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#18. What Are You Two Planning?
“I intend to deliver this to Miss Elizabeth and explain how to use it.”
“I’ll listen too.”
“Must you, Your Majesty?”
“Why? Do you feel guilty about something?”
Nikolai tilted his head slightly.
It was obvious he was about to unleash his villainous instincts again.
Even from the sharp, glimmering green in his eyes, it was clear.
“It’s delicate and essential for women, after all…”
Douglas trailed off, clearly embarrassed.
‘Looks like Susan sent some painkillers for menstrual cramps. There’s still a little left.’
The Nettleton family had long been known for their talent in pharmacology rather than literature.
Susan, being physically weak, never attended the academy.
Instead, she studied the medicinal techniques left behind by her ancestors at home.
After her father’s gambling debts piled up, she couldn’t afford expensive herbs.
It was the original Elizabeth who had sponsored her.
Not because she particularly cared for Susan, but because Susan’s remedies were astonishingly effective against menstrual cramps and hangovers.
Thanks to that, I had benefitted as well.
“Your Majesty, you must be busy. Shouldn’t you be going?”
Douglas politely hinted that he should leave.
Nikolai flatly refused.
“I’m not busy at all.”
“But you train in swordsmanship every day, don’t you?”
“I’m taking a break these days.”
He gave us a suspicious look, as if wondering whether Douglas and I were plotting something.
Such is the fearsome nature of paranoia.
“I want to hear as well. Curious about women’s necessities, I am.”
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
“Elizabeth, do you think I spend all day thinking about women?”
“You didn’t? I apologize for assuming so.”
Nikolai’s eyebrows twitched.
If Cares hadn’t arrived, we would have likely engaged in a heated argument—perhaps a lively debate about menstrual cramps and painkiller usage.
“Your Majesty, there’s no more time to waste.”
“You can handle it yourself. I trust you, Cares.”
“His Majesty must hear this personally.”
“Can’t you see I’m busy?”
“The chief physician has confessed.”
Nikolai paused.
Douglas bowed slightly, as if he had been waiting for this moment.
“I shall converse briefly with Miss Elizabeth. You may observe, Your Majesty.”
Even though it was only a polite gesture, Nikolai scowled as though he had been insulted, and didn’t forget to deliver a stern warning:
“Keep it brief. Remember, the fate of Nettleton lies in my hands!”
“Please trust me.”
“How can I trust you? Again—”
Nikolai stopped in his tracks once more.
Cares signaled to the knights.
“Escort him.”
Two knights flanked Nikolai, linking arms with him.
It seemed like a familiar routine.
“Excuse us, Your Majesty.”
“Let go. I’ll walk myself.”
Nikolai shot the knights a fiery glare and then whipped his head toward me.
“Tomorrow, we will discuss the Crown Prince’s education. Over a private lunch together!”
Was he proposing a meal like a duel challenge?
Why was Douglas glaring?
Only then did I realize I was left alone with my ex-fiancé.
“Did Susan send the painkillers?”
“She only used that as an excuse for Your Majesty.”
“Why?”
“Because he wanted to be alone with you, Elizabeth.”
Douglas smiled with an innocent expression.
‘Did my naive brother trick the emperor? Is he completely fearless? Nikolai’s surely watching for any opportunity.’
To me, Douglas looked like a herbivore caught in the claws of a predator.
He produced a small gift box from his arms.
“What I said about giving you something is true. Please open it.”
Untying the red ribbon and peeling back the pink-hued wrapping paper revealed a finely crafted crystal bottle.
Inside, tiny, dark red beads—smaller than beans—were neatly packed.
“These are spicy peppers from the Pimianta region.”
“Peppers?”
“You mentioned wanting something spicy.”
“That’s true, but…”
“Pimianta peppers are extremely hot. Most people can’t even taste them. But it should suit your palate perfectly.”
How did Douglas manage to get these?
Peppers were a luxury more expensive than gold by weight.
Douglas noticed my concern and smiled sheepishly.
“Actually, royalties from The Empire’s Red Star came in.”
“Really?”
“Over 200,000 copies sold. They’re still selling. The publisher gave me a fortune I’d never have touched in my life.”
“That’s wonderful! Congratulations, Douglas!”
I patted the bestselling author’s back.
In the original story, The Empire’s Red Star would be wildly popular, making Douglas even wealthier.
Douglas shyly smiled like a boy at my touch.
“If it weren’t for you, Elizabeth, I couldn’t have completed it. And the heroine Elize wouldn’t exist either.”
“You would have done it eventually. You have both talent and passion.”
“Thank you. It feels like all my fatigue has disappeared.”
“And your stomach ailment?”
“Healed quickly. I took Susan’s medicine, managed my meals, and exercised regularly.”
Douglas bowed slightly, as if attributing even that to me.
In the original story, he was the classic literary nerd, obsessed only with writing and Elizabeth.
Seeing him grow past that made me quietly proud.
