A Snake’s Life Ch 65

Chapter 65

 

“Silence!”

At the emperor’s thunderous voice, the chattering nobles instantly fell silent, as if a pin could be heard dropping.

“Crown Prince, do you understand what this means?”

The emperor scowled, gripping the armrest of his chair tightly, inhaling deeply to suppress his fury. Zerpell glanced at me briefly, his eyes brimming with affection. He then looked straight at the emperor and spoke.

“There is nothing strange about it. If anything, it aligns with the interests of the Empire. You should remain calm.”

A gasp echoed through the hall. Zerpell, who had been standing slightly apart, had now effectively drawn his sword. Indirectly, he was saying that since he would be the next emperor, it didn’t particularly matter to him.

The central nobles sensed that the time had finally come and began to take measure of the situation, while the provincial nobles who had just arrived in the capital struggled to grasp what was happening.

The emperor could no longer hold back his rising anger and raised his voice. His glare toward Zerpell was murderous. But Zerpell didn’t flinch.

“I am the one who rules this Empire! Are you saying doing something for your own sake is the same as doing it for the Empire?!”

Only the emperor’s heavy breathing could be heard. His face flushed and turned blotchy with rage. He seemed anything but a leader fit to govern an empire. Among the nobles, some had gone pale, others were anxiously observing the situation, and a few were frowning. From the dais, every expression was clearly visible.

“Isn’t doing something for me also doing it for the Empire?”

At Zerpell’s composed reply, the emperor was about to rise when the empress grabbed his arm.

“The Divine Envoy must not yet fully understand the situation. As the Crown Prince says, in a broader sense, it is indeed a path for the Empire.”

At the empress’s intervention, the fury on the emperor’s face subsided, and he sank back into his seat. Trying to calm himself, he pressed hard on his furrowed brow. With an air of elegance, the empress addressed me gently, under the guise of serving the Empire.

“Divine Envoy, we are deeply grateful for the strength you have lent us. The Empire is in a dire situation, and we have no choice but to rely on your power. Though rain came during the rain ritual, it has not fallen since. Of course, we do not doubt your abilities. However, while such things may be different in the Divine Realm, the Empire has its own customs. A disrespectful attitude toward His Majesty may draw criticism from others.”

Her behavior was unrecognizable from the one who had once begged me for help. I couldn’t tell whether she had decided to cut ties or had given up trying to win me over because of what I said. Or maybe she had taken offense during that tea time. And if so, what of it?

“You say it was disrespectful—what part exactly? If you speak vaguely, I don’t quite understand. Why is it a problem to say I support my master? He’s the one who looks after me. Is it wrong to help the one who cares for me?”

“As the Divine Envoy, you should put the Empire first. You were sent by the Divine One to serve the Empire, were you not?”

“That’s up to me to decide. I won’t take orders from anyone.”

The sound of the empress’s mask cracking could almost be heard. Her hand, clutching the fan tightly, revealed veins bulging under the skin.

“Enough! Your intent is clear. Withdraw now.”

The emperor gestured for us to step back. Perhaps he realized the argument was turning against him and wanted to put a stop to it. Zerpell and I gave a slight bow and retreated. The nobles held their breaths, sensing the emperor’s displeasure. I could almost hear the gears turning in their heads as they processed the confrontation.

As we descended the dais, sharp gazes pierced toward me. Next to me, a gaze clung heavily—Zerpell’s. When I mouthed “Why?” to him, he gave me a faint smile and said,

“Well done.”

“Right?”

I beamed up at him. Zerpell had chosen this banquet to declare his defiance and his claim to the throne. He had drawn his sword, and I had simply backed him up. Feeling proud, I rubbed my nose.

The ones at a loss were on the other side, not us. The emperor already carried the reputation of being incompetent and of bringing conflict and misfortune. If the rain ritual had failed, that burden would have fallen on Zerpell instead.

‘The lack of rain is a national emergency—it means they can’t treat me lightly.’

He was used to using his status to suppress others, but now he was the one on the receiving end. This must be what they call putting oneself in another’s shoes. Now you know how it feels!

“But you could have put yourself in danger.”

Zerpell scolded me with a stern face.

“I thought hard about what to say…”

Pouting, I stuck out my lower lip, displeased that he didn’t understand my intentions and was only rebuking me.

“But… you were immensely reliable. Thanks to you, things will proceed more smoothly. Since you’ve done a great deed, I’ll grant you a reward later. Personally.”

It seemed he was echoing the emperor’s earlier statement about granting anything. Zerpell’s expression softened like melting ice. Embarrassed, I cleared my throat. Flustered, I rubbed the back of my neck.

