148. The Emperor Returns (1)

Larael still wore a stern expression. She didn’t smile even when she saw the chair brought by the wizards.

“Larael, what I had was just a dream. Not reality. I shouldn’t have mentioned it.”

Though he had spoken seeking comfort, it was Edward who ended up consoling Larael instead.

During the brief time Larael had gone to Abella Palace to change her dress and return, she had thought deeply. Should she completely deny it and move on, or should she reveal the fact of her regression and tell him that those events had actually happened? These two thoughts fought fiercely in her mind.

In the end, she decided to reveal her regression and confess everything, but Larael was very afraid. The biggest reason for her fear was her hope to remain by Edward’s side for the rest of her life.

But she considered how she would feel if she were in Edward’s position. If it were her, she wouldn’t want to face Larael again. She would despise and hate her. The feelings she currently had toward Herwen—when she reached this thought, Larael became so distressed she wanted to die. But she couldn’t deceive him either. She would be trapped and tormented by memories that would haunt her for the rest of her life.

‘But if it’s Edward…’

Larael wanted to believe in Edward. She thought Edward would be different from her. Though it might be selfish, she felt that the Edward she knew would embrace all of her. She didn’t want Edward to protect her only because she told him about the existence of their baby. So Larael decided to reveal the existence of their baby after disclosing all the facts, including her regression.

But when she actually faced Edward, her firm resolve wavered uselessly. Looking at the pale Edward, she thought she should wait until he recovered at least a little more before telling him. It might be too harsh for Edward who had just regained consciousness.

With this thought, Larael tightly closed her mouth and smiled at Edward.

“I would like to discuss that matter another time.”

When she answered in a small voice, as if shrinking away, Edward quickly nodded.

For Edward, the unresolved issues with Duke Anderman, the Empress Dowager, and even Herwen still remained. Larael felt burdened, as if she were passing on problems she couldn’t solve to Edward, who had not yet fully recovered.

Despite Larael and Trix’s attempts to dissuade him, Edward began light exercise. At first, it was just simple stretching while sitting. Beads of sweat formed on his face, but Edward gradually increased the intensity of his exercise.

In the afternoon, Marquis Argen came to see if the preparations for the work report Edward had requested were ready.

“Your Majesty, can you come to the office? Or would you prefer to receive the report in your bedroom?”

Edward looked at the incredibly ornate chair that Ferma and Nora had brought, which was placed in a corner of the bedroom, then turned his head. Since his legs hadn’t fully recovered, he thought he might end up leaving the bedroom on that chair if he wasn’t careful.

“I think it would be better to receive the report in the bedroom.”

Marquis Argen also looked at the chair Edward had been eyeing, nodded, and left the bedroom. Shortly after, he returned with the aides.

Edward sat on the sofa with support from Larael and Trix. As Edward sat down, his aides placed documents on the table and took their seats on either side of the sofa. Those who couldn’t find seats stood behind them.

Once they had all settled in, a heavy atmosphere descended upon the bedroom. The content of the report Edward had to hear was by no means light.

Marquis Argen cleared his throat lightly. Everyone’s attention focused on him. Feeling the weight of all eyes on him, Marquis Argen began to speak. He gave a lengthy report, starting with the official story that the Kingdom of Hashiya was behind the assassination attempt on the Emperor, the connection between Duke Anderman and Count Briznay through slave trafficking, the Empress Dowager’s regency, the attempted poisoning incident, and finally how Larael came to be regent.

Edward listened quietly, occasionally furrowing his brow. When the story of Larael’s regency came up, he merely glanced at her once before returning his gaze to the pile of documents on the table. It was difficult to judge his emotions from his impassive face. His aides knew well that he was a man without blood or tears. Though he appeared expressionless, he was likely thinking many things inside. The only fortunate thing was that Larael was in the same space, especially by his side.

When Marquis Argen finished his report, Edward closed his eyes. His closed eyelids twitched slightly as if having a spasm. Silence fell over the bedroom. But no one wanted to break that silence. They were watching Edward, barely daring to swallow for fear of disrupting the quiet.

“Your Majesty, I did not become regent out of desire for power.”

After a long while, Larael said as if making an excuse. Edward lifted his eyelids to look at her.

“I know.”

A gentle curve appeared at the corners of his mouth as he looked at her, but it disappeared the moment he turned his head.

“I’ll read through the documents, so everyone may leave.”

Edward said, looking around at his aides. The aides exchanged bewildered glances with each other. They weren’t sure if they should really stand up. They were mulling over his words, wondering if there was some hidden meaning.

“I’ll call you again after I’ve read the documents first.”

Edward added. The aides breathed short sighs at the thought that it wasn’t over yet. Marquis Argen rose from his seat and bowed deeply to Edward. Following Marquis Argen’s lead, the rest of the aides also stood up.

“Marquis Argen, stay for a moment.”

Edward said just as they were about to turn and leave the bedroom.

“Your Majesty, are you feeling alright? Would you like to lie down on the bed if you’re tired?”

Larael asked once they were alone in the bedroom. Edward shook his head.

“You’ve been through a lot.”

Edward reached out his hand toward Larael. Larael smiled with her lips tightly closed and took Edward’s outstretched hand. If she hadn’t heard the dream story from Edward and had heard these words instead, she would have felt compensated for the time she had barely endured, anxiously worrying because of him. But now Larael felt as if she were hiding a crime worse than those of Duke Anderman and the Empress Dowager.

The memory of Edward taking the cup from her hand and drinking from it without hesitation was still vivid in her mind. How could she pretend that never happened and smile sincerely at Edward?

“And there is a report I couldn’t give earlier when the other aides were present.”

Marquis Argen said, looking at Larael. Larael looked at Marquis Argen at his words. Marquis Argen sent her a questioning glance as if asking if she would tell him, but Larael avoided his gaze and turned her head away.

“What is it?”

After waiting briefly for her to speak, Marquis Argen reluctantly opened his mouth at Edward’s prompting.

“Regarding Your Majesty’s assassination attempt, the Empress Dowager officially announced that the Kingdom of Hashiya was behind it and concluded the matter, but it seems the real mastermind is likely Grand Duke Vellaus.”

“……”

Edward’s expression remained unchanged, as if this wasn’t surprising news.

“It was announced that all the assassins had died, but the Empress Consort was kidnap—”

“Kidnapped??”

Edward’s expression twisted terribly. He adjusted his posture and looked back and forth between Larael and Marquis Argen. Marquis Argen slightly furrowed his brow and closed his eyes at Edward’s outburst.

“What do you mean by kidnapping? Are you saying Larael was kidnapped?”

“Your Majesty, it wasn’t a serious matter. The assassins took me hostage and escaped from the palace…”

Larael quickly added. His body began to tremble with anger.

“How is that not serious? So, continue. No, Jayden, you tell me.”