Chapter 43: The Emperor’s Interrupted Dance

Ketia nodded, leading his horse towards the city gates.

Having passed through the city gates, Ketia proceeded directly towards the grandest edifice within the city: a magnificent, golden castle.

As they traversed the azure cobblestones, the prison cart’s rolling wheels emitted a rhythmic ‘thump-thump-thump’.

Upon entering the city, and witnessing the scenes unfolding before their eyes, Qi Lin and her two companions in the cage gripped the bars tightly, their expressions slowly turning grave.

“Is this how they treat our kin?”

Gazing at a black-clad man in the distance, who raised a long whip and lashed it across a collared, blood-streaked cat-person, Nia’s tail twitched anxiously, her voice trembling with unease.

“Not just our people, but other races too.”

Ailin’s brow furrowed as he observed a Troll, limbless and abandoned in a dark alley, ignored by all; his voice was low.

‘This is nothing short of a demon’s den!’

Clenching his eyes shut, Ailin fiercely pounded the bars with his fist, eliciting a low clang.

He sought to use the faint pain in his hand to prevent himself from recalling the Troll’s desperate gaze.

Qi Lin bit her lip, remaining silent.

The low clang from the prison cart’s bars prompted Ketia to glance back slightly.

“What are you doing?”

Ketia’s words drew the three out of their silence.

“N-nothing.”

Nia whispered, averting her gaze from her wounded kin.

“See that it stays that way.”

With that utterance, Ketia quickened his pace towards the palace.

“Will we become like that too?” Nia curled her ears, her voice trembling as she hugged her knees on the ground, ensuring Ketia was no longer paying them attention.

Ailin found himself at a loss for words in response to Nia’s loaded question, for he, too, did not know if they would meet such a fate.

“Both of you, don’t be so disheartened,” Qi Lin said, biting her lip, uttering words even she scarcely believed. “Perhaps we still have a chance to escape?”

“Mm.”

Nia softly responded, then fell silent once more.

‘It seems my words had no effect at all…’

Sighing, Qi Lin sat down where she was.

There was little else she could do but take things one step at a time.

“Colonel Ketia, welcome back!”

In front of the inner city wall, a waiting Royal Knight respectfully greeted Ketia.

“Yes, is His Majesty currently in the palace?” Ketia returned the greeting, then inquired.

“Indeed,” the Royal Knight replied with a smile. “His Majesty has been here all day.”

“I understand.”

With that, Ketia led his horse towards the castle.

Pausing at the foot of the castle’s grand staircase, Ketia unlatched the cage.

“Come down, all of you. I shall take you to meet His Majesty.”

Qi Lin, Ailin, and Nia exchanged glances before Qi Lin led the way out of the cage.

With Qi Lin at the forefront, the silent Nia and Ailin followed closely behind.

Leading the three shackled prisoners up the porcelain-white staircase, Ketia’s expression was grave and solemn.

They entered the castle, traversing a long corridor.

Finally,

In a vast hall, where a golden-framed throne with a red backrest stood prominently, the four encountered a man clad in white robes adorned with gold-edged patterns, and a woman in a long white gown, holding a violin.

The man, at that moment, was gracefully dancing below the throne, swaying to the enchanting music played by the woman.

Observing the man’s enraptured movements, Ketia silently placed a hand over his chest and bowed slightly.

Qi Lin tugged at the sleeve of the person beside her, whispering, “Is that Candillac’s Emperor, Novas?”

The sound of the violin ceased abruptly, coinciding with Qi Lin’s words.

“Who dares interrupt me!”

Novas halted his dance, his eyes wide with fury as he glared in their direction.

Under his intense gaze, Qi Lin felt a prickle of internal awkwardness.

“Your Majesty, I apologize. I failed to properly manage these prisoners.”

Ketia knelt on one knee, offering his apology to Novas.

“Ketia? You’ve returned?” Novas looked down at the kneeling Ketia.

“Yes, Your Majesty!” Ketia affirmed, lowering his head.

A brief silence ensued before Novas walked to the throne and seated himself, then gestured to the long-gowned woman. “You may leave!”

“As you command, Your Majesty!”

Putting away her violin, the woman curtsied and slowly exited the hall.

Once she had departed, Novas crossed one leg, rested his chin in his hand, and cast a sidelong glance at Ketia.

“Is the matter resolved?”

“Yes, Your Majesty!” Ketia replied with solemnity.

“Stand and speak,” Novas commanded, uncrossing his leg and rising.

Ketia acknowledged the command, slowly rising to his feet.

With his hands clasped behind his back, Novas descended from the throne step by step, approaching Qi Lin.

“White hair? It seems you are the one.” Novas smiled faintly, pinching Qi Lin’s cheek.

“Why are you looking for me?” Qi Lin asked, her words slightly muffled by the grip on her face.

“It’s not me looking for you; it’s someone else.” Novas released Qi Lin’s face, chuckling softly.

“Someone else?”

Rubbing her slightly reddened cheek, Qi Lin’s expression turned inquisitive.

‘Who would be looking for me? I don’t have any enemies on this continent, do I?’

“Yes, someone else. As for why they’re looking for you, I don’t know either.” Novas shrugged.

“What is their name?”

Qi Lin pressed her lips together, her brow furrowed as she asked.

“No comment!” Novas spread his hands.

“So, someone tells you to capture me, and you just do it? We don’t have any deep-seated animosity, do we?”

Taking a deep breath, Qi Lin fixed her gaze on Novas.

Novas met her blood-red eyes, and for reasons unknown, a chilling sensation crept into his heart.

After a moment of silence, Novas leaned down slightly, bringing his gaze level with Qi Lin’s. “The glow emanating from your eyes is something I’ve never witnessed before.”

“Huh? What did you say?”

Qi Lin blinked, indicating that she had no idea what he was talking about.

“Nothing.” Straightening his posture, Novas placed one hand behind his back and the other on his abdomen. “In any case, you and the other two needn’t think of escaping now. Here, you will simply embrace your destiny!”

“What do you intend to do to us?”

Ailin’s eyes widened, and he snarled, glaring furiously at Novas.

“What do I intend to do? Well, that depends… on my mood.” The Youth offered Ailin a malicious smile before turning towards his throne.

“Very well, Ketia, take these two beast-folk and the white-haired girl to the dungeon for now! I need to consider how to deal with them.”

Gazing at the retreating figure heading towards the throne, Ketia respectfully bowed.

“As you command, Your Majesty.”

With that, Ketia led the three prisoners out of the hall.

Soon, Novas was left alone in the hall.

From his throne, Novas surveyed the empty hall, his formerly smiling face now utterly calm.

*Thump!*

His calm facade vanished, replaced by furious indignation as Novas clenched his fists and slammed them against the armrest of his throne, producing a dull thud.

“Damn it, damn it! Why did they interrupt me? Why?! I was so close, just a fraction away from finishing a perfect dance! Why?! Why interrupt? Couldn’t they have waited until I was done dancing to speak? Argh!”

Roaring loudly at the empty hall, Novas’s eyes were bloodshot and his teeth gnashed in frustration.

After several ragged breaths, Novas’s enraged expression once again settled into calm.

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