Chapter 64: The Empress’s “Prison Cage
To become her person?
Mophis looked at Seraphina’s flawless face and those violet eyes brimming with absolute possessiveness, and felt her own breathing grow uneven.
This Empress was even more direct, even more domineering than Ignis.
Ignis’s possession was the kind that said, “You are mine, so I will lock you away.”
But Seraphina’s domination was, “You are mine, so you must be of use to me, become the most dazzling jewel in my crown.”
Both were pathological, but the oppression of the latter was clearly far greater.
Mophis’s mind spun rapidly.
Refuse directly? That would be the same as slapping this iron-fisted Empress in the face; the next second, she might find herself “invited” by the golden-armored guards outside the hall to drink tea in the dungeon.
Agree? Even less possible. If she swore allegiance, it would be the same as voluntarily handing herself—this “BUG”—over to the GM’s “antivirus software,” and her end would be far worse.
She had to think of a way, one that would not anger Seraphina, but would also preserve her independence.
Mophis’s gaze fell on the Empress’s hand that was pinching her chin.
She slowly raised her own hand and, with a soft yet irresistible force, removed the Empress’s hand from her chin.
“Your Majesty.” Her voice remained calm. “Loyalty must be proven with time, not with a hollow oath.”
“And moreover…” She stepped back half a step, pulling open a safe distance from Seraphina, and revealed a faint smile that seemed to say, “You are too hasty.” “What I pursue is not worldly glory or protection. My standing here, speaking to you as an equal, has never relied on the grace of others.”
These words were neither humble nor arrogant, subtly refusing the demand to “swear allegiance,” while also kindly reminding Seraphina that behind her stood a dragon capable of trampling her entire nation.
Seraphina’s violet eyes narrowed slightly.
Interesting.
How many years had it been since anyone dared refuse her to her face, let alone dared to bargain with her in this manner?
The young girl before her was like an unfathomable enigma—the deeper one delved, the more captivating she became.
Instead of anger, Seraphina’s lips curled into an intrigued smile.
“You are right. Loyalty must indeed be proven with time.” Seraphina withdrew her hand and resumed her unhurried, regal posture. “In that case, I hope you will remain in St. Orleans, as the Empire’s ‘Honorary Advisor.’”
“I will prepare a palace solely for you. You may enter and leave the Imperial ‘Forbidden Archive’ at will, and command all the resources of the Empire to study the ‘truth of the world’ you speak of.”
“What do you think of this proposal?”
Mophis’s heart sank.
Chief Honorary Advisor? It sounded prestigious, but in reality, it was nothing more than being put under house arrest in the imperial city.
A palace of her own? Wasn’t that just a resplendent prison, a cage in disguise?
This Empress was indeed not one to be trifled with. She had simply chosen a gentler, but even harder-to-refuse means to achieve her aim of “control.”
Mophis knew she had no better choice now.
“Since it is Your Majesty’s gracious will, I naturally have no reason to refuse.” She gave a slight curtsey, thus accepting this “position.”
“Excellent.” Seraphina’s face revealed a satisfied smile. “Elsa, take our Advisor to her ‘Palace of the Star and Moon’ to rest. From today on, all her expenses shall be of the highest standard.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Elsa answered respectfully, then gestured politely to Mophis.
Mophis followed Elsa and left the suffocating throne hall.
At the moment she turned, she could feel the gaze behind her—filled with probing dominance—following her tightly until the heavy doors slowly closed.
The so-called “Palace of the Star and Moon” was indeed supremely luxurious.
It was situated in the quietest corner of the imperial palace, a standalone palace with a vast garden and an observatory. All of its furniture was crafted from rare enchanted woods, the floors were carpeted with soft beast furs, and priceless artworks adorned the walls.
Seraphina had even assigned twenty young and beautiful maids, along with a hundred royal guards, tasked exclusively with her “safety.”
Mophis knew well—those maids and guards were not just there to serve her, but also to watch her.
She was trapped.
