Chapter 25

The emperor’s palace, awaiting its master, was as bright as day, even at night. Helio stood at the entrance, staring at the bright lights. Though the light flickered across his face, his expression remained dark.

“It would have been unfortunate either way…”

Helio thought that statement was absurd. Hadn’t she wanted to return so badly? Yet she would have been unhappy? Because of that son, she looked blankly without a trace of interest because of himself.

Helio thought the words were too cruel. Simultaneously, he felt pity for his mother.

As Helio remained at the entrance of the emperor’s palace, he could sense the attendants’ restlessness around him. It seemed he should hurry inside for their sake, but with such a complicated mind, he doubted he could sleep even if he entered the palace.

Helio turned away.

“Your Majesty, where are you going?”

In response to the attendant’s cautious question, Helio sighed.

“I’m going to the Emerald Palace.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The attendant’s reply indicated some level of understanding. The attendants believed Helio held Liliana in high regard and deeply adored her.

On the other hand, Helio couldn’t precisely identify this emotion. But one thing was clear.

If he went to Liliana’s side, he would at least be able to laugh off these annoying feelings.

* * *

Liliana was lying in bed, chatting with Chuchu. Chuchu seemed curious about the human banquet and asked various questions.

“There were many apple-based desserts today. I didn’t get to eat much, though.”

“Why? Don’t you like apples?”

“No, it’s because some strange man picked a fight with me…”

Liliana frowned, thinking of Vail Gabriel.

What were his intentions? Given that he was holding two glasses of wine, it was sure he had been waiting for Liliana. So he must have been closely watching her leave the banquet hall…

Recalling his desperate attempts to start a conversation, Liliana sighed.

“Does the Gabriel Duchy have anything to say to me? He must have just wanted to cause trouble.”

“Where is the Gabriel Duchy?”

“It’s a den of villains who want to torment me immensely.”

“Really? When I regain my strength, I’ll teach them a lesson!”

Chuchu exclaimed boldly. Liliana laughed heartily and tickled Chuchu’s chin.

“Okay, I’ll trust only you, Chuchu.”

But first, Liliana would have to break Chuchu’s shackles.

While preparing for the empress dowager’s birthday banquet, she had been too busy to properly learn spirit magic. She thought she would have more time to dedicate to it now that things would be less hectic.

Feeling drowsy, she quickly fell asleep and turned off the lights. As the room darkened, she noticed a light approaching from outside the window.

Liliana could easily guess who it was. Only one person could come to the Emerald Palace this late at night.

“I haven’t obtained contraceptives yet…”

Liliana bit her lower lip worriedly. Chuchu, who had flown onto her knee, clenched her fist and shouted.

“I can do well this time! Let’s jump down again!”

Liliana laughed helplessly and patted Chuchu’s head. That could be a method, but she felt it wouldn’t be necessary.

Even if Helio had come to spend the night with her, she believed he wouldn’t force himself on her if she expressed her refusal.

Liliana placed Chuchu on the side table and shook her head.

“I’ll handle it.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, Chuchu. His Majesty isn’t that bad of a person.”

Soon, Sophia knocked and entered, announcing that Helio had arrived. Liliana draped a shawl over her nightgown and stepped outside.

Meanwhile, Helio had already entered the Emerald Palace, so the two met in the hall of the Emerald Palace.

Liliana chided him.

“Why are you in such a hurry? You should receive my greeting at the palace entrance.”

“I just came to sleep. Why do I need such cumbersome formalities?”

Helio extended his hand to Liliana, and she took it. They ascended the stairs in a formal escort posture.

The maids stayed below, and the only person following them was Sophia. Confirming this, Helio whispered to Liliana.

“You won’t allow it tonight either, will you?”

Liliana smiled softly. As expected… Helio wasn’t a dangerous person. Seeing Liliana’s relaxed smile, Helio clicked his tongue.

“I’m thinking of changing my approach.”

It sounded both playful and serious at the same time.

Liliana blinked, not understanding what he meant. Her face looked so innocent that Helio felt he was committing a sin.

“What approach?”

Liliana asked, but Helio didn’t answer. Eventually, they entered the room, leaving Sophia at the bedroom door.

Inside, Chuchu stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at Helio as if ready to cause serious trouble if Helio tried anything.

Of course, Helio, who lacked the talent of a spirit summoner, couldn’t see Chuchu.

