Chapter 110

110. The Emperor’s Woman

“Then, you two may leave now.”

“We will visit again tomorrow.”

Count and Countess Owens exited the audience chamber. Left alone with the Emperor, Shayla clasped her hands together to hide her unease.

Though she had encountered Elkius numerous times since childhood, their interactions had never gone beyond formal greetings.

Despite being popular among noblewomen due to his sculpted looks, Shayla disliked Elkius.

It was an instinctive aversion.

“Shayla.”

Startled by the call of her name, Shayla flinched.

“…Yes.”

“I heard Countess Owens sent you a gift through her maid.”

“I received it a few days ago.”

“I see. I thought you hadn’t received it since I hadn’t heard back. Did you not like the gift?”

“I was pondering how to express my gratitude for such an extravagant gift and missed the right moment. My apologies, Your Majesty.”

“Is that so? I’m glad to hear you liked it.”

Elkius smiled softly, but despite his dazzlingly handsome face, Shayla couldn’t shake the sense of menace.

“Soon, the new imperial palace will be completed. I’m thinking of naming it ‘Shayla’s Palace’ after you.”

“…Yes.”

Avoiding eye contact, Shayla responded while looking down, causing Elkius to frown.

“Are you feeling unwell?”

“No, I am fine.”

“Then why do you look so pale?”

Elkius touched her cheek.

Thanks to her ingrained self-control, she barely refrained from pushing his hand away, but she couldn’t hide her tense expression.

“It seems I lost some sleep. Resting should improve my condition.”

“Lost sleep? Do you have insomnia?”

Elkius questioned persistently. Shayla swallowed dryly and slowly shook her head.

Elkius misinterpreted her answer and furrowed his brow.

“It must be due to the strain of preparing for the wedding. You should see a doctor.”

“I’m fine.”

Shayla shook her head vehemently. Elkius looked down at her, a sly smile playing on his lips.

Her trembling eyelashes and bloodless lips made her look like a mouse cornered by a snake.

A woman who shrinks away at the slightest touch. This reaction was fresh and intriguing.

He was used to women like Rosaline, who seduced him provocatively, or Adelaide who, despite her shyness, boldly demanded his affection. Meeting Shayla was surprisingly interesting.

So, Callion hasn’t touched her.

It didn’t matter if she wasn’t a virgin, but the thought of Callion being her first irked him.

If that wasn’t the case, she was even more attractive.

Elkius, who had been sitting across from her, moved to sit beside Shayla.

Her already pale face turned as white as a sheet. He whispered affectionately, ignoring her distress.

“Don’t be foolish. If you’re in pain, just say so. It would be terrible if you fell ill before the wedding.”

“I’m really fine, Your Majesty.”

Shayla shifted away from him, hoping her clear rejection would make him understand.

But she didn’t realize that her reaction only spurred Elkius on.

Elkius grabbed her wrist firmly and whispered.

“Your wrists are so thin. Are you naturally frail?”

“N-No, I’m not…”

“To bear a crown prince, you must take care of your health. How can you have a healthy child when you’re this thin?”

“…”

Her mind went blank. Shayla’s eyes wavered uncontrollably.

She knew the Empress’s greatest duty was to produce an heir.

Her parents had told her all along, when she was preparing for her wedding, that all she had to do was have a son and everything would be fine.

But hearing it so bluntly was suffocating.

She clutched her chest as her breath caught.

“Shayla?”

“Ah…”

“What’s wrong? Are you in pain?”

Elkius touched her sweat-beaded forehead. She shuddered as if a snake were crawling up her body.

She pushed his hand away and stood up.

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I don’t feel well…”

“You must be quite unwell. I’ll have a servant escort you to your carriage.”

“I can go alone. Then…”

Shayla hurried out of the audience chamber as if fleeing.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

Panting, Shayla hid in a deserted corridor, taking deep breaths. Cold sweat trickled down her neck.

Though not physically threatened, she could feel his madness clearly.

She expected the unwanted marriage to be difficult, but the helplessness she felt facing Elkius far exceeded her expectations.

Now she understood why the Duchess of Howard had been so reluctant to meet the Emperor.

Shayla buried her face in her hands, feeling her hard-won resolve crumbling.

