t care.
Eliana bowed deeply.
