Chapter 28
Chapter 28
“Your Imperial Highness. You’ve come.”
“Is His Majesty still attending to state affairs?”
“Yes, that’s correct. Had I known you would be coming, I would have informed him in advance. My apologies, Your Imperial Highness.”
“Is His Majesty inside?”
“Yes. However, he gave strict orders not to be disturbed by anyone after entering the office.”
“He said not to be disturbed by anyone?”
“Yes, not even for dinner. It’s been several hours since then.”
“He hasn’t eaten? Was this after he returned from the Princess’s Palace yesterday?”
“Yes, that’s right. But there’s been no sign of him coming out. He’s never done this before, so we’ve been agonizing over what to do.”
He’s locked himself in his office and ordered not to be disturbed after returning from the Princess’s Palace?
“I even considered going to see you, Your Imperial Highness, since we couldn’t disobey His Majesty’s orders. It’s truly fortunate that you came on your own.”
So that’s why he welcomed me so warmly.
“Very well. I’ll go in myself.”
“Thank you, Your Imperial Highness.”
After finishing the conversation, I immediately followed the Chamberlain up to the second floor, where the Emperor’s office was located. He glanced at me, his face slightly tense. It was clear that letting me in despite the Emperor’s orders was no small decision for him.
To ease his nerves, I gave him a small nod. Taking that as reassurance, he announced in a clear voice: “Your Majesty the Emperor. Her Imperial Highness is here.”
“…”
But no sound came from inside, no matter how long we waited.
“Announce it once more.”
“Yes, Your Majesty the Emperor. Her Imperial Highness has arrived.”
“…”
Still, there was no response, not even a hint of Calix’s voice, as though no one was inside.
“Your Majesty—”
“It’s fine. I’ll go in myself.”
“Understood.”
I stopped him just as he was about to raise his voice again and ordered him to open the door.
Soon, the door opened, and I carefully stepped into the office. As soon as I entered, the door shut behind me with a heavy thud.
The moonlight that had been streaming through the windows had vanished, and the candles placed around the room were starting to flicker out, making the room quite dark. Because of that, I couldn’t immediately spot Calix.
Not wanting to disturb him, I moved as quietly as I could, cautiously taking one step at a time. As I walked, I scanned the room to figure out where he might be.
The Emperor’s office was far more spacious than I’d imagined. Large bookshelves lined the walls on both sides, filled to the brim. In the center of the left side sat a sofa and table, while a desk and chair were positioned near the windows.
‘Huh?’
But Calix wasn’t in the chair where I thought he’d be sitting.
Where did he go?
I quickly began to search the office more thoroughly.
“Calix…?”
I called out softly, trying not to raise my voice. But there was no reply.
‘He was supposed to be in the office, so where could he have gone?’
“Calix, where are you?”
Even after combing the entire office and calling out to him, I still couldn’t find any trace of him. I had no idea how he could’ve left without anyone noticing, but it seemed he wasn’t in the office at all.
Just as I turned around, planning to tell the Chamberlain that Calix had disappeared, something caught my eye, a subtle difference in the bookshelves on either side of the room. Upon closer inspection, the middle section of the right bookshelf was slightly protruding.
I quickly walked over to it. Looking more closely, I realized it wasn’t actually protruding, but there was a gap.
So it wasn’t a bookshelf… it was a door? A hidden space?
Something told me Calix was in there. I hurriedly slipped my fingers into the gap. Pushing with all my strength, I was able to create an opening just wide enough for a person to slip through.
The space beyond was pitch black, as if there were no lights at all, far darker than the office. Relying only on the faint light spilling in from behind me, I cautiously stepped inside.
But the light wasn’t enough. I could barely make out the room’s structure.
“Calix… are you here?”
My voice echoed off the walls, sending a chill down my spine.
“Calix…”
As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I slowly began to make out the room. It was much smaller than the office, just a bed, a small table, and a chair. And lying face-down on the bed was a figure I instantly recognized.
Calix.
“Cal…”
Relieved and overwhelmed at having finally found him, I started to say his name but quickly bit my tongue. He was completely still, not moving at all. It looked like he was asleep.
Carefully avoiding anything that might make a noise, I crept toward the bed.
So he was sleeping here.
He must have lain down for a quick break while working and unintentionally drifted into a deep sleep.
Thank goodness.
Even though his face was buried and I couldn’t see him clearly, just being in the same space as him seemed to melt away the tension and anxiety that had weighed on me since I left the Empress’s Palace.
‘Should I stay until he wakes up? Or leave after a little while?’
I had confirmed that he was here, so I had technically accomplished what I came to do. As I debated what to do next and moved closer, something suddenly felt… off.
‘His breathing is too labored.’
From a distance, I hadn’t noticed, but now I could hear him gasping, almost wheezing, in a way that didn’t match someone peacefully asleep.
“Calix?”
Worried, I gently touched his shoulder. His clothes were drenched in sweat, and his body radiated heat.
“Calix!”
I placed my hand on the back of his neck, and it was burning hot, almost scalding to the touch.
“You’re burning up!”
Panicking, I grabbed him, trying to help him lie properly on the bed. But he was far too big and heavy for me to move easily.
“Calix, please wake up. Okay?”
I raised my voice, determined to rouse him.
“Haa…”
Thankfully, after a few calls, he stirred. I could feel his hot breath against my face.
“Calix, are you awake? Are you okay?”
“Ari…el…”
“Yes, it’s me, Ariel. How long have you been like this? No, never mind that. First, let’s get you lying down properly.”
I tried again to help him lie flat. This time, he moved along with me, making it much easier. But it was still too dark to see how badly off he was.
“Calix, I’ll bring someone right away. Just hang in there, okay?”
As I began to pull away, Calix grabbed my wrist. His grip was shockingly strong for someone who was supposed to be sick.
“Don’t… go.”
“What?”
“Ariel…”
“It’ll just be a moment. I’ll have the Chamberlain call a physician.”
“…That’s not necessary.”
“But you’re burning up. If we don’t treat this, it could be serious!”
I kept trying to reason with him, but he stubbornly refused to let go.
“Calix.”
“…I’m fine.”
“You’re not…”
“All I need… is you. This time, don’t leave me. Please…”
This time? What did he mean by that? Did he even realize what he was saying?
He kept mumbling the same words over and over, as if in a daze.
I wanted to ask what he meant, but now wasn’t the time. I tried again to pull my wrist free so I could go, but his grip only tightened.
‘This isn’t going to work.’
In the end, I gave up and decided to stay just like he wanted.
“Alright. I won’t go. I’ll stay with you. But please, let me see how you’re doing. I just need to get a lantern or a candle.”
Instead of forcing my hand free, I gently caressed the back of his hand that held my wrist, trying to soothe him. I waited for his grip to loosen, but no matter how long I waited, it didn’t.
Just as I was about to ask him to let go, the room suddenly lit up.
“Huh?”
Startled, I looked around. The candles mounted on the wall were now glowing brightly.
“What in the world…”
It was as if someone had lit them with magic. When I looked down at Calix again, a flicker of red flame vanished from his fingertips.
“Calix, did you do that?”
He gave a small nod.
“That was magic… wasn’t it?”
“…Yes.”
“You can use magic?”
“A little…”
“Oh…”
So it really was magic.
But… Calix could use magic?
That shouldn’t be possible…
……
T/N: Maybe… Calix regressed? Or like turned back time?
