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Chapter 25
Edward replied as though he had been waiting for this.
“Before you cause some trouble, inform me in advance.”
Cecilia blinked.
This man… he was assuming from the start that she would cause trouble, wasn’t he?
Still, it was an easier condition than she expected.
“How much in advance? A day before?”
“…Right after you decide.”
“Fine, whatever.”
Cecilia shrugged.
Come to think of it, she usually acted the moment she decided on something anyway, so it wouldn’t make much difference.
“Then that’s a deal.”
Cecilia smiled.
“It would’ve been nice if we had done this in the past too.”
“…And one more thing.”
Cecilia’s brows shot up.
“What condition are you trying to add now?”
“This isn’t a condition.”
Edward answered calmly, but the faint tension in his voice betrayed his true feelings.
Cecilia instantly sensed it.
The “condition” wasn’t the real point. What Edward truly wanted to say was what was coming now.
“Be careful, Cecilia. I worry about you.”
Cecilia had to fight not to laugh.
He’s worried about me?
Clearly, Edward had no idea what it meant to be a Grand Mage.
“You don’t have to worry about me. The problem is you. The assassins weren’t after me, were they?”
“You saw it that day yourself. There’s no need to worry about me.”
“Same goes for me.”
Cecilia stepped toward him.
Blue mana surged from the crown of her head to the tips of her toes.
“Feel that? If I wanted to, I could blow up the entire Imperial Palace. The ones who need to be careful are other people.”
“…Magic isn’t the answer to everything.”
“Ah, you’re talking about politics?”
Cecilia’s eyes sharpened.
How absurd. In politics, she was clearly more skilled than Edward.
It hadn’t been long since she became Empress of the Linec Empire, so it was too early to say for certain, but Edward didn’t seem to have any interest in politics.
If Cecilia were in his shoes, she would have already promised divorce and remarriage to some family that could be a powerful ally.
Yet Edward hadn’t remarried, nor did he even properly acknowledge Christine, who was openly making advances at him.
She wondered how long he could last on the throne like this.
“I’m just… asking you to be cautious in everything.”
“That’s something any human should do.”
“You’re ignoring that obvious truth, Cecilia.”
“That’s because I’m simply too powerful…”
“I know.”
Edward cut her off.
“I know you’re powerful—perhaps stronger than anyone else in this world. So, yes, maybe everyone looks insignificant in your eyes.”
Cecilia wanted to deny that, but Edward gave her no chance to speak.
“But, Cecilia, you must understand this: everyone has a weakness. If you ignore yours, one day you might get badly hurt. That’s what I’m afraid of.”
Cecilia looked at him quietly.
The sweltering heat still hung in the air, and Edward’s forehead was dotted with sweat.
It was a stark contrast to Cecilia, who always cooled the air around her to stay fresh and dry.
Cecilia spoke calmly.
“Are you not hot, Edward?”
“Don’t change the subje—”
Edward’s eyes widened. Cecilia had suddenly stepped right up to him and pressed a hand to his forehead.
“What are you—!”
Startled, Edward jerked back and ended up bumping into the fountain.
He managed not to fall over clumsily, but his balance slipped, and he landed sitting on the edge, drenched in water.
Cecilia chuckled.
“And you tell me not to worry? Worry about yourself, Edward.”
“….”
Edward pressed his lips tightly shut and glared at her.
It was obvious he had a lot to say, but he seemed to be holding back, afraid harsher words might slip out.
“Still, you’re not hot anymore, are you?”
“What’s that supposed to—”
Edward stopped mid-sentence.
He noticed quickly.
Cecilia studied him with satisfaction.
Even if he didn’t show it, he had to be feeling wonderfully comfortable.
“I’ve cast a spell to regulate the temperature around you. I realized I hadn’t given you a breeze yet… even my maids have it.”
“Doesn’t sustaining a spell like that require constant attention?”
“You know a bit of magic, don’t you?”
Unlike magical devices powered by circuits, ordinary magic required continuous focus from the caster.
“Just for one year.”
Cecilia tugged on Edward’s sleeve to pull him up.
“Think of it as a bonus that comes with our contract.”
Something was wrong with his lord.
While working, Ferrol kept sneaking glances at the Emperor.
Normally, Edward would be quick to show irritation, making it impossible to look at him for long.
But right now, Edward was so lost in thought he didn’t even notice Ferrol’s blatant stares.
On top of that, he was wearing a silly little smile.
What happened?
Ferrol’s anxiety grew.
Edward wasn’t someone who smiled like an idiot.
When he smiled, it was a calculated softness, a weapon like armor he wore. His true nature leaned closer to cold mockery.
But now… he was just grinning?
“Your Majesty.”
Ferrol noticed something else strange.
“Is there a problem with your sleeve?”
“No, nothing at all.”
Edward quickly hid the sleeve he had been absentmindedly stroking under the desk.
Ferrol’s suspicions deepened.
Something was wrong.
Seriously wrong.
“Ferrol, come to think of it—you have a fiancée, don’t you?”
“Yes, we’re set to marry next year.”
Ferrol answered, puzzled.
Edward knew perfectly well he had been betrothed since childhood, but he had never once asked about her.
“Tell me… does she ever suddenly act strange?”
“…Pardon?”
Ferrol blinked in confusion.
“Act strange how? What exactly do you mean?”
“Act differently than usual. Like… someone who’s always angry suddenly giving you gifts…”
Ah.
It struck Ferrol like lightning.
Edward avoided women to an extreme.
There was only one reason he would ask about dealing with them.
“Your Majesty, is this about Her Majesty the Empress?”
“….”
Edward fell silent, as though the question had hit home.
Ferrol’s already stiff face turned to stone.
No way…
Could there really be forbidden feelings growing between his sovereign and that woman?
That must never happen.
Cecilia Keres had left Edward with wounds that could never heal.
Because of her, the Keres duchy had nearly been destroyed, unable to withstand the Emperor’s wrath.
And the worst part is… that woman doesn’t even know.
It was tied to imperial dignity, so everyone involved had kept their mouths shut.
Edward spoke in a strangely dazed voice.
“She treats me well. She really does. But strangely… she keeps stressing that it’s only a one-year contract. Does she want to leave Linec that badly?”
Ferrol answered in a flat tone.
“That’s probably it. Her Majesty has always dreamed of leaving Linec to travel the continent.”
“You must be right.”
Edward shook his head.
“I nearly misunderstood.”
“I’m glad if I was of help, Your Majesty.”
Ferrol replied quickly, though his mind was a tangled mess.
At this rate… something that must never happen might actually occur.
And he had to stop it at all costs.
