A Snake’s Life Ch 54

Chapter 54

 

The Empress clutched her throbbing head. The maids placed a pouch filled with ice on Neria’s forehead and fanned her diligently from the side. She could tolerate the imperial ball being held. However, things changed when it was to be held alongside the New Year’s Festival.

“How could His Majesty permit such a thing!”

“Empress, please calm yourself. I had no choice either. The surrounding nobles were all in agreement…”

“Why must it be held with the New Year’s Festival? Isn’t that the grandest event in the Empire!!”

The New Year’s Festival was a ball held to welcome the new year, attended by all the nobles. A regular imperial ball would only send invitations to a select few nobles. However, the New Year’s Festival extended invitations to every noble. That was precisely why it had never been held during times of war or famine.

At that time, Zerpell had just returned to the palace, and people were curious. It was also a move to prevent nobles from siding with Zerpell.

The Emperor was by no means at ease either. During the council, the nobles who once watched the Emperor’s mood had begun to watch Zerpell’s instead. That was the extent of it.

Furthermore, with Shuiren’s appearance, those associated with the Sanctuary had begun to quietly withdraw. Fortunately, those involved were unable to speak due to an imposed “speech ban,” so there was no concern about exposure, but it seemed they had suddenly become fearful of the gods and were backing away. As a result, the Emperor’s faction was dwindling. The rage boiled within, but those who had turned away remained silent.

“…When is the ball scheduled?”

“It’s set for the day of the full moon. But don’t worry. I have no intention of attending.”

“No, you must go.”

“If the Empress says so…”

The Empress glared at the Emperor with wide eyes. The Emperor was nervously fretting beside her, worried that she might collapse. The Empress spoke in a low voice.

“…Summon the Marquis.”

The Emperor’s eyebrows shot up.

“The Marquis? But isn’t he occupied with the casino business? I heard he’s been overexerting himself again…”

“Don’t mention that again!!”

“M-my apologies. The Marquis of Franchia has long been at my side as the head of the nobles. He will surely be of great help.”

The Empress’s sharp rebuke was directed at the Emperor. He floundered, trying to soothe her, while she clicked her tongue at his attitude.

“What are you all doing? Bring writing materials at once! I shall send a letter to the Marquis.”

“Y-yes, Your Majesty!”

Instead of the idle maid, the Empress grabbed one standing nearby. The maid politely offered the stationery, which the Empress snatched and began to write. The Emperor, watching from the side, added,

“Since all the nobles will be present at the ball, wouldn’t it be a good time to summon him? If he publicly declares his return, it would help check Zerpell.”

The Empress pondered. He was someone who had left the political scene due to health and business. To bring him back in, a proper pretext was necessary. If he appeared without any justification, it would be too obvious he had come to oppose Zerpell, and the nobles would surely gossip behind their backs.

‘If there’s a plausible reason, that would be somewhat better…’

Sensing her hesitation, the Emperor suggested,

“Why not say it was because of Duke Bert? Though they’re different cases, the Duke also essentially made a comeback. If you say the Marquis was inspired by the Duke, wouldn’t that suffice?”

The Emperor wasn’t entirely wrong. The Empress finished writing the letter and affixed the royal seal. She needed a reason that wouldn’t become a laughingstock. She handed the completed letter to the maid.

“Send this to the House of Marquis Franchia.”

“Yes, understood.”

As the maid left with the letter, another maid entered. The Empress responded with a sharp glare. The maid came forward with a letter in hand. Upon seeing the sender, the Empress furrowed her brows. Without hesitation, she slit it open with a knife and unfolded it.

“Hah. How repulsive. You deal with this, Your Majesty.”

The Empress handed the letter to the Emperor, clearly indicating it was outside her concern.

“The Pope, is it.”

The content of the letter was a request to attend the imperial ball. The Emperor glanced at the Empress, who was clearly displeased. There was only one appropriate response.

“The imperial ball is a place for nobles. Even the Divine Envoy doesn’t stay in the temple, so there’s no need to invite the Pope.”

It wasn’t unusual. When the Emperor and the Temple were at odds, they would sometimes deny each other entry. To the Emperor, it seemed the Empress had lost all hope in the Pope and completely turned away.

