Bitter News

“Katerina, Gladius! Here they are! The strongest and the most beautiful couple of the Empire! If people chose emperors by appearance, you wouldn’t have left me a chance — isn’t it right, my love?” The Emperor showered the couple with compliments, then turned to his wife.

“You two are a sight for sore eyes! I’m so glad both of you could join our humble ball,” exclaimed the Empress with a wide smile. Even though it appeared sincere, she couldn’t fully mask the glint of malice in her eyes.

“Aw, that’s so kind of you to say, Your Majesties. But you’re spoiling us with compliments. See? You even made my dear Gladius blush. Did the compliments make you shy, my love? I’m sorry, but Gladius can’t really take praise.” The woman smiled teasingly, making both the Emperor and Empress chuckle. Meanwhile, their daughter, Tamara, fidgeted and cast a shy glance at Gladius from under her brow. Gladius sighed.

“And of course, Andrew! One of the mightiest and most promising heroes of the Empire — surely destined for the Great Hero title. It’s lovely to see you here. With you, I feel as safe as if I were behind the unbreakable stone wall!”

“Uh, come on, Your Majesty. I could do better than that. With me you’re like behind Iron Wall! I’m more reliable than even The Great Phoenix Fort. I won’t let any of those rascals even scratch you!”

The Emperor and Empress laughed frivolously while both Katerina and the princess looked at Andrew with a hint of contempt.

“You three are looking charming tonight. And Your Royal Highness doesn’t fall short of our daughter, don’t you think, dear?” Katerina softly glanced at the princess, winking. The princess shyly lowered her head.

“You look as radiant as ever,” Gladius added calmly.

“It’s hard to look away when you’re in my sight,” Andrew said boldly, staring at the Empress, who smirked and blushed just a little.

They weren’t lying. Though the Emperor and Empress didn’t quite match Gladius and Katerina in looks, they were still among the most striking figures in the ballroom.

The Emperor had dignified grey hair and a well-groomed beard, but his most striking feature was his amethyst-colored eyes — vivid, luminous, almost jewel-like. He wasn’t far behind Gladius in height.

The Empress, meanwhile, was much shorter — especially beside Katerina, who stood nearly as tall as Gladius and the Emperor themselves. Though her hair shared the same red hue as Katerina’s, it was a darker, maroon shade and far more unruly. She had to pile it up, styled with wax into a conical crown-like shape.

Her hazel eyes, while striking, resembled dull gold compared to Katerina’s bright ones. However, she did surpass Katerina in one area: the size of her bosom, which she proudly accentuated with an open neckline. Andrew smiled lasciviously at the sight, and Katerina’s brow twitched. She squeezed Gladius’s hand so hard it nearly broke, prompting him to retaliate by stepping heavily on her foot.

“Ho-ho. Stop it. When it comes from you, it sounds like mockery,” the Empress smiled, shaking her chest slightly and staring at Katerina piercingly.

“Ha-ha. No, no. I’m serious,” Katerina replied with a smile, returning the stare with just as much intensity.

“Ah yes,” the Emperor cut in, eager to shift the mood, “your daughter — I believe I’ve heard something about her. She’s making great progress! I heard she got first place at the Knight Academy! No one even came close to her skill.”

“As expected from your daughter. Following in your footsteps. You both must be so proud,” the Empress added, narrowing her eyes, glancing at the princess who lowered her head, staring at the floor.

“I also have kids — just never met ’em,” Andrew said with a shrug. Gladius shook his head disapprovingly while both Katerina and the princess gave Andrew matching looks of contempt. The Emperor and Empress pretended not to hear, awaiting Katerina's reply.

“Her accomplishments don’t matter to us,” Katerina said calmly.

“Hm?”

“Her happiness does,” Gladius continued for his wife. “If achievements like those bring her joy, then we’re happy for her. If she wants to follow in our footsteps, so be it. But we never forced her to carry this burden. In fact, we made it very clear what the hero’s path entails — how hard it is, how crushing the pressure can be.”

