Chapter 21_Do you really mean me to lie down?

In a way, it looked like he was quietly savoring the sunlight alone. Maybe that’s why he felt increasingly drowsy.

Haaa~. The Emperor yawned unexpectedly. It was the first time she’d seen this.

“I’m a bit sleepy.”

The Emperor thought of returning to his bedroom to take a short nap. He hadn’t slept well the night before due to various worries.

“Would you like to sleep a bit?”

It seemed better for both of them to return to their respective rooms to sleep. Bellita quickly suggested it as a good way to part early.

“Are you going to offer me a lap pillow?”

The Emperor wasn’t unaware of Bellita’s intentions. 

Why should I go to my room? For whose convenience?

As expected, he could see her expression stiffen slightly. 

She would definitely refuse and leave. 

He had said it just to see her reaction, not really expecting her to do it.

Bellita wanted to take back her words. She had fallen into her own trap. Looking at the Emperor’s face, it was clear he was testing her. Holding her life in his hands, he made all sorts of demands.

Sigh… I’ll be patient.

Pat pat.

The Emperor’s eyes widened noticeably. Another unbelievable sight met his eyes. She was patting her lap with her hand. A completely unexpected gesture.

Do you really mean me to lie down?

No way.

This ‘no way’ had been popping up in his mind from last night until now.

“Lie down quickly.”

Wearing a light blue dress and sitting elegantly, her topaz eyes shone more clearly and brightly. With her rosy cheeks, moist lips, and long hair flowing down like a goddess, Bellita smiled at him with her eyes gently folded.

The Emperor’s tense eyes began to relax as if melting under her soft smile.

She really means to give me a lap pillow.

As the Emperor moved, the surroundings suddenly felt subtly bustling, but he ignored it.

Lying on Bellita’s lap, he closed his eyes and enjoyed this peaceful moment. The attendants around him must have been shocked by this sight. He understood; he was surprised himself.

Rumors would probably spread quickly throughout the palace after this. But that wasn’t bad. This would be the best rumor about Bellita. Some wouldn’t believe it. But that didn’t matter.

Hmm…

This was more comfortable than he thought. He was about to fall asleep.

Who would have thought this day would come? Lying on the lap of the infamous Bellita and about to take a comfortable nap.

The Emperor’s lips curved into a handsome smile.

He’s smiling even while sleeping.

At first, he had frowned.

It felt good to have done this. Bellita looked down at the Emperor, who had fallen asleep comfortably on her lap. It was the first time she had looked at him so closely. His thick eyebrows, sharply defined nose, and relaxed, masculine lips. And surprisingly long eyelashes. His long eyelashes were so impressive she wanted to touch them.

He’s really handsome when you look at him like this.

His features were bold and large, giving him a refreshing look. Observing the Emperor’s face from this angle was quite entertaining.

It’s nice to see him not angry with this face.

If he keeps this up, he’ll look even more handsome. What a shame.

Many new experiences had come her way since arriving here. Among them, this peaceful moment was not bad. She was grateful for this peaceful time, feeling like she had come through a war. Everything was peaceful as long as the Emperor wasn’t being scary. Bellita took a deep breath of the fresh air.

Ah! 

The fresh scent. The clear air gently flowing around, the shy breeze brushing past pleasantly, the warm sunlight making her whole body relax.

No matter what upheaval might come, she desperately needed this brief rest. At that moment, she heard a faint snoring sound from the Emperor. It suddenly sounded cute to her.

Ah. He’s just like any other person.

She had only known him as a terrifying and immensely scary tyrant, but he was just like everyone else.

Without realizing it, Bellita raised her hand and gently touched his black hair. Deep in his nap, the Emperor’s even breathing encouraged her to softly stroke his hair. Her heart ached slightly. Knowing this man’s future made her feel this way.

There wasn’t much she could do, so she decided to do what she could now. Stroking his hair to help him sleep well.

The Emperor was slowly waking up. He felt like he had dreamt of his childhood but couldn’t recall it. But he knew this feeling. It was the peaceful and happy feeling he had as a child, watching his father talk to his mother while lying on his mother’s lap and falling asleep himself. That’s how he felt now.

The pleasant touch on his head… couldn’t be his mother’s hand. She had already passed away. The Emperor recognized the situation without opening his eyes.

Bellita.

He had really fallen asleep on her lap.

He couldn’t sleep because of her, and now he could sleep well because of her. 

How could this be? 

