Chapter 40

40 “Imperial Letter”

Eleanora’s POV ~

I stood there motionlessly, imerged in my past memories. I could feel Dominic and Liana calling my name but i couldn’t response to them.

I could hear them talking but i couldn’t understand what exactly they are talking about.

Then at a moment, Liana suddenly kissed my forehead and finally i felt like my mind have gone blank.

But it was a warm and refreshing feeling. My headache seem to be gone and am much better now.

I couldn’t think of anything about the past anymore and came to my senses.

“Hhhaa-” I let out my breathe and finally responsed to them.

“Ele, We need to get out from here first...” Dominic said.

We currently trespassed and murdered a viscount no less. We will face many questions about this if we get caught.

.....

“Burn down this place, leave no trace of us...” I replied to him and Dominic just looked at me with a kind of mixed emotions.

Surprise, Amused, shocked, horror... i can’t explain it.

“Do what she said first, Your highness!” Liana rebuked Dominic when she saw how he was in a daze.

“Dominic can handle this, we should get out first from here with the girls...” I said as Liana helped me to stand up.

Dominic nodded to me before he handled the guards and started to make process to burn this place.

I took them to the mountain near the viscount estate and watched as the luxury mansion filled up with black smoke and gradually the red flames become higher and higher.

The maids and guards started to look for water to distinguish the fire; but it won’t be that easy to put off a hair this big.

Dominic soon came out and joined us, as we kept staring at the mansion burning and turning into dust.

‘This is something i didn’t did in my past life... but also something very similar to the past things i have done...’

Yeah, I was this cruel and cold blooded that i never even blinked before killing someone.

But never once in my life i had willingly hurted someone innocent, where i was killed despite being innocent.

The dark night was starting to fade away as we would feel the sky brighten up.

Dominic helped the girls to get into a wagon, that will directly take them to the place Dominic have arranged temporarily.

So, it was only me, Dominic, Liana and Jennie; who was still standing and seeing the red flame put off slowly.

Jennie turned to me as she hold my hands to thank me and kneeled down.

“Thank you so much, Princess. If it wasn’t because of you, we would never been able to escape from there.”

I smiled faintly as i kneeled down beside her too.

“Princess! What are you-”

“Ssh! we are no different from each other. I was given the power to protect you guys.”

In my past life, i always wanted to help the week but i couldn’t because i had to maintain my image as an empress.

I wanted to become a knight to protect them, which i couldn’t.

“M-May i follow you from now on princess?” Jennie asked me and i was stunned to hear her.

“Sister! Aren’t you gonna live with me in the temple?” Liana asked as she was hurted by her words.

“I can’t be a burden on you anymore, Linnie. This time, i want to follow the person who gave me a new will to live. I worked as a merchant before. So i know how to fight. Let me serve you, my master.”

Jennie said to me and i could find the same determination of honesty and sincerity that i saw in Liana before.

“Are you sure, Jennie?”

“Yes, am sure. My lady.”

“Then from now on, you will be one of my people, Jennie.”

“You can call me, Jena. That’s my real name, My lady.”

I looked at her with a horrified bewildered look.

“J-Jena?”

“Yes, My lady. Previously Lennie used to call me Jennie to match my name with hers.”

I just smiled at her and started to walk towards to the wagon.

‘No, She can’t be the Duke’s daughter Jennifer, the one who was the ultimate mastermind, who pushed me into hell along with Cathain.

Moreover, Jena was at the same age as him, but this Jena is almost eighteen; four years older then him now.

She also have brown hair, not blonde and it’s a common name!’

I calmed my inner turmoils as i walked. But then a sudden question popped up in my head.

‘Where is Jena now then?’

______ _______ _______

A month later~

The problem with viscount was only known as a accidental fire.

No one would ever suspect a ten year old girl, who is the saintess and a princess to do this anyway.

We all got away quite easily even if i felt something was not so simple.

