Chapter 26_Continue

The Emperor, who somehow managed to conclude the meeting with the Duke, couldn’t contain his excitement and was walking through the palace corridors to get some fresh air. He walked through an elegant corridor with one side open to the courtyard, adorned with beautifully carved, large marble columns standing in perfect symmetry.

Was the weather always this nice? 

The sunlight streaming into the palace was dazzlingly bright, more than ever before. Come to think of it, the courtyard was filled with blooming flowers. Even the trees and flowers he had never paid attention to were catching his eye.

Anton and the aide, Geoffrey Eaton, who were following the Emperor, also noticed his good mood. They could tell that His Majesty was in a good mood.

Geoffrey felt proud of what he had done, thinking that the nanny was indeed wise.

Anton was also grateful that His Majesty’s mood had recovered quickly, although he couldn’t believe that the Empress had played a part in it.

It was then that the murmuring voices reached the Emperor’s ears.

“What’s going on? His Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress have been meeting frequently these days.”

“Exactly. Everyone is talking about it.”

The Emperor stopped in his tracks. Anton tried to stop the gossiping attendants by heading towards the column, but the Emperor raised his hand to stop him quietly.

Anton and Geoffrey, seeing the Emperor’s strange behavior, just watched from a distance.

The Emperor’s ears were wide open to them.

It’s true that we’ve been meeting frequently. It seems everyone is curious.

“They say His Majesty ran to her in the middle of the night. In a hurry.”

[Hmm… I did run, but it wasn’t in a hurry.]

The Emperor was so curious about what they were saying that he didn’t even realize he was eavesdropping on the gossiping attendants behind the column. He mentally corrected their whispers.

“They say he ran with his clothes all unbuttoned.”

[I only unbuttoned one button. The rumors are a bit exaggerated.]

“They say he came back in the morning.”

“How did he hold back for four years?”

“Did they finally spend the whole night together?”

[That wouldn’t have been bad. But we only kissed. A bit passionately.]

The Emperor, who usually had no interest in such rumors, would have been furious if he had heard this by chance. But today, perhaps due to the divine beast, Kalik was in a generous mood.

Although there were some misunderstandings, such rumors weren’t bad. Considering the Imperial dignity that Bellita had tarnished.

When the Emperor quietly stepped out from behind the column, the attendants, who were startled, prostrated themselves on the spot.

“We… we have committed a grave sin.”

They began to beg for their lives, trembling. If they made a mistake now, they could lose their heads.

“Raise your heads.”

The attendants struggled to raise their heads at the stern voice of the Emperor, which they could not defy. But they were surprised again to see that the Emperor was not angry.

“Continue.”

No, Your Majesty. We have committed a grave sin. 

They couldn’t speak and just kept begging with their mouths open. They were so terrified, thinking he might smile while swinging the divine sword, that they almost wet their pants.

“What did you do so wrong? You can talk about such things.”

Their frantic begging slowed down a bit. They doubted their ears, wondering if they had heard wrong.

“But there is one thing to make clear.”

The attendants, still frozen, thought they were finally going to be punished severely.

“The story you were telling.”

They were so scared of the next words that they closed their eyes tightly, ready to cry.

“Continue it. So that others may know.”

What?

When the attendants opened their eyes in surprise, they only saw the back of His Majesty walking away leisurely. He just left, telling them to continue.

Confused but relieved that they were alive, the attendants hugged each other in their sitting positions. They realized that the atmosphere in the palace was changing rapidly. Some attendants even cried in relief. The faces of the attendants, who were comforting each other, brightened again.

***

The maids of the Empress’s palace were the same.

“Her Majesty has changed a lot.”

“I’m very happy.”

In fact, although they had a lot to say, it was such a cautious position that they had never talked openly like this. Today, for the first time, they felt a stronger bond with each other.

“In fact, when I said I served Her Majesty, everyone pitied me.”

“My family is ashamed that I became a maid for Her Majesty. Because of me, my family is treated very poorly.”

They felt the same way. Because of the Empress’s bad reputation, their evaluations also dropped. Although it was the most desired position for noble ladies, it became a shameful position rather than an honorable one because of the Empress’s conduct.

There were few maids who stayed for a long time. Some were severely beaten and sent home, and others were frequently imprisoned.

