“Your Majesty, as I mentioned yesterday…”

But my words were cut off. The Emperor interrupted me mid-sentence.

“Denied.”

It was an extremely simple and clear rejection.

“What?”

For a moment, I could only stare blankly at the Emperor, speechless.

‘Denied?’

Was this the reason for the uneasiness I felt last night? I desperately hoped that I had misheard his answer.

‘Surely I must have heard wrong…’

He’s not some scoundrel who would wipe his mouth clean after I purified his poison. Making me treat him first before giving his answer?

My eyebrows furrowed involuntarily.

That’s when the Emperor’s words reached me again.

“I said denied.”

This time he spoke with force in his voice to make sure I understood clearly, and his face even bore a smile.

‘How could…’

I quickly lowered my head to hide my increasingly distorted expression. I was too agitated to meet the Emperor’s eyes.

‘Is betrayal hereditary?’

Both Allen and the Emperor used me in the same way.

Though it wasn’t something I hadn’t anticipated, my excitement wouldn’t easily subside.

Yes. He had certainly acted in a way that made me hopeful. Even if conclusions can always change, this kind of reversal was unwelcome.

‘I made a mistake.’

I should have secured permission for my request first, before treating him, no matter how much it might have offended the Emperor.

Belated regret enveloped my entire body. My tightly clench0ed hands trembled without my realizing it.

At that moment, the Emperor, who had been watching me with amusement, opened his mouth.

“However…”

His heavy voice penetrated my ears. I raised my gaze to the Emperor, who still had more to say.

His thin lips drew a clearer line as they curved upward, and then he finally spoke.

“I will allow it only until my illness is completely cured.”

“……”

‘Until completely cured?’

“You look like you don’t understand.”

Of course I didn’t. I had been burning with a sense of betrayal until just a moment ago. So does this mean he’ll approve the breakup after he’s fully recovered?

My mind began racing quickly. Just as I had tried to use the Emperor’s illness as leverage for breaking off the engagement, the Emperor must also want something from me.

But I couldn’t yet grasp what that might be. I just hoped it wouldn’t be something outrageous.

After a moment, the Emperor spoke again.

“Didn’t you boldly ask me to act? To act for the great Aspenia Empire’s Emperor, no less.”

“……”

‘That was for my sister Riesha’s sake.’

Though I had phrased it differently to the Emperor, he surely knew my intentions well.

“So wouldn’t it be problematic if my recovery were too rapid? Don’t you agree?”

“That is… true.”

I answered reluctantly, but still felt uneasy. One way or another, I would be bound to the imperial palace until all his poison was purified.

But why use acting as an excuse to deny the immediate breakup? It wouldn’t make much difference in the situation. Or… could he possibly be planning to never rise from his sickbed?

Worries and questions multiplied.

“Then we’ll consider it settled.”

“…Yes.”

Though conditions were attached, I had essentially secured his approval. So I should be happy, but…

‘No, absolutely not!’

No, this couldn’t be considered fortunate. If the culprit wasn’t caught before the wedding, I would have to walk down the aisle with Allen.

‘So what do I do now?’

I couldn’t just sit and wait for the Emperor to identify the culprit.

“Should I ask Father?”

It wouldn’t be difficult to learn about the investigation’s progress through my father. But then what? If even the best investigators couldn’t find a single clue, would I be any different?

‘Probably not.’

Haah, as I was exhaling another blocked breath, I heard voices of people from the lobby at the end of the corridor.

I was about to climb the stairs without thinking, but quickly stopped and hid behind a wall. Some familiar words had caught my ear.

For a moment, I listened to the people’s conversation.

“This is serious. If we leave the sacred sword abandoned like this, the Aspenia Empire’s fate may soon end.”

“But what can we do? Who could have predicted something like this would happen?”

“Perhaps the problem began when we tried to bring someone impure into the imperial family? If the goddess is angry because of that…”

“That’s excessive speculation. How can mere humans gauge the goddess’s will? You should be careful with such words.”

“Still, shouldn’t the circumstances be clarified?”

“It’s just a rumor. Unless you’re willing to risk your life over such talk, you should stop there.”

“Sigh, I’m just frustrated. So frustrated.”

“Let’s wait for the Emperor to recover. He won’t stay bedridden forever. He’ll show improvement soon, and then we can determine the truth.”

After a moment, the men’s conversation ended, and their footsteps faded away.

I emerged from the dark shadow and fixed my gaze on their retreating figures.

‘Priests?’

What were they talking about? It was clearly about the sacred sword.

I carefully went over their words.

‘Abandoning the sacred sword. Rumors.’

