Chapter 98

Liliana was extremely flustered. There were more days than not when she was flustered being with Helio, but today was one of the most flustering moments.

“…What?”

“Why? Even like this, you still can’t reach?“

“Of course, I can reach!”

She didn’t need to be lifted like this; she could reach Helio’s crown now, to the point where she could rest her chin on his head.

“But, but!”

“What? Is it not proper etiquette?“

“Yes!”

When Liliana shouted confidently, Helio, with a dissatisfied look, put her back down.

Liliana stepped a bit away from him after fumbling with her feet to steady herself.

“You can pet me whenever you want, but when I ask for it, it’s against etiquette? I can’t figure out the logic behind that.“

“Earlier, I just wanted to comfort you…! But now you seem fine, so I won’t do it.”

Feeling foolish for explaining every little detail, Liliana sighed deeply. Helio, watching her, asked with a disappointed expression.

“So, you’re not going to pet me?”

Liliana was about to snap at him not to act so pitifully, but the sight of the man bowing his head in front of her seemed genuinely pathetic, leaving her speechless.

Realizing that Liliana felt sorry for him, Helio quickly closed the distance between them.

“For some strange reason, your touch calms me down.“

“You’re not angry anymore, though.“

“Who knows? Maybe this time, it’ll make me feel better.”

With him insisting on that, she had no choice. It wasn’t difficult; it was just a matter of petting him.

Liliana glanced up at Helio, wondering where to touch.

If she were to pet him, the first thought that came to mind was his head, but this man, who lived so full of himself, probably wouldn’t like being patted on the head.

Should she rub his neck like she did earlier? But at that time, they were embracing, so it didn’t feel strange. Now that they were apart, it would seem awkward.

She was so lost in thought that she didn’t even realize she was resting her chin on her hand.

Finally, after some time, Liliana raised her hand, and Helio asked amusedly,

“Have you decided?“

“Yes.“

Liliana’s hand gently settled on Helio’s shoulder. She slowly patted his broad shoulder with her tiny hand.

Watching her, Helio eventually burst out laughing.

“Are you my superior?”

Clearly amused, Liliana became embarrassed. As she looked away awkwardly, Helio took her hand and kissed the back of it.

“How strange. How can such a clumsy gesture make me feel better?“

“You’re just being lenient. Maybe you’re just entertained by my foolishness?“

“I’m serious.“

Helio’s sigh-filled response sounded so weary that it made Liliana feel upset again. She led him to sit beside her on the sofa by the bed.

As Helio sat quietly next to her, Liliana tapped her thigh lightly.

“Why?”

Helio looked utterly clueless. It suddenly dawned on Liliana that he had never had affectionate moments with anyone.

After deliberation, Liliana laid her head on Helio’s lap.

“Huh.”

Lying down and looking up, she saw Helio staring down at her in disbelief. Liliana clasped her hands over her chest and explained.

“This is what I meant. I’m going to pet your head.“

“How does that make any sense?“

“When my mother used to spoil me, this is what we did. My mother’s lap was soft, but Your Majesty’s knee is too hard.”

Helio laughed in disbelief.

“You’re no different. Your head probably feels like nothing but bone.”

Is that so? Liliana quickly accepted his point.

“Your Majesty, try petting my head.”

Liliana, lying still, looked up at him with sparkling eyes. Helio only narrowed his eyes and didn’t move, so Liliana tugged at his collar, urging him.

“Hurry.”

Helio usually indulged her whims, and this time was no different.

He slowly stroked Liliana’s head with his large hand. Her soft, fine hair slipped between his fingers, tickling him immensely.

Meanwhile, Liliana smiled with her eyes closed, clearly enjoying it. After some time, Liliana slowly opened her eyes.

“How is it? Do you feel any better now, Your Majesty?”

At that moment, Helio felt like he couldn’t breathe.

The pink gemstone-like eyes peeking through her lids were so beautiful that they were awe-inspiring. Could an ordinary human’s eyes be this breathtaking?

“…Lilly. I want to have you.”

