It Seems Like The Infamous Trash Can is Right Here! - Chapter 111
Stepping down from the carriage, I felt an unsettling gaze following us, separate from the soldiers and knights, sending chills down my spine.
“The Emperor has a new shadow beside him, replacing Solen.”
Lionel’s words from earlier in the carriage echoed in my mind when he revealed his infinite regressions.
“What they are, how they were raised, nothing is known.”
Perhaps these are the new shadows Lionel spoke of.
According to him, the obsession to uncover the secret behind his infinite regressions had once driven Lionel to raid the Imperial archives.
He had astonishingly succeeded, yet barely escaped death upon encountering those shadows during his retreat.
‘It’s unclear if it’s even human. They looked like a mix of humans and demons, and they had this ashy mist over them, so it was hard to tell.’
He has since had the chance to face them once in an attempt to assassinate the Emperor.
“Lionel, if you ever feel tempted to do something reckless again, you must tell me first, alright?”
Recalling his words, I’d pleaded earnestly.
“The most provocative thing I’ve ever done in my many, many lifetimes was the night I spent with you….”
I couldn’t even laugh along with his joke, the things he’d tried in his previous life were so shocking. I’m sure I’ve only told part of the story.
‘I suppose stabbing the Emperor mid-audience is off the table, right…?’
Meeting my glance, Lionel smiled gently.
“You don’t need to be nervous. His Majesty is a rather forgiving man.”
Was that irony or sincerity?
I nodded, raising the corners of my mouth as best I could.
We soon found ourselves guided not to the audience hall, but to a greenhouse inside the Imperial Palace.
Is it a good or a bad omen?
“You’re here, Duke Luanax.”
Inside was the Emperor himself, with a deceptively benevolent expression. It chilled me to see such kindness, knowing it was mere pretense.
‘What is he…’
I could feel the divine power within me stirring wildly at the sight of the Emperor.
“The young lady with you must be the Duke’s Fiancée?”
I quickly curtsied as the Emperor’s gaze settled upon me.
“I greet the honored Sun of Lubarque.”
“You summoned us, Your Majesty.”
Lionel’s greeting was stiff, as if he expected me to be deliberately offended.
“Very well. Come and sit.”
At the Emperor’s gesture, we approached a table with refreshments. Lionel sat across from the emperor, and I took the seat next to him.
The servant poured us tea and retreated, and only then did the Emperor speak.
“You look terribly displeased, considering that I called for you on such short notice.”
“My fiancée is still unfamiliar with the culture here, and you sent for her without giving her time to prepare.”
“That’s to be expected, since it was you who sent engagement papers so suddenly.”
The exchange between Lionel and the Emperor resembled that of a concerned father and a rebellious son.
The Emperor’s apparent warmth only heightened my discomfort.
Remembering Lionel’s past-life insights into the Imperial Family eased my nerves somewhat.
“So this lady is your savior, Duke?”
“Yes, Sir. Without Sasha, I might have lost my life on the borderlands of the Kingdom of Cloren.”
“Yes, well, even if we tried to kill his character. No one chases someone to another country to punish them for being cheated. Not when you’re a Duke of an Empire.”