They seemed to be talking about me. Someone impure being brought into the imperial family, and the goddess’s anger…

‘Has the sacred sword been contaminated?’

An ominous feeling stirred like a storm. Gradually my heart began to race and my vision blurred.

I couldn’t understand why this connection was happening again. I had already been falsely accused of contaminating the sacred sword and executed for it in my previous life.

But if that crime is directed at me again in this life…

A chill ran down my spine.

The reason I was framed and executed was precisely for the crime of contaminating it.

‘Surely not… It can’t be.’

Though I might have provided an excuse in the past, it wasn’t the case this time. Yet who would try to frame me with the same accusation, and for what reason?

I had to force myself to shake these thoughts away.

※※※

As soon as I returned to my room, I packed my belongings and went outside. Though I needed to stay longer to purify the Emperor’s poison, I had secured a few days’ grace period.

So I boarded a carriage to visit Runoa. The horses gradually picked up speed and slipped out of the annex.

But the carriage came to a halt not long after starting.

Wondering what was happening, I poked my head out the window and saw a group of men blocking the way ahead.

‘What are they…’

And from among them, an extremely annoying figure suddenly emerged and rushed toward me.

“Iella!”

“……”

“Haah, I’m glad I wasn’t too late.”

‘You should have been late. It would have been better if I hadn’t seen you.’

I smoothed out my furrowing brow and addressed Allen.

“What brings you here?”

“Huh? What do you mean? How can you say something so hurtful?”

“Ah… I just meant that Your Highness is a busy person. Please don’t misunderstand.”

His eyes, which had widened slightly, soon curved into circles. Allen wore a rather pleasant smile as he spoke to me.

“Still, I have time to come see you. This seems to have been decided suddenly, so when will you return?”

“In a week.”

“Really? Then I’ll see you again soon?”

“Yes.”

“I wish you would come to the imperial palace soon. Don’t you feel the same?”

‘No, that will never happen.’

“…Yes.”

“Haha. I knew you’d say that. Should I ask His Majesty to move up the ceremony date?”

‘Are you crazy?’

“You don’t need to do that. He’s already pushing himself too much.”

“That’s true, but… don’t you find these partings regretful?”

He lowered the corners of his eyes. His rather pitiful appearance resembled a rain-soaked puppy.

“How could I not? I too am looking forward to that day.”

‘The day you wail in misery.’

I forced a fake smile and answered his question.

Allen, who had been staring at me intently, soon smiled back.

“Yes, let’s be patient a little longer. By the way, are you really going to be alright? It’s a long and boring journey, and I’m worried about sending you alone.”

His hand, pale and slender for a man’s, suddenly reached through the window and touched my cheek. The movement was cautious, as if asking me to understand his feelings.

Nevertheless, I had to experience a nauseating sensation the moment his hand touched my skin.

‘Please don’t touch my body.’

I barely managed to put aside the words lingering on the tip of my tongue and placed my hand over his, slowly pulling it down. Slowly enough not to offend him.

“I’ll be fine, Your Highness. The family guards are with me, so please don’t worry. And I need to leave now if I’m to keep to the schedule.”

“Oh? Ah. Yes, I seem to have held you up too long.”

Allen, with regret on his face, stepped away from the carriage.

“Take care, Iella.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

After I bowed my head, he thumped the carriage wall. A moment later, the halted carriage glided through the imperial palace grounds again.

As the magnificent buildings disappeared behind the walls and we raced through the capital’s streets, my stuffy insides gradually cleared.

‘I need to escape this hell quickly.’

7. Imperfect Return

As I stepped down from the carriage, I saw that several people had already come out to greet me, having received the news. Upon spotting me, they bowed their heads respectfully.

But the one I was looking for wasn’t among them. I had expected him to be the first to run and embrace me.

Putting aside a slight disappointment, I made my way into the mansion.

“You must be very tired, Miss?”

Enya, who had quietly followed behind me, asked carefully.

“I’m fine. By the way, is Lukian in class?”

“Oh my, don’t even mention it. His Grace barely managed to calm him down when he insisted on coming out to greet you.”

Enya’s words painted a clear picture of Lukian’s behavior in my mind. A slight smile formed on my face as she continued.

“The lesson will end soon, so he’ll probably come running right away.”

Enya seemed to visualize it too, as soft chuckles escaped her.

“Yes. Then could you prepare some refreshments? The ones Lukian likes.”

“Yes, Miss.”

“Where is Father?”

“He said he had some matters to attend to, and told me to tell you to rest when you returned, Miss.”

“I see.”

By the time I had received a brief update on what had happened while I was away, we had already arrived at my room.

Enya opened the door that had been empty during my absence and bowed her head.

“Please wait a little, Miss. I’ll be right back.”

