The Saintess Returned to the Emperor’s Arms Chapter 116

That touch should have been mine

 

—Clang!

 

Greta put the glass down hard enough to shatter.

 

But even with that violent display of anger, the man sitting across from her continued his peaceful meal, not even flinching.

 

Greta found that absolutely ridiculous.

 

‘Was now really the time to be sitting face-to-face, having a cozy meal like this?’

 

“What on earth do you do?”

 

Over the past few days, they had engaged in a silent battle of wills.

 

But Greta now realized that the only one feeling suffocated by the silence was herself.

As expected.

 

As Greta opened her mouth, a strange smile appeared on the lips of the man who had been consistently ignoring her.

 

‘Disgusting bastard.’

Greta gripped her fork tightly, trembling.

 

It was impossible to attack him with force, as his servants were standing firm right behind him.

 

“The Emperor and Riella returned to the Empire.”

 

“I know.”

 

“They devoured my royal family whole and left, strutting away while receiving cheers from my people!”

 

“Oh? So you do think of them as ‘your people’? You didn’t seem to care much when they were dying off, crying out for their ‘princess’—’”

 

The man’s words were cut off—

 

Because Greta had thrown her fork at his face.

 

‘I might not be able to take him down, but I can do at least this much.’

 

Smirking slightly, Greta glared at the man, who now held one side of his face and lowered his head. He didn’t say a word.

 

“Master!”

 

“Are you okay?”

 

The servants who had been standing behind the table immediately rushed to him.

 

A few others moved to restrain Greta and grabbed her arms to keep her in place.

 

But Greta did not give in and raised her voice.

 

“If you have time to mock me, how about doing your damn job properly? Shouldn’t you have sent at least one assassin when the emperor was nearby?”

 

Despite Greta’s outburst, the man remained calm.

 

He lightly dismissed his servants and ran a finger over the scratch on his cheek.

 

His sky-blue eyes, fixed on the blood smeared on his fingertip, were completely void of emotion.

 

“If he were someone you could kill with a single assassin, why didn’t you take care of him yourself?”

 

“……”

 

Hearing that quiet question, Greta fell silent.

 

It was infuriating—but she had no retort.

 

“And I never said I planned to kill them.”

 

“Right. So what is your damn plan, then?”

 

She knew he was a descendant of Enril.

 

But so what?

 

Is he trying to usurp the throne? Or is he trying to take Riella? Revenge? Or love?

 

She vaguely suspected the man wanted Riella, but that was all.

 

She couldn’t figure out what he truly wanted or what his plans were.

 

“Let’s take it slow.”

 

“What—!”

“Let’s just finish our meal. Oh, by the way. Has your leg fully healed?”

 

His relaxed tone—even after she made him bleed—was infuriating.

 

Greta glared at the man trying to casually change the subject.

 

“Then tell me your name.”

 

“Name?”

 

“You said we’re allies, didn’t you? I’ve been here a month already. Isn’t that the least I deserve to know?”

 

The man kept his mouth shut.

 

For once, he seemed to consider her words seriously.

 

“Master.”

 

“What?”

 

“I don’t have a name. Just call me Master.”

 

At his childish answer, Greta burst out laughing—more from disbelief and frustration than humor.

 

‘At this point, isn’t this guy just a brainless, crazy idiot?’

 

“You crazy bastard.”

 

The ‘Master’ smiled brightly at Greta’s muttered curse.

 

Greta struggled a bit against the servants still holding her arms, but eventually gave in to her temper and stormed off back to her room.

 

* * *

 

It was several hours later when the servant bowed his head before the man, looking utterly ashamed.

 

“You lost the key?”

 

“Yes. I’m sorry, sir. I swear it was in my pocket before dinner. Ah… wait.”

 

The servant, who had been thinking about what had happened earlier, raised his head.

 

The man could easily guess what the servant had realized.

 

“Did the princess steal it?”

 

“Yes, I believe so. I thought it was strange when she tried to start a fight out of nowhere.”

 

“Pfft. Clever girl.”

 

The servant ground his teeth and twisted his neck in frustration.

 

But it was the man who stopped him from running off to retrieve the key from the princess.

 

“It seems like the princess is trying her best, so just leave her alone.”

 

“But… will it be alright?”

 

“She’s right. It’s about time we started moving too. There’s no need to keep watching her for now—take some time off.”

 

* * *

 

That night.

 

Greta, hiding under the blanket and pretending to sleep, quietly lifted her head at the sound of the front door opening.

 

She jumped up and peeked out the window, and saw the servants leaving the mansion on horseback.

 

‘What the…? Where are they all going? One, two, three… they’re all leaving?’

 

That means, the man and herself are the only ones left in this mansion.

 

‘What ridiculous timing. Almost too perfect.’

The moment she stole the key to the room at the end of the second floor, the servants just so happened to leave.

It felt fishy, but it was too good an opportunity to waste.

Until now, she’d been constantly watched and unable to do anything.

 

Especially on certain nights, the man would go into that room and lock the door—and on those nights, security was even tighter.

 

‘He’s definitely doing something there. Probably dark magic or curses.’

 

The key that Greta had taken from the servant’s pocket earlier was the key to that room.

 

It wasn’t something that was easily stolen.

 

That is the result of several days of searching, observing, and planning.

 

Greta stared at the key and held it tightly.

 

‘If not today, then when will I be able to go in?’

 

Greta stood up carefully and walked out of the room barefoot.

 

She stood in front of the door at the end of the second floor.

 

After listening with her ear against the door and hearing nothing, she unlocked it and went into the room.

 

‘Oh no! He’s still in here—huh?’

 

Greta, who was taking a step back in shock, suddenly doubted her eyes.

 

Inside the dark room, a man was lying comfortably in an armchair with his eyes closed.

