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Chapter 30
Dinner was fine.
The mushroom soup that came out first was rich and savory, and the main dish—the steak—was tender and delicious.
“How was it? Was it alright?”
“Yes. It was really delicious.”
It was plain, without embellishment, but sincere.
While drinking the tea served as dessert, Joo-hee spoke.
“Your Majesty, may I ask something?”
“Rowen.”
“…Yes?”
“Promise me you’ll call me Rowen instead of ‘Your Majesty,’ and I’ll answer you.”
Joo-hee let out a shallow sigh.
“I already told you before, that’s impossible.”
“Then what if it’s an imperial command?”
“……”
Joo-hee slightly opened her mouth.
She hadn’t expected him to bring up an imperial command over something like this.
Whether she called him “Your Majesty” or “Rowen,” he was still the same person, so she couldn’t understand why he was so fixated on titles.
The reason she didn’t call his name was partly due to status, but also because she had tried to keep a line between them.
Even though it felt unpleasant, since he invoked an imperial command, she had no choice but to endure it and finally nodded.
“Alright… Rowen.”
“Yes, Joo-hee. What is your question?”
Hearing her say his name, Rowen felt as if a misaligned gear had finally clicked into place.
“Is there a large garden nearby where no one usually goes?”
“Why do you ask?”
“Ah, I think Ruga might feel a bit suffocated staying only in the room.”
“Hmm… Ah! Now that I think about it, there’s a side path next to the palace. If you take it, there’s a wide garden with a hill. No one goes there, so you don’t have to worry about meeting anyone.”
“Thank you for telling me.”
It was late now, so she decided to look around tomorrow after waking up.
“If you experience any inconvenience while staying here, don’t hesitate to tell me. There’s nowhere you’re not allowed to go, but I’d prefer you tell me first if there’s somewhere you want to visit.”
There was something almost dangerous in Rowen’s gaze as he said that.
But when Joo-hee, who had been slightly lowering her head, looked back up at him, that expression had completely vanished.
“Rowen.”
“Yes?”
“If I want to leave the palace later, can I just tell you?”
“…If it’s just a short trip outside, you can go with me.”
That wasn’t exactly what she meant, but Joo-hee paused slightly before slowly nodding.
For some reason, she couldn’t bring herself to meet his eyes.
The moment she did, she felt like she would be bound by an invisible shackle.
“You must be tired. Go upstairs and rest. The madam is coming tomorrow, so keep that in mind.”
“Yes.”
After that, Joo-hee kept a serious expression all the way to her room.
Before entering, she asked,
“Rowen, I won’t have to repay everything later, right?”
“Hm? What do you mean?”
Rowen blinked in confusion.
“I mean… for the clothes and things like that.”
At her unexpected question, Rowen let out a faint chuckle without meaning to.
Joo-hee’s eyebrows twitched, and he quickly cleared his throat.
“Not at all. I’m doing it because I want to.”
“I’ve heard there’s no such thing as a free favor in this world…”
“Then I guess I’ll be the first.”
But there was a chance, just in case.
If the female protagonist appeared and his interest in her faded, he might demand repayment for everything he had done.
“Don’t change your words later.”
“Hahaha!”
Rowen burst into laughter.
Joo-hee made a sullen face, then nodded as if thinking that a man who was the emperor surely wouldn’t go back on his word.
“See you tomorrow, Joo-hee.”
“Yes.”
After Joo-hee entered her room, Rowen stood blankly by the door for a moment before turning away.
* * *
“Father, what did you just say?”
“His Majesty has returned.”
“Oh my goodness, really?”
Ivelin’s face brightened.
But her father, Duke Roberto, did not look pleased.
“Father, is something wrong? You don’t look well.”
“He did return… but not alone.”
“…What do you mean?”
Ivelin frowned at the unclear statement.
Not alone?
“Exactly as I said, Ivelin. His Majesty returned with a woman.”
“…A woman? Are you sure you didn’t see wrong?”
“I’m certain. It was a woman.”
Duke Roberto spoke firmly, but Ivelin couldn’t believe it.
The emperor she knew was not someone who kept women close.
So she waved her hand lightly with a smile.
“Oh, Father must have seen wrong. Have you ever seen His Majesty with a woman?”
“Ivelin, go to the palace tomorrow and confirm it yourself.”
“Me?”
“Yes.”
