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Chapter 32
Michael paced back and forth beside Evelyn’s bed, holding his head with both hands. He couldn’t even wait for the palace physician to finish examining her—he was too anxious. Noticing his agitation, the head attendant asked the imperial physician:
“How is Lady Rin?”
The physician did not answer.
“Is she unable to hear me because she’s so focused on Lady Rin?”
That seemed to be the case from how intently he was working.
“Your Majesty, please wait just a little longer. The physician is carefully examining her, so soon—”
Before the attendant could finish, the physician turned around.
“Who was the last person with Lady Rin before she lost consciousness?”
Michael stepped forward, removing his hands from his head.
“I was. Why do you ask!”
“Did she say anything unusual?”
“Words?”
Michael tried to recall what Evelyn had said.
“Ah! She asked me to call a mage. And something about a princess coming from Vivace!”
Halfway through his sentence, Michael covered his mouth.
“She must have heard about the Vivace princess coming. That’s why she’s like this…!”
Torio looked at the self-reproaching Michael with a flat expression.
“What kind of story is he writing in his head?”
Michael alternated between clutching his head and shaking it. His long, exaggerated reactions became unbearable to watch, and Torio finally spoke.
“Your Majesty.”
“I’m sorry. I think I understand why Rin is like this… I can’t stop blaming myself. She must have been deeply stressed by the news of the Vivace princess.”
“Hmm? How did he figure that out? Did Lady Rin tell the Emperor of Krelas about her identity?”
Torio immediately shook his head.
“If she had properly revealed her identity, the Emperor would have reacted as soon as he heard about the Vivace princess. So then what is this reaction?”
Curious, Torio asked:
“What do you mean, Your Majesty? What does the Vivace princess have to do with Lady Rin…?”
“Oh. The physician wouldn’t know. Right. Rin is… well…”
Michael turned his head awkwardly, unable to continue.
“Why is he acting like that?”
Torio watched him closely. His face was slightly flushed, as if embarrassed.
“When the master said the Emperor might like Lady Rin, I thought it was nonsense… but it’s not. He really does like her. Then does that mean our master sees him as a rival?”
While Torio was lost in thought, Michael spoke in a low voice:
“Rin likes me. She must be worried I might take a new imperial consort.”
Torio’s eyes widened.
“What?!”
Michael smiled gently while looking at Evelyn lying in bed. The attendant also nodded as if it made sense.
“So Lady Rin was jealous.”
“Yes. How foolish of her.”
Hearing the exchange between the Emperor and the attendant, Torio shook his head internally.
‘No, this is unfair. Our master isn’t even here, and this Emperor is acting like this!’
Quickly thinking, Torio said:
“Your Majesty, are you saying Lady Rin fainted because she was shocked by jealousy?”
“Yes. Her attending mage said she is very sensitive to stress, so she must be carefully protected. I thought we were keeping her safe here, but it seems that wasn’t enough.”
Michael then turned his gaze toward a maid standing quietly nearby.
“Who told Lady Rin about the Vivace princess’s visit?”
At the sudden interrogation, the maid flinched.
“I-I didn’t! I never heard anything like that!”
The attendant narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.
“Strange,” he murmured.
“Your Majesty, only a very limited number of people inside the palace know about the Vivace princess’s visit. The invitation letters for the reception haven’t even been sent yet.”
“True.”
“So how did Lady Rin find out?”
Michael ground his teeth.
“I know who it is. But how did they do it? The security here is tight.”
After a moment of thought, he gave an order:
“Bring Countess Letel. And replace all guards with Shadows.”
“Pardon?”
The attendant’s eyes widened, but Michael was firm.
“Why are you still standing there? Carry out my orders!”
Morning
Torio glared at Michael in displeasure.
Even after Evelyn had lost consciousness the previous night, Michael had stayed by her side until the attendant finally persuaded him to rest. Yet now, barely after dawn, he had already returned and was again standing beside her bed.
‘Does the Emperor of Krelas have nothing else to do?’
Noticing Torio’s gaze, the attendant shot him a sharp warning look, as if saying, “How dare you look at His Majesty like that!”
Torio swallowed his thoughts.
