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Chapter 2
As soon as dawn broke, I opened my eyes and got moving quickly. From today, I had to begin executing my plan.
If I came on too strongly from the start, it might raise suspicion, so I would begin modestly—sharing meals, step by step.
Woken earlier than usual, Lima gave me a puzzled look.
“Are you going somewhere today? I wasn’t informed of any schedule…”
“A new one just came up. I need to go see His Majesty, so help me prepare.”
“…Pardon?”
Lima’s hands, which had been gently brushing my hair, froze mid-motion. Her face was clearly flustered.
Well, even though I was the Emperor’s fiancée, I wasn’t part of the imperial family yet. I couldn’t just show up whenever I pleased.
“I already sent word through Baron Orfen. It’s fine.”
“When…?”
“Just now.”
Lima’s brushing stopped again. But as expected of a professional, she quickly resumed styling my hair as if nothing had happened.
“Then will you be going out in the afternoon?”
“No. I’ll leave as soon as I’m ready. I plan to have breakfast with His Majesty.”
If I left now, I’d likely arrive just as my message reached him—or even before it. I might actually arrive too early, so I needed to take my time.
“Understood… Then I’ll style your hair neatly!”
“Yes. Please do.”
There was still plenty of time. The Emperor’s breakfast started late, so I could still change dresses.
“Lima, bring the dress I had tailored at Carre’s atelier.”
“Yes.”
Lima, perhaps resigned by now, calmly followed my orders.
Hm. As expected—it’s beautiful.
The navy-blue fabric and bell-shaped silhouette enhanced my appearance even more. The intricate embroidery was satisfying.
While choosing a necklace, I thought about how I should whisper my love to the Emperor today.
Last time I went short and intense… so maybe I should do the opposite today? Or maybe I should keep things consistent for now.
“This one.”
“Yes.”
Once I put on the necklace set with a yellow gemstone, Isanna’s beauty shone even brighter. Satisfied, I immediately headed to the imperial palace.
“Lady.”
“I know. Wait outside.”
“Yes.”
After arriving at the main palace where the Emperor resided, I stepped out of the carriage. Within the palace grounds, only royals were permitted to travel by carriage or horse.
“Ha…”
Honestly, it would be a lie to say I wasn’t nervous. The Emperor might turn me away at the door. But I couldn’t just stay still out of fear.
I had no choice but to gamble.
“Lady Delorvant.”
“Sir Gale.”
I greeted the Emperor’s chief escort knight with a smile.
As always, the rigid knight said nothing and simply escorted me. The only sound was the click of my heels echoing through the corridor.
Wait… that silhouette…
As I followed Sir Gale toward the Emperor’s office, I spotted a figure in the distance and froze.
It was unmistakably familiar.
A perfectly proportioned man like a marble statue—hair shimmering as if dusted with gold. Eyes like pink diamonds beneath long lashes.
Even from afar, I knew immediately—it was Mikain Salavar.
Ah… my life.
Things really never went the way I wanted.
Of all times, I had to run into the Grand Duke Salavar here.
They say enemies meet on a narrow bridge… but why now of all moments?
I even considered turning and running, but then I might be late for the Emperor’s breakfast.
While I hesitated, the distance between us shrank until we stood face to face.
“….”
“….”
The heavy silence was broken first by Salavar.
“Isanna Delorvant. I thought I made myself clear. If you appear before me one more time…”
His open disgust nearly cracked my composure.
I had been persistent in the past, yes—but still, this felt excessive.
…No. It’s true. That was my fault.
Recalling my past behavior, I silently accepted it.
No need to greet him. It would probably be more comfortable for him that way.
I gave a small, formal nod and passed him without hesitation.
“…?”
A confused gaze stabbed into the back of my head. Yes, I’ve already moved on from you.
I walked forward without stopping.
No hesitation. Just forward.
“Lady. That is not the way.”
“…I was distracted for a moment. Let’s go.”
Embarrassed, I quickly changed direction toward where Sir Gale pointed. Even the stoic knight seemed to have a faint change in expression.
Though it didn’t look particularly friendly.
“Haa…”
“Are you unwell?”
“No, I’m fine.”
I put my noble mask back on and followed him toward the Emperor’s office.
“Is His Majesty inside?”
