Chapter 19

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“ARE YOU sure this is what you want to wear, my lady?” Eleonor asked as she pulled up the dress I had chosen.

The day of the awarding ceremony has now arrived. It is midday, and we are preparing my outfit for the afternoon’s ceremony.

“Yes, Eleonor,” I replied, my fingers tracing the delicate fabrics. “This will be enough to make myself way more attractive, right?” I continued, glancing at the two of them.

“You are attractive whatever you wear, my lady!” Lilith exclaimed, her hands carefully cradling the accessories she had placed on the plate.

They began dressing me, slipping me into the stunning gown. The dress was a breathtaking cascade of violet and lavender hues, the bodice encrusted with intricate lace and shimmering crystals that caught the light with every movement. The sweetheart neckline accentuated my shoulders, while the layers of the skirt flowed gracefully to the floor, with a high slit revealing just enough of my leg to be daring yet elegant.

Lilith fastened a crystal choker around my neck, its delicate chains resting softly on my collarbone. Eleonor slipped a bracelet of tiny violet gems onto my wrist, each one shimmering like a piece of the night sky. Then, they gave me a pair of matching earrings that dangled gently from my ears. Finally, Lilith placed a jeweled tiara in my hair, its design perfectly matching the dress.

As I looked at myself in the mirror, I barely recognized the reflection staring back at me. The dress hugged my figure in all the right places, making me feel both powerful and enchanting. The accessories added a final touch of regality, transforming me into someone who was ready to command the attention of everyone in the room.

“Lilith, Eleonor,” I murmured, my voice filled with awe. “You’ve outdone yourselves.”

“You were already magnificent, my lady,” Eleonor said with a smile. “We merely enhanced what was already there.”

With one final glance in the mirror, I knew that today, I would be unforgettable.

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As I stepped out of our carriage, I was met by the sight of a massive crowd gathered outside the Imperial Palace. They cheered and shouted their gratitude toward the heroes who had prevented the monsters from reaching the capital. The ceremony began with a grand procession led by the Emperor and the Crown Prince, their regal presence commanding the attention of all.

The Grand Duke offered me his hand, which I accepted, and together we walked into the Palace’s Sacred Hall. As we entered, I noticed the High Priest standing in the center of the room, surrounded by nobles who had gathered to witness the ceremony.

The moment I stepped into the hall, I felt the weight of their gazes. The nobles’ eyes were sharp, and their expressions barely concealed their disdain. I could hear them murmuring among themselves, casting doubtful looks my way, as if I didn’t belong there. They likely thought I was only here because the Grand Duke favored me. Little did they know, I had played a crucial role in this victory. I clicked my tongue silently, resisting the urge to gag at their arrogance.

“We gather today to honor the brave souls who stood against the darkness and emerged victorious, carrying the courage of our ancestors in their hearts. They fought not only for the safety of our realm but for all that is good and just. As the chosen vessel of the divine, I now bestow upon them the blessings of the gods. May their light guide these heroes, their strength fortify them, and their wisdom counsel them always. With the gods’ protection and favor, may they go forth, knowing their deeds will be remembered as long as the sun rises and the stars shine.”

The High Priest raised his hands to the heavens as he spoke, his voice resonating through the sacred hall. He then gently lowered his hands, making a sweeping gesture over the assembled heroes, as though physically bestowing the gods’ blessings upon them. The Emperor stood beside him, his expression solemn, nodding in agreement with each word. We all knelt in reverence as the High Priest’s words filled the chamber.

I wanted to roll my eyes at the formality, barely managing to keep my expression composed. Living in this historical era is such a hassle—I just wanted to go home and sleep. But I knew I needed to maintain my reputation. The real reason I was here was to make my debut in high society, something Arthemice had never done before.

“You must be really happy right now, hmm, sister?” I heard Darious whisper behind my back. This guy again. Every little movement I made, he noticed and found a way to comment on it. Tsk. I didn’t bother to answer him as we stood up. The honoring of the fallen was now complete, and we began making our way to the throne room, where the Emperor would bestow the awards upon us.

