Chapter 48

Usually, Liliana would not have bothered to ask. She had given up early for twenty years and never harbored unnecessary hopes.

But as she looked at the man holding her firmly as if afraid she might fall, a sudden surge of courage washed over her.

Helio was about to let go of Liliana. However, since Liliana was half on the bed and half in the air, it was clear that she would fall to the floor if he let go.

Helio deliberately spoke coldly, avoiding Liliana’s eyes as she moved closer.

“It would be problematic if you died.”

Until now, Liliana had thought Helio had wholly detached himself from her. She believed he had grown tired of her like a pet he had played with for a while.

But no one crosses a window just for a pretty canary. Especially not an emperor. That’s why Liliana wasn’t bothered by Helio’s cold voice.

“So, you came in person?”

Instead, like a meticulous detective, she wanted to find a flaw in Helio’s words.

Noticing Liliana’s persistent gaze, Helio detached her from himself and pushed her onto the bed. However, his actions were not rough at all, so Liliana could gently sit on the bed.

“Should I let another man into my empress consort’s bedroom? My pride doesn’t allow that. I am the emperor of this empire. What’s mine is forever mine.”

Despite Helio’s arrogant words, Liliana did not back down.

“I’ve heard many excellent female knights in the empire.”

“…What exactly are you trying to say?“

“Did you come because you were worried about me?”

Liliana asked straightforwardly, not backing down a step. Her eyes sparkled more than ever, yet she also seemed more anxious.

Helio knew that if he pushed Liliana away now, he could completely crush her hope.

Liliana would never be hurt by Helio again. She would have no expectations. Now was the perfect time to turn their relationship purely political.

But Helio couldn’t do that.

The moment Liliana reached out again and desperately grabbed his sleeve, the great wall in Helio’s heart came crashing down with a loud noise.

Then, the wave of emotions that had been surging continuously began to overflow and flood the ground.

He lost to this little woman.

Helio could no longer be cold to Liliana.

“…Yes. I was worried about you.”

There was no room for misunderstanding. Tears welled up in Liliana’s large eyes.

Her face showed relief, filled with resentment as if it had never left, and then returned to a gentle expression, with thick tears streaming down her face.

Helio found Liliana’s silent crying like a faucet to be most challenging to bear. He reached out awkwardly, repeatedly retracting his hand, unsure what to do.

Liliana pulled his hand to her cheek and whispered in a tearful voice.

“I know you brought me here for political reasons. I have no intention of overstepping. But…”

Helio looked down quietly at Liliana, who was confessing her feelings with a flushed face.

The dampness in his palm wasn’t unpleasant at all. Instead, he felt a sense of joy and affection.

“But shouldn’t have treated me well from the beginning. You shouldn’t have left me in the Emerald Palace without a glance. You shouldn’t have said things that could be misunderstood like I’m clever or fun, and then not taken me out of the palace!”

As she spoke, Liliana’s voice gradually grew louder and more excited.

Helio had never comforted anyone before. No one had ever dared to express such feelings of disappointment to him. So he awkwardly whispered.

“Don’t cry.”

“You said you’d take responsibility.”

But Liliana still couldn’t contain her anger.

“If you said you’d take responsibility, you should at least fulfill it for a year. How many months has it been since you…”

Helio sighed and knelt beside the bed on one knee. Liliana’s eyes widened as she spoke.

Without stopping, Helio kissed the back of Liliana’s hand. With his head bowed, he spoke.

“I was wrong.”

It was an explicit apology. Just like when he said he was worried about her, there was no room for doubt in his words that seeped into Liliana’s heart.

“I’ve never been attached to anyone. But I keep looking at you. I was afraid it would cloud my judgment someday. I have to be more objective than anyone, but I kept wanting to make exceptions for you. So I decided to keep my distance.”

Helio slowly raised his head. Liliana looked down at him with confused eyes. Her small hand held by Helio trembled incessantly.

“Does that explain it?”

In response to Helio’s question, Liliana stammered.

“A little…”

At that, Helio let out a dry laugh. Liliana’s face showed no trace of genuine understanding.

“It seems not at all. It’s not your fault.”

