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Chapter 11
“I heard you met the Empress.”
Inside the quiet Sky Palace, Charles and Cyrus stood facing each other.
No… that wasn’t quite right.
Cyrus was looking at Charles, but Charles didn’t even spare him a glance. He was gently touching Louis’s cheek.
The untouched tea in front of them slowly turned cold.
“Your news seems a bit late. Or did you come here yourself because I didn’t do anything?”
“…Just answer the question.”
“Yes. I suddenly wanted to see the Empress, so I asked her to have lunch with me. Is there a problem?”
“And because of that, the Consort went to see the Empress.”
“Yes. And I heard the Empress nearly died because of it. And you only gave the Consort five days of confinement.”
“…Are you dissatisfied?”
“No, of course not.”
Charles laughed lightly and finally looked at Cyrus.
Their deep sapphire-blue eyes met.
Then Charles spoke calmly, with a cold face:
“Do whatever you want. You’re the Emperor now, not me.”
“…What did you say to the Empress?”
“Nothing much. Just a simple greeting. I wanted to spend more time, but…”
“The Consort interrupted.”
Charles smiled, but his eyes were cold.
“I heard you’re still investigating me.”
“….”
“Cyrus, don’t cross the line.”
“….”
“Whatever you do has nothing to do with me. Whether you drown yourself in women or ruin the country, I don’t care.”
He paused.
“But don’t act in a way that even I hear about it.”
“….”
“Know your place. I chose you to become Emperor. I saved someone useless like you.”
“….”
“And the Empress… is someone I chose.”
“….”
“Don’t provoke me anymore. This is my last warning.”
Charles looked away again and turned his attention back to Louis.
Cyrus stared at him silently for a long moment, then smirked slightly.
“Don’t misunderstand.”
“What?”
“You were the one who chose me as Crown Prince.”
“….”
“Even if I had no ability, even if I was useless—you still chose me.”
“….”
“Even when everyone opposed it.”
“….”
“All because of this damn blond hair and eyes.”
“….”
“You saw something in them and made me Crown Prince.”
“….”
“So I’ll repeat your own words—don’t cross the line.”
“….”
“You know why I’m investigating you.”
Cyrus’s voice turned colder.
“And as you said… I am the Emperor now.”
“Which means I am the only one who can kill what you cherish most.”
Without looking back, Cyrus left the Sky Palace.
Behind him, Charles spoke quietly:
“Chosen because of your face…”
“….”
“Yes. That’s true.”
“And that’s exactly why I regret it.”
“….”
“I should have abandoned you and kept Jay as Crown Prince.”
Charles gently stroked Louis’s face, full of lingering regret.
Cyrus clenched his teeth and walked out.
It disgusted him.
That man… was his father.
He wanted to rip out the blood he inherited from him.
Outside, his guard quickly followed him.
“Let’s go.”
“Where to?”
“Moonlight Palace.”
Even though he didn’t want to see her…
He had no choice.
Cyrus clenched his fists tightly.
* * *
To the women of the palace, the Emperor’s footsteps were like a butterfly effect.
Where he went, how long he stayed—rumors would spread and twist.
Those rumors decided their rise or fall, wealth or ruin.
That’s why the Emperor’s presence was both welcome and feared.
Because of this, Amenda had always made sure the Emperor never came to Moonlight Palace.
If he came even once, rumors would spread.
The Consort and noble factions would target her.
And her peaceful life would be over.
So for Amenda—
The Emperor’s presence was unnecessary.
In the past, now, and in the future.
But today—
For the first time in a year,
The Emperor came to Moonlight Palace on his own.
Outside, it felt like a festival.
“Ah! Finally! His Majesty has come to his senses!”
“How happy Her Majesty must be!”
“Please let them live together forever!”
The maids cried with joy and hugged each other.
But inside the palace—
The atmosphere was cold.
Cyrus looked at Amenda lying on the bed.
“I heard you’re sick again.”
“Oh? I was fine until you came. Now I suddenly feel sick.”
“…I apologize.”
“Then leave already.”
Amenda didn’t get up. She spoke weakly.
Shan and Gale silently urged her to stand, but she ignored them.
Cyrus didn’t touch the tea.
“I don’t like wasting time. I’ll get to the point.”
“….”
“What did the Grand Emperor say to you?”
“Pardon?”
“What is he talking about now?”
“Just… ordinary conversation. About the weather, tea… and greetings.”
“….”
“That’s all?”
“Yes… Is something wrong, Your Majesty?”
“No. Nothing.”
“Then why are you staring at me like that?”
Amenda casually started counting his hair strands in her head.
Cyrus frowned slightly.
Amenda rubbed her cheeks shyly, then looked at him directly.
“What? You don’t like me? I don’t like you either.”
“…You met the Consort.”
“Yes…”
“Did she treat you rudely?”
“No, not at all.”
“That level of rudeness means nothing to me.”
Amenda smiled gently—like a perfect, kind Empress.
“As if the Emperor is everything to her.”
“Like I’m so happy you came.”
She didn’t stop smiling.
Cyrus spoke:
“Even if you’re kind, you shouldn’t overdo it.”
“If you’re sick, you should stay still.”
“Your Majesty…”
“Why are you suddenly pretending to care?”
“Even kindness can become a burden. Be more careful next time.”
“HAHA… I knew it. Of course.”
Amenda held back her anger and sighed softly.
A weak, fragile sigh.
She thought:
“If I say nothing, the Consort will hurt my people again.”
“But if I say it, the Emperor won’t help me anyway.”
“B-but…”
“…?”
“The Consort said it was urgent.”
“So urgent she couldn’t send a letter?”
“She slapped my maid when told I was sick.”
“….”
“How could I ignore that?”
“….”
Amenda lowered her eyes pitifully.
“You heard that, right?”
“Your beloved Consort hit my maid.”
“I’m worried. Her cheek is still bruised…”
“Do you understand now?”
“And… after I collapsed, the Consort just left.”
“She ran away after causing trouble.”
“Do you know what she wanted to say?”
Amenda looked at him innocently.
But Cyrus’s expression only worsened.
“Of course… you’ll take her side.”
“I didn’t expect anything.”
“…I’ll leave now.”
“So soon?”
“Yes, leave immediately.”
Amenda grabbed his sleeve.
Cyrus immediately shook her hand off.
“You seem fine enough.”
“….”
“And don’t bring your family into the palace.”
“The nobles are watching.”
He glanced at Gale briefly—
Then left.
