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Chapter 14…
“Ugh.”
The moment she thought about betraying her father, a sharp headache struck her.
Her body, already weak, cried out in exhaustion again.
Unable to continue her thoughts any longer, Lucrezia fell asleep as if she had fainted.
“We greet Her Majesty the Empress. May this day be filled with the blessings of the earth.”
After several days, the palace officials bowed politely as they met her. With the imperial hunting festival drawing near, the Department of the Imperial Household looked busier than ever.
All kinds of information passed through her eyes and ears. Among them were several pieces that Marquis Zephir would surely find tempting.
The family meeting was only four days away. At that time, she would have to present information as an offering before the marquis.
But it could not be anything so critical that it would arouse the Emperor’s suspicion.
Lucrezia glanced at the clock. That evening, she planned to dine in the banquet hall at the same time as the Emperor.
No matter what, she had to meet him.
She needed to explain what had happened that night and try to continue their conversation.
If she could bring up the subject of the fairy race, that would be ideal—but such a deep discussion would require more time.
“…In armor…”
“…A lie…”
Sensing a strange atmosphere, Lucrezia lifted her head.
While she had been lost in thought, the entire department had fallen into excited whispers.
“Is that really true?”
“Yes, His Majesty is sparring in the training grounds right now.”
“They say he’s personally crossing swords with the knights!”
Their voices were filled with excitement and anticipation.
The moment she heard the word Emperor, Lucrezia felt her throat go dry.
“His Majesty is at the training grounds?”
The training grounds were not far from here.
The whispering officials began glancing at their superiors.
“Isn’t it almost lunchtime? How about we move the break up by ten minutes?”
“An excellent idea. I agree.”
All the officials looked toward Count Elle, waiting for her answer.
She had recently become the new head of the department after Count Johannes was dragged to the underground fortress for deceiving the Emperor.
Frowning slightly, Count Elle turned to Lucrezia.
“What do you think, Your Majesty?”
She was passing the decision to the Empress.
Unlike Count Johannes, Count Elle did not openly oppose Lucrezia. At least on the surface. Thanks to that, the atmosphere in the department had gradually become more accepting of her.
Feeling all eyes on her, Lucrezia spoke.
“Very well. As you suggest, an early luncheon should be fine.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“We are grateful for your generosity!”
The officials smiled brightly and prepared to move. Clearly, they intended to go watch the Emperor at the training grounds.
“They’re all so excited. Well, it’s rare to see His Majesty demonstrate his swordsmanship.”
Count Elle smiled as she spoke.
“Would you like to join us, Your Majesty?”
“…Yes. I think I will.”
Answering calmly, Lucrezia headed toward the training grounds with Count Elle.
The place was already crowded with people who had heard the rumor.
Palace staff clung to the railings without concern for decorum, looking almost like children.
“Ah, Your Majesty.”
“We greet Her Majesty.”
As soon as they recognized her, people parted like waves.
Thanks to that, Lucrezia could look down at the training grounds from the best spot.
The grounds were located on the first floor and had no ceiling, so they were clearly visible from the second floor where she stood.
Amid the chaotic scene, the Emperor’s figure caught her eye at once.
The vast training field was filled with knights. In the center of a circular clearing stood the Emperor.
He lazily twirled a wooden sword in his right hand while speaking to the knights. Even from afar, she could see the relaxed smile on his lips.
Suddenly, she remembered that mouth brushing along her neck.
“Ah…”
Even though her mind had melted in the thick scent that night, her senses remembered everything vividly—the tip of his tongue sliding up her nape, his heavy breathing, his body heat.
“…Stop.”
Lucrezia squeezed her eyes shut.
Goosebumps ran across her body.
“The knights all seem excited. It’s not often they get direct instruction from His Majesty.”
Standing beside her in the prime viewing spot, Count Elle commented.
Lucrezia looked down at the Emperor again.
Unlike his usual immaculate uniform, he wore a simple shirt and trousers. Through the slightly loose white shirt, his firm chest was faintly visible.
At that moment, one knight charged at him. The Emperor, who had been standing casually, sent the knight flying in just three exchanges.
