At those words, a slight heat rose to my face.

Even in my past life as an Emperor, I occasionally heard praise directed at me. However, most of them were insincere words, speaking nicely to my face while cursing me behind my back.

Perhaps that’s why.

I felt a bit embarrassed, having no immunity to such sincere words.

Cail spoke to me in an even more solemn voice.

“You are someone who has accomplished things that seemed absolutely impossible. Being who you are, I’m sure you’ll excel when you return to your rightful place.”

“My place?”

“…Niel Alpenhayer’s proposal is a good opportunity for you. That man never handles anything carelessly, does he?”

“Ah…”

A short sigh escaped my lips at the word ‘proposal’ coming from Cail’s mouth.

‘So he did see it after all.’

When I received Niel’s proposal in front of the pharmacy with countless eyes watching, I had briefly sensed an unusual magical presence.

I wondered if Cail had been there, but since I couldn’t see him, I thought I had been mistaken…

‘He saw that scene and ran away again.’

Suddenly, I remembered Cail’s voice awakening my soul when I had lost my body to Arne’s soul and my consciousness was submerged.

He had said that he should have stayed by my side to protect me, but foolishly left my side and caused me pain, that it was his fault and I should come to my senses and scold him.

I had wondered where his vague sense of guilt came from, but it seems he thought he failed to protect me from Arne because he fled from that place.

“He has been preparing to return that position to you for a long time. So if you marry that man…”

I stared blankly at Cail’s face as he explained. He appeared calm on the surface, but the corners of his eyes were subtly distorted.

Realizing this, my heart grew warm.

Even though he disliked the idea of me marrying Niel.

Even though he had been conscious of Niel enough to compare himself to him for a very long time.

Even though he couldn’t bear to watch me receive Niel’s proposal and had run away.

Despite all that, Cail was speaking like this solely for my sake.

Consistently, he was someone who always put me before himself.

Even after finally confessing his feelings that he loved me, he still prioritized my feelings.

How could I not love someone like you?

“I refused Niel’s proposal.”

At my brief statement, Cail paused and looked at me.

“What? Why…”

“Why? Do you dislike me when I’m not an Emperor?”

When I teased him, I could feel his confusion.

“Dislike you? How could I? That’s not it, I…”

I burst into laughter at his flustered reaction.

He must have thought I would naturally accept that offer.

Well, it was such an extraordinary proposal that even I was somewhat tempted.

‘He said he would marry me, make me the only imperial family member, and then quietly disappear. What kind of ridiculous plan was he thinking of?’

Moreover, it seems Cail was also aware of Niel’s absurd plan.

‘But even if it’s a marriage just for appearances…’

While quietly contemplating, a small feeling of defiance suddenly surged toward Cail.

“Don’t you care? If I marry another man?”

He momentarily froze, showing signs of agitation.

“You don’t like it. Me marrying another man.”

“…”

For a moment, he couldn’t answer and his pupils trembled slightly.

“I…”

With a somewhat defiant attitude, I tilted my head and looked at him, curious to hear what he would say.

Then, lowering his eyes, he answered in the same calm voice as before.

“I am fine with it. I have never dared to think of your side as my place…”

“Are you really okay with it?”

“…”

Unable to listen anymore, I cut off his words and asked again. Cail’s lips pressed tightly together.

“Cail Aleret, this is an order. Answer my question honestly.”

“…”

“If there’s even a hint of a lie, I might get angry.”

Of course, I had no intention of actually getting angry with him, but the threat of anger seemed to work a little.

After hesitating several times, Cail painfully closed and opened his eyes before revealing his true feelings.

“…Presumptuously, I thought I didn’t want you to marry that man. So I left that place and ran away.”

A dry, rough voice flowed between his lips.

“As your servant who should protect you, I once again forgot my duty and was consumed by filthy jealousy, and I…”

Cail’s eyes contorted as he spoke.

His feelings, accumulated over many years, made me a little, no, very upset.

So I, unconsciously reaching out toward his eyes, whispered.

“Why do you keep talking like that? Presumptuous? Don’t speak as if you’re lowering yourself.”

Who am I?

At best, I was just a villain who nearly drove the world to destruction. Even the position of Emperor was just one of the devices for me to be a villain.

Why would someone like Cail lower himself so much before someone like me?

In reality, I am now just a commoner with nothing, while he is a hero beloved by all.

Yet, seeing him constantly belittling himself before me pained my heart, so I caressed the corner of his eye and asked.

