Chapter 71

Liliana was no fool. She likely knew what the council discussed and understood the implications of a nighttime visit.

Though it was natural for an emperor and empress to consummate their marriage and produce an heir, Helio vividly recalled how Liliana had once refused him, even going so far as to threaten to throw herself out of a window.

She had just started to lower her guard around him, and he didn’t want to become a figure of fear again.

‘I hoped she would choose the time on her own.’

Helio closed his eyes, trying to calm his turbulent emotions. Just then, there was a knock on the door, and after a moment, Ternz quietly stepped out and returned.

“Your Majesty…”

Helio pressed his temples, anticipating another lecture about his need to visit the Emerald Palace.

“Enough. Don’t tell the Empress Consort anything. I won’t be going to the Emerald Palace.”

In the end, Helio chose not to visit the Emerald Palace. He had promised just a couple of months ago that he wouldn’t do anything requiring him to apologize to Liliana.

The memory of her smiling brightly as she offered her pinky finger for a promise made the decision easy. Facing Duke Gabriel’s vile smirk was preferable to dealing with Liliana’s fear.

Despite Helio’s firm words, Ternz remained silent. Finding the reaction odd, Helio opened his eyes to see Ternz wearing an awkward smile.

“It’s not that, Your Majesty. Empress Consort Liliana has requested an audience.”

Liliana must have already guessed everything. Helio’s brow furrowed.

What could Liliana want to say? Had she come to plead with him? Perhaps.

Liliana was pragmatic and had a strong will to survive. She wouldn’t hesitate to kneel at Helio’s feet and beg if necessary.

She was probably here to tell him that she didn’t want to bear a child and become the focus of Duke Gabriel’s scrutiny.

In a way, this was an improvement from the past. Back then, she had chosen to leap out a window rather than ask Helio for anything.

Helio bit his lip, a self-deprecating smile forming on his face.

“What should I do?”

“…Let her in. Prepare some tea.“

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Ternz relayed the orders outside, and not long after, Liliana entered the office. She didn’t bow and instead glanced around the room.

“What are you doing?”

Helio, already troubled, asked brusquely, but Liliana didn’t seem to mind as she chattered on.

“It seems you’re always in your office, Your Majesty. I can’t even recall the color of the blankets in your bedroom. Were they gold?“

“They’re red.”

“That’s completely different from what I remember.”

Liliana appeared much more at ease than usual. However, her clasped hands resting below her navel and her averted gaze betrayed her nervousness.

A maid brought a tray with tea and set it on the table in a corner of the office. Helio sat down at the table first, and Liliana joined him without needing to be told.

“This tea is from the Kingdom of Nieta, isn’t it? Was it presented to you by Count Lackl?“

“Yes.“

Helio’s reply was brief. Liliana smelled the tea, continuing to feign composure, which only made Helio feel more uneasy.

“You must have guessed I planned to be with you tonight.”

Liliana froze, the teacup she was lifting to her lips suspended mid-air. As if forgetting her carefully practiced etiquette, she placed the cup back down without taking a sip.

“You don’t need to apologize. That’s what I came to say.”

As expected, Liliana had anticipated everything.

“I know that you’ve overlooked my past behavior. So there’s no reason for me to receive an apology.”

Helio frowned and extended his hand. Liliana, not knowing why, placed her hand gently in his.

She wore white lace gloves so their skin didn’t touch directly. He wouldn’t have even felt her warmth.

“You have a fever.”

Despite that, Helio said it. He didn’t even pretend to check her temperature by touching her forehead.

“You might fall seriously ill tonight.”

At those words, Liliana let out a small, involuntary laugh. Simultaneously, Helio’s thoughtfulness washed over her, making her heart ache.

Liliana blinked and shook her head.

“No, I won’t be the least bit unwell tonight.”

She removed her gloves and placed her bare hand back in Helio’s. Her hand, far from feverish, was cool to the touch, likely due to the cold air outside and her nervousness.

Helio gently stroked Liliana’s pale hand with his thumb.

“It’s Your Majesty’s hand that feels warm.“

“It might be so,“ Helio replied softly.

