“I didn’t want to embarrass Your Majesty and the imperial family by making mistakes tomorrow.”

He let out a deep sigh.

“Empress, answer me honestly.”

“Yes?”

“Do you know how to dance?”

“What?”

“From the last ball and now, it seems the empress doesn’t know how to dance at all. Am I wrong?”

“Ah, well…… is it that obvious?”

“A lady from the Whyman family couldn’t possibly have not learned to dance. What’s the reason?”

“It’s been so long since I danced that I’ve forgotten.”

He looked dubious at her answer.

“Usually, the body remembers……”

“If it’s been too long, even the body forgets.”

“Tomorrow isn’t just for people of the Empire; there will be more foreigners present. The thought of the empress making mistakes in such a setting is horrifying.”

She nodded in agreement.

“That’s why I was practicing.”

After contemplating for a moment, he extended his hand to her.

“What?”

“I’ll teach you.”

At first, she stared blankly, not understanding what he meant, but after receiving his laser-like gaze, she finally gathered the courage to take his hand.

Then his arm wrapped around her waist.

The cool scent emanating from him tickled her heart, and their close proximity for dancing made her feel dizzy.

But contrary to her feelings, his face frowned, and he released his hold on her waist and hand, confusing her.

What? Did he notice my momentary nervousness and find it unpleasant?

“How long have you been out here?”

“What? Just a little while ago.”

He took off the cloak he was wearing and draped it over her shoulders.

“It’s like embracing ice, not a person.”

“Your Majesty.”

“Don’t you know it would be a bigger inconvenience if you fall ill from practicing today and can’t attend tomorrow?”

“Ah……”

“Why are you so shortsighted, Empress?”

“I’m sorry. But please, dance with me just once.”

Though he looked displeased, he granted her desperate request.

Looking at his face under the moonlight, she felt as if she were in paradise on earth.

In his arms, she felt his warmth and forgot the cold.

“That’s enough.”

“Your Majesty, I’m really sorry, but could you possibly…… teach me in more detail?”

“Would it even help if an empress with no foundation tries to learn in one day?”

“If you just show me, I can do it! I’ll do it. I’ll try. I’ll definitely succeed!”

After thinking for a moment, he called Commander Rad.

“We’re going to the Empress’s Palace.”

She looked at him with a puzzled expression.

“If we continue here, the empress will surely freeze to death. If you must die, it should be by my hand.”

The Empress’s Palace was briefly in an uproar due to the emperor’s sudden appearance, but we sent everyone away.

“Empress. Have you forgotten what I said earlier?”

“Ah, no.”

And then the Spartan training began.

“Empress.”

“Empress!”

“Empress!”

“I’ve told you a hundred times that after the left turn, you take a step and then meet again!”

“Do you have no will to live, Empress? If you want to die, just say so quickly. Don’t make me suffer.”

He seemed to be using all his energy not in dancing but in shouting all night.

After hours of such Spartan education, she became somewhat capable of dancing.

And finally, she completed a full song without mistakes.

With her body and mind completely exhausted, she was so happy that she jumped around and hugged his neck.

Of course, she quickly pulled away in embarrassment…… but for a moment, silence filled the room.

“Empress.”

“Yes?”

“If you don’t make mistakes tomorrow, I’ll extend our contract for a week without sharing a room together.”

“Really? Truly?”

“Can you do it? I’m asking sincerely.”

“Yes! I’ll do my absolute best!”

“If you don’t embarrass the Empire tomorrow, our contract will be automatically extended for a week.”

“Your Majesty, may I ask for one more favor?”

Without a word, he took her hand.

Their eyes met, and she entrusted everything to him.

Looking into his eyes, for the first time, she felt she might be able to trust him.

And for the first time, the sharpness disappeared from his gaze as he looked at her.

Although it wasn’t for her sake but for the Empire’s honor, she felt immensely grateful to him for teaching her to dance.

When the dance ended, she bowed her head forward in exhaustion, creating a somewhat awkward situation.

As if she had deliberately leaned on his chest…… Embarrassed and flustered, she quickly spoke while naturally taking a step back from him.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“That’s enough. I’ll be going now.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I’ll do well tomorrow. So I’ll definitely see Your Majesty again next week.”

“I should wish for luck. For the Empire’s sake.”

He left with those words, not looking back.

Strictly speaking, he had danced with her not for her sake but for his own and the nation’s dignity, but perhaps because it was the first time since arriving here that she had received help from someone, her heart felt warm.

For the first time, she was genuinely grateful to him.

Of course, is it even necessary to mention that the next day, pink-tinged rumors circulated throughout the palace about the emperor of desire who had barged in unexpectedly, the room that was in disarray (because of dancing), and the emperor and empress who had collapsed drenched in sweat?

Before the lingering feelings of their passionate night had faded, the handmaidens woke her at dawn.

She was dragged around all day in a daze.