 

‘No way…’

 

Greta took another step in. The man didn’t move.

 

‘Is he sleeping?:

 

Greta stood there for a long time, forgetting why she had infiltrated the room.

 

She had expected a dark and dangerous ritual.

But sleeping? In this creepy place instead of his own bedroom?

 

‘Ha. This is really ridiculous!’

 

She wanted to slap the man in the face and get angry at him for sleeping like that.

 

Still, she held back her anger and explored the man’s surroundings.

 

Books on the table. Clutter in a drawer. Dusty objects in a box piled in the corner.

 

Just when she was starting to lose interest because everything was so boring, Greta’s eyes sparkled.

 

‘Oh.’

 

Among the old, worn things, one item stood out.

 

A necklace with a large gemstone.

 

‘Sapphire? I don’t think so.’

 

Even as a princess used to luxury, Greta had never seen a gem like that before.

 

A very deep blue color and a glossy surface, as if looking into an abyss.

 

The silver setting and chain were intricately crafted and well-maintained.

 

It meant that it was an item that had been carefully managed.

 

‘Why does he have something like this?’

 

“…errand for Sir Eric… report….”

 

“Hiks!”

Greta flinched and turned around.

 

The man had mumbled something in his sleep, but his posture hadn’t changed.

 

‘A dream? Seriously? You’re full of surprises, aren’t you?’

 

* * *

 

“I’m here on Sir Eric’s errand to deliver a report.”

 

“Huh? At this time?”

 

The main palace of the Elshweig Empire was brightly lit even in the middle of the night.

 

A soldier climbed the stairs to the second floor and showed a document to the knight guarding the door.

 

“Ah, you’re from the squad that just returned from the expedition. I’ll deliver the report—hand it over.”

 

“I will personally place it in His Majesty’s office.”

 

“What are you saying? You do know only authorized personnel are allowed on the second floor, right?”

 

The knight guarding the door frowned.

 

The knight’s shoulder straps had a red rose design embroidered on them, indicating that they were the Empress’s Guard.

 

The soldier had no choice but to take a step back.

 

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

 

“Since the Empress-to-be moved into her private quarters, security has been increased. Even a lowly soldier should know that?”

 

The knight’s eyes were sharp.

 

The Empress’s Guard was said to be an elite force individually selected by the Emperor, and it seemed that their reputation was not in vain.

 

“You. What’s your name and unit?”

 

“…….”

 

“Didn’t you hear me? Identify yourself.”

 

Despite the knight’s strict orders, the soldier remained expressionless and did not move an inch.

 

Just as the knight reached for his sword, the door behind him suddenly opened.

 

The soldier, who had been moving stiffly like a log the whole time, unconsciously trembled and staggered backward.

 

Because the one who opened the door and came out was none other than ‘Riella Blinite’.

 

“Oh. Sir Andel was on guard today? Thank you for your hard work.”

 

Riella’s voice.

 

“Yes, Lady Blinite. What brings you out at this hour?”

 

“I’m here to see His Majesty.”

 

“He said he’d be busy with paperwork and asked not to be disturbed.”

 

“I just… really wanted to see him. I have a feeling he’ll be here soon.”

 

Riela’s sparkling eyes.

Her sweet smile.

 

“Ah! See? I was right? There you are. Hehe. Your Majesty!”

 

Riella’s back view.

 

Her hair fluttered like flame, leaving behind a faint scent that lingered in the air.

 

The soldier holding the report unconsciously followed Riella’s footsteps.

 

“H-Hey! Wait! I’m not done with you! I said, state your name and unit! Where are you going?!”

 

The soldier ignored the knight and stepped forward again.

Thankfully, Riella hadn’t gone far.

 

She had hurried down the stairs and now stood in the red-carpeted lobby on the first floor, right in front of the Emperor, who had just returned, looking utterly exhausted.

 

“Riel—”

 

“Your majesty!”

 

Before the Emperor could even bring himself to say her name, Riella was already in his arms.

 

Although it may have been a bit against the dignity of a woman who would become an empress, no one criticized it.

 

Instead, a comfortable smile finally appeared on the faces of the knights and staff behind the emperor.

 

As if to say, ‘Now that Lady Riella is here, we can finally breathe easy’.

 

“Riella. Why weren’t you resting inside?”

 

“Because Your Majesty called for me.”

 

“I did?”

 

“Yes. Didn’t you? I heard it clearly.”

 

Riella lifted her head and asked while still being held by the Emperor.

 

The moment the Emperor met her calm eyes, he burst into a refreshing laugh.

 

Just moments before entering the lobby, he’d been staggering like a living corpse.

 

Yet now, in the blink of an eye, his face was glowing with joy, as if he’d found the very source of life.

 

“You’re right. I’ve been calling for you with all my heart.”

 

“See? I knew I was right.”

 

Riella stroked the emperor’s golden hair with her slender fingertips.

 

“Your Majesty, don’t push yourself too hard.”

 

“Okay….”

 

“If you really think it’s too much, take me with you.”

 

“That might mean you’d have to stay by my side all day, you know?”

 

“I’d be happy to.”

 

As the two of them exchanged sweet, love-filled words, everyone else respectfully lowered their heads—Everyone except for one person.

At the top of the stairs, a soldier stood, staring blankly down at them with a gaze so chilling it cut through the air.

 

The soldier thought:

 

That touch of Riella’s should’ve been mine.

 

“Kyle. If you’re having a hard time, tell me. I’ll hold your hand tight, okay? Promise me?”

 

Back in those young days, before that damned emperor even knew Riella.

 

It was he who was the first to receive Riella’s touch.

 

The soldier—No, Kyle—stared at Riella with unfocused eyes, tormented by a burning, desperate greed.

 

* * *