n

n

n

nTL: Lilac | PR: Ansoo

n“……”

n‘I definitely washed my face.’

nAstelle touched her cheek with her hand, wondering if there were any tears left behind.

nKaizen said, as if trying to reassure Astelle.

n“Don’t worry, everything will be fine.”

n“……”

nIt may not be all right if the truth about the assassination is revealed.

nBut Astelle couldn’t tell Kaizen that.

nIf the true culprit behind the assassination is revealed, Astelle will not be able to escape.

nAstelle felt terribly towards herself for thinking about that even at this moment.

nShe looked away from Kaizen and asked,

n“Are your wounds okay?”

n“As you can see, I’m fine.”

n“What did the doctor say?”

n“The doctor said it would be fine.”

nIt looked like a pretty deep cut, but he was so healthy.

nStill, it was fortunate that there were no aftereffects.

nAstelle bowed her head to him.

n“I couldn’t thank you properly. Thank you for protecting me.”

n“You have nothing to thank me for. It is only natural that I protect you.”

nKaizen said so in a calm tone.

nAstelle suddenly remembered the scene she had seen in the forest.

nKaizen’s wounds while protecting Astelle.

nIn his moment of crisis, Kaizen fought desperately to protect Astelle without thinking about his own safety.

nAstelle, feeling a little complicated, answered quietly,

n“Yes, I’m glad that Your Majesty was not seriously hurt either.”

nAt those words, Kaizen turned to Astelle with his shocked eyes.

nHe looked astonished.

nAstelle thought for a moment as to where she had said something so surprising to him.

n“You… Did you worry about me?”

nWell, how can she not worry? He is the emperor.

n“I was worried that the wound would be severe. It would be a big deal if there were any aftereffects.”

nAstelle said as calmly as possible. But Kaizen still looked surprised.

n“Your Majesty? Why are you so surprised?”

n“It’s amazing that you really cared about me because I didn’t think it was possible in real life.”

nAstelle did not know whether he was joking or serious. She just sighed as tried to refute Kaizen’s words.

n“You saved me, so of course I have to worry.”

nA sense of guilt was mixed with gratitude.

nIt was Astelle’s father, the Duke of Reston, who tried to kill Kaizen.

nKnowing this, Astelle could not tell Kaizen the truth.

nEven though his help had saved her life that day, she couldn’t be honest with him.

n“Astelle.”

nKaizen, who had been watching Astelle’s complicated expression, approached her.

nIn an instant, the distance between the two of them narrowed.

n“Your Majesty?”

nKaizen was close enough to reach her if he stretched out his hand.

nThere was a warmth in his numb red eyes.

n“I’m glad you’re safe.”

nHis sincere affection in those eyes made her speechless.

nKaizen drew closer and closer.

nAstelle stood dazed, then tried to step back.

nBut before she could take a step, Kaizen grabbed Astelle’s shoulder and held her in his arms.

n“Y-Your Majesty?”

nAs Astelle was panicking and trying to get out, a shaky voice reached her ear.

n“When the assassin ran at you, I thought I couldn’t breathe.”

nHis always strong and cold voice was currently trembling.

n“I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to protect you.”

nKaizen’s fearful voice was unfamiliar enough that it felt strange.

nAstelle was held in his arms and quietly listening to his voice.

nShe obviously had to get out, but her whole body was exhausted.

n“Your Majesty, I…”

nKaizen looked at her.

nHis face was close enough for Astelle to feel his breath.

nSharp and delicate eyes with red eyes.

nA nose that creates a sharp line.

nHe had an incredibly handsome face.

nHe was a dangerously seductive man.

nAstelle almost came to her senses too late.

nIf she had stayed like this, she felt like she would be swept away by the atmosphere and cross the line.

nShe pushed Kaizen away and escaped from his arms.

n“Your Majesty.”

nAstelle turned her body.

n“Please stop and go back.”

nThis way, she couldn’t break the boundaries with Kaizen.

nAstelle came to her senses and took control of her mind.

n“……”

nKaizen looked at her without saying a word and then went outside.

n

n***

n

nVellian, who was standing around in the corridor waiting for the emperor, found Kaizen coming out of the annex and ran to him.

n“Your Majesty.”

nKaizen passed him without looking back and walked towards the main palace.

nVellian hurriedly followed him.

n“That… all of the bodies of the assassins have been recovered.”

nHe followed up and reported, but no answer came back.

nThe Emperor seems to be in a bad mood.

nVellian deeply regretted having advised him to go on a picnic.

