55. Desire

“Your Highness, Joanna and I found a path leading down the cliff.”

Sasha said this as she fixed Larael’s hair. Since Edward didn’t want any interruptions when he was with Larael, Sasha and Joanna were unexpectedly enjoying a leisurely holiday of their own.

“But isn’t it dangerous?”

Larael asked with concern, thinking of the height of the cliff. Sasha and Joanna glanced at the Emperor, who was reading a book in an antique chair by the window.

Edward was so focused on his reading that he didn’t react at all, as if he couldn’t hear their conversation.

“We’ll be careful.”

“Your Highness, your hair is finished.”

“Alright. Thank you. You may go now.”

As soon as Larael finished speaking, Sasha and Joanna bowed lightly and left the bedroom. The moment they left, Edward, who hadn’t moved an inch while reading, set his book down and stood up from his chair.

“Edward, were you really reading?”

Larael asked as she watched him walk toward her. Her voice had become much more natural when calling his name. Edward smiled.

“I noticed you didn’t turn a single page.”

“How could I possibly concentrate?”

Standing right in front of Larael, Edward took her hand and brought it to his lips. His soft, warm lips grazed the back of her hand.

“We really are going to the forest today, right?”

To Edward, the summer palace had always been just a place to enjoy a quiet holiday. He had never imagined that simply having someone at his side could make each day so joyful. Of course, it was important that the person was Larael.

“Yes. The forest will be even more beautiful since few people have ever set foot there.”

Although Edward said this, he had never actually ventured deep into the forest. Since it was managed by wizards, it wasn’t dangerous like other forests.

After a brief preparation, Larael took Edward’s hand tightly and walked into the forest with him. The palace guards were waiting at the entrance.

Thanks to the tall trees, the forest wasn’t hot. Whenever Larael spotted a sunbeam sneaking through the leaves, she would run over and step into the patch of sunlight.

It was such a simple game, but it brought her endless joy.

She wondered if she could ever be happier than she was at that moment. All of it was wonderful simply because she was with Edward. Larael looked up at him as they walked side by side.

“Edward, I want to live here forever and never go back to the imperial palace.”

She meant it. If she could live her whole life in a place where she didn’t have to see the people she hated and despised, maybe her hatred would fade and she could finally find peace.

“Shall we?”

Even if it was just words, Larael was happy. Instead of answering, she squeezed Edward’s hand tightly. She never wanted to let go.

“If I were deceiving Your Majesty, would you punish me?”

“Are you asking me seriously?”

Edward tilted his head as he asked.

“If, for example, I did.”

“Then I would willingly let myself be deceived. You must have a reason for it…”

“Do you trust me?”

“Of course.”

Edward replied without a moment’s hesitation. Larael felt a strange sense of relief, but also anxiety. If Edward were to ask her now if she was hiding something, she knew she wouldn’t be able to answer as confidently as he did.

“Your Majesty, you don’t truly know me.”

Larael muttered as if to herself. At her words, Edward’s ever-present smile slowly faded.

“Do you know anything about me?”

“Yes. A lot.”

Edward looked at her incredulously, then suddenly burst out laughing.

“What do you know about me?”

He assumed she only knew a few rumors about him. But Larael’s expression turned serious. She looked as if she was deep in thought.

“Well, I know much more than you think, Your Majesty.”

“Alright. I also know more about you than you think, and I want to know even more. That’s why I’d like to visit the place where you grew up. I want to know what your childhood was like.”

“Your Majesty, do you know how the Grand Duke of Vellaus came to our estate?”

“…”

Edward, who had been walking in step with Larael, suddenly stopped. He hadn’t expected the story of Herwen to come up so casually through Larael.

“If it hadn’t been for the Grand Duke of Vellaus, would we ever have met? You would have married another lady and cherished her just as you do me, wouldn’t you?”

“If it weren’t you…”

Edward trailed off. Sometimes, he wondered about that himself. He hadn’t accepted Larael as Empress Consort because he loved her, but rather out of a sense of responsibility.

He had ended up loving her this much, but if nothing had happened, would he ever have fallen in love with her? Was it duty that bound him, or true love?

“Have you ever thought that I orchestrated all this on purpose to take advantage of your sense of responsibility?”

Larael looked into Edward’s eyes. He couldn’t meet her gaze and turned away, recalling the night he had acted shamefully toward her because of Herwen’s words.

“So you have thought about it. Well, it doesn’t matter.”

Despite her words, Larael felt bitter. She bit her lower lip.

She wanted to be honest with Edward. She wanted to tell him everything. But she also knew how easily people’s feelings could change. Larael sighed and shook her head.

“Larael, you misunderstand. I may have thought that once, but I don’t think that way at all anymore.”

“Honestly… You could have just lied and said you never did. You really can’t even lie, Your Majesty.”

Larael smiled sadly and reached out to touch Edward’s face. Her mouth felt parched from her own words.

“I’m no help to you, Your Majesty. I’ve already dragged you down to the very bottom. You know all the rumors about me.”

“Larael, if you say such things in front of me one more time, I really won’t forgive you.”

Edward’s gaze hardened as he spoke. He covered her hand on his face with his own. When she tried to pull away, he held on tight.

‘But I can’t help wanting more. I want to stay by your side forever…’

Larael pulled her hand free and started walking again. Edward watched her back for a moment, then slowly followed.

“Then, Your Majesty, tell me what you know about me.”

Edward didn’t answer, but Larael didn’t look back.

“This spot…”

After a while, Edward finally spoke. He caught up to Larael and, from behind, wrapped his arms around her. Leaning in, he bit her earlobe.

“Ah!”

Larael shrieked in surprise at his unexpected action.

“This is your most sensitive spot…”

“Edward!”

The serious mood from before vanished in an instant as Larael turned around, her face flushed red.

“I was right, wasn’t I?”

As Larael turned, Edward’s hands naturally shifted to hold her in his arms. She struggled, but he had no intention of letting her go.

He pulled her closer and grinned mischievously, but his smile froze when he saw her face. Not only were her cheeks red, but her eyes were rimmed with red as well. As Larael blinked, tears that had gathered at the corners of her eyes rolled down her cheeks.

That was why she hadn’t looked back at him even once.

“Larael. I’m sorry. I was wrong. Please don’t cry.”

Edward, at a loss, hugged her and patted her back.

“It’s not because of you, Your Majesty. I’m just so happy right now.”

Edward gently patted her back, but inside he was seething with frustration—at himself, for making her cry. He bit his lip to keep his emotions in check.

“I wish you would never cry for the rest of your life.”

His low voice was hoarse. At the sound, Larael looked up at him. Edward’s eyes were a little red. The clear, confident eyes that always shone so brightly now seemed blurred.

“Edward, could it be…”

Just then, a flock of birds suddenly burst from the leaves with a loud flutter. Startled, Larael shrank back and hugged Edward tightly.

“Larael, it’s just the birds taking flight.”

Edward smiled down at her, but at that moment, he sensed something unusual approaching. A dangerous glint flashed in his eyes as he pulled Larael behind him, shielding her with his body.