🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter : 37
It was you, Charles.
A few days later.
The New Year’s Festival was drawing closer.
“Your Majesty. You should step outside for a moment.”
Charlophe set the documents down.
“What is it?”
As she removed her glasses, her eyes felt unusually sore. She pressed gently on her eyelids, and the head maid replied awkwardly.
“Lady Henrietta of Tuttega has come to see you.”
Ah—then that uneasy look made sense. My mood isn’t much better.
Lately, visitors to the imperial palace have been frequent. Charlophe raised a hand, dismissing the maids.
“What business does she have?”
“I’m not sure. Shall we turn her away, Your Majesty?”
Charlophe remained silent for a while.
“If you show up without notice, did you really think I would meet you on the spot?”
Henrietta jumped up, knocking the table back.
“I—I’m sorry.”
They arranged seats outside. At a place with nothing but a single table, she sat facing Henrietta.
Henrietta clenched her small fists and rested them on her knees.
“You were the one who asked to see me, yet you look as though you’ve been dragged here against your will. Speak freely. I bear you no great ill will.”
“N-no… that’s not it.”
Henrietta’s clenched fists trembled.
Why does that 모습 feel so familiar?
Why does that small, hunched posture feel familiar?
I’ve only seen that child a handful of times.
“Did you come alone?”
“Yes. By myself.”
“And how did you get past the palace gates?”
“I came in a Tuttega carriage.”
Charlophe narrowed her eyes.
“Did you tell your family?”
“No.”
“Who did you take after to be this foolish?”
She had the nerve to cross the palace gates in that state, yet not the courage to speak to her own family.
Even if she had told them, I doubt that household would have willingly let her come.
Drifting on the fringes of that family—had you slowly grown distant from them?
Charlophe looked away indifferently. Henrietta lowered her head deeply.
“First, put down whatever you’re holding on your knees and speak.”
Henrietta took something out from under the table.
“Here it is.”
Charlophe took a small box into her hands.
“It looked like a painting drawn by Your Majesty’s mother. I thought that if it had an owner, it should be returned, so I came to see you.”
Inside the box were several drawings.
They depicted Charlophe as a child.
A child with dark crimson hair sat alone, quietly playing with a doll.
Drawn in graphite, the only place where color stood out was the hair.
As if to say, Do not forget.
As if to say, Do not let this existence fade into dusk.
“I found them while organizing my belongings.”
“You came just to bring me this?”
Charlophe gathered herself as a bleak feeling crept in.
“From now on, do not set foot here again. I understand the 마음 with which you came, but it was not a wise choice—especially if you now belong to Tuttega.”
Charlophe looked down at the child.
“I bear you no malice.”
It’s just that it’s obvious others would not like seeing you as you are now.
“That will be all. Leave.”
“Your Majesty. What are you looking at?”
Roskella tapped on the desk.
“Did you hear my report?”
“I heard it all. That’s enough—go.”
Benjamin crossed his arms and leaned against the windowsill. Below, the imperial garden spread out, servants and gardeners moving about clearly in view.
“A half-sibling, was it?”
“Yes. From what people say, that seems to be the case.”
Henrietta glanced back once, then hurried away. She must have been around ten back then.
“Even knowing she’d weigh on your mind, why let her in at all?”
Why keep someone behind you, knowing they’ll follow in your footsteps?
Benjamin braced a hand on the windowsill. He could take the stairs, but jumping down from here would be quicker.
Just as he was gauging the distance, a gaze followed him.
“Your Majesty…”
“Later.”
Benjamin leapt down. Even roughly estimating, it was more than three stories high.
He landed lightly, clasped his hands behind his back, and walked off neatly. The attendants widened their eyes.
W-where did he fall from?
They didn’t dare ask, only followed him with their gaze.
“Why are you sitting there like that again?”
Charlophe lifted her head. She replied as if it were nothing.
“It looked like the Information Office kept coming by your office. Weren’t you busy?”
“I was just wrapping things up and heading down.”
Charlophe gestured to a maid.
“The child who just left—check that she’s gone safely and report back.”
The maid bowed and left.
“Wasn’t she resentful?”
“Resentment wouldn’t change anything. Being born isn’t a sin.”
“That’s surprisingly mature of you.”
As if remembering something, Benjamin added,
“I sent Aaron to the medical wing’s dispensary. Since he used to work there as an imperial physician, he adapted easily.”
“Have you spoken with him?”
“I left that for later.”
Soon, the maid returned and reported that the child had left safely.
“Have you ridden a horse before?”
“No.”
“They say people of the Eastern Continent are close with animals. Horsemanship is essential education for them. Before the delegation arrives, wouldn’t it be good to learn in advance?”
Benjamin held out his arm to Charlophe.
It was a white horse whose pale mane suited it well. When she stroked the hair along its neck, the horse shook itself and snorted.
“She’s a mare of a fine lineage. Here are the reins.”
