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Chapter 10
The Bell Tied to the Ankle
Seren accepted the marriage.
Becoming empress still felt absurd, but she thought she could love Isbrant. In fact, it already seemed that way. Whenever he looked at her with those melting eyes, her heart trembled.
There would surely be many difficulties ahead, but true love was what she desired most.
“I received a whole set of dresses this morning, even ones not yet tailored. The Duchess of Sons said she had them prepared in advance while I was sick. Did you know?”
Isbrant watched her gently as she chattered in excitement.
“I told them to prepare everything necessary, so they must have done it ahead of time. Did you find something you liked?”
“…Be honest. You never planned to send me back from the start, did you?”
“There is no foolish dragon in this world that lets go of a jewel once it’s in its grasp.”
Pulling Seren’s hand across the tea table, Isbrant spoke. He often compared Seren to the jewel of life that a winter dragon had once given away.
When he suddenly lifted her and placed her on his lap, her face flushed red.
“This kind of thing… feels a bit improper.”
“Etiquette isn’t important—and no one’s watching anyway.”
Using telekinesis, he lifted a madeleine from the tea tray, split it in half, and fed one piece to her. She obediently accepted it. Though she was embarrassed, she rarely refused anything he did for her.
“You kept acting vague and dragging things out…”
“You were sick.”
“Then why were you coming at night? You weren’t on guard duty, were you?”
She questioned him playfully, not truly angry, and Isbrant smiled. Even if he told her the real reason, she wouldn’t understand anyway, so he answered calmly.
“I wanted to see your face.”
“Why? Because you thought I might be ugly?”
“We needed time together before the marriage.”
That was true. Seren hesitated, then nodded. It hadn’t been long, but if she had first met him strictly as the emperor, she would never dare sit like this on his lap now.
Isbrant held her chin and pulled her closer. Seren stiffened, knowing he was about to kiss her again. She didn’t dislike it—if anything, the sensation itself was pleasant. But his kisses always made her overly tense.
“Mm… ah…”
He gently tugged at her lower lip at first, but soon the kiss deepened. As if to swallow her lips and tongue entirely, he bit and drew her in. The hand resting lightly on her back began moving along her spine with clear intent, caressing her.
“Ah—mm…!”
Just as she drew a quick breath when he briefly released her, he captured her again. The sweetness of the madeleine lingering in her mouth vanished instantly, consumed by heat. Moisture gathered along her tightly shut lashes. The sensation of his tongue brushing her palate made her body tremble.
“Mm… ngh.”
Only after she grew weak and melted from the intensity did Isbrant finally release her. Seren couldn’t even lift her head and instead buried her face against his neck—then suddenly startled and tried to pull away. She realized she was sitting on something, something firm and warm.
But Isbrant wrapped an arm tightly around her waist so she couldn’t get off his lap.
“Trying to run?”
“I–Is…”
“Just stay. I won’t do anything until the wedding night, so don’t worry.”
“D-Don’t say something so obvious!”
Blushing deeply, Seren twisted slightly. Each movement only made her more aware of him, which made her feel even more flustered. Whether he noticed or not, Isbrant calmly pressed a light kiss to her cheek and lips again. Seren suppressed the strange sensation rising from deep within her stomach.
“Was that everything you wanted to ask?”
“Mmm.”
Seren made an uncertain sound. He hadn’t meant those kinds of questions, but given the situation, only embarrassing ones kept coming to mind—like whether it was because of her, or whether he had been like that before.
“If that’s all, then fine.”
Speaking softly, he placed a hand behind her head and drew her in again. The helpless kisses continued.
Captain of the Imperial Guard, Rudric, was stopped in front of the emperor’s lounge. That was unusual, considering he was also the commander of the capital defense guardians as a top-tier Guardian.
Still, the aides guarding the door spoke firmly while bowing.
“His Majesty is with Lady Rubab.”
“May I see him if I wait?”
“Most likely. Lady Rubab also has a schedule.”
Rudric nodded.
The imperial wedding date had already been announced. Rumors about the emperor’s fiancée were spreading wildly through high society. Every attendant working in the inner palace must have had their pockets filled with bribes, yet many details remained uncertain.
The Emperor Isbrant is in love?
Most people found that impossible.
He possessed the densest dragon bloodline in imperial history—emotionally distant and cold by nature. Even Rudric, a top-tier Guardian, could not stand before him without feeling pressured.
What exactly is his objective?
He didn’t know why the emperor had brought in a rural lady, but he hoped she wouldn’t be pushed into a harsh situation.
While he was lost in thought, the lounge door suddenly opened and a young woman hurried out, limping slightly. First he noticed her slender ankle, then the cane.
From inside came the emperor’s voice.
“I said I’d escort you.”
“It’s fine!”
Her sharp tone sounded less angry than embarrassed. As she fixed her disheveled hair, she glanced up—and froze when her eyes met Rudric’s. Her face turned bright red.
“Ah!”
Rudric calmly placed a hand over his chest and greeted her.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Rubab. I am Rudric Sefton, Captain of the Imperial Guard.”
“Nice to meet you, Sir Sefton. I’m Seren Rubab.”
Supporting herself with the cane, Seren attempted to bend her knees in greeting, but before Rudric could stop her, the emperor stepped out.
“Don’t bow, Seren. Rudric—do not dare make my partner kneel.”
“Ah.”
Seren was startled, and Rudric immediately lowered his head.
“My deepest apologies.”
“No, it’s fine. Is—I’m simply not used to palace etiquette yet, so please don’t blame Sir Sefton. I’m the one who should apologize.”
After saying that, Seren turned away. A servant approached with a wheeled chair, but she shook her head.
“I prefer walking. It’s better for my rehabilitation.”
Leaning on her cane, she dragged one leg slightly as she disappeared down the corridor. The trailing hem of her yellow summer dress lingered in view.
Rudric couldn’t take his eyes off her. She seemed fragile. He worried whether a kind woman like her could survive in the imperial palace under only the protection of a single cold emperor.
Isbrant spoke in a chilled voice.
“Look away.”
“My apologies. I had no improper intentions.”
Rudric bowed respectfully.
“What is it?”
“You said you would personally review the security plan for Lady Rubab.”
“Mm.”
The emperor extended his hand, and Rudric handed over the documents.
Flipping through them, the emperor walked toward his office while Rudric followed, adding explanations.
“Remove these.”
Without hesitation, Isbrant drew red lines through several names—all from the 7th Battalion.
Rudric was surprised.
“Is there a problem?”
“No. None.”
There were plenty of Guardians with similar skill levels. He had selected several from the 7th Battalion because many were from Estel—thinking it might help to assign people from the same region as her.
The emperor paused briefly in thought, then said:
“Transfer all personnel from the 7th Battalion.”
“…Pardon?”
“Relocate them to other regions or units without changing their current待遇. Speak now if there’s an issue.”
“There’s no issue… but may I ask why?”
“….”
After a moment of silence, the emperor gave a faint smile.
“It isn’t a proper reason. Do you still need to know?”
“I will carry out your command.”
Rudric quickly bowed and withdrew.
If the emperor had simply said it was “not a rational reason,” Rudric wouldn’t have felt this level of fear.
As he walked away, his back was damp with sweat.
