THJDM 43

Her jaw tightened naturally as she chewed, and her breathing grew heavier.

Was it her breathing that annoyed him?

Elion’s gaze once again turned toward Rubiana.

But Rubiana, unaware of his attention, focused only on the act of chewing her food.

When she belatedly realized his eyes were fixed on her, she held her breath.

‘Why is he looking at me? Could it be… my chewing is too loud? Is he glaring because of that?’

Everything irritated her—every little thing.

But most of all, what irritated her was herself, sitting in this seat.

She wanted nothing more than to hurry and finish the food in front of her and escape from this mansion.

However, contrary to Rubiana’s sulky assumptions, all of Elion’s senses were completely focused on her.

From the moment she entered the dining room—the light sound of her footsteps, the faint sweet scent that clung to her, the fleeting touch of skin when he handed her a fork, the pure, luminous glow of her face—everything about her shook his brain and pounded against his heart.

‘Especially those lips…!’

He couldn’t tear his eyes away from her red lips, softly moving as she chewed.

A fierce desire surged in him—to slowly, gently taste those small, plump lips and savor them for a long time.

‘Damn it… I’ve completely lost my mind.’

His face, usually a perfect mask, refused to obey him.

He couldn’t even tell whether the food in his mouth was beef or dirt anymore.

At that moment, a knock came, and the door opened. Scott entered.

His expression and movements were uncharacteristically urgent.

“Your Highness.”

“What is it?”

“You have a visitor.”

“In the morning? Who is it?”

Elion frowned.

After taking a deep breath, Scott finally replied.

“It’s… His Imperial Majesty.”

What?

The Emperor?!

Rubiana and Elion’s eyes widened in shock.

And the very next moment, the dining room door burst open.

‘His magic must have become unstable—so why hasn’t he called for me? Did the drug not work? No, impossible…’

Listening to her informant Marco’s report, Florencia’s mind was heavy with a question like a great stone pressing down on it.

This time, Marco had taken the form of an old woman in her eighties.

“The Grand Duke sustained injuries to his head and shoulder and is recovering at his residence in the capital. He was advised to receive treatment in Darrow first, but he insisted on returning to the capital immediately.”

“How severe are the injuries?”

“Not critical, but more than minor. The accident itself wasn’t major, yet many witnesses said the Grand Duke appeared visibly unwell.”

“I see.”

Florencia’s eyes narrowed in thought.

If the accident wasn’t serious, yet Elion’s condition worsened, then the pill she had secretly given him must have started taking effect.

‘But why hasn’t he sought my help? Even the best physicians at the ducal estate can’t handle unstable magic.’

Her elegant brow creased.

Then Marco’s next words interrupted her thoughts.

“And it seems the Grand Duke and the second daughter of House Payson have become lovers.”

“What?”

“After returning home, the ducal carriage immediately went to the Payson estate. About an hour later, Lady Rubiana Payson’s carriage arrived at the Grand Duke’s residence.”

“No. That can’t be…”

Florencia shook her head.

There was no way Elion had taken a lover.

Impossible.

He had no intention of dating, marrying, or starting a family.

The boy who was born and raised in solitude didn’t even know how to dream of such things.

‘Right. Rubiana Payson can’t possibly be his lover. Then why did Elion send a carriage for her? Why?’

Then, a hypothesis flickered in Florencia’s mind.

‘Don’t tell me… that woman is connected to his magic?’

No.

She shook her head again.

Not even the Empire’s best healers, not even she—the Saintess—could do anything about Elion’s unstable magic.

There was no way some ordinary noblewoman could heal him.

‘Wait… wasn’t that young lady also said to be in poor health?’

That sudden recollection made Florencia question Marco again.

“How is Rubiana Payson’s health lately?”

“Do you recall the scandal between the Grand Duke and Lady Payson at the hotel? There was information that her health deteriorated rapidly then, and he rushed to see her.”

“So she’s still unwell?”

“Yes, most likely.”

“…”

What on earth was happening?

