The Holy Emperor's Curiosity
“You brought along two beggars, huh? What's on your mind, Saintess?”
“Beggars? They're my friends. I'm not thrilled about you treating them like that.”
Estelle furrowed her brow but responded to the Holy Emperor's words without missing a beat.
“Hm? Something's different about you.”
Estelle had always spoken her mind bluntly, but she'd never gone against the Holy Emperor's will. Yet the current Estelle felt far more rebellious than usual—like she wouldn't follow orders even if told to right now.
“People change, naturally. It all depends on who you spend your time with, doesn't it?”
To the Holy Emperor, Estelle had always been someone who blurted out whatever was on her mind but cowered in fear. But now, she wasn't shrinking back or trembling at all. Instead, she was acting downright annoyed. It was astonishing how just a few months could bring about such a shift.
“Found someone you like, Saintess?”
The Holy Emperor figured the biggest changes in people came from falling for someone. He himself had been transformed by his first love back in the day.
“Doesn't seem like a girl, so maybe it's one of the guys she brought?”
Estelle hesitated for a moment on how to answer, but it wasn't really something to agonize over.
“That's right. But you'd better not try anything. No matter how holy you are, you can't beat him.”
Of course, starting a war would make it more than a personal fight, but one-on-one? Estelle had zero doubt Theo would lose.
“That strong, huh? Now I'm intrigued.”
The Holy Emperor smirked, his words slithering out like a snake, and Estelle's face twisted in disgust.
“That perverted streak of yours hasn't changed.”
To the public, the Holy Emperor was kind and gentle, but behind the facade lurked a deeply perverse nature—one that compelled him to challenge anyone stronger until he crushed them.
“You won't win this time, no matter what. Give it up.”
Estelle pondered briefly before speaking. Normally, it might've been to protect someone dear, but this time, it was sincere toward the Holy Emperor himself. She was utterly convinced he couldn't beat Theo.
“Bring them both. You've piqued my interest—I can't just let it slide.”
“I told you you'd lose, and you won't even listen.”
“You won't know until you try, will you, Saintess? Besides, one of them's the crown princess of that empire anyway. We should at least exchange greetings.”
When Estelle had barged into the Ermunt Empire on her own, the emperor had sent Iris, the crown princess, for a perfunctory welcome. Remembering that, the Holy Emperor pointed out that with the princess here in the Holy Empire, formalities were in order.
“Do whatever. I won't take responsibility.”
There wasn't a hint of worry for Theo in Estelle's attitude. That only made the Holy Emperor more curious. People always wanted to protect what they cherished—yet here she was, showing no concern at all. He'd never heard of such a powerhouse.
“This'll be fun.”
The Holy Emperor, who loved that sort of thing, broke into a beaming smile after Estelle left—the warm, kind one that had the entire empire singing his praises.
“So that's how it went—the Holy Emperor wants to greet you. Is that okay?”
Estelle, who'd gone to inform the Holy Emperor of our situation, returned with word that he suddenly wanted to meet us.
Ah, sure. Even if we'd snuck in, the Holy Empire had to welcome Iris like Ermunt had welcomed Estelle. That made sense. But why me...?
“Iris makes sense, but it's surprising he wants to see me too. I'm just a regular commoner.”
“Actually, he's more interested in... well, you, Theo.”
Eh? Interested in me?
I'm not really into guys.
“Guys are a bit outside my strike zone.”
“...Yeah, I bet the Holy Emperor feels the same.”
“Joking, Estelle.”
“Oh, really? Haha! That was hilarious!”
Not funny at all. I awkwardly smiled back at Estelle's forced reaction.
“But seriously, why's he interested? Has my reputation already spread to the Holy Empire?”
What reputation? I'm nobody.
“The Holy Emperor has this... perverse side. He has to beat anyone stronger than him...”
“Saying I'm stronger than him without ever sparring? That's nonsense.”
We hadn't fought or anything—how could anyone prove I was stronger?
“...Sorry. I think I misspoke.”
Ah, so Estelle must've let slip that I was stronger than the Holy Emperor. And he'd taken it at face value, getting curious enough to test me.
“Estelle, how could you cause Theo such trouble?”
Iris jumped in, scolding the suddenly flustered Estelle.
“No, Iris, stop. It's fine. These things happen.”
Seeing Estelle's expression darken ominously, I stepped between them to intervene.
These two—they're itching for a bad end every chance they get.
Troublemaker tsk tsk
See? If I hadn't stopped them, it'd be straight to bad end oblivion. No, seriously—these two can't be left alone together. Ugh.
“Anyway, since we're here, let's go say hi.”
Honestly, I was curious about the Holy Emperor too. In the game, his appearance was just a question mark, no illustration. He'd never shown his face at Ermunt's public events, and the Holy Empire's internet and media were less developed than Ermunt's, so no community pics either. Curiosity had been building.
“Sure, I'll guide you.”
We followed Estelle to the Holy Emperor's office, not far away.
“Holy Emperor, coming in.”
Estelle barged in without knocking, bold as ever. I was the only one flustered—Iris followed without a blink. Are all royals like this...?
“Ah, you must be Ermunt's crown princess. Pleased to meet you, Princess. Welcome to the Holy Empire.”
As I trailed behind Estelle and Iris, the veil finally lifted on the enigmatic Holy Emperor. Despite no blood relation to Estelle, he looked so much like her family—stunningly handsome, the kind of vibe that screamed, If Estelle were a guy, she'd look just like this.
“I'm Iris Lua Sa Ermunt, crown princess. I apologize for the unannounced visit.”
Iris offered greetings and regrets in one.
“No need. Our saintess pulls stunts like this all the time. Oh, and the one behind you is Estelle's...”
“Friend.”
Estelle cut him off, glaring daggers as she spat the word.
Um, yeah. Friends, technically.
“Right. The saintess's friend.”
He held back a laugh—odd, but he was the Holy Empire's top dog. I bowed first.
“I'm Theo. Sorry for sneaking in like this.”
“No worries. Friends of the saintess are always welcome. Shame you can't stay longer in the Holy Empire... but you're all academy students, so no dice.”
He knew our tight schedule—not even a full day—and feigned disappointment.
“It would've been great if you stuck around to teach me a thing or two.”
Teach him? Is he nuts?
“Haha, I'd be the one learning from you, Holy Emperor. Not sure I have anything to teach.”
“Too humble for a saintess's friend. But I like that humility.”
“Are you calling me rude by roundabout means?”
“No, not roundabout—just straight-up. Saintess.”
They seemed on bad terms, yet not entirely hostile. Maybe Estelle's feistiness amplified it?
“Anyway, next time, stay longer and show me your skills. How about you all visit together during summer break?”
Was he planning to pin us down for a real test? Just like that, we got an official summer invite from the Holy Emperor.