TESL 24

Chapter 24

It seemed I had hit his chin awkwardly. Or maybe he was shocked by my harsh critique? But I meant every word. Stories like this cliché nonsense are bound to fail.

“The male lead isn’t very impressive. If he likes the heroine, wouldn’t it be better for him to accept her feelings there, get attacked by those beasts together, and fight them off together?”

“What?”

“Or the heroine could mark her revenge on him, or the male lead could stare at the heroine with his fists stuffed into his mouth and cry, or he could grab her skirt and say, ‘Would you… steam some potatoes for me?’”

What was I even saying? I glanced at Emperor Rubellus’s expression.

Oh, no. Look at that face. It was like someone had just stepped out of a cryogenic freezer powered by magic—frozen stiff from head to toe.

“The story lacks impact. It seems literary, but it’s not to my taste. I prefer messier stories. And I guarantee my taste is mainstream. I recommend revising the plotline.”

“…….”

His Majesty blinked at me as if he couldn’t believe what had just happened. There’s no honesty more blunt than this. If it went any further, it would verge on outright criticism.

Well, for now, I just needed to think about going home.

I decided to ignore his expression and forced a grin, clasping my hands together before him.

“I honestly used all my professional knowledge to give you counseling. Does that mean I get a pardon? Can I go home now?”

“……huh.”

What a strange sight. The more I asked, the darker his expression became. He looked hurt and exhausted, slowly rubbing his face with one hand.

“Don’t take it too hard. Stories improve as you write them. If you wrote this story yourself…”

“Lady Wildenbiston.”

He interrupted me, using the formal address. His tone was sharp, like last time in the Great Eastern Forest.

Ah, I see. I have enough sense to realize now. So he really did write the story.

Tilting my head, I asked cautiously:

“…Should we stay silent?”

“…Please.”

He answered again with a low groan.

Some time passed. The Emperor slowly raised his head. The atmosphere had been tense, like walking on thin ice.

I huddled up, waiting for him to speak. Honestly, I felt a little wronged. Isn’t a great writer supposed to be able to handle criticism? I hadn’t even said anything that bad.

While I blinked innocently, our eyes met.

The moment our eyes locked, he stared at me with an unreadable expression. What did he want to say?

I couldn’t tell, but I blinked slowly, trying to keep calm. Fortunately, his expression was surprisingly gentle, given the frozen tension.

“Ahira.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“…….”

But he only moved his lips slightly and didn’t continue. He would speak quickly if he was going to, right? I assumed he was deciding whether I could go home or not. But he just moved his lips and said nothing. Sigh. I couldn’t exactly rush him.

Then:

“I’m sorry.”

“…Pardon?”

“Thinking back, I should have said this first.”

He let out a long sigh and threw the dolls on the table back to where they had been.

“I was too impatient and did ridiculous things. This should have come first.”

He said that and looked at me gently again. His violet eyes softened, almost blurry.

“The criticisms you mentioned this morning were justified.”

Huh?

“Regarding the interruption of your matchmaking meeting, Lady Wildenbiston, I sincerely apologize.”

He slowly pressed his lips together and spoke, apologizing.

“I also regret breaking the shoulder of that Shoden family fool, calling you my fiancée without your consent, and thus tarnishing your honor.”

An apology… now?

Of course, what His Majesty had done was terrible. It was terrible enough that I had thrown my hair down and stormed into the palace in the first place.

“But, Ahira, please believe this. As you said, it was not to ruin your life. Rather…”

He trailed off, lowering his gaze slowly.

I blinked. What should I say? ‘Your timing for apologies is strange, Your Majesty. Why now?’ No, that would sound petty.

Anyway, I wanted to comfort him, seeing him look so drained.

“I… I—”

“It’s okay.”

Ah, our words overlapped.

“Huh?”

“Ah, sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt Your Majesty…”

“No, no, it’s fine. You speak first.”

A smile appeared on his lips. Sweet… so sweet. Like that time long ago, when I held his hand and walked through the Great Eastern Forest.

Ah… my cheeks are burning. He’s still so handsome, I feel a flutter. I guess being alone with His Majesty this closely for so long is still a bit overwhelming.

“No… I meant to say it’s okay. You don’t need to apologize. You might as well point out flaws if you dislike something. Shoden Youngsik’s broken shoulder isn’t my problem… not my concern.”

Isn’t that too selfish?

I fiddled with my fingers and continued:

“Also… I caused a scene at the palace. I jumped around in front of the ministers…”

“Pfft, yes, that’s fine. No need to worry about that at all.”

Then he laughed again, letting out a soft, wind-like chuckle. Ah, it makes my heart race.

I instinctively looked away, lowering my gaze shyly.

“Anyway, it’s fine. I… I can just go to other matchmaking meetings. Since this one went like this, I can’t marry into the capital nobility, but if not, I’ll go to my father’s estate and…”

“What?”

At that moment, His Majesty’s face suddenly twisted.

“Marry into your father’s vassal families, what did you say?”

His voice sharpened. Did I say something wrong? Marrying into a vassal family—was that inappropriate? I instinctively hunched my neck.

“Or study abroad and build connections with foreign nobles…”

“Study abroad?”

“That’s how I’ll marry.”

“Marry?”

Only ten seconds ago, his face had been sweet and warm, and now it was twisted. Why now? Did I touch some wrong nerve? Marry… why?

“Yes. Marry…”

As I cautiously continued, the warmth that had been shining in his eyes just moments ago faded, like a switch being turned off.

He bit his lower lip sharply—so hard that it turned pale.

“Your Majesty, if you bite your lip like that, you’ll bleed!”

“Ahira.”

“Yes?”

Then:

His Majesty took my hand. Suddenly.

My hand… he held it.

Even looking again, there was no mistake. His large, firm hand gripped mine. Reflexively, I twisted my hand free—not because I disliked it, but because I was startled. Had he ever held my hand before?

It was the first time since I was four. How could this be? I looked at him, holding my hands.

For a moment, the sharpness returned to his once-dim eyes. His heaving shoulders and twisted expression seemed to settle.

He looked at his hand holding mine, sighed deeply, and said:

“…I grabbed your hand recklessly, Lady Wildenbiston. I apologize once again.”

His voice was calm. I only nodded, still holding my hand. I’m probably the only one to be apologized to three times by the Emperor. He sighed deeply again.

“And, if it’s alright, may I continue speaking?”

He stared at me intently. His violet eyes shone strangely bright.

My heart thumped. My pulse quickened. Could he hear my heartbeat? It’s not a drum!

I hoped it would calm down soon.

“P-please, go ahead.”

I tried to calm my tongue… since when did I start stuttering? Nervous, I gripped my hand tightly again. The warmth from His Majesty’s hand was still so intense it felt like it was burning.

He still stared straight at me.

“Before any further misunderstandings deepen, I want to make this perfectly clear.”

A misunderstanding?

“I apologize because I recognize there was a problem with my method, not because of the content. I never intended to ruin your reputation, play a prank, or think lightly of you, Ahira.”

He spoke low, slowly, and with utmost clarity. The words were perfectly audible, but the meaning…