I Became the Evil Empire’s Princess Chapter 24

Translator: Nox
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: I Became the Princess of the Empire of Evil - Chapter 24

After returning to the New Moon Palace, Xion explained how the Emperor had been poisoned.
“I suspected Luna Draugr of being a ‘Toxin Vessel’ from the first time I saw her.”

A Toxin Vessel—if a child with a special constitution is fed poison from an early age, their entire body gradually becomes poisonous.

Xion explained that Luna had been raised in just such a way.

“From head to toe, even her breath and tears are poisonous. If the Emperor had hugged or touched Luna Draugr, he would’ve been poisoned even faster.”

“Then how come no one else was affected?”

This poison was enough to bring down someone as strong as the Emperor, yet no one else had shown symptoms.

“That’s the most interesting part of this whole assassination attempt.”

Xion’s eyes sparkled like a fox who’d found a toy.

“Princess, do you know what the abilities of the Draugr bloodline are?”

Draugr bloodline... I vaguely remembered something about zombies and curses from when I skimmed through those chapters.

“Something like corpse manipulation and curses?”

“The poison found in the Emperor was a mix of corpse rot toxin and a curse.”

Using corpse manipulation to control the poison and a curse to target only the Emperor—clearly designed solely to kill him.

“If it wasn’t controlled, people around him would’ve died first. That would’ve alerted the Emperor. So the poison was tailored to affect only him.”

Even though he must’ve been cautious, the Emperor probably never expected a poison that would affect only himself.

“In the end, from the moment he accepted Luna Draugr, his death was sealed.”

A chill went down my spine.

Feeding poison to a girl who resembled a dead twin and sending her in—this was a level of malice I hadn’t seen before.

“Xion, do you think Luna knew what she was doing?”

“Hard to say. Toxin Vessels usually aren’t taught anything. They just have to stay near their target.”

Meaning Luna probably didn’t even know she was poisonous.

I felt heavy-hearted.

“No need to pity her. Luna Draugr at least knew she was sent to harm the Emperor.”

“I’m not pitying her.”

I cleared my throat at the suspicion in Xion’s eyes.

“If she tries to hurt me, I’ll fight back with everything I’ve got. I’m not in a position to go easy on anyone.”

I wouldn’t attack her unprovoked, but if she made a move, I’d retaliate.

“If she approaches, just avoid her. No need to draw the Emperor’s ire.”

Seeing my confusion, Xion grinned slyly.

“Toxin Vessels have short lifespans. Judging from the Emperor’s condition, Luna Draugr probably doesn’t have much time left either.”

I recalled Luna in her wheelchair.

They said she was too weak to walk, but it must’ve been the poison ravaging her body.

“I see…”

I turned to look out the window, swallowing the bitter taste rising in my throat.

Xion ignored my reaction and added,

“While the Emperor is recovering, please stay inside the palace. It’s better not to go out.”

“Why?”

“If the Draugrs realize you ruined their plan, how do you think they’ll respond?”

“Gasp!”

Would I be their next target?!

I broke out in goosebumps at the thought of facing such persistent and sinister malice.

“Don’t worry. If anyone comes for you, I’ll stop them.”

Even with Xion’s assurance, I couldn’t relax.

“Xion, please. I really don’t want zombies showing up at my house.”

“That’s your concern?”

“Not everyone likes zombies, okay?! I seriously hate them!”

Among the Seven Bloodlines, I hated the Draugrs most of all—because wherever they showed up, zombies followed.

“Are there people who like zombies?”

“I wish more people were like you.”

I sighed, resigned to staying cooped up in the palace to avoid any zombie invasions.

* * *

The next few days passed peacefully.

I spent my time relaxing with Xion, sharing snacks and making plans for the future.

Until Spam informed us that the Emperor had fully recovered, I planned to stay laid-back.

“Hey kid, you got a gift.”

Claude’s sudden words left me puzzled.

“Did Sir Dante send something?”

“No, it’s from someone named Gavin Ro of the Ustrell bloodline. Says it’s a token of thanks—he’s sending you a hundred bolts of fairy silk.”

The unfamiliar name confused me, but Xion, looking thoughtful, said,

“I don’t know Gavin Ro, but I remember the Ro family. One of them had their power taken by you.”

“So it’s revenge?!”

I jumped up, finally connecting the dots.

Xion held me back calmly.

“If he said it’s a gift, he probably has another motive. Let’s send Claude to find out.”

At Xion’s signal, Claude snapped,

“Who are you to order me around? Just so you know, I’m only going because of the kid!”

I blinked at his angry march out the door.

Xion shrugged.

“He loves gossip. He’ll dig up the truth. Let’s wait.”

“Claude?”

All I knew about Claude was that he liked art and followed trends—I really didn’t know much else.

‘Have I been this indifferent to everyone around me?’

As I reflected on my lack of awareness, Claude returned looking flustered.

“Claude? What’s going on?”

“Well…”

He hesitated, then fanned out a huge list in his hand.

“These are all gifts sent to you. All as tokens of gratitude.”

“What kind of ‘gratitude’ exactly?”

Xion asked dryly, and Claude looked annoyed.

“Apparently, these folks are grateful you swallowed them and spat them out stronger.”

...What?!

“So, the rumor is that if the Princess swallows you and spits you back out, your power increases?”

Xion sounded intrigued.

I glared at him.

“Xion, can you stop saying it like that?”

“I’m only repeating the rumors.”

“Oh? So you’re okay with me pinching your side?”

He quickly raised his hands in surrender.

“Ahem. I believe the fruit you returned changed somehow. Those who ate it must’ve grown stronger.”

“Was that... my doing?”

Claude looked stunned, pointing at himself.

“I scrubbed those fruits clean while you were making name tags! Didn’t know I had such power!”

Xion ignored him like he was a fool.

“You should accept the gifts.”

“Really?”

Taking gifts after stealing and returning powers made me feel like a gangster.

“You can always return the favor later.”

Encouraged, Claude gathered the list excitedly, then paused.

“Oh, right—one of the gifts is a slave.”

Why would someone gift that?!

Ignoring my discomfort, Claude chattered on.

“Kid, ever heard of someone named Felix?”

“...Felix?”

“He was once expected to rival Dante in swordsmanship. No one thought he’d end up passed around as a slave.”

My heart dropped.

Felix—the traitor.

The man who helped the protagonist escape the empire, who later became the leader of the rebellion... had now appeared before me.