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Chapter 20…………………………………………………….
The next day, Cheroyan heard that the carriage the Emperor would ride in was ready and headed to the carriage storage area.
“Grand Duke, it’s hard to even catch a glimpse of your face.”
At Mesed’s voice, Cheroyan’s brow immediately furrowed. However, before meeting him, he quickly composed his expression.
“Your Majesty the Emperor.”
“We’re not in the palace, and it’s just us here. No need for formal greetings. Be at ease.”
After a few days of rest and treatment for his leg, Mesed had once again put on his calm, benevolent mask.
“Has your stay been comfortable?”
“Yes. Thank you for taking such care.”
“It’s only natural as your subject. If you need anything, feel free to tell me anytime.”
“Yes, yes.”
Mesed lightly patted Cheroyan’s shoulder.
“But is it alright for you to be walking around like this?”
Mesed, whose left leg had not fully healed, was leaning on a cane.
“The doctor advised me to stay put if possible, but staying in the room was suffocating. I’ll be going back soon anyway.”
“Don’t overdo it.”
“Of course. By the way, I heard the Grand Duchess is ill. Perhaps she overexerted herself because of the wedding. Or… could it be you were too harsh on her?”
‘So this was what he wanted to say.’
Watching Mesed laugh heartily as if it were all a joke about newlyweds, Cheroyan barely unclenched his fist. Otherwise, he felt like he might strike him on the spot.
“Be good to your Grand Duchess. If you married for love, you should protect her well.”
After giving Cheroyan’s shoulder another light tap, Mesed turned away with a satisfied smile.
Cheroyan ground his teeth at what felt like a threat—telling him to “make sure he protects her to the end” after forcing this marriage upon him.
Normally, he would have ignored such provocation.
But the moment Melina was mentioned, his head grew hot, and he could not stay calm.
“Your Highness.”
Noel approached Cheroyan and spoke quietly, reminding him that many eyes were watching.
Cheroyan took a deep breath and suppressed his emotions.
Right now, protecting Melina was more important than revenge against the Emperor.
The fact that Mesed had openly threatened him meant something was definitely going on.
Even though they had shared a bed the night before and eaten breakfast together, he still felt uneasy.
He turned away from the carriage storage area and headed toward Melina’s bedroom, his steps quickening.
“Huh? Didn’t you say you had work?”
Melina looked up in surprise from the sofa where she had been reading.
The moment he saw her sitting there calmly, his strength drained from his body and relief washed over him.
If the Emperor had seen him like this, he would have been smug—but Cheroyan didn’t care.
“I thought about it and decided there’s no need for me to check on it personally.”
“Really? Then why come here instead of going to your office?”
“Do you dislike me coming?”
He had rushed over to see her, so being told to leave felt disappointing.
“You left saying you had work, then came back—that’s why I was surprised. It’s not that I dislike it.”
Just that single phrase—that she didn’t dislike it—was enough to loosen something in his chest. He even found her soft smile dangerously endearing.
“You’re a patient. I was worried you might start wandering around again saying you’re fine. So I came back. Thinking about it, I can just work here.”
He had never in his life needed excuses before, yet now he found himself searching for reasons just to stay beside her. Even as he thought this, his mouth kept moving.
Melina tilted her head, quietly watching him, then smiled.
“Then come here. I’ll read, and you can work.”
The moment she spoke, Cheroyan immediately sat right next to her.
“Ah, I meant over there.”
She pointed awkwardly to the opposite seat.
“If you need anything, I should be close enough to help. It’s more convenient.”
“I’m not that injured. I can manage on my own.”
“I told you—I don’t believe you when you say you’re fine.”
Melina stared at him in disbelief, but he paid no attention.
“You carried me around all day yesterday. One day of being treated like a patient is enough.”
She sighed as he ignored her.
“How long are you going to keep this up? It’s really just a minor injury.”
“How can it be minor? What matters is that you’re hurt.”
At his serious tone, Melina blinked in flustered silence.
“So until you’re fully healed, I’d like you to accept my care. Otherwise I won’t be at ease.”
“…Alright. Then I’ll accept your care properly, so don’t complain later.”
Unexpectedly obedient, her answer eased him greatly.
She always downplayed her own injuries, so without this, she would only make things worse.
“Of course.”
Satisfied, he smiled—and Melina smiled back before opening her book again.
But the moment she started acting carelessly right after agreeing to be “taken care of,” Cheroyan gently took the book from her hands.
“Hey, why?”
“You didn’t injure your side. Even holding a heavy book puts strain on the wound. I’ll hold it for you.”
“It’s not even heavy…”
Melina held her hands awkwardly in the air, baffled.
“You just said you’d accept my care. I know the head of Temno doesn’t say empty words.”
At the mention of Temno, Melina looked at him in disbelief.
“Then how am I supposed to read if you’re holding it?”
“I’ve thought about it, and this should work.”