“You said you liked me. You asked me to stay by your side. Don’t tell me you thought I meant to keep you as my knight again?”

“Ah…”

Cail parted his lips in apparent surprise at my words.

“I, naturally…”

He stuttered uncharacteristically.

“Naturally?”

“…”

Cail couldn’t answer further and firmly closed his mouth.

At that moment, his nape turned bright red.

‘What was he going to say that made him blush like that?’

Faced with this unexpected reaction, I just stared blankly at his face and tilted my head.

“Cail?”

“…I’m sorry. It’s just that I.”

He let out a short breath and finally answered.

“I don’t want you to give up the position you desire just because of someone like me.”

The words that finally came out of his mouth were rather bland.

‘I don’t think that’s what made his face so red.’

I was suspicious but decided not to press further as it seemed like I would be pushing him too hard.

” Someone like you’? If I used such a belittling phrase about the man I love, even you would be upset with me for talking about you that way.”

Instead, I smiled and caressed the corner of his eye.

At the word ‘love,’ he drew in a short breath and looked at me.

Somehow feeling embarrassed to meet those trembling blue eyes directly, I slightly averted my gaze.

Yesterday, I was able to speak of love to him amid overwhelming emotions, but saying it in this calm atmosphere made me a bit shy.

“Besides, that position is no longer mine. Using the term ‘give up’ is excessive.”

So I deliberately cleared my throat and changed the subject.

“Well, I’ve already done many things I wanted to do as Emperor. Actually, I think Niel is a better Emperor than I am.”

I spoke while recalling the peaceful streets of Yetrisha.

It was a serene and harmonious scene I had never witnessed during my time as Emperor.

In the turbulent and dynamic period when the old Shunaibel Empire disappeared into the annals of history and a new empire rose, Niel had perfectly governed the new empire for five years without me, without the slightest discord.

Unlike me, he was generous and gentle to everyone, a beloved leader, with outstanding leadership to guide his subordinates with his upright character that knew no injustice, and even excellent ability to handle political affairs—he was truly a born Emperor.

Now that everyone had finally found peace, I didn’t want to take him away from the imperial citizens.

The Niel I knew would continue to fulfill that role well. To atone for his judgment that once sought to sacrifice innocent lives, he would become an Emperor more excellent than anyone else, a sage ruler who would be remembered throughout history.

“It’s a time of peace. A warm and benevolent person like Niel would make a better Emperor than a tyrannical leader like me.”

“I don’t think so.”

At this point, Cail seriously denied my words.

“You don’t need to comfort me…”

“This isn’t something I’m making up to comfort you; it’s the truth.”

Though I waved my hand with a small smile, he cut me off. Since he rarely interrupted me, I closed my mouth and looked at him.

“You extended your hand to a slave boy whom no one cared about, and you opened your heart to a young animal wandering around the empty princess palace grounds.”

“…”

“You were a kind and warm person.”

Meow! Miyaong!

The black cat sitting on my lap meowed as if agreeing with Cail’s words.

“Do you know something, Jella?”

“…What is it?”

As I stroked the purring black cat’s fur, he answered with gently curved eyes.

“You said everyone cursed you, but in fact, there were quite a few people in the imperial palace who liked you. They were the ones who recognized your warmth. From the former head chamberlain Karen, to the many court officials who remained by your side until the end in the Emperor’s palace.”

“…”

“So I sometimes had to feel like I was competing with them over you.”

“Competing? What do you mean?”

As I smiled awkwardly with embarrassment, he spoke in a firm voice.

“As someone who served you from the closest position, I dare to speak on their behalf.”

“…”

“You were a good Emperor. And you are someone who could become a better Emperor than anyone else.”

“I…”

Facing those blue eyes looking straight at me, strangely, my chest tightened and my throat choked up.

After hesitating for a moment, I slightly blushed and answered.

“…Thank you.”

Then he smiled faintly and said.

“But I think even if you’re not an Emperor, you can become whatever you want to be.”

Somehow, those words gave me courage.

Truly, it felt like I could do anything.

After staring blankly at his face for a while, unable to contain the ticklish feeling welling up inside me, I said to him.

“You know, Cail. I don’t have a magnificent palace like before, and now I only have a small two-story building. But if you’re okay with it, would you like to return to the capital with me?”

“…”

Since he had always tried to stay by my side one way or another, I secretly expected him to welcome my proposal.

However, Cail couldn’t answer right away.

“I will live as your servant until my last breath, but…”

After some hesitation, he answered with a darkened face.

“I don’t have much time left.”