Could it be because she had been unconscious for so long? Despite the late hour, sleep wouldn’t come easily.

After tossing and turning several times in bed, she eventually got up. She thought a light walk might help her feel a bit better. Evelyn rose from her seat and carefully stepped out of the bedroom.

The knights standing watch outside bowed their heads in greeting when they saw Evelyn.

“Where are you going?”

“I’m going for a walk.”

“We’ll escort you.”

“Please do.”

To be prepared for any unforeseen circumstances, Evelyn decided to move with the knights. Besides, the night was deep and the surroundings dark. She could have gone alone, but she judged it would be better to have company.

Evelyn walked slowly between the beautifully arranged flower beds in the garden at the center of the Imperial Palace. At that moment, the sound of approaching footsteps grew near from behind. When Evelyn turned around, she saw Reynard walking toward her.

“Why are you out instead of sleeping?”

Reynard asked in a low voice as he stood beside Evelyn.

“I’ve been lying down all this time. I couldn’t sleep and felt stifled, so I came out. Was that not allowed?”

Worried that going out before the Hesta envoy’s fate was decided might be an issue, Evelyn watched Reynard’s expression carefully. But Reynard gave a small chuckle and shook his head.

“Of course not. I was just curious, so don’t worry about it.”

“Okay.”

After she answered, silence settled between the two of them. Evelyn blinked a few times as she looked at the flowers, each displaying their own splendor. Reynard, too, gazed at the flowers before soon turning his gaze toward Evelyn.

“Are you feeling better now?”

His voice was very gentle.

“Yes. I’m fine. I wasn’t even hurt, after all.”

Evelyn answered with a faint smile, her face clearly entering Reynard’s view.

“Still, it must’ve been a shock.”

“That’s true. But I’m okay. You saved me, Your Majesty.”

Truly, she was okay. Because Reynard, who kept his promise, was by her side.

It was the first time in her life someone had helped her. Until now, no one had ever reached out a helping hand to Evelyn. Yet the emperor of an enemy nation had risked his life to save her.

Maybe it was because that fact was so strange and incredible. Just having Reynard standing beside her made her heart feel like it was tingling.

“I heard my identity will soon be exposed.”

“From Martin?”

“Yes. When that happens, will I be free too?”

Though she had already confirmed it with Martin, Evelyn still wanted to hear Reynard’s answer. The fact that she would soon have to leave his side. Hearing it from him might help her sort out her tangled emotions a little.

“That’s likely how it’ll go.”

“…I see.”

Evelyn’s expression darkened at Reynard’s response, which was no different from Martin’s.

“Do you not want to be free?”

“No, it’s not that.”

“Then? Why that expression?”

“…”

Evelyn simply shook her head in place of a reply. She didn’t understand herself—why she was thinking this way, or why she felt these emotions.

To think she wanted to stay in such a precarious position. Fortunately, Reynard didn’t press her further. Instead, he changed the subject.

“I mentioned before that there’s someone I like. Do you remember?”

“Pardon?”

Partly surprised by the sudden change of topic, but more so because she hadn’t expected what Reynard brought up, Evelyn looked at him with wide, rabbit-like eyes. As their eyes naturally met, Reynard smiled softly.

“Looks like you remember.”

“Yes, I remember.”

“Aren’t you curious? About who it is.”

“Can I… be curious?”

Of course, Evelyn did want to know who the person Reynard liked was.

However, she couldn’t bring herself to ask him directly, so she kept it to herself. But now, it seemed he was about to talk about it. After nodding once, he took a deep breath and continued.

“You also told me about someone you once met.”

“I did, yes.”

To be honest, it wasn’t exactly the same level, but since Reynard was willing to talk, there was no reason to stop him.

“I met her when I was young. I think I was around ten.”

Reynard waved his hand around waist height, as if estimating how tall he had been back then.

“Back then, I was very different from how I am now. I was timid and withdrawn.”

“Your Majesty?”

Evelyn blinked, unable to imagine such a version of him.

“Yes. It made sense at the time.”

“May I ask why?”

Reynard nodded without hesitation and replied.

“My mother, who meant everything to me, was deposed for treason and died by guillotine.”

The content was heavy, despite his calm tone. Evelyn watched Reynard’s expression nervously, wondering if she had asked something inappropriate.

However, Reynard looked just as composed as his tone. Relieved, Evelyn continued listening intently to what he had to say.

“My existence was almost erased from the imperial palace. I lived lonely and exhausting days. That’s when I met her.”

A faint smile appeared on Reynard’s lips, as if recalling that time

“Someone who lived in a world different from mine, yet shared the same loneliness. And even while pretending to be fine, she reached out to me without hesitation.”

Strangely, watching his smile made Evelyn’s heart ache

“She was that kind of person.”

“She sounds like a wonderful person.”

“A good person? Well, I suppose she is.”

Reynard turned his gaze to Evelyn as he answered.

“Thanks to meeting her back then, I’ve come to stand where I am today. So yes, I guess she was a good person to me.”

“Then when everything is over, will you be with her?”

“…”

Reynard pressed his lips together and took a deep breath. Then he shifted his gaze toward the flower bed. The silence that followed felt puzzling. Evelyn had assumed that, naturally, he would want to be with the one he loved once everything was over.

But judging by his response, it seemed he had no intention of keeping her by his side afterward.

“Is that not the case?”

Evelyn asked carefully, and Reynard nodded.

“Why not?”

Evelyn asked hesitantly, wondering if that wasn’t the reason she had been kept at his side all this time.

“She doesn’t want that.”

“Oh…”

She had no choice but to accept it. But that didn’t mean there were no questions left. Reynard was the emperor.

If he truly wanted to, keeping her near wouldn’t be difficult. But he said he wouldn’t. It must be because he didn’t want to bind the one he loved.

“Your Majesty is a good person, too.”

“Me?”

“Yes. I’ve always felt that way. You’ve shown me such mercy.”

If it hadn’t been for Reynard, she would have died at the hands of the Hesta soldiers disguised as bandits. Just remembering that moment made Evelyn feel faint.

“I’m sure she knows what a good person Your Majesty is.”

Reynard smiled silently. Then, suddenly, he placed a hand on her shoulder.

His large, warm hand covered her cold shoulder. Reflexively, Evelyn looked down at his hand, then up at him.

“If we stay out any longer, you’ll catch a cold. We should end the walk here.”

Reynard suggested to Evelyn. It was just when the chilly air had begun to feel unpleasant.

“Yes, understood.”

“I’ll escort you back to your room.”

“Thank you.”

Reynard held out his hand to Evelyn. As if it were the most natural thing in the world, Evelyn gently placed her hand in his and smiled softly.

Reynard escorted Evelyn back to her room. When they finally arrived at the door, he let go of her hand. Evelyn parted her lips briefly at the sudden absence, but that was all.

“Then go in and rest.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I hope you rest well, too.”

Evelyn turned and entered her bedroom. Reynard remained standing in the hallway even after she had gone inside.