The Tyrant’s Beloved Doll - Chapter 68

The Emperor granted her an audience late at night.

It would’ve been better if it were during the day, she thought, but getting permission at all was fortunate.

In recent days, the Emperor’s health had taken a turn for the worse, and rumors spread that he could barely move.

Some whispered that Lize’s death had affected him badly.

Setz had heard this and thought to herself.

Even in death, one must be mindful of others.

“…”

As she walked, Setz’s gaze drifted to the hallway window.

The sky tonight was completely clear. Only the full moon hung, alone and solitary.

A blood-red moon.

Like Raytan’s eyes.

And somehow… it filled her with a sense of foreboding.

“Your Highness, please watch your step. The hallway is very dark…

Kaen, holding the lantern, spoke with concern. Setz nodded and followed closely behind her. Kaen glanced down at Setz, then smiled softly before speaking.

“Your hair is a bit messy, Princess.”

Kaen placed the lantern on the ground and pulled a pink ribbon from her pocket.

“I should’ve been more thoughtful. I should have prepared you back in the room.”

“No, it’s fine. I was lying down, trying to sleep. How could you have known His Majesty would grant me an audience so suddenly?”

“I’ll tidy it up for you.”

Kaen moved behind Setz and began to tie her hair.

“I didn’t expect His Majesty to allow a meeting at such a late hour.”

“That’s true… But maybe it’s for the best. At least I won’t run into Brother Bern or Sister Lilien. Or Mother and Lady Yuria, for that matter…”

“…”

“If I had met them, they would surely have…”

“…Your hair is done, Princess.”

Kaen quickly interrupted Setz, perhaps feeling sorrow for how Setz seemed to so casually accept her situation. It was painful to see Setz speak of herself this way, although Setz herself didn’t seem to care anymore.

“His Majesty will surely say you look beautiful. You look just like a fairy.”

Instead of replying, Setz just fiddled with the pink ribbon in her hair.

Would he really say I look beautiful? She had no such expectations. It was more likely that he wouldn’t even recognize her.

“I’ll hold your hand so you don’t trip.”

Setz, now holding Kaen’s hand, felt tension creeping into her body.

‘When was the last time I saw His Majesty?’

She tried to remember, but the memory didn’t come. As someone who had always been treated like an outsider, Setz had never had the chance to properly meet the Emperor, nor had she attended the royal events where he appeared.

Bern and Lilien dined with him and occasionally had tea with him, but that was never allowed for Setz.

Despite sharing the same bloodline, it had always been this way. As if it were only natural.

‘If Brother Bern or Sister Lilien found out I came to see His Majesty on my own, they’d probably try to kill me.’

Setz let out a small, bitter chuckle without realizing it.

But it doesn’t matter. I’ll be leaving the palace soon anyway.

With that hollow thought, Setz entered the Emperor’s quarters.

“Welcome, Princess Setz.”

One of the maids waiting in front of the chamber bowed deeply.

“Is His Majesty…?”

“He’s waiting for you inside.”

Setz, her hands damp with nervous sweat, clenched her fists and glanced back at Kaen.

“Kaen, you should go back now.”

“What? But—”

“This maid will guide me the rest of the way. Don’t worry about me, just go back.”

Kaen had already done enough, staying so late on Setz’s behalf. Setz didn’t want to burden her any further.

“Go on, Kaen.”

“I-I’ll wait here until you’re finished.”

“But then I won’t be able to have a proper conversation with His Majesty. It’s for my own peace of mind, so don’t worry and just go.”

After a bit of back-and-forth, Kaen finally nodded. She walked away, but kept looking back at Setz several times. Setz gave her a reassuring smile each time, trying to ease her concerns.

“Come this way, Princess.”

The maid at the door spoke softly. Setz swallowed dryly and looked ahead.

“Princess Setz, entering.”

The heavy door opened smoothly, without a sound. Setz’s long lashes fluttered slightly from the tension.

“Princess Setz greets His Ma—”

Setz stopped mid-sentence as she raised her head.

A grand, lavish bed. A deep wine-colored canopy draped elegantly over it.

And the Emperor, half-hidden behind the curtains, was sitting weakly on the bed.

