IBMLS 16

Chapter 16

When the Emperor said he intended to move Anise directly to the imperial palace, Dayvin carefully voiced his objection.

“Lady Anise’s injuries are severe, and she still hasn’t regained consciousness… Moving her right now could be dangerous. It would be better to recommend it after she wakes up.”

The Emperor’s face twisted in irritation, clearly displeased that Dayvin had immediately opposed him. But after looking at Anise’s blood-soaked clothes, he soon nodded.

“Haah… I shouldn’t have shouted back then…”

The Emperor deeply regretted what he had done in that moment. However, the eyes with which Dayvin looked at him were cold.

If a knight other than Dayvin had been protecting Anise at the time, her head would have fallen on the spot.

And if Dayvin had been unable to use divine power, Anise would have died from her fatal injuries.

Then again, had that Emperor ever once truly pleased him? Swallowing a sigh, Dayvin steadied himself.

Whenever something happened, the Emperor always blamed Anise first. Even when it wasn’t her fault, he never took her side. He always tried to solve problems by controlling her behavior.

Just how long did this idiot intend to torment Anise?

“My brother may look like that on the outside, but he actually cares about me a lot. And because I love Brother Adrian, it’s okay.”

The boiling resentment Dayvin felt toward the Emperor abruptly stopped when he recalled Anise’s voice. The heat in his head cooled instantly.

“That’s why I’m going to stay here. I’ll never leave my brother’s side.”

As memories from the past overwhelmed him, Dayvin blinked rapidly to keep the tears from forming.

Quietly biting his lip, he gazed numbly at the sleeping Anise and the Emperor gently stroking her hand.

I unconsciously let out a groan as I opened my eyes.

Seeing the familiar ceiling, I blinked blankly for a moment. Then, as I turned my head out of habit, a throbbing pain shot through my neck, instantly bringing me to my senses. I remembered what had happened just before I lost consciousness.

‘Am I… alive?’

…At that moment, I had truly thought I was going to die!

Startled, I widened my eyes and looked around. Then I froze in shock when I saw the black-haired Emperor asleep beside my bed, slumped over while holding my hand.

‘What the hell? Why is he here?’

The warmth of the Emperor’s hand against the back of mine felt confusing at first—and then unpleasant.

Smack!

I yanked my hand away, only to feel a sharp sting in my neck, making me groan in pain.

Ow.

Still, I didn’t regret shaking him off. Narrowing my eyes, I glared at the black-haired man lying beside me.

‘Why is this bastard acting like this here? I almost died because of him!’

The chilling sensation of the blade against my neck and the burning pain came flooding back, making my mood instantly sour.

“Are you alright?”

Dayvin noticed that I had woken up and spoke to me. I tried turning toward the direction of his voice, but the pain made me flinch and grimace.

Seeing this, Dayvin stepped closer so I could see him more easily.

“Please avoid moving as much as possible. The wound on your neck is deeper than we initially thought.”

“What… happened to me?”

My voice came out rough and cracked. When I started coughing from how dry my throat was, several unfamiliar people hurried over and offered me a cup of water.

Seeing me warily eyeing the strangers, Dayvin explained:

“They are nurses from the imperial palace. They’ll be taking care of you for the time being.”

Nurses from the imperial palace?

At the mention of the imperial palace, I frowned, but Dayvin smiled reassuringly.

“It’s alright. Please drink some water.”

The nurses helped me sit up and stacked pillows behind my back so I could lean comfortably. Glancing suspiciously at Dayvin as he tried to reassure me, I accepted the water and drank.

As the room grew busier, the Emperor slowly stirred awake.

While I was drinking, our eyes met, and the Emperor asked in a soft, affectionate voice:

“Anise, are you feeling a little better?”

Holy shit—I almost spat the water out.

Without realizing it, I frowned deeply and stared at him with a look that plainly said, “Has this guy lost his mind?”

The Emperor flinched at my expression before cautiously asking,

“…It hurt a lot, didn’t it?”

“……”

I stared at him silently, my gaze full of suspicion.

“Dayvin, why is His Majesty here?”

I needed someone to explain why this man was suddenly acting so affectionate toward me.

“I stayed here all night because I didn’t know if something else might happen to you.”

The answer came from the Emperor himself.

I noticed him rubbing his arm, probably sore from sleeping hunched over my bed.

Everything about this—the way he looked like he’d anxiously waited by my side all night, the sudden kindness, even the way he addressed me—

Why was the Emperor suddenly acting like we shared some deep emotional bond?

A strong feeling of rejection welled up inside me.

I clearly remembered him coldly calling me “Countess” over and over to keep his distance. I remembered the way he glared at me as if everything were some elaborate scheme.

And I vividly remembered how he had shouted at me, causing the blade to slash my neck.

‘Right. Because of this bastard, I got a knife to the throat.’

As anger surged within me, I glared at him furiously. The Emperor’s lips trembled slightly in surprise.

With a gloomy expression, he muttered,

“Right… I should apologize first. I’m sorry, Anise. For doubting you instead of believing you.”

I couldn’t understand at all why the Emperor’s attitude had changed so drastically, so I slowly turned my head—careful not to strain my neck—and asked Dayvin:

“Dayvin, what happened?”

“Well…”

Just as Dayvin was about to answer, the Emperor interrupted.

“The assassins who attacked you were taken care of by the Imperial Knights. The estate is currently under their protection as well. And I summoned my personal physician to treat you. Fortunately, they said the wound wasn’t too deep.”

I couldn’t get used to either his tone—like he was proudly emphasizing how devotedly he had cared for me—or his sudden familiarity.

Still, I couldn’t exactly ignore what he said, so I forced out a response.

“…I see. Thank you.”

So they really had brought in the imperial physician after all.

I thought of Rana.

Where was Rana now? Had she been treated?

“Dayvin, what about Rana?”

“Your maid received treatment as well. The skin that came into contact with the poison was badly damaged. Just in case, they also had her drink an antidote.”

The Emperor answered immediately, as if he’d been waiting for the question.

Feeling awkward, I replied,

“…Thank you.”

After thanking him because I had no other choice, I fell silent.

The Emperor fidgeted nervously like a guilty puppy, constantly watching my reaction, and I found the sight genuinely uncomfortable.

‘Ah, should I just pretend I’m still sick and go back to sleep?’

Had seeing me stabbed shocked him or something?

But whenever I remembered the sensation of death I’d felt through my neck, I couldn’t stand the sight of him acting like this now.

‘Isn’t he going back to the imperial palace?’

The Emperor’s secretary, who looked exhausted—probably because he’d been unable to leave while the Emperor stayed here the whole time—approached him.

When our eyes briefly met, he bowed politely to me before turning to the Emperor.

“Your Majesty, since Count Miller has regained consciousness, perhaps you should rest in the adjoining room? Please get at least a little sleep. We’ve prepared everything.”

I, too, was uncomfortable with the Emperor lingering around, so I encouraged him.

“Please go rest comfortably, Your Majesty.”

But perhaps realizing that I didn’t even want to look at him, the Emperor spoke in a sorrowful voice.

“Anise, I think there are many misunderstandings between us that we need to resolve.”

“……”

Ah, now what is this supposed to be?!