A Snake’s Life Ch 50

Chapter 50

I let out a quiet sigh and waved my hand — a signal for them to handle it on their own.

“…Fine.”

“My apologies.”

“Hand over your swords.”

At my words, Casa, Wol, and Paul all surrendered their swords. The Empress still wore a smile. I didn’t take my eyes off her and caught the faint upward curve of her lips. Backing down didn’t necessarily mean losing. Just as they reached for our swords, I spoke again.

“But what about my safety? They’re still armed.”

“Pardon?”

The gatekeeper raised his voice, as if unsure what I meant. I spoke clearly.

“You said all weapons would be collected.”

“…Yes, that’s right.”

“Then what about those knights?”

I pointed straight at the Empress’s guards. The gatekeeper seemed flustered, not expecting me to pick at the details. He responded with a raised voice.

“They are Her Majesty’s knights. Of course they must remain armed. What if there’s danger?”

“And what if I’m in danger?”

I tilted my head innocently, as if truly confused.

“They’re my guards too.”

“Th-That’s precisely why danger must be avoided—”

“What if they pose a threat to me?”

At that, the knights behind me angrily protested, claiming they were being insulted. The gatekeeper echoed the same. I didn’t intend to keep playing verbal games.

“They would never!”

“Exactly.”

“…Pardon?”

When I agreed, the gatekeeper looked at me blankly. I shrugged and twirled a strand of my hair, speaking like I was stating the obvious.

“My people said the same — they’d never. But you didn’t believe them. And now you expect me to believe you? Isn’t that asking a bit much?”

I smiled coldly. The Empress, who had merely watched with amusement until then, finally stepped in.

“Divine Envoy, it seems my gatekeeper has made a mistake. He is overly diligent in his duties. Apologize at once!”

“M-My apologies.”

At her gesture, our swords were returned. I scoffed. I hated the idea of something returned just because of a scolding. If it had come to this, I wanted to see it through.

“No, it’s fine. What if there’s danger? That’s why you didn’t say anything, right? I agree — let’s all avoid danger.”

I smiled sweetly, mocking her while pretending to be sincere. Neriah  had started it, and now seeing her backpedal was amusing. The corners of her mouth twitched. Her knights began reluctantly handing over their swords. I handed Kir to Casa, making a show of it.

“Kir’s dangerous too, right? Even if he’s a sweet little thing… can’t help if people are afraid of snakes. Casa, take Kir with you. You know where to go, right?”

“Yes, I do.”

I nodded for him to go. Casa was the only one who left with his sword. Neriah ’s smile faded slightly.

“…Let us go, then.”

With the situation mostly resolved, the Empress began walking. The tension was still high, but I felt like humming. Who told her to pick a fight? I’d been polite the entire time. Who could blame me?

As she walked ahead with quiet, graceful steps, I followed her into the palace.

Inside, a maid led us to a reception room. Until the tea arrived, silence reigned. Soon, elegant-looking tea was placed before us.

“I’ve prepared a fine tea as part of my apology earlier.”

Earlier she had been antagonistic, and now she was trying to please me. As if I’d know the difference between teas — I wasn’t exactly refined in this area. She gestured for me to drink, but I didn’t move.

Who knows what she might’ve done to it?

We both smiled at each other.

While I refused to drink, she was the first to lower her gaze and take a sip. I observed her closely, then lifted my cup to sniff it. Didn’t seem… immediately dangerous. I took a tiny sip, just enough to wet my tongue.

No poison.

As for taste… it was definitely not to my liking. I hated bitter things. This was beyond bitter — it was astringent. This is what they call good tea? I’d meant to savour it but gave up.

I wouldn’t even glance at this stuff normally. I grimaced. I wanted to complain but forced myself to be polite.

“…It’s fine.”

“It’s a tea available only in the royal palace.”

Ah. Royalty branding, huh. I’m not drinking it again. I gently pushed the cup away and reached for the sweets instead. She hadn’t even taken more than a bite from hers — probably didn’t like sweets. Sitting across from someone endlessly sipping tea, I reluctantly took another sip, only to grimace again at the bitterness.