Liliana laughed silently and stood up. Helio lightly grasped at the empty space where her hand had been before letting go.

“I’ll see you tonight, Your Majesty.“

“…Yes.”

Liliana didn’t linger in the Imperial Palace. She left without hesitation as if she had never intended to plead with Helio.

If anything, Helio felt the urge to hold her back and offer explanations.

* * *

As night fell, a carriage approaching the Emerald Palace echoed. Liliana lifted the hem of her thin dress and walked over to the window.

As expected, Helio stepped out of the carriage. Even from a distance, it was clear he had tried to look his best.

His blond hair, usually tousled, was neatly swept back, revealing his forehead, and the shirt that left his neckline exposed made him look like a graceful stag.

Though he was already handsome, seeing him dressed up like this made Liliana’s heart race.

Instead of heading straight into the palace, Helio looked up at the window. Feeling caught spying on him, Liliana stepped back with one foot, but then she waved awkwardly.

Helio smiled faintly at her clumsy gesture before striding out of sight.

When Sophia informed her that Helio had arrived, Liliana didn’t go out to greet him. Tonight, it seemed unnecessary.

When Helio finally entered the bedroom, Liliana couldn’t hide her laughter. Watching her quietly, Helio waved a hand to dismiss Sophia and the other servants.

“Why are you laughing?“

“And why did you…”

Liliana hesitated, unsure if it was appropriate to say this to the Emperor, but she couldn’t resist.

“Why did you come looking so beautiful?”

Helio spread his arms low and spun around at her words as if to show off his appearance.

The gesture made him look more like an actor on stage than an emperor. To be honest, he was too handsome to be a typical ruler.

“I wanted to look good for you. What could be more tragic than meeting your husband for the first time on your wedding night only to find he’s unattractive?”

Though her heart fluttered at Helio’s use of the word “husband,“ Liliana feigned indifference and continued with the joke.

“You lack the talent for being unattractive, Your Majesty.“

“It’s fortunate. But my beauty won’t work on other people, after all.”

But it does. How could anyone with eyes not be drawn to someone as handsome as Helio? Liliana blinked her eyes wide in response.

Helio walked over to her in a few strides and offered his hand. Though the distance to the bed wasn’t far, he was clearly offering to escort her. Liliana gladly took his hand.

Once they reached the bed, Liliana sat on the edge. Helio, standing beside her, didn’t do anything more.

Liliana gently tugged on his hand, and Helio sat beside her without resistance.

But the two simply held hands, not engaging in any further intimacy.

“Do you remember when you asked me not to leave our child lonely if we were to have one?”

At his low voice, Liliana nodded.

“I’ll make sure of it. Our child will be the world’s proudest and most noble royal.”

Liliana laughed as if she had just heard a funny story. Even without this promise, she knew Helio would love their daughter.

The male lead in a romance novel would pale compared to the wonderful father he would become.

But somehow, Helio must have taken her laughter the wrong way because he spoke slightly disappointedly.

“You don’t believe me.“

“I do.“

“People who believe don’t laugh like that.“

“I’m laughing because I trust you so much.“

‘I’ve already seen how much you’ll love her.’

Liliana tried to soothe him, but Helio still seemed unsatisfied. Liliana pulled at his sleeve, her voice tinged with concern.

“Your Majesty, did my laughter upset you?“

“No. I just don’t know how to reassure you. I’m skilled at making people afraid, but I’m not so good at the opposite.“

Helio’s self-deprecating words made guilt well up in Liliana’s large eyes.

Liliana had never intended to have a child. She didn’t think it was cowardly.

She didn’t care about the Empire’s fate and didn’t want to be foolish enough to believe that everything would be fine if she did her best, especially when her life was on the line.

But for some reason, the fact that she hadn’t been honest with Helio made her feel unbearably heavy-hearted.

“Your Majesty.”

Helio seemed about to say something, perhaps thinking Liliana was still afraid. But Liliana only wished for this moment to pass quickly.

She found it more challenging to manage her feelings for him with every word he spoke.

Looking up at Helio, Liliana whispered softly.

“Your Majesty, kiss me.”

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