~Chapter 69~
“Wh-what are you saying, Your Majesty?”
Nicolai, who had been quiet, suddenly acted as if he’d been stung by a bee.
Arwen stood beside Nicolai. Nicolai swallowed nervously, his hands sweaty for some reason.
“Someone blessed by God would never have feelings like that. I made a mistake, Your Holiness. I only asked because you seemed so hesitant.”
“There are some things you just shouldn’t say, Your Majesty.”
Arwen’s expression turned cold. Her eyebrow twisted. She smiled crookedly and said,
“Your Holiness, you keep forgetting who I am…”
Arwen moved closer to Nicolai. Nicolai just lowered his gaze to look at her.
“I am the Emperor of this Empire.”
So don’t act like you’re above me.
Arwen grabbed and tugged at the collar of Nicolai’s priest robe. She also dusted off his shoulders. His face grew darker.
Nicolai, deciding he needed to change clothes soon, bent his back slightly.
“Take care, Your Majesty. I’ll go in first. It’s time for prayer.”
Right at that moment, the bell for afternoon prayer rang. Nicolai hurried away into the palace without even saying goodbye, as if running from Arwen.
“He’s too easy to read.”
Arwen clicked her tongue.
“Looks like I’ll have to move myself again this time. Salerio.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“When is Count Lovelace’s ship leaving?”
“There’s no exact date yet.”
“Tell me as soon as you find out. Don’t neglect to watch the mansion.”
“I’ll report it, Your Majesty.”
The wind was chilly. Salerio put a coat over Arwen’s shoulders.
“Is Larvihan still at the Harmelda estate today?”
Salerio bowed his head in answer.
Arwen looked up at the sky and watched the clouds.
If someone can’t be kept by your side, even with chains, then you have to kill them. It was something her hated father had always said, but Arwen couldn’t deny it was true.
‘What would Father have done?’
The clouds turned into Octoberg’s face and gave an evil smile. Arwen already knew the answer. If it were Octoberg, he would kill Lovelace cruelly.
And he’d wait for Larvihan to make a mistake out of anger.
Even though she never wanted to be like her father, Arwen was still his daughter.
“Get out, now!”
Crash! Something broke. Bain shouted, chasing Lovelace out. Larvihan pulled her close and protected her.
“Calm down, Bain.”
“Sir! Please, I beg you. Leave me alone. Go away.”
Lovelace looked back and forth between Bain and Larvihan.
‘Does Bain know Larvihan?’
But why pretend not to all this time?
As Lovelace tilted her head, another crash came. Bain swept everything off the counter onto the floor.
“Bain, calm down!”
The sailors ran over and held his arms. Bain kicked his feet.
“What’s wrong with him?” Lovelace asked worriedly.
Larvihan put his hand on the back of Lovelace’s head to shield her from seeing the scene.
Larvihan silently watched Bain. Feeling his gaze, Bain stopped struggling and bit his lower lip.
“Ray, Bain lost his family to a siren.”
“What?”
Lovelace looked up at Larvihan.
“So he’s been waiting for revenge. Ray, will you give him a chance?”
But this question wasn’t really for Lovelace. Larvihan was asking Bain if he wanted to join Lovelace’s ship.
A heavy silence filled the room. Lovelace slipped out of Larvihan’s arms and faced Bain.
“If you need to get revenge at sea, I can help you.”
Larvihan grabbed Lovelace’s waist, stopping her from moving forward—worried she might get hurt by broken glass on the floor.
“You really travel with crazy women, sir,” Bain said.
“Watch your mouth, Bain. The only reason I’m not killing you is because it might help her.”
Larvihan glared at Bain, who was forced to sit down.
Lovelace patted Larvihan’s arm to calm him. If Larvihan was letting someone get away with this, the person must be very skilled.
“This isn’t the right time to talk, so let’s come again next time. Will you throw beer mugs again then?”
“Of course!” Bain yelled.
“Then I’d better prepare mugs for myself next time. Wouldn’t want to ruin your business because I broke too many.”
Bain stared at Lovelace, confused by her words.
“Maybe I’ll need a hundred beer mugs?”
The sailors finally realized Lovelace was serious and burst out laughing.
“She’s a funny woman! Bain, I like her.”
“She says she’ll come alone next time. Not scared at all—she’s got guts.”
“Why don’t you meet her once? Haha!”
Just a moment ago, these men had called Lovelace crazy, but now they changed their minds completely. Lovelace was confused by the sudden change.
Bain scowled but said,
“Come if you’re brave enough to show up without him.”
“See you tonight,” Lovelace answered without hesitation.
“Let’s go, Larvihan.”
She grabbed Larvihan’s wrist and marched out of the pub, holding tight.
When the sign of the pub finally disappeared behind them, Lovelace stopped. Larvihan stopped too, following her silently.
Whew.
Lovelace let out a deep breath. Her tense shoulders dropped. She’d been so nervous Larvihan might blow up the whole pub.
“I have a question.”
Once she had calmed down, Lovelace spoke.
“There are too many people watching here. Shall we talk inside?” Larvihan pointed to a nearby building—a travel inn.
“You want to go in there in broad daylight?” Lovelace was surprised.
“Where else? It’s for sleeping,” Larvihan replied.
He led Lovelace inside. The friendly innkeeper came out. Larvihan flipped him some money and went straight to the second floor.
“Any empty rooms?”
“End of the hall, left side,” said the innkeeper, smiling.
Larvihan opened the door without hesitation and pushed Lovelace inside.
“No naughty thoughts.”
He covered Lovelace’s mouth with his hand and sat her on the bed.
Then he sat far away in a chair—but in the small room, two steps would reach the bed.
“You’re meeting those guys tonight. Better get some rest.”
Small room, soft bed, handsome man, and even feelings for him—how could anyone rest?
Lovelace tried to change the topic.
“I just went to a bar without thinking and messed everything up.”
If she’d known he was introducing sailors, she would’ve tried to discuss fair working conditions. Instead, she just fought with them.
“If I had offered to help, you wouldn’t have gone.”
Lovelace couldn’t argue—he was right.
She was trying not to get addicted to his kindness or copy the easy answers he offered.
Still, she was afraid if she kept refusing, he’d let go first. So she accepted the little help he gave, pretending not to notice.
‘I’m so shameless.’
Seeing Lovelace’s downcast face, Larvihan spoke.
“This isn’t even helping, Ray. I just set up the board. It’s your job to persuade them. And…”
“And what?”
“Whether this helps or harms you—I don’t know.”
“What does that mean?”
“Just what I said. They’re excellent sailors but have a fatal flaw.”
“What is it?”
“They’re cursed by a siren.”
Lovelace’s ears perked up.
“Are you curious?”
Larvihan smiled brightly, but it sent chills down her spine.
He got up and walked over to Lovelace. He leaned on the bed next to her, making her wobble.
‘This mattress is so bad.’
She tried to steady herself and looked up at Larvihan.
“I’m curious. Tell me, Larvihan.”
“Not for free.”
A deal? He made her curious on purpose?
“What do you want? Just so you know, I have no money.”
“Not money. You have something else.”
Did he want her power again? Was that all she was to him?
Her disappointment almost slipped out, but she quickly asked,
“What can I give you?”
“Love.”
Larvihan pulled Lovelace close—so close their noses touched.
“Do you still love me, Ray?”
