For the One Who Hates Me - Chapter 52

The new knights’ temporary quarters.

Ruan returned to the quarters after taking a shower. The boisterous knights fell silent in an instant.

The fact that he had taken first place in every category was not a problem. But to suddenly become a member of the Emperor’s Guard without any warning… it was a situation ripe for envy among the other knights.

However, Ruan wasn’t worried about being ostracized. He sat on his bed and sorted through the situation.

Of all things, I had to become the Emperor’s personal knight.

This was the worst possible outcome. It wasn’t just because Karl made him uncomfortable.

The Emperor’s Guard can only associate with the Emperor and their fellow knights. It will be hard to even meet Aura. And even harder to work for her.

At the conferment ceremony, he barely managed to hide his joy at seeing Aura. He was relieved that she looked better than she had in Ansena. But he never expected to face a crisis right away.

He habitually put his hand in his pocket and touched a small gold button.

There must be a way… there must be a way, for sure.

Aura wouldn’t have just backed down. As she was leaving the training grounds, she had given Ruan a subtle wink. Having known her for so long, Ruan could tell she had something in mind.

“Emile, is Emile here?”

Josh pushed aside the tent flap of the temporary quarters and came in. Ruan stood up.

“Yes, I’m here.”

“Pack your bags. You’re going to the Emperor’s Guard barracks.”

“Right now?”

“Do you want me to give you time to say your goodbyes?”

“Ah, no.”

Ruan packed his bags under the chilly gazes of the other knights. He followed Josh, walking through the palace grounds. The night air was cool, even in the summer.

“I heard your family background isn’t great. If anyone gives you a hard time, let me know. Some guys only learn their lesson the hard way.”

“…Yes, thank you.”

Josh glanced at Ruan. His face, bathed in moonlight, looked sad.

“…Hmm.”

“Is something wrong?”

“Honestly…” Josh shook his head. “Just between us, the Emperor and Empress were actually competing over you.”

“What do you mean?”

“Empress Aura wanted you as her knight, but His Majesty put you in the Emperor’s Guard.”

“Ah… I see.”

“He usually gives in to Empress Aura’s requests, but looking at you now, I can see His Majesty’s point of view.”

Ruan wondered what the Emperor’s point of view could be. What kind of magnificent perspective would make a man take a knight his wife wanted? It was difficult for him to comprehend.

“Did the two of them fight much?”

“Fighting… Well, they do it a lot. You’ll find out soon enough when you serve His Majesty up close.” Josh tilted his head. “But I don’t know… even though they fight a lot, they seem to be getting… strangely closer. I’m not an expert on romantic relationships, so I can’t say for sure.”

This was not what Ruan wanted to hear. Cold indifference was much better than fighting passionately.

They’re probably fighting over Finn. It’s not like Aura is playing mind games with the Emperor.

They went to the Emperor’s Guard barracks. The quarters were surprisingly private rooms, far better than the living quarters of the other knights.

Ruan unpacked his bags. It had been such a long day, and he just wanted to go to sleep.

Tomorrow, I’ll find a way to meet Aura.

Knock, knock.

Just then, a knock sounded.

“Come in.”

The door opened slightly, and a young maid entered. Ruan said, “Ah, there’s nothing I need help with right now.”

“Is that so? Understood.”

The maid bowed respectfully. Then, she took a small note from her apron pocket. She placed the note on the edge of the bed and left the room.

A shiver went down Ruan’s spine.

So this is what the Imperial Palace is like.

A place where secret notes were exchanged. A place where even a low-ranking maid could handle such matters with expertise. The realization that he had stepped into a place like that hit him hard.

Ruan opened the note. Along with a gold coin, a short message was written.

‘Don’t worry. I will bring you to my side. In three days, a masquerade ball will be held at the palace. Use this money to buy a dress and a mask. And wait for me at the west entrance of the ballroom. Whatever I do that day, don’t be surprised. Please, just trust me.’

It was a secret message from Aura to Ruan.

“A masquerade ball…”

Ruan looked out the window. The vast palace was sparkling.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

A Few Days Later

It was the day of the masquerade ball. The palace was bustling with nobles who had started to gather.

Meanwhile, in the Emperor’s room, the Imperial Physician was visiting.

“Could you move your arm back and forth?”

At the Imperial Physician’s request, Karl moved his arm. He felt a slight hindrance in his shoulder, but there was no pain.

“It seems to be fine.”

“Still, we need to check it more thoroughly. Since you have no work today, please give me a little more of your time.” The physician was referring to the time Karl had set aside for the masquerade ball. Perhaps because Karl had often postponed his medical appointments, the Imperial Physician seemed to be on his guard.

