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Chapter 12
The man looked utterly stunned.
His mouth hung open, and his eyes shook with disbelief. It was hardly surprising. The first thing he saw after opening the door was the Empress on her knees, desperately begging the Emperor for forgiveness.
“…Should I come back later, Your Majesty?”
His hesitant question finally broke the heavy silence.
“Ha…”
Kalix pressed his fingers against his temple before speaking.
“Just come in.”
“It doesn’t really seem like I should…”
“It’s fine. Just come in.”
Iena spoke without getting up from her knees.
“So? Should I keep going?”
She wasn’t particularly embarrassed.
Everyone in the imperial palace already looked down on her except Paul and Sophia. Being laughed at a little more wouldn’t make much difference.
Besides, if anyone looked pathetic in this situation, it would be Kalix.
If word got out, people would probably gossip like this:
How could His Majesty make the Empress kneel? Isn’t that too cruel?
If she had to become the laughingstock anyway, she might as well drag Kalix down with her.
“Ahem.”
Iena cleared her throat dramatically.
“Ohhh! I’ve committed a terrible, unforgivable sin!”
Then she resumed her exaggerated wailing.
“I should just die—”
“…That’s enough. Get up.”
Kalix grabbed her by the arm and pulled her to her feet.
“You told me to stop, so don’t lecture me afterward.”
“…”
“If you complain about this again, I’ll seriously take a dump right in the middle of the imperial palace—”
“For the love of God… shut… your… mouth.”
Now he’s criticizing the way I talk?
Glowering at Kalix, Iena finally turned her attention to the newcomer.
Oh. He’s handsome too.
Maybe it was because they were characters from a novel, but almost everyone was ridiculously attractive.
If the insufferable man beside her had the cold, intimidating aura of someone completely devoid of warmth, this man reminded her of a golden retriever.
He wasn’t quite as tall as Kalix, but his soft-looking brown curls covered his forehead, and his large eyes radiated warmth. His small face was packed with delicate, well-balanced features that made him look surprisingly adorable.
…But who is he?
“…Richard. It’s been a while.”
Richard?
Iena narrowed her eyes.
“Um… have you been well, Your Majesty? Your Majesty… and Your Majesty, the Empress.”
Richard spoke cautiously, reading the atmosphere.
“How are your injuries? I’ve been worried.”
“I’m much better,” Kalix answered before Iena could speak. “Daily hot spring baths have helped a great deal.”
“I’m glad to hear it. Luxen is your hometown as well, so I’m sure you were able to rest comfortably.”
Luxen is his hometown?
Iena’s eyes widened.
Then… if I’m lucky, maybe I can get information from him.
“Yes. Thanks to Your Majesty’s generosity, I’ve had several days of proper rest. Then I heard that Your Majesty had arrived last night, so I came immediately. I hope you aren’t here because you’re ill?”
Richard asked with genuine concern.
“I’m fine. I’m simply here on a trip.”
“I see. I worried for nothing.”
Richard smiled sheepishly and scratched the back of his head.
Although Kalix wasn’t smiling much himself, the look in his eyes as he watched Richard was unexpectedly gentle.
This guy can actually make an expression like that?
Iena stared at them suspiciously.
“Your Majesty, I haven’t properly greeted you yet.”
Richard bowed politely.
“My name is Richard Helkas. I don’t know if you remember me, but we met briefly at the palace during the New Year’s ceremony…”
“Ah!”
Iena exclaimed.
“I know you, Sir Richard!”
I know him!
Since meeting Kalix, this was the first time she’d encountered another character she actually remembered from the novel.
Richard Helkas.
She knew him very well.
Ever since childhood—long before that damned Kalix Klose became Emperor—Richard had served faithfully by his side.
He had protected Kalix in every war.
Although born into a low-ranking family, he repeatedly risked his life for the future Emperor and was eventually promoted to the unprecedented rank of general.
But he was still only a supporting character.
So why did Iena remember someone with so little screen time?
Because of one of Kalix’s most insane acts.
In The Tyrant’s Flower, Kalix eventually became completely obsessed with Odelia.
Like so many obsessive male leads, he believed:
You’re mine.
You exist only for me.
Anyone who dares covet my woman dies.
The first victim of that madness…
…was Richard Helkas.
Poor Richard.
His only crime was quietly falling in love with Odelia.
He never even had the chance to confess.
Yet the Emperor, driven mad by love, simply had his head chopped off.
That was the moment Iena had completely lost all affection for Kalix as the novel’s male lead.
After that, she had only skimmed through the rest of the story to see how it ended.
“Thank you for remembering me.”
Richard smiled brightly.
Looking at that innocent smile made Iena’s heart ache.
Do you even know?
There are only two characters sacrificed for that cursed love story…
You… and me.
“How much longer will you be staying in Luxen?” Kalix asked.
