Chapter 3
The Emperor’s Palace
Rashid clenched his fists as he read the letter from Duke Lartis, his body trembling with barely contained anger.
“Please take good care of my daughter and treat her kindly…”
Does he really think a few letters like this will work?
There had been a lot of gossip about the fact that he brought in the Crown Princess before even taking in the Empress, but there were personal circumstances behind it.
Ever since Rashid was very young, Duke Lartis had often visited the imperial palace, and each time he brought his eldest daughter along. As a result, Rashid had become familiar with Azelina from an early age.
“This is the eldest daughter of Duke Lartis, Your Highness.”
“Hello, Your Highness, Second Prince! My name is Azelina from the Lartis family.”
She had been only ten years old at the time. Rashid could never have imagined that his first meeting with this young lady would lead to such a long and bitter entanglement.
He still remembered clearly all the mischief Azelina had done to him.
Had she wanted him to be kind only to her?
She had flown his beloved parrot into the sky simply because he hadn’t shown her a smile. She had chased him with a pillow as if intending to kill him, thrown all his belongings out the window, deliberately stepped on his feet… the list went on.
Rashid had suffered from her antics in countless ways from his childhood and had grown thoroughly exasperated.
Seven years later, the late emperor decided he could not pass the throne to his first son, who was a reckless troublemaker, and instead chose Rashid, who was then the second prince.
Four other princes, unhappy with Rashid’s succession, had rebelled.
At that weakest moment, Duke Lartis proposed a deal, offering his support to strengthen Rashid’s position.
“As you know, my eldest daughter is very modest and kind, perfectly suited to assist Your Majesty.”
Because he had quelled the rebellion under those conditions and ascended the throne, Rashid had no choice but to accept.
It was a proposal he had to accept anyway. He had optimistically thought that after seven years since their first meeting, Azelina might have changed.
He couldn’t decide to bring in an Empress immediately, so he ordered that she be appointed Crown Princess first.
Yet, he never imagined she hadn’t managed to fix her vile personality…
“What? Modest? Modest? Perfect for assisting me?”
The idea that Duke Lartis would describe Azelina—probably causing chaos in Selina Palace at that very moment—as modest and obedient was utterly absurd.
Rashid clenched his fists again, recalling the audacity of the Duke’s face.
He had been tricked by the Duke’s smooth tongue and fallen for such a ridiculous scheme.
He should have hesitated, thought more carefully. But he had overlooked the fact that while the Duke was loyal to the empire, he was also a hopelessly devoted father and husband.
At first, he had indulged her childish antics, tried to soothe her many times. After all, before bringing in an Empress, Azelina was his only wife.
But no matter what method he used, Azelina never showed signs of changing. Ultimately, the emperor had grown weary and given up on her—a fact known to all.
Meanwhile, Counselor Ellen had been quietly doing his work when the emperor suddenly spoke to himself, startling him.
Rashid, normally gentle and calm and rarely showing anger except in front of Azelina, had raised his voice unexpectedly, leaving Ellen thoroughly flustered.
“Ellen.”
“Y-Yes?”
When Rashid called, Ellen answered as if he had been caught doing something wrong.
Rashid, however, ignored any expression or words from Ellen and continued speaking without pause.
“…Do I really have to go? She’s already awake, and there’s nothing wrong.”
“Even so, wouldn’t it be rude not to see Her Highness the Crown Princess after she collapsed?”
Rashid muttered to himself, as if reluctantly agreeing.
“…I suppose you’re right.”
Thinking about the gossip painting him as a cold, heartless emperor already gave him a headache.
Ellen sighed lightly, watching the emperor rise. Having lived in the palace since childhood, following his uncle who had served the late emperor, Ellen had seen Rashid since his days as a prince. He knew better than anyone that Rashid was gentle and good-natured.
Yet there was one person Rashid was unusually cold toward: Crown Princess Azelina.
They often quarreled, but their arguments were far too fierce to be called mere lovers’ quarrels.
