~Chapter 05~
“Your Majesty, the Empress.”
Noah? Was it really Noah?
I turned around without thinking to check the voice.
There he was, standing with a gentle smile, looking at me.
“Sir Everdane?”
The words tumbled out before I could stop myself.
I quickly tried to calm my racing heart and hide my excitement.
“My apologies. I didn’t mean to startle Your Majesty.”
“No, no, it’s not like that. Please don’t mind it.”
I waved my hand quickly to show it was fine.
“Could I have a moment of your time? It will only take a short while.”
“Of course.”
I could give him not just a moment, but hours.
If I could, I’d leave the palace with him and talk all night.
“Thank you.”
“It’s nothing. So, what is it you wanted to say to me?”
But the palace had too many eyes watching us.
And besides, I wasn’t sure Noah would even enjoy talking with me all night.
“I wanted to thank you for your concern earlier. Thanks to you, I was able to leave the banquet without trouble. Truly, thank you.”
He bowed to me as he spoke.
“No, I… I just dislike situations like that, that’s all. You really don’t have to thank me.”
“Still, I’m grateful you said that.”
Really, it was nothing…
How could he be such a good, kind person?
He was even more mature and admirable than the Noah I’d read about in books.
But the dozens of eyes watching us were starting to feel uncomfortably sharp.
Sigh.
I guess staying longer wasn’t possible.
“Thank you for saying that. I hope we can meet again, if we have the chance.”
“I feel the same. Then, I wish you a peaceful night.”
“Yes, you too.”
After that last exchange, I pushed down my regret and began to walk away.
Slowly, I moved forward, leaving Noah behind.
* * *
That night, lying in bed after getting ready to sleep, I thought about Noah.
Just remembering his face made my heart pound and my chest tighten in a dizzying way, but I tried to hold onto the memory.
His hair was blacker and smoother than the night sky.
His deep, dark eyes shone like the depths of the ocean.
From his straight forehead down to his sharp nose, and finally to lips as if they were painted in red…
He was also incredibly tall.
I hadn’t seen anyone at the banquet taller or with a bigger build than Noah.
And his smile…
It had truly sparkled.
And yet that man… kept trying to drag Noah down.
Thinking of what had happened at the banquet made my anger flare again, refusing to calm.
I sat up in bed and clenched my fists tightly.
“I can’t let Noah die.”
After days of thinking, I had come to one conclusion — there was only one way to save him.
It wasn’t the best way if I cared about my own safety.
But…
“I have to save Noah, no matter what.”
Because it was Noah.
Only I could pull him out of this cruel reality.
And if I did nothing and he died while I lived… that wouldn’t be a life worth living.
So…
“I’m going to do it.”
With that firm resolve, I began planning in my head what I would do starting tomorrow.
It was late by the time I finally fell asleep.
* * *
The next morning, after breakfast, I went straight to the Empress Consort’s quarters.
“Welcome, Your Majesty.”
As I entered the reception room, the Consort greeted me with an obviously fake smile.
According to palace etiquette, she should have greeted me with more formality, but thinking of what I needed to say today, I let it slide.
“Oh, the Emperor was here just a moment ago… If I’d known you were coming, I would have kept him here longer.”
She smiled as she spoke in a way that pretended to be friendly but was really just boasting.
“The Emperor wouldn’t let me go until dawn… Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to say that.”
She was clearly trying to irritate me, but I just shook my head inwardly and gave a small laugh.
If I had truly loved the Emperor, I might have felt jealous and angry at such words.
But since I didn’t just dislike him — I despised him — it didn’t bother me in the slightest.
Still, I had to admit Aria knew exactly how to get under someone’s skin.
“It seems His Majesty cares for you very much.”
“I wouldn’t know… Is that how it looks to you?”
“Yes, I think so.”
“Oh, I see… Ah, I’m sorry, I must be crazy to say such embarrassing things to you, Your Majesty.”
I answered with my usual expressionless face.
Perhaps thinking I was upset, Aria’s face turned pitiful.
“It’s fine. I don’t mind.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really.”
When she gave me a doubtful look, I waved my hand lightly and smiled faintly to show I was fine.
“Oh! My, look at me. Please, sit here. I’ll have tea and snacks brought in.”
Soon, tea and light refreshments were served.
Aria started chatting again, going on and on about when the Emperor had visited yesterday and how long he stayed — things I had no interest in.
I let her words wash over me, focusing instead on what I needed to say today.
After a long while, perhaps noticing my lack of interest, she frowned briefly but then smiled brightly and changed the topic.
“By the way, I was surprised to see you so early in the morning. Is there something you wanted to tell me?”
“Yes, there is.”
I didn’t hide my purpose.
“You have something to say to me?”
“Consort.”
I called to her without delay.
“Yes, Your Majesty?”
“Do you want my position?”
“…What? What do you mean by that?”
My sudden question made her eyes widen in surprise.
“I asked if you wanted my position.”
“Your Majesty, why would you say that…? I truly love His Majesty…”
“That’s not the answer I’m looking for.”
I cut her off sharply, shaking my head.
“Let’s be honest. If you say you want my position, I am willing to step down from it.”
“What? Why… why would you say something like that? Did I do something wrong?”
“No. You haven’t done anything wrong. I just want us to be a little more honest with each other. I’ll ask again.”
I looked straight into her eyes — eyes that were full of anticipation she tried to hide — and spoke.
“Take my husband.”
