The Scum Emperor's Redemption System

Chapter 56 Payment (1)

The day had finally arrived—the grand marriage ceremony between Argider and Fialova.

It would happen in just a few short hours, but for now, Argider was in the midst of preparations, her entire being swathed in the bustle of the palace's finest attendants.

The room was filled with lady-in-waiting, each one a noble in her own right, their hands working quickly to transform Argider into a vision of royal elegance.

She was dressed in a delicate white gown, its silk shimmering faintly under the light. But despite the flurry of activity, Argider was far from impressed with the attention.

"H-Hold on! Do I really need makeup?!" she squeaked, flailing her hands as she pushed them away. Her face turned red as they continued to fuss over her.

"Your Imperial Majesty, you are a woman now, so you must embrace it..." one of the ladies-in-waiting said, her tone far too serious for Argider's liking.

"Well, we can always do light makeup on her Imperial Majesty," another suggested, ever so gently dabbing at a brush with a perfectly composed smile.

Before Argider could protest any further, a loud, mocking laugh rang out from the corner of the room.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" It echoed through the chamber, a laugh so boisterous and carefree it almost made the walls tremble.

Everyone froze, turning in unison toward the source of the sound.

There, perched upon Argider's shoulder, was the robin—laughing its tiny head off.

"No freaking way! Did you actually turn into a woman? God, you probably deserved it!" the robin cackled, flapping its wings dramatically as it mocked Argider, its little beady eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Shut the up or I'll take away your ability to talk!" she snapped, though, in truth, she wasn't entirely sure if she could do that. She just said it for the sake of dramatic effect.

The robin scoffed, flapping its wings again. "Whatever, man-whore turned woman."

Argider's eyes narrowed to dangerous slits. "What did you just call me?!" she hissed, her voice low and dangerous as she whipped her head around to the lady-in-waiting, who had all but frozen in place, their faces blank with shock.

"D-Don't worry, it's just... my magic..." she reassured.

Ah yes, the magic. Argider's ability to bestow strange gifts depending on the situation—was no secret. The bird was only a recent beneficiary of that power.

Argider sighed deeply, her shoulders slumping in defeat.

She couldn't be bothered with this anymore. The entire situation was absurd. She was about to marry Fialova, her fifth wife, but here she was, caught up in a ridiculous battle of wills with a talking bird.

"Yeah! What are you doing here?!" the robin mimicked loudly from Argider's shoulder, its voice sharp and mocking.

Esmeralda's gaze flicked to the tiny bird, stunned.

"Hah!" she scoffed, her amusement bubbling to the surface. What utter absurdity was happening this time?

She took a few long strides forward, reaching out to grab the robin. She squeezed the bird in her hands with a force that made Argider's eyes widen in disbelief. A talking bird, really?

"I don't know what you are, little bird," Esmeralda continued with a wicked gleam in her eyes, "but get out of this room. My wife and I have a little chat to finish."

The robin squawked in surprise, its tiny feathers flapping desperately against her grip. "Y-Yes...!" it gasped before Esmeralda threw the bird out the window. She didn't even bother to look as it fled. Then, Esmeralda closed all the windows, ensuring no one would hear the conversation to come.

"Again, what are you doing here?" Argider asked, leaning against the vanity.

"Here to take out my anger on the fact that I have to watch you get married today. You owe me for all those times you pushed me aside, Argider."

It was obvious: Esmeralda wasn't truly hurt. Her ego, bruised by countless years of competition for attention, was what was truly at the core of this confrontation.

"So, this is something I should expect?"

"Yes, I suppose so. And I'll admit it... I've been feeling frustrated."

Argider gave her a pointed look, crossing her arms over her chest. "Then why did you throw away your dog, Uzak?"

The Empress didn't reply for a moment. "So you knew?"

"I heard..." Argider corrected.

Esmeralda's breath quickened, her chest rising and falling with suppressed anger. The silence that stretched between them was irritatingly awkward.

Without warning, Esmeralda stepped forward, her hands moving to grip Argider's face with surprising tenderness.

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She tilted Argider's chin up, her lips crashing against hers in a kiss that was both desperate and full of pent-up frustration.

Argider, stunned at first, felt the fire of Esmeralda's kiss as it seared through her.

The Empress was usually composed, dignified, always in control. But now, the rawness of her emotions, her jealousy, and anger spilled out in the form of this kiss—one that, for a moment, Argider didn't know how to respond to.