Gladius’s tone stayed calm, but his eyes locked onto the Emperor and Empress with piercing intensity. Their friendly masks cracked slightly.

The Emperor gulped. Katerina's eyes were just as cold, though her smile never changed.

Andrew took a massive bite from a chicken leg he pulled from seemingly nowhere. He glanced at the princess nonchalantly, who saw where he got it and failed to hide her expression of disgust.

“That’s why she can choose whatever path her heart leads her to. If she wants to abandon the hero’s role and become a seamstress, we’ll support her. If she wants to enjoy life, marry well, and never work — we’ll support that too.”

“That’s one I could support too,” Andrew mumbled, smirking. Katerina stepped on his foot, making him squeak.

“If she tells us she doesn’t want a husband and wants to travel alone, maybe even leave the Empire...” Gladius added. The Emperor and Empress's eyebrows twitched; a flicker of panic crossed their faces.

“If she chooses that, we’ll still support her. Her happiness is all that matters.”

“Exactly. I couldn’t have said it better, dear,” Katerina said, patting Gladius’s head like a proud mother. His eyebrow twitched.

“You two get along so well,” the Empress cut in, changing the subject. “Everyone knows you’re married, but it’s still unusual to see you so close. I remember how twenty years ago, you couldn’t even sit in the same room. Remember, darling? When your father had to kick them both out?”

“Gagaga, the Greatest and most dignified heroes kicked out of the Royal Palace? That’s something I’d pay to see,” Andrew noted, making the Empress smile.

“Ha-ha, yes, it was something,” the Emperor muttered, glancing aside.

“We were very young, and there was a lot of unresolved tension in the air,” Katerina smirked, looking at Gladius, who just sighed.

“Is that so? I remember you two fighting to near death for the right to be called the strongest. As I recall, the winner was never decided,” the Empress said.

Katerina’s face twitched slightly, while Gladius remained unreadable.

“As I said, the tension was high. But we resolved it in bed. That time, my dear didn’t stand a chance. He even begged for mercy,” Katerina whispered the last part with a derisive smile, making Tamara blush and the Empress chuckle. Andrew looked like he wanted to add something but wisely stayed quiet.

“Sometimes he still does. But unfortunately for him, I’m relentless. Right, my love?”

Gladius stared coldly. Katerina patted his back with a grin. “I’m just teasing.”

“Well, it was nice chatting, but we won’t keep you. Enjoy yourselves.”

Gladius, Katerina, and Andrew bowed.

“Oh, by the way. Have you seen Magnolia? We wanted to greet all the heroes today,” the Emperor asked, looking around.

“Ah, yes! Apologies, Your Majesty. She asked me to give you this letter. I didn’t open it; it’s just as she gave it to me. You know Magnolia, she never cares for etiquette or anything at all. She couldn’t even bother to buy an envelope or even proper parchment. She just found a scrap of paper on the ground and gave it to me. She’s beyond me,” Katerina said, shrugging with amusement.

“It’s fine. Thank you,” the Emperor replied, taking the note. The Empress's smile faded. She winced.

The Emperor read the letter. His expression darkened with each word.

“There’s not much. She says she’s going traveling and wishes us luck. And... regards.”

“Wha—” The Empress cleared her throat and clenched her fist. Frustration flickered in her eyes; panic began creeping into the Emperor's face.

“Gagagaga... ‘Best of luck,’ huh? That’s exactly what we need,” Andrew laughed.

This time, Katerina didn’t stop it — she chuckled too. Gladius smiled, but bitterly.

“I-I need to think. Sorry. But I’m glad you’re still with us. Enjoy the evening,” the Emperor said, barely masking his distress.

He turned to leave, but just then, the ballroom doors slammed open. A panting messenger rushed in.

“Urgent report for His Majesty! The southern front has broken! Hero Gerald... has fallen — slain by the Princess of Oblivion, Oksana!”

Gasps erupted across the ballroom. Gladius’s eyes widened in shock.