Chapter 56: The True Emperor’s Game

“Conquer… conquer the world?”

All eyes fell upon Chloe, who glanced left and right, utterly mortified.

“First, the Eledis Empire. Then, Saint Fros. Further east, we’ll crush the Levantine States underfoot. Finally, we’ll subjugate the Anatossia Empire, the last remnant of the ancient empire. You will be the greatest conqueror in this world!”

Wuxu’s eyes gleamed with fervor.

Chloe hurriedly clapped a hand over her mouth.

A blush crept onto Wuxu’s face, yet she still seemed eager to say more.

“What a spectacular performance!”

Chloe shot a bewildered glance at Charles behind her. To her surprise, he had actually begun applauding.

A thunderous applause immediately erupted throughout the hall. Though the audience looked utterly bewildered, seeing the Crown Prince applaud, they promptly followed suit.

Norria looked utterly baffled, exchanging a confused glance with Chloe.

However, Lilith seemed to have understood her brother’s intent. She loudly declared, “Miss Wuxu has graced us with such a flawless impromptu performance! Truly deserving of the Saint Freesia Music Festival championship!”

The applause grew even more fervent. Wuxu stood up, looking at the siblings with a puzzled expression.

“That wasn’t a performance at all, I was just…”

Chloe pressed a finger to Wuxu’s lips, gazing at her with a hopeful plea.

“We can talk about it later.”

Wuxu nodded silently. She brushed off some dust and repositioned the silk outer garment that had slipped from her shoulder.

“My apologies, everyone, but I’ll need to borrow her for a moment.”

Charles leaned forward, stepping gracefully to take Wuxu’s hand.

Yet, Wuxu firmly slapped his hand away, instead taking Chloe’s hand and ascending the stairs with her.

Charles sighed, following behind them.

“Ah, as expected of the Crown Prince, he’s already charmed the music festival champion.”

“Tsk, tsk, that red-eyed girl is even more stunning. Could she be his too?”

“No wonder he’s always kept his distance from women. He must have been keeping his beauties hidden away.”

The male nobles around them whispered, their words filling Chloe with revulsion. Just as Wuxu was about to erupt, Charles, who was behind them, stopped.

“Gentlemen, do not misunderstand. My heart holds only one person.”

Charles’s gaze swept over the nobles below, and they immediately fell silent, turning away to mind their own business.

Charles then turned, smiling at Chloe.

“Please continue, Chloe.”

The inn was decorated with extraordinary opulence. The corridor walls were inlaid with gold, and diamond-studded knight armor stood between the passageways.

The plush, pristine red carpet was as soft as mochi, sinking beneath their feet as if they were treading through mud.

Chloe held Wuxu’s hand, remaining silent. She sought a topic to break the awkward silence.

“This place is truly dazzling.”

“Indeed, much like your exquisite beauty.”

Charles’s unexpected flattery stunned her. Realizing his slip, Charles quickly closed his mouth.

“Thank you.”

Chloe could only return the courtesy. Another thought then occurred to her.

“By the way, Wuxu, what did they mean by you being the champion?”

Wuxu remained expressionless. Chloe waved a hand before her eyes, and only then did Wuxu realize someone was speaking to her, a flicker of bewilderment in her icy blue gaze.

“My apologies, I was lost in thought.”

What was Wuxu thinking about? Chloe’s curiosity intensified.

Just as Wuxu was about to speak, Charles interjected.

“The Saint Freesia Music Festival is the most grand event in our nation. Each year, it selects a group of highly accomplished musicians, and Lady Wuxu is this year’s champion.”

Seeing that Charles had already said everything, Wuxu could only nod.

*Damn Charles! Why does he keep interrupting my bonding time with this beautiful girl?* Chloe’s annoyance with Charles skyrocketed.

“Lady Wuxu is truly exceptional. Her votes surpassed the second-place contestant by several thousand!”

Lilith’s eyes sparkled, her reverence clear.