No, stay focused.

She took a deep breath. There was no turning back now.

She had only two choices: endure or die.

‘It’s okay; I can endure.’

She wasn’t weak enough to die just yet.

Elkius’s purpose in making her Empress was clear enough that he wouldn’t touch her for a while. To secure legitimacy, he would outwardly act affectionate, giving her time to gather allies and expand her influence.

As she thought about informing her parents to cancel the appointment of Countess Owens as her lady-in-waiting, a woman with red hair blocked her path.

“Hello, Lady Lephisto.”

Shayla looked at the woman with a puzzled expression. The woman appeared to be about ten years older and her status was unclear. Since the Emperor was unmarried, there were no other women living in the palace, so she wasn’t a lady-in-waiting. Yet her makeup was too bold and her dress was too luxurious for a maid.

Had there been such a woman in the palace?

As Shayla scrutinized her with suspicion, the woman spoke.

“May I have a word with you?”

“Who are you?”

“Oh, pardon my late introduction. I am Rosaline Harper.”

The woman curtsied exaggeratedly, a slight smile playing on her lips, resembling a sneer. Shayla’s expression hardened.

“I have nothing to say to someone I don’t know.”

“Please, spare a moment. We’ll be seeing each other often, so it’s better to get acquainted now.”

“What do you mean?”

“Follow me if you’re curious.”

The woman turned her back, not caring whether Shayla followed or not. Reluctantly, Shayla trailed behind her.

The woman led her into a secluded guest room and pulled a lever on the wall, revealing a hidden entrance.

“Come in.”

Following her inside, Shayla found herself in a small secret chamber, a place unknown even to her despite her frequent visits to the palace.

The woman sat down first.

“Please, have a seat.”

Shayla glanced around nervously before reluctantly sitting on the sofa.

“I’ve seen you from a distance a few times, but this is our first close encounter.”

“Are you here for idle chatter?”

Rosaline smiled at Shayla’s sharp tone.

“You’re rather impatient.”

“Get to the point.”

Irritated, Shayla’s bluntness made Rosaline laugh.

“I just wanted to chat since we’ll both be serving His Majesty.”

“What?”

Serving His Majesty together?

Suddenly, Shayla realized who the woman was.

She was the Emperor’s mistress, having spent a long time by his side to learn about secret places within the palace.

The woman’s eyes were filled with hostility as she spoke with a tilted head.

“I know he probably doesn’t see me as a person, but in the bedroom, we’re just the same, aren’t we?”

“What do you mean?”

“You don’t need to play innocent with me.”

Rosaline muttered disrespectfully.

“Having been the Duke of Tiflis’s long-time lover, you should know all about it, right?”

“Don’t insult him and me!”

“Oh?”

Rosaline Harper’s eyes widened, and she burst into laughter, bending over with mirth. It took her a while to stop.

“My, oh my, I wonder if His Majesty would like or dislike this.”

Rosaline wiped away tears of laughter as she spoke.

“To think your first man would be His Majesty, what a dilemma.”

Lowering her voice as if sharing a secret, she continued.

“Actually, His Majesty is quite rough in bed. It’ll be hard for you if it’s your first time.”

“…!”

“There are women who are quite skilled in that area. Should I introduce you to them?”

“You insolent…!”

“Why are you getting angry? I’m just looking out for you.”

Her red lips continued spewing venomous words.

To be insulted by a mere mistress.

Shayla’s vision blurred with rage, but she couldn’t match Adelaide’s skill in retorting.

“Anyway, it’s unfortunate. I thought things would be easier with an Empress, but it looks like His Majesty will still seek me out.”

“…”

“Well, His Majesty is only interested in an heir. Once you bear a child, you’ll be unnecessary, but― Ah!”

Unable to contain her anger, Shayla slapped Rosaline Harper with all her strength. Rosaline, whose hair had been disheveled by the blow, brushed it back and turned her head.

Her bloodshot eyes glared fiercely.

“So, the noble Lady of the Duke knows how to hit.”

Shayla stood up, trembling with unbearable humiliation.

As she retraced her steps, a chilling voice called out from behind.

“Remember what happened today. You won’t forget it.”