Chapter 111
The impatient Emperor granted me exactly three days of grace. Because of that, my mind was on fire until I reached a conclusion.
The Grand Duke’s faction was steadily preparing for war and was already fighting it. But if you asked about their chances of victory, I wasn’t sure. As long as the neighboring kingdoms cooperated, victory could not be guaranteed. Even if they did win, there would be a great deal of bloodshed.
From the moment I possessed this body, what I wanted was not the success of a revolution, but Raymond’s survival. Now was the time to return to that goal. The more I thought about it, the more convinced I became.
If the Emperor doesn’t let me go, what choice do I have?
I could keep Amelia by my side and wait until the day the bond activates. If that doesn’t work, I can try in Amelia’s place. Even if I’m not as good as her, at least I can reduce the Emperor’s reckless actions. I possessed this body to save the Grand Duke, right? That alone is enough. I comforted myself like that.
Three days passed as if I were running away, and on the last day, I conveyed my decision to the Emperor.
“I’ll do as Your Majesty wishes.”
“You’ve thought well, Eileen.”
When I went to the audience chamber and told him right after greeting him, he laughed softly. The way he looked down at me with that oily smile seemed utterly vile.
‘Finally, I have her!’
Kyle clenched both fists and cheered.
In his life, he had never failed to obtain something he decided he wanted. He had watched his father and held back a little, but that was all. In fact, he had filled everything he lacked emotionally with material possessions.
What he felt toward Raymond was the same. His cousin had a proper father, but not an Emperor. In the end, the Emperor would be him, and he would be better.
It was a mental victory.
But then the existence called Eileen began to bother him.
When she had been forcibly tied to him as a fiancée, she was annoying and irritating. But when Raymond kidnapped her, the situation changed completely. Her personality had changed compared to before, and he liked that. Then, when she tried to leave before he discarded her, his stubborn pride started to flare up. And when he realized the reason was Raymond, uncontrollable rage surged.
He always had more, yet Raymond was getting something? That could not exist, and must not exist.
Now Kyle’s goal was set to only one thing: possessing Eileen. She had originally been his, so he wasn’t stealing her—he was taking her back. The day he finally achieved that long-cherished wish had come. The fact that Eileen herself had decided to come to him was thrilling enough to make the hair on his head stand on end.
Kyle couldn’t stand it and wanted to boast to Raymond as soon as possible. So the moment he received her decision, he summoned Raymond to the audience chamber.
Dragged in by the knights, Raymond stood alone beneath the throne. Kyle felt satisfied as he looked at his haggard face. Then he started playing the role of a benevolent Emperor. Even this situation was extremely satisfying.
“I will send you back, Raymond.”
Kyle spoke in a deliberately strict yet gentle voice. At those words, Raymond, who had been looking down, lifted his head.
“And Eileen decided to stay by my side.”
“What did you say?”
“She promised to become my Empress.”
“That’s nonsense!”
“Don’t believe it? Then talk to Eileen yourself. I’ll let you say a special farewell before you go.”
He shrugged with a relaxed expression.
Raymond’s angry, disbelieving expression was a delightful sight. It would be even more entertaining when he confirmed the truth and became disappointed. Thinking of mocking Raymond made his shoulders shake.
“Let me see Eileen right now.”
Raymond growled as he demanded it. His hands were tied behind his back, but his presence was still imposing. One attendant beside him mustered courage and tried to shout, “How dare you to His Majesty—!” but Kyle stopped him with his hand. Then he cupped his palm to his ear and turned toward Raymond.
“Hm? That sounded like informal speech. How should you speak when asking someone for a favor?”
Kyle wanted to see courtesy that came from Raymond’s heart, not from the status of Emperor and subject. It was clearly a taunt.
“…Please let me see Eileen, Your Majesty.”
Raymond clenched his teeth but had to join the roleplay because he wanted to meet Eileen.
“Good. I’ll grant you special permission.”
Kyle laughed as he slapped the armrest, pretending to be a benevolent ruler. He was completely enjoying this situation.
What on earth is this situation?
Raymond and I stood awkwardly in the middle of the room. Behind me stood my guards, and behind Raymond stood the knights who had brought him in, acting as watchers. I had come because the Emperor summoned me, but he didn’t come. Instead, Raymond was dragged in, and we ended up facing each other.
