Chapter 15
“…Is that so.”
So things really can change overnight. Ian must have gone through so much trouble again just to get this. Thinking that, Freea let out a small chuckle.
“You worked hard.”
“It wasn’t hard at all. He says he’ll never bring flowers again. He regrets being so thoughtless.”
“…I see.”
It wasn’t really something to regret so deeply. Ian seemed to be treating her well, but a part of her felt uneasy—was he just being overly cautious around her?
Hopefully, there wouldn’t be any more flowers being cut just for display’s sake. Just as that thought crossed her mind—
“No way!”
Suddenly, a memory of that room filled with flowers flashed through Freea’s mind.
“What’s wrong?”
“N-no, it’s nothing.”
Seth tilted his head curiously, but Freea only stared silently past the mirror.
“Before we eat, I’d like to stop by somewhere.”
“I’ll make the preparations.”
But today felt a little different than usual. Normally, Ian would have shown up by the time she was ready—but today, he hadn’t appeared at all.
“By the way, Seth.”
“Yes, My Lady?”
“Is Ian off today?”
“No, he’s not. I just thought I wasn’t getting enough time with you, My Lady, so I told Sir Ian to come after the meal from now on.”
At that, Freea let out a soft laugh.
She’d never experienced people trying to compete just to be with her. The sensation made her heart tingle in a strange, fluttery way.
“In that case, I’ll accompany you today.”
“Sounds good. I want to revisit the dome we went to a few days ago. The one they said could host indoor tea parties.”
“Ah, yes. Would you like to go before we eat…”
“No, I just want to check something. It’s still a while before mealtime, so I should be fine, right?”
Her voice trembled slightly, worried he might say no.
“Even if it were close to mealtime, you could still go. After all, you’re to be the Empress. Wherever you go becomes the way, and whatever you say becomes the law.”
“…Ah.”
Freea stayed silent, unsure how to respond, while Seth tied her hair down in a low ponytail.
“Shall we go then?”
“Yes.”
Freea slowly rose from her seat and followed him.
“By the way, My Lady…”
“Yes?”
“If you don’t mind, I was thinking… what about recruiting an additional lady-in-waiting to assist you?”
“A lady-in-waiting? You’re already more than enough, Seth.”
“Still, there may be times when I can’t attend to everything myself.”
His voice was careful, perhaps worried she’d take it the wrong way.
Sensing the subtle emotional change in Seth—as she always could—Freea quietly nodded.
“All right. You’re probably right. Let’s do that.”
“Thank you. Among my collateral relatives, there’s a girl around your age, Your Grace.”
“Oh, really?”
“She’s a smart girl. I think she’ll be useful.”
Seeing Seth speak with such confidence for the first time, Freea said nothing and continued walking. The last time they’d come here, the air had been thick with the scent of flowers. But this time, there was no fragrance at all.
The unease she suddenly felt made her steps quicken.
Soon, they arrived at the place she had visited with Ian a few days ago.
But when she got there, Freea was struck speechless once again.
“Ah…”
The doors to the room stood wide open, but all the flowers had vanished. In their place was a lush green indoor garden, almost like they had transplanted the courtyard inside. And that wasn’t all—servants who hadn’t noticed her arrival were constructing a small library at the far end.
“They really got rid of the flowers…”
Just then—
“How’s the rest coming along?”
“We’ve salvaged only the flowers we could. The others…”
A familiar voice echoed from the hallway, growing nearer. Freea, who had stepped into the room, quickly turned and exited back into the corridor.
The approaching figure was Argent.
He walked with no hesitation, his every step natural and familiar—at least, to Freea it seemed that way.
‘Has he been coming here often?’
As she wondered, Argent arrived at the doorway.
Seeing Freea unexpectedly standing there, he hesitated for a moment—but quickly concealed his surprise.
“I didn’t know you’d come here.”
“…I just wanted to check something.”
“…Don’t tell me—you’re the one who changed everything here?”
“…We’ll be late for the meal. Let’s go.”
He couldn’t let her see his heart.
Every time she glimpsed it, she would leave him—because she felt safe, because she felt nothing, she would stab at his heart like an icy needle.
