# Episode 4

“You can’t tell me you don’t know about the ‘miracle of the goddess’.”

“Of course I don’t. It’s the most common phrase I’ve heard since coming to the palace.”

 

“I won’t bore you with it. Read it.”

 

Leto pointed to the papers. I opened the document. It was indeed about a ‘miracle of the goddess’.

 

Miracles, where a statue of a goddess sheds tears, hears a goddess’s voice, or sees a goddess’s image, appear out of thin air.

 

Such things have been happening frequently in recent years.

 

But the imperial family understands the core truth. Miracles only happen to families who donate large sums to the temple.

 

In other words, most of the “miracles of the goddess” are fraudulent.

 

The problem is that it’s hard for the imperial family to reprimand the temple. This confidential document is circumstantial evidence, but it’s not enough. The Goddess Church stands on the solid faith of the people. They will need more conclusive evidence.

 

Of course, I know how this conflict ends.

 

A few years later, the imperial family fights a proxy war and a civil war. It’s called the Goddess War. This is where our heroine, marais, really comes into her own.

 

marais uses her powerful magic to defeat the High Priestess and her followers. Sadly, Louis and Sean are among them. After turning their backs on the imperial family, they join forces with the High Priestess.

 

The result is an imperial victory, and Leto bans the Goddess Cult.

 

What a tyrant. The High Priestess was to blame, but he outlawed the religion of his people. Of course, the Set Empire was pretty peaceful after that.

 

I closed the papers.

 

“Why are you showing me these classified documents?”

 

Leto picked at his chin lazily. His demeanor was unusually relaxed.

 

“Maybe because you’re important to me.”

 

No. Not at all.

 

“Quite the opposite.”

 

I pushed the papers toward him.

 

“I’m guessing you showed them to me because you’re confident you can get rid of me at any time.”

 

Leto gave me a faint smile. I couldn’t quite read the meaning.

 

“I realize that. Then you know why I bothered to show you this.”

 

I have an idea. The only possible purpose in this situation is appeasement.

 

The Imperial Court is after the High Chancellor’s misdeeds. Leto wants to show me that because if I were the High Priest, I’d be terrified.

 

And if appeasement doesn’t work, Simple. Kill him if necessary.

 

‘Anyway, it comes down to one thing. There is a possibility that I’m one of the High Priest’s men. He hasn’t abandoned the possibility.

 

Leto rose from his seat and slowly approached me. Leaning against the window, he grabbed the wine bottle.

 

My wine glass was filled with a lively clink.

 

“I think you’re a pretty smart woman, too smart to kill.”

 

He pushed his glass toward me. The red wine rippled in the glass.

 

He continued.

 

“So I’m going to give you a chance to confess—maybe your last chance to save your life.”

 

“…….”

 

“Do not fear the High Priest. I won’t even ask you how you came to be his long horse. If you confess properly, I’ll send it to you safely, wherever you want. Home or some other foreign land.”

 

“I see. A bargain.

 

I grabbed my wine glass. Leto’s eyes widened slightly. The glass was cold and hard.

 

‘I could fake it. Then I could get away with all of this. But… would Leto let me go? For confessing that I was once the High Priestess’s man?

 

“No. I don’t trust Leto. Just like Leto doesn’t trust me.’

 

I pushed the wine glass back in Leto’s direction.

 

“I’m sorry to hear that. If I were the High Priestess, you could have used this resurrection as evidence to press the High Priestess.”

 

“…….”

 

“I’m afraid I have nothing to offer.”

 

Leto was still leaning against the window, and that sleek, handsome brow furrowed.

 

“Funny.”

 

He muttered to himself. The leisure was gone, a hint of impatience flickering across his face.

 

“Very well, if that’s your choice.”

 

Let’s straighten up. He swept past me, then placed a hand on my shoulder, a mere touch that carried considerable authority.

 

“Well, I’ll see you at the gun convention.”

 

“I will.”

 

His heavy footsteps grew distant. I heard the cafeteria door open and close. I squeezed my eyes shut.

 

‘I’m scared. I’m so scared.’

 

I didn’t want to be around him for a second. He looks like he’s going to eat me at any moment.

 

I’ve been so distracted by the whole gun thing. I need to figure out how to get a divorce right now.

 

Suddenly, I admired Merrill. How the hell does she tame a man like that?

 

 

 

 

 

I went back to the palace without touching the food. Madame Marais greeted me.

 

“What are you doing here? I heard you had a luncheon with the Emperor, but… you don’t look well.”

 

“Oh, I’m feeling a little unwell.”

 

“That’s bad. Have you been sick?”

 

Mrs. Marais squeezed my hand. The warmth of it made me feel unnecessarily nauseous.

 

“Madame.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Among the imperial etiquette, there’s something about divorce, isn’t there?”

 

“Ah… yes. There is, though you don’t have to learn it.”

 

Madame marais was reluctant to talk. But when I prodded, she finally spoke.

 

“The divorce process isn’t complicated; it just requires consent from both the husband and wife.”

 

“Is that all it takes?”

 

“Well, there’s one condition: you have to be married for two years.”

 

“Why two years?”

 

“Because most people have children within two years of marriage, so don’t get divorced before then, although divorce is rare in the Huang family.”

 

Two years.

 

Livia’s been married for a year, with one year left.

