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Chapter 9
By the time Iena returned after her long bath, Kalix was already asleep.
Now that he had finally stopped making those infuriating comments that grated on her nerves, she figured he was much better off sleeping like this.
Not long afterward, however, she was greeted by a completely ridiculous sight.
Kalix had stacked pillows between them.
Not just stacked them—he had built what looked less like a barricade and more like an actual wall.
Where in the world had he even found that many pillows?
She couldn’t decide whether she should admire his diligence or take it as his way of saying, I have absolutely no intention of touching you first.
Either way, after a long journey followed by a hot bath, exhaustion quickly overwhelmed her. The moment she lay down, sleep claimed her.
If exercising before bed lets me sleep this comfortably every night, maybe I should start doing it every evening.
“…Yawn.”
Still groggy, Iena blinked slowly as she woke.
Out of habit, she looked to the side.
Kalix wasn’t there.
…Did he go wash up?
She climbed out of bed and quietly opened the bathroom door.
It was empty.
“So he really went out?”
He’d gone on and on about how it would damage their reputation if rumors spread that they slept separately…
Honestly, someone who disappeared alone without saying a word—especially while they were traveling together—had no right to lecture anyone about appearances.
“Well… I should wash up too.”
She gave herself a quick, half-hearted splash of water before standing in front of the mirror.
“She really has hopelessly curly hair.”
She liked having thick, golden hair.
But waking up every few hours looking like she’d been struck by lightning was honestly annoying.
Kalix had been right.
She really did look like a madwoman.
She dampened her fingertips and smoothed down the worst of the mess until her hair became somewhat presentable.
Much better.
Staring at the face that still felt unfamiliar, she studied her reflection.
Long, wavy blond hair that reached her waist.
Skin as white as polished jade.
Brilliant green eyes that sparkled like jewels.
She was petite, with a round face, large round eyes, and soft features that lacked a single sharp edge.
She looked like someone who had never known hardship for a single day in her life.
Which, in truth, was exactly who Iena Licht Haiga had been.
She was beautiful.
Very beautiful.
When she’d read The Tyrant’s Flower, she’d never imagined Iena was this gorgeous.
She had simply pictured her as… pretty enough.
Of course, she’d never imagined she’d become Iena herself, either.
If a supporting character who barely appears for two pages looks like this…
Just how beautiful is Odelia?
She had to be breathtaking.
How else could that insufferable jerk Kalix Klose fall so hopelessly in love with her?
Unlike Iena, Odelia would never lose her head to execution.
She’d never be captured as a hostage in Kalix’s place.
Sure, the beginning of her story was difficult.
But in the end, she’d live happily ever after in Arkrus, loved beyond measure.
If I had to end up inside this novel…
I wish I’d become Odelia instead.
Then I wouldn’t have to spend all this effort trying to run away…
Iena stared blankly into the mirror.
“…No.”
Then she slowly shook her head.
“Actually… that’s even worse.”
If she became Odelia Ellard instead of Iena Licht Haiga…
She wouldn’t be able to run away at all.
She’d be tied for life to that terminally delusional emperor.
Sure, she probably wouldn’t get beheaded.
But there was no way she’d live long.
High blood pressure.
Stress-induced illness.
Something would definitely kill her early.
She was certain of it.
Compared to that…
Her current situation was preferable.
“But seriously… where did he go?”
Maybe he’d only stepped out for a moment.
He could’ve at least said something before leaving.
Iena frowned.
Not because she was worried about him.
Far from it.
There was only one reason she cared where Kalix had gone.
Tomorrow they would return to the imperial palace.
There wasn’t much time left in Luxen.
She needed to begin her investigation as soon as possible.
At the very least, she needed to familiarize herself with the area.
But if Kalix stayed glued to her side, she wouldn’t be able to investigate anything.
She’d end up trapped in this inn all day.
“…Maybe I should just go out on my own.”
Now that she thought about it, she’d noticed a market nearby when they arrived yesterday.
The guide had explained that the inn was located deep within the northernmost territory.
Even buying simple necessities required traveling quite a distance.
That was why, once every month, a two-day market was held.
Yesterday and today happened to be those two days.
And it wasn’t even far away.
About a ten-minute walk.
“If I just follow the road we came in on…”
Muttering to herself, Iena recalled yesterday’s route.
Getting there wasn’t the problem.
The problem was losing the soldiers.
The guards stationed outside would obviously follow the Empress wherever she went.
…And that would defeat the whole purpose.
Instead of gathering information, she’d only attract attention.
Worse still, if the soldiers came along, Kalix would inevitably show up too.
“Hmm…”
After slipping on her coat, she crept toward the door and pressed her ear against it.
As expected, she could hear people talking outside.
“The front entrance is out.”
So what now…?
Massaging her temples, she suddenly looked up.
Then she hurried toward the hot spring area.
Yesterday, while bathing, she’d noticed a small trail behind it.
