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#10. There Are Plenty of Women to Replace You
“Can’t you come to your senses?”
Nikolai yanked the bed sheet hard.
Elisabeth, who had been lying on it, rolled sideways. Just before she tumbled off the bed, Nikolai grabbed the back of her neck—like catching a hamster trying to escape its cage.
“Kyaa! What do you think you’re doing in someone else’s room?”
Startled awake, Elisabeth’s eyes flew open.
Those black eyes sparkled like stars, filled with untempered anger, irritation, and sheer bewilderment.
The scent surrounding her grew stronger, and soon Nikolai forgot entirely about the stench that had bothered him earlier.
This is why I didn’t want to come. I couldn’t stand it anymore, but still…
Like a storm passing and leaving behind a clear, blue sky, he felt a rare comfort and languid ease. It had been so long since he experienced such clarity that his reason blurred.
For the first time since his coronation, his dulled senses had awakened—and they craved more stimulation.
Even the wolf of the goddess was drooling greedily at this intoxicating scent it had never encountered before.
“This room is mine as well. Just like this country is mine.” Nikolai’s voice was cold.
Elisabeth sneered with an expressionless face.
“I was a fool to expect common sense from Your Majesty.”
“Are you saying I lack common sense?”
“Then tell me—is it common sense to walk into a lady’s room without knocking?”
“Think of it as a prison. That’ll make it easier.”
“And making the head of a marquis family a servant, is that ‘common sense’ too?”
This time, Nikolai couldn’t answer.
Elisabeth raised her voice.
“And declaring that you’ll harass the sister of a loyal vassal—does that sound proper to you?”
“I don’t harass anyone.”
“Who would believe that? You’re surrounded by concubines, and yet you’re so desperate you can’t stand not having a new woman?”
Elisabeth looked shocked, as if realizing she’d gone too far. But that too was just another ploy to upset him.
“Oh my, I’ve done it again. I’ve just committed lese majesty, haven’t I?”
“You used to tremble and beg for your life. What changed this time?”
“I realized that method doesn’t work.”
“Elisabeth. Don’t test my patience.” Nikolai’s voice was low and warning.
But Elisabeth casually tossed her flaming red hair back and retorted:
“Kill me if you want.”
“!”
“But you won’t, will you? You’ve started such an amusing play, after all.”
“Don’t you know? Actors can always be replaced.”
Nikolai leaned in close to her ear and whispered against the small, pink shell.
“There are plenty of women who could replace you.”
He thought she might flinch. He wanted to see that.
But Elisabeth remained utterly composed—as if she had expected it all.
“If that were true, you should’ve gotten rid of me already, instead of locking me in this pretty little prison.”
“……”
“Shall I guess what Your Majesty is thinking?”
She jabbed her finger against his chest. It felt like his very soul had been pierced.
The heart he wanted to keep cold and detached began to pound again.
Does she not know touching the emperor’s body without permission is a death sentence? Is she fearless—or is she just toying with me?
But first, he had to decide.
If she can’t be controlled, she must be killed. Should I let her live—or end her?
Unaware that Nikolai was debating her life over her slender white neck, Elisabeth continued.
“Your Majesty’s play has already begun. You gathered the elders, staged quite the show.”
“Did I?”
“The absurd contract. The forceful proclamation of my title as consort. The threats against Marquis Nettleton… You wouldn’t put up with all that hassle unless you had a reason.”
“And that reason is?”
“How would I know?”
She shrugged carelessly.
“What matters is—you’re not the promiscuous Casanova everyone says you are.”
“!”
Nikolai swallowed a breath.
He couldn’t believe Elisabeth had pierced through a secret even the nobility hadn’t caught on to.
Had his acting been sloppy? Or was she simply extraordinary?
That she had seen through the mask he wore—one he never wanted but was forced to put on—pained him, yet filled him with joy.
He almost demanded to know how she realized it—half out of awe.
“You might’ve gathered beauties around for fun, yes. But you never neglected state affairs. Under your reign, Hartmann’s power hasn’t declined from your predecessor’s era—the one they called a virtuous emperor.”
“So what?”
“So how could that be, if you were really busy playing with women? The nobles are all too busy lining their own pockets.”
“What exactly are you saying?”
“Let’s rewrite the contract. Properly this time. In a way we both win.”
Elisabeth smiled, her eyes curving sweetly.
She was absurd and extraordinary.
This woman, once known as a femme fatale drowning herself in drink and parties? She’s smarter than most lords or kings. Insightful and daring beyond belief.
It was hard not to admire her.
Any other noblewoman would have groveled in tears at the emperor’s feet, pleading for mercy.
Or emphasized her weakness, flaunted her wealth, anything to curry favor.
They would’ve simply accepted the fate imposed by the emperor. That was the law, and there was no other path.
Some might’ve even salivated at the title of empress—the mistress of the empire that ruled the continent. Who wouldn’t want to be the heart of Hartmann?
But Elisabeth was different.
Nikolai found himself paying attention to things about her other than her scent—like her wisdom that never dulled, and her loyalty to the man she had once promised to marry.
“It’s absurdly unfair, yes. But I was the one who signed that contract. I won’t shamelessly demand everything back.”
“You’ve already surpassed shamelessness.”
“I’ll stay in the palace, as you wish.”
“……”
“But I won’t be your consort. And certainly not your empress. And I refuse to be a maid, too.”
“Do you care that much for Douglas?”
“What?”
Confused, Elisabeth sighed.
“You mean the man I broke off my engagement with but still can’t forget.”
“Think whatever you want.”
“You mean you can’t be my consort because you must marry him again?”
“Douglas and Susan mustn’t be harmed because of me. Don’t touch them.”
“And why should I?”
“If you accept my terms, I’ll play your seduction game. I’ll even join your little theater.”
It was tempting.
If Elisabeth cooperated, rooting out traitors conspiring with the enemy would be much easier.
It also aligned with Nikolai’s intention—to use her without giving her his heart.
But he hesitated.
Because of the pink-haired fop who still lingered in Elisabeth’s heart.
“The first to seduce wins. The loser must obey the victor unconditionally.”
“Overconfident, aren’t you?”
“Let’s see who wins.”
Elisabeth extended her small hand, smiling alluringly.
She calls me a tyrant one moment, then says let’s get along the next? She plays me like a fiddle.
She didn’t know that Nikolai had already held that hand before—and never would.
As though it were the first time, he clasped her hand.
“Be prepared. I never lose.”
***
The seduction game had officially begun.
Nikolai offered her the position of tutor to the crown prince.
He said it was Karess’s idea.
「He’s become quite your fan. What did you do to my right-hand man?」
Remembering Nikolai’s words, Elisabeth let out a sigh of relief.
Her steps felt light as she followed Karess toward the crown prince’s palace.
Good thing my charm worked. He’s Nikolai’s closest aide—he’ll be useful. I’ll have to make the most of him.
She didn’t need to try too hard.
With just a wink, Karess already seemed desperate to be ensnared.
“It’s not an easy position, but I thought it best for you, Lady Elisabeth. After all, it’s rare for an unmarried woman to stay in the palace—not a maid, and not a consort.”
“Thank you, Lord Karess.”
“Please—just Karess. I insist.”
Karess gazed at her with moist eyes.
The Count of Karess—Minister of the Interior, the emperor’s right hand, the elite of the elite—was trying to win the favor of a common-born woman.
Guilt was out of the question.
If she wanted to win the seduction game, Elisabeth had to be even more brazen.
If I win, I can make Nikolai my puppet as planned. Stop Claudia, and use imperial power to find the second relic!
Even if her charm didn’t work on him, her beauty, figure, and wealth gave her plenty of chances.
Being crown prince’s tutor wasn’t bad either.
She hated looking after children, but the privilege of free access to the royal library was worth it.
Karess hinted the palace library contained more theology texts than even the great cathedral. Surely, there would be clues about the relic of Morasincia.
“Tell me, Karess—what is the crown prince like?”
“Lively and energetic.”
“Well, ten is the perfect age for that.”
“Sometimes… a little too lively, and too energetic. But there should be no danger.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? That sounds ominous.”
“It’s best if you meet him yourself.” Karess quickly tried to change the subject.
It left her uneasy.
The crown prince barely appeared in the original story. Security around him was so tight, even my sources knew almost nothing. They only said he’s a ten-year-old blonde boy. What kind of child will he be?
Nikolai had sleek black hair that shone like silk, beautifully maintained—so much so Elisabeth had once thought of touching it.
Franz’s mother had died six years ago, around the time Nikolai took the throne.
Rumors abounded, and some even doubted Franz’s legitimacy. Those who incurred the emperor’s wrath for such whispers had all been executed.
Thanks to that, everyone in the palace now knew: speak carelessly about the crown prince, and it’s death.
So Franz’s mother must’ve been an older blonde woman—probably Nikolai’s first love.
Nikolai was twenty-eight now.
If Franz was ten, that meant he had fathered him at eighteen, with his first love.
Biologically possible, but still—so young! Is this how things work in this world?
Even if Nikolai wasn’t the reckless libertine people claimed, his public image didn’t exactly scream “responsible role model.”
What could the boy possibly have learned from him?
Clicking her tongue, Elisabeth arrived at the crown prince’s palace.
But instead of Prince Franz, what awaited her were boys crying naked.