Helio seated Liliana on the bed, then went to the other side, stretched out his legs, and leaned back against the pillows.

Liliana sensed that something was troubling Helio. She remained seated, gazing at him.

How should she comfort him? As she pondered this, she felt a sense of incongruity. Since when did she want to comfort him?

Because Liliana was too confused to sort out her thoughts, Helio spoke first.

“Do you want to go back too?”

His voice sounded utterly drained and pitiful. Feeling her own energy depleting, Liliana shook her head, drawing her eyebrows together.

“Is it because of Her Majesty the Empress Dowager?”

“I asked you first.”

Liliana pouted and flopped onto the bed. She looked up at Helio, but her round eyes didn’t convey the impression of glaring.

Helio brushed her eyebrows with his thumb and lifted his chin as if urging her to answer.

Liliana shrugged.

“My situation is different from hers. I have no reason to long for my homeland. My world was no bigger than a tiny palace, not even a quarter the size of the Emerald Palace. Going back would just feel suffocating.”

Despite her innocent face, her words were quite biting. This was part of why Helio liked her.

Reflecting on her homeland, Liliana murmured thoughtfully.

“But I do miss my mother.”

Her pink eyes filled with a tender longing, though only for a moment. She then gave a self-mocking smile.

“My mother must be relieved without me there.”

“Why do you think that?”

“I’m an abandoned princess, after all.”

Liliana adjusted her position. Lying on her side and looking up at Helio, her pink hair spread out on the bed like cherry blossom branches.

“I had four half-sisters above me. Three of them ignored me, but the one just older than me, Fecilia, took pleasure in tormenting me. Whenever I dared to resist, the sound of a whip echoed through the palace where my mother and I lived. My mother had to stand by and listen helplessly. Sadly, she loved me.”

Liliana’s voice was calm as if she wasn’t recounting such a cruel story.

“There were many times when my mother knelt and begged to take the punishment herself, but no one listened. After all, it’s much harsher for a child to be beaten while their mother watches helplessly, isn’t it?”

Helio looked at Liliana, who spoke matter-of-factly, finding her somewhat unfamiliar. She seemed like a different person from the one who usually smiled innocently.

With his hand resting on his thigh, Helio didn’t hide his surprise as he spoke.

“So you can say such things too.”

“What things?”

“That life is hard.”

At his words, Liliana suddenly sat up. She blinked rapidly as if she couldn’t believe what she had just said.

“You’re right. I never talk about such things…”

She blushed suddenly, pressing her cheeks with her palms in embarrassment.

Helio laughed and pulled Liliana’s hands, placing them on his thigh. Caught off guard, Liliana kneeled in front of him, her hands captured.

With a face full of dissatisfaction, Liliana spoke.

“I always end up saying strange things in front of Your Majesty.”

Helio, feigning distraction, replied nonchalantly.

“That’s because I’m a child abandoned like you.”

His voice did not hint at tragedy. However, Liliana knew it took much time, helplessness, and resignation to speak of tragedy as if it were nothing.

“That seems to be the case.”

Liliana reached out with one hand to touch Helio’s face. Helio knew it was a breach of etiquette, but that was a matter of reason, and his instincts didn’t seem to want to brush away her touch.

Ultimately, Liliana’s hand softly cupped the back of Helio’s head and pulled him toward her. Like a helpless person, Helio buried his face in her small shoulder.

“I feel sorry for Your Majesty.”

Where else would you find such an audacious empress consort? But Helio didn’t feel like pushing her away or punishing her.

He tightly embraced Liliana’s waist. Surprised, Liliana tensed up, but as Helio made no further move, she gradually relaxed.

Clasping her hands tightly, Liliana spoke.

“Forgive Her Majesty the Empress Dowager.”

“Why should I?”

Helio replied gruffly, like a child, and Liliana smiled gently. But her voice was grave.

“Not for her, but for yourself.”

“Why should I?”

“You still love her.”

Liliana couldn’t have known what happened at the banquet. This abandoned princess had no backing; only one maid indeed served her.

Yet she spoke as if she knew everything. Surprisingly, it didn’t feel unpleasant.

Liliana gently lifted Helio’s face from her shoulder and smiled brightly.

“Shall I sing you a lullaby?”

Even with such absurd words… he didn’t feel the slightest urge to kill her. Helio laughed incredulously. After all, his purpose for coming here had been fulfilled.