Chapter 14
“Yes, let’s head west. Didn’t Your Majesty occasionally volunteer at an orphanage when you went out? There’s one on that side where you volunteered before.”
“What?”
Seeing Arsen’s twisted expression didn’t give Bonaparte the satisfaction he’d hoped for. That face only looked worth watching when it was smug and irritating.
‘Beauty’ must be something you’re born with to some degree, Bonaparte thought to himself.
“Let’s head to the nearest orphanage in the west.”
Bonaparte gave the coachman the order and turned back to his approval documents, suppressing another yawn.
He was already swamped with work, and now he even had to handle the emperor’s duties. Even if some were delegated to lower nobles, working overtime every day had become inevitable. There was no avoiding sleep deprivation.
‘Seriously, how did His Majesty handle all of this on his own?’
Did he not sleep? But his skin was always glowing. Bonaparte sighed as he turned to the next document he’d just finished reviewing.
How much time had passed like that? Exhausted, Bonaparte soon started dozing off. Arsen, who had been carefully watching him, seized the opportunity and whispered to the coachman:
“Forget the orphanage. Take us to the pleasure district.”
“Pardon?”
“It’s an imperial order. Now.”
He wasn’t the kind to casually toss around imperial orders, but the coachman didn’t doubt the emperor had a reason. The carriage changed course away from its original destination.
They soon arrived in the pleasure district, which, even in broad daylight, was lit with dim, lurid lamps that made it feel like night.
Just as Arsen excitedly moved to step out of the carriage, he was yanked back by the collar.
“What do you think you’re doing?!”
“…Duke!”
He’d been caught by Bonaparte.
Seeing Arsen’s antics infuriated Bonaparte. Some people didn’t even get to see their wives because of all the work they did for him, and this man thought about sneaking into a place like this?
This country was built by Arsen and that person. Acting like this was a disgrace to him.
“We’re going back. Now!”
“Wait! Duke, how dare you grab the emperor like that—!”
“If you’re really the emperor—!”
You should never have shown yourself like this. Bonaparte barely swallowed the rest of his words and was about to drag Arsen back into the carriage when—
“P-please help me! Please!”
A disheveled woman suddenly leapt into the carriage. Bonaparte, caught off guard by the sudden intrusion, was stunned. The woman’s eyes widened with shock when she saw them—understandable, given Charles’s breathtaking appearance.
But Arsen’s reaction was the real problem.
“…Y-you… how…”
“I-I’m sorry. But…”
He looked completely dazed, as if struck by love at first sight.
The woman wasn’t exactly plain, but she wasn’t exceptionally beautiful either.
Still, her torn clothes, reddened skin, and tearful expression stirred a strong sense of pity.
“Please, just show me some mercy, just once—ah!”
At that moment, a rough hand grabbed her shoulder.
“You wretched girl! Where do you think you’re running? Pay me back, now!”
“I-I’m sorry! I’m so sorry…!”
She dropped to her knees and begged with both hands clasped. It didn’t look like this situation would resolve anytime soon.
Tch. Maybe I should just throw her a coin purse and leave, Bonaparte thought, conflicted. But before he could act, Arsen had vanished. He’d jumped out of the carriage.
“Your Majesty!”
Bonaparte rushed out after him, only to find Arsen already standing protectively in front of the woman.
“You vile bastard! How dare you lay a hand on her! Are you not afraid of me?!”
“…Why should I be afraid of you?”
“I’m the Emperor of this nation!”
‘This lunatic…!’
Bonaparte hurried forward and dragged Arsen back.
“What are you doing right now?!”
“Duke! Pay off this woman’s debt! That’s an imperial order!”
“What?!”
“If you don’t, I won’t move another step!”
At this point, even the ever-patient Bonaparte was tempted to draw his sword and behead the man.
If Charles had been here instead of him, Arsen would’ve been cut down without a second thought. But Bonaparte suppressed the murderous urge out of loyalty to Charles.
“…Fine. How much does she owe?”
“2,000 gold!”
“Take this instead. It’s worth more.”
Bonaparte handed over the ring he was wearing and turned away. Arsen was helping the woman to her feet.
