🔊 TTS Settings
#15. I’ll Recommend an Impulse Buy
I unleashed my triumphant “double wink and hand-kiss” at Kares.
It didn’t take long to find out that even if the charm’s effect had worn off, I could tempt him again.
“The relic is on His Majesty’s desk in the audience chamber. His Majesty is currently seeing ministers — now’s our chance.”
Kares, back to being an ardent follower, answered with dreamy eyes.
How long will this last this time?
I felt I should run a few more experiments.
The emperor’s audience chamber on the third floor of the main palace was heavily guarded.
But I didn’t need to worry.
One wink and the knights were as gentle as lambs.
“You must be tired. Go and rest. Take this — it’ll help restore your strength,” I said.
“Thank you, Lady Elizabeth.”
They took the purse I handed them and left.
Once bribed, they wouldn’t talk back even if the spell wore off.
At first I was surprised, but it turned out that letting the charm lapse was far more convenient.
‘I can use it a bit more often! I hesitated because I feared changing someone’s life too drastically. But okay — don’t make unreasonable demands for the future!’
Lord, allow me to be a righteous thief!
I’m an atheist, but a prayer slipped out of me.
I had to steal something that belonged to the emperor.
I wiped my sweaty palm on the skirt of my dress.
I gripped the door handle carved with a golden lion.
As Kares had said, Morasincia’s eyes were just carelessly placed on the desk.
I felt oddly pleased by Nikolai’s thoughtlessness.
“Found it! Worth the trip!” I said, excited at the thought that this could help Franz — my heart pounding with impatience.
Then a cold voice came from behind.
“Do you feel proud when you steal?”
I spun around in alarm.
Nikolai, who should have been in the audience chamber, was leaning against the door.
A bead of cold sweat that had formed on my brow rolled and dropped.
“Why are you out here, Your Majesty?”
“Did I come where I shouldn’t have?”
“How did you know I was here?”
“You couldn’t not know. Your scent is practically screaming.”
Nikolai took a deep breath. As if that alone let him pick up my smell.
What — he could smell me? I bathe morning and night!
My cheeks flushed hot.
His emerald eyes, fixed on me, had a cool, settled look.
It wasn’t anger, but something more dangerously sharp.
Nikolai stepped closer.
I backed away in small steps, but there was nowhere to run.
I reflexively grabbed the desk with both hands and shut my eyes tight.
‘I told him to keep his hands to himself…!’
My shaking didn’t subside.
It wasn’t fear.
I could now sense the clean, warm scent that emanated from Nikolai’s solid frame.
When had I been reconsidering the seduction game until I became the education officer? That was before — now Nikolai messed with my heart again.
Just by taking a few steps.
“Remember, Elizabeth. You can never avoid my gaze. Wherever you go, I will follow.”
A dangerous whisper of breath drifted over me.
His gaze reached me plainly, but he wasn’t so close as to be unbearable.
Of course, if he reached out, he could touch me.
But he didn’t touch me without permission like before.
‘Did he choose being indifferent over being forward? Or is this some new tactic?’
I bit my lip.
This man enjoyed kidnapping and confinement. He was also the cruel type who’d ignore a report of his son’s illness.
He’d never know what consideration meant.
“Your nose is sharp. It’d be better if your hearing were more developed than your nose,” I said.
“Why is that?”
“Don’t pretend you don’t know. You were briefed about the prince’s health issues.”
“…Franz is ill?”
Shock crossed Nikolai’s face.
He looked as stunned as someone who could not doubt the sincerity of the news.
“You look like you’ve never heard that before.”
“Tell me everything. What happened to Franz?”
Nikolai grabbed my arm.
He gripped it so hard I nearly cried.
I wrenched free and replied.
“I’ll tell you without threats.”
“Ah, sorry.”
Nikolai was so distracted that he hadn’t even realized how tightly he’d held me.
He didn’t seem like he was putting on another mask or acting out paternal love.
The look of someone terrified at the thought of losing someone precious cannot be faked.
“I’ll summon the crown prince’s physician at once. You can tell me the rest on the way.”
“You should have done that long ago. The crown prince has been stubbornly refusing treatment.”
“Why would he do that?”
“How should I know? I’m not his tutor. Even his father didn’t know.”
Nikolai bit his lip.
He looked unable to bear the guilt.
I was confused.
I’d heard Nikolai had refused all reports concerning Franz and that the two had not met for some time.
I’d assumed he was the kind of bad parent who neglected his child, but Nikolai’s reaction was different.
What on earth was going on between Nikolai and Franz?
‘The servants probably couldn’t say anything — Franz must have silenced them. But what about Simon? He was always praising Franz as the empire’s future, right?’
I wanted to stamp on Simon’s greasy smile with my boot.
As if sensing there was no time to lose, Nikolai reached for my hand.
“Hurry, Elizabeth.”
It was the first time since meeting him that I wanted to take that hand.
It might even be the first time since I possessed Elizabeth that I wanted to run somewhere, leaning on someone.
I looked at the man with the big, warm hands anew.
“Simon. Did you send the letter to the southern border?”
The woman in a hood moved her red lips.
Her face was hidden, but her figure in the moonlight was exquisitely elegant.
Simon knelt on one knee in front of her.
“Soon, good news will arrive, Ma’am.”
