Ainberg remained silent for a moment.
I had blurted that out because the atmosphere kept turning strange.
The silence felt ominous.
‘Surely he won’t suddenly tell me to leave just because I said that.’
I’m stuck here out of necessity now, but once everything is resolved, I’ll find my freedom and leave on my own.
Feeling anxious, I glanced at Ainberg, who smiled meaningfully.
What is it?
“Extravagant, speaking whatever comes to mind, and desperate to become Empress.”
“Yes, I’m a person with many flaws in various ways.”
“People don’t usually say such things about themselves.”
Ah.
“That’s because I’m not an ordinary person.”
When I opened my eyes wide and smiled only with my lips, he gave a relaxed smile and said.
“Yes, that’s right. You’re no ordinary woman.”
Oh, why is the atmosphere turning strange again while discussing my flaws?
“Yes, I’m also stubborn, talkative, and somewhat exhausting.”
“Is that so?”
“As you’ve observed, how much have I nagged you to rest, to lie down?”
Right?
Do you agree?
“Yet the fact that I kept you by my side means…”
He tilted his head to one side and continued.
“You must have many other good qualities.”
He’s not giving in easily.
Unable to think of anything to say, I smiled awkwardly and touched my face.
“Your expressions are varied.”
“……?”
“You laugh joyfully, then suddenly become gloomy. When talking about past stories, your eyes become sentimental, and when discussing important matters, you’re more serious than anyone.”
This doesn’t seem like a compliment.
“Do you mean I’m emotionally unstable?”
Then Ainberg burst into laughter.
“And you’re unpredictable, like now.”
Going back and forth. Isn’t that what being unstable means?
“The way you boldly express your opinions to me…”
That’s because I don’t want to lose to you.
“Your voice full of emotion…”
“……”
“These are all your strengths.”
Sitting quietly while someone recited things about me, calling them strengths, was extremely embarrassing.
It certainly wasn’t pleasant. My heart wasn’t racing, nor was I happy.
But my face felt hot, making it difficult to sit still.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
With nothing particular to say, I barely managed to find words of gratitude.
Then Ainberg slowly closed his eyes.
“……”
I quietly reached out and adjusted his blanket.
Ainberg’s voice didn’t return, and only silence settled in the bedroom.
I sat in place for a while, watching Ainberg slowly drift into sleep.
‘He looks peaceful.’
I had hoped he wouldn’t be at peace, that he would be as exhausted as I had been.
Was it because memories of the past had become blurry with the passage of time? Or was it because the things in his possession had soothed me?
Looking at the fully asleep Ainberg, I left the bedroom.
❀❀❀
After telling the servant that Ainberg had fallen asleep, I went outside.
In the distance, I spotted Father and the physician walking toward me.
‘Why are they here so early?’
It was an hour earlier than the scheduled time for the physician’s visit.
“Father.”
“Leonora, are you coming from seeing His Majesty?”
“Yes, he just fell asleep.”
At my words, Father turned to the physician.
“Sir Jaber, it seems difficult to examine him now. You’ll have to come back later.”
The physician adjusted his glasses and said.
“Hmm, I’ll go in anyway. I can examine His Majesty without disturbing his sleep.”
Father nodded, but I thought differently.
Why go in when he’s sleeping?
And coming so much earlier than the scheduled time was also suspicious.
“He just fell asleep, so if you go in…”
“……”
“Won’t His Majesty wake up, no matter how careful you are?”
When I looked at him with a puzzled expression, the physician answered.
“I want to check if his breathing is comfortable and if there are any other problems by observing him while he sleeps.”
“Other problems?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Hasn’t he moved past the critical situation? What can you confirm from his sleeping appearance?”
When I muttered in a dry voice, Jaber tensed his jaw and said nothing.
He clearly showed his displeasure.
“Why did you come so early today?”
“Pardon?”
“I’m asking because you came an hour early.”