As we arrived in the throne room, the Emperor began to speak, his voice commanding the attention of all present. We all knelt once more, this time on one knee, as he addressed us. “Today, we stand in the presence of true heroes who have safeguarded our realm with unmatched courage and loyalty. Your bravery will forever be honored in the heart of the empire, and as long as this throne stands, so too will the memory of your deeds.”

The Emperor then gestured to an attendant who approached with a ceremonial box containing the awards. The Emperor took one of the letters from the box with a regal air, ready to bestow the honors upon us.

“To our valiant knights who faced the monsters with unwavering resolve, I bestow the Order of the Imperial Blade and grant lands in the border regions to ensure the realm’s safety.” The leader of the Knights came in front as the Emperor’s sword blessed him.

“Lady Athena, for your healing abilities that saved our soldiers, I grant you the title of Imperial Saintess and the Healing Sanctuary within the palace grounds.” Lady Athena also came when she was called.

“Lady Cecelia, for providing weapons that turned the tide of battle, I grant you the title of Keeper of the Imperial Armory and a personal forge.” As well as Lady Cecelia.

“Grand Duke Dousel, for leading our forces to victory, I elevate your lands to Imperial Protectorate and grant you dominion over the Southern Marches.” The Grand Duke of the South smiled faintly as he received the reward.

“Grand Duke Daryl, for your timely assistance and loyalty, I bestow upon you the Imperial Crest of Unity and expand your lands to include the newly reclaimed territories.” The father of Arthemice also came on the stage.

“To my son, the Crown Prince, whose courage and leadership inspired our forces, to Sir Kyle, whose unwavering loyalty and sword protected our people, and to Lady Arthemice, whose brilliance uncovered the root of the monsters’ berserk and whose blade delivered the final blow—I honor you all as the greatest heroes of our empire.”

The nobles gasped as they heard my name among the special mentions. Shock rippled through the crowd, and I could see their faces twisting in disbelief, eyes widening as they exchanged incredulous looks. Huh. Who’s surprised now?

“For your unparalleled bravery and contribution to our victory, I bestow upon you the highest titles of the realm, and may your names be remembered in the annals of history forever,” the Emperor continued as the three of us stepped forward and gathered at the center.

We lined up in front of the nobles, standing tall and proud as we faced the room. Smiling politely, we acknowledged the nobles who had attended, their reluctant applause filling the air. After a moment, we returned to our positions, but the murmurs of disbelief still buzzed behind me.

“This celebration will last for five days, so let us all begin the banquet!” the Emperor declared. We all bowed deeply to him before making our way off the throne area.

We then gathered in the banquet hall, where many of the nobles had come to feast. None of you did anything, but you’re here to eat. Tsk tsk.

I decided to step outside the banquet hall, walking toward the garden of the Imperial Palace. I needed some air. The crowd was overwhelming, and I’d had enough of their presence for now.

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Due to the award that the Emperor bestowed upon you, your reputation has increased by 5%. Congratulations, dear player!

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I stared at the system’s announcement. Well, that’s good enough. At least I didn’t come here just to exhaust myself.

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Updating character details…

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Character Profile

Eiliyah Arthemice Loughsin

Title: The Ruthless Villainess Current Life: 45% Reputation: 20% Power Level: Primordial Ability: Beast Tamer

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Huh. When will it ever reach one hundred percent?

I glanced at the large fountain, its crystal-clear waters shimmering under the golden light of the setting sun. The Imperial Garden was a masterpiece of nature, with vibrant flowers blooming in a riot of colors, their sweet fragrances blending in the air. The blossoms surrounded the fountain, framing it like a painting, while the gentle sound of water cascading down the marble structure added to the garden’s serene ambiance. I sat on the edge of the fountain, finding the garden far more comforting than the stuffy banquet hall.

“What are you doing here, my lady?” a voice interrupted my thoughts. I turned my head to see Sir Kyle approaching, his eyes filled with curiosity.

“My social battery is drained, Sir Kyle,” I muttered as he came to stand beside me. He chuckled softly at my response, a playful sound that contrasted with the stiffness of the formalities inside.