“Can you stand?”
“Th-thank you. Really… thank you so much…”
“Come with me.”
“Pardon? Your Majesty, that’s not appropriate!”
Bonaparte tried to block them, but Arsen shoved him aside and helped the woman into the carriage. Finally, Bonaparte couldn’t take it anymore—he drew his sword and pointed it at him.
“I said no.”
“Ugh…”
Startled by the cold blade, Arsen hesitated. Then the woman beside him spoke up.
“Isn’t this man… the emperor?”
“….”
“Right? I heard you call him ‘Your Majesty,’ and he even said so himself. Yet you’re pointing a sword at him? That’s treason, you know.”
Bonaparte bit his lip. He hadn’t expected anyone to actually believe that nonsense. Arsen’s carelessness had led to this.
But he couldn’t act now. She was right—committing regicide in the middle of the street was unthinkable.
“…Fine. Get in the carriage already.”
Bonaparte growled at Arsen, ignoring the woman. Arsen smirked and climbed in with her. The carriage departed again—this time, with one extra passenger heading for the palace.
‘…She’s no ordinary woman…’
Bonaparte eyed the woman seated across from him.
Quick to assess the situation, skilled at navigating danger. Maybe the earlier commotion was a ruse to scam some noble out of money.
‘This won’t end well.’
Once they returned to the palace, she had to go.
But Arsen thought differently. He looked at her with eyes full of affection.
Though puzzled, the woman didn’t seem entirely opposed to the attention. She gave an awkward smile and spoke hesitantly.
“Um… thank you for saving me.”
“It was nothing. You must’ve had a hard time. Are you hurt?”
“Ah… a little… ouch.”
As she feigned pain, Arsen winced as if he were hurt himself. Bonaparte clicked his tongue internally. What is wrong with that man? I heard he was a flirt, but… seriously?
“Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Cecilia. Please, call me Cecile.”
Cecilia.
Arsen looked at her with such tenderness. Cecilia had returned to him. It was destiny.
Yvonne didn’t know, but before the body swap, he had already met Cecilia. Thanks to her advice, he had gained more freedom with the Fontaine family’s wealth.
Had it not been for the body switch, Yvonne would’ve been exiled to a side residence by now.
Cecilia was not only beautiful and charming but also intelligent and wise. She had just saved his life.
Now, Arsen had an ally like none other. With her, ruling as a true emperor wouldn’t be a dream.
This… was fate.
***
Cecilia looked around the luxurious room. It was the most extravagant place she’d ever seen. The wallpaper, curtains, and decorations—nothing was less than top-grade.
And this dress…
The soft pink gown with layers of frills made her look like royalty in the mirror.
Excited, she twirled in place.
“Cecile.”
“Ah! Your Majesty.”
Startled by the emperor’s voice, she quickly straightened up. She still couldn’t believe he had really brought her to the palace.
“…Cecile, I have something important to tell you. Just between us.”
“…Pardon?”
Cecilia tilted her head, confused. The emperor acted like he knew her—and oddly, she didn’t feel like he was a stranger either.
Finally, he spoke.
“Cecile, it’s me. Arsen.”
“…What?”
“You don’t recognize me? Arsen de Fontaine.”
Her eyes widened. Of course she remembered Arsen. They had only met for a few weeks, but he had fallen deeply for her. She had even dreamed of becoming a duchess because of him.
But then he suddenly stopped contacting her, and she had thought everything was over.
‘But why that name… here?’
As if to answer her doubts, he continued:
“The truth is… I’ve switched bodies with the emperor. Probably.”
“…What?”
Cecilia wondered if she’d heard wrong. Switched bodies? She seriously began to wonder if the man before her was insane.
But then—
“Do you remember the day we met? It was in the same street we passed today. I was alone, and you were crying, drunk.”
“…That…”
“And when I approached, you asked me if I would buy you for the night.”
Unconsciously, Cecilia murmured the words:
“…And you said… you’d buy all of my nights.”
“Yes. It’s me, Cecile.”
“…It’s really… really you, Arsen?”
Cecilia was overwhelmed with disbelief, tears welling in her eyes.
