A Snake’s Life Ch 64

Chapter 64

 

Lady Bert was truly a beauty to behold. I had seen attractive and lovely-looking celebrities even in the present life, and there were beautiful young ladies around me as well, but without a doubt, she stood out the most.

Her skin was snow-white, and her slightly upturned eyes gave her a cat-like appearance. Her lips, a tasteful shade of red, captured attention without being overdone. Her violet hair and the gown embroidered with the night sky harmonized perfectly, accentuating her stunning appearance.

Her eyes met mine. Perhaps she recognized me instantly, for she nodded in greeting as she approached. Caught off guard, I returned the nod, locking eyes with her.

“Shuiren!”

Startled by Zerpell’s loud voice, I turned toward him. His voice, slightly suppressed yet bursting with frustration, revealed his state of mind. His expression was rigid. I flinched and gave him an awkward smile, but his brows only furrowed further.

Zerpell raised both hands and cupped my cheeks. The sensation of his skin against mine sent a slight chill down my spine. His sharp eyes were lifted, radiating a piercing intensity. Yet, despite his faint smile, something about him seemed frightening.

“Where are you looking? Is there a problem with Lady Bert?”

“Ah, no. It’s just… she’s pretty… I just looked for a moment…”

Zerpell clearly disapproved of the fact that I was momentarily distracted by her. Sweat trickled down my forehead. What could I do if my gaze naturally wandered toward someone beautiful? It wasn’t intentional. But despite his reaction, I was secretly pleased. So the rumor about Zerpell being engaged to her was false, after all.

“…I see.”

Unlike me, his voice dropped low, as if his mood had hit rock bottom. As Zerpell turned his head to stare at the lady, I anxiously shifted in place. I had failed to consider his feelings. Just as I leaned toward him on my toes to whisper that he was the only one I cared about, he suddenly turned to look at me. I awkwardly straightened my leaning body.

“More than me?”

“Uh…?”

There, I saw the true night sky. He narrowed his eyes sweetly and brought his face close to mine. His golden eyes shone beautifully, but something sharp glinted within them, making me shrink back slightly as my heart began to race.

I couldn’t speak. My voice caught in my throat. He pressed further, skillfully closing in.

“Your Majesty. I have brought my daughter… is something wrong?”

Sensing the unusual atmosphere, Duke Bert cautiously spoke up. I heard Zerpell click his tongue quietly. As his gaze and hands finally left me, I let out the breath I had been holding and gently pressed a hand to my chest. My heart was pounding so loud it echoed in my ears.

With that face, that outfit, and that smile—he was playing dirty! The image of Lady Bert from earlier was now erased, replaced entirely by Zerpell.

“Allow me to introduce her.”

“Huh??”

Zerpell wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me into his embrace. I caught sight of the startled expressions on the duke and the lady. I greeted them with an awkward smile.

“This is Shuiren. Treat him with the utmost courtesy from now on.”

“Nice to… meet you. Ha, ha…”

His arm tightened around me, pulling me even closer. Zerpell glared at the lady with a disgruntled look. Embarrassed, I gave her a reluctant greeting and turned my head. The lady slowly blinked, then lightly held her dress and bowed toward me. Her gesture was graceful, like flowing water.

“I’m Camilla Bert. Divine Envoy, please call me Camilla.”

Though she smiled warmly as she greeted me, that seemed to further irritate Zerpell, whose eyebrow twitched. I had thought her an exceptional person, but the mood suddenly turned as if she had become a rival. Caught off guard, I didn’t know what to do. Just then, the music stopped, and the steward’s loud voice rang out.

“His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress have arrived.”

At those words, all the laughing and chatting nobles bowed their heads. Zerpell released me, and I, too, quickly followed suit in showing respect. I subtly lifted my head to glance at the Emperor and Empress. They looked like a well-matched middle-aged couple. The Empress wore her usual gentle smile, while the Emperor appeared stern.

‘But appearances aren’t everything.’

Having already experienced the Empress’s true nature, I knew better. Their attire was more lavish than anyone else’s, adorned with countless glittering ornaments. As silence fell, they slowly walked to the grandest seats and sat down with a thud, followed by the sound of the Emperor’s voice.

“Raise your heads.”

The Emperor gazed down from his lofty seat at the many nobles beneath him. When his eyes landed on Zerpell, his brows immediately furrowed. From his place at the highest seat, the Emperor’s displeasure was plain to see—his expression starkly contrasted with the Empress’s kind smile. His gestures were dismissive, and his tone was sharp.