“Perhaps you should head home, then?” he suggested with a light tone, but his words made my brows furrow. Go home? I can’t, even if I wanted to. If I left now, my reputation would plummet to zero.

“Are you mocking me?” I shot back, my voice tinged with irritation. His eyes widened, clearly taken aback by my sharp reply. Huh. So I’m right. After all the effort I put in, they still didn’t appreciate me.

Darious and Sebastian are both the same, I thought bitterly. I had hoped they had changed after what happened at the camp, but apparently not. One minute, he is kissing my hand, the next, they want me gone? Heller! Kakain pa ako ‘no, umuwi siya mag-isa niya, tsk!

I watched as Sebastian’ mouth gaped, clearly unsure of how to respond. He could just leave me here, right? I wanted to be alone, especially after dealing with that damn assassin last night. Though, Zacharias likely cleaned up the mess thoroughly, given that no news of it broke this morning.

“I’m sorry for my poor choice of words, my lady,” Sebastian muttered, bowing his head. My eyes widened in surprise. Wait, he’s apologizing? “You can punish your personal knight for not knowing his place,” he added, dropping to one knee in front of me, his left hand placed solemnly over his heart. Huh. This is unexpected.

I looked toward the horizon, trying to catch a glimpse of the sunset through the trees. The fiery glow was tantalizingly close, but the branches obstructed my view.

“Then can you carry me over to that tree?” I blurted out, pointing to the tallest one in the garden. He stood up slowly, a grin spreading across his face.

“Shall I accept that as my punishment, my lady?” He offered his hand to me, and as the sun’s rays caught his eyes, they gleamed with a warmth. I stood up, slipping my hand into his.

“Let’s go, Sir Kyle,” I said as a gust of wind swept through the garden, sending my hair swirling around my face. I reached up to tame it, smiling at Sebastian as the breeze played with our clothes.

His eyes widened briefly in surprise, but without hesitation, he swiftly scooped me up into his arms.

With effortless grace, Sebastian began to move toward the tree. His steps were confident and measured, and then, with a powerful leap, he ascended into the air. He landed lightly on a branch, and with each subsequent leap, we climbed higher, the world below shrinking as we reached the uppermost branches.

When we arrived at the top, the view was breathtaking. My eyes sparkled with awe as I took in the sight before me. The sunset bathed the landscape in a warm, golden hue, casting a mesmerizing glow over everything. From this vantage point, the world seemed both vast and intimate, as though we were the only two people in it.

“The sky wears its colors well tonight, don’t you think?” I whispered, my voice barely audible as I tightened my grip around Sebastian’s neck. He still held me securely in his arms, his body steady against the small, steep branch that offered no room for me to stand on my own.

“Yes, my lady,” he replied softly. The wind played with my hair as I looked up at him. There was a faint smile on his lips, but it was his eyes that caught me—deep and focused, as though he saw something in me that I hadn’t noticed before. What the heck?

The orange sunlight kissed his skin, highlighting the sharp angles of his face and making his features strikingly attractive. His hair, tousled by the breeze, added to the effortless charm he exuded. I swallowed hard, my heart skipping a beat as I took in the sight of him.

“However, there’s a certain light in here that rivals even the sunset,” he suddenly murmured, his smile never faltering as his gaze remained locked on mine. His grip on my waist tightened slightly, just enough to make me aware of the warmth of his touch. My heart began to race uncontrollably at his words, and I quickly looked away, focusing on the sun as it dipped below the horizon.

I was about to respond when a loud growl erupted from my stomach, shattering the moment.

Sebastian chuckled softly. “Let’s go and eat now, my lady,” he said, his voice laced with amusement as he tried to suppress a laugh.

“Y-Yes, Sir Kyle,” I stammered, squeezing my eyes shut in embarrassment. Why now, stomach? Really?

With a gentle leap, he began our descent, moving downward with the same grace he had shown on the way up.

Huh. I wish I could bury myself alive right now, this is beyond embarrassing.

fin.