“Eileen. Is it true?”
Raymond asked without context. His voice was trembling. His handsome and dignified face was ruined, leaving only a gaunt, fierce look. I roughly knew what he meant, but I pretended not to.
“What is?”
“I heard you’re staying by the Emperor’s side.”
Raymond knew exactly. So there was no point in denying it anymore.
“That’s right.”
I deliberately nodded firmly.
I could clearly see Kyle’s intentions. He wanted to see Raymond be disappointed after receiving the final blow. Knowing that made this situation extremely distressing. The destined ending was Raymond’s pain.
I slowly walked across the cruel stage prepared by the Emperor. The guards he assigned stood nearby. With them openly watching, the only thing I could do was look Raymond in the eyes and talk.
I looked up into his blue eyes. Thinking this was truly the last time, I tried to engrave his face into my mind as much as possible.
Should I give him a farewell kiss?
No. That would only hurt more. Turning away coldly would help us both let go.
“Raymond. No, Grand Duke Ruslo.”
I corrected his title.
Raymond’s eyes widened as if they were lanterns. His pupils trembled finely, as if he had been notified of our breakup.
“Grand Duke…?”
“Is there a problem with calling the Grand Duke ‘Grand Duke’?”
I deliberately drew the line more coldly.
I didn’t call him by his name, and as the future Empress, I deliberately used “Grand Duke” instead of “Your Grace, Grand Duke.”
“So you’re even abandoning my name now.”
He spoke bitterly. Seeing Raymond’s desolate expression made my heart feel like it was being torn apart.
How could I abandon Raymond? My eternal favorite, my love….
I forcibly suppressed the urge to run to him and hug him.
Get a grip, Eileen!
I pretended to be calm and hardened my heart.
I never want to see Raymond die, no matter what. If that happens, I can’t go on living. This world itself would be meaningless.
So this is better. Take care, Raymond. Please stay safe.
Swallowing my heartfelt farewell inside, I said something completely different on the surface.
“I’ve suffered so much until now. I was born noble, so I should live accordingly. I’m going to become Empress and live well with His Majesty.”
“What?”
“So don’t waste your energy. When you go back, give up the rebellion and live the rest of your life comfortably. His Majesty specially allowed it, so shouldn’t you seize this opportunity?”
After finishing, I shrugged. The regret in Raymond’s eyes suddenly turned fierce. He stared straight at me with sharpened eyes.
Under that gaze that seemed to pierce through me, I flinched slightly but maintained my composure.
“I don’t understand your intention in saying that.”
“What intention? You can just take my words at face value.”
Don’t dig into my true feelings, Raymond.
Just be disappointed and angry, and leave.
Contrary to my wishes, Raymond continued questioning.
“Is your goal the Empress’s seat?”
“Of course. Isn’t it the dream position of all noble ladies?”
“Then I’ll take it. You too, and the throne.”
No, please don’t.
I hurriedly opened my mouth to correct him.
“My goal is—!”
“You don’t need to say any more.”
Raymond turned away, refusing to listen.
He had completely gone off my intended path. Instead, he had correctly grasped my true feelings—that I decided to stay by Kyle’s side for his sake. And he was trying to reject that.
I can’t let him go like this. This will turn into a disaster!
“Grand Duke!”
“I’ll make you call me by my proper name again.”
Despite my desperate call, Raymond mercilessly left the room.
Kyle must have anticipated even this outcome. I, foolishly, failed to notice in advance.
It was a scenario that would give him a perfect justification: he released his cousin, but Raymond attacked again, so he had no choice but to eliminate him.
Should I have persuaded Raymond differently? Meaningless regret flooded in, but I couldn’t even be sure that was the right answer. The meeting itself had become the trigger.
After Raymond left the imperial palace, I collapsed face-down on the bed. I had no strength to keep myself upright.
“Cheer up, Lady.”
Amelia came closer, looking at me with pity, and patted my back.
After promising to become Empress, I demanded that Kyle let me meet Amelia. Kyle readily agreed, and we were able to meet regularly afterward. At least this was one fortunate thing.
