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Chapter 48
Listening to those words, Iskal recalled the reports he had seen not long ago.
‘Even so… it’s true that invasions by foreign tribes along the border have become more frequent, and plagues keep recurring every few years. The massive tombs dug at the Hertenes estate for all the corpses were nearly full… Even in an era when the queen wasn’t from the Huga family, there were times when Huga didn’t have a daughter to place as queen, and the situation was clearly different. My uncle claims it’s all coincidence… but if this family truly lacked some mysterious power, could they have remained the queen’s family for a thousand years?’
Of course, this was something Yuraksis could no longer control. Even if he wanted to marry Skark to a Huga daughter now, thanks to his own actions, the Huga family no longer had any direct or collateral heirs.
With a bored expression, Yuraksis spoke to his administrator as if it were a passing thought.
“Ah, then have some people stake out taverns and places like that. Listen carefully, and if anyone starts spouting such useless talk, apprehend them immediately and handle it quietly.”
The idea of executing people without trial for such minor offenses caused Iskal and the administrator to stiffen.
The administrator bowed and withdrew, and Yuraksis turned his gaze to Iskal.
“Iskal. You’ve been absent for a while again. Where have you been wandering off to?”
“I went to the Prahenfelt Empire to meet a friend who is a mage.”
He wasn’t lying—he just didn’t go into detail. He didn’t say, ‘I went to meet the emperor, who has magical power, as the grand court mage.’
Yuraksis’s expression brightened at his words.
“Oh, the Empire. I’ve been there too. When I was a grand duke, the third prince of the Empire, the legitimate heir, was born, so I went as a congratulatory envoy. I was surprised that the third prince surpassed his older brothers to ascend the throne. We need to maintain good relations with the Empire, but we’ve had such bad luck sending envoys. Was there any talk of a royal marriage in the Empire? Sending a congratulatory envoy could also be a chance to discuss diplomatic matters.”
“It didn’t seem like the royal marriage was being discussed yet.”
“I see. Then we should find a high-status beauty in our kingdom. A magnificent young lady suitable for the emperor. If our country produces an empress, or even if she becomes a concubine, she could be our eyes and ears.”
Yuraksis looked pleased as if he had devised a brilliant diplomatic strategy, but Iskal felt exasperated.
‘A high-status beauty, the perfect match for the emperor… you mean the Huga daughter you wiped out and erased from existence.’
Thinking of Estina and Roabellin, who had lived in hiding like the dead, he sighed quietly.
As Iskal recalled the conversation with Yuraksis, his eyes met Estina’s sitting across from him. A wave of relief washed over him at the realization she was alive, and he couldn’t help but smile.
Roabellin had been left on the bed, and Kaisertern had fled to the sofa, closing his eyes to try and sleep.
But he hadn’t slept a wink all night. In the morning, he heard Roabellin get up and leave cautiously. He even watched her as she turned and walked away, still lying there with his eyes open.
‘Every time she spends the night with me, she sneaks away like this. When will Yuli stay in my arms until morning…?’
Imagining Yuli comfortably in his arms made the corners of Kaisertern’s lips lift unconsciously.
A little later, the outside light brightened. The sun had risen.
Knock. Knock.
From outside the bedroom came a knock.
“Your Majesty, have you awakened? May I come in to assist with your washing?”
It was Yuli, his personal maid.
The so-called assistance was just standing by while he washed, handing him a towel afterward. He didn’t like being fussed over unnecessarily, so he had previously told her not to do it. But now that Yuli was his personal attendant, he added it to her duties—to maximize the time he spent alone with her.
“Come in.”
Yuli entered carrying a clean towel, her face glowing as if she had slept well.
She froze at the sight of Kaisertern rising from bed without a shirt, quickly lowering her gaze. His broad shoulders and firm, well-built muscles gave off an almost indecent impression just from looking.
At the washstand, Kaisertern looked in the mirror and noticed dark shadows under his eyes. He called her name.
“Yuli.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Ah, no, Ka…is—”
Alone together, Roabellin flustered and corrected her address as instructed.
“Come here.”
He draped an arm around her shoulders as she approached, pulling her close to him.
“…?!”
Half in his embrace, Roabellin stood beside him in front of the mirror, dazed. In the reflection, a handsome man with shadows under his eyes and a lively, beautiful woman stared back.
Kaisertern liked how they looked together.
“Yuli. What do you think?”
Roabellin’s gaze shifted to his face.
“What do you think seeing me tired, and you looking so well?”
Roabellin had secretly found Kaisertern’s slightly shadowed face decadently attractive, but she couldn’t admit that.
“Th-That’s because… you used a lot of your magic for my treatment yesterday… Thank you.”
Unsure if her answer was appropriate, she glanced at him while speaking.
In truth, Kaisertern was exhausted because he had concentrated entirely on her treatment while touching her all over, and even lying in the same bed, had restrained himself. It had been one of the most grueling nights of his life.
‘Counting up to two million in my head, summoning the Prahenfelt state, and even recalling my late mother…’
But he didn’t tell the truth; he decided to make her feel indebted instead.
“Yes. I used all my strength on your treatment. There are important meetings and many tasks today.”
Seeing him unusually subdued, Roabellin hesitated.
“Thank you, but… you didn’t need to do that for a mere maid…”
“I’ve already done it, so you can’t refuse now. Because my body suffered for you, you’ll take responsibility.”
Kaisertern’s golden eyes darkened.
Startled, Roabellin blinked.
“Responsibility…? How…?”
He continued, looking pitiful.
“Those with magic can transfer it to each other orally. Deeper contact has a greater effect, but even doing just that will help me…”
Of course, this was a blatant lie. He merely wanted to see her feeling guilty and grateful. He didn’t let opportunities slip.
“Well? Will you do it?”
Roabellin’s face reddened, her eyes shifting. Essentially, he was asking for a kiss… Shyness and reluctant desire battled clearly, and the corner of his mouth lifted.
After a brief hesitation, she turned to him decisively, stepping closer and pressing her body against his. Kaisertern looked satisfied, reached out, pulled her into his arms, and bent slightly.
Roabellin stiffened a bit but went along, no longer panicking as if it were a festival. Kaisertern leaned toward her lips and pressed them gently together.
Slow and calm at first, the kiss gradually grew intense. Their breaths became ragged.
Roabellin’s hands accidentally touched his chest muscles.
‘…!!’
He was still shirtless. Feeling the firm flesh, she pulled back briefly, surprised. But he immediately took her hand and placed it over his heart. She could feel his strong heartbeat through her palm.
The passionate kiss ended after some time. Kaisertern lingered over her lips before reluctantly pulling away. Roabellin looked up at him with flushed lips, utterly charming.
He was an emperor with absolute power, here in the bedroom alone with her. A mischievous impulse flared, but he restrained it with superhuman will, letting go of the embrace.
“Is that… enough?”
“…Ah.”
Her shy question reminded him he had even forgotten the lie about his exhaustion.
“Yes, it seems a little… better. Not perfect, but we don’t have time.”
Watching her blush and avoid his gaze while fixing her clothes, Kaisertern suddenly said:
“Do you know that all female court attendants in the imperial palace are considered the emperor’s women?”
Of course, he didn’t literally take every woman; conceptually, they were potential women of the emperor. He said it deliberately. Roabellin understood this.
“Ah, yes…”
“Good. Since you know, don’t forget that while you’re here in the palace, you are mine.”