Am still recovering as my barely eleven year old body couldn’t take the amount of power i used that day; causing my all mana powers to drag away from my body.

Dominic and Liana have settled those girls in the empire with a resturent.

Now they earn their own livings and can protect them.

Jennie has become one of my maids and she also helps me train now.

I call her Jennie as am not comfortable with the name ‘Jena’.

Although i started to train a long time ago, but not practicing for almost nine months has caused my body to stiffen a little.

I write two letters to father, not knowing either he received them or not yet.

I already miss him; where i know he won’t be able to come back before three years.

I was laying in the bed as i wasn’t feeling well when Maria came rushing in.

“My Lady, You got a letter from the imperial palace!”

I took the letter from her hands and noticed the crest on the outer envelope.

It was engraved with a roaring golden lion. It was none other than the crest of the imperial family.

My heart sank. Why did the emperor sent me a letter?

Did he perhaps knew it was me who killed the viscount?

I put my hand on my chest as my heartbeat beat nervously and took a big breath.

When I opened it with a trembling hand and read it, I tilted my head.

It had just one sentence on the luxurious paper saying that I had to see the emperor.

‘What is going on?’ Typically it would mention the reason...’

“Maria, Jennie”

“Yes, My lady?”

“I think I need to go to the Imperial Palace. Please help me get ready.”

“Really? But...”

“You know I can’t disobey the emperor’s order.”

Although she hesitated for a while, Maria reluctantly nodded and Jennie started to prepare for our depart.

I didn’t want to go, but I would feel uncomfortable if I didn’t go.

I need to know if the emperor knew about what i did or not.

Father is also not here, what should i do if i get caught?

The emperor might have omitted to mention the reason why he wanted to see me, but he didn’t mention the reason in the letter...why?

I raised my body, feeling dizzy.

.....

‘Can I reply that I can’t go? What if I get blamed?’

After hesitating for a moment, I headed for the Imperial Palace, leaving Maria and Jennie behind, looking at me worriedly.

________ _________

“I, Eleanora Ariande Dalton, am honored to see Your Majesty, the Sun of the Empire.”

“It’s been a while, Eleanora. By the way, are you sick?”

“I haven’t been feeling well. I’m sorry to let you see me like this.”

“Oh, if I knew you were sick like this, I would have called upon you another day. Let me send a royal doctor to treat you.”

“No, you don’t have to, Your Majesty. I’m fine.”

“This is my order.”

“... Thanks for your considerations, Your Majesty.”

When I answered reluctantly, the emperor nodded.

“You must feel lonely as your father is away now. How are you doing?”

“I’m keeping well, all thanks to Your Majesty.”

“Well, I wanted to see you as I have some questions.”

I felt my legs was giving out. How did he knew? we left no trace!

Is he going to put me into the jail? Am i going to be executed again?

“Who is serving you as your bodyguard? Are there any knights around in your house?”

I was stunned by his words for a moment but i quickly gathered my thoughts.

“There are some apprentice knights, Your Majesty.”

“Alas! He should have left a couple of strong knights to protect you. How inflexible he is! How can you keep the house without any guardians? Let me dispatch a royal knight to you as of today.”

I opened my eyes wide. ‘A royal knight?’

They exist to protect the royal family alone. The emperor’s measures were highly extraordinary.

Except for legitimate royal family members, nobody can be escorted by the royal knights.

Even though I am the crown prince’s fiancee, I am currently a daughter of a Duke family.

And i heard from father that there are only a quite few knights left to protect the emperor.

Most of the knights are on the border.

“Please withdraw your order, Your Majesty. That’s an extraordinary special treatment for me.”

“No, it’s not. You are the only saintess and the next empress, aren’t you?”

“Your Majesty...”

“Let me promise you I won’t ask you for anything else because of this. How about that? Are you still going to refuse it?”

Fuck! So he really knows about what i did to the viscount!

He is threating me with a friendly smile!

“... I’m deeply touched, Your Majesty. I’m endlessly grateful to you.”