In the days that followed, Seraphina indeed granted Mophis the highest of privileges, just as she had promised.
She had people deliver mountains of rare medicinal herbs and supplements, nourishing Mophis’s once-weak body as never before.
She granted Mophis supreme access to the “Forbidden Archive.” That archive held the Empire’s most guarded knowledge, filled with countless unique tomes and confidential magical records.
Seraphina seemed to be demonstrating her “sincerity” in this way, hoping Mophis would willingly offer herself in service.
She began to “summon” Mophis frequently—sometimes in her study, sometimes in her private garden. She would present the Empire’s thorniest problems and “consult” with her.
For example, the northern provinces had been struck by a once-in-a-century “Frost Plague.” Crops had withered on a massive scale, and civilians were displaced. The Empire’s mages and priests were helpless.
Mophis was brought before an enormous military sand table.
With just one glance, she identified the issue.
“This is not a plague, but a compound large-scale curse.” Drawing from the knowledge bank of her previous life, she explained, “The curse’s core lies in altering the land’s ‘elemental balance.’ Water element has become excessively active, while fire and earth elements have been heavily suppressed.”
“If you use light magic to purify it, the imbalance will only worsen. The correct method is to construct ‘Fire Element Amplification Towers’ at several key ‘elemental nodes’ in the cursed region, while sending earth mages to use ‘Geovital Conduction’ spells to reactivate the land’s vitality.”
Her words left all members of the Empire’s think tank dumbstruck.
Seraphina immediately ordered them to execute Mophis’s plan. Three days later, news arrived from the north: the “Frost Plague” that had ravaged for months was finally receding.
From that day onward, Seraphina’s gaze toward Mophis burned even hotter.
She began gifting increasingly personal “presents.”
Today it was a splendid gown woven from “Moonlight Silk,” shimmering translucent under the light.
Tomorrow, a magical bath prepared by her maids, filled with fresh milk and precious “Dawn Rose” petals, said to possess wondrous beauty-enhancing effects.
Mophis felt like a canary kept in a gilded cage—dressed up each day, fed luxuriously, admired.
The feeling filled her with shame and… unease.
That night, Mophis had just finished her bath and changed into the slippery Moonlight Silk gown when a maid approached respectfully, holding an ivory comb.
“Advisor, may this humble servant comb your hair for you?”
Mophis sat before the dressing table, gazing at the girl in the mirror—her complexion rosy, her skin faintly glowing beneath the silk gown, looking less and less like herself. Her heart trembled.
The maid combed her waterfall-like black hair with gentle strokes, her voice tinged with admiration. “Advisor, your body has grown ever healthier. Your skin is smoother and more delicate than when you first arrived, and your figure… has become much more shapely.”
Mophis’s face flushed crimson in an instant.
She unconsciously straightened her chest. In the mirror, the once-regrettably flatness seemed now to have… the faintest, delightful rise.
All those supplements had not been eaten in vain!
Just as she was secretly rejoicing, the palace doors opened. Seraphina, dressed in casual clothes, entered.
She dismissed all the maids and personally invited Mophis to dine with her.
The dinner was set on the observatory of the Palace of the Star and Moon.
Stars twinkled above, and a cool breeze drifted by.
The two sat opposite one another, fine dishes laid out on the table.
“You seem to have grown quite accustomed to life here.” Seraphina swirled the red wine in her glass, her violet eyes deep beneath the starlight.
“Thank you, Your Majesty, for your generosity.” Mophis replied politely.
“I am curious.” Seraphina suddenly set down her glass, leaning forward slightly, her gaze blazing. “That Golden Dragon King, Ignis, holds you in such special regard. And you— you do not seem the least bit afraid of her dragon’s might that can burn all things.”
“Tell me. How exactly did you… ‘tame’ a dragon?”
The question pierced like a sharp blade, striking directly at Mophis’s sorest point.
She knew—the Empress’s patience was running out.
If tonight’s answer did not satisfy her, then this “canary” might very well be locked into a true cage.