Chapter 92
The only real change over the past few weeks was that Liana had grown a little closer to Ianharte.
To be more precise, ever since that ceremonial day, Ianharte had been coming to see her much more often.
At first, Liana found it strange—did they really need to eat together every single day? But after about two weeks, she realized that a day without seeing Ianharte felt strangely empty.
Their hobbies overlapped, so conversations flowed easily. And lately, their relationship had grown subtly closer, something Liana couldn’t say she disliked.
“When did you get here?”
“I knocked just now, so wouldn’t it make sense that I just arrived?”
“You used to wait more than ten minutes sometimes. That’s why I asked.”
“I really did just arrive. Your maid is punctual, so your lessons always end at the same time.”
Liana’s remark made Ianharte chuckle lazily as he reached out his hand.
Her hand rested in his large, calloused palm—callouses that mirrored her own.
“Where are we going today?”
“The Ruby Palace.”
“That’s unusual. Why there?”
The question slipped out before she could stop herself.
Most of their meals had been in Liana’s palace, in the greenhouse, or in scenic parts of the imperial residence.
Ianharte gave a small laugh at her curiosity, gently guiding her by the hand.
“My palace doesn’t have much worth seeing. No reason to eat there when there are prettier places.”
“Ah, I see…”
She remembered visiting the Ruby Palace a few times for appearances’ sake. Just as he said, it wasn’t really a place with much to see.
Then again… well, maybe he was right.
For the emperor’s residence, the Ruby Palace was oddly plain inside—bare of unnecessary decorations, furnished only with the essentials.
Liana, recalling its simplicity, spoke in a casual tone.
“But I actually liked it.”
Compared to the other palaces or the grand residences of Rowoon’s kings, the Ruby Palace lacked extravagance—but that suited her taste better.
“My style leans more toward simplicity too. At least for where I live, I don’t like it overly fancy.”
“…That, I didn’t know.”
“Well, I never told you.”
Liana shrugged.
To be honest, even the Emerald Palace she currently lived in wasn’t really her taste—it was far too ornate, befitting an empress.
But it wasn’t something she resented; it was just preference.
“When I saw your palace back in Rowoon, I thought it looked pretty desolate. I assumed it was just because you hadn’t been there in a while.”
“Well, there was that too. I hadn’t been back in… three, four years?”
By now, the time she’d spent in the empire’s imperial palace had nearly matched the time she’d lived in Rowoon’s royal one.
But if asked which felt more like home, there was no comparison—it was here.
Even with a palace that suited her tastes, the royal palace in Rowoon never felt like hers.
“I like it here better than Rowoon.”
The words slipped from her lips before she realized it.
Ianharte’s gaze shifted to her profile.
“…I’m glad.”
He spoke simply, but his sincerity was clear to her.
For some reason, the moment felt strangely charged—whether it was his slightly tightened grip on her hand or the softened, almost tender look in his sharp eyes.
A spring breeze rustled past in the silence.
“…Anyway, I only meant I like the Ruby Palace too.”
Embarrassed, Liana quickened her pace, dragging the conversation back to safer ground.
“Why are you walking so fast?”
But her hand was held captive—she lasted barely three steps before she slowed and returned to his side.
Pretending to admire the palace she’d long grown used to, Liana avoided his gaze. Meanwhile, Ianharte quietly enjoyed her flustered expression.
Her ears flushed red just from admitting she preferred the empire over Rowoon. It was adorable.
And though his grip on her hand was loose enough for her to pull away at any time, the fact that she didn’t only made her seem more endearing.
Lunch was served in the Ruby Palace’s rear garden.
Unlike the palace itself, which reflected Ianharte’s minimalist taste, the garden was full of life.
“This really is unexpected…”
Liana muttered softly as she admired the vibrant spring blossoms.
Of course, her mutterings reached Ianharte’s sharp ears.
“What’s unexpected?”
“That Your Majesty’s garden is this beautiful.”
“I tore everything out because Bernian said it was too bleak.”
His indifferent reply made Liana chuckle.
She hadn’t assumed Ianharte himself had arranged the garden. That didn’t match his personality at all.
“I figured as much.”
“Do you like it here?”
“I love flowers. I couldn’t see many of them while living near the border, so I missed them.”
“What kind of flowers do you like?”
“I don’t have a favorite. These are beautiful, but even little wildflowers by the roadside are pretty.”
It was idle conversation.
But in truth, what surprised Liana wasn’t the garden itself.
It was that Ianharte, seated here amidst the blossoms, didn’t look out of place at all. In fact… he suited the scene perfectly.
He was a man whose reputation conjured up images of blood-soaked battlefields, yet here he was—looking at ease beside a pond, dining in a blooming garden.
And somehow… that felt new.
After their meal and tea, Ianharte asked,
“Do you have plans for this evening?”
Liana thought for a moment, then shook her head.
“No, nothing today.”
She’d already supervised her guard’s training yesterday, and Giselle’s lesson was done that morning. She was free.
“Why do you ask?”
“If you’re free, I thought I’d introduce you to Petches.”
The unfamiliar name clicked after a moment.
“The alchemist?”
Petches Torca—the one who had drawn up their contract a couple weeks ago.
“Yes. He’s usually holed up in his workshop, but he’s finally surfaced.”
Liana recalled he wasn’t one to leave his house often. Probably not so different from obsessive mages.
“So, are we going to him?”
“If you don’t mind. He lives near the Loppel district, and since we’ll be out there anyway, we could look around.”
That last part piqued Liana’s interest.
“Loppel’s the empire’s biggest market district, right?”
“Exactly. Too big to see all in one day, but I know a few good spots.”
His eyes softened as he added,
“So, will you give me your time?”
The warmth in his gaze made her heart thud loudly.
‘…What’s wrong with me?’
It wasn’t the first time she’d felt this. Lately, when she was with him, her heart often reacted this way.
But the emotion was still unfamiliar, so she forced a playful tone.
“So this time, I get to use Your Majesty as my guide?”
“Guide?”
He paused, then chuckled as he understood her reference.
“Well, I suppose so. You showed me around Rowoon’s capital—now it’s my turn to guide you.”
The way he hummed and tapped the table, looking pleased with himself, made it obvious he was enjoying this.
Liana looked at the tall wall before them, then at Ianharte.
“…You want me to climb that?”
Her incredulous tone earned a confident nod.
“It’s the shortcut.”
“…Seriously?”
“If it’s too high, I can always carry you over.”
Her words caught in her throat at his smooth suggestion.
From what she knew, he wasn’t the type to tease this way. And yet, his laid-back, almost roguish tone… suited him alarmingly well.
“…I can climb it myself, you know.”
She managed a retort, but he only nodded with a grin.
“Yeah, I thought so. You seemed pretty experienced at wall-climbing back in Rowoon.”
…Right. She realized then—he was just having fun teasing her.
