CH 129

“I’m sure you’re well aware, Lady Charlize, but the divine beast’s power has only been passed down to those of Winsor’s royal lineage.”

The Emperor spoke softly.

“There has never been a single incident where an outsider was capable of awaking the power of the divine beast.”

Of course…

That unkind gaze scanned me from up to down.

“…I don’t mean to give the presumption that Lady Charlize is lying.”

The Emperor smiled broadly before continuing.

“But I felt it necessary to verify the claim at least once.”

The Emperor looked around and pointed at the nobles with his arms outstretched.

“Is this not a fine place for such a display? There are many people here to be witnesses.”

…Aha, is that how you’re going to go about it?

So…is it better to show this power?

Or….would it be better if I just step away from this?

After thinking about it for a while, I sharpened my focus.

‘No.’

I couldn’t hide from the eyes of the Emperor forever.

Didn’t I accept being Damian’s fiancee to support him?

Furthermore…

‘I’m doing this because I’ve decided I won’t be bound by the original novel anymore.’

So, if the Emperor wants to evaluate me, I’ll most certainly put to use this opportunity the Emperor has created.

I smiled brightly at the Emperor.

“I will obey your order, Your Majesty.”

“But Charlize!”

Damian called to me in a startled voice.

Obviously, it’s been a while since I awakened the power of the divine beast, so I can understand the concern Damian has for me, but…

‘Wasn’t I also like that before?’

Back then when Damian exerted his power, I tried to stop him from doing so.

I stared keenly at Damian, shook my head, and smiled.

“It’ll be alright.”

I took a deep breath.

How can I explain this feeling?

The power spreads to every corner of your body.

Your field of view expands and all your senses are sharpened.

It’s like assimilating with the world around you and becoming one.

And….

“Oh…”

“My God…”

Everyone gasped in awe.

From behind, huge white-silvery wings spread out from my back.

Countless silvery-white feathers made of light dispersed and filled the air.

‘Okay, I think I’ve given you my blessing.’

I was still alert to my surroundings when I noticed the people’s reactions.

Was it because all the aristocrats were attending the event?

Perhaps wanting to maintain their dignified demeanor, there was no thunderous praise like in Lebane.

However, it didn’t mean their response was any weaker than those in Lebane.

For everyone looked like they were in a state of ecstasy

And our heroine….no, my friend Sienna…

“Wow, it’s beautiful…”

Curious as a child, Sienna tried tapping and poking the light that illuminated the area.

Come to think of it, this is Sienna’s first time seeing a blessing.

“Oh!”

As the light dissipated with noise, Sienna flinched backward in surprise.

I barely suppressed myself from grinning.

Hey, our Sienna is so cute!

Meanwhile, some others were deeply moved, taking in the sight of silvery-white feathers of light covering the entire area.

“This reminds me of the time 8 years ago.”

“I was really amazed back then…”

Oh, those people.

They remembered when Damian blessed them.

My Damian was amazing, wasn’t he?

I felt proud.

The people were visibly awestruck as they looked my way.

“This is the power of the divine beast.”

“To have his fiancee also awaken the power of the divine beast, the empire truly is fortunate.”

“The future of the empire is looking very bright.”

Now they’re giving all sorts of praises.

Well, this should be enough for them to prove that I’m worthy of being by His Highness’s side, right?

I tried my best to look calm but in truth, I could feel the strength in my shoulders gradually slipping away.

The Emperor stared at me with an odd expression, then he spoke softly.

“…you genuinely have awakened the power of the divine beast.”

“It’s all thanks to His Majesty, the Emperor’s grace.”

Without spitting out saliva as I replied, a half smile appeared on the Emperor’s face.

“Excellent.”

In an instant, goosebumps ran all over my body.

It’s those eyes again.

Those eyes can tear someone apart from head to toe.

That’s the type of eyes he has.

As if gauging whether something can be of use or should be discarded…

Just in time, Damian quietly turned to me, blocking the Emperor’s gaze.

I’m grateful for that kindness, it was getting a little burdensome…

“You were great, Charlize.”