“Your shoulders seem broader now, too.”
“Still far from being able to match His Majesty.”
“Huh?”
“My goal is to have a strong, healthy body comparable to the emperor’s.”
On the day of delivering the supplies, Douglas had been overwhelmed by Nikolai.
Though he tried to show determination, he must have painfully realized his weakness.
Just as I had inspired his creativity, Nikolai had clearly influenced him too.
‘Douglas awakening… how will this affect the future?’
And his role model being Nikolai? That’s a high bar.
I recalled the picture-perfect torso I’d seen on the terrace of Kensing Mansion.
Chest muscles honed like armor forged thousands of times.
Abs sharp and steep like cliffs.
I hadn’t seen that many male bodies, but none could rival Nikolai’s.
‘Handsome, and a body like that—women won’t leave him alone. I should have kept a closer eye.’
I secretly licked my lips.
Half-naked Nikolai approaching would be overwhelming and awkward.
But it wouldn’t happen.
What Nikolai wanted wasn’t a fleeting crush—it was an actress who fit his taste.
His enthusiasm for the seduction game was probably just for fun or stubbornness.
Though I told myself I was just using him, my heart tightened like wearing a corset made of whale bone every time.
“This gift was necessary. I got tired of the rich palace food.”
I forced my gaze toward the pepper bottle.
Just imagining the spice made my mouth water.
“Don’t eat too much at once. Be careful, Elizabeth.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m even more grateful that you’re pleased.”
Despite enduring insults from the emperor and threats to her sister’s safety, Douglas remained steadfast.
He felt as happy as if he owned the world just from my words.
Coming to the palace at the emperor’s summons was dangerous.
Yet he was grateful just to see me again.
‘Playing with such a kind and transparent man… I deserve whatever trouble comes, Elizabeth.’
He could easily buy a pepper farm, but sometimes, I needed someone who truly cared.
Just having someone like that nearby was comforting.
Douglas was far too good a man for someone like me, preoccupied with survival.
I couldn’t return his love, nor did I know how.
‘Am I using Douglas’s goodwill like the original Elizabeth did?’
I didn’t want to use him, but I didn’t want to be completely separated from him.
If Douglas left, my life would be lonelier and harsher.
Could I be friends with my ex-fiancé?
I made excuses of clumsiness and circumstance, but it was selfish.
I realized for the first time that receiving love is as difficult as loving someone.
What should I say? How should I say it?
We weren’t even dating yet.
“I wanted to give you a gift with my royalties.”
“Thank you for thinking of me.”
“I wanted to buy jewelry, like a necklace or earrings, but Susan discouraged it. She said I couldn’t match your taste.”
“Tastes change. These days, doing nothing is easiest.”
The original Elizabeth’s jewelry collection had moved to the Canary Room, but I hadn’t worn even a pendant.
No reason to dress up, no one to show it to.
“Showing off wealth might tempt thieves. I just find it troublesome.”
“You’ve changed a lot.”
Douglas gazed at me quietly and remarked anew.
I hid my flustered expression and smiled coyly.
“After nearly dying, of course I’ve changed.”
“The old Elizabeth was charming, but now, anyone can see how remarkable you are.”
Douglas blushed, perhaps thinking it too direct.
My face heated as well.
He poured fuel on the fire.
“Since your tastes have changed, may I take the courage to—?”
“Pardon?”
“You know, Elizabeth, I’m a foolish and frustrating man.”
A suffocating silence descended.
The air around us grew hot.
It was impossible not to understand what he meant.
How could I refuse without hurting him?
Just then, a knock sounded.
Franz, looking exhausted, peeked through the door.
“Miss Elizabeth, how much longer do we wait?”
“Weren’t you resting today?”
“I’m fine.”
“Just a moment. I’ll be there soon.”
I had momentarily forgotten I was the Crown Prince’s instructor.
“Sorry for taking your time.”
“No, thank you for the peppers. I’ll enjoy them.”
“I’ll give a better gift next time. Please accept it then as well.”
Douglas’s eyes glistened subtly.
Still polite, but the hesitation typical of a kind man had vanished.
Sweat formed in my palms.
‘So he really has changed… Douglas!’
My heart pounded rapidly.
If left alone, something would surely happen.
Like any girl with no dating experience and awkward with the opposite sex, I fumbled to avoid eye contact.
“Which merchant did you get the peppers from? I want to contact them later.”
“I got them through a friend. They like spicy food too.”
“How unusual. Who’s this friend?”
“Sir Claudia Rose Royce, stationed in the Inted Isles.”
“!”
The guillotine nightmare that had tormented me the previous night replayed vividly.
Ambushes come when one is off guard.
Despair arrives crushing hope.
Douglas could never know how startled I was at that moment.
An innocent suitor, plunging a metaphorical blade into my back.
And he was about to deliver another invisible strike.
“Shall I introduce you? Somehow, I feel the two of you are destined to meet.”
