Chapter 49
The Emperor furrowed his brow slightly and called my name.
Oh? Is my plan finally working this time?
“Eilene.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
I kept scratching my head while replying, chanting my wish in my mind like a spell.
Work… it’s working… it has to be working!
“Touching yourself all over like that—are you trying to seduce me?”
…What?
That answer was so far from what I expected that I froze and stopped moving.
Excuse me? Are your eyes okay? How could anyone possibly see this as seductive?
While I was drowning in utter confusion, the Emperor made his next move.
“If that’s the case, then I’d say your plan is working quite well.”
He reached out his long arm and grabbed my chin, leaning in close to sniff me.
Ah—wait. Did he notice a bad smell?
I hadn’t bathed in days; there had to be a strong odor by now.
I held onto a shred of hope—only for it to be shattered instantly by his next words.
“You smell wonderful. Like a single, blooming flower.”
“…”
His lips looked red and tempting as he said that.
For a moment, I forgot my goal entirely, my mind going blank at the sight before me.
The dazzling golden statue-like figure was a feast for my eyes, and without meaning to, I swallowed hard.
Seeing my wide eyes, the Emperor smirked, lifting the corners of his lips before pulling back.
“Don’t look at me like you’re about to eat me up.”
…
I wasn’t!
I wanted to deny it, but he already looked so sure of himself that I gave up. A strong denial would only make it sound more suspicious anyway. At this point, I might as well surrender.
After leaving the Emperor and hurrying back to the duke’s mansion, I sniffed myself all over before taking a bath. But despite all my effort, I couldn’t smell anything bad at all.
Why?
Thinking it over, one possibility came to mind.
Oh… maybe it’s because of my healing ability?
I thought it only worked through my saliva, but maybe not.
If saliva is 70% water, then it’s natural to assume my healing energy flows through my blood too.
In the end, this “not bathing” tactic just made me feel gross for days and got me nothing in return. My grand plan to turn him off with disgusting behavior failed spectacularly—and it was about to backfire in a different way.
Some Time Later
For some reason, the Emperor—who had been showing signs of becoming a tyrant—returned to his gentle self. The unease and rumors in society quieted down again.
He began calling me to the palace often, and his actions toward me became more direct and active.
Clip-clop. Creak.
When I arrived in my carriage, a palace servant came to greet me.
“Welcome, Lady Cowet. Please follow me.”
But instead of heading into the building as usual, he led me along an outdoor garden path.
“We’re not going to the terrace today?” I asked.
“His Majesty is in the training yard. This way, please.”
The training yard?
I followed quietly, curious.
When we passed through the ornate gates, I saw a wide open space—and only one figure in it. It must have been the Emperor’s private yard.
He was swinging a sword, shirtless, sweat glistening on his chest and abs. Every movement made his muscles curve in smooth, perfect lines.
Ah… yes, he really is the male lead.
Face, body—there was nothing lacking.
I couldn’t help but stare.
I stood and watched as he trained, until he noticed me. He set down his sword and took a towel from a servant, wiping his forehead as he approached.
With the sunlight behind him, he was almost blinding.
“Eilene. You’re here.”
He smiled brightly, pushing back his golden hair. The slightly damp, glistening look almost shook my determination.
“Your Majesty, please cover yourself.”
Feeling my resistance crumble, I quickly covered my eyes. I meant it as a sign of willpower, but he must have thought I was just shy—because he laughed.
“What’s the problem? We’re going to be married.”
“…We’re not married yet, though.”
My heart skipped at the word “married,” but I tried to act calm.
“So you are shy. Fine, let’s go bathe together.”
“…What?”
B-bathe together? What kind of statement was that?!
I froze at his words, but he noticed my wide-eyed look and laughed again.
“Oh, you misunderstood. I meant we should go together—as in, walk together.”
“Ah.”
“What? Were you expecting something else? You look disappointed.”
“N-no, Your Majesty.”
He gave me a teasing smile and walked ahead. My face was already as red as a beet.
“Please wait here while His Majesty bathes,” a servant told me.
“Alright.”
Of course, the Emperor went into his private bathroom, while I sat in the next room.
Ugh, I must be crazy. How could I even think something so embarrassing?
I pressed a glass of cold water to my cheeks to cool down.
After a while, the door swung open, and the Emperor stepped out with damp hair, fully dressed in a clean uniform. Fresh from a bath, he looked even more striking than usual.
“All done?” I asked.
“Yes. I feel refreshed.”
Instead of sitting across from me, he sat right beside me.
His scent instantly surrounded me, and I remembered the sight of his bare torso. My face grew hot again, so I turned away—only for him to pull me into his chest with a strong arm around my shoulders.
Startled, I looked up to see his half-lidded eyes gazing at me suggestively.
“Y-Your Majesty?”
“Eilene, are you still thinking about earlier?”
“What?”
“If you want, I can show you again.”
And suddenly, I remembered the original novel—how the Emperor and the heroine spent countless passionate nights together.
In the story, he would pounce on Amelia every night like a beast, and she would cry out in bliss. Readers had been split between the “Emperor team” and the “Grand Duke team.”
I had always been firmly on the Grand Duke’s side, never understanding how anyone could fall for the Emperor.
But now… I understood.
His temptation was sweeter and heavier than I’d expected—like a carnivorous plant luring in prey.
No. If I let myself be dragged into this, I’d end up like a fly trapped in digestive juices.
I shut my eyes tightly.
Right now, I didn’t need to run—I needed a Grand Duke shield.
I pictured Raymond’s deep, calm eyes, letting that image ground me. If the Emperor was dangerous, molten lava, then the Grand Duke was a peaceful, stabilizing sea.
“Your Majesty, we should behave. We’re not married yet.”
“…Hmph. True.”
I returned his earlier words, but with the opposite meaning.
He seemed to accept that, releasing my shoulder. My pounding heartbeat slowly returned to normal.
I don’t even remember how I spent the rest of the visit—only that I escaped that suffocating atmosphere and rushed into my carriage home.
Huff, huff. That was really close.
Finally safe, I pressed a hand to my chest and took deep breaths. The steady clatter of the wheels calmed me.
That Night
Under a red moon, I sat in my room, glaring at the table.
On it lay an invitation, sealed with a red wax crest. I had already opened it and read the contents.
After a long moment of thought, I decided to call for Oki.
“Oki, Oook.”
It had been a while since I called him—most of my meetings with the Grand Duke had been in the daytime lately. I opened the window and made a soft owl call, and soon a large figure flapped toward me.
“Oki!”
“Ook, ook, ook.”
We were so happy to see each other that we spun around together—hand and wing.
I sometimes called him just to give sunflower seeds and water, but even that had been over a week ago.
Oki perched and began pecking at the sunflower seeds while I wrote a note for the Grand Duke.
“All done. Please deliver it for me.”
“Ook, ook.”
I tied the note to his leg, and he nodded before spreading his wings. In the moonlight, the majestic flapping cast a beautiful shadow.
I should get a reply tomorrow.
Feeling reassured, I started tidying my desk and got ready for bed with a book—when I suddenly heard a soft tapping at the window.
