Chapter 11
“Arsen!”
Eve called out his name and chased after him, but he didn’t respond. She pushed her way through the crowd, desperately trying to follow him.
“Arsen, wait!”
Just as she managed to slip out of the sea of people, she caught sight of Arsen turning a corner. Forgetting all decorum, Eve sprinted with all her might and grabbed his arm.
“Arsen!”
The man turned around and removed his mask. And in the next moment—
“Who are you?”
“…Ah.”
Eve froze in shock. He wasn’t Arsen.
No way. His clothes, even his hair color—it was all the same…
“Excuse me?”
“Oh! I—I’m so sorry.”
It was only when she heard the man’s voice that Eve snapped back to reality and hastily turned away. So, had Arsen never come to the auction in the first place? Or…
Maybe I just didn’t notice him… Either way, I have to get back home immediately.
Having made up her mind, Eve rushed outside toward the carriage parked nearby. Emma, who spotted her, welcomed her warmly.
“My lady, did you enjoy the auction—”
“Let’s go, Emma. Quickly.”
“Uh—oh! Yes, ma’am!”
Startled, Emma hurried after her mistress. Eve barely climbed into the carriage before urging the coachman to depart at once.
When they arrived at the estate, Eve immediately checked the stables—but Arsen’s carriage was still not there.
If Arsen comes to me and asks about the ring, that’ll mean it was truly him. But if he doesn’t…
It would mean something strange had happened to Arsen. With that thought in mind, Eve anxiously waited for him to return.
Some time later, word came that Arsen had arrived.
Knock knock.
At the sound of the knock, Eve instinctively jumped to her feet.
“It’s me, Eve.”
She opened the door even before the words were finished. Charles stood there, looking slightly surprised, then smiled.
“May I come in?”
“Yes.”
The door shut with a quiet click, and Eve looked up. Like before, Charles stood just inside the doorway, not stepping any further.
Eve quietly examined the man in front of her. No matter how closely she looked, he was her husband. Then, had he recognized the ring?
“Is there something wrong with my face?”
Startled, Eve flinched at Charles’s sudden question.
“Sorry?”
“You’re staring at me without saying a word.”
“Oh, sorry. I’m just a bit tired today. What brings you here?”
After pulling herself together, Eve asked, and Charles smiled as he answered.
“I just got back from being out. Thought I’d come say hello. Husbandly duty, you know.”
“…Is that all?”
“Should there be more?”
Charles’s expression clearly wasn’t that of someone feigning ignorance. Eve gave him a suspicious look.
“You went to Madame Lewan’s auction today, didn’t you?”
“I did.”
“Was there anything interesting?”
Charles looked thoughtful, then pulled a small box from his pocket.
“I bought a gift for you. I promised I’d get you something for your birthday, remember?”
“A gift?”
“Come here.”
Strangely, Eve felt a sense of discomfort from the man in front of her. He looked like Arsen… but instinctively, her guard went up. So she said,
“…You come to me.”
Charles looked mildly surprised.
“It’s not proper to just walk into a lady’s chambers.”
“I give you permission.”
“Are you sure?”
“You’re my husband, aren’t you?”
At her words, Charles gave a wry smile and stepped closer. His strides were confident, and Eve instinctively tensed.
Standing before her, Charles opened the box. Eve’s face immediately went pale.
Inside was the pink diamond ring—their wedding ring.
“This… how?”
Arsen hadn’t won that ring. The one who had was…
As Eve stood confused, Charles asked,
“Were you looking for me?”
The mask in his hand was identical to the one worn by the tall blond man who had sat beside her at the auction.
Only then did Eve realize—that man had been her husband.
Shocked, she stammered,
“Why were you disguised…?”
Charles chuckled.
“Because watching you try so hard was amusing.”
Goosebumps rose on Eve’s arms. She tried to keep her voice steady.
“…You knew from the beginning?”
“Of course. I’ve got eyes and ears all over this mansion. I knew you were using the auction to test me. Putting up the ring, sneaking in—none of it escaped me.”
“…Liar.”
Eve muttered, unable to help herself. Charles’s eyes crinkled with amusement.
“Why would I lie? Because your foolish, lazy husband couldn’t possibly be that thorough?”
She knew his face, those eyes—and yet, they felt so unfamiliar now.
Without thinking, Eve reached out. Her fingernail lightly touched his cheek, and Charles raised an eyebrow.
“Oh? This is new.”
“…”
“You always surprise me. I thought you’d be furious.”
“…So I was tricked. But.”
Suddenly, Eve jumped back, grabbed a candlestick, and pointed it at him.
“I know one thing for sure—you’re not my husband.”
