CH 131

“D-did you do something to me? Why else would I have—”

“Shut up,” Yuliana snarled.

Surprise painted the hotel owner’s face. Until this morning, he thought he could willingly offer up whatever the princess desired without a single regret. If his efforts meant the princess would spare one more glance his way, he would be satisfied. Yet, the Yuliana who stood here now, snapping at him to shut his trap, caused a chill to run down his spine. Who is this woman? Is she really the same woman as the lovely Princess Yuliana?

“It seems that the empress really is canceling out my powers, but that all ends tonight,” Yuliana muttered in an icy tone. “There’s still work left for you, so stay enchanted a little longer.”

“Wh-what are you…” The hotel owner took a step backwards, sensing a sinister and unnatural aura from the princess. He noticed Yuliana shake the glass in her hand. To his astonishment, the water began to wriggle and float as if it was alive. A yelp of fear caught in his throat as his mind screamed to turn and run, but it was too late. The levitating glob shot from the glass straight into his mouth. He choked and coughed painfully, and his body spasmed violently. When he was finally still, Yuliana addressed him again.

“So, owner. How much was my stake in the casino?” Yuliana asked.

“It was half,” the hotel owner replied.

“What to do… I believe that I will be needing more than that.”

“Then I shall hand over all of it to you, Princess Yuliana.”

Yuliana beamed at his response, and she glanced down at the bright and shining light emitting from her bosom. The warning she’d received as heir to not recklessly use her powers until the succession of the Archwitch was complete rang out in her head, but she quickly dismissed it. The powers would be hers in the end anyway. What was the harm of using a little in advance?

She had tapped into the power sparingly up until now. She had mastered how to enchant and earn the favors of others, but it still wasn’t an easy power to wield as she wished. However, today she would unleash the unbridled power within her. Nothing would be able to derail her plan.

“Good. Prepare a new contract as soon as possible. Putting that aside, how is the empress faring?”

“She seemed greatly shocked, and at a loss.”

“Is that so? I certainly can’t miss the sight of that.”

It didn’t take much effort to locate Cecile. Yuliana found her being briefed by a casino attendant on the situation. The empress’s shocked expression, shaking eyes and trembling hands brought immense pleasure to Yuliana. As if noticing Yuliana’s gaze, Cecile’s head turned and the empress glowered in her direction.

‘What can you achieve by glaring?’ Yuliana taunted Cecile in her mind, as she hid her mirth behind her fan. In her opinion, Cecile had only secured the position of empress through the dumb luck of there first. There was no trace of light from the empress, which meant that she must be a guardian witch or an heir of lesser powers. If her assumptions were correct, the moment Yuliana drew out her powers and confronted Cecile, she wouldn’t dare fight back.

‘Today, my reign as empress of the empire will begin.’ The princess laughed as she began unleashing her powers at maximum capacity, intent on wiping away that impertinent glare in the empress’s eyes. Yet when her eyes returned to Cecile, she gasped. Contrary to her expectations, Cecile was not panicking. Her cold unyielding glare remained transfixed on Yuliana.

* * *

When the crash was heard, Cecile had tilted her head towards the noise wondering what had caused it. Soon a pale-faced attendant dropped to their knees before her and nervously reported the situation.

“I am sorry to inform you that Lady Irene suffered a tumble down the stairs and has injured herself.”

“What? Irene did?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“How badly is she hurt?”

“I am uncertain, but… she is apparently unconscious.”

Cecile tightened her grip around the scepter in disbelief. It had been only the night before that Irene had been coaching her on the number of steps in the casino’s stairwell, and the proper mannerisms and posture to gracefully port herself down the flight of stairs. That prudent woman had tumbled down the stairs? Utter nonsense.

Cecile gritted her teeth as she struggled to maintain her composure, while her eyes sought out Yuliana. When their eyes met, Yuliana appeared to have been waiting to be found. Her mouth was hidden behind a fan, but Cecile sensed the mirthful expression behind it. The intensity of the boiling rage surging within surprised her.

‘How dare she! Why would she hurt Irene?’ When Yuliana expressed her intention to snatch Estian away, Cecile was irritated but she wasn’t troubled by it. When she tried to find fault with the empress with petty schemes, Cecile tried to be understanding. She had everything Yuliana desired, so it couldn’t be helped that Yuliana’s envy was directed at her. This time, though, was different. She would never let this pass.

‘You should’ve targeted me. Irene has nothing to do with our little spat.’ Cecile shot daggers with her eyes at Yuliana. The only thing that remained on her mind was exacting retribution. She would make the princess pay. In that instant, too fleeting to be noticed, a thrum ran through all the water in the imperial capital.