They were often treated worse than common maids. Even the maids who had been with them since childhood were sometimes banished to the underground. So no one wanted to be assigned to this position, and everyone was busy avoiding it. But now, the atmosphere in the Empress’s palace and the entire palace was changing.

“Your Majesty, please. Continue as you are.”

One maid clasped her hands together and prayed earnestly. Then, everyone clasped their hands and sincerely prayed with the same heart.

***

“Are you that happy?”

Even after returning to the Empress’s palace, Bellita was still blushing, her eyes moist as she stared blankly out of the window. The nanny asked teasingly.

Bellita was tired after having a hard time meeting the Emperor early in the morning without much sleep. Sitting by the window filled with sunlight made her body feel languid. Holding back a yawn made her eyes water.

Still, she felt she had accomplished everything she needed to today. She was glad she could be at peace until she met the Emperor again tomorrow. So she nodded in response to the nanny’s question.

The nanny’s mood also improved when the Madam nodded without hiding her good feelings. 

How happy she must be to still have a red face even after so much time has passed…

Wait.

It was only then that the nanny realized tthe Madam’s face had been red for too long. She approached the Madam and placed a hand on her forehead. 

Oh? 

The nanny’s face was filled with worry as she carefully examined Madam’s face, who was looking up at her weakly.

***

After taking the medicine that the nanny had hurriedly brought, Bellita was lying in bed forcibly. She must have fallen ill.

Since she had been so anxious since coming to this place, now that she could finally be at ease, the aftereffects seemed to have hit her. She had improved her relationship with Kalik and was no longer in a life-threatening situation. So, all the overexertion she had been enduring suddenly burst out.

She felt grateful as always to have the nanny who was taking good care of her by her side.

“Thank you, nanny.”

Bellita, who sincerely conveyed her feelings, soon fell asleep under the influence of the medicine.

***

“What?”

Having waited for nightfall like someone waiting for a long time, the Emperor rushed in like the wind, only to be greeted by the nanny instead of the lovely Bellita.

“She is not feeling well, Your Majesty.”

She was fine just a few hours ago, even kissing in my arms, and now she’s sick?

Could it be that she’s trying to act like before?

The best way to get rid of an unwelcome person is to pretend to be sick.

The Emperor, filled with displeasure, entered Bellita’s room. No one stopped him anymore. In fact, they encouraged it, but the Emperor, lost in his thoughts, didn’t notice. Still suspicious, the Emperor approached the bed and quietly looked down at Bellita.

Hmm… She does seem sick.

Her face was flushed, and she was breathing heavily through slightly parted lips. Her delicate lips were somewhat swollen, even more than usual. 

Maybe I kissed her too hard. 

The Emperor narrowed his eyes and quietly sat by the bed.

Surely she wouldn’t fake this.

The Emperor gently lifted Bellita’s hand.

Her hands were so small. In his hand, Bellita’s small hand looked even whiter.

Her hand is hot.

The Emperor picked up the wet towel that had been placed on her forehead. The towel was already warm. It must be because the nanny couldn’t come in while he was here.

The Emperor carefully placed his hand on her forehead.

It was slightly damp, either from moisture or sweat. And it was hot.

It seems she really has a fever. Bellita was genuinely sick.

With a slightly softened expression, the Emperor tried to place the towel back on Bellita’s forehead, but he realized it was warm again.

Hmm…

For the first time in his life, the Emperor tried something new. He dipped the towel in the cold water in a large bowl and wrung it out. He wet his hands and wrung out the towel himself before placing it back on Bellita’s forehead.

It was manageable. It wasn’t that difficult or hard. Her face seemed a bit more comfortable as her forehead cooled.

How sick is she?

It didn’t suit Bellita to be lying sick like this. It was more fun when she sang and danced as she was told.

The Emperor didn’t think of getting up and just kept looking down at her face.

Then a thought suddenly came to him. He remembered hearing that someone had completely changed after suffering from a severe fever. The Emperor slowly shook his head.

She wouldn’t change after being sick, would she?

That would be no fun. If she decided to seduce me, she should do it properly.

Like that kiss.

That kiss was…

The Emperor had to admit. It was beyond his imagination. But he wouldn’t fall for just that.

So she would have to seduce him more convincingly.

The Emperor looked at her a little longer before standing up. He was bored. He thought he should ride a horse and run for a while. Since Bellita was lying down, there was no fun in coming here.

The Emperor, who looked at Bellita once more, left the room slowly.