Chapter 20
Johann said that and walked up to Verdi.
“Lady Sutton. I heard you’ve entered the palace. I hope you’ll assist the Empress well.”
Formal speech?
Anel stared at Johann in disbelief. Was this really the same man who had been so rude to her before?
“Ah, it’s an honor, Your Majesty.”
Verdi was completely flustered, unsure what to do.
Come to think of it, this was probably the first time Verdi had ever spoken directly to Johannes. Anel forced a bitter smile.
“Would you mind giving us a moment alone?”
“…Pardon?”
Verdi blinked blankly at Johann, completely dazed.
“I have something to say to my Empress.”
“O-oh! Yes, of course!”
Finally coming to her senses, Verdi bowed to them both and quickly stepped aside, almost fleeing.
Once even that small shield was gone, Anel’s discomfort deepened.
“If there was something you wished to say, you could have sent word through Garden. Stopping someone so suddenly in public—it’s rather rude.”
“Empress.”
Johann frowned slightly, as though genuinely regretful.
“Don’t keep acting so stiff.”
“Stiff? What are you—!”
Just as Anel’s temper flared and her voice rose, Johann wrapped both arms around her waist.
She froze, her mouth opening soundlessly.
In broad daylight—outside, no less—what on earth was he doing?
“You keep doing this, and you’ll make me behave rudely.”
Of course. Johann was Johann.
Anel glared at him. What was his game this time?
But then another thought crossed her mind.
If he had decided to use her for his own ends, why couldn’t she do the same?
She could use him too.
“So, you want to be rude?”
“Yes.”
“What is it that you want from me, then?”
The playful glint in Johann’s eyes vanished.
But Anel didn’t stop.
“Be honest and tell me what your purpose is in doing all this. If you do, I’ll help you with everything I have.”
“…”
“That’s the Empress’s duty, isn’t it?”
Was he trying to check the power of Marquis Lodian?
Or was there someone else he wanted to keep in check?
Anel wanted to understand him.
Why he acted this way. Especially—
why only toward her.
“My purpose, huh.”
“Has the Marquis of Lodian grown so powerful? Or perhaps you meant to restrain other nobles—”
“I heard you sent the First Consort to the breakfast meeting.”
The sudden change of subject made Anel frown.
But she quickly smoothed her expression.
“I heard you enjoyed yourself. The whole palace has been talking about it.”
“I did.”
Johann nodded lightly, as if truly amused.
“Unlike some people, the First Consort doesn’t just run away.”
Anel’s ears flushed red.
Johann let out a quiet laugh, watching the color rise.
My Empress doesn’t blush in the face, but in her ears instead.
“Then you should stay with the First Consort from now on.”
“I could.”
Johann agreed easily, as if it were nothing.
“But I called for my Empress, not the First Consort.”
Anel flinched and tried to step back, but Johann only pulled her closer.
“I’ve thought this before, but you’re quite good at sacrificing others, Empress.”
“What did you just—!”
“You didn’t want to attend breakfast, so you sent someone else in your place. That’s making others suffer for you.”
How was that suffering?
Flora came to me begging to be in the same room as you, even once, Anel thought bitterly, holding back her anger.
“I wasn’t feeling well. But since it seemed you didn’t know how to eat breakfast alone, I thought the First Consort could—”
“Don’t ever pull a stunt like that again.”
A stunt?
Anel let out a hollow laugh.
“Isn’t the one playing games you, Your Majesty?”
“Me?”
Johann tilted his head innocently.
“I haven’t done anything of the sort, Empress.”
“You said you would only take breakfast with me!”
Her frustration burst out in a raised voice.
But Johann just blinked slowly, feigning ignorance.
“And how exactly is it a trick for me to say I’ll only dine with my own wife? Do you perhaps not understand what marriage is?”
“Your Majesty!”
“Marriage is a beautiful union between two people, born of love and trust—”
“Please, stop!”
Anel shouted, then bit her lip.
“Why are you doing this? Why are you so desperate to torment me? Is there even a reason?”
“There is.”
“…What?”
Johann’s mouth twisted into a half smile. The coldness in his expression deepened.
“You asked me what my purpose was, didn’t you?”
That he answered so easily only made her uneasier.
Anel nodded slowly.
She tried to pull free, but the more she struggled, the tighter his grip became.
“My purpose is you.”
Another ridiculous lie.
Anel stared straight into his eyes.
The sunlight that had felt warm a moment ago now seemed like a suffocating heat—because of this man standing before her.
“Do you have to lie even to me? I understand deceiving the world, but—”
“Were you sincere with Samue Deneiger?”
Thud.
Her heart dropped at the name.
Samue?
Was he asking if her feelings for Samue had been real?
“I don’t understand what you mean.”
“If he had said he wanted to spend time only with you, would you have reacted the same way?”
Distrusting, arguing, avoiding with ridiculous excuses—
and in the end, running away.
Johann sneered.
Of course not. My Empress believes Samue Deneiger is the very embodiment of truth and goodness.
“Duke Gears and Your Majesty are different people.”
Anel forced herself to answer, clinging to her composure. She couldn’t get swept up in his madness.
“So? What’s your answer?”
She hesitated.
Samue was a good man—kind, considerate.
Their engagement had no faults.
He had cared for her, given her peace.
Anel respected him, cherished him, trusted him.
Was that sincerity?
If so—then yes.
Her affection and respect for Samue had been genuine.
“No.”
But she couldn’t say that aloud. Who knew what Johann might do to Samue if she did.
“Liar.”
“If you won’t believe me, why even ask?”
Johann stared down at her in silence.
“Tell me what you want.”
“…What?”
So suddenly? Anel frowned again.
“You must have something you want from me too. Say it.”
His expression showed no trace of emotion—
like that of a dead man. Colorless, scentless, suffocating.
Why did he assume she wanted something from him?
Well, there was plenty she wanted.
Help Samue’s territory—he deserves at least that much.
Visit Giselle once—she’s suffering because of your power games.
And finally…
Let me go.
“Say it, Anel.”
It was absurd.
How could he tell her to speak her desires while clutching her so tightly, as if afraid to lose her?
He already knew what she wanted.
He knew she would say let me go.
So why did he hold on harder?
“There’s… nothing I want.”
Anel turned her head away.
If she looked into his eyes any longer, all the words she’d swallowed would spill out.
“Nothing?”
Johann’s gaze only grew colder.
“I’m not the sort of fool who gives the same person multiple chances. So I suggest you answer carefully.”
Her resolve wavered again.
But Anel gritted her teeth. She couldn’t let herself be swept away.
“There’s nothing.”
Johann stared at her for a long moment, then finally released her.
“Be at breakfast tomorrow. Without fail.”
“But—!”
He walked away, ignoring her protest, without a backward glance.
All that remained was the clinging, unpleasant heat,
the wilting flowers under it,
and Anel—standing alone.
