Chapter 23: The Emperor (3)
“What... what is all this...?”
“Hm, did the black mage’s restraints come undone?”
As the garden floor became engulfed in suspicious silvery-white mist, the ministers—who had been frozen in place—began murmuring in panic.
“Hmph.”
Standing unbothered amidst the rising confusion, the Emperor’s gaze was fixed on Whitney, the clear source of the smoke.
“Sir Whitney, this is... quite unexpected.”
Her calm voice drifted through the haze, and Whitney, who had kept his eyes on Meredia, slowly turned his head to look back at her.
“So this is your choice?”
“Haha...”
Their eyes—those same half-lidded crescent smiles—met through the smoke, silently crossing like blades.
“I think I finally understand why the ministers make that sickened face every time they look at me.”
One side radiated killing intent. The other side remained unreadable, shrouded in mystery. That was the only difference.