The Emperor’s Decree and a Princess’s Awakening

Within the grand imperial hall, the black-clad youth on the throne looked down upon the man and woman kneeling below with disdain.

“Do you know your crime?”

“Your Majesty, have mercy—”

A pained shriek echoed as the forest ranger, responsible for patrolling the Black Forest, was torn limb from limb. Blood splattered across Luo Bing’ai’er’s face.

She trembled on her knees, barely daring to breathe.

Then it was her turn. It felt as if an invisible hand clamped around her throat, lifting her into the air.

“Do you know your crime?”

“I deserve ten thousand deaths…” Luo Bing’ai’er, suspended in mid-air and on the verge of suffocating, managed to choke out those few words.

“Ten thousand deaths? One is enough for Us!”

“To be personally slain by Your Majesty… is my honor…” Resigned, she squeezed her eyes shut.

The Emperor merely watched.

Then, the invisible hand released her. Luo Bing’ai’er collapsed to the ground, gasping for air.

“We will grant you a chance to atone for your sins.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty…” Luo Bing’ai’er, profusely grateful, kowtowed to the Emperor before leaving the great hall, her spirit utterly broken.

Another small Rabbit-eared Maid finally saw her former queen emerge from the grand doors. Her heart a tangle of emotions, she softly called out, tears welling in her eyes, “Your Majesty…”

“Do not call me that,” Luo Bing’ai’er snapped, glaring fiercely. “Now, I am merely His Majesty’s maid, nothing more.”

“This servant understands…”

“Sharabelle divined that Shenwei is still alive. Send someone immediately to kill her for me.”

“But she saved you!”

Luo Bing’ai’er retorted, “Did I ask her to save me?”

“However, all our kin, including Miss Shenwei, believe you are living in dire straits!”

“But I am living quite well now. Tell them not to bother me anymore. I only wish for a peaceful life.”

Her tone, her entire demeanor, transformed completely. “Oh! I suddenly remembered I have maid duties to complete…”

The little Rabbit-eared Maid stood rooted to the spot, watching her former queen. Her worldview shattered. Had she not witnessed it herself, who would ever believe this was real?

Thunk~

The Imperial Sword struck Maple’s forehead and clattered to the floor.

Huh? That wasn’t quite what I expected. I thought he would catch it heroically. The atmosphere grew a little awkward, as if a crow dragging a line of black dots flew over our heads.

“Are you throwing things at me because you don’t welcome me?”

“You can dodge an enemy’s blade, so why couldn’t you dodge that just now?”

As I scrambled off the bed to retrieve the sword, Maple also crouched down, fumbling on the ground. The result was—

Thunk~

Our foreheads collided!

“Ouch!”

“What did you throw at me again?”

“My head!”

“You threw your head… at me?”

“Are you an idiot?” Rubbing my throbbing forehead after being knocked to the ground, I suddenly realized my posture had exposed me in front of Maple! I quickly covered myself and clamped my legs together!

Oh, right. He can’t see, I thought, letting out a sigh of relief.

“Your head is really hard, huh? It hurt like hell when we bumped!” I complained.

“It wasn’t intentional. I’m blind now, so don’t be mad at me.”

His subdued tone made it impossible for me to stay angry.

“Never mind… as… as long as our lips didn’t collide, it’s fine…” I stammered.

“So why did you throw something at me? If you truly don’t welcome me, I’ll just leave now…”

Still that subdued tone, now tinged with a hint of grievance. It made me want to commit a crime against him…

Ultimately, it was the bandaged eyes that gave Maple a delicate, sickly charm, which simply hit my soft spot.

“Actually, it was to give you this—”

Eh? Where did it roll? I looked around, and the dagger floated into my hand.

“Thank you.”

Wait? It took me a second to realize, who was I thanking????

This thing—what’s going on? It—flew over on its own?

While I was still surprised, Maple took the dagger.

“Could this be…”

His expression reminded me of an idiom: ‘a blind man touching an elephant.’

“The Imperial Sword!?”

“Yes, yes~ Just make sure you don’t lose it.”

I smiled knowingly. If he thought it was, then it was.

“So, that hunt, in the end, we still won, didn’t we? Hehe~ That’s great~”

Seeing him clutching the sword, unable to put it down, I couldn’t help but tease, “Why are you as happy as a child? Is it really that big a deal?”

“Of course I’m happy! Now that I have the Imperial Sword, I feel much tougher (in front of you)!”

I truly didn’t have the heart to remind him that it wasn’t actually the Imperial Sword.

“Next time if you abuse me again~~~”

“When have I ever abused you? Don’t talk nonsense!”

Ugh… I scratched my cheek awkwardly, my eyes darting elsewhere.

Then—

I merely blinked, and the table and tea set within my line of sight instantly began to shake on their own!

This??!

Ever since the dagger flew into my hand, I’d been wondering. It seemed the Rabbit-eared Tribe were right—this Princess really had awakened magic?

Before, when I discovered I was a boy, I worried if I was an impostor. But this proved I was truly my Imperial Father’s child…

My heart pounded incessantly, a thrill running through me.

So, my Imperial Father must be skilled in magic. Should I ask him for guidance?