He leaned back into the sofa, stretching out comfortably, then pulled Melina into his arms so she leaned against his chest.
“See? Now you can read comfortably.”
Holding her from behind, he opened the book confidently.
It was a spur-of-the-moment idea, but it felt perfect.
Having her in his arms made him finally feel at ease. Her warmth even seemed to soothe his heart.
“Are you sure? Your arm might get tired.”
“It’s nothing.”
Seeing her worry about him made him smile faintly.
“Then you won’t be able to do anything.”
“Don’t worry so much. We can read together. It’ll be fun to discuss it.”
Sharing hobbies like this turned out to be useful.
With a small sigh, Melina gave up on stopping him and focused on the book. Soon, he too became absorbed in it.
—
After lunch with Cheroyan, Melina finally persuaded him to return to his office.
“Report.”
At Melina’s command, a member of the Black Wolves appeared and knelt.
Black Wolf
“The Emperor used a messenger pigeon. The captain succeeded in attaching a tracking device to it.”
Shan was currently hiding near the Emperor to monitor and spy on him.
The tracking device El had created was a magical tool that would automatically attach itself to a target when aimed at it.
Shan and El
“Conveniently, he’s caused quite the opportunity for us.”
She had worried he might leave without ever using messenger pigeons, so this was fortunate.
“Track the pigeon’s entire route without missing anything. And tell Shan he did well.”
“Yes, understood.”
The Black Wolf disappeared again.
Black Wolf
“Ran, how is the investigation into the assassination group?”
“There are new arrivals near the border adjacent to the Grand Duchy. As expected, they are from Harsen.”
Ran
“So those rats dared to enter our territory? Send a protest to Gellon. How exactly are they managing things over there?”
Gellon was the leader overseeing the underworld of the Harsen Empire.
“Understood. Shall we handle it personally?”
Normally she should have gone herself, but Cheroyan came to mind.
‘I told him not to move at all…’
“No. It’s better to avoid moving until the injury heals. Handle it in my place.”
Ran looked slightly surprised before returning to his usual expression.
“I understand.”
“And one more thing. Prepare something. Since the Emperor gave us a gift, I should return the favor.”
The Melina who used to simply endure things no longer existed. Smiling faintly, she began giving orders.
—
At dinner time, Cheroyan returned to the bedroom exactly on schedule.
“Let’s eat in the room until you recover. What do you think?”
“That’s fine. But did the Emperor say anything? He must already know why I’m injured.”
“We met today. He seemed to know. Nothing else happened, so don’t worry.”
Cheroyan looked irritated at the mention of the Emperor, so she didn’t press further.
Earlier, it had been strange that he left for work and then suddenly returned—he must have met the Emperor then.
Even if nothing was said, the Emperor had clearly provoked him.
“Don’t think about what the Emperor says. In the end, the ones who will laugh last are you and me.”
Melina said this confidently to comfort him.
“It will be as you say. Nothing is impossible for the head of Temno.”
At the mention of Temno, Cheroyan’s eyes wavered slightly.
Temno
He looked at her with a fleeting, almost pained expression before it disappeared.
“Let’s eat.”
He lifted Melina carefully and placed her at the table before sitting across from her.
“I’ll cut the meat. Eat the other dishes first.”
“I can cut it myself.”
She protested softly, but he ignored her and began slicing the steak. Soon, neatly cut pieces were placed in front of her.
“Thank you.”
At her words, he smiled warmly.
After dinner and separate baths, Melina lay on the bed with a quiet sigh.
Cheroyan had strictly kept his promise to sleep in the same bed.
At first she thought it would only be that one day, but he had returned again the next night—and again today—as if it were natural.
The night assassins had come, she had fallen asleep quickly from exhaustion in his arms. But the next day, fully conscious, she had been too tense to breathe comfortably.
Still, she eventually fell asleep to his gentle patting.
‘Still… it’s a bit better than yesterday?’
Her heartbeat had settled somewhat.
Soon Cheroyan entered the room.
“You’re back early. Did you disinfect the wound?”
“Ran took care of it.”
He sat beside her and carefully pulled her down to lie with him, then wrapped his arms around her.
Feeling her tension, he gently patted her back.
“Is sleeping with me that uncomfortable?”
Her mind drifted back to the past nights.
It had been awkward and tense—but once asleep, she had slept more deeply than alone.
Perhaps it was because he gave her a sense of stability.
After organizing her thoughts, she spoke.
“No, it’s not.”
He seemed relieved.
“Since that day, I don’t feel comfortable leaving you alone. I want you to rest properly when you’re with me.”
His quiet words carried concern and affection.
Realizing this, her tension slowly faded.
With his steady patting and warm body heat, her eyes gradually closed.
Cheroyan only closed his own eyes after confirming she had fallen asleep.
As they grew accustomed to each other’s warmth, the Emperor returned to the palace, and a cool breeze signaled the changing season.