nIf he hadn’t come up with that suggestion, none of this would have happened.

nBut he couldn’t undo what had already happened.

nHe thought the northern forest would be safe as the knights kept guard of it.

nEven if dangerous things happen, Kaizen was one of the best swordsmen in the empire.

n‘I shouldn’t have taken it so easy.’

nBecause of that, the Emperor’s mood was bottoming out.

nWhen they reached the middle of the corridor, Kaizen said firmly.

n“I will take Astelle to the Imperial Palace.”

n“Sorry…?”

n‘No, what do you mean…’

nVellian stopped in surprise, but Kaizen did not wait for him and continued walking.

n“Y-Your Majesty.”

nVellian followed Kaizen and quietly said something he couldn’t say out loud.

n“Your Majesty, if the Duke of Reston dies as a traitor, Lady Astelle will not be able to return to the Imperial Palace.”

nThe Duke of Reston must be behind this incident.

nEven if this was not the case, Kaizen planned to kill the Duke of Reston as a traitor one day and destroy his family.

nNo matter how wonderful Astelle was, she could not become the empress if she became the daughter of a traitor.

nIt was common sense.

nKaizen responded coldly as he walked without hesitation.

n“If the Duke dies before becoming a traitor, Astelle won’t be a traitor’s daughter.”

nVellian, who was following him, stopped in surprise when he realized the meaning contained in it.

nHe meant to kill the Duke of Reston without revealing his guilt.

nIt also meant that he would bring Astelle back to the Imperial Palace as soon as possible.

n

n***

n

nThe emperor’s party set off for the capital the next day.

nThe atmosphere was stricter than ever.

nEveryone was on the lookout because there was an assassination attempt.

nEven when they stayed in the dormitory for a while, neither Astelle nor anyone could leave the dorm.

nIt took ten days to reach the capital by the fastest route possible.

nMeanwhile, Astelle was confined to only the carriage with a harsh atmosphere, like a prisoner being transferred to prison.

n‘I’m really glad that I made a lot of potions for Theor’s eyes.’

nOtherwise, she would have had to run away from the knights to get the herbs.

nShe didn’t even have the confidence to go into the forest for medicinal plants without being caught.

nThe knights protecting the emperor were stricter than ever.

n‘……’

nAstelle remembered meeting Kaizen that night as if it had just happened.

nAstelle deeply regretted that her heart had been relieved for a moment in those pathetic eyes.

n‘I shouldn’t have broken the boundaries like that.’

nThere were plenty of reasons why Astelle couldn’t get closer to Kaizen.

nJust thinking about Theor’s birth and her father’s work.

nEven so, she did not understand why she was relieved by Kaizen at that moment.

n‘Why…’

nMeanwhile Theor, who was sleeping on Astelle’s lap, turned his body.

nAstelle looked at Theor who was sleeping soundly and calmed her confused mind.

nAnyways, the past is irreversible.

nAll that is left now is to finish the work of the Empress Dowager’s will as quickly as possible and go home.

nAstelle looked out the window of the carriage and made up her mind.

nAs soon as she goes to the capital, she promises to finish the will and leave.

n

n***

n

nThe morning of the tenth day after departing from Dentsu Castle.

nA rattling carriage passed through the eastern gate of the capital.

nFinally, the Emperor’s party has arrived in the capital.

nAstelle looked out at the familiar road scenery and swallowed a bitter thought.

n‘I’m back.’

nWhen she left this place six years ago, she swore she would never come back.

nThe affairs of the world were really unpredictable.

n‘To come back to the capital with the emperor like this…’

nThe Emperor’s party went into the Imperial Palace, but Astelle, Theor, and the Marquis’ carriage went to the mansion near the Imperial Palace.

nIt was the mansion that Kaizen ordered to prepare in advance when Astelle said she would not stay in the Imperial Palace.

nThe carriage entered the large gate.

nAstelle shook Theor to wake him up.

n“Theor, we have arrived. Get up.”

n“Hm…”

nTheor, who was sleeping on Astelle’s lap, opened his eyes.

n“Have we arrived?”

n“Yes. Now we are in the capital.”

nWhen Astelle got off the carriage, they were in the front yard of a large mansion.

nDozens of windows adorned with gold and silver hung on the pure white wall carved with holy water.

nIt was an incredibly gorgeous mansion.

nIt was as splendid and grand as the residence of the Reston family where Astelle lived.

nCome to think of it, this was the mansion of a fallen duke.

nThe Marquis, who got off the carriage with her, frowned as if realizing it.

n