“Divine Envoy.”

Neriah  finally spoke.

“Have you been doing well in the palace? I regret that I couldn’t meet you sooner — my poor health prevents me from even stepping outside the palace walls. I am so grateful we could share this tea time at last.”

It was a light greeting, and I snorted inwardly. Who is she fooling?

Zerpell had already hinted that either the Empress or the Pope was behind the recent assassination attempt. And just now, we’d had a battle of nerves. Her gentleness rang hollow.

Still, a smiling face should be met with a smile. That’s the basics of sparring.

“It’s fine. The host has treated me well…”

Her eyes twitched. Clearly, she didn’t want to hear praise of Zerpell.

“How fortunate.”

“…”

“Do you know about Aiden’s illness?”

I saw where this was going, but nodded anyway. Her eyes drooped sadly.

“So you do… Aiden is my only child. I prayed every day to the gods — not once did I miss a prayer, asking for a child, asking for that child to be healthy. After so many years, I finally had him.”

She clasped her hands in prayer, like the gods were watching. After her speech, she released them and looked down at her tea, tracing its surface with a fingertip.

“My age, my body… I had hoped he wouldn’t take after me. But when he was born, he was even worse. Even a minor cold could be life-threatening.”

She sighed softly, as if pained.

“No matter how rare the medicine, how expensive… he never improved. What more could I possibly offer…”

She took a sip of her tea. I stayed quiet, listening. Despite being my enemy, I could feel how desperately she had wanted a child. But whether she truly cared about Aiden was another matter.

She didn’t look like a mother who adored her son. Especially when talking about his health, her expression was more resentful than loving.

I tried to dismiss my doubts — maybe I was overreacting. But the bitterness in my gut wouldn’t go away.

“Divine Envoy. Please… save my child. Aiden has been denied so much simply because of his weak body. Your divine power must be stronger than any other. Couldn’t you… stay with him?”

“…Your Majesty.”

It might’ve been paranoia, but I couldn’t shake the thought that “being denied things” included the imperial throne. Tears welled in her eyes as a handmaid passed her a handkerchief. She looked the picture of a devoted mother.

I understood the appeal. I liked Aiden too. But instead of saying “Please cure him,” she said, Stay with him. That sounded… odd.

Despite her perfect motherly mask, to me she looked distorted. Something in her tone was off. I decided to prod her a little.

“I don’t dislike Aiden either. He told me about his condition himself. I haven’t tested the limits of my divine power, but… I did heal a bruise on his cheek today. If he could get healthier, I’d be glad.”

Her smile faltered slightly. She dabbed her eyes with the handkerchief. I sighed inwardly. Poor Aiden. Her expression was soft as she said:

“I’m a terrible mother. I shouldn’t have…”

“I don’t want Aiden to suffer either. I’ll help.”

“R-Really? I’m sorry for such a shameless request.”

“I believe in Aiden’s dream.”

“…Dream?”

Her hand twitched. Her tear-filled eyes lifted sharply. She looked like it was the first time she’d ever heard such words. Maybe she really didn’t know what Aiden wanted. I remembered the bright look on his face when he’d talked about the world outside.

“…You should ask him.”

“…Hah.”

That sigh wasn’t from sorrow or weariness. It was more like mockery. I heard her clenching her teeth behind the handkerchief.

I tapped the table — a habit I picked up from Zerpell. Everyone has a dream. But the moment I mentioned Aiden’s dream, Neriah ’s eyes grew cold. Her gaze wasn’t even on me.

I was stunned.

She clearly wanted Aiden to become emperor. What if… the reason he was slapped was because he said he didn’t want the throne? He had asked me just today — had I chosen Zerpell as emperor?

A silence fell. I calmly sipped my tea.

Just as Neriah ’s displeased face was about to spit something out, a handmaid entered and whispered something by her ear.

“His Majesty has arrived.”

Finally, I sighed internally. What a waste of energy on mind games.