CHAPTER 77…………………
“Everett, open your eyes quickly. Show me your radiant smile and those sparkling black eyes again. I want to see your small, cute dimples too. And those little lips that always make me want to tease you….”
Kyle’s face hovered so close to Everett’s it was almost touching.
“Every time I look at you, these feelings suddenly surge up inside me, but… I don’t really know what they are.”
Their gazes didn’t meet, yet Kyle’s chest grew hotter and hotter.
“Fortune-teller Naz knows everything, right? Wake up and tell me. Tell me what this feeling is.”
Murmuring her name softly, Kyle pressed his burning lips against Everett’s.
When he lifted his head, for some reason it felt like tears were about to burst from his eyes.
“Everett….”
He wrapped his arms around the sleeping Everett and buried his face into the pillow beside hers.
“Kh….”
At last, the short cry he had been holding back slipped out, digging painfully into Everett’s ear.
As morning broke, Everett exhaled a short, sharp breath.
The black eyes Kyle had longed to see flickered open and shut.
Slowly turning her head, she saw Kyle’s red hair resting beside her, sound asleep.
Ah… there was an explosion.
She remembered being thrown down the stairs.
But after a brief moment of wakefulness, Everett soon sank back into a deep sleep.
From the second floor came the loud crash of something breaking.
Kyle had been speaking with Alfred in the sitting room when it happened.
“Everett?”
He sprinted up the stairs to her room in an instant.
There was Daisy, standing frozen, the fallen tray at her feet.
“What happened?”
“My lady…!”
Following Daisy’s cry, Kyle entered to see Everett sitting up against the bed.
“Everett….”
“My lady!”
Daisy rushed forward, hugging Everett tightly, and burst into sobs.
“My lady, you’re all right? Nothing hurts, does it?”
She bombarded her with questions, touching her arms and legs everywhere to make sure.
“I’m fine. I’m not in pain. Daisy, you must have worried a lot.”
“Don’t speak if it hurts your throat.”
“It’s just hoarse. It doesn’t hurt.”
Daisy nodded frantically, and Kyle stepped forward.
“Daisy, outside there’s a knight who came with Alf. Tell him to fetch the healer.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Though she claimed she was fine, Everett’s body was still sore and stiff from the beating she had taken.
When she tried to turn her head, Kyle gently steadied her neck and shoulders.
“Everett, sudden movements could hurt you. Endure it a little longer and wait for the healer.”
Before she could reply, he softly eased her back down onto the bed.
At his touch, she suddenly remembered his confession and the kiss from last night. Her face flushed red.
Kyle’s large hand cupped her blushing cheek.
“Does it hurt? Do you have a fever?”
The natural warmth of his touch made Everett unsure where to look.
“N-no, I’m fine. Not in pain.”
To hide her embarrassment, she answered as calmly as possible.
Kyle’s gaze burned as it lingered on her.
“I’m glad, Everett.”
She had seen many expressions on his face before, but never one like this. Her cheeks flushed even hotter.
“Thank you for saving me, Lord Kyle.”
“You remember?”
“Of course. When I was collapsed on the stairs, I heard your voice. And outside too….”
“Outside, you say. Everett, could it be that….”
Kyle wanted to know how she had known about the explosion.
“My lord, the healer has arrived.”
Just as he was about to ask, the healer entered with a small boy in tow.
While the healer examined Everett, the boy looked around the room curiously.
“There don’t seem to be any lasting aftereffects, but you must be careful. The wounds will heal soon. Since you complain of muscle pain, I’ll prescribe some herbs.”
The healer handed over a pouch of powder, different in color from the last.
“Mix it with warm water and drink often.”
After leaving the mansion, the healer bent down to the boy beside him.
“You saw everything, yes?”
“Yes, sir.”
He slipped a few coins into the boy’s hand.
“Go to the temple right away and find Priest Fenaios. Tell him exactly what you saw.”
“Understood.”
