Hector Burke, Emperor of Astia.

He had become emperor at the young age of his early twenties. He was famous for killing all princes and princesses while he was the crown prince, yet somehow he had spared Evelyn. 

With an attitude feigning composure, he glared at the open door of the carriage.

A foot appeared first, followed by a woman in shabby attire with long silver hair tied carelessly. Evelyn bowed her head upon seeing Hector. However, without offering any greeting to the emperor, she looked around searching for her maid, Sarah.

“Where’s Sarah?”

The maid who received the question replied with an awkward expression.

“…She should be waiting at Lady Evelyn’s palace.”

“Really? Alright then.”

As Evelyn attempted to head toward her palace, Hector grabbed her wrist tightly.

“Ugh.”

Evelyn furrowed her brows, feeling like her wrist might break. Hector had been the one who taught her swordsmanship, and it seemed he was still honing his skills even now as emperor.

“…It’s been a while, Evelyn. Is a simple greeting all I get? Didn’t you miss me?”

Evelyn momentarily froze. She couldn’t understand what Hector was saying in front of all these people.

“Your Imperial Majesty is always busy. So I was thinking of returning to my palace now.”

“…Today I cleared my schedule for you.”

“That wasn’t necessary…”

Evelyn’s face reddened. Seeing the flush on her face, Hector spoke tenderly.

“I want to ask how you’ve been at the border… Aren’t I your brother?”

“…I suppose… so.”

When she complied, Hector released her wrist. Evelyn reluctantly followed behind Hector. The Astian Imperial Palace—grand and magnificent, yet suffocating.

To think she had come here of her own volition.

Evelyn quietly sighed. Though her mother whom she needed to protect was no longer here, Hector who had saved her remained.

‘I’ll be leaving this place soon anyway…’

She had thought she could do anything Hector needed, but now she wasn’t so sure. Evelyn caressed her lower abdomen.

‘Who would have thought I’d desire Jenkins’ child.’

For the first time, she had fallen in love with Jenkins and wanted his child. So she had chosen the path she wanted, not what Hector desired.

[…It doesn’t matter. It’s not the first time.]

[Sigh… Fine. But it would be better not to tell His Majesty. We don’t know how he might react.]

Andrew had warned her. She shouldn’t tell Hector.

Would Hector resent her? But she wanted to live peacefully, even if it meant having nothing. Even if it meant betraying Hector.

If Hector asked, she would tell him the truth. That for the first time, she had found a man she wanted to be intimate with, and she had been with him. It was the truth, nothing to hide.

Evelyn felt perplexed looking at the table laden with so much food the legs might break. After sending her away as a commoner knight to the border, now he personally poured wine for her as she sat beside him. The dark red wine, like blood, filled the glass.

“Evelyn, I’m glad you’ve returned safely. So, what did you do at the border?”

Hector’s green eyes were subdued. Meeting his gaze, Evelyn wondered if he already knew everything and was just asking for show. Hector wouldn’t have sent her to the border without surveillance.

Evelyn debated whether to tell the truth or lie. But if he had sent watchers, everything would be exposed anyway.

“I worked diligently under the supervisor, Your Majesty.”

“…Diligently? That’s different from what I heard.”

“…What did you hear?”

Evelyn brought the wine to her lips but didn’t drink. She thought she might be pregnant with Jenkins’ child, so she had decided not to drink alcohol. Seeing Evelyn’s calm demeanor, the corner of Hector’s mouth curled up. He stared at her lips intently and spoke.

“I heard some rascal was chasing after you?”

“…I wouldn’t call him a rascal, but there was someone.”

“Did you kiss?”

‘Did we kiss?’

Evelyn recalled that time. Yes, they had. When she was flustered because it was her first time, Jenkins had skillfully led her. Evelyn cut a piece of steak and put it in her mouth.

“Yes, we did.”

“Hmm? I didn’t send you to the border to have a romance.”

“…Is that so?”

Honestly, he was one to talk. Hector himself neglected his duties and spent every day with different women. But because he was the emperor, Evelyn kept her mouth shut.

“…Did you sleep with this rascal? I mean, not just holding hands. I’m asking if you had intercourse.”

The dining hall was strangely quiet. The servants held their breath, pretending to be invisible. At the emperor’s question, Evelyn nodded. She had no intention of hiding anything from him anyway.

“Yes.”

“…Hmm.”

She hadn’t planned to sleep with Jenkins. She had intended to build a bond with him slowly and then maintain a friendship like with others. Since Jenkins wasn’t a man lacking female attention, Evelyn thought she needed to take the initiative. 

Of course, Evelyn didn’t know how to approach a man, so she just stared at him intently, and he was always the one who approached her. He was such an attractive person.

Evelyn lacked confidence. Her maid Sarah strongly disliked Jenkins, saying he seemed to approach with casual intentions, but Evelyn didn’t mind if he was casual. If she could have even the slightest connection with him.

Of course, because of Hector’s letter, she had hurriedly slept with him and then parted ways, but that wasn’t so bad either.

After all, this was what her life was like. The inability to have what one wanted was a burden that all members of the imperial family carried.

Hector suddenly seemed to lose his appetite and removed the napkin from his neck. He abruptly shouted at a servant.

“The meat must be spoiled! How dare you serve such meat to the emperor! Call the chef! Quickly!”

“I’ll bring him right away!”

The servant hurriedly went outside. Hector glared at Evelyn, fuming. Anyone could see that the chef was just a scapegoat, and the real target of his anger was Evelyn. Another innocent person would die in the palace today.

The chef was brought in, tightly bound and dragged by soldiers. His face had turned pale. The chef knelt and pressed his forehead to the floor.

“Your Imperial Majesty! Sp-spoiled meat? That’s impossible!”

“What nonsense! Are you saying I’m lying?!”

Hector received a whip from a servant. The long, thick whip looked like it could tear skin with just one strike. In the eerie atmosphere, Evelyn spoke.

“Your Majesty.”

All eyes turned to Evelyn. She picked up her fork and ate the steak Hector had left. The steak was no different from what she had been eating. It wasn’t spoiled and was very delicious. He was clearly making up an excuse.

“If the meal is over, I’ll be taking my leave.”

She felt sorry for the chef, but there was nothing she could do. If she tried to defend him, what might have ended with a whipping could turn into an execution. Such things happened occasionally, so Evelyn handled it wisely.

But Hector had no intention of letting her go.

“What are you saying? You can’t leave until I say so.”

“…Then please don’t create uncomfortable situations.”

“Ha…. Are you saying that punishing the chef makes you uncomfortable? Fine! Then throw this man in prison! I’ll punish him slowly after I finish dining with the princess.”

“Uh, Your Majesty…! It wasn’t me! This is a false accusation!”

After the chef was dragged away across the floor, Hector handed the whip back to the servant. He sat at the table again and looked at Evelyn. He drank his wine while examining her appearance carefully.

“…Since you’ve been with a man, it will be easier. The Emperor of Peshar is a 60-year-old man. You just need to spread your legs in bed.”

“I understand.”

“…He might not even be able to get it up. But you don’t have to worry about dying a virgin. You’ve already done it. Haha.”

“…”

Suddenly, Hector slammed his fist on the table. He began throwing plates from the table outside. The servants standing there fled to avoid the plates he was throwing.