The Princess Imprint A Traitor - Chapter 32: The Nocturnal Salon (1)
Several days had passed since Eve had regained her energy.
The entrance to the imperial palace was lined with unfamiliar visitors, forming a long queue. Emperor Desmond II had summoned alchemists and mages from all across the empire in an attempt to break Rosenitte’s curse.
Hundreds of self-proclaimed experts in healing and curse dispelling requested entry daily.
But the majority weren’t here to help—they were either opportunists eager to catch a glimpse of the Imperial White Rose or thieves hoping to steal the Philosopher’s Stone.
Only a select few were granted the privilege of examining Rosenitte firsthand.
It was an all-too-familiar sight—much like in the previous life, when Mikael had gathered researchers for his necromantic experiments.
*
The Scarlet Chamber, Rosenitte’s Quarters.
The bedroom, once meant to reflect the owner’s loveliness and warmth, had become a stark, desolate altar.
Rosenitte lay at the center of the pink-and-white-decorated chamber, as still as if awaiting a knight’s kiss to awaken her.
Besides the bed, there was no furniture.
Instead of carpets, intricate magic circles covered the floor—twelve-pointed star formations designed to purify the tainted energy.
Artifacts imbued with spiritual energy lined the room’s edges, aiding in purification. Among them was a rare branch from the World Tree.
“Thank you all for your hard work.”
“We greet Your Highness, the Seventh Princess.”
The handmaidens tending to Rosenitte recognized Eve and bowed gracefully.
Familiar with her visits, they quietly stepped aside.
Eve crossed the room and sat at the edge of the bed.
She was faithfully fulfilling her promise to Emperor Desmond II.
While the attendants handled the potion baths, her role was to cast spells that encouraged pleasant dreams.
As with most mental magic, direct contact made the spell more effective.
She gently wrapped her hands around Rosenitte’s.
“Rosie…”
No matter how many times she called her name, there was no answer.
Not even the slightest twitch.
Rosenitte had entered a state of magical hibernation to prevent the curse from fully manifesting.
Eve understood this logically.
But humans were weak to what they could see.
Perhaps that’s why Emperor Desmond II had stopped visiting entirely.
And why, despite all the irritation Rosenitte had caused her in the past, Eve now found herself feeling an occasional pang of pity.
“I hope you wake up soon.”
Eve was a busy princess. She couldn’t afford to stay long.
She rose from her seat.
“I’ll come again.”
“…”
For the first time since falling into her cursed slumber, Rosenitte’s fingertip twitched ever so slightly. But Eve had already turned away and left the chamber. She didn’t see it.
Outside Rosenitte’s room, Mikael was waiting for Eve. As the two walked down the corridor together toward the Verdant Chamber, Mikael noticed Eve’s troubled expression and voiced his concern.
“You always look troubled after visiting that room. I worry that the dark energy of the Evil Dragon is affecting you as well.”
“No way.”
The fiery energy that once devoured sacrificial offerings had disappeared when the dragon went into hibernation. Eve let out a small sigh. She had thought she had severed all lingering attachments after returning to the past, but it seemed those feelings had crept back in.
Suddenly, she recalled Ambrosia’s curse, etched vividly into her memory.
“I will have the master of this body sever the bloodline of the Lord of Hyunseok and plunge the vilest creature into an abyss of despair!”
The “Lord of Hyunseok” referred to the Hadelamid Imperial Family, and the “vilest creature” likely meant the homunculus, natural enemies of the Evil Dragon. Eve focused on two key details: Ambrosia had looked her directly in the eyes while casting the curse, and the phrase “the vilest” suggested something more than just destroying the imperial bloodline.
“Breaking the royal lineage alone wouldn’t bring despair to all homunculi. On the contrary, they’d likely rejoice. That means…”
The true meaning of the curse must be to kill Eve and plunge Mikael, the king of homunculi, into despair. As she came to this realization, her gaze naturally drifted to Mikael. He wasn’t always the quickest to notice things, and this time was no exception. He looked into her serious eyes and responded playfully.
“Why are you looking at me like that? You’re making my heart race.”
“Ah.”
His teasing words caught her off guard. Already lost in thought, Eve was completely unprepared, her face turning red in response.