Perhaps it had been groomed—the coat was soft. When the stablehand gave her a carrot and she fed it to the horse, it crunched happily.
“Relax your body.”
Benjamin took the reins and held them for her.
“It’s hard to believe this is your first time riding. That means you’re quite skilled.”
The horse pranced forward a few steps. She entrusted herself to the rhythm.
Charlophe straightened her back.
She had tied her hair tightly and let it fall down, wearing a white riding outfit.
The outfit was leather jacket and trousers, with the imperial crest embroidered clearly on the back.
“Now, try changing directions.”
She pulled the reins to the side, and the horse turned its head.
“The view is high. It feels like I might fall, but I don’t.”
“Shall we race to see who gets there first?”
Charlophe tightened the reins. Ahead stretched the highlands.
There were no buildings along the inner path, only grass.
That hill had been deliberately left empty—to keep the view unobstructed.
Just as Charlophe firmly drew the reins—
“I won’t wait, even if you’re slow.”
The black horse burst forward. Clad in a black riding outfit, everything about him was pitch-dark—why did it suit him so well?
The view opened wide, unobstructed. No trees blocked the way. They raced through, the wind slashing at her cheeks.
“Spring or autumn is best for riding, but winter has its charms too. I don’t know what you cram into that narrow head of yours, but if you can’t empty it, let the cold cool it down.”
The vista spread wide. Her head cooled. The chill stung her cheeks.
“Ah… you’re right.”
What had once been blocked now opened up. Even the palace walls below were clearly visible.
Far broader and more magnificent than when seen through a narrow window.
Grass rustled softly, cold air brushing her skin.
The wind whipped past her cheeks. When she opened her eyes wide and looked up at the sky, Benjamin smiled faintly.
“I brought sandwiches too—lots of ham and vegetables. Do you like them?”
“What about eggs?”
“I added plenty of scrambled eggs.”
Charlophe spread a shawl on the ground and sat down.
Palace etiquette had drilled it into her that a member of the imperial family must never sit on bare ground…
So noisy.
Charlophe pushed the thoughts away. She wanted to enjoy this freedom now.
The head maid diligently dried her hair.
The Empress, having just finished bathing, sat quietly.
“Your Majesty, what’s wrong?”
Charlophe asked Benjamin with a sidelong glance.
Benjamin leaned crookedly against the doorway, arms crossed.
Water still dripped from his damp hair.
“Finished bathing?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Then put the towel down. Everyone, leave.”
Benjamin waved the maids out first.
“You’re too harsh.”
The head maid set the towel down and left.
“Refusing even when I asked to bathe together.”
“That goes against palace etiquette.”
“That etiquette is too old. Why is bathing in the same tub considered undignified? Because of that damned etiquette, the palace has clung to outdated behavior all this time. Old and stale.”
“You’re from an older generation.”
“If it’s old law, isn’t it time to change it?”
Charlophe touched her damp hair. Having just bathed, her body still felt languid.
“Did you fall asleep in the bath?”
“Yes. That’s why it took longer.”
Benjamin took a towel and dried her hair.
He pressed gently against her scalp.
The rough motions were awkward, like someone unfamiliar with doing this.
His hand brushed her ear.
When Charlophe hunched her shoulders, he slowly stroked her earlobe.
“Uncomfortable?”
“No. Just a bit awkward.”
As Charlophe scratched her earlobe, his fingers touched the nape of her neck.
The calluses on his fingertips were especially distinct.
Rough, yet firm.
From her chin to her ear, his touch lingered. Charlophe inhaled slowly.
“All done.”
Benjamin set the towel down.
She swept her long hair back. The ends, reaching past her hips, curved inward.
Naturally wavy—if twisted around a finger, it held its shape.
Benjamin placed a hand on her shoulder.
Then he twined a lock of her hair around his finger.
“Is it too long?”
“It’s fine. Thanks to it, I can always find you, wherever you are.”
He bent down and kissed her shoulder.
“Ah.”
His lips touched her shoulder, then he lightly bit her skin.
“Does it hurt?”
“A little.”
“Do you dislike it?”
Charlophe exhaled slowly.
Ah… how could I refuse?
It’s you.
When you reach out, how could I let go?
Refusing you makes no sense.
“Sometimes, I want to bite you here.”
He buried his face at her nape and inhaled deeply.
Her scent sank in deeply. He bit her skin again.
“By your side, I act like a scoundrel—biting you, swallowing your breath, craving you. I know it’s not allowed yet, but…”
“Am I… being hunted right now?”
It was Charlophe who had placed her head into the jaws of the snake.
“Sometimes.”
Benjamin whispered softly.
“I can’t tell whether I’ve swallowed you… or you’ve swallowed me, Charles.”
He spoke his thoughts slowly.
“You were the one who reached out to me first. You were the one who brought up the engagement. Don’t forget—
the one who came to my side first… was you, Charles.”