“As long as you understand.”

Even after we had stepped down, the emperor kept rubbing his forehead before issuing a command.

“Where is the music?!”

Startled, the musicians began to play. The once silent banquet hall filled with melodies. As the music flowed, the emperor and empress suddenly stood, hand in hand. The nobles quickly stepped back to form a large circle, and in that space, the emperor and empress began to dance to the song. The nobles simply watched.

The sudden dancing left me confused.

“The first dance of the banquet is reserved for its hosts. Once the hosts dance, the banquet officially begins. After the first dance, others may join in.”

A soft, graceful voice spoke behind me. I turned quickly to find Camilla smiling gently. Beside her, Duke Bert was watching with a satisfied expression.

“You were splendid, Your Highness. Especially the Divine Envoy’s remarks. The nobles are stirred. It will likely be easier to win them over now. However…”

“What is it?”

“Marquis Franchia is here.”

“Well, this is a gathering of all the nobles, after all.”

“If that were all, it would be fine… but it seems he is talking about making a comeback. Her Majesty may have had a hand in it.”

The empress? Isn’t that serious? I looked at Zerpell in shock. He furrowed his brow, clearly not expecting this either. Duke Bert turned to me with an apologetic tone.

“I believe it’s necessary to demonstrate things clearly. Of course, I am aware of your relationship with His Highness, but for appearances’ sake, certain actions are needed. The more we show, the better. I’m sorry, Divine Envoy.”

I was bewildered as to why he would apologize to me.

“Tsk. Of all people, why would he talk about a comeback now…”

“Comeback? What kind? Is it political?”

Worried, I clutched Zerpell’s sleeve, but he gave no response. Who exactly was this Marquis Franchia? I felt a tinge of hurt at being left out of the conversation. Zerpell, usually so perceptive of my mood, was now deep in thought, stroking his chin. I had been pushed to the sidelines.

Judging from Zerpell’s grim expression, it seemed Marquis Franchia was attempting to reestablish his standing within noble society.

“It seems the dance will end soon.”

As the emperor and empress concluded their dance, they seemed to have no intention of lingering—either they had never planned to stay long, or they were in a foul mood. They left, having fulfilled their formal duties. But the other nobles, watching closely, refrained from dancing. Only the sound of music filled the hall, with no one taking to the floor.

A small sigh came from beside me. Zerpell gently placed a hand on my head and spoke quietly as he patted me.

“It’s merely for show, so don’t worry. Don’t let it get you down.”

He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear as he spoke. Behind us, Camilla covered her mouth and chuckled softly. Zerpell then extended a hand to her, and Camilla, as a sign of acceptance, placed her hand atop his. The two of them walked slowly together, and under the watchful gaze of all the nobles, they began to dance.

Most nobles were careful with their words, wary of Zerpell’s ambiguous attitude. But not everyone was so reserved. Some, seeing Zerpell dance with Camilla, began to speculate openly.

“Looks like the Divine Envoy’s attire was just a signal of his closeness with His Majesty.”

“They make such a lovely couple.”

“It’s a good match politically too, isn’t it?”

“Why would His Highness settle for a man, when he could have her?”

“He needs to think about an heir too.”

“Do you think they’re truly engaged?”

“Look how tenderly they dance—doesn’t that say it all?”

It felt like someone had smacked the back of my head. This had been one of the reasons I hesitated when he first confessed. The music no longer sounded sweet. Watching the two of them dance so beautifully together didn’t make me angry—it simply drained me. Because even I thought they looked perfect together. It was a bitter sense of inferiority.

Zerpell had told me not to get depressed, but I was already sinking fast. I kept telling myself it was nothing, but my heart wouldn’t listen.

“Divine Envoy, it’s merely a political act. Please don’t take it to heart.”

Perhaps noticing the gloom on my face, Duke Bert spoke kindly. But I already knew that. I didn’t believe Zerpell’s affection was a lie. Still, I couldn’t suppress how I felt.

Hadn’t I thought the same thing myself? I, too, had worried about gender. I had even worried about an heir.

I had momentarily forgotten because of the sweetness Zerpell offered. Biting my lip, I tasted the bitterness again. I had been the one to openly display our closeness, but now that he danced with Camilla, the nobles’ shifting attitudes irritated and hurt me.

‘I’m the one dating the master…’

And yet, I couldn’t get angry—because I had once thought the same way. I forced a smile at Duke Bert to assure him not to worry.

“……”

I was dying to cut in boldly, but it was as if my feet had been glued to the floor. I couldn’t move.