It would’ve been better if she had lived. Even if she lived hating him, at least she would have lived.
Why had she died so foolishly?
That’s why when Freea kept asking him questions—when she showed interest—it was both comforting and burdensome.
“I see.”
Freea didn’t press further, perhaps already giving up on getting a real answer. She followed behind him, lips slightly parted.
He wouldn’t tell her anything. He acted so kind in front of others, but drew a line when alone with her.
‘I won’t expect anything from you anymore. Nothing at all.’
But why did her chest ache so much as she thought that?
Clutching the sudden pain in her chest, Freea halted. Argent, walking ahead, didn’t notice.
“Are you all right?”
Startled by the unusual sight of Freea stopping, Seth rushed to her side.
“Ah… I’m fine.”
Finally, Argent stopped and quickly closed the distance between them.
“Are you feeling unwell? That shouldn’t be the case…”
“…I was just startled for a moment.”
“I’ll summon the royal physician.”
“I said I’m really okay.”
“We can delay the meal. Let’s go back for now.”
Freea looked up and met his gaze. His face had turned pale, as though he were someone else entirely.
Why? Why did he look at her with such sorrow?
She wanted to ask—but when she saw the sadness in his eyes, she couldn’t bring herself to.
All she could do was look back at him.
Argent swiftly scooped her into his arms and walked without hesitation. Not a word escaped him, like someone holding back great anger.
As if they’d been waiting for the master of the room, the tightly closed doors flung open at once. Though it looked like her first time visiting, Argent walked in with no hesitation and laid her on the large bed in a bedroom set in an unusual location.
“Where is the physician?! Is he coming?!”
It was the first time she heard him raise his voice—his voice, filled with concern for her.
Freea, lying silently on the bed, couldn’t hide her surprise.
“H-he’s on his way!”
Even though the emperor—ruler of the empire—was present, Seth didn’t dare enter the room.
“Hurry! As quickly as possible!”
“Understood!”
“Bring water!”
Was all of this really necessary? Watching him shout at his people, Freea reached out and grabbed his arm.
His voice, so agitated before, softened slightly.
“Is this just another act?”
“An act?”
“…Isn’t it? You act like a kind ruler for show… but you always keep your distance from me. Wasn’t all of this just for appearances?”
At those words, his eyes began to tremble violently.
Freea silently locked eyes with him. For the first time, he was actually listening. His lips parted as if to answer. But she no longer wanted to hear it.
If he admitted it was all an act… she feared she would crumble.
So Freea quickly spoke again.
“No. You don’t have to answer.”
“……”
I keep wondering about you… about what kind of person you are, what you’re thinking… But I shouldn’t ask, should I?
Watching him remain silent, Freea blurted out:
“It probably is true. And if it is… I think it’ll make me just a little sad.”
For a brief moment, she thought she saw a glint of tears in his eyes.
So she averted her gaze. Looking at him only seemed to make the ache in her chest worse.
“…Don’t look at me. Never meet my gaze again.”
“……”
“As you said, I’m just acting. Playing the kind ruler for others to see. And you—you only have to fulfill your role as Empress. In two weeks, you’ll be officially crowned.”
“…All right.”
“…You may now dine in your room alone. If I make you uncomfortable, that is.”
His voice had grown even colder, the words lingering in her ears. Even though she knew this was how it had to be, the heavy emotion gnawed at her heart.
She was the one hurt—so why did he look so sad?
One who could not ask, and one who would not speak.
They had missed each other entirely.
Argent’s hidden heart could never reach Freea, and Freea, with her thorny walls, could never accept his feelings.
“Rest well.”
With those final words, Argent left the room.
Only silence remained. Soon after, the royal physician entered and examined her.
There was nothing seriously wrong, but he prescribed rest and some nourishing medicine.
“I thought I’d been eating well lately… and yet I’ve only caused worry.”
“Worry? Not at all, Your Grace. The fault lies with me for not checking sooner.”
“No. You’ve done your best, Seth.”
Even though she’d seen Argent’s twisted expression before leaving, Seth said nothing. He simply continued to care for her, as always.
“Seth…”