Two people in poor health suddenly grew close—and now they even attended parties together?

Elion and Lady Payson.

There was definitely something suspicious between them.

But for now, Florencia had no way of finding out what it was.

“Is there any other report?”

“Ah, well…”

Marco hesitated before finally speaking.

“Lady Payson, who entered the Grand Duke’s residence yesterday afternoon, has not yet left.”

“What?!”

Florencia sprang to her feet, shouting.

Did that mean they spent the night together?

Had she been nursing him all night?

Why? What was between them?

Was Elion truly seeing that woman?

Was it just nursing—or… something else?

‘No. No, absolutely not.’

Her tightly clenched fists trembled.

Her fair face flushed red and pale by turns.

She had to see it for herself.

She had to ask Elion directly.

“I must go to the Grand Duke’s residence right now.”

“Elion!”

“…Your Majesty.”

The Emperor, Christopher, strode in briskly and immediately examined Elion’s body, checking the extent of his injuries.

“I heard you were hurt. Are you all right?”

“It wasn’t serious.”

“That’s good. I came straight here as soon as I heard you were unwell.”

Having confirmed that his brother was fine, Christopher finally noticed Rubiana standing quietly to the side.

The moment their eyes met, Rubiana bowed deeply.

“I greet His Imperial Majesty. I am Rubiana Payson, second daughter of Count Payson.”

“Oh! So you’re the Lady Payson I’ve heard so much about! A pleasure to meet you.”

Christopher’s eyes sparkled with curiosity as he looked at her.

‘Aha!’

He immediately sensed it.

A young man and woman exchanging glances, an extravagant breakfast for two, and this early in the morning!

Christopher’s gaze sharpened.

He looked at Rubiana.

“I’ve heard rumors that you two are lovers. Is that true?”

“Your Majesty, that’s—”

Elion began to reply, but Christopher raised a hand to silence him.

His look and gesture clearly said, ‘I wasn’t talking to you. Be quiet.’

Feeling the Emperor’s gaze fixed on her, Rubiana swallowed hard.

Only a few people knew of the fabricated story that she and Elion were officially dating—the Count and Countess of Payson, Stephanie, and Chad.

And yet, somehow, the news had already reached the Emperor’s ears. His intelligence network truly was impressive.

In a modest tone, Rubiana answered,

“Yes, Your Majesty. It hasn’t even been a full week since we became a couple.”

“I see! Less than a week, yet already having breakfast together—ah, the passion of youth!”

Christopher laughed heartily, and Rubiana turned pale.

‘Oh no… The way he emphasized “breakfast together”… is he implying he knows we spent the night together? He is, isn’t he? Oh, no, no, no…!’

Rubiana silently cursed herself for having so easily succumbed to the temptation of Elion’s magic the night before.

In the end, Christopher decided to join them for breakfast.

From what Rubiana knew of royal etiquette, he should have asked for a separate meal to be served, but he didn’t.

He simply joined in, unbothered that the table wasn’t set for him.

‘So he’s this casual when he’s with his brother?’

And so, the awkward breakfast continued.

Well, awkward for Rubiana and Elion at least—Christopher happily smiled and ate heartily, clearly enjoying himself.

To Rubiana, the steak in her mouth felt like sand. It was all because of Christopher’s unwavering stare.

‘Ugh… that look is too much!’

Afraid she might choke, she carefully cut the steak into tiny pieces and let them melt in her mouth.

As Christopher looked between the two, he suddenly spoke again.

“You two—romance is fine, wild and free as it may be—but how about doing it after an engagement ceremony?”

“An engagement ceremony? Out of nowhere?”

“An engagement—pfft!”

Rubiana almost choked, hurriedly spitting the half-melted steak into her napkin.

Nothing could possibly go down her throat right now.

As he looked at the two of them, eyes wide in shock, Christopher grinned broadly.

He was clearly enjoying this.

After pretending to think for a moment, he added casually,

“No, no—perhaps a wedding would be better?”

At that, both Rubiana and Elion went completely pale.