“Alright.”

I slowly walked to the sofa. Only after flopping down in the chair did it truly feel like I had returned to the mansion.

“Haah, to think I have to do that again.”

But my lips spoke different words.

The engagement issue was still unresolved, and I would have to crawl back to the imperial palace again. Now that I was home, that fact weighed on me even more heavily.

“I don’t want to go.”

If I could, I’d like to hide in this mansion forever. Yes, if only that were possible…

I let my body slide sideways. As the soft sofa touched my face, my eyes naturally closed.

Yet despite my body feeling more relaxed, my mind remained turbulent.

How much time had passed? As I was mentally mapping out future events, the door suddenly burst open and a welcome voice rang in my ears.

“Sis!”

‘Huh?’

The unfamiliar form of address, the same as when I left, reached my ears. I quickly sat up and turned my gaze to the child running toward me.

Lukian rushed over in one breath and threw himself into my arms.

“Sis?”

‘Why does it sound so natural?’

That wasn’t the only thing that had changed in just a few days. His hair, which had reached down to his ears, was neatly cut, and instead of my pajamas that he liked to wear, he was dressed in a high-quality shirt and shorts, exuding both elegance and cuteness.

Now he looked every bit like a beloved child from a noble family, without any flaws.

“I missed you.”

Lukian mumbled with his nose buried in my chest. The child seemed reluctant to let go, as he tightened his arms around me.

“I missed you too.”

His slightly curly hair slipped through my fingers as I stroked it.

“Let me see your face now?”

When I tried to lift his face with my hands on his cheeks, the child shook his head vigorously.

“No!”

“Huh? Why not?”

“I hate you!”

“……”

Lukian’s words were direct, like a child just learning emotions. He seemed upset that I had left him behind.

‘I thought he understood completely…’

Though I could guess, I asked the reason to try to engage the child in conversation.

“Why do you hate me?”

“Just because!”

“Then could you let go of my hand?”

At that moment, Lukian gasped and hugged me even tighter.

“No!”

“Do you really hate me?”

“……”

A smile gradually formed on my lips. I didn’t hide it as I patted the child’s back.

“It’s getting a bit difficult now…”

It wasn’t entirely a lie. His grip was so strong that my compressed waist was causing pain.

At my words, Lukian’s shoulders flinched, and he slowly released his arms. And when the child raised his head,

‘Ah… should I laugh or not?’

His teary eyes were brimming with tears.

Fearing he might burst into tears if left alone, I quickly continued.

“Was it hard being alone?”

“Yes.”

“Why? Did someone bully you?”

“…The monster…”

“Monster?”

It was a moment when I newly realized how Lukian’s language had changed. When I repeated his childish words, I couldn’t easily understand.

“The monster bullied me every day.”

“What kind of monster?”

“That vicious monster! Your brother, he every day, every day…!”

Lukian’s voice rose as anger seemed to build up. Then he quickly covered his mouth with his hand and looked at me nervously.

“I mean… he wouldn’t let me wear pajamas, cut my hair, and said my speech was like an old man’s…”

“……”

“I felt so, so sad…”

With a hiccup, a tear finally rolled down his cheek.

“Really? That was mean of Brother Ian.”

I wiped away his tears with my thumb and comforted Lukian. But inwardly, I couldn’t hide my surprise.

‘He must have been quite stubborn… My brother is really something else.’

A smile naturally formed on my lips as I looked at the child who now truly seemed like a five-year-old.

※※※

His hands scooping up gelato seemed excited. I rested my chin on my hand and gazed at the child before me.

‘He really likes sweets.’

Whether it was a side effect of giving me his heart, or simply a taste preference I hadn’t known about, Lukian had particularly enjoyed sweet foods since coming here.

Having once enjoyed them myself, I could understand how the child felt without asking.

‘It did taste like honey melting in your mouth.’

But now nothing particularly appeals to me. A body that can survive without eating is quite convenient in many ways.

Yet when I watch the child eating delicious food with such relish, while it makes me smile, I also feel a sense of loss. As if I’ve lost some small, simple pleasure.

Perhaps noticing my feelings, Lukian scooped up a spoonful of his half-finished gelato and brought it to my lips.

“Eat it, it’s sweet and delicious.”

Having precisely divided it in half, the spoon he had just lifted contained yellow, glossy honey.

I looked at it and asked Lukian:

“Why, aren’t you going to eat more?”

“It tastes better when we eat together.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes!”

Lukian’s face was fresh and bright as he nodded and smiled widely.

I leaned forward and opened my mouth with an “ah,” accepting it. The child immediately scooped up another spoonful of gelato.

“See? It’s more delicious, right?”