Chapter 20

“Whatever. Just assign a secret guard to the Princess.”

“Is that necessary? Lasve is safe. She’s an aura knight, even if she’s pregnant. There’s no threat of assassination.”

“She could get unlucky and run into a madman. There’s no cure for that.”

“That’s overprotective.”

“If I’m around, you don’t need to assign anyone.”

Braden ignored Shutal’s words and said what he wanted.

“I didn’t know you were so considerate.”

Shutal teased.

“I’m just earning my pay.”

“Does your scandal service include health and safety?”

“As the one making the scandal, I need to be healthy and safe.”

“Just admit you’re happy to have slept with the Princess.”

“Yes, I’m satisfied.”

Braden admitted it right away, surprising Shutal instead. Braden even wore a rare smile.

He never used to smile, so Shutal felt a chill. Maybe it’s true that people smile when they go mad.

They say a man and woman can build a castle in a night—he’s really fallen hard.

Many men separate their hearts from their bodies, but Braden wasn’t one of them.

Whatever he was thinking, Braden kept grinning. Watching quietly, Shutal thought:

‘He looks happy. Should I probe a bit?’

“Let’s go to the Empire after this is over.”

“No.”

Braden’s face instantly hardened—back to normal.

“Your sister needs help.”

Shutal deliberately used the word ‘sister’ instead of ‘Her Majesty the Emperor.’

“You want me to kill people instead of monsters? No.”

Braden’s face was cold.

“All the k*lling is done. Only small fry left.”

“That’s enough for politicians like you, isn’t it? I don’t need to get involved.”

“Is it just that you don’t want to see your sister? There must be a reason….”

“I know there’s a reason. That’s why I went to the monster hunting grounds without complaint. But too many people died. All just to secure the throne.”

Braden ground his teeth, glaring at Shutal.

“There were Kingdoms suffering under tyranny. They welcomed Sovaro Empire’s rule.”

“There were Kingdoms that didn’t. That’s why the Empress’s benevolence is only fair. She must pay for all that blood.”

“Braden.”

“I’m not going back. Tell the nobles the Fourth Prince is dead. That’s better for Her Majesty, too.”

In the Sovaro Empire, the Empress was called not the Iron Empress, but the Bloody Empress. Though not openly, he held great resentment against her for her reign of terror.

That’s why some nobles were seeking the last surviving heir of the previous Emperor. If the chance came, they wanted to use Braden to dethrone the current Empress.

So, it was right not to leave any blood relatives who could become the next Emperor.

The Empress had killed her half-siblings with her own hands, but instead of k*lling Braden, she sent him to the monster hunting grounds—perhaps out of consideration for her full sibling.

To die by the monsters.

But Braden survived.

For some reason, the Empress didn’t kill Braden, but called him back to the Empire. Shutal didn’t know what the Empress was thinking—whether it was affection for her only blood relative, or something else.

In this situation, Braden chose not to return to the Empire. He had no interest in the throne and couldn’t accept his ruthless sister’s actions.

To Braden, his sister was not family, just the Empress.

The Empress had ordered Shutal to bring Braden back. There was no deadline, but it was an imperial command and couldn’t be ignored.

But with Braden being so stubborn, Shutal didn’t know what to do.

If he didn’t bring Braden, would the Empress kill him?

A heavy silence fell between them. Breaking that silence, there was a knock at the door.

“Come in.”

“Hello! I’m Simon, Lasve’s top romance consultant.”

A man in flashy attire entered, wearing a businesslike smile.

“From how to appeal to women to perfect date courses, I guarantee flawless consulting. How may I assist you?”

Simon delivered his sales pitch smoothly.

Shutal sighed in relief at the perfectly timed arrival.

Braden had requested this man to help ensure a smooth scandal, which seemed absurd at the time, but his timing made him worth the fee.

“A date course that women will enjoy.”

Braden spoke.

“Are you asking for a course that’s fun, not just moving?”

Simon double-checked the client’s needs.

“I want her to laugh a lot. To forget her worries. Oh, and it should be somewhere public, where lots of people can see.”

