Empress of Otherverse Chapter 95

Chapter 95:

The hole wasn’t very big. It was just big enough for a person to go through.

I murmured in confusion, “[Is it a sinkhole?]”

I knew in Seoul, many sinkholes were occurring and causing problems in the city. I rembered seeing on the news that the experts were discussing where all the soils and rocks were disappearing to when a sinkhole appeared.

One of the theories was the overuse of underground water. People used too much of it and the empty spaces were being filled by the dirt and the rocks.

However, now that I thought about it, maybe they disappeared from earth.

Perhaps, they actually were transported to a different world as I did.

“Oh my...”

Just like everyone, I knew of the dangers of sinkholes, but I never thought I would beco a victim of them. No one ever thought bad things would happen to them.

I realized how naïve I was in believing that.

In a way, it is possible the sinkhole saved from being hit by the train.

However, in return, it transported to this world, and now, I was stuck here.

Suddenly, the scene in front of disappeared, and I was again able to see the priestess. She was putting on the eyepiece back over her eyes again.

When I remained seated quietly, she said to , “So that was it.”

“Y, yes.”

“The thing that made you co here...”

The priestess didn’t finish her sentence. She seed like she was thinking about sothing.

I wanted to give her as much information as possible.

“It’s called the [sinkhole.]”

“[Sinkhole]?”

“Yes. It... happened suddenly. It is a hole that appears on the ground, and sotis, it even happens at the bottom of the ocean.”

She nodded as I continued. “Perhaps so of the holes are actually so sort of a connection between different worlds.” She seed troubled. “This isn’t great. If what you think is right, returning back ho would be... very difficult.”

“I know...”

I bit my lips. If I was transported by soone or sothing intentionally, it would have been better. I could try to find that person or try to make the opposite happen.

However, this was not the case. If it was a random natural phenonon, like a typhoon or an earthquake... How could I make it happen?

I turned to the priestess desperately.

“C... could there still be a way?”

I knew I was asking the impossible, but I had no one else. She was my only hope.

The priestess.

This was the first ti soone gave any kind of hope. A real possibility.

Without her, I wouldn’t have been able to learn about this sinkhole.

The priestess raised her head slowly. Izvita patted my hand gently.

“At this point, I can’t tell you anything. I can’t promise you anything.”

“...”

I felt like my heart was breaking. My eyes started to fill again with tears. I blinked a few tis to stop myself from crying. Just then, the priestess smiled and gave the answer I hoped for.

“But I will search for the answer. I will do my best to find a way for you. I will examine all the records in the Aos temple...”

She hesitated before continuing, “I can’t be sure, but there might be an answer to what you seek.”

I cried. I couldn’t help it.

“Thank you.” That was the only thing I could tell her. “T, thank you so much.”

While I talked with the priestess in tears, Lucretius continued to watch us silently. He didn’t interfere at all. He kept his promise to .

***

Ti passed by fast from then.

Nothing major happened during the celebration, which was fortunate. What I learned from the session with the priestess was so overwhelming I couldn’t’ stop thinking about it.

I had to do my best not to get too hopeful. Despite this distraction, I made sure I did my duties as the emperor’s only wife during the events.

Other than missing the second day due to my illness, I never missed another event.

The only difference from the first day was the fact I learned to enjoy the jealous and angry stares from other single ladies.

Knowing Lucretius’ feelings helped to relax a little, but it didn’t an I decided to stay with him permanently. I still planned on returning to my ho and family.

I also couldn’t be sure of how I truly felt about him. How he felt about was a completely different thing than how I felt about him.

A woman didn’t have any obligation to return a man’s feeling. It wasn’t my duty to love him just because he felt that way about .

However, I knew one thing for sure.

... I was starting to fall for him.

My heart pounded fast whenever I was around him. I couldn’t deny the new feelings I was beginning to have.

I didn’t know for sure why. Was my feeling genuine, or was it because of his looks and background? Was I just flattered that an emperor confessed his love for ?

I tried to look at myself objectively. I had minimal experience with boys. I went to an all-girls’ schools since junior high. I dreamt of dating soday since I was young.

This ant I was an easy target when it ca to romance. A gorgeous rich ruler being kind and loving to ...

It would have been odd not to feel sothing.

That was why I couldn’t help but doubt my feeling. Was it really genuine?

And... if Lucretius wasn’t so beautiful, would I have felt the sa way?

I rembered when I saw my first husband, the forr emperor, for the first ti. I was devastated. I had actually hoped Lucretius would be my husband instead.

At the ti, I had no idea I would really beco his wife, and that he would end up falling in love with .

What if he wasn’t an emperor with all the riches and powers in this world? Would I have felt sothing for him?

... I couldn’t be certain.

I couldn’t be sure if my feelings were from shallow reasons. I didn’t know if my feelings were for what he was, rather than who it was.

In fact, at the beginning of our relationship, I was actually afraid of him. I felt a little ashad that my feelings changed so fast.

***

Finally, it was the last day of the celebration.

I had greeted and t with so many people over the last few days that I was exhausted.

People approached with never-ending complints.

“Your highness!”

“You look so beautiful today.”

I couldn’t even rember their faces or nas, but they acted like they knew well.

“Your silver dress is so lovely.”

“Soon, everyone will be wearing silver dresses. You are such a style setter.”

Soone laughed and agreed. “I know! Many young ladies are already wearing the wing-shaped ear cuff.”

A nearby lady explained to , “On the first night, your highness wore the most beautiful ear cuff. Everyone found out that it was a gift from his highness made for you from Losinite.”

“That’s right and because of it, Losinite was able to make a year’s worth profit in only a few days recently.”

Losinite, nad after the owner and jewelry maker, was apparently was one of the best jewelry workshops in Cransia.

The ladies exclaid excitedly, “You are so loved by his highness!”

“I’m sure we will be hearing good news very soon.”

They laughed exaggeratedly, which annoyed .

So the ear cuff was a very expensive piece?

I planned on saying sothing to Lucretius later. For now, I had to take care of these annoying won.

A tyrant usually had a witch of a woman next to him. A woman who was both an and corrupt. It was unfair, but sotis, the woman was blad for many of the tyrant’s actions.

The won here were insinuating I was that witch, and I didn’t plan on letting them continue.

“Oh my... I didn’t realize it was such a precious piece, especially for soone unworthy like . If I knew, I would have refused...”

When I looked upset, the ladies beca pale and tried to fix the situation.

“But it is only a small price considering how wealthy Cransia is as a kingdom!”

“It’s true! It’s nothing compared to the budget for the dowager empress’ wing.”

“Exactly!”

“Your highness is well known for your frugalness!”

I finally gave them a small smile of relieve.

“I’m glad to hear.”