“Waaah!”
Cheers erupted everywhere.
Siegfried was a nation of knights. Strength was revered, and the strong were admired by all—especially when that person was the Emperor.
Lucrezia watched the pride and respect in the countless gazes directed at him.
Ordinarily, these same people avoided even making eye contact with him.
After ascending the throne, he had carried out a bloody purge, earning titles like tyrant, butcher, and human hunter. No one dared oppose his reforms.
Now, years later, unlike the previous Emperor, he ruled with rational policies and sound judgment. Along with fear, he now received deep respect. Lucrezia had clearly felt that during her time working in the department.
“Oh! This time it’s Sir Jerome!”
“Are we finally seeing the swordsmanship that conquered the southern border?”
Another knight stepped forward and bowed.
The wooden swords clashed immediately. Sir Jerome managed to hold his ground for several seconds.
As the knight pressed forward, the Emperor lightly twisted his body. Unlike Sir Jerome, who seemed to lose his composure, the Emperor still wore a smile—one that looked genuinely amused, not mocking as it had when he faced Lucrezia or Marquis Zephir.
After several more exchanges, the Emperor’s wooden sword rested against Sir Jerome’s throat. The knight raised both hands in surrender, and cheers erupted again.
“As expected of His Majesty!”
“It’s as if Lord Siegfried himself has returned!”
Everyone was ecstatic.
Though Lucrezia knew little about swordsmanship, even she could see the Emperor was extraordinary. The arc of his blade was as beautiful as a painting.
With that sword, he would slay a demon at the hunting festival.
The people would cheer, wearing jewels and clothing in the demon’s symbolic colors for a year to celebrate his feat.
She realized it anew.
That man lived in a different world from hers.
She had only sat beside him because of her father’s schemes. Otherwise, he would have been someone utterly beyond her reach.
After defeating Sir Jerome, the Emperor planted his wooden sword on the ground and spoke to the knights. His crooked smile suggested he was provoking the next challenger.
Then he turned his gaze over the crowd.
Their eyes met.
Lucrezia stopped breathing.
The roaring cheers and dusty training field faded away. Only the Emperor remained in her sight.
His red eyes, which had captured her, slowly twisted.
Anyone could see the displeasure in his expression. Her heart dropped.
“His Majesty didn’t care whether you fainted or not. And you’re the Empress!”
Eleanor’s reproach echoed in her ears.
Lucrezia gripped the hem of her dress tightly.
Of course he disliked her.
He had already resented their political marriage. And the night before, she had tried to cloud his senses with a poisonous scent.
Soon, the Emperor looked away as if he had seen nothing.
Only then could Lucrezia breathe again. The cheers still rang loudly around her.
Before long, the Emperor finished sparring. Judging by the nod he gave his approaching aide, he was heading to his next schedule.
“Ah, it seems he’s leaving already.”
“What a pity.”
The knights saluted in unison as the Emperor turned his back to the training grounds.
After taking a deep breath, Lucrezia turned to Count Elle.
“Count Elle. Please return first. I will follow shortly.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Leaving Count Elle behind, Lucrezia hurried off.
It was nearly lunchtime. The Emperor usually ate in his office. There was only one corridor connecting the training grounds to the imperial office.
She heard her attendants hurrying after her. Walking even faster, she soon reached the first floor.
And there he was—the man whose gaze had just met hers.
“We greet Her Majesty.”
The Emperor’s aides bowed.
Lucrezia nodded to them and faced the Emperor directly.
The red eyes that had shown even a hint of a smile toward the knights were now cold.
“I greet Your Majesty.”
As she bowed, the Emperor raised one eyebrow.
“Ah. Indeed. I see you as well.”
His voice sounded casual, almost teasing, yet there was no warmth in it.
Drawing courage with a steady breath, Lucrezia spoke.
“Your Majesty, there is something I wish to discuss with you in private.”
A slight frown crossed his brow.
For the sake of her own sanity, she pretended not to notice and continued.
“Please grant me just a little of your time.”
His red eyes silently swept over her.
The brief silence felt like eternity, and Lucrezia curled her damp palms into fists.
