Chapter 119
“Now it’s time to choose.”
The first emperor did not excuse himself from my accusation.
After explaining about the watch’s use, he looked at me and urged me to decide.
“….”
My heart pounded loudly.
I like Etias.
Even if reading Star of Revolution and being pulled into this world was all that old man’s plan—
My feelings for Etias are mine alone.
When my life was hardest, I gained strength just by looking at him. I endured because of him, and whenever he suffered, my heart ached as if crushed.
Even after falling into this world, the thought that I could help him made me not even resent it that much.
The real Etias I met was even more captivating than in the novel.
So… I still want desperately to save him.
Even if it means giving up on returning to my own world.
‘Anyway, there’s no one waiting for me in that world.’
I had grown up struggling in a bad family, facing countless trials.
If I returned with great wealth, maybe I could take revenge on those who hurt me, maybe live proudly.
But could I ever forget this life?
The people who recognize and love me—Agnes, Heros, and… my shining emperor, Etias.
“I’ll choose.”
I spoke in a calm, steady voice.
At my answer, his lips curved faintly.
The next morning, I was looking at the bright garden and listening to the birds.
“You must’ve had a good dream last night, my lady,” Agnes said as she came in with breakfast.
“…Hm?”
“You look much fresher than usual.”
Ah, so it shows.
“Phew…”
I drank the water she gave me and took a deep breath.
“Actually, I worried a little last night. Your face looked flushed, your expression tense…” Agnes went on.
“And your lips were quite swollen…”
“Agnes.”
I raised my brows before her endless concern continued. Agnes flinched and shut her mouth.
She looked nervous, as if she had said something wrong. But I decided to tell her.
After all, though called a maid, she had become my closest friend.
“We became lovers.”
If I count from yesterday, then today is day one.
“W-what?”
“Shh!”
“Oh, sorry, my lady.”
I placed a hand over my pounding heart.
“It’s His Majesty, right?”
Since she had suspected before, Agnes asked carefully.
“…Yes.”
“Oh my, really, my lady. Congratulations…!”
Though she lowered her voice, her emotions were full.
“I knew it would turn out well. You and His Majesty are the empire’s most perfect couple. Well, though the butler may be terribly sad. I’ll prepare handkerchiefs for his tears, so don’t worry.”
“You really…”
When I scolded lightly, she grinned.
“My lady, whether it’s love or anything else, you’ll do well. Everything you’ve done so far already proves that.”
Her words made my eyes waver slightly.
“It proves you yourself, my lady.”
I laughed softly.
“You’ve given me confidence in my choice again.”
“Hm?”
“I had a meaningful dream last night.”
Well, not exactly a dream. It had been my meeting with the ancestor who wrote that story.
‘A dream about whether I could really keep living in this world.’
In the end, there was only one direction for me.
To save Etias. And to live happily at his side.
“After choosing, I doubted if it was right. Thank you.”
I had overcome everything and gained what I wanted. So surely, I would do well again.
“Well, I don’t know what it was, but I’m sure you made the right choice.”
Her certainty made me smile. I stretched.
Time to begin the day.
“Y-your Majesty…”
Kubel Hintz bowed deeply before Etias’s feet.
The emperor looked down at him with cold eyes and spoke.
“You are a man who truly deserves death.”
At his quiet voice, sweat poured down Kubel’s back.
He had flattered the Rebel Emperor to gain the High Priest’s seat and cruelly oppressed Etias.
Once, he even threw a flint at Etias’s feet and ordered him to pick it up like a dog, until Katrin Elemore scolded him harshly.
“If not for Duke Katrin Elemore, your neck would have been hanging on the city wall long ago.”
He had committed countless crimes deserving death, but Katrin gave him one last chance: bring evidence of the West’s suspicious dealings and live.
“Y-your Majesty… h-hic…” Kubel trembled, flat against the floor.
“But a promise is a promise. And Duke Katrin Elemore is…”
Etias’s blue eyes flickered with her face.
Even with such filth before him, she could make him want to smile.
“Because she is the one I cherish most, I will spare your life according to her will.”
Kubel gasped in relief, as though rescued from drowning.
“Of course, that does not mean your sins are pardoned. You will face interrogation by Duke Kamel Beatrice.”
“Y-yes, Your Majesty.”
“You must also use your ill-gotten wealth and body to atone for your greed.”
Relieved just to be alive, Kubel pressed his forehead to the ground, then rose and bowed repeatedly before being taken away by guards.
When the hall was empty again, Etias let out a shallow sigh.
‘I miss her.’
He hadn’t slept well last night.
Their first kiss, so deep and breathless…
Her sweet lips and scent haunted his mind.
His body burned with desire, the feelings he had always suppressed now almost impossible to restrain.
“Ha…”
What gift should he send?
It had to be better than the jewel before.
Nothing was too much for her.
“Your Majesty, Marquis Fernar has arrived.”
Still lost in thoughts of her pink hair, Etias nodded.
“Let him in.”
Caron entered brightly.
“Your Majesty. I have prepared the alliance agreement with five nations including Yucubis. And as for Barzenka…”
His face alone showed it was good news.
“Many treasures are being sent as apology for Gomels’s behavior. And more—Barzenka’s emperor has secretly pledged to betray Gran Orden and join our side.”
The West’s two strongest powers were Gran Orden and Barzenka.
If Barzenka joined them, the war’s result was already tilted.
Caron spoke in a joyful voice.
“Victory is now in our grasp.”