Jaber glanced at where Father was standing and opened his mouth.
“I hurried to examine His Majesty more carefully, but I didn’t expect the lady to speak like this.”
The physician’s tone suggested he was hurt and disappointed, but shouldn’t work be done without such emotional reactions?
“Please adhere to the scheduled time. Hasn’t the aide repeatedly emphasized this?”
I know it’s impolite and inappropriate to treat the physician this way, but my sensitivity came from the thought that Foil’s minions might be anywhere.
‘If he tries something while the Emperor sleeps, if he came early to do some harm.’
That would truly lead to terrible consequences.
“Leonora.”
Sensing the strange atmosphere, Father stepped in.
“You haven’t been sleeping well for days, and our little lark looks very tired.”
“No, I’m—”
“When tired, one becomes sensitive to everything. At such times, you need to eat well and rest well.”
That’s not what’s important right now.
“His Majesty relies on you a lot, Leonora, so shouldn’t you take care of yourself too?”
“……”
“I’ll go in, so you should go downstairs and rest.”
“No, I’m fine.”
“Leonora.”
“Let’s go in together. The check won’t take long, will it?”
The physician cleared his throat once and walked into the bedroom.
I stood a couple of steps away, carefully watching his movements.
After a while, he stepped back, and we left the bedroom, holding our breath.
‘He didn’t seem to do anything in particular.’
Once outside, Father spoke first.
“How is His Majesty?”
“He seems to be recovering well and quickly.”
“Yes, that’s fortunate.”
“Sir Jaber, I also have something I’d like to ask.”
When I opened my mouth, he hesitated slightly but soon answered calmly.
“Please speak, my lady.”
“When will His Majesty… be able to get up?”
“His leg injury is severe, so it will be difficult for a while.”
“Apart from the visible external injuries, he’s fine, right?”
I wonder if Jaber knows.
That Ainberg’s real problem isn’t just his broken limbs.
I feel a bit nervous even asking.
Then Jaber answered in a slow but calm tone.
“Yes, fortunately, there’s nothing wrong with him elsewhere.”
“That’s… truly fortunate.”
I inwardly sighed and smiled brightly.
“Then I’ll be going now.”
“See you tomorrow.”
Just then, the physician turned around and said to me.
“You’re right, my lady. Tomorrow, I’ll come at the scheduled time.”
“Thank you.”
As Jaber turned away, Father held me back.
Oh, the atmosphere feels somewhat ominous.
“Leonora, while it’s an incomparable honor for you to be His Majesty’s eyes and ears,”
Is this Brother 2.0?
Fearing Father’s words would go on, I quickly cut him off.
“Now that Miss Viper is with me, you don’t need to worry.”
“But.”
“Father, don’t worry. And just now.”
I looked straight at Father and said.
“It’s a very important matter. Being late for the scheduled time is a problem, but coming earlier than promised is also not acceptable. If such small things start to crumble, they can’t be set right later.”
And Brother’s report on what kind of person the physician is and whether he’s trustworthy hasn’t arrived yet.
Until new information is added, I can only be careful, extremely careful.
“Yes, Leonora. You’re right.”
“Still, I’m glad you were here today, Father.”
I nestled into Father’s arms and spoke affectionately.
“You’re always reliable and appreciated.”
“Oh, my.”
Father patted my back and said gently.
“Leonora, actually, I…”
Whatever he was going to say, Father said nothing for a moment and just held me.
Then after a long while, he opened his mouth.
“I found it hard to imagine you by His Majesty’s side. Becoming Empress, becoming the Empire’s lady.”
“Father.”
“You were our little lark, too young and fragile.”
When I looked up at Father, he was looking down at me with eyes full of emotion.
“But it seems I worried for nothing.”
This time, I simply smiled without saying anything.
Under Father’s affectionate gaze, my weariness disappeared, leaving only warmth.
When I returned to my room, Soniel was sitting at the table where I usually sit, busily writing something.
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