To be the Villainess

O26.

Chapter 26

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“GREETINGS to the sun of the Empire, your Imperial Majesty,” I said as we entered the Emperor’s office. The Grand Duke followed my lead, bowing deeply beside me.

“Please, raise your heads,” the Emperor replied smoothly, setting down his pen and standing. His smile was as polished as ever, but there was something off, something unnerving about the air in the room. I straightened, and from the corner of my eye, I noticed the Grand Duke shifting uneasily. He was sweating—visibly. His hands twitched, and for a moment, he looked as though he wanted nothing more than to turn on his heel and leave.

Why is he so nervous? The Grand Duke, who always carried out the Emperor’s every whim without question, now seemed almost… fearful. What could the Emperor have said to shake him like this?

The thought lingered, gnawing at me. Is that tension somehow connected to me? A chill ran down my spine. Could I be part of something I don’t even understand? Like a piece on a chessboard, moved without even knowing the game.

“Shall we go to the High Priest now, Duke?” the Emperor asked, his voice light but commanding as he casually placed a hand on the Grand Duke’s shoulder.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” the Grand Duke replied, though his tone wavered ever so slightly. His eyes flickered toward me, filled with something I couldn’t quite place—regret? Fear?

The Emperor’s gaze fell on me, and he smiled again, broader this time. It was the kind of smile that made my skin crawl, like he knew something I didn’t. He motioned for us to follow him, and I fell into step behind them, my mind racing.

The High Priest? What business did the Emperor have with him? My thoughts spiraled, chasing answers that seemed just out of reach. Their conversation ahead of me became muffled, a blur of words I couldn’t focus on. But there was one thing I knew for certain—something wasn’t right. The tension between them was thick, a thread wound too tightly, ready to snap at any moment.

And if I really am part of the Emperor’s schemes, what exactly does he need from me? Arthemice was reckless, a pawn who had never cared about politics. And I… well, I was no better equipped. So why did I feel like I was being maneuvered into a game far bigger than I’d realized?

“We’re here, Your Majesty.”

The servant’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I looked up, blinking as the towering Sacred Hall loomed before us. What are we doing here?

As we stepped inside, the Emperor made a small motion with his hand. Without a word, the attendants and guards filed out of the hall, leaving only the four of us: the Emperor, the Grand Duke, the High Priest, and me. The heavy thud of the doors closing reverberated through the vast chamber, sending a chill down my spine. I glanced toward the altar where the High Priest stood, his back turned.

The air felt thick, almost oppressive, as though something unseen weighed it down.

“Shall I have your permission now, Your Grace?” the High Priest’s voice broke the silence as he slowly turned to face us.

I felt the Grand Duke’s gaze settle on me. His eyes... there was something unsettling in them. Why is he looking at me like that? My brow furrowed in confusion, and I instinctively took a small step back.

“My dear,” the Grand Duke spoke softly, though his voice held a tension I hadn’t noticed before. “The High Priest will open your magic core, allowing you to cultivate your abilities and claim what is rightfully yours.”