“We’re returning tomorrow. What about you?”
“I’ll probably head back around the time of the New Year’s ceremony.”
“But that’s only about a week away. If your injuries haven’t fully healed, you could stay in Luxen longer.”
“No. I should return and devote myself to praying for the well-being of Your Majesty and Her Majesty.”
Richard smiled so warmly that he looked almost angelic.
“How about joining us for dinner tonight?” Kalix suggested. “This is our first meeting since the war. It would be a shame to simply exchange greetings. We also have matters regarding Luxen’s defenses to discuss.”
“It would be my honor. If Your Majesty invites me, I’d gladly drop everything and come.”
“Good.”
Kalix smiled faintly at Richard.
Ugh… creepy.
That psychopath…
Iena shuddered.
“Then I’ll see you this evening.”
“Yes.”
Richard bowed.
“I’ll see you tonight, Your Majesty… and Your Majesty, the Empress.”
“…The Empress won’t be attending.”
“Huh?”
“What?”
Both Iena and Richard turned toward Kalix.
“The Empress isn’t feeling well. She should continue resting.”
There was no way Kalix was taking this unhinged woman to a banquet where she might say something outrageous again.
He shot Iena a threatening look that clearly said:
Agree with me.
“Not at all!”
Iena answered in an especially cheerful voice.
“I’m perfectly, absolutely healthy!”
Rest? My foot.
“I have so many things I’d like to talk about with Sir Richard! So I will definitely be attending dinner.”
Under normal circumstances, she wouldn’t have wanted to attend at all.
The last thing she wanted was to share a meal with Kalix.
But if she let Richard leave today, he wouldn’t return to the palace for another week.
She didn’t have that kind of time.
“But, Your Majesty… if you’re truly unwell, I could always visit the Empress Palace another day…”
“We can chat there another day and chat today too!”
“No. The Empress will not attend—”
“Besides! His Majesty wants me there too, doesn’t he?”
This time, Iena glared at Kalix threateningly.
Try leaving me behind. Go on. I dare you.
Sparks practically flew from her eyes.
“…Ha.”
Kalix let out a short sigh.
What is she plotting this time?
He wanted nothing more than to tie her up and lock her away.
But if he did, she might burn the entire place down.
Or perhaps she’d actually make good on her promise and relieve herself in the middle of the imperial palace.
At this point, it honestly felt like there was nothing she wouldn’t do.
“…Very well.”
He practically bit down on the words.
“We’ll all have dinner together.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Richard answered with a bright smile.
* * *
Richard’s appearance felt like a gift from heaven.
If she could obtain information about the Luxen region from him, she wouldn’t need to keep inventing excuses to sneak around—or argue with Kalix every time.
The problem was that Richard Helkas was loyal to Kalix to the core.
She couldn’t simply interrogate him.
So…
How do I bring it up without sounding suspicious?
And more importantly…
How can I get a chance to talk to him alone, without Kalix around?
Those thoughts occupied Iena’s mind for the entire afternoon.
Because she was so focused on the urgent problem before her, she completely forgot about meeting the mysterious man at the hot spring, kneeling before Kalix, and even their argument.
Kalix, however, had not forgotten.
He remained in an awful mood.
More precisely…
He was irritated.
Still, he couldn’t scold her any further.
Objectively speaking, she had apologized.
She had even kept her ridiculous promise to kneel.
He had definitely accepted her apology.
So why was he still so annoyed?
Even he couldn’t explain it.
The uncomfortable feeling lingered.
And he couldn’t even pick another fight with her.
Iena sat there absentmindedly all afternoon without sparing him so much as a glance.
Eventually, the sun set.
Night fell.
The moon rose high into the dark sky.
It was time to meet Richard.
“I don’t know why you insisted on attending tonight’s dinner…”
This is bad.
I still haven’t figured out how to ask him.
“But if you make a fool of yourself in front of Richard, kneeling and apologizing won’t be enough next time.”
Maybe I should just ask naturally?
If someone says a place is their hometown, it’s perfectly normal to ask about it.
He probably won’t think it’s strange…
“So keep your mouth shut if possible.”
Right.
I’ll start by asking whether he was born and raised in Luxen.
Then I’ll say it’s my first time here and ask about famous places.
From there, I can naturally steer the conversation toward the geography.
“If you take my warning lightly—”
“Oh, enough already!”
Unable to concentrate, Iena finally exploded.
“Would you please be quiet?! You’re driving me insane!”
Forget it.
I’ll organize my thoughts while we’re walking.
If I stay in the same room as this nagging idiot any longer, I’ll forget everything.
Wearing an irritated expression, she opened the door and walked out by herself.
“…Ha…”
Left alone, Kalix clenched his jaw.
And silently prayed.
Please…
Just this once…
Don’t let that crazy Empress cause another disaster.