“Will it take long?”

“A little.”

Karl glanced at the desk clock. If he wanted to get to the party on time, he was already running late.

I guess there’s no other way. I’ll just have to go a little later.

“Theo.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Go to the Empress and tell her that I will be a little late to the ball and that she should go ahead without me.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Theo was about to leave the room but spoke to Karl. “I’ll also find out what the Empress is wearing.”

“Why her clothes?”

“Masquerade balls are chaotic. Everyone wears elaborate costumes and masks, so it will be difficult to find the Empress if you go in halfway through.”

Karl let out a faint laugh. “Do as you wish.”

After Theo left, Karl let the Imperial Physician examine his shoulder. The physician’s prodding caused a dull ache, but he couldn’t stop thinking about the last words Aura had said to him.

‘Karl, you will regret this.’

It had been a long time since she had shown him such hostility. He didn’t want to believe that she wanted that knight so badly. If she had been willing to throw away her composure and sharpen her edge just for him…

That’s upsetting in and of itself.

In any case, he had a feeling that Aura wouldn’t let today’s ball pass by without doing something.

I have no idea what she’s going to do.

Later in the Day

From the afternoon on, many noblewomen sent letters to Aura, requesting to go to the masquerade ball with her.

Aura usually only socialized with the nobles as much as was necessary. But a masquerade ball was, as the name implied, a ‘party.’ As they said, it would be fun to go with a big group.

However, Aura rejected all the requests. She had a more important goal than simply having fun.

“Your Majesty, His Majesty the Emperor’s chief aide is here. Should I let him in?”

Aura nodded at Minah’s words. She had just finished getting dressed in a full, voluminous red gown.

Soon, Theo entered the room.

“Your Majesty, His Majesty the Emperor will be a little late to the ball today because he has to get his shoulder examined. He said he will find you when you arrive at the ball.”

“Is that so?”

Is his shoulder still hurting?

Aura toyed with the black mask on her vanity table. She smoothed the feathers on the mask and said, “Understood. I will go ahead.”

“Yes. I will be going then.” Theo bowed politely and left the room.

Aura stared at the door Theo had just left through for a moment. Then, as if she had made up her mind, she called out to Minah.

“Minah.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Do you have another spare dress?”

“Pardon? Yes. I have another blue one, but…”

Accidents often happened at masquerade balls. The dress had been prepared for that.

“I need to change into that one.”

“But you said you preferred the red one…”

“There’s a reason. Hurry.”

Minah quickly went behind her and unfastened the buttons. Aura thought to herself.

I need to be found by Karl as late as possible.

Aura put on a navy dress that shimmered with silver threads. In contrast to the voluminous red dress, this one fell elegantly, tracing her body’s lines. She also changed her mask to a white one to match the dress.

A little while later, Aura headed to the ballroom. She didn’t even bring Minah with her to avoid revealing her identity.

When Aura arrived at the west door of the ballroom, Ruan was already waiting for her at their appointed spot. Coincidentally, he was also wearing a navy tuxedo. His green eyes shone behind his black mask.

“Emile.”

When Ruan saw Aura, a soft smile formed under his mask. He looked at Aura with eyes that had so much to say. After a long moment, he calmly spoke.

“I’m relieved to see that you look healthy.”

“…You, too. I was very worried.”

“I am fine. As you can see.”

Just as Aura called him by his alias, he also spoke formally to her, as if they were playing a game for the masquerade ball.

Ruan held out his arm. Aura naturally took it.

“Shall we go in?”

“Yes.”

As they entered the ballroom, Aura opened her fan to cover her face. The people were dancing wildly. It was as if their faces and their dignity had been concealed, allowing them to be uninhibited.

The bustling crowd and the lively music enveloped them. The two of them started to dance, too. Aura laughed and spoke to Ruan, who was surprisingly good at following the rhythm.

“You’re still a good dancer. We used to always dance together when we were little.”

“You used to step on my feet a lot when you were a princess.”

“Haha… not much has changed.”

“You can step on them.” Ruan smiled faintly. “I hope you can be a little more comfortable when you’re with me.”

Aura was already comfortable. It felt like she had a reliable ally in this palace.

Ruan leaned in a little closer and asked, “So, what do I do now?”

“You have to go to Sutra. I need you to prepare for that.”

“Sutra?”

“I’ll tell you the details when we’re alone.”

“Okay. But when you say ‘go’… are you talking about…”

Aura raised her heels and whispered into Ruan’s ear.

“Abandoning the palace and leaving.”

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