Liliana blushed and tried to pull her hand away, but Helio held on firmly. With a desperate expression, she spoke.

“I understand very well in my head. Really.“

“It’ll take time for your heart to understand, won’t it?“

“…If it’s allowed, yes.”

Helio nodded silently, gently intertwining his fingers with hers before slowly placing her hand on her lap. Then, with graceful poise, he stood up.

Liliana instinctively knew he was about to leave. She hurriedly grabbed his arm, then nervously let her hand slide down to lightly hold his sleeve.

When Helio turned to look at her, she had a pleading look, like a lost puppy.

“Are you leaving already?”

Helio gazed at her quietly. When she was in the Emerald Palace, Liliana was always dressed formally.

But here, in the marquis’s residence, she wore a dress of much lighter fabric than usual. The white, airy dress subtly revealed the silhouette of her waist.

Helio didn’t linger his gaze long and looked intently into Liliana’s bright eyes.

“Aren’t you saying something too dangerous?”

Liliana looked up at him with an innocent expression, not understanding his words.

But as the quiet moments in the dark passed, her face gradually began to blush. She vehemently denied it, her face turning red like a heated iron.

“That’s not what I meant…”

The old Helio would have teased her endlessly about this.

But Helio couldn’t bring himself to harshly treat Liliana, who had reddened eyes because of him. He hadn’t meant to tease her a moment ago but rather to warn her.

Helio sighed and sat down quietly next to Liliana. He couldn’t stay long but wanted to pretend to be held by her longer.

Liliana looked at him with wide eyes. The problem was that she seemed to freeze and did nothing more.

Helio realized that he had to start the conversation if he wanted to talk to Liliana. For the first time, he racked his brain to make small talk.

“Is the Marchioness of Liston treating you well?”

Luckily, it was the right thing to say. Liliana’s expression softened, and she smiled.

“She made me her goddaughter.“

“What’s so great about that?”

At Helio’s thoughtless remark, Liliana’s face quickly fell.

“I’m happy about it…“

“It is a good thing.”

Helio realized for the first time that he could quickly change his words.

Only then did Liliana smile with her puffy eyes, and Helio felt relieved.

Liliana, apparently enjoying her time with the Marchioness, began babbling. Helio listened quietly and muttered to himself.

“She’ll probably ask for her territory back soon.”

Liliana seemed ready to say something about it, but she remained silent.

When Helio looked at her curiously, Liliana had already lowered her head and closed her eyes. He gently touched her thin cheek and helped her lie down properly.

Even while doing this, Liliana breathed softly without any sign of waking. Her silent suffering was evident.

Helio whispered as he watched her sleeping face.

“There’s really no way out now.“

Helio’s face showed a mixture of helplessness and relief. He brushed Liliana’s bangs aside and kissed her forehead before disappearing into the darkness.

The next day, Liliana woke up late to Sophia’s call.

“Your Highness, what are you holding?“

“Hmm?”

Something slipped down her thigh as Liliana rubbed her eyes and sat up. Looking down, she saw a large, crumpled black cloak.

She stared blankly for a moment before blushing deeply.

‘It’s His Majesty’s cloak!’

The thought of clutching it like a cherished doll all night embarrassed her, so she couldn’t lift her head.

Sophia asked what had happened several times, but Liliana couldn’t bring herself to say a word.

* * *

Since it was a secret that Liliana wasn’t in the crashed carriage, she had to quickly return to the palace pretending to be injured. She bid a reluctant farewell to the Marchioness of Liston and promised to visit again.

Liliana returned to the palace in a carriage possibly more splendid than the empress’s, and no one could complain.

Undoubtedly, Duke Gabriel, who orchestrated the accident, must be frustrated.

After returning to the palace without any interference, Helio ordered the Third Imperial Knights to investigate the cause of the incident again.

Upon hearing this order, Liliana immediately prepared a luxurious meal for the Third Imperial Knights.

Not even a day passed before Princess Lucia stormed into the Emerald Palace.

“Your Highness! Why are you feeding those guys?”

Everyone in the Emerald Palace froze at her tiger-like roar.

TL NOTE: A more advanced chapter of this story is already up on the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories.