Chapter 8

Liliana blinked slowly, unsure of how to react.

It was unheard of for the Emperor to attend the Empress Consort’s appointment ceremony. The Empress Consort was different from the Empress. Despite her noble status, she was ultimately a concubine. So why was Helio here?

“Such an empty appointment ceremony.”

Helio looked around and approached Liliana, still kneeling, along the white carpet. He extended his hand to her.

As Liliana looked at him blankly, Helio smiled and added, “Here, a gift from me to you.”

Helio’s hand was empty. But Liliana knew. The gift Helio was giving her was not material.

‘The Emperor attended Liliana’s appointment ceremony and held her hand.’

This fact would spread throughout the capital by tonight, reach the neighboring cities by tomorrow, and eventually, the entire empire would know.

And those who heard the rumor would say, ‘The Emperor cherishes Empress Consort Liliana greatly.’

This alone would give Liliana much stronger backing than her lowly family ever could. From now on, no one could slap Liliana in public.

Knowing this, Liliana grasped Helio’s hand. Helio promptly helped her to her feet.

“The ceremony seems over, so let me take you to the Emerald Palace.“

“That’s too much…”

Liliana hesitated, then decided and replied, “Please do. Yes, please take me there.”

She thought the original Liliana wouldn’t have received such treatment.

Although she wasn’t sure, her realization of her past life seemed to have piqued Helio’s interest, and that could protect her. Liliana decided to accept his help willingly.

“Your Majesty, thank you sincerely for today.”

“You must be tired from getting ready since morning. Go and rest. And…”

The Dowager Empress looked at Helio as if about to speak to him.

“Goodbye.”

However, Helio briefly greeted her and turned away without waiting for a reply, causing Liliana, holding his hand, to pull along. Liliana looked back and shouted,

“Take care, Your Majesty!”

Once they were out of the Dowager Empress’s palace, Helio frowned and said,

“There’s no need to greet that senile woman so diligently.“

“What?”

Liliana tried to let go of Helio’s hand in shock. But Helio pulled her hand harder, keeping her beside him.

“Ow, it hurts.”

Then Helio released her hand and asked incredulously,

“That much?“

“Of course, it hurts. How could someone who must have held many women’s hands not know this? And my feet hurt because of the heels…”

Liliana grumbled, rubbing her wrist.

Helio gently pulled her hand and looked at her wrist. It wasn’t an exaggeration; a red mark was on her pale wrist.

“I didn’t know since I haven’t held hands before.“

“What? No way.“

“Why do you think I’ve held many women’s hands? Anyway, I’ll correct this.”

Liliana was dumbfounded. The idea that Helio had never held a woman’s hand and that he would change because she said it hurt felt unreal.

To Liliana, Helio was a terrifying war maniac and a cruel prankster who drove people crazy with his antics. But this normal side of him…

“This is surprising.“

“What is?“

“Everything you do to me, Your Majesty.”

At Liliana’s words, Helio smiled again. She wondered why he always smiled at her and grumbled. Helio flicked her forehead.

“Ow!“

“Didn’t I tell you that I quite liked you?“

“You did, but…”

As Liliana rubbed her forehead and muttered, Helio shook his head as if he had no choice.

“You don’t seem to believe me, which is understandable, given who you are dealing with.”

This time, Liliana laughed. The mix of Helio’s endless arrogance and the reasonable background for that arrogance made her think, ‘Well, it’s understandable,‘ which was amusing.

Helio didn’t say anything when he saw her laugh. He strolled with his hands behind his back. She appreciated his slow pace since her feet were hurting because of the heels.

“How is living in the Emerald Palace?“

“It’s great. I don’t know if I’ve ever had a more peaceful day.“

“Don’t you want to move to a better place?”

Liliana shook her head quickly.

“Absolutely not.”

Helio squinted his eyes as if puzzled. While declining was customary, Liliana wasn’t declining at all. This was a genuine refusal from deep within her heart.

“Why?“

“Lady Gabriel hates me so much. The Emerald Palace, being far from the Empress’s Palace, is perfect. So please don’t move me. I have no complaints about the Emerald Palace. Plenty of space to plant flowers, and the swing is beautiful. I plan to plant an apple tree and pick apples later.“

“Give me some too.“

“What?“

“Your stolen apple.”

Liliana burst into laughter. Her pink eyes curved pleasantly as she looked at Helio.

At that moment, Helio felt a tightening sensation in a corner of his heart. It felt like it was expanding, like when you hold your breath for a long time and then suddenly inhale.

Helio touched his chest and thought momentarily before giving Liliana a light flick on the forehead. Liliana, laughing heartily, scrunched up her face in pain.

“Why, why did you hit me? Are you worried I won’t give you the apple? I’ll give it to you!”

Helio himself didn’t know. Why had he suddenly given this little woman a bump on her forehead? Seeing her white forehead turn red made him regret it.

‘Regret?‘ Helio, feeling an unfamiliar emotion, walked ahead of Liliana.

“Of course, you should give it to me. Do you think things from the Emerald Palace are yours?“

“… You’re suddenly being mean. I don’t know what to make of it.“

“And if you know? Will you comply?“

“Of course.”

Liliana answered obediently. She was sure that Helio’s treatment of her kindly was just a temporary whim. He probably found the princess from a defeated country novel amusing, and maybe he felt a little sorry for her.

While Liliana didn’t think it was terrible, she didn’t expect this kindness to last long.

So, if the Emperor ordered her to do something, she should do it. Naturally.

Liliana pouted and said, “Don’t worry about the Emerald Palace. It’s fine except for the ghosts.“

“Ghosts?”

Helio asked in disbelief. Talking about ghosts in this noble land? But Liliana widened her eyes as if she were serious and nodded.

“Every night, a ghost cries. Like ‘boohoohoo‘.“

“That sounds entertaining.”

While talking about trivial matters, they had already arrived in front of the Emerald Palace.

It was impressive to be seen off by the Emperor. Helio had clearly done his best to show consideration.

Liliana bowed deeply in gratitude.

“Thank you, Your Majesty. I will not forget this favor.”

She was prepared to say yes and brush off his arrogance, but she felt a piercing gaze on her head instead of hearing any words.

Liliana looked up at Helio. He crossed his arms and stared at her before making a shocking statement.

“I’ll come back tonight, so be ready.“

Liliana’s eyes widened. He said he would return tonight, and today was her appointment ceremony day as the Empress Consort. The meaning was clear.

Spending the first night together immediately after becoming the Empress Consort was a gift from Helio. This meant that the entire empire would regard Liliana as a noblewoman.

“Now, I must go.”

Helio said with a smile.

“…Thank you for today.”

Helio waved lightly and went on his way. Liliana bowed her head, lost in thought, watching him walk away.

Some things had changed from the original story.

In the original, Liliana had never received any attention from the Emperor. She was so docile that she never thought of escaping, and the Emperor neither attended her ceremony nor sought her out on the first night.

Perhaps, unlike the original, she could safely give birth to a child. Then Liliana’s body wouldn’t suffer too much, and having the child as her ally might help her live peacefully after safely having a second child.

The original child wouldn’t need to live so fiercely if she had her mother and older sibling.

But these were all stories of an ideal outcome.

In the worst-case scenario, as soon as Liliana got pregnant, Helio’s interest might vanish, and Lady Gabriel could use that moment to cause a miscarriage.

Liliana’s body would be irreparably damaged if that happened, just like in the original story. Given the rumors that Helio cared for Liliana, they might kill her before she could have a second child.

“Let’s stick to the plan.”

Liliana made up her mind and entered the Emerald Palace. She felt it might be the last time she saw Helio’s face correctly.

If it were revealed that she had tried to avoid sleeping with him, Helio would surely take back everything he had given her.

She imagined Helio’s playful face, then shook her head at the thought of him giving her a cold stare. In this world, nothing is more important than life.

* * *

Helio, processing documents in his office, glanced at the clock and raised an eyebrow. Noticing his movement, the chief attendant approached quietly.

“Empress Consort Liliana has finished her preparations at the Emerald Palace.“

“I see.”

Helio had no crown prince, so there had been no crown princess, making Liliana the first woman he officially welcomed. In other words, it was the Emperor’s Emperor’s official first night.

In any story, the first night is both private and appealing and considered sacred, especially so for an emperor. Therefore, the palace was in an uproar.

It was the Emperor’s official first night. The other protagonist, Liliana, was probably exhausted from being bathed, perfumed, and trying on hundreds of outfits.

Imagining Liliana grumbling in fatigue brought a faint smile to his face.