“It’s a rare request, but who am I? I’m Lasve’s top romance consultant. Of course I know the perfect course. May I use an artifact for easier arrangements?”

When Braden nodded, Simon took a staff from his arms and waved it in the air. Immediately, famous spots in Lasve unfolded before them.

Watching Simon point out and explain each location, Shutal muttered to himself.

“What’s the connection between a smooth scandal and having fun? Well, it does sound entertaining.”

Shutal, too, was drawn into Simon’s proposed date simulation.

***

She slept deeply for the first time in a long while.

Adela woke up just before noon, still in her nightgown. It was because of Joy’s stubbornness.

“Just stay in bed today. I’ll bring lunch to your bedroom.”

“I’m really fine.”

“I know, but the healer said so. You need to rest well.”

“That’s why I did. I’ve never rested this much before.”

“And you need to put your mind at ease, she said. Even if you can’t, you can at least be lazy and let your body rest.”

Joy’s eyes filled with tears.

“Why are you about to cry?”

“Please, Your Highness. Just relax and rest for today, okay? The healer even gave a potion to help you relax.”

Joy lifted up the potion bottle.

“That’s right, Your Highness. Don’t do anything today, just rest. This isn’t the royal palace, after all.”

Alexa, too, wore a face full of concern.

It was only a slight fever, but her attendants were far too worried. Adela felt sorry for making them anxious.

Braden’s match was scheduled for a week later. As Alexa said, this wasn’t the royal palace, so there was nothing urgent to do.

Since she’d come all the way to Lasve, maybe she should enjoy some leisure?

“All right, then. I’ll rest today. Tomorrow, let’s go sightseeing in Lasve.”

“Really?”

Joy jumped up with delight. Seeing her so happy, Adela smiled like an older sister.

“Yes.”

“Oh, you have to see this.”

Joy brought over the three major Lasve gossip papers.

“Did we make the news?”

Adela showed interest.

“Not only we made it but all three papers put it on their front page in huge letters.”

Alexa said.

“Total blockbuster! The ultimate in excitement.”

Joy spread the front pages of the gossip papers on the table, and the sensational headlines from all three were immediately visible.

「The Emperor of the Colosseum, Braden’s Lady, Revealed.  

She’s none other than Princess Adela of Edel Kingdom!」

「Shock! Princess Adela of Edel Kingdom, called the God’s Representative,  

Kissed a gladiator slave in front of everyone.」

「Princess Adela entered Braden’s room wearing only a gown.  

Why did the door shake so much?」

“They mentioned everyone by name.”

“They showed it so openly—what’s the point of using initials?”

Alexa said.

“Each paper covered it thoroughly. This one’s about the gladiator buying underwear, this one’s about the event at the arena, and finally, this one’s a creative piece based on sightings of Princess entering the gladiator’s room.”

Joy pointed out each gossip article as she explained.

“Reporters are truly amazing. It’s actually more fun to read about it than to see it in person. Right, Joy?”

“Exactly. This made me realize you can’t believe everything in the gossip papers.”

“What’s the reaction?”

“Sensational. They sold so well, they printed several extra editions. There’s even a special edition covering only this event.”

“For a month, the gossip papers are going to make a fortune.”

Alexa nodded at Joy’s words.

“Of course, of course.”

“Good. We’ve succeeded in attracting attention for now.”

Adela gestured for them to put away the gossip papers.

“Aren’t you going to read them?”

“You already told me everything.”

“Aren’t you at least curious?”

“Not really.”

“They’re fun, though.”

Joy quickly gathered up the papers.

Just then, Logan knocked with the urgent signal they had agreed upon. No matter how much he was an aide, a man could not enter the Princess’s bedroom.

“What’s going on?”

Alexa quickly opened the door.

“There’s a guest.”

Logan held a bouquet made of pale pink hydrangeas and pale pink and purple peonies.

“A guest?”

Thinking it might be the Duke, Alexa peeked out at the sofa in the sitting room. A sturdy man with platinum blond hair was sitting there.

“No way, why is that man here?”

Alexa’s voice was full of displeasure.