Bellita, who would order men to massage her legs, was not the type to do anything for a man, let alone make demands to please herself. He couldn’t believe he was lying on such a woman’s lap. The Emperor slowly opened his eyes.

Ah!

The first thing he saw was her clear blue eyes looking at him with concern. Next, he saw the beautiful face of Bellita, who seemed like a blend of an angel and a goddess.

“Did you sleep well?”

Her soft voice was the third thing that pleasantly reached his ears.

This is…

Dangerous.

It felt like he was getting entangled with Bellita.

“Why are you doing this to me?”

The Emperor Kalik, an expert at ruining the mood.

Her blue eyes slightly dulled.

“You. Why have you changed so much?”

The Emperor decided to ask directly. Worrying over such things didn’t suit him.

“So, do you dislike it?”

How could he dislike it? Who in the palace would dislike the Empress changing like this?

The problem was how long this would last.

“Actually… I…”

I’ve lost my memory, I don’t remember.

She couldn’t decide what to say and didn’t finish her sentence.

Only the nanny would believe her, who else would?

“As you said, I am trying to be worthy as the Empress…”

Half of it was true, so she tried to give a typical answer. But the words got tangled in her mouth and didn’t come out smoothly.

“So, you’ll do whatever I say?”

Not only had she driven out all the men from the Empress’s quarters, but she also wasn’t looking for new men. She acted as if she had become a virtuous woman. Now, the only man around Bellita was himself.

“Whatever I command?”

What he commanded was the problem, but given her current situation, she couldn’t afford to be picky. Bellita just lowered her eyes quietly.

To the Emperor, it looked like she was embarrassed.

“You must do it right in front of my eyes.”

Yes. I’m not in a position to refuse anything, am I?

If nothing else, she had a clear understanding of her situation.

“You must do it right in front of my eyes.”

He didn’t trust her at all. Considering Bellita’s past behavior, it was understandable.

“I promise to keep my word.”

He liked the look in her eyes. It wasn’t just an attempt to avoid the situation.

Really? Then there’s nothing I can’t do.

The Emperor secretly enjoyed such challenges.

“Ow, ow….”

As soon as he stood up to leave, Bellita’s cry made him turn his head. She couldn’t walk properly and was limping. He immediately realized why. Her leg had cramped. 

Had I slept that long? 

The Emperor approached and extended his arm.

Bellita, with a grateful look, took his arm for the first time and walked. No, she limped. One leg was numb and tingling with electric pain, making it impossible to put any strength into it. Her staggering made the Emperor flinch as well.

Hmm…

The Emperor’s brows furrowed slightly.

***

The maids, who were waiting comfortably in the room without following the Empress, felt uneasy at first. The Madam had said they didn’t need to follow, but it was still unusual.

She had said it was tiring to stand for long, and since the Emperor’s guards were there anyway, she had gone out to the courtyard alone. Of course, Madame Canel, the nanny, had accompanied her. Madame had nodded in approval. It felt strange, but they had no choice.

“Shall we go meet her?”

“Shall we? We’re not used to this yet, so it’s not very comfortable.”

All the maids agreed and headed to the entrance of the Empress’s palace to greet her. As they hurriedly approached, thinking they heard the Madam coming, they stopped in their tracks as if on cue.

Right now.

The Madam… wasn’t walking but being carried. By the Emperor.

It was a picture-perfect scene.

The maids, who were staring blankly in shock, quickly came to their senses and stepped aside to the wall.

***

He couldn’t sleep. Maybe it was because he had been to the hot spring, but his body was still hot. Not just hot, but burning.

His fingertips tingled. He had never been sick except for his chronic illness, so he didn’t think he was ill. But his body felt uncomfortable and feverish. Unable to sleep, his nerves became sensitive. He hated wasting time like this more than anything. Either sleep or work.

Sigh…

He was bored. Kalik got up from his seat and approached the window. He threw the window wide open with both hands and felt the cool breeze. His body, which had started to cool down, heated up again.

What’s wrong with me?

It was dark outside, so there was nothing to see, making it even more boring.

Suddenly, the Emperor chuckled. He remembered Bellita limping with a cramp in her leg and burst into laughter. The image of Bellita, blushing and unable to meet his eyes when he carried her to her room, kept flashing in his mind.

Thinking of Bellita at this hour. 

She’s probably sleeping soundly now. If she were here, I would make her sing.

Suddenly, his eyes deepened. 

Why can’t we do it now?