‘To think he would send a letter simply to say it’s not feasible rather than trying to find a solution…’

From the Empress’s perspective, it was infuriating. Thinking about how much in donations had gone to the Temple in exchange for entering the Sanctuary, capturing the serpent, and giving Aiden divine power made her blood boil. Though the Pope was the first to bring up the Sanctuary, it was the Empress who devised the means to enter it. She considered reclaiming the donations, but Aiden needed a priest. No one knew what the future would bring, so she was still contemplating how to handle it.

As if by cruel timing, Marquis Franchia’s businesses—excluding the casino—were constantly interfered with by Duke Bert. Given that the casino remained untouched, perhaps he was unaware of its existence.

“Click. This is not to my liking.”

I waved at Aiden from afar. As always, perhaps because we shared the same power, he seemed to always be waiting just when I thought he might be.

“Kir’s here too? Hello.”

Aiden waved at Kir. Sometimes I brought Kir when visiting Aiden, and sometimes I didn’t. Kir seemed to strongly reject Aiden, likely because every time he saw him, he sensed the children’s sorrow and rage. After all… to him, the serpents were like family…

I continued meeting with Aiden, but I hadn’t thought of a concrete way to save him. I simply watched over him, anxious that his condition might worsen. Every time we parted, I had to hold back the urge to shout with all my might, “Don’t take the medicine the Empress gives you!” Perhaps noticing the worry on my face, Aiden asked,

“Is something wrong?”

“Hmm? No… um… it’s just that these court etiquettes are surprisingly tricky… Are you coming to the ball too?”

Since it was a ball that all nobles would attend, I naturally assumed Aiden would be there.

“Ah! I heard there’s going to be a ball… But I don’t think I’ll be able to go. They say one must never let their guard down.”

“That’s unfortunate.”

“There’s nothing to be done.”

Each time I saw Aiden’s face, he seemed more mature.

“Why do people have such different views about others?”

“Who are you talking about?”

“Older brother… or our parents.”

It’s no wonder he struck me as mature. Every time he asked a question, I realized Aiden was a surprisingly thoughtful child. Though I’d heard various stories, I couldn’t give him any definite answers. His once brilliant golden eyes had subtly dulled. He must be troubled. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say the Emperor and Zerpell were walking completely opposite paths.

“In the end, it’s up to you to choose.”

“Pardon?”

“No matter who did right or wrong, you just believe in what you want to believe. Or even if you know, you can still choose to take their side… And then you must bear the consequences.”

Aiden looked at me with slightly dazed eyes. I flicked his forehead with a light snap. He let out a small cry and clutched his forehead.

“Stop thinking such thoughts and just focus on staying healthy! Has anything good or strange happened recently?”

One thing I had realized from continuing to meet Aiden was that he and I were resonating with each other. The first to notice this had been Kir.

[Fortunately, your power seems to be helping.]

“What do you mean?”

[It means the children are glad to see you. Their souls were originally pure children. That essence has not changed. You were naturally sharing your power with Aiden—didn’t you realize that?]

I stared at Kir blankly. He seemed to grasp that I had no idea and let out a small sigh.

[That’s a good thing. It means we can minimize the side effects. That there’s a possibility of delay.]

It was good news. If my power worked, it meant Kir’s might work as well. I felt as if a single ray of light had broken through, and the bleak mood lifted instantly. After all, I had received divine power directly from the Water Deity. If Aiden’s body grew healthy not from the serpent’s power but from mine, then perhaps the serpent’s curse could be removed—I held that hope.

Overjoyed by Kir’s words, I patted his body for a while. When he complained that it hurt, I hastily apologized.

That was why I had asked brightly if anything had happened lately. But Aiden’s next words shattered all hope.

“Um… actually, I’ve been having strange dreams lately. It’s like the serpents are wrapping around me…”

“Serpents?”

“Yes.”

“…”

I tried to sound calm, but my voice trembled. I bit down hard on my lower lip.

“Since when?”

“It hasn’t been long. They’re sort of… like nightmares. I think maybe the lessons have been a bit stressful. Don’t worry. It’s just a dream. I’m sure it’s nothing.”

But Aiden’s face, as he said this, wasn’t bright. If it had only happened once or twice, he wouldn’t have mentioned it. He had clearly had the same dream multiple times. I softly called to Kir.

[It was bound to happen eventually. And I told you, didn’t I? It was only ever going to be delayed. Death cannot be avoided. All we can do is pray the day comes as late as possible.]

A pessimistic answer spilled from Kir’s lips. Aiden tilted his head slightly. I forced myself to smile and said,

“Don’t worry. It’s just a dream.”

“Right?”