Chapter 28. Warning

But there was no time to deeply ponder the strangeness.

“This time, I’ll personally assist with that hobby of yours. If it’s on the stage set by the Emperor, it will surely be different.”

“Pardon?”

Iella raised her head and asked in confusion at the odd turn of events, but the Emperor easily ignored her. He commanded the knight guarding behind her.

“Make sure to tell him that I summoned him. Because…”

A cruel sneer appeared on his cold face.

“It will be fun.”

“Your Majesty!”

Iella urgently called out, trying to stop him. This was separate from her feeling of futility and detachment from the current situation. She had to stop this no matter what. Having the Emperor confront the original male lead was something that should never happen.

“I will handle it myself. I don’t need such interference. I don’t want it. Just leave me alone as you always have…”

“Is it important?”

“What?”

“Ailexia, is your opinion important?”

The enormous shadow of the monarch approached her like it was going to swallow her whole. The oppressive atmosphere emanating from his physique made Iella feel as if her breath was being stifled.

“The fact that I have left you alone until now was solely because of my opinion. You know that as well. So why are you now expressing your opinion to me?”

“……”

“Surely you didn’t think I would listen to it. You’re not that foolish, are you?”

Even though his hand was not physically strangling her, she couldn’t say a word. It felt as if she was trapped by his blood-red eyes, unable to move.

Suddenly, she remembered that when he ascended to the throne, he had executed all his direct and distant relatives except for the Grand Duke.

When she had only heard about it, she thought he was just a terrifying person blinded by power, but facing him directly, it was far more than that.

He was a tyrant, a very dangerous and fierce tyrant who crushed anything that went against his will.

The man standing close to her tilted his head and whispered lowly in her ear.

“So think quickly. Just like the dead Empress did, just like you have done until now. Think desperately about how to cling to that tenacious life of yours.”

This was a warning. A warning laced with threats.

Iella’s eyes wavered aimlessly, consumed by fear. Without any physical contact, he overwhelmed her with his oppressive presence alone. She shuddered at the thought of how terrifying it would be if he acted with real intent.

Seeing her lips sealed shut as though they were glued, he stepped back. As if this much was enough.

“It seems I played a bit too harshly in our long-awaited reunion. You’re not one to bend your will over something like this.”

“……”

“Take Ailexia back to the secondary palace.”

The man who had been threatening her moments ago smiled and ordered the remaining knight.

Only after some distance was put between them did Iella feel her breath return, and she took a deep breath, looking at him. Her eyes met his blood-red gaze.

“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure the hostage you’ve been favoring recently is brought safely to your bedroom.”

Iella’s face turned paler as she recalled what she had momentarily forgotten, overwhelmed by him. Sharp objects seemed to surround her, closing in from all sides.

***

Following the Emperor’s order, the knight escorted her to the front of the secondary palace. He stood there for a while, watching to ensure she went inside without deviating.

Having no choice, Iella went up to her bedroom and closed the door, collapsing to the floor.

‘Why is this happening to me?’

As the fear slowly subsided, she looked at her trembling hands and closed her eyes tightly. Her heart pounded erratically, and countless thoughts filled her mind.

Would it have been less unfair if she at least knew the reason? She thought so. At least she wouldn’t have been dragged into the situation without understanding why.

‘But the situation wouldn’t have changed.’

But that thought was fleeting. Knowing or not knowing the reason wouldn’t have changed the situation she had to face. It was all a pointless assumption.

Leaning her head back against the door, Iella slowly opened her eyes.

‘What should I do now? No, what should I do tonight?’

The Emperor wasn’t just speaking idly. He had actually sent knights to the harem. He would surely send Allen to her bedroom as he had mentioned. He might even personally escort him.

Refusing and sending Allen back as she had done before was not an option due to the Emperor’s command. The repercussions of such an action were unimaginable, and she wasn’t sure she could withstand or endure them.

‘But I can’t just close my eyes and sleep with him. What if the same thing happens again…’

Iella recalled the time when her consciousness had blurred with a strange voice and the troublesome morning that followed.

Even if she didn’t hear the voice this time, it would still be a problem.

‘If my consciousness doesn’t blur, I’ll remember everything with a clear mind…’

At that moment, a knock sounded behind her.

Startled, Iella jumped up, stepped away from the door, and held her breath.

