Chapter 157: Chapter 157: His Majesty’s Rage

Just as Su Yaoyao’s carriage slowly approached the gates of the Imperial Palace, a guard on duty recognized her at a glance. Joy flooded his face as he hurried forward to greet her, his voice filled with excitement and relief as he exclaimed:

"Holy Female, you’re finally back! His Majesty flew into a rage when he couldn’t find you. He even ordered the guard who let you out to be punished. He was whipped severely and is probably still injured."

Hearing this, Su Yaoyao’s heart sank, and a flash of panic and guilt crossed her face.

She knew Augustine’s temper well and understood that sneaking out this time had genuinely worried him.

Without a second thought, she broke into a run, her hurried footsteps carrying her toward the main hall, her heart pounding with anxiety. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

Inside the main hall, the atmosphere was so oppressive it was suffocating.

Augustine’s eyes were wide with fury as he raged at Roland and the group of Holy Knights kneeling on the floor. "You useless trash! You can’t even find a single person! What good are you to me? Do I feed you all for nothing?"

His voice thundered through the hall, each word laced with a fury that made everyone’s ears ache.

Roland and the other Holy Knights kept their heads bowed, their faces grim. None of them dared to make a sound.

They were well aware of His Majesty’s fury; no one dared offer an excuse. They could only silently bear Augustine’s wrath.

Just then, a guard rushed into the hall, shouting at the top of his lungs, "Your Majesty! The Holy Female has returned!" The cry cut through the oppressive silence like a clap of thunder.

Su Yaoyao burst into the great hall.

The moment she entered, she saw the punished guard still being flogged. The sharp CRACK of the whip against his flesh struck her heart like a hammer blow.

Frantic, Su Yaoyao instinctively shouted, "Stop!"

Everyone turned. The moment they saw Su Yaoyao appear at the entrance, every knight breathed a silent sigh of relief, as if a great weight had finally been lifted from their chests.

Augustine’s eyes widened instantly, a flash of surprise and elation crossing his features.

Without a word, he shot down from his high throne. His steps were hurried and frantic as he practically flew to Su Yaoyao’s side, pulling her into a tight embrace, his body trembling slightly.

His trembling betrayed a complex mixture of worry, anger, and the profound relief of her safe return.

But Su Yaoyao’s thoughts were on the guard. Her voice was trembling but firm as she said, "I’m the one who lied to him. I said I had already reported to Your Majesty and gotten permission to leave the palace. I am the Holy Female; he didn’t dare stop me out of respect for my station. This is all my fault. Your Majesty, if someone must be punished, then punish me!"

Augustine stared at Su Yaoyao for a moment before turning to an attendant. "Relay my order. Stop the guard’s flogging at once. Have the imperial physician see to his wounds and ensure he is treated well."

The attendant took his leave, and only then did Su Yaoyao breathe a sigh of relief. She looked at Augustine gratefully. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Where did you go? Do you have any idea how worried I was?" Augustine’s voice trembled as he buried his face in the crook of Su Yaoyao’s neck, as if trying to pour out all the anxiety he’d felt that day.

Augustine held her so tightly she could barely breathe. Overwhelmed with guilt and panic, she stammered, "I-I just went for a walk in the streets. I didn’t realize I’d gone so far, and then... then it got late." She couldn’t meet Augustine’s eyes, her gaze flickering away as her voice grew quieter and quieter.

Augustine loosened his embrace but kept his hands firmly on her shoulders, his gaze burning as he stared at her, his eyes filled with both reproach and worry.

"You are the Holy Female! Your station is of the utmost importance. We cannot allow even the slightest mishap!"

He narrowed his eyes, unable to conceal his deep anxiety, as if he could already see the shadowy figures of those with ill intent stirring in the darkness.

"If those with malicious intent found out you were out alone and took the opportunity to abduct you, what would become of me?"

Complex emotions stirred in Su Yaoyao’s heart. She felt like Augustine was treating her like a naive child who could be abducted at any moment.

But on reflection, she knew His Majesty’s concerns were entirely reasonable. After all, the status of the Holy Female was far too special, and many coveted her.

Seeing her silent and apparently reflecting on his words, Augustine continued in a grave, heartfelt tone, "If anything happened to you, how would I ever explain it to your Beast Husband? How could I face the millions of people in the Empire?"

Although Augustine’s voice was still stern, the deep concern within it was as clear and palpable as a warm undercurrent.

Su Yaoyao felt a wave of both affection and guilt. She nodded vigorously and said softly, "Mmm, I understand, Your Majesty." As she spoke, she slowly raised her arms and gently hugged Augustine, trying to soothe the tension coiling in him from all his worry.

Augustine buried his face in her neck, deeply inhaling her familiar scent as his own volatile emotions gradually settled.

Seeing this, Roland and the other Holy Knights tactfully rose and withdrew.

After everyone had left and the hall doors slowly closed, the vast chamber fell silent, leaving only Augustine and Su Yaoyao.

The remnants of his earlier anxiety and worry still lingered in Augustine’s eyes. He reached out and naturally took Su Yaoyao’s hand. His palm was broad and warm, conveying a strength that brooked no resistance.

He led her to the throne that symbolized supreme power in the center of the hall. He sat down first, then with a gentle yet undeniable tug, he wrapped an arm around Su Yaoyao’s waist and settled her firmly onto his lap.

The sudden intimacy made Su Yaoyao let out a small gasp. She struggled slightly, saying in a flustered tone, "Your Majesty, this throne is the symbol of imperial authority! How can I possibly sit on it?" Her cheeks flushed pink, her eyes filled with unease and embarrassment.

A fond smile played on Augustine’s lips. "Yaoyao," he said softly, "don’t sell yourself short. In my heart, even if I were to give you the throne to the entire Empire, what would be so wrong with that?" His voice was low and magnetic, holding an almost magical, soothing quality.

Su Yaoyao was taken aback for a moment, then she shook her head and replied playfully, "Your Majesty, you must be joking. I don’t know the first thing about governing a country. Even if you gave me the throne, I wouldn’t have a clue what to do." She tried to lighten the tense atmosphere with her teasing words.