I Will Try to Save My Dad - Chapter 160

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 160

A battlefield existed even within the Imperial Palace. The Empress’s entire staff was mobilized to complete my preparations flawlessly within two hours, per Her Majesty’s command.
“I offered to help you prepare. So if there is any flaw in this child’s appearance, I will hold you accountable.”
Accountability demanded by the Empress herself.
At those words, everyone moved as though my preparation were a matter of life and death.
“Miss, please hold your breath for a moment.”
“Just stay still, and we’ll handle everything.”
“What about the dress?!”
“We’ve sent someone to Berry Quartz Trabel’s quarters!”
“No, these shoes are more comfortable than those.”
“What about the accessories? Did the young lady bring any jewels?”
“Her Majesty said we may use anything we need!”
Maids bustled in and out of the room where I stood at the center, their conversations too numerous to count.
“Quite the commotion.”
“Roxie?”
Among them, I spotted a familiar face—Roxie, the maid I had hired through Zena Chaser.
Roxie observed me in silence, wearing only a thin slip dress, then rolled up her sleeves.
“I had prepared the dress in the room and was waiting for you. When the Imperial Palace servants came asking for your belongings, I was concerned they might be thieves, so I followed along.”
Roxie’s eyes gleamed with quiet determination—the gaze of one resolved.
“Good timing. With so many experts here, I’ll join in as well.”
“No, that’s not necessary—”
I had no chance to protest. Roxie simply walked toward the group of maids unpacking my luggage containing dresses.
‘Well, I suppose.’
Since Roxie was right about the experts, there was no harm in accepting their help without reservation.
The announcement of my engagement to Theon.
Journalists prepared by the Emperor would attend the banquet, and my appearance would be captured in photographs to circulate throughout the Heishal Empire and beyond.
Everyone was curious whether I was truly becoming engaged to the Emperor.
‘Yet no one speaks of that subject at all.’
The information I had sent to Daily Sunrise occupied the front page of yesterday’s newspaper.
After meeting Belesa’s Maid, while the Wolf Clan and Jeffrey eluded the Edencia Kingdom’s knights and city guards, Theon and I also evaded pursuit by moving through various parts of the city.
During that time, I witnessed Daily Sunrise newspapers selling like hotcakes, and I frequently saw five or six people gathered on street corners, reading a single newspaper together.
‘A massive hit.’
The tool I had used to redirect Father’s footsteps away from the battlefield was demonstrating this level of impact.
I could vividly imagine Manager Izura’s grin stretching from ear to ear.
By half a day later, every shop dealing in newspapers had posted notices reading “Daily Sunrise Sold Out.”
After that, I met up with Jeffrey and the Wolf Clan outside the city, and after staying awake for two full days, I collapsed into sleep in the forest to recover, then woke at dawn today and rushed to the Imperial Palace.
‘I didn’t get to observe people’s reactions further, but the fervor wouldn’t have cooled in just one day.’
Daily Sunrise was the leading newspaper in the Heishal Empire.
The people in the Imperial Palace must have read that article, yet not a single soul around me dared to broach the subject.
‘What is this situation?’
Berry Quartz Trabel—the article suggested I might become the Emperor’s eleventh wife.
It made no sense that I would be receiving preparations for a banquet in the Empress Palace under such circumstances.
A glance.
I observed the maid tending to my nails. The maid doing my hair had just stepped away, saying she would fetch more pins to secure my locks.
The others around me were absorbed in their tasks and paid me no mind. A one-on-one conversation would be perfect for extracting information.
“Say, listen.”
“….”
The maid seemed absorbed in applying oil to make my nails shine, oblivious to my words.
“Hey there.”
“Yes, yes?”
When I flexed my knuckles and spoke, the maid finally lifted her gaze. She appeared to be a year or two older than me.
“Have you read today’s newspaper?”
“The newspaper?”
“Yes. I haven’t had a chance to read today’s edition yet. There was a strange article yesterday too….”
I trailed off deliberately, feigning distress.
The Daily Sunrise article was merely speculation until Theon and I made our engagement announcement today.
For the person involved, the opportunity to verify the facts would be an irresistible bait.
The maid’s eyes gleamed at my words.
“Ah, you mean yesterday’s article. Yes, I know of it.”
The maid eagerly took the bait and nodded.
“Did another such article appear in that newspaper today?”
“Goodness. Miss, is it only Daily Sunrise? All the newspapers, and indeed the entire city, are abuzz with talk of you.”
“Is that so…? How troublesome.”
“What could be the matter?”
“….”
I deliberately held my silence. It was a method Father often employed to make his counterpart grow impatient.
The maid gazed at me with eyes eager to hear my answer. Then, glancing about to ensure no one was approaching, she leaned in and spoke to me in hushed tones.
“Miss, is it true that today you announced your engagement to the Emperor—?”
“Hura!”
A start.
The maid’s shoulders shot up in alarm before settling back down.
The one who had called out sharply was one of the Empress’s attendants.
At the attendant’s gesture, the maid hastily bowed and vanished in an instant.
The attendant approached me and spoke.
“Forgive the raised voice, Miss.”
Silencing.
I regarded the attendant quietly.
This situation in the Empress Palace, where no one seemed to know about my Knight, meant it had been created through a gag order.
And the person who issued that command was, with high probability, the Empress herself.
“Why is that maid going outside? It seems she hasn’t finished the manicure yet.”
“Her work seemed inadequate, so I sent her out. Those who cannot perform their duties in the Empress’s Palace are not needed. I shall entrust your manicure to another maid who is skilled in this task.”
“Though someone with a loose tongue isn’t necessary either, is it?”
I asked with a smile playing at my lips. It seemed this place was indeed the Empress’s hunting ground.
Manipulating the situation, bringing me here, separating me from my escort Jeffrey.
I had no idea what scheme was at work, but I had no intention of playing along meekly.
“If you don’t mind, could you bring me today’s newspaper?”
“….”
At my request, the maid fell silent and stood motionless. I held her gaze without losing my smile.
The maid finally opened her mouth.
“Once you’ve finished preparing, you need only request a private audience with the Empress. You will meet in a place where no one else is present.”
What came back was a private meeting scheduled with the Empress herself.

***

If she slaps my cheek, I simply take it.
If she demands an explanation, I blame the Knight for his mistake.
If she prevents me from attending the banquet—.
‘Then I absolutely run.’
I had no intention of missing Theon’s coronation ceremony, nor would I abandon my engagement announcement.
With my appearance perfectly arranged, I moved in the direction the maid guided me, considering various scenarios.
“You may enter through here.”
The maid opened a door along the Corridor and pressured me with her eyes as I stood still.
“Miss, you should go in now.”
This time, she even spoke. I took a deep breath and stepped into the room.
Like a captured beast being locked in a cage, the door closed behind me with a decisive sound.
“You came.”
Fortunately, the Empress was in the room. At least I wasn’t in the worst-case scenario of being locked alone from the start.
The Empress rose from the sofa and approached me, then began to examine my carefully arranged appearance slowly and deliberately.
‘My cheek.’
Was that the gaze of someone searching for an enemy? If it were Theon or Jeffrey, I would have judged instantly.
Unfortunately, I lacked the ability to sense hidden malice.
Several minutes passed. Even swallowing felt cautious in this tension.
The Empress finally opened her mouth.
“Mother.”
“…?”
“Try calling me that once.”
“…What?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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