LCWD 22

~Chapter 22~

“…Should I just kill him?”

But instead of saying that, something completely different slipped out of my mouth.
“Huh?”
“Oh, nothing.”

My runaway thoughts snapped back when Apollyon’s voice reached me. He was staring with wide rabbit-like eyes.

“I just meant… the view. It’s killer.”
“…”
“Since we’re by the sea, the scenery is to die for.”

Of course, the one I really wanted to kill was Sonod. Maybe I should drown him in the ocean. Then this sea would literally be one that “kills.”

I watched the waves crash against the rocks. Really, it should’ve been Sonod’s skull breaking like that, not the waves.

I should never have dismissed him so lightly. He might act like an idiot, but in the story, he’s a hidden villain. And now? He was already a nuisance. Running his mouth everywhere, disrupting my sweet newlywed life with Apollyon.

“…It is quite a beautiful place, the Pontus estate.”

While I was grinding my teeth, Apollyon unexpectedly added a remark of his own. He stared dreamily out the window.

This calm side of him surprised me. The Apollyon I knew usually sat stiff and nervous, eyes darting like a frightened animal.

“Summer seas are lovely, but… the Pontus sea is far more beautiful in winter.”
“…Really?”

What was with that moody, poetic look in his eyes? Just moments ago, he’d been shocked at the word “kill.” Now he looked like a sentimental young poet.

Then I remembered. I knew why he said that.

Pontus estate held memories of his mother, Lillie.

Before her illness worsened, Apollyon often walked the winter beach with her. She adored the scenery here, especially the winter sea.

But one day, while walking with him along the shore, she collapsed. After that, she never left her sickbed again. Soon after, she died. Apollyon had been only eight years old.

Since then, he had devoted himself to maintaining Pontus estate—because it carried his last happy memories with her.

“….”

And here I was, fantasizing about drowning Sonod in the very same sea. Was I insane?

I was grateful I hadn’t said any of that out loud. Instead, I smiled gently.
“I like winter seas too.”

Apollion turned to me.
“Unlike the summer sea, it has its own quiet charm.”
“….”
“We should go walk together in the winter. You and me.”
“….”

Honestly, we didn’t have to wait until winter. The dining room right now was as silent as any winter beach—maybe even more so.

How did things always end up so awkward with us? Did I have some curse that made every mood turn heavy?

This was all Sonod’s fault. If only he kept his stupid mouth shut, we wouldn’t be in this mess. Clearly, heaven itself was telling me to deal with him before I got angrier.

But how?

Sonod wasn’t just a schemer—he was also a knight strong enough to rival Apollyon. How was I supposed to beat someone like that?

A stress headache throbbed between my brows.

At least I had to clear up this misunderstanding.

“Apollyon, I don’t like Sonod. Please, pleeease, don’t misunderstand me.”

At this point, it wasn’t a request but begging.

Couldn’t he just ask me first instead of digging mental tunnels with his suspicions?

Carefully, he asked,
“…Really?”

I nodded so hard my neck almost snapped.
“Yes, really. Do I look like the kind of reckless fool who would marry out of revenge?”

“N-no…”
“Right?”

Finally, I sat down, and he let out a shallow breath.

I spoke firmly.
“Besides, marrying someone just for revenge is extremely disrespectful to your partner. If you had really been used like that, I’d have flipped this whole table over.”

“I… never thought of marriage that way…!”
“Of course not. I know that. Which is why I’ll never flip a table on you.”

“….”

“So don’t ever believe such ridiculous rumors again. Don’t even listen to them.”

“…Alright.”

“And if you’re ever unsure, come to me first. Ask me. Trust what I say. Do you know how damaging it is to your mental health to sit around doubting everything?”

“I… don’t.”

Oh wow. He’s so diligent at answering… when it’s about the wrong things.

Still, admitting ignorance is the first step to learning. I forced myself to see it positively.

“Stress causes every illness—headaches, stomach problems, even hair loss. If you don’t want to die young, stop digging suspicion tunnels alone, alright?”
“…Yes.”
“If you’re confused, just ask me. I’ll explain everything.”
“…Yes.”

Even though I wasn’t scolding, his head kept drooping lower and lower, his big body folding in on itself like a crumpled paper crane.

I felt a little guilty. But I couldn’t just let it slide. He, of all people, should know how painful rumors are—and yet he believed one about me.

If I left him alone, he’d keep digging with his tiny shovel until he hit the earth’s core.

Seriously, who said this was a “reserved male lead”? He was just a timid one!

So I lectured him nonstop until the sky outside turned dark, feeling like I’d become a strict teacher from one of those “no bad dogs” TV shows.

***

A few days later, a letter arrived from the Emperor himself.

It was hand-delivered by an imperial messenger.

The envelope was white, sealed with shining golden thread, and addressed to me.

‘…Did I do something wrong?’

I tried to recall if I had messed up in front of the Emperor. But no matter how hard I thought, I couldn’t remember anything.

‘Then why send me a letter? Shouldn’t he be writing to Apollyon instead?’

I sighed, dabbing my eyes with a handkerchief.

“Your Grace?”

Wilson, holding the tray with the letter, tilted his head curiously.

“It’s nothing.”

I quickly took the letter from him. Forgetting proper etiquette of using a paper knife, I tore it open with impatient hands.

Wilson watched quietly, bowed politely, and left me alone.

The moment his footsteps faded, I screamed into the empty room.

“Aaaagh!”

I kept my voice low, worried the servants would rush in, but it was still loud enough to let out my panic.

Clutching my racing heart, I took deep breaths and finally began to read.

> “As late summer clouds turn pale, greetings to the Duchess of Teabridte…”

The flowery opening alone took up five whole lines.

I squinted, tempted to skip ahead. But this was the Emperor’s letter—I couldn’t skim it, or I might get executed for disrespect.

So I read every word carefully.

The content was mostly ordinary: congratulations on my marriage, news of the capital, hopes to see me soon in high society.

But then I reached the final line.

> “We shall meet in person very soon.”

My hands froze. Instantly, I folded the letter shut.

‘What is this? Like a CEO casually asking a rookie employee to grab coffee?!’

My face drained of color.

Meeting the Emperor face-to-face? Was it a private audience?

I recalled the only time I’d seen him—on my wedding day. A handsome man, yes, but with a pressure so heavy it could crush you.

If I had to sit alone and drink tea with him… I might drown in it.

‘Is this some kind of threat?’

Maybe he had secretly liked Apollyon, and now he was angry I “stole” him? So now he wanted revenge—

I slapped my cheeks hard.

‘What the heck am I thinking?!’

The shock must’ve scrambled my brain. I was imagining the Emperor as some love-sick maniac from a romance novel. If anyone overheard, I’d be jailed for insulting the royal family.