‘Has he come already?’

Her heart pounded wildly, and her vision blurred as if she might vomit.

Should she refuse again? What about the consequences from the Emperor? Wouldn’t Allen also find Ailexia strange if she refused again? Could she lie in bed with a stranger in someone else’s body? Her mind was a jumble of thoughts.

Then, suddenly, she reached a conclusion.

‘Could all this be to push Allen to kill Ailexia as in the original story?’

Her face turned pale as goosebumps rose all over her body. If that were the case, it would explain why all her efforts had been in vain. At that moment, another knock sounded.

Just as Iella felt an urge to jump out of the window to escape, a familiar voice accompanied the opening door.

“Ailexia, it’s Vanessa. I came to help you prepare as someone from the harem is coming… Ailexia!”

She felt the strength leave her legs and collapsed to the floor, staring blankly at the brown hair and maid’s uniform. Vanessa, forgetting to close the door, hurriedly approached her.

“Are you alright? Are you feeling unwell?”

Vanessa’s voice, which had been bustling as she observed her closely, suddenly stopped. Silent tears streamed down Iella’s face.

“A-Ailexia…?”

Hearing the call filled with confusion, Iella realized she was crying and turned her head to wipe her tears.

Vanessa, pursing her lips, cautiously spoke.

“Um, they said he would arrive soon…”

“……”

“I would suggest sending him back if you don’t want to, but… the Emperor… His Majesty’s orders…”

Understanding the implication behind Vanessa’s hesitant words, Iella felt her vision darken.

Having already received a threatening warning, there wasn’t much she could do. The fact that the Emperor had even instructed Vanessa meant his intentions were clear.

It was a clear message that she wouldn’t escape this situation and that if she caused a disturbance by refusing, Vanessa would also be held accountable for not carrying out the Emperor’s orders.

This method, while it might not have worked on the original Ailexia, was highly effective on Iella. She didn’t want to see innocent people suffer because of her. She wasn’t the type to escape a situation by sacrificing others.

But…

“I don’t want to die…”

She didn’t want to continue being dragged into such situations without knowing why. She didn’t want to be pushed into the flow of the original story.

“I don’t want to be killed by the male lead.”

She didn’t want to end her life in a stranger’s body, caught up in such a mess. There was no reason for that.

Feeling fear in a situation that seemed to lead to death no matter what she did, Iella buried her face in her hands. She mumbled to herself, struggling.

She thought Vanessa wouldn’t understand anyway. But then, an unexpected voice reached her ears.

“What did you just say…”

The voice, trembling with disbelief, pierced through Iella’s panic.

Iella slowly lifted her face from her hands and looked at Vanessa. Her hands, trembling near her lips, were the first thing she saw.

Iella stared at her with a puzzled expression for a moment. Then Vanessa grabbed her shoulders with both hands and, with wide eyes, asked urgently.

“What did you just say? What do you know? The male lead, do you know who he is?”

“Vanessa.”

“Do you know?”

The grip on her shoulders was so strong that it made her wince. Iella tried to shake her off, but it was no use. She eventually nodded.

Then the grip on her shoulders loosened.

“You know that Allen Bledin is the male lead… and that he’ll kill Ailexia…?”

Iella took the opportunity to push her away and create some distance. Vanessa, not caring that she had fallen backward, muttered to herself. Her vacant gaze looked as if her soul had left her body.

“That’s impossible. How could you know… Only one person knows that… No way.”

Then, her eyes widened again as she stood up abruptly and approached Iella quickly. Luckily, this time she didn’t touch her but leaned in close.

Vanessa opened and closed her mouth a few times before finally speaking.

“Are you… Seo Ira?”

Her voice was choked, as if something was lodged in her throat. Vanessa’s amber eyes were filled with deep longing as she looked at her.

Iella, who had been in a defensive posture, froze.

How did Vanessa know her previous life’s name? Confusion spread across Iella’s face.

Noticing something from her expression, Vanessa urgently added.

“I’m Seon! Kang Seon!”

At those words, Iella saw the image of her dear friend from her past life overlap with Vanessa’s.

The most precious person who first came to mind.

Before Iella could say anything, Vanessa, with tears streaming down her face, hugged her. The warmth she had cherished deep in her memories flooded back to Iella as if it were a lie.