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Chapter 25
Private balcony seat of the central district opera theater.
That place was surrounded by thick walls, and even the front facing the stage was covered with special glass that could not be seen from outside. It was also a space frequently used by nobles for secret meetings.
In one of those few seats, someone was sitting.
They were wrapped from head to toe in a long hooded robe, and even wore a mask over their face, making it impossible to identify them by appearance alone. Judging only from their build, they seemed to be a man.
“Why are you so late! How long has it been since I sent word!”
At that moment, a woman who had suddenly entered the balcony snapped sharply. Like the one already present, she was also fully covered—Christine.
She was breathing heavily, as if she had rushed here, unable to even hide her ragged breath.
“Please don’t be angry. I’ve just arrived in the capital.”
In contrast, the man replied in a slow, relaxed voice, full of composure.
“Enough of that, explain! You said even a priest of that level would be moved by the scent! So why is there no effect at all!”
“Oh my.”
“We don’t know when they’ll push in a new Empress again! At this rate, there’s no point in getting rid of that cursed Empress!”
Christine snapped irritably.
“Do you know what I risked? I even risked my life to lure monsters! I still feel dizzy just thinking about hanging off that cliff back then.”
“I told you then as well. That curse only attracts monsters to one target. Why are you acting surprised now?”
The man spoke coldly and dryly, completely unmoved by Christine’s emotional outburst.
“Wasn’t it Her Majesty the Empress who insisted on boarding the same carriage as the Empress Consort, saying we had to prepare for any suspicion?”
“That’s true, but—”
“Then what is the problem? I created the curse spell to eliminate Empress Estelle as you wished, and I even personally brought monsters from the north and released them along her path.”
“No, I mean I—”
“Enough of the excuses. When this relationship ends, I will not be the one who suffers.”
“……”
The man’s tone was gentle, but to Christine it was nothing short of a threat.
“…I’m sorry. I was just too impatient.”
In the end, Christine apologized in a small, shrinking voice.
“Humans are inherently imperfect beings. One mistake can be forgiven.”
Beneath his kind words lay a heavy warning—this was your first and last chance.
“So. You said the aphrodisiac scent didn’t work?”
“Y-yes…”
Unlike her earlier fury, Christine’s attitude had become noticeably subdued.
“Because she is a swordmaster, she may require a stronger concentration than ordinary people. I will prepare something stronger and send it soon. Try again.”
“Thank you! I haven’t been able to meet His Majesty properly for weeks except at official banquets, so I was desperate—”
“Wait.”
The man cut her off sharply in the middle of her complaint.
Even though interrupting the Empress so boldly was a grave offense, Christine could not protest and simply fell silent. As he had warned—she was the one at a disadvantage.
“Exactly how long has it been?”
“What?”
“I asked when you last met the Emperor.”
“The founding anniversary banquet was the last time… so about a week, I think?”
“In that time, have you not gone to the Emperor’s palace?”
“No way. I went every single day. During the day, they said no one was allowed into the office. At night, when I went to the bedroom, he was already asleep. It wasn’t even that late, but recently he’s been sleeping so early…”
As she spoke, the man fell into thought, clasping his hands and slowly rubbing one thumb over the other.
“…Is there a problem?”
Unable to endure the uncomfortable silence, Christine cautiously asked.
“Is it possible the Emperor has left the palace?”
“What?”
Christine’s eyes widened, as if she had never even considered that possibility.
“No, how could he leave the palace without me, his wife knowing… unless! Is he meeting another woman somewhere?”
Her face turned red with anger in an instant.
“…That, I do not know.”
The indifferent reply only fanned her rage further.
“Is there any way to track where His Majesty goes?”
“There might be, if one searches. But investigating the Emperor of the Empire? Who would dare do such a thing and hope to live?”
“Please! I’m begging you!”
Christine removed all her jewelry—rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings—and handed them over in desperation. They were all expensive pieces, yet the man looked unimpressed.
“What use do I have for items meant for women? And Empress consort’s jewels would be difficult to even dispose of.”
“Then I’ll give you gold coins—”
“That would be fine, but.”
“Is there something you want?”
“As always, information. Tell me a few things I ask for. For example, the Emperor’s whereabouts that you might learn thanks to me.”
“Other things aside, why would you need to know where His Majesty goes?”
“If you are unwilling, then forget it.”
“No! I’ll tell you. I will!”
“Then I will contact you once the item is ready.”
The man collected the jewels Christine had offered.
“Wait, didn’t you say you wouldn’t take them?”
Christine asked, half-raising her hand as if to put the accessories back on.
“I have no reason to refuse what is given to me.”
“But you said they were useless and hard to resell…”
“I said they were troublesome, not impossible.”
“……”
They were her favorite pieces!
Yet Christine could not argue and could only watch them being taken away.
After Diana’s visit, Kaian sent Cedric away again and stayed alone by Estelle’s side.
Since she had taken medicine and received divine power, her fever had already gone down, so there was nothing particularly to do as a caretaker. And yet, he could not bring himself to leave.
Cedric had offered to monitor her condition and report immediately if anything happened, but Kaian had refused even that.
He was a loyal and trustworthy vice-captain, but Kaian did not want him inside Estelle’s bedroom while she was defenseless.
The divine power is quite effective.
Estelle was still sleeping softly, but even to the eye, she looked much better than before.
Should I call that priest again tomorrow while the Empress is asleep?
Satisfied with Diana’s power, Kaian had provided her with a modest residence on the outskirts of the town.
She’s really sleeping without knowing anything.
Had he ever seen Estelle’s face this peaceful before?
Aside from when they were young—training together in the thorn garden while hiding from the former Empress, then falling asleep from exhaustion—it was the only time he could remember.
Yes. Those times existed too.
The days when a nine-year-old girl who only read books secretly learned swordsmanship from a noble knight’s household just to teach the weak prince.
The days when her small, fragile hands were covered in wounds and blisters from holding a sword.
Kaian gently lifted Estelle’s hand.
It was now a white hand without a single scar. As if those days had been nothing more than a dream—there was no trace left at all.
And yet, the memories remained vivid.
How could someone so devoted become so cruel in an instant?
Even if he wanted to ask, Estelle needed to recover her memories first.
And even that would only be possible after she regained stability, so letting her sleep like this was not a bad thing for now.
She must have been exhausted—raising a child alone while suffering under monsters all this time.
“…Wait.”
A child?
As he checked the time he had forgotten while focusing on Estelle, the clock showed 3:50.
Parents came to pick up the children around this time yesterday too.
Kaian became anxious. He didn’t fully understand the kindergarten system, but he didn’t want Aeer to be the last one left.
He hesitated at the thought of leaving Estelle’s side, but sending Cedric instead felt wrong too—Aeer barely knew him and might be uncomfortable.
Having made his decision, Kaian pulled Estelle’s blanket up neatly to just under her chin and covered her securely.
“Cedric.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Cedric immediately opened the bedroom door and bowed his head.
“I will go bring Aeer. You stand here and watch over the Empress.”
“As you command.”
Cedric stood rigidly by the door as ordered.
After confirming this, Kaian rode toward Aeer’s kindergarten.