After completing all preparations and standing before the mirror, she honestly almost fell in love with her appearance—or more precisely, Leila’s appearance.

She was surprised on her wedding day, but her current appearance was even more beautiful, enough to make her heart flutter.

The Whyman family had put tremendous effort into the bride’s appearance, but the imperial preparation was on another level.

Of course, all of this was possible because of Leila’s face…… but anyone who wasn’t captivated by this current appearance was surely not human but a beast wearing a human mask with eyes as mere decoration.

Suddenly, she wondered how Emperor Boss would react.

No matter how great an emperor he was, she felt confident about her appearance tonight.

Additionally, unlike usual, she felt they had grown a bit closer last night. This made her even more expectant.

She wanted to hear his praise, even just once.

Since coming here, she had been constantly scurrying around and craved some recognition.

But this man remained stubbornly unchanged.

Especially this terrible manner…… How could he be so consistently late!

Well, he was late on our wedding day too, so what did I expect?

Anyway, emperor dude, you should thank me if you live a long life.

It’s all thanks to my persistent cursing!

While she was waiting for a long time, fuming with anger, he appeared with his characteristically expressionless face.

As she spread her dress skirt in a formal greeting, he gave her an indifferent glance and came to her side without saying anything.

“Am I very late?”

Thinking he was speaking to her, she was about to answer that it was fine, but when she looked at him, his gaze was directed at Viscount Catano.

Of course. If he knew concepts like apologizing or appreciating beauty, he’d be human…….

“I informed the distinguished guests in advance that you would be a bit late, so it’s fine.”

She was less important than a distinguished guest. No concern for her discomfort in this dress and shoes! These inconsiderate jerks!

“His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress are entering.”

She quickly changed her expression to that of a dignified, happy empress.

She had almost entered with a sullen face.

Please don’t just talk among yourselves; give me some attention too.

They took their places at the highest point of the banquet hall, and many visitors from other countries offered congratulations along with gifts.

The gifts were mostly priceless items—expensive jewels, rare paintings, antiques, and masterfully crafted items—whose value would be difficult to estimate.

She felt all the fatigue accumulated from preparing the party melt away.

She was so delighted that she didn’t need to act; her happy expression came naturally.

While she was completely caught up in the moment, she heard a familiar phrase.

“The delegation of Princess Hyrelia from the Kingdom of Hazel.”

A princess with cat-like features and tanned skin, exuding sensuality, stepped forward and greeted them.

Her exotic appearance was unlike anything seen in the Empire.

Not only was the princess’s charm different, but the atmosphere in the banquet hall had also changed.

Though people pretended otherwise, she could feel the intensity of their focused gazes.

What exactly was the Kingdom of Hazel…… why did everyone keep quiet and not tell her about it?

“Your Majesty, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you……”

Princess Hyrelia from the Kingdom of Hazel looked at Charte as if she had something to say, but his expression remained unchanged.

The princess then looked at both him and her with a disappointed face and said:

“Congratulations on the marriage of His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress.”

He responded in an expressionless face and an equally mechanical voice devoid of emotion.

“Thank you for your congratulations. I hope you enjoy your stay.”

Before Princess Hyrelia could say anything more, he looked at Viscount Catano.

Viscount Catano immediately announced the next country.

After the long but not at all boring gift presentation ceremony ended, it was finally time to dance with him.

Though she had practiced alone after he left, she was still nervous.

Moreover, knowing that eyes from around the world were watching intensified her nervousness, making her body stiffen.

Charte wrapped one arm around her stiff waist, and his large hand enveloped her cold one.

Noticing her tension, he quietly whispered:

“Have you forgotten about the one-week extension?”

“Ah, no!”

“Isn’t that what you want most, Empress? If you successfully get through these two songs, you can have it.”

“Yes! Don’t worry! I can do it perfectly.”

As the music began to flow, she gripped his hand tightly.

When the imperial court orchestra started playing, they faced each other.

Looking into his deep, dark teal eyes felt like gazing at a sun-drenched sea—calming and peaceful.

Her nervousness disappeared, and she focused on following his lead.

The first song, which only they could dance to, ended sooner than expected, and people from the diplomatic delegations began to enter the dance floor and take their positions.

“Your extension is halfway secured.”

“You’ll be seeing me next week too!”

“If you successfully complete this song, that will be the case. This week’s empress.”

“I’m confident I’ll remain empress next week too. I learned from an excellent teacher, and with the perfect incentive of appropriate compensation, I must succeed.”

“Strange. The empress seems both childlike and as seasoned as an experienced minister.”

She laughed off his comment.

He probably found her strange after seeing only greenhouse flowers like noble ladies and then meeting a weed like her.

As a weed, she couldn’t give up when all she had to do was put her spoon on a fully set table.

The human instinct to survive is truly remarkable.

No wonder “I don’t want to live long” is included in the top lies told by elderly people in Korea!