“Yes.”
At the guard’s reply, Sir Gale knocked twice and announced my arrival.
“…Enter.”
After a short silence, permission was granted.
I took a deep breath and stepped inside.
“L-Lady…!”
Baron Orfen—the man I had contacted that morning—was standing before the Emperor, bowing deeply. Thankfully, I hadn’t arrived first.
“I seem to have arrived too early.”
“…What brings you here this early in the morning?”
The Emperor, with his cravat loosened from work, looked dangerously attractive.
Unlike the refined, slender Salavar, he exuded a wild, masculine presence.
I quickly composed my expression after briefly getting distracted by his physique.
“I came to have breakfast with you.”
“…Breakfast?”
He asked again with a faint frown.
“We’ve been engaged for quite some time, but we’ve never really had a meal together.”
“I see.”
“So from now on… let’s have meals together every day.”
The hand turning documents stopped.
I silently prayed he would say yes.
“Is this so you can meet Mikain Salavar?”
The sudden name made my brow twitch.
“…What do you mean?”
It seemed to be related to earlier.
“You must be staying at the palace for a while, Grand Duke Salavar.”
“Hah. So you didn’t know?”
“I didn’t.”
I quickly denied it.
But the Emperor didn’t seem to believe me at all.
So today wouldn’t be that easy after all.
“If it bothers Your Majesty, I won’t insist.”
I decided to step back.
I couldn’t force it—especially if Salavar was involved.
Why isn’t he saying anything? This is making me nervous.
The Emperor silently stared at me, unreadable.
“Do as you please.”
Finally, he agreed.
I was more stunned than happy.
That easy?
I had expected resistance. I was prepared to push harder.
But it went too smoothly.
Was this just courtesy toward his fiancée? That didn’t match his usual behavior.
“Anything else? Or should I have breakfast prepared?”
“Ah… I’m just relieved. You must be hungry, so let’s eat.”
Whatever his intentions, the first step of my plan had gone smoothly.
More opportunities to interact with the Emperor meant the rest of my plan would be easier.
“Benjamin. Prepare breakfast. For Isanna as well.”
“Yes, I will arrange it immediately.”
“Um…”
Baron Orfen timidly raised his hand. I hadn’t even noticed he was still there.
“He was still here?”
“Eek!”
The Emperor’s cold voice made him shrink like prey before a predator.
“Be gone.”
“Yes, yes! Thank you, Your Majesty!”
He hurried out after the steward.
Was he always this timid? Did the Emperor say something to him?
Soon after, a lavish breakfast was laid out on the table, enough to warp the legs of the furniture.
The Emperor usually ate in his office for efficiency’s sake.
Seeing that, I couldn’t tell whether he was a tyrant or a wise ruler.
One thing is certain—he’s a tyrant to me.
As he began eating, I followed suit.
And then I froze.
This is…?
A red stir-fried pork dish—rare in this world—tasted exactly like spicy stir-fried pork from my homeland.
I had no memory of Isanna ever eating something like this.
“Isn’t it time you spoke?”
“…Excuse me?”
“You must want something from me. Or did the Duke send you?”
What I want? Divorce after marriage, obviously. And alimony, you bastard.
The words almost rose to my throat.
As expected, this wouldn’t be easy.
“I… told you yesterday… that I… love you, Your Majesty…”
I set down my utensils and looked at him with teary eyes.
The Emperor’s gaze wavered.
Accept it. You like me.
“I’ll take my leave now. You may finish your meal and go.”
Without warning, he stood up and left the office.
“…?”
I stared blankly.
He had been eating calmly just a moment ago, and then just left like that.
“Ha…”
“Should I prepare the carriage, Lady?”
The steward Benjamin asked carefully.
I was about to say yes—but my eyes landed on the pork dish.
It reminded me of home.
“…He did provide this meal. I can’t just leave. I’ll finish it first.”
“Yes. I’ll prepare the carriage in advance.”
I sighed and nodded.
“Enjoy your meal.”
Click.
After Benjamin left, I immediately returned to the food.
I would just finish this and go home.
I might need to revise my entire plan.
And that evening…
Hearing that the Emperor had lunch with the Viscount Pio’s daughter, I could only clutch the back of my neck in disbelief.