The day Yankeller had stormed out of Everett’s house, he had secretly approached the healer, asking to be informed the moment she woke.
Better still, he wanted a full account of the scene at that very moment.
For such trivial information, the payment he had given was surprisingly generous.
Watching the boy run off, the healer let out a short sigh.
“All I did was pass on news of her waking… so why does this feel so unsettling?”
As though to shake off the uneasy feeling, he flicked his robes briskly as he walked away.
“Your Majesty, we must find the cause of the fire.”
“An explosion on the day of a palace banquet—surely a sacrilegious act targeting the crown.”
The two blasts had spread flames, but fortunately only a section of the plaza had burned.
No one knew it was thanks to Everett, Kyle, and the quick action of the enemy knights that it hadn’t been worse.
The emperor, who had only been staring silently at the nobles until now, finally spoke.
“I heard no one was hurt.”
“But many shops burned. This was no accident. We must find the culprits and—”
The emperor let out a heavy sigh, cutting him off.
He found it bothersome.
The plaza was already destroyed. No lives had been lost.
Even if the culprits were caught, the ruined buildings would not return.
His mind was far busier with plans to marry Kyle to the saintess as soon as possible.
“Your Majesty, that is not the only problem.”
“What else now?”
The emperor clicked his tongue impatiently.
“Discontented elements have been spreading strange leaflets.”
The noble handed a half-burnt sheet to a servant.
“This is one of them?”
Though partially destroyed, the words were still clear. The emperor glanced at it but didn’t bother to read.
“They’re plastered all over the plaza. Malcontents are stirring up the ignorant masses against the empire.”
In deep blue ink were slogans: “The emperor’s incompetence.” “The harm of the class system.” “Let’s change the world.”
“So? What of it? Bartman is a free empire where anyone may voice their opinion.”
“But, Your Majesty, this incites rebellion among the people—”
The emperor raised a hand, silencing him.
He turned to Duke Bacard, who stood quietly without speaking.
“And you, what do you think?”
The duke bowed his head slightly and replied in a flat tone.
“Since ancient times, those without power have always stirred up the ignorant with words.”
“Exactly.”
“Step on a small insect and it’s over. If it troubles Your Majesty, I can investigate.”
“Nonsense. I know how busy you are, I won’t burden you with childish pamphlets.”
“Your consideration is appreciated, sire.”
“Since we’re speaking, let me ask one more thing. Duke, what should be done with the culprits behind the fire?”
The nobles’ eyes lit with anticipation, all fixed on the duke.
“I… think His Majesty is right.”
The nobles frowned in disappointment, but the emperor beamed brighter than ever.
“Finding them is important, but more important than causes or culprits is comforting the people who suffered.”
“Yes, I agree. You and I truly think alike, Duke. So, do you have a plan?”
“The canceled palace banquet, sire.”
“The banquet?”
“Why not host it instead for the grieving people? Invite them into the palace.”
The nobles chuckled incredulously.
“A banquet where Your Majesty and the nobility dine with the common folk. That will silence all that nonsense about classes and divisions.”
“Duke Bacard, do you truly mean that? A palace banquet with peasants?”
Facing their murmurs, the duke replied calmly.
“What greater gift to the sorrowful people than food from His Majesty’s hand? Or do you mean to say the emperor’s banquet is worthless, Count?”
“N-no… Duke, that’s not what I meant—”
“Enough. Must you quarrel over trifles?”
The emperor waved dismissively.
“I think the duke’s suggestion excellent.”
“When the people see Your Majesty’s radiant presence, their loyalty to the empire will only grow.”
One of Bacard’s retainers chimed in with honeyed words.
Pleased, the emperor’s lips curved into a wide smile.
“Hmm, yes, of course.”
He stroked his thick beard and nodded.
“I’ll entrust this matter to Duke Bacard. Now go, all of you. I am weary.”
A crooked smile flickered briefly across the duke’s lips before vanishing.