“This gathering has been called to celebrate the successful rain ritual and to express gratitude for the arrival of the Divine Envoy in our world. How joyful it is that such a miracle occurred during my reign.”

“Indeed, Your Majesty. It is all thanks to your wise governance and benevolence.”

A shameless attempt to shift credit. He was blatantly claiming the success of the rain ritual and my appearance as his own doing. Even the invitations to this banquet clearly stated that it was held in Zerpell’s honor. And yet here he was, taking full credit without hesitation.

Still, the current ruler of the empire was the Emperor. Nobles all around voiced their agreement. Satisfied, the Emperor smirked arrogantly and gestured toward us.

“Introduce the Crown Prince and the Envoy to everyone.”

‘Oh, how splendidly full of himself.’

I hated the way the Emperor acted, but Zerpell took my hand and led me forward. All eyes were on us as we approached and gave our bows. We had worked hard not to make any mistakes. After finishing the greeting, I looked up and saw the Empress narrowing her eyes slightly in displeasure. As expected. It probably meant that, at least in terms of etiquette, I’d done nothing wrong.

‘You don’t know how much effort it took to keep that angle just right…’

“My, your manners are flawless.”

“Hmm. Quite acceptable.”

Even the surrounding nobles couldn’t help but admire the perfect etiquette. I puffed up a bit with pride. Of course, some stared with annoyance and disapproval.

The Emperor looked at me intently, and his gaze shifted to our attire. His expression turned overtly sour. Then he said to me,

“However, that outfit… hmm.”

The Emperor cleared his throat. A slip of his true thoughts, perhaps. After a few more coughs, he spoke again.

“Hmph. Welcome to my empire. It is thanks to you that rain has fallen and the people’s lives have improved. Should there be anything lacking while staying with the Crown Prince, do not hesitate to speak. I will make it right.”

The Emperor tilted his chin arrogantly. Say whatever you want, his expression read. As if I needed anything…

“Um… I’m fine.”

Thinking he’d misheard, the Emperor rephrased his offer.

“In recognition of ending the empire’s great drought, I wish to grant you a great reward. Is there anything you desire?”

“Not really.”

I shrugged. The Emperor seemed irritated at my indifferent attitude toward his goodwill. But I truly wanted nothing.

“…It seems the Crown Prince is doing an excellent job. You have my thanks.”

“I’m merely fulfilling my role.”

Since I remained unmoved, the Emperor turned his displeasure toward Zerpell and spoke in a critical tone. Zerpell responded lightly, unfazed by the Emperor’s challenging words. That only seemed to further annoy him, and he turned back to me.

“Continue to serve the empire in the future.”

‘What, do I work for you now? Serve the empire? Please. The lack of rain was your fault to begin with…’

All eyes were still on us. Zerpell stood straight by my side. I had said I would support him, and I disliked how the Emperor acted as if my arrival were his own achievement…

“If my master wishes it.”

At my words, not only the Emperor, Empress, and nobles, but even Zerpell looked at me in surprise. Countless stares pierced into me, but I maintained my composure. This was my declaration of allegiance. Don’t look at me like that. I can’t stay protected forever.

“What did you just say…? Who is it that wishes it?”

The Emperor seemed unsure of what he had heard, repeating the words as if to confirm. You heard me just fine. Must I repeat myself?

“Hmm? I said, ‘if my master wishes it.’ Is that a problem?”

I tilted my head innocently, as if I had no idea what the issue was. Everyone looked at me like they couldn’t believe what they were hearing.

Master? Are you saying you’ll support the Crown Prince, not the empire? That might make sense if His Highness ascends the throne, but still… The word ‘master’? That outfit already raised suspicions, but now…

Apparently, my statement was indeed explosive, as everyone erupted into murmurs. The Emperor glared and questioned Zerpell.

“What’s the meaning of this word ‘master’?”

“There’s nothing wrong with calling a master a master, is there?”

Before Zerpell could answer, I replied to the Emperor’s question. Speechless for a moment, the Emperor gritted his teeth and spoke again.

“…So you’re saying your master is Zerpell. Is that it?”

“Yep.”

My cheerful expression only fueled the commotion further. The Emperor’s brow furrowed deeply. And strangely enough, the Empress, who still wore a smile amidst the chaos, looked even more unsettling.