Ivelin tilted her head slightly, then nodded lightly.
“Yes, Father. I’ll go to the palace tomorrow.”
She was already planning to visit anyway since the emperor had returned.
Thinking of Rowen made Ivelin’s heart begin to pound.
Ivelin was the cherished youngest daughter of House Roberto.
She was so dearly raised that her parents would grant her almost anything.
From the moment she fell in love with Rowen, her parents had tried to make her empress—but it was not easy.
However, since the Empress Dowager looked favorably upon her, becoming empress was only a matter of time.
The next morning, Ivelin began dressing early.
Since it had been a while, she spent far more time than usual carefully adorning herself.
This time, she was determined to win his heart.
But then…
Ivelin’s eyes darkened.
Who was that in front of her?
After arriving at the palace and requesting an audience, she happened to see Rowen and hurried toward him with a bright smile.
But he was not alone.
“I thought Father must have seen wrong…”
Beside him was a woman she had never seen before.
Ivelin bit her lip, then quickly placed a bright smile back on her face and walked forward.
“Oh my, Your Majesty!”
At the sweet, sing-song voice, Rowen’s steps stopped.
Joo-hee, walking beside him, also stopped.
Rowen did not turn around at first, but Joo-hee did.
A very beautiful woman in a lavish dress was walking toward them.
As her footsteps drew closer, Rowen sighed and finally turned around.
“I greet the Sun of the Empire.”
“…Lady Roberto.”
“Your Majesty, how cold. Not Lady Roberto—please call me Ivelin.”
But Rowen did not respond.
Ivelin glanced at Joo-hee.
She was staring blankly without even greeting properly.
Ivelin frowned.
“Who is this lady who doesn’t even greet properly? Have you not been taught manners?”
She was certain the girl was of lower status, so she did not bow first.
Most likely some provincial bumpkin noble lady—there was no way she, a count’s daughter, should bow first.
Joo-hee rolled her eyes slightly and greeted.
“Hello?”
“…What?”
Ivelin let out a dumbfounded laugh.
She was about to sharply scold her, but Rowen stepped in front of Joo-hee.
“Lady Roberto, what brings you here?”
“Of course I came to see Your Majesty. I was so shocked when you left without any notice. Do you know how worried I was?”
“Why should I inform you when I leave?”
“…Pardon?”
Ivelin forced an awkward smile.
But Rowen ignored her and hardened his expression.
“I would appreciate it if you stopped unnecessary interference. Also, refrain from visiting unannounced from now on. My warning will be given only once.”
“Y-Your Majesty…”
Ivelin was flustered.
He had never welcomed her warmly, but he had never outright pushed her away like this before.
She bit her lip and asked,
“Is it because of that lady beside you?”
“This is merely to correct a lady who has gone beyond her bounds.”
“Your Majesty! Then who is that lady?”
“You don’t need to know.”
“Please step back.”
Rowen gently placed his hand on Joo-hee’s shoulder and pulled her closer.
Seeing that, Ivelin trembled in disbelief.
Such a gentle gaze, such a familiar gesture.
Rowen and Joo-hee walked away, leaving Ivelin alone.
She clenched her fists tightly.
Humiliating.
To be openly dismissed in front of a countryside girl whose identity she didn’t even know.
Ivelin glared at Joo-hee’s back as if trying to burn it away, then turned sharply.
* * *
“That lady won’t be coming to bother you anymore.”
“Yes.”
“I’m sorry. I should have stopped her sooner.”
“It’s okay. It’s not your fault.”
After that, they walked in silence.
Rowen let out a deep sigh inwardly.
He had suggested a walk to spend time together before the madam arrived, but he hadn’t expected things to turn out like this.
He thought Joo-hee would be upset, but she truly seemed fine.
She didn’t dwell on things like that—it was too exhausting.
So he changed the subject.
“The garden is very beautiful.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
Rowen smiled faintly.
He had secretly had the garden cleaned up in a hurry yesterday after hearing she would visit, so he felt relieved.
After a few casual conversations, it was time to return.
Rowen went to handle state affairs, and Joo-hee waited alone in the reception room for the madam.
Soon, the door opened and a woman in a luxurious dress entered.
“Nice to meet you. I am Madam Lilia Forten. You may call me Madam Lilia.”
After finishing her greeting, Lilia smiled gently at Joo-hee.
