~Chapter 47~
One Life, One Magic Tool
‘Is it Conrad?’
She couldn’t think of anyone else.
But Conrad had no reason to tell that secret.
If it wasn’t him, then she really didn’t know how the rumor spread.
Her heart felt cold.
Instead of saving people with what she had, she was being used for power again, and all she got in return were accusations and blame. It felt like her future would keep repeating like this.
Anxiety and pressure weighed down on her shoulders like a heavy rock.
“Then what will you do?”
Only when Remutan spoke did Regina come out of her dark thoughts.
“There’s nothing else. I’ll face it directly. I’ll think about the monster subjugation after I get back the financial power. Please prepare the tea party.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
If she could recover the magic power she once had as the head of the Magic Division in the Permang Empire, Regina believed she could meet society’s expectations.
No matter how strong the monsters were, her power would be enough to give the knights time to protect themselves.
‘But I don’t have enough magic now.’
Regina bit her lip and clenched her fist.
Suddenly, the air felt cold.
The study in the new Empress’s palace was cozy but felt empty. The person she always saw wasn’t here, and it made her feel like something was missing.
It had only been two days since she moved, but Regina already felt a bit lonely.
‘Am I really…missing