 

It’s hard to run away now anyway. If we get caught, we won’t survive.

 

Let’s just survive for a year and then file for divorce to get away from this palace and Leto.

 

 

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

 

 

Late the next afternoon, “they” burst into the Oval Office.

 

“Livia.”

 

“Livia, my brother’s here!”

 

It was Louis and Sean. I greeted them happily.

 

“How long is the Emperor going to keep you in this tiny little palace, anyway?”

 

Sean said, plopping down on the couch. Louis and I sat down on the couch as well.

 

“The palace is big enough for me.”

 

They both made a face at my comment.

 

“Livia, you don’t have to be a penniless empress.”

 

“Yes, I don’t need to be any more frugal than I was when I was the Marquise, do I?”

 

Just then, a maid brought tea and sweets. They all tasted wonderful. After the bathhouse incident, the maids’ demeanor changed. They seemed to be watching the goddess more than me.

 

“What brings you here, anyway?”

 

“I have something for you.”

 

“Livia, you’re going to freak out.”

 

Shawn jumped up from his seat in the corner of the room and slapped his palms together twice in a cheerful manner.

 

Bam! Bam!

 

As if on cue, the door opened. The servants were there, carrying a bunch of luggage.

 

“Hey, what’s all this?”

 

“Oh, nothing. Gifts. It’s all yours. Don’t think of taking any of it.”

 

Louis gestured to the servants. They rushed in and set the box down.

 

“What gifts all of a sudden?”

 

“What are you all doing? Come on, unwrap them.”

 

At Sean’s command, the maids rushed in. Soon, the room was filled with all sorts of things.

 

Necklaces, rings, tiaras, silk handkerchiefs, shoes, hats, pendants, etc.

 

and dozens of colorful dresses.

 

“You’re giving me all this as a gift?”

 

“Livia.”

 

Louis gently grasped my shoulders.

 

“Sean and I have sent you gifts many times since you were married, haven’t we?”

 

“Ah…yes.”

 

“At some point, you started sending them back. You said you didn’t want to seem extravagant.”

 

livia said.

 

“This time, with your death, we’ve decided that we don’t know what our fate will be, so we’ll give our only brother only the best things.”

 

“Yes, even if it’s by force. I’ve brought it to you this time, so you can’t refuse.”

 

My God.

 

These brothers have gotten even more desperate.

 

By the looks on their faces, I knew I’d be in trouble if I refused. There was no reason to refuse.

 

“I know how you feel, and I’ll take it.”

 

“Thanks for accepting, Livia!”

 

Shawn threw his arms around me. He kissed my forehead several times.

 

Isn’t that right, brother?”

 

“Yeah. Do you know how upset I was every time I saw you at the banquet, Livia? Your dress was so frugal, and you said less and less as the day went on.”

 

Sean leaned toward me.

 

“The Emperor killed your chi, didn’t he?”

 

Well, that’s the best theory at the moment. But he’s not a child, and I can’t tell his family.

 

“No, it’s just that I’m not used to the imperial family.”

 

“In any case, Livia, tomorrow at the Gunkuk, you must project the majesty of an empress. I’ve searched the noble houses, and there’s no one prettier than you.”

 

“Thank you for your kind words.”

 

“Really!”

 

“Come on, Sean. We should get going. I’m sure Livia’s busy, too. So, Livia, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

 

“Bye. Bye.”

 

After a whirlwind visit, the two of them looked around at the enormous number of gifts.

 

I wondered if the maids were playing a trick on me.

 

 

 

 

 

That evening, I called the maid who had served livia. The maid was terrified and shook her head.

 

“Boo, you’ve been summoned, Empress.”

 

“I suppose you remember what I said whenever a gift came from the Matrion family?”

 

“What? Ah, yes. Of course.”

 

“What did I say?”

 

“Well, you sent them back because they were too colorful, embarrassing, or out of place.”

 

He’s shaking, but he doesn’t look like he’s lying.

 

It’s strange. Still, she is the favorite of the Marquis. Even favored by the Matrion brothers.

 

“And yet you chose to say things that would be degrading to the courtiers? It’s almost as if you wanted it to seem that way.

 

I shook my head. But then I shook it off.

 

… Don’t worry about it. I’ve got my own life to worry about right now.

 

 

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

 

 

The morning of the Founding Festival dawned. The palace has been bustling since the morning, working hard on my makeup.

 

The key was the dress. It was a formal occasion for the resurrected Empress to make her appearance. All eyes would be on me.

 

Last night, after much deliberation with Madame Marais, I decided on a dress. An elegant, opulent style that would reflect the majesty of the Empress.

 

A white silk dress that falls in soft curves. The gloves, the necklace, and the tiara. All were expensive luxuries, gifts from Sean and Louis.

 

When she was ready, she looked in the mirror.

 

“I look… pretty… pretty.

 

I’ve never felt so glamorous and elegant in my life. It was flowing naturally and gracefully.

 

The most amazing thing was my skin. I had hardly slept for the past ten days. And yet, my skin was as white and clear as freshly fallen snow.

 

I said to myself in the mirror.

 

“Let’s do this.”

 

After all, I was the only one I could trust.

 

It was then.

 

Ding.

 

There was a knock on the door, and Mrs. Marais entered.

 

“Your Majesty. The Emperor is here.”