147. Dream (2)

Larael unconsciously put down Edward’s hand that she had been gently swaying together. She froze, unable to say anything or make any movement. She needed to deny it, but her lips felt sewn shut, preventing her from saying a word.

“Larael?”

Edward called her with a voice full of concern, noticing her visibly changed expression and behavior.

“Your… Your Majesty.”

Larael finally managed to speak in response to Edward’s slow call.

“Larael, are you alright?”

“…Poisoning? Indeed, Your Majesty had such an absurd dream.”

Larael spoke in an exaggeratedly high tone, trying to hide her feelings. But she couldn’t help the slight trembling in her voice.

“Yes, that’s what I think too. But it was such a vivid dream. When I called for you, you wouldn’t look at me like you are now. That gaze still pains my heart.”

Edward’s voice became choked.

“…”

“When you were about to drink the poisoned wine you had offered me—for some change of heart—I snatched it and drank it instead. You had been cold to me all along, but even your hesitation gave me comfort.”

Though she had hoped otherwise, after hearing Edward’s words, Larael abruptly stood up from the bed.

“Your Majesty… I’ll return to my palace to change my dress and come back.”

Larael spoke without looking at Edward’s face. And before hearing his answer, she left Edward’s bedroom with hurried steps. Her heart was pounding so violently that Larael couldn’t even remember how she got to Abella Palace. She was in an almost half-delirious state. It felt like her most hideous secret, one she wanted to keep until death, had been discovered by the very person she least wanted to know.

She could have simply laughed it off, denied it, said it was just a dream, but instead she fled from Edward’s bedroom without saying anything.

‘Will Edward find it suspicious?’

Larael suddenly feared that Edward might find her inability to deny it suspicious.

‘How should I explain that?’

Just asking herself that question made Larael’s chest tighten. She felt like hiding somewhere completely alone and screaming like a madwoman. Her eyes grew as red as her pupils at the undeniable dream.

“Your Highness, shall I prepare a bath?”

Sasha asked Larael, who had returned to her bedroom and didn’t know what to do.

“Yes, please.”

Larael flopped down on the sofa to wait until the bath was ready. She covered her face with both hands. She wanted to let everything go and disappear from the world. She only wanted to vanish.

‘I should have denied it right away…’

Would she have felt better if she had denied it? Not at all. Larael frowned deeply in despair.

Just then, her lower abdomen began to hurt with sharp pains. It was as if reminding Larael of its existence, which she had forgotten. Larael looked down at her lower abdomen and then placed her hand on it, gently stroking her belly. Thinking of their child, her anxious feelings somewhat subsided, and her mind cleared as if cold water had been poured over it. She bit her lips repeatedly as she fell into thought.

“Sasha, never mind the bath. I’ll just change my dress and go back to the main palace.”

***

After Larael left hurriedly with a stiff expression, Edward began to regret telling her about the dream. That’s why he hadn’t wanted to tell her, but he had mistakenly thought it would be fine since it wasn’t true. He had once read in a book that dreams reflect consciousness, and from Larael’s perspective, it could certainly be unpleasant.

The doctors came to examine Edward thoroughly, and after giving Trix a list of foods to avoid and prescribed medications, they left. Trix was carefully reviewing the food list given by the doctor and giving instructions to the attendants.

“Your Majesty!!!”

Edward quickly turned his head toward the welcome voice. Marquis Argen walked in with an emotional expression upon seeing Edward sitting up against the bed.

“I greet His Imperial Majesty.”

After approaching and greeting him, Marquis Argen raised his head. Seeing his sparkling eyes, Edward unconsciously lifted the corners of his mouth gently.

“Jayden.”

Instead of using formal titles, Edward called his old friend by name, showing how glad he was to see Marquis Argen again. Marquis Argen reached out his hand toward him. Edward slightly grimaced and leaned back a little at his gesture.

“Your Majesty, are you really going to surprise people like this?”

Edward smiled bitterly at those words.

“Did you hear from Trix? To prepare for a work report this afternoon?”

“Ah… yes. I heard. Wouldn’t it be better to rest for a few more days?”

“No, I’m fine. Shouldn’t I return to work as soon as possible?”

“I’m not sure how much you know, but the situation is not good.”

“What situation? That the people behind my attack haven’t been identified? I already heard from Larael.”

Edward spoke as if he knew everything. Marquis Argen’s expression changed to one of bewilderment as he looked at Edward, who thought that was all there was to it. He could understand why Larael had only been able to tell him that much. She must have thought the same—that Edward, who had just regained consciousness, would be greatly shocked if he learned the worse truth.

“That is…”

When Marquis Argen hesitated without continuing, Edward narrowed his eyes. Only then did he notice that there was something else Larael couldn’t tell him.

“What? What has happened?”

“…As you said, I will prepare for the work report this afternoon.”

The fortunate thing was that he already had materials prepared for reporting to Larael, so preparing the report would be relatively easy. But the problem was how Edward would receive it. Marquis Argen’s sigh deepened. Edward stopped asking further questions when he saw Marquis Argen’s deeply troubled face.

“Very well. Prepare thoroughly and report.”

After Marquis Argen left hurriedly to prepare the report, the Tower Master and Nora, who had been staying at the imperial palace, came together to have an audience with Edward. They brought in a strange-looking chair. After receiving their greetings, Edward asked what the chair was.

“Her Highness the Empress Consort requested that we make this for when Your Majesty regained consciousness, as you would not be able to walk immediately after lying down for so long.”

It was their masterpiece. They wore the most satisfied expressions in the world.

“You want me to… ride that?”

Edward asked with a serious face. This surely wasn’t what Larael had intended. If he were to sit in such an extravagantly ornate chair that looked tall enough to touch the ceiling, setting aside practicality, he would certainly become a laughingstock. Their intentions were admirable, but he only wanted to accept their goodwill. He needed to train his body quickly to ensure he would never have to rely on that chair.

“This beautiful chair is actually a magical artifact. If you press this button, you can go forward, backward, left, or right—anywhere. We think it turned out so well that we’re considering refining it for practical use.”

Tower Master Ferma said excitedly.

“I see…”

Edward pressed his lips together and nodded with an awkward smile.

“It’s time for Your Majesty’s breakfast.”

As silence briefly fell between the wizards and Edward, Trix quickly spoke up, seizing the opportunity. The wizards said they would return later and left the bedroom, leaving behind their ambitious creation.

“Trix, do you think you could go around sitting in that chair?”

Trix shook his head with a small laugh.

“Still, Larael has been taking care of many things, hasn’t she?”

At his words, Trix nodded.

“Her Highness the Empress Consort hardly left Your Majesty’s side. She went through a lot while Your Majesty was unconscious.”

Trix answered while preparing for Edward’s meal. His meal was liquid food, and since Edward still found it difficult to lift a spoon quickly, Trix fed him instead. Thanks to this, the mealtime wasn’t long, but throughout the meal, Edward alternately thought of Trix’s words and Larael’s rough, much thinner face.

“It feels like I’ve returned to childhood.”

Trix smiled gently at Edward, who felt awkward after finishing his meal.

As soon as the meal was over, Larael returned to Edward’s side, having only changed her dress.