Episode 12
Dessert time passed by awkwardly, and the Emperor didn’t seem to have any time to waste. As soon as the date ended, he left right away.
“Then I’ll be going now, Lady. Please return safely.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Be well.”
He walked away with his attendant, not even looking back.
Once he disappeared from sight, I finally moved. I got into the carriage waiting outside and headed back to the duke’s mansion.
Out the window, the sky had turned a warm orange—it was almost dinner time.
I had planned to stop by briefly, but I ended up spending the whole day with the Emperor.
I wonder if Raymond’s doing okay?
After forcing myself to act polite in front of the Emperor, I comforted myself by thinking of my favorite character—Raymond.
The Emperor and the Archduke.
Both had very different appearances—one with black hair, the other with blond—taking after their mothers. But they both had blue eyes from their father.
Just like the former Emperor and the former Archduke, who were brothers.
They were both main characters of the novel, so of course, they were handsome.
One had a glamorous vibe, the other calm. Completely different styles.
The Emperor’s charm was definitely dangerous. Even knowing what kind of person he was inside, I could see how readers would fall for him.
That’s why I had to control myself.
Hmph. I won’t fall for him. Never.
I clenched my fist and made a firm promise to myself.
Lately, the duke’s mansion felt like the day before a school field trip—everyone was excited.
It was because the Emperor kept calling me to the imperial palace.
Of course, this was partly because I had no strong personality to refuse… but my family didn’t know that. They were simply thrilled by the news.
“Young Lady, since His Majesty adores you, you must take even better care of your appearance.”
Claire, my maid, said this seriously as she placed thinly sliced cucumbers on my face. I was lying on her lap, looking up at the ceiling, silently blinking.
Honestly, the cool-smelling cucumbers made me want to eat them rather than wear them. But Claire was watching me closely, so I just swallowed my saliva.
I had grown close with Claire lately. She was warm like a big sister or maybe an aunt. A fun chatterbox, and great to talk with.
Especially because, if I listened carefully and nodded at the right moments, she would spill all kinds of useful gossip—like a cartload of information.
For example:
“His Majesty selects a few nobles each week to go hunting with him. Then he gifts the animals they catch to the participants.”
“Oh? Sounds generous.”
“Indeed! And since it’s a rare chance to get close to him, all the nobles are eager to go.”
“What’s so great about getting close to him?”
“Why, everything, of course! The closer you are, the more favor you receive!”
In simpler words—he lets them get away with more corruption.
“He must be very popular, then?”
“Oh yes! Just look at his face. I doubt there’s a woman in the Empire who hasn’t fallen for him.”
That part was probably true. In this world, I was likely the only exception.
“And he’s so gentle, too. Like soft sheep’s wool!”
Soft wool? More like rough sandpaper.
Still, I didn’t blame Claire. The Emperor was excellent at hiding his true nature, and characters in the story naturally liked the male lead.
I tried to be understanding and generous.
Until she said the next part.
“Of course, he’s nothing like the cold and heartless Archduke Ruslo.”
She shivered as she said it, her whole body shaking for emphasis. That crossed the line.
How dare she insult my favorite character? That’s just wrong!
I shot up in anger, making the dried-out cucumber slices fall to the floor.
“Oh my! Young Lady, you can’t sit up like that!”
“Claire. How could you say that?”
“Pardon? Did I… say something wrong?”
She looked surprised and confused, trying to figure out what she said.
“How could you compare them like that?”
“Compare? Ah…”
Once she remembered, her lips curled up into a smile.
“Oh my. You must be angry because I compared His Majesty to the Archduke. You must really admire His Majesty! I understand now. I was wrong. Hohoho!”
…Why is she laughing?
“You must be so smitten with the Emperor. It’s adorable!”
Claire smiled sweetly and patted my arm.
Why is everyone so focused on the Emperor?
I realized I had made a mistake. I spoke up for the Archduke without thinking. That was dangerous. I had to hide my true feelings for him. I should’ve been thankful Claire misunderstood.
With a heavy heart, I changed the subject.
“I think the face mask is enough now.”
“Yes, look how bright and soft your face is!”
Claire tapped my cheeks with a proud smile.
“Let’s do more cucumber masks in the future. Don’t worry—even though many love His Majesty, he chose you to be his fiancée. He must have feelings for you. Hohoho.”
“R-right.”
She was just trying to cheer me up.
But deep down, I shook my head.
The Emperor’s true love was Amelia Soph—the real female lead of the story.
With her purple hair and deep red eyes, she was breathtaking just to look at. She had a glamorous figure, especially her full chest. I’d secretly watched the scenes where they spent passionate nights together, so I was sure of the Emperor’s taste.
Delicate, thin Eileen was not his type.
Putting cucumbers on my face wouldn’t change anything.
And I knew one more thing—the Emperor was waiting for the perfect reason to break off our engagement.
In the original story, Eileen is kidnapped. Her pride is shattered, and she hides away in shame. The Emperor then claims he can no longer trust her purity—and breaks the engagement. A perfect excuse.
That’s how it was supposed to go.
But… why hasn’t he dumped me yet?
Plenty of time has passed since then.
This change in the Emperor’s behavior confused me more and more. And the worry grew heavier in my chest.
Just when I thought I couldn’t take it anymore, the Emperor summoned me to the palace again.
Clip clop. Clip clop.
“Young Lady, we’ve arrived at the palace.”
The coachman kindly announced our arrival as the sound of horse hooves stopped.
I already knew—we were almost there.
I got out with help from the escort and headed to the terrace where we’d had dessert last time.
When I arrived, the Emperor was already sitting there.
“I greet the sun of the Empire.”
“Lady, welcome.”
He was seated but still greeted me. He didn’t seem arrogant this time. In fact, he looked a little… down. Sad, even.
Wait, is this it?
Is today the day he says it’s over?
Excited by that thought, I took a seat opposite him. He had made eye contact only during the first greeting, and then just stared into space, lost in thought.
It was quiet. Neither of us spoke.
Knock knock.
A maid entered with a tray, placed a large cake and utensils on the table, then quietly left.
Finally, the Emperor opened his mouth.
“Last time, I saw you really enjoyed this. So I asked them to bring a big one.”
“Oh… Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Yes! Chocolate cake!
He really paid attention. He remembered which cake I liked best.
Was this a farewell gift?
Then I’ll eat it happily.
I excitedly dug in. When I offered him some, he politely declined.
“I don’t like sweets.”
Then he went quiet again.
No! Don’t go silent now. Say what you have to say.
I’d waited so long for the breakup.
That’s the only way I can save the Archduke.
Just as I was about to explode from impatience, I decided to speak first.
I finished my bite of cake, sipped some tea, and looked into his eyes. He was already staring at me, so it wasn’t hard.
“Your Majesty. You’re very quiet today. Is there something you want to say to me?”
“Lady.”
“Yes, please go ahead.”
The Emperor called me… and then went silent again.
His eyes said something, but his lips stayed shut. It was frustrating.
Please just say it. I’m ready. I’m waiting.
Inside, my Korean impatience was going wild. I wanted to shake him and shout, “Spit it out!”
But outside, I stayed calm and polite.
Finally, the Emperor slowly opened his mouth again.
“Lady.”
“Yes, Your Majesty?”
“I like you.”
“Yes, I know that…, wait. What?”
…Huh?
…What???
I was more shocked than ever before.
Please continue, me READY 🙏