~Chapter 91~
“To call another man’s fiancée out to a lonely place at this hour… You’re more devious than you look, Your Majesty.”
Kilian’s heavy voice rang in Aisha’s ears, and she stared blankly at his broad back.
Was she dreaming?
She had missed Kilian so much the past few days.
There was no way he should be here…
“And to touch her so carelessly.”
But Kilian kept speaking in a cold, sharp voice—proving to Aisha that this wasn’t a dream.
“So, what business do you have with my fiancée? Tell me directly, Your Majesty.”
Just from his back, Aisha could tell how angry Kilian was.
Only then did Aisha snap out of it, taking a shaky breath and biting her lip.
‘No…’
In the end, because of her, Kilian was dragged into trouble.
Belmore already disliked Kilian…
“D-Duke…”
“Please stay where you are, My Lady.”
Kilian used polite language in front of Belmore, which felt strange.
“Just stay behind me.”
“I don’t want to see you get hurt anymore.”
Why was he doing all this for her? Why was his voice so warm?
How could she ever let go of her feelings for him now?
Even though it was dangerous, she felt like crying.
“How touching, Duke.”
Belmore, still staring at Kilian, slowly moved his lips.
“I didn’t know you cared so much for Lady Aisha Ashton.”
“……”
“Even though your relationship is only a lie.”
So he knew.
Kilian’s face grew tense.
“Or… are you worried?”
“Worried someone will steal the power of ‘Vivi Bubblemouth’ and ‘Sunday’s Exposé’ from you?”
“……”
“Well, it wouldn’t be strange. You are the biggest beneficiary of that magazine, after all. Am I wrong?”
“Who knows.”
Kilian finally replied, his face expressionless.
“Maybe it started as a lie, but now it could be real.”
Wait—what?
“Unlike Your Majesty, I don’t keep people around just to use them. And anyway, Aisha Ashton is my fiancée. That fact has not changed.”
Ah.
‘That’s right. Kilian’s only reason is to “save his fiancée.” That’s why… he can say something like that.’
Of course, his feelings couldn’t suddenly become real.
Her mind was a mess.
He probably just came because he had to, but even so, seeing him again made her feel safe—and happy.
But she still didn’t want him to get hurt because of her.
“You don’t seem to realize what you’ve done.”
Belmore lifted his arm, showing the glass cuts.
“You tried to assassinate the emperor, Kilian Winters.”
“No, assassination—!”
It was you who started this!
Aisha tried to shout, but Kilian motioned for her to stay quiet.
“You should be executed for treason.”
“……”
“Don’t you agree?”
As Belmore tried to sound more threatening, the imperial knights burst in from outside and surrounded them.
Aisha glanced out the window, and her eyes met someone in the distance.
It was Til, standing in a tree, watching everything.
With the knights coming in, it looked like Til and the Rune members wanted to help, too.
But Aisha quickly shook her head.
‘Just being connected to me is dangerous enough. I can’t let everyone see Rune helping Kilian.’
That would be perfect blackmail for Belmore. She would rather die than give Belmore that weapon against Kilian.
But Til thought differently.
The moment Belmore touched Aisha, Til almost jumped down with his sword—but then Kilian suddenly appeared, and he stopped.
‘Damn it.’
Of course he was frustrated.
Any man would be angry if a woman he cared about was in danger.
But Aisha kept looking at him as if begging him not to interfere, and Til finally gave up with a sigh.
“So, what will you do now, Duke Kilian?”
Belmore smiled slyly at Kilian.
“You seem to be in a tough spot.”
“Maybe. If I didn’t know the man here was the emperor, that would be true.”
Kilian stared fiercely at Belmore, then pulled out a small folded note and waved it.
It was a short letter.
“Duke, your fiancée Aisha Ashton has been kidnapped.”
‘Huh?’
“Sorry for not giving my name for safety reasons. Please rescue Aisha Ashton as soon as possible. Her location is…”
It even gave the exact place. But who wrote it? And why “kidnapped?”
“Kidnapped? That’s ridiculous! Aisha Ashton came here by her own will!”
Belmore shouted in disbelief.
“Can you really say that?”
Aisha responded.
“You threatened to expose my secret. How can you say I came here freely? I don’t agree with you, Your Majesty.”
“And I felt my life was in danger. My fiancé came to save me, not knowing you were the emperor. So how is this treason?”
You messed up now.
So far, you had the upper hand, but arguing is my specialty.
“Besides, I have proof someone tipped him off about the kidnapping.”
Aisha’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Belmore.
“Now I’m curious.”
She spoke firmly, driving the point home.
“Vivi Bubblemouth was threatened and kidnapped by none other than the emperor himself. And you even tried to force her to be your concubine to use ‘Sunday’s Exposé’ for yourself!”
“……”
“What do you think will happen if all this is published in ‘Sunday’s Exposé’? What do you say, Your Majesty?”
