96. I Will Never Let You Go

Larael shuddered at the guilt and overwhelming depression. Feeling how powerlessly she crumbled before these emotions, Larael shook her head and said to Edward:

“I don’t deserve Your Majesty’s love.”

“No, you are more than deserving. Don’t ever say such things again.”

Edward didn’t want to see Larael with eyes full of sadness. And it was his fault that she was like this. Faced with her, whose mere presence made his heart ache, Edward tightly closed his eyes and let out a long sigh, wondering what he had been thinking.

“It must have been difficult to speak about this. Thank you for telling me.”

Edward pulled her into his embrace with the hands that had been cradling her face. Larael buried her face in Edward’s chest. The warmth emanating from him seeped into her heart. Edward held Larael in his arms for a long time without letting go.

‘I will never let you go.’

His hands tightened.

He could never forgive those who had caused Larael such pain. He would not forgive Herwen, who had deceived both Larael and Edward, making them objects of ridicule.

Larael, barely able to sleep, carefully rose from the bed to avoid waking Edward with her tossing and turning. With a heavy heart, she draped a shawl over her shoulders and walked to the window, opening it slightly. The rather chilly wind instantly rushed into the bedroom. Startled by the cold air, Larael quickly closed the window and glanced at the bed.

Fortunately, Edward hadn’t awakened.

Larael couldn’t understand her own heart. When she was in Edward’s embrace, listening to his words, she felt reassured and thought she could never leave him. But when she was even slightly apart from him, observing as if from a distance, reason dominated emotion, and her self-assessment became harsh. It was the same now.

She slowly closed and opened her tired eyes, leaning against the window, gazing at Edward for a long time.

When Edward stirred, she carefully approached the bed and pulled the blanket up to cover his exposed upper body. As she turned away, Edward grabbed her arm. Surprised, Larael looked back to find Edward barely opening his eyes through his tousled hair, looking at her.

His figure, merged with the darkness, was so attractive; Larael loved the contours of Edward’s face that stood out in the dark. She sighed, wondering why her heart fluttered in this situation.

“Come here.”

Edward spoke in a low, husky voice and pulled her toward him. Larael allowed herself to be drawn into his embrace.

“I know you haven’t slept all night. So go to sleep now.”

Edward firmly pulled Larael, who was awkwardly nestled against him, into his arms. Satisfied that they had become one, Edward patted her back as if putting a child to sleep.

“As I said, what matters is the future. Just forget the past. It will be difficult, but…”

The moment she heard those words, tears welled up in Larael’s eyes again. She didn’t want to cry. But Edward kept making her cry. Feeling Larael’s tears on his bare chest, Edward added in a cracked voice:

“Today is the last day for crying.”

Larael nodded repeatedly in his arms.

***

Marquis Argen came to Abella Palace to meet the Emperor.

When told that Marquis Argen was waiting outside the bedroom, Larael felt a wave of guilt. She felt as if she was keeping the Emperor from his work. Whether or not Edward understood her feelings, he had Marquis Argen enter the bedroom with a relaxed attitude.

Making him receive reports in the Empress Consort’s bedroom—Larael’s face turned pale. Seeing Marquis Argen enter the bedroom, she felt like hiding in a mouse hole.

But Marquis Argen himself, whatever he might be thinking inside, maintained an impassive expression. He greeted Edward and Larael, who were sitting on the sofa, and sat down himself.

“I’ll be returning to the main palace soon. Is this an urgent report?”

“Yes. Fortunately, you’re dressed.”

Edward narrowed his eyes and glared at Marquis Argen. As Larael rose in embarrassment to leave the bedroom, Edward firmly gripped her hand, preventing her from standing.

“Just stay beside me.”

Marquis Argen raised his eyebrows and pressed his lips together. He was still not used to Edward behaving this way, but he would have to get accustomed to it. Even a brief look at imperial records would show that emperors often received official reports in the chambers of their empresses or consorts.

Though Larael’s presence made him uncomfortable, the matter was urgent, so Marquis Argen began his report.

“We just received word from the investigation team. After speaking with those who occupied Count Briznay’s domain, they claim they never received any of the relief food distributed by the imperial palace. Their dissatisfaction with having to pay high taxes despite having no harvest is the cause of this incident.”

“Is it true they didn’t receive the relief food?”

Edward asked, suppressing his anger. He couldn’t understand who would dare divert supplies distributed by the imperial palace.

Hearing Marquis Argen’s words, Larael’s mouth fell open in surprise.

‘Count Briznay’s domain…’

It was a place she knew well.

She had understood that a large amount of food had been imported from foreign countries based on Count Winters’ recommendation. And if it had been properly distributed, this should never have happened. Larael unconsciously parted her lips to ask Marquis Argen for details but quickly closed them. She anxiously bit her nails while waiting for his answer.

“Yes. According to Count Briznay’s aide, they did receive relief supplies, but the amount was woefully inadequate. However, as Your Majesty knows, we believe sufficient quantities were distributed. Therefore, we plan to launch a comprehensive investigation into whether the relief food is being properly distributed.”

“Have you found out what they want?”

“They are demanding sufficient food distribution to the residents of Count Briznay’s domain, amnesty for killing Count Briznay, and tax reductions.”

Edward furrowed his brow. Count Briznay was certainly at fault as well. Edward had ordered the lords of drought-stricken regions to reduce taxes. According to Marquis Argen’s report, Count Briznay had ignored the Emperor’s orders and forcibly collected taxes.

As Edward remained silent with furrowed brows, lost in thought, Marquis Argen glanced at Larael and continued.

“The merchant guild that imported and distributed this food was the Layton Merchant Guild.”

Only then did Larael understand why Marquis Argen had glanced at her. It was because her aide, Kali, was Lady Kali Layton. Edward also looked at Larael as soon as he heard Marquis Argen’s words.

“Kali has nothing to do with the Layton Merchant Guild.”

Larael quickly explained when Edward’s gaze turned to her.

‘Was this why Marquis Argen gave his report in my presence?’

Larael felt dizzy. She was already confused by events that should never have happened, and now Kali’s family was involved too. No matter how much Larael explained that Kali had nothing to do with it, Kali Layton was still a Layton.

“Jayden.”

Edward leaned forward, placing both arms on his thighs.

The air in the bedroom grew heavy with his low voice.

“Watch your words carefully. Especially if it might implicate Larael in any way.”

“Yes, I will be careful, Your Majesty.”

Marquis Argen replied.

“I’ll be returning to the main palace soon. Go ahead.”

Marquis Argen nodded in acknowledgment, bowed to Edward and Larael, and left the bedroom.

After Marquis Argen left, Larael fiddled with the buttons on Edward’s shirt that he hadn’t fully fastened. Edward watched her with a faint smile on his face.

“Your Majesty, though it may be presumptuous, might I suggest using this opportunity to reform the tax system?”