‘Is he my emperor? He’s their emperor.’
The attendant then gestured toward the door.
‘Leave, so you don’t interfere.’
Though displeased, Torio had no reason to refuse—this was the perfect time to contact Cassian.
He quickly left Evelyn’s room and returned to his assigned quarters.
Normally he would pass maids on the way, but because of the Emperor’s order, the hallways were empty.
Perfect timing.
The moment he entered his room, he locked the door and pulled out the communication stone Cassian had given him. He jumped onto the bed and covered himself with the blanket.
Holding the stone tightly, he focused his mind.
A cold voice immediately echoed:
— What is it?
“Your Highness, something is wrong with the Emperor of Krelas.”
— What now?
Torio frowned at Cassian’s indifferent tone. While Lady Evelyn was in a precarious situation, how could he sound so relaxed?
“Ever since yesterday, he hasn’t left Lady Evelyn’s side.”
“And I think Lady Rin is very concerned about the Vivace princess.”
“Your Highness, are you listening?”
— Yes.
“Please hurry. At this rate, Lady Evelyn will be taken by the Emperor of Krelas.”
— That can’t happen.
“Of course it can’t!”
— I’m already here.
“Pardon?”
— I said I’m here. Now hang up.
“Your Highness?”
The connection cut off.
The glowing light of the communication stone faded completely.
Torio stared at it, frozen.
“…He’s here? Already?”
It had been around midnight when he sent the message. Now it was just after sunrise.
Considering the distance between Twalin and Krelas, it was impossible.
“Wow. So this is the power of love.”
Torio clicked his tongue and quickly got up.
Just as he stepped out of the room, he heard voices.
“He’s back?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. He has just entered the palace gates.”
“How did he arrive so quickly?”
Michael and the attendant were walking out of Evelyn’s room.
Torio quickly pulled his foot back and listened.
“He must have already been on his way back. Otherwise, it would be impossible to arrive so soon after we only just started looking.”
“That makes sense. Bring him here?”
“Yes. He will arrive shortly.”
“Then bring him to Evelyn’s room.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Footsteps faded away.
Torio confirmed the situation.
‘The Emperor went into Evelyn’s room, and the attendant went to bring His Highness.’
He quickly moved toward Evelyn’s room.
The sound of the door opening made Michael turn.
“Your Majesty.”
Torio bowed, and Michael glared sharply at him.
“Leave.”
“Pardon?”
“The mage who tends to Rin has returned. You are no longer needed.”
‘Ha. Look at this.’
Torio let out a hollow laugh. He was being discarded like useless trash.
“My words are not clear enough?”
“Forgive me, Your Majesty, but are you referring to the mage who was mentioned earlier?”
“Yes.”
“I understand. However, may I suggest giving Lady Rin her medicine first? I heard there is a specific potion she must take after coughing blood.”
At those words, Michael paused.
He blinked, then pressed a hand to his forehead.
“I had forgotten about that medicine. So that’s why Rin hasn’t woken up…”
He stood abruptly and walked toward the door.
After Michael left, Torio closed his eyes and focused.
— Lady Rin. Lady Rin, can you hear me? Please open your eyes.
A voice echoed in her mind like a knock.
Ugh… I need to conserve energy… why are you calling me!
— Lady Rin? Master Cassian is returning. The attendant has gone to meet him. And the Emperor went to get your medicine, so I am alone in the room.
Oh?
When she opened her eyes, Torio’s face came into view. He looked displeased, as if he had bitten into something sour.
“What’s with that expression?”
She frowned and sat up.
“I should be asking you that. Master Cassian is returning—shouldn’t you be happy?”
“It’s not Cassian. It’s you, Torio.”
Torio narrowed his eyes.
“Are you serious? You haven’t fallen for the Emperor of Krelas, have you?”
“What nonsense are you talking about? What does the Emperor have to do with me?”
As she frowned, Torio leaned in closer, still suspicious.
“You’re sure about that?”
“Yes. I have no interest in His Majesty. He’s just my employer.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
Even after her firm answer, Torio’s gaze did not soften.
What is with him? Does he know Cassian is interested in Michael?