That only made him look all the more frail.

She couldn’t remember when she had last seen him, but the Emperor in her memories didn’t look like this.

There was no trace of imperial dignity. None of the elegance, regal bearing, or the untouchable aura that royalty was known for.

The Emperor simply looked like a sick man.

His eyes, dull and unfocused as they looked at her, carried the unmistakable scent of death.

“Princess, as you may know… His Majesty’s health is in a dire state.”

The maid whispered softly in her ear.

“The effects of his medication are strong, so he is not in his right mind. Even when he is lucid, he often fails to recognize the people in front of him. Occasionally, he has fits as well.”

“…”

“We’ll be waiting just outside the door, but if anything happens while you’re talking, please call us immediately.”

“I… I understand.”

“Then, I’ll leave you now.”

The maid bowed respectfully before quietly exiting the room.

“…”

Silence filled the cold bedroom. The Emperor, still staring vacantly into space, seemed as though he were dreaming.

His dazed face, his unfocused eyes, and his pallid complexion…

Seeing his condition was worse than she had imagined, Setz hesitated. But she slowly, cautiously, approached him.

“…Your Majesty.”

Setz sat in a small chair beside the bed and called out to him softly. At first, the Emperor showed no reaction. Then, with his empty gaze, he finally looked at her.

In his pale blue eyes—so much like her own—was the reflection of Setz’s tense face. Unsure how to begin, Setz opened her mouth slowly.

“It feels like it’s been a long time since we last met. Although this is the first time I’ve come to see you like this…”

“…”

“Even though you’re not well, thank you for granting me an audience. The truth is… I came because I have something to ask of you.”

“…”

“Of course, Your Majesty may not even remember who I am, but…”

“I…”

His dry, cracked lips parted slightly.

“How could I… not recognize you?”

His thin, bony hand gently clasped Setz’s.

“…”

Setz’s eyes trembled slightly. She hadn’t expected this kind of reaction from him. Not in her wildest dreams.

“I’ve been… wanting to see you.”

“You wanted… to see me?”

She couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

Hadn’t Lilien told her before? That His Majesty didn’t even remember she existed…

“Yes. It’s been a long time since I last saw your face…”

“…”

“My… daughter.”

There was sincerity in the Emperor’s eyes.

Setz felt like something was blocking her chest, making it hard to breathe. Even her own mother, Yerna, had never spoken to her so warmly. And now, here was the Emperor, of all people, saying such words.

Without realizing it, Setz held the Emperor’s hand tightly.

It was warm. Just like the voice that called her “my daughter.”

“F – Fa…”

Father.

She had never called him that before, not once in her life. The word was just about to escape her lips when—

“Lilien.”

“…”

“My only daughter, Lilien…”

Instead of responding, Setz… merely smiled weakly.

“What is it you wanted to ask of me?”

“…Nothing.”

With a soft thud, Setz let go of the Emperor’s hand.

“Truly, nothing at all.”

It was nothing. She was nothing to the Emperor, nothing to Yerna. How could someone who meant nothing ask anything of him?

She shouldn’t have come here.

She should have just left.

“Make sure to support your brother, Lilien,” the Emperor said in a fading voice.

“When Bern becomes Emperor… he’ll find he has no one to rely on. That’s the nature of being an Emperor. It feels like you’ve gained everything, yet, in truth, there’s nothing in your grasp…”

“…”

“Flatterers will surround him, and betrayal will follow… In such times, the only thing one can trust is blood. The ones who share the same blood…”

Is that really true?

I share the same blood, too. So why have I been treated like this all my life?

Setz silently asked herself.

“…I’m so tired, Lilien,” the Emperor exhaled a thin breath.

“Soon… I’ll be able to rest. At last… I can let everything go…”

The Emperor’s words trailed off, and then he began to cough violently.

The harsh coughing echoed through the room. He gasped like a man on the brink of death. His hand, covering his mouth, came away stained with bright red blood.

“Y-Your Majesty.”

Startled, Setz grasped the Emperor’s shaking shoulders.

“I’ll call someone for help. Just hold on for a moment…”

And then it happened.

“Aaaah—!”

A piercing scream rang out from beyond the door.