“Hmm…”
Mikael wasn’t one to let a rare moment like this slip by. His violet eyes glimmered mischievously as he seized the opportunity.
“Oh, by the way, did you know?”
“Huh? Know what?”
Before she realized it, they had stopped in the middle of the palace corridor. There was no one else around—just the two of them. Suddenly, Mikael leaned in so close that his perfectly handsome face was right in front of hers.
“You broke your promise to me.”
“Promise?”
“You said that the moment we returned to the palace, you wouldn’t leave me alone.”
“Ah, that…”
“But it’s already been a week, and I’ve been left all alone.”
“M-Mikael…”
“Liar.”
“Gasp.”
Eve cast her eyes downward, trying to hide her wavering gaze. But to Mikael, who knew all too well how easily flustered she got, it was a devastatingly endearing reaction.
“Ah…”
Her breath hitched, and she felt a sudden thirst, as if an old, forgotten longing had surged back to the surface. Meanwhile, Mikael continued his act, pouring every ounce of effort into looking heartbreakingly forlorn.
“Of course, I understand. You’ve been busy, and the imperial palace and capital were holding funerals, so there was no helping it. But… it’s already been a week. Did you never once think that you were leaving me lonely for far too long?”
“I—I’m sorry!”
“No, this is all my fault. I must still be lacking… Looks like I need to refine my charm even more.”
“Gasp. No, absolutely not.”
If he became any more charming, it would be a serious problem. For the sake of her heart’s well-being, Eve firmly grasped Mikael’s hand. Then, with a resolute expression, she confessed what was already painfully obvious—she had completely succumbed to him.
“Let’s go. Right now.”
“…It’s the middle of the day.”
“So what? If Mikael is with me, then it’s night, and anywhere becomes a bedroom.”
“That just made my heart skip a beat.”
Mikael spoke playfully, but his gaze had already grown heavy with intensity, filled with something deeper. Meanwhile, Eve was quickly rearranging her schedule in her mind.
“Alright, it’s the afternoon now… I might be able to free up time until tomorrow’s lunch.”
After all, wasn’t fulfilling promises one of the virtues of a wise ruler? With that very reasoning, Eve convinced herself and confidently took the lead, pulling Mikael along. But just as they reached the door, they were intercepted.
Sedella stood there, greeting her with a thunderous announcement.
“Your Highness, an important guest has arrived. They are waiting in the reception room.”
“…!”
Eve and Mikael’s eyes wavered violently.
“Uh, Sedella, you see… I’m a little—no, very busy right now. Can’t they come back another—”
“It’s your mentor.”
“…!”
Their eyes widened in shock.
The Sage of the Spruce Forest. She was here. In the Verdant Chamber.
The reception room of the Verdant Chamber, known for being the most beautiful in the palace, exuded an atmosphere of quiet elegance.
Eve had dismissed the attendants and was personally brewing tea for the first time in a while. Today, she was showcasing a special blend—mallow flower as the main ingredient, combined with seven other blossoms, including cornflower and marigold.
This was one of the finest recipes in her collection, particularly notable for the way mallow flowers changed color depending on acidity. Using this property, Eve layered the tea with potion and water, serving it in a transparent teacup.
Since the potion was alkaline, it turned into a piercing blue, reminiscent of shallow ocean waters, while the neutral water above it became a delicate shade of lavender. The two-toned tea was so mesmerizingly beautiful that it seemed like it should be admired with the eyes rather than sipped.
“Please, have some.”
Naturally, the guests seated at the table were people worthy of such a special tea—none other than the Sage of the Spruce Forest and Mikael.
“Your tea-blending skills improve by the day.”
The woman, wearing a great horned owl mask and long black hair flowing down her back, took a sip and offered her praise. Eve beamed with pride.
“I’m so happy to finally serve you tea, Master. I’ve really missed you. How is your health now?”
“After several months of rest, I’ve recovered well enough.”
“You were staying at Crescent Lake, right?”
“Yes, the one in Serenita, the estate gifted to you by the emperor.”
“Ah, so you’ve heard the news.”
“Of course. A master must keep their ears open for news about their cherished disciple. But I must say, you never once came to visit. You left your poor master no choice but to come here in person. Such an ungrateful child.”
“Ugh… I—I’m sorry.”