Helio, as if entranced by something, spoke softly. Liliana, who had been enjoying the peaceful moment, was now wide-eyed, her pupils trembling intensely.

She stammered, then cautiously asked,

“Why?“

“You… have no shadow in your eyes.”

Liliana had expected a certain kind of answer. She hoped his possessiveness, his affectionate intimacy, would touch emotions similar to her own.

However, Helio’s response was so enigmatic that it was difficult for her to understand.

Disappointment was evident on Liliana’s face, yet even in her discontent, there was no darkness. In fact, it wasn’t long before her eyes sparkled, as if she had found something positive in Helio’s words.

“So, you like my eyes?”

Helio gently traced the outline of Liliana’s eyes with his fingertips. Liliana instinctively closed her eyes every time shadows fell on her eyelids, only to open them again and look up at him.

Seeing her face urging for an answer, Helio replied, “Yes.”

Liliana smiled in satisfaction, and Helio found himself unable to understand her.

Helio didn’t know love, but he did know the conventional exchanges between lovers. He knew the right words to say, but trying to speak them felt suffocating.

Ultimately, the words that escaped his lips were far from enough, yet Liliana was genuinely happy with them.

Just as she was about to ask why, Liliana reached out and lightly touched the corner of Helio’s eye.

“I like your eyes, too. There isn’t a more beautiful pair of eyes in this world.

And then, Helio understood Liliana’s heart. That seemingly insignificant sentence, with no real benefit, filled his heart to the brim, leaving no room for discontent.

He still wanted her.

Even just sitting together, her immense sense of fulfillment made him want to keep her as his own forever.

Helio thought of several ways he could possess Liliana completely.

But as none of those methods seemed capable of taking her to a perfect paradise, he gently took her hand, lingering near his cheek, and dismissed all those ideas one by one.

* * *

Beatty stood in front of Emerald Palace. This time, she hadn’t come on her own accord—Liliana had sent her an invitation directly.

Beatty had visited the Emerald Palace so frequently that the passing palace attendants whispered to each other as they saw her.

While imagining grabbing them by the hair and throwing them aside, Sophia appeared.

“Please come in.“

“Looks like you’ve finally recovered,“ Beatty remarked snidely. At times, because she had bribed Sophia with jewels, it felt like Sophia was her personal maid.

On the other hand, Sophia remained cautious and led the way without a word.

“Boring,“ Beatty muttered, clicking her tongue as she entered the drawing room of the Emerald Palace.

“Greetings to the Empress Consort, Liliana.“

“Welcome, Lady Beatty.”

Liliana was wearing a pale sky-blue dress with a soft pearlescent shimmer around her chest, which, on closer inspection, was studded with countless tiny jewels.

Her choice of attire, even in a casual setting rather than a banquet, made it clear that she was asserting her current position.

Beatty quietly observed Liliana waiting for tea, but the maids around them didn’t move an inch. To make matters worse, Liliana immediately got to the point.

“What did His Majesty say to you?”

The bluntness of the question was one thing, but the lack of tea offered to such a distinguished guest was beyond rude.

Beatty stood up in disbelief. “Is this how the Emerald Palace treats its guests?”

Liliana blinked innocently up at her.

“No, of course not. But you’re not worth even a single tea leaf.”

Beatty felt as though LilianaLiliana’s innocent expression was mocking her. Humiliated, she made to leave her seat.

“You are quite remarkable, Lady Beatty.“

“…What do you mean?“

“I’m here, struggling desperately to survive in this empire. Your father will stop at nothing to make your family prosper, not even the most despicable means. His Majesty tirelessly watches over the empire, often staying up all night. Vail made himself the Duke’s adopted son just to make a name for himself.”

It seemed that Beatty still didn’t grasp the meaning behind her words. Liliana sighed and explained kindly.

“Meanwhile, all you do is wreak havoc without accomplishing anything. Am I wrong?“

“How dare you speak to me so rudely!“

“I don’t understand why you’re angry. What have you done to become the Empress? Tormenting me won’t make you Empress, will it?”

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