“I merely passed by and played a tune. I never expected so many people to suddenly rush out to present me with an award.”

This brief conversation temporarily eased the atmosphere. However, Wuxu’s face remained taut, as cold and unyielding as an iceberg.

Chloe had assumed Charles would lead them to a room, but they passed through corridor after corridor, finally arriving before a formidable, locked door. The door was adorned with black and gold double-headed eagle patterns.

“We’ve arrived.”

Charles pushed open the door, and Chloe nearly fainted from shock.

An entirely naked old man appeared before them.

He was submerged in a bathtub, contentedly puffing smoke rings. His brown hair was already streaked with white. Upon seeing the group, he immediately sprang from the tub, scrambling behind a curtain.

Chloe stood in utter disarray, wishing only to unsee what she had just witnessed.

Norria nearly burst into laughter. Fortunately, Lilith fiercely pinched his leg, quickly transforming his suppressed laughter into a yelp.

After a moment’s wait, the old man pulled back the curtain, reappearing before them.

He had brown curly hair and was dressed in opulent red attire, his collar adorned with a golden emblem. The luxurious clothes concealed his age, making him seem like a completely different person from before.

But what was most striking was the crown he wore. Dozens of jewels encircled its base, with several golden spires reaching upwards, interspersed with blue and green gems. A thumb-sized ruby was set in the center of the crown, gleaming with crimson light under the illumination of the sconces.

“Father.”

Charles and Lilith bowed slightly.

This was Carloman, the Emperor of the Eledis Empire, and the key to saving Xina.

If she could obtain his blood, this trip to the capital would be a success, perhaps even negating the need for the wedding.

But what reason could she possibly give to extract blood from him? She couldn’t simply say, “I need your blood,” could she?

Moreover, for some unknown reason, Chloe detected no vampire aura from Carloman. Could it be that as fellow Ancient True Ancestors, they were undetectable to each other?

Confusion flooded Chloe’s mind.

“Charles, Lilith, and my dear son-in-law, you’ve finally returned. This beautiful and enchanting maiden must be Lady Chloe, I presume.”

“Yes, Father.”

Charles stepped forward, whispering a few words into Carloman’s ear.

“The charade should end now, Carloman. There are no outsiders here.”

Wuxu looked directly at Charles, uttering astonishing words.

Charles’s gaze swept over Chloe’s entire body, making her feel a flicker of discomfort. Then, he burst into laughter.

“Give me back that damnable crown.”

Carloman looked at Lilith, hesitating slightly. However, Charles snatched the crown from him and placed it upon his own head.

“I am the true Carloman, and he is my great-grandson, Carl.”

Carloman’s face broke into a wide grin. This was his true, complete form.

Norria’s jaw nearly dropped, and Chloe felt the same shock.

*Great-grandson? This…*

“Sitting on the emperor’s throne would inevitably draw suspicion, wouldn’t it?”

Carloman narrowed his eyes, staring at Chloe.

“Father, let’s go. This is a game for the adults.”

Lilith looked at Carl, who had been tossed aside and was now scrambling to his feet.

“You knew all along?” Carl murmured.

Lilith merely smiled without speaking. She took Norria’s hand, turning as if to leave.

“No, you will all stay.”

Carloman was already seated on the sofa, legs crossed, a long scepter in his hand.

“Lady Wuxu, would you be so kind as to reiterate your proposal?”

Carloman’s face was wreathed in smiles, his crimson eyes never leaving Chloe.

Wuxu’s mouth seemed sealed, her eyes darting nervously. She glanced at Chloe, then hesitantly said, “The proposal is…”

“Then allow me to reiterate it for you. I, Carloman, shall cede the rulership of the Eledis Empire to Chloe. She shall reign as Empress over Eledis.”

“What?!”

Chloe almost doubted her own ears. How had she suddenly acquired an empire?

“The price is—Chloe Raina shall marry me, at Cliff’s wedding the day after tomorrow.”