There’s my boy.

I wonder though. What was the point of the Emperor even smiling, trying to exude some fake kindness when there wasn’t a shred of it in his eyes?

And the way he kept on staring at me, did he think his gaze was going to cut right through me?

Well, anyway.

“Hehe.”

I’ve captured the people’s attention now that I’ve awakened the power of the divine beast.

I smiled at Damian.

You know, in the future, even if it’s just for a small part…can I be your strength?

And be the person you need.

…can we continue to be together like this?

***

The Duke watched Charlize with widened eyes.

‘In the past, she’d usually stand there nervously as Rose’s candidate…’

But now, Charlize seems very relaxed.

Perhaps, it was evidence of how much she had adapted to the Imperial family.

The Duke, though uncomfortable with the situation beforehand, was proud of her.

Her figure stood confidently as the Crown Prince’s fiancee after treading on thin ice.

‘Ah.’

The Duke closed his eyes for a brief moment, only to see the Empress looking his way.

Upon noticing his younger sister’s exhilarated expression, it was just as he thought…

‘They felt the same way.’

He was spot-on with his prediction.

A faint smile appeared on the corner of the Empress’ mouth.

The two siblings burst into laughter side by side, without needing to say anything.

Their smiles were full of love for Charlize.

***

After I was done.

I followed the Empress alongside Damian.

As the Crown Prince’s fiancee, I had to attend the banquet following the harvest festival.

The Empress said that she liked to do my hair for the ball and I gladly took her up on her offer.

But there was this one person who kept pushing my buttons…

“Your Highness.”

“What?”

Damian didn’t even bother hiding his sullen expression.

“Are you mad?”

“You are so-!”

Squinting his eyes at my smirk, Damian glared at me.

Oh, boy…that’s a face that screams ‘I’ll punch a hole through your face!’

“It hasn’t been long since you awakened your power. You even collapsed at Lebane!”

Damian fretted, venting his worry and concern.

Well, I can understand where he’s coming from with this. In his position, I would have been worried sick.

But you know…

“Do you know how I feel?”

“What?”

When asked so, he drew closer, scrunching his brow.

I shrugged my shoulders playfully.

“Eight years ago, don’t you remember?”

“Eight years ago? No, what about eight years ago!”

Damian rejected my question, embarrassed at its absurdity.

I brazenly looked at Damian.

Is that how it is?

You had me worried back then too.

Well, I have been worried about Damian as of late but…

Ignoring the guilt that poked my conscience like a needle, I continued.

“Well, the thing is, I was oddly sure of myself this time as I had a conviction.”

“Conviction? What do you mean by that?”

“Putting it this way, I didn’t feel as if I was in danger…”

I looked at Damian’s expression, then gently closed my eyes.

“Since his Highness was by my side, I felt like somehow I could do it.”

“You!”

Damian raised his voice.

Yikes, that was quick-tempered of him.

I smiled slightly.

Because what I’m saying now is exactly what Damian said to me eight years ago.

After bestowing the divine beast’s blessing, he told me the same thing when I was worried for him and asked him about his body.

I mean, who could blame me for worrying about him in the past?

I didn’t know what it was like to be in this position, until now…

‘I’ve realized there’s nothing more stupid than missing a given opportunity.’

So, I stuck out my tongue at Damian and pulled his leg.

“You did say I did great, didn’t you?”

Damian gave me a stern look as he seemed to wish he could take back what he had said during the harvest festival.

Whoa, whoa.

This situation calls for a strategy of retreat, no?

“Your Majesty, the Empress!”

“Oh, my God, Charlize.”

When I ran to the Empress’ side, she greeted me with a smile.

“Charlize and the Crown Prince seem to be having a good time.”

“Is that what it looks like?”

Damian asked back with a stunned face.

Nodding my head enthusiastically, I conveyed to the Empress that she was right.

Naturally, the Empress raised her concern.

“At least that’s what it looks like to me, or am I mistaken?”

Damian apparently decided against speaking any further and chose to be silent.

Heh, you’re looking quite irritated right now.