Chapter 24
I blinked, stunned, then slowly nodded. In this world where I had no one, her words resonated deeply. Her resemblance to my sister only amplified their impact. I was lonely, desperate for someone, anyone, to be by my side… to fill the void left by my sister.
Julia gently embraced me. I sobbed a few times, then wept in her arms.
Having someone to share my feelings with eased my heart considerably, even though I wasn’t sure if Julia was truly on my side. I finally felt ready to leave the Guinaicheum. There was still time before the Mutatio. I glanced out the window, then spoke. “Would it be possible to go to the library?”
“Of course. I’ll prepare for our outing.” Julia’s face brightened as she gathered a few things. As we stepped out of the room, Tristan and Ethan, who had been standing guard, fell in behind us.
One behind, two on either side. The blatant stares were gone, but a subtle awareness of their presence remained. It was a burden, a constant reminder that I was nothing but a slave.
Even without a pass, the presence of my three escorts was enough to open the library doors. The eyes of those inside immediately focused on me. I lowered my head and headed towards the bookshelves. My lack of knowledge made it difficult to know where to begin. I started with whatever caught my eye: The History of Eustanville.
“I’ll be reading, so please feel free to attend to your own duties.”
“I apologize, but that is not possible,” Tristan replied, and Ethan lowered his eyes in agreement. I looked at Julia. I wished she, at least, could have some personal time. Seeing my pleading look, she smiled and said, “I will read with you, Jia.”
Relieved, I finally focused on the words in the book.
For some inexplicable reason, I’d understood, read, written, and spoken the Erendian language since my arrival. Thinking about it now, it seemed strange, almost like an act of God…
My expression clouded. Before I could delve deeper into that thought, I forced myself to concentrate on the text.
The first Emperor of Eustanville had overthrown the crumbling previous dynasty and established the Kingdom of Eustanville. He then conquered surrounding smaller nations, expanding his territory, and finally declared it the Eustanville Empire. The first Emperor’s achievements were almost unbelievable.
The people of Eustanville called him the “Laurel Emperor.” The throne continued to be passed down until Dinuel Devan Balbersa Eustanville, who ascended at the age of 29 in the year 160 of the Eustanville calendar. The line of succession ended there, because he still sat on the throne, a reign spanning an incredible 307 years. No Emperor before him, not even the great founder, had lived so long.
For 307 years, countless individuals had coveted the throne, yet none had succeeded in killing the Emperor. From a young age, he had been known as the “Iron Crown Prince,” unscathed by any injury. Every assassination attempt had failed.
Nor had he completely abandoned politics. He had overthrown six smaller nations and expanded the Empire’s territory. I, a prisoner of the Kingdom of Standa, knew the Empire was still at war.
Despair washed over me. How could I, with my own hands, kill an immortal Emperor destined for the history books?
Since that first day, my spirit power hadn’t grown. No matter how hard I tried, it remained a faint ember. Each time I saw it, fear gripped me, wondering when the Emperor would use it as an excuse to torture me again.
I was reading about the current Emperor’s achievements when the Mutatio arrived. The sun vanished instantly, replaced by the soft glow of the moon. The Mutatio signaled the end of the day. People in the library began to leave. I, too, rose from my seat. I could read the remaining books back in my room.
“Did you enjoy your reading?”
“Yes, the history of Eustanville is… quite fascinating.”
“It is an honor that our great Emperor has reigned for so long,” Julia said, and, unusually, Tristan agreed. Only Ethan and I remained silent.
I bypassed the Guinaicheum and went straight to the Emperor’s bedchamber. This time, Julia didn’t enter.
“I’ll see you later, Jia.”
“Yes.”
The door closed, leaving me alone in the vast chamber. I didn’t sit on the floor or the bed, but stood before the barred window, gazing outside. Watching the simultaneous rising of the sun and moon, I summoned my spirit power. I didn’t know what would become of my life after killing the Emperor, but the thought that it would be different, at least, gave me a flicker of hope.
Soon, the door opened. I turned. The Emperor stood there, his clothes stained with blood.
Not again…
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