“You’ve isolated the crown prince thoroughly?”
“Do not worry. The crown prince has no one he trusts but me.”
“And that wench Elizabeth — how is she?”
“She’s insolent for a commoner. A vulgar woman who struts around relying on her looks.”
“She must be very pretty.”
Even though the woman’s voice held a laugh, Simon hurried to explain.
“How could one compare a rare diamond to a trinket used by riff-raff? She’s cheap, not even worthy of Ma’am’s toes.”
“Don’t ever compare that wench to me again.”
“P-please forgive me!”
“They say you’re a man-hunter, Simon. You can seduce anyone, can’t you?”
“I laid a few baited traps. But if I meddle with the one the Majesty has his eye on, won’t it trace back to me?”
“So you’re scared?”
The woman’s words were frost-sharp.
Did Simon know what happened to those who incurred her wrath? His face went pale.
“I am not afraid! Please leave it to me!”
“Don’t disappoint me, Simon.”
“What should we do about the crown prince?”
“Getting rid of him would be best.”
“!”
“That way, His Majesty will take me as his consort, won’t he? The empire needs a new heir. A true heir who carries the emperor’s noble blood.”
The woman chattered as if delighted.
Simon looked left and right, swallowing his dry spit.
No one would come to the secret garden, but if they were caught, it wouldn’t simply end with death.
“If that wench gains the emperor’s favor, it will be a real headache. You understand what I mean?”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
“There’s no need to deal with the crown prince right away. Be ready so his neck can be broken at any time.”
“I’ll await your command.”
“I don’t trust goddesses, houses, or fathers. The only one I trust is you, Simon.”
The woman’s white hand traced Simon’s jaw.
Simon, shaking, answered with rapture.
“The only woman who can possess Hartman’s heart is Ma’am.”
“I thought so too. But what if His Majesty doesn’t make me empress?”
“We’ll have to enthrone a new emperor.”
“No — the man I choose will be the new emperor. There’s no rule saying it can’t be you!”
“Ma’am!”
Leaving behind an indecent laugh, the woman departed.
Simon watched her retreat with a thrilled face.
A bloody storm was brewing in the palace.
The old physician who had been attending to Franz wore a kindly smile.
“There’s nothing particularly wrong. He seems to be overtired.”
Franz, who had put up fierce resistance, lay on the bed in a sulky mood.
He didn’t forget to glare at me with eyes full of resentment from time to time.
It looked like I’d have to give up on becoming his tutor.
“If he takes the decoction, he’ll recover quickly,” the physician said.
“Watch the crown prince at all times and report to me directly,” Nikolai said in a dry tone.
His shoulders were still stiff; pretending to be tough in front of his son.
Franz finally protested, unable to bear it.
“I don’t need any medicine!”
“I’ll make that decision.”
“You don’t trust me, Your Majesty?”
“Don’t say that.”
“You’ll just think I’m a weak child who faints at every little thing.”
“That’s never been the case.”
“Then withdraw the order to take medicine.”
Throughout the conversation, Franz and Nikolai avoided looking at one another.
I studied the boy who had bowed his head and the emperor who maintained his dignity.
“I’m only worried about the crown prince who will inherit my throne.”
“You must have wanted a more reliable heir — I’m sorry.”
“Stop with the needless words.”
“I’ll try my best.”
“Don’t.”
Franz’s face darkened considerably.
Nikolai frowned as if puzzled by the reason.
He seemed completely unaware of what his son was thinking.
Franz’s attitude had its own problems.
‘Both of them are hopeless. If left alone they’ll end up digging in opposite directions. They may never meet again.’
I sighed deeply and raised my hand.
If they hated one another so much, they wouldn’t have intervened like this.
“Excuse me — may I butt in for a moment?”
Nikolai and Franz both shook their heads at the same time.
“No.”
“No.”
Typical of a father and son.
Well, that wouldn’t make me stop.
“What you just said sounded like ‘I don’t expect anything from you, so just stay put.’”
“That can’t be.”
“If you want to convey the emperor’s goodwill, it’d be better to say, ‘You’re fine as you are now, so don’t overdo it.’”
“……”
“Franz, it’d be even better to add that you were worried sick about him.”
I imitated Nikolai’s voice as I offered the advice.
Nikolai twitched his mouth in displeasure.
Franz looked bewildered.
“Stop being so suspicious. Take His Majesty’s concern at face value.”
“I-I’ve never been suspicious!”
“Then it’s inferiority complex. You always twist whatever His Majesty says.”
“!”
“You two need special training — to understand each other and take a step closer.”
Franz’s pale green eyes widened.
Nikolai’s teal eyes flashed sharply.
Both were showing interest.
“If you’re fine as you are, I won’t interfere.”
“…..”
“But if you want, I can help improve your relationship. What will it be?”
“What sort of special training do you propose?”
“If you’re curious, start by paying the tuition.”
“Tuition?”
Nikolai’s tone flipped.
I’d been waiting to use that line someday.
“Did you think it would be free?”
Nikolai bit his lip and fidgeted with his fingers anxiously.
It was the typical behavior of customers hesitating over an impulse purchase.
‘She bit the bait? Then press the sell!’
I decided to help Nikolai open his wallet wide.
I couldn’t miss such a windfall.
