Chapter 11

The news that greeted Kalix when he returned from his inspection was something he never could have expected.

The soldier’s face had gone pale as he spoke.

“Her Majesty the Empress has disappeared.”

Kalix felt a brief wave of dizziness.

Of course, it wasn’t simply because he was worried about Iena.

It was because of Edward.

If something happened to Iena, Edward would go completely berserk like a mad dog.

This was absurd.

The imperial couple’s residence was secure, and there had been no sign of an intruder.

That left only one possibility.

She had walked out on her own.

Iena Haiga had been born and raised in the capital.

She had said this was her first time ever visiting Luxen.

There was no way she had any connections here.

So why had she gone out?

And where had she gone?

Kalix immediately sent half of the troops he had brought with him to search the entire mountain.

Not long afterward, Iena returned.

With her mouth covered in black soot.

“Where exactly did you go?”

“Just…”

Faced with the cold atmosphere, Iena unusually began watching her words.

She did have a little bit of conscience.

She knew she had caused trouble, and she was sorry.

She had only planned to briefly visit the market and gather some information.

She never expected things to become this serious.

“Tell me properly.”

“A walk… I suppose?”

“……Are you insane?”

Kalix’s face was filled with anger.

“Because of you, since this morning the soldiers—”

“Please tell the soldiers I’m really sorry. I only wanted to get some fresh air, but then I got lost.”

“That walk was something you could have done with soldiers accompanying you. Or you could have waited until I returned. Do you have absolutely no awareness of your position as Empress?”

“I’ll bring them with me next time.”

“Even children ask their parents for permission before going outside. Did the Haiga family never teach you even basic manners?”

“I admit that leaving without telling anyone was wrong, but…”

Iena frowned.

“You’re not my parent. Telling me I should ask for permission is a little much.”

“Is that something a person with common sense would say?”

“If I didn’t have common sense, would I be able to answer you?”

Her immediate retorts came one after another.

It was almost like arguing with a parrot.

“Really?”

Kalix smiled coldly.

“Then apparently you also lack the common sense to clean your own face. Amazing. Truly an incredible display of intelligence.”

“What?”

“You’re not looking like an Empress. You’re looking like a beggar. Perhaps that’s why you forgot what you are.”

What?

Iena tilted her head.

Then something flashed through her mind.

The fish.

“Ah.”

She wiped the corner of her mouth with her sleeve.

Black soot came away.

She had been so distracted while eating that she hadn’t noticed it sticking to her face.

That bastard could have told me.

Iena frowned as she thought of the unknown man.

“Anyway, I’ll apologize to the soldiers myself. And…”

After wiping away all the soot, she looked at Kalix.

“The problem is just that I shouldn’t go out alone, right?”

“You’re not saying you plan to go out again, are you?”

Kalix stared at her.

“After causing all this chaos since morning?”

Iena hesitated.

There was no time.

There was no time at all.

Tomorrow they had to return to the imperial palace.

She had come all the way to Luxen—

the place that might become her grave if she was unlucky—

and she couldn’t return without gaining anything.

She needed some kind of information.

At the very least, she needed to understand the general geography.

No matter how angry Kalix became, from Iena’s perspective this was her first and last chance to properly investigate Luxen.

“Actually… I wanted to look around the market…”

Iena tried to make herself look as pitiful as possible.

“No. You can’t go.”

But Kalix was firm.

“Why?”

“First, because I am still angry.”

“Second, because you haven’t apologized to me at all.”

“Third, because I don’t want people seeing my Empress running around everywhere like an unrestrained mad horse.”

Kalix spoke without changing expression.

Of course, Iena was not the type of person who would simply say Yes, understood. I won’t go.

“First of all, I committed a terrible crime, truly unforgivable, and I’m so sorry I’m practically dying from guilt, so please calm down.”

“What?”

“Second, I already apologized just now, so that’s settled.”

“And third, I will follow the example of my incredibly dignified and graceful…”

She paused.

“Damn it…”

“…my dignified husband and only show the elegance of a noble unicorn while I’m out, so don’t worry.”

“No.”

“Why not again?!”

“Fourth.”

Why does he have so many complaints?

He’s as petty as a dried-up little fish.

Iena was about to snap at him when—

“The market won’t be held.”

Kalix said calmly.

“Starting today.”

“What? Why?”

“Your Majesty.”

A sudden knock interrupted them.

Iena turned toward the door.

“The search party has returned.”

It was a soldier.

Snow covered his shoulders and hair, showing he had just returned from searching outside.

“And?”

“There was nothing unusual, Your Majesty.”

“You found nothing?”

“Yes. It appears she had already left the area.”

“Are you telling me this after conducting a proper search?”

Kalix’s brows twisted.

The frightened soldier bowed his head.

“……I apologize.”

“If apologies were enough, then bring me something useful. Search again. Search as many times as necessary.”

“Yes.”

So this is how he acts.

Iena had thought that, since he complained about the soldiers suffering because of her, he must care deeply about them.

Apparently not.

The soldiers must have suffered far more searching through this freezing weather than they did looking for her.

Iena gave Kalix a look that seemed to say:

You’re really something.