Ellen usually just bowed his head and stayed out of it, not wanting to get involved.
Thinking that he would have to endure the icy atmosphere of Selina Palace again today made Ellen feel as if his blood were drying.
Selina Palace
“The Emperor has arrived.”
“May the Egreta Empire prosper. Welcome, Your Majesty.”
Azelina immediately greeted him. When Iana, standing behind her, quickly bowed, Rashid gave a kind smile to the surprised Iana.
Normally, a proper greeting would involve kneeling, but Azelina had just fainted and woken up, so Rashid did not seem to mind.
Azelina raised her head and stared blankly at Rashid’s face.
His silver hair shone like jewels, and his red eyes were impossibly deep. Then came his high nose and perfectly shaped mouth—every detail striking.
“…I heard you nearly died.”
Even though she had just regained consciousness less than a day ago, why exaggerate and claim she almost died?
“Seeing you well, there was no need for me to come.”
Before Azelina could respond, Rashid turned away.
His voice, low and noble, was no longer gentle or kind as it once had been.
The chill in his tone was palpable, and he showed no concern for her fainting at all.
“Your Majesty.”
Azelina called after Rashid as he tried to leave. He stopped abruptly.
Of course, she wouldn’t just let me go.
Rashid turned to face her with an expression that said, as expected, and watched her carefully.
What nonsense would she start this time? Rashid, already expecting it, waited indifferently as she spoke.
After a moment of silent hesitation, Azelina spoke softly:
“Thank you for coming first, Your Majesty.”
“…?”
“From now on, I will take care of myself properly so that Your Majesty, busy as you are, will not have to make unnecessary trips again.”
“….”
Azelina thought this was a perfectly polite greeting. She then looked at Rashid, silently implying he should not worry about her and should leave quickly.
“No… I mean…”
Rashid was taken aback by Azelina’s words. Who would have guessed she would address him with such courtesy, of all people?
As Rashid’s head moved, Azelina bowed immediately.
“Then, please take care on your way.”
Rashid, surprised by Azelina’s unexpected behavior, widened his eyes.
He hurried out of Selina Palace, walked a few steps, then stopped suddenly. Ellen, following behind, stopped at the same time.
“…Ellen.”
Rashid suddenly called. Ellen, still startled by what he had just seen in the palace, responded belatedly.
“…Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Did I just hear that correctly?”
“Her Highness said she would take care of herself so that Your Majesty would no longer make unnecessary trips.”
“So… she said she’d take care of herself so I won’t waste my steps?”
It was absurd. Rashid let out a hollow laugh.
“Thank you for coming personally…?”
Azelina’s response was completely different from anything he had expected, leaving him dumbfounded.
“You did really well, Your Highness.”
Azelina tilted her head at Iana’s words.
Iana, who had been giggling alone, regained composure and continued, fearfully:
“I-I suppose Your Majesty must have been troubled by what happened a few days ago. Yet you didn’t scold him, and even thanked him… Really, you did well.”
Before Azelina had collapsed, Iana thought she wouldn’t even be sad if Azelina suddenly died or fell near death. She had always been bullied by Azelina, even without doing anything wrong.
But, hatred eventually turned into affection.
When Iana discovered Azelina collapsed while she was briefly away, concern overtook any satisfaction she felt.
Iana realized that if Azelina were even slightly hurt, she would be forced to cry.
Iana hated Azelina for taking out her frustrations on someone like her, a diligent senior maid.
Yet Iana also felt pity for Azelina, who often craved love she could never have, more than she felt hate.
“Most of all, just now… Your Majesty…”
The moment Azelina regained consciousness and met Rashid, Iana was stunned to see that Azelina seemed entirely indifferent to the emperor.
“Is this for real? Has Her Highness truly decided to abandon her near-obsessive infatuation?”
Iana hoped her suspicion was correct.
But she shook her head. A crown princess, selfish and arrogant by nature, would not change so easily. Today, she may pretend to behave like someone else, having only just started acting properly, but she could very well show her erratic temperament again.
