🔊 TTS Settings
~Chapter 31~
I Need a Bath
“Our contract is just beginning, and you’re already hiding something? That’s a problem.”
“Your Majesty, that’s—!”
“I also don’t like when you call me ‘Your Majesty’ when you’re nervous.”
Conrad whispered, reminding Regina that they’d agreed to use names when alone. His low voice sent a shiver through her ear.
“I’ll let it slide this time, but next time, I won’t.”
Hearing Conrad’s warning, Regina’s shaking eyes finally settled.
“You say you need a lot of magic, so I’d like to strip that fabric off you right now…”
Conrad’s gaze swept over Regina from head to toe. He let out a sigh.
“But I have another appointment, so I can’t stay.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Regina jumped up from the table. She touched the earlobe where his lips had been and straightened her messy clothes.
“Then you should go, Your—Conrad.”
She nearly called him “Your Majesty,” but quickly corrected herself when she saw the look in his eyes.
He smiled, satisfied with her using his name.
“Then I’ll come back tonight.”
He gently cupped her cheek and kissed her swollen lips softly.
After Conrad left the sitting room, the maids came in. Only after returning to the emperor’s bedroom did Regina regain her composure and order them,
“I need a bath.”
Soaking in hot water was the best way to clear her troubled mind.
“Your Majesty.”
As soon as Conrad left the sitting room, Limitan came up to him. He must have dropped off the law books, because his hands were empty.
“Did you check?”
“I saw them leave the palace right away,” Limitan reported, keeping watch on the Madeline baron’s servants.
He added that there was still no news about the missing one. Conrad just smiled.
“It wouldn’t be easy to find them.”
“Hm?”
Limitan didn’t quite understand, but Conrad didn’t explain.
‘A group of mages—there’s only so much knights can do.’
Maybe his secret information guild, with their magic devices, could get a little more information.
“Did anyone else try to get close?”
“There were people watching from a distance.”
“Where?”
“The Grand Empress’s palace and the prince’s palace.”
“Hmm… I guess Regina’s sudden arrival really got the Grand Empress stirred up.”
Conrad’s voice had a hint of amusement, but his eyes were icy cold. Feeling the temperature drop, Limitan shivered.
When Conrad released some of his swordmaster’s aura, even passing attendants shrank away.
“For now, just keep watching.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Limitan bowed at the order to never stop watching.
“And keep my afternoon schedule clear.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Conrad had planned to go back to his office, but changed his mind. He wanted to check the magic tools Regina was hiding.
A relationship built on a contract meant neither side would betray the other as long as needs were met.
But he could never let his guard down. Distrust was part of being on the throne.
“Make a copy of the Madeline house ledger and bring it to me.”
It was a sudden order, but Limitan didn’t question it.
Once he bowed and left, Conrad turned to go back.
Regina, about to bathe, was stopped by a letter from the Grand Empress’s head maid.
The maid glanced at Regina, bowed quickly, and left.
‘Still so careless,’ Regina thought, annoyed by the head maid and the Grand Empress herself.
She figured the maid wouldn’t last long in the palace with such obvious intentions.
After sending away the other maids, Regina read the letter and frowned.
She was invited for tea at the Grand Empress’s palace tomorrow—with no other ladies present.
“Just the two of us?”
The letter said not to bring anyone else. Regina couldn’t help but laugh at the obvious ploy.
“She can’t attack me in front of everyone, so she wants to do it in private.”
Muttering to herself, Regina grinned. Of course, things wouldn’t go Chloe’s way.
After thinking about her strategy for the tea, Regina finally pulled the bell.
“The bath is ready, Your Majesty.”
The maids, waiting for her signal, guided her to the bath with smiles. Regina followed, smiling back.
When Conrad entered the bedroom, maids holding towels and robes bowed deeply.
“We greet the empire’s highest sword.”
“Where’s the empress?”
“She went into the bath, Your Majesty.”
He waved his hand, and the maids left their things and slipped out.
Thud.
The heavy door closed behind them.
Conrad let out a sigh.
Ever since the Madeline servants left, he’d felt uneasy.
Watching Regina speak to them in a language only they knew made him wonder if she’d disappear with them.
It bothered him. Maybe, for Regina, leaving with them was the better option.
“It’s irritating.”
But Regina had nowhere to run inside the Fredericks Empire.
‘Why does she look for help from them, and not from me?’
Their relationship was built on a contract—neither could run away.
Even knowing that, Conrad still clenched his fists, unsettled.
He took off his jacket and quietly opened the door to the bathroom.
Inside, voices echoed.
“Is the water okay, Your Majesty?”
“Yes, it’s fine.”
Water splashed as Regina answered. Leaning against the door, Conrad listened.
“Oh my.”
“Oh…”
The maids gasped. Regina blushed.
Her upper body, covered in red marks and bite marks, clearly showed Conrad’s possessiveness.
The maids, soon to be reassigned to the empress’s palace, were delighted.
If Regina and Conrad had a good relationship, their own positions would improve in the palace.
“His Majesty must really love Her Majesty.”
“Yes, it’s obvious.”
Regina couldn’t respond, but the maids continued.
Some people said Conrad and Regina’s night together was just a formality.
There were even rumors that Conrad showing up late for meetings was a cover.
Whatever the truth, it was clear some rumors had bad intentions.
‘Now we can deny those rumors for sure.’
The maids decided to use gossip to their own advantage. Rumors spread quickly in the palace.
“My love for her has never changed, from the very beginning until now.”
Conrad strode into the bath.
Regina, startled, slid down under the water while the maids bowed deeply.
“If I didn’t truly love her, why would I make her empress?”
Conrad made it clear he’d chosen Regina for more than politics.
“Feel free to tell everyone just how much I love the empress.”