“Oh? Just figuring that out now?”
“Who are you?”
Charles chuckled at the candlestick and plopped down on a nearby chair, crossing his legs.
“I’m Charles Louis de Frizé. Emperor of the Tourné Empire.”
“…What?”
Eve froze at the unexpected name. Charles propped his chin on his hand, smiling with his eyes.
“As you can see, I’m currently posing as your husband.”
“….”
“I hadn’t planned to tell you, but since you found out, oh well. Tiago’s probably going to scold me for being too obvious.”
Eve couldn’t make sense of what he was saying. She shook her head and asked seriously,
“Are you insane?”
“….”
“What nonsense is this? Pretending to be the Emperor? That’s treason.”
“Eve.”
“Don’t bother calling me that. I don’t know what your game is, but if you’re the Emperor, then I’m his mother.”
“Oh?”
Charles looked genuinely surprised. If Bonaparte or Tiago had heard that, they’d probably faint on the spot.
“It’s fine. I don’t really like my mother either. Not that I dislike you, of course.”
Still brandishing the candlestick, Eve asked,
“Did you hit your head recently? Or are you just… not functioning properly as a man?”
“What? Where’s that coming from?”
Charles suddenly grimaced, remembering the eel dish.
“Wait, was that what you meant?”
“Why else would I go through the trouble of cooking for you?”
“Ugh, I shouldn’t have eaten it then. But for the record, I’m perfectly healthy.”
Charles genuinely sounded disappointed. Eve, now beyond frustrated, stomped her foot.
“Then what the hell is wrong with you? Did you bump your head so hard you think you’re the Emperor?”
“….”
Charles felt a bit awkward, but then thought—maybe it was hard to believe. A playboy husband suddenly claiming to be the Emperor? She’d have been weirder to believe it right away.
Calmly, he tried to persuade her.
“If I weren’t the Emperor, how would I know about my conversation with Duke Bonaparte?”
“…That…”
“And I’m in perfect health. I just don’t care for women. Well, except for you.”
“….”
“The Duchy of Fontaine has been doing quite well under your management. The Duke, on the other hand, seems to have abandoned all duties. And thanks for complimenting my tax reform proposal—it was a headache to draft.”
Eve, silent for a moment, finally spoke.
“…Like I said, I know you’re not Arsen. But nothing you’ve said proves you’re the Emperor.”
Though he failed to convince her, Charles didn’t seem disappointed. He merely shrugged lightly.
“Well, I suppose you’ll believe it eventually.”
“Eventually? I don’t intend to spend another moment with some stranger—”
Eve snapped, but Charles suddenly stood.
“Eve.”
“Don’t come closer.”
“Are you planning to attack me with that? That would be a crime against the royal family. Besides…”
In one smooth motion, Charles snatched the candlestick from her and tossed it behind him.
“…How about joining forces with me?”
“…What?”
“Let’s team up—to bring me down.”
Eve furrowed her brow at the cryptic words. Charles burst into laughter.
“I know you don’t like ‘me.’ No—you loathe me. You won’t even touch me.”
That’s when Eve realized—he was referring to the real Arsen. He had already noticed her desire for revenge. Eve regretted not being more cautious.
“I don’t like him either. He’s ugly, arrogant, and lucky. So let’s take him down together.”
“Take him down? How?”
Charles’s next words made Eve’s face turn cold.
“With the power of the Laurents.”
“….”
“My body might never return to normal, but I still deserve my rightful place. But the Fontaine family alone won’t be enough.”
Without warning, Eve grabbed him by the collar.
“Don’t you dare drag my family’s name into your treason.”
Charles, startled at first, suddenly burst out laughing—as if he were genuinely amused.
“Hahaha!”
“What’s so funny?”
“You’re becoming more and more interesting. I think I’m falling for you.”
Eve scowled.
“…I hate both Arsen and you.”
“Hate me all you like. I’m used to it.”
“….”
Eve finally released her grip, and Charles straightened his clothes.
“If I’m ugly, I should at least look tidy.”
Honestly, Eve didn’t believe Arsen was ugly—he was infuriating but undeniably handsome. So why did Charles keep insisting he was unattractive?
His Majesty said he was beautiful…
That thought crossed her mind, but she quickly shook it away. No way that lunatic was the Emperor.
“I should leave. It’s improper to stay this late.”
As Charles turned to go, Eve called out hastily,
“Wait. Who are you?”
Charles tilted his head.
“I told you—I’m the Emperor of this country.”
“So you won’t tell me the truth.”
“I just did, though.”
Unmoved by his complaint, Eve waved him off coldly.
“Forget it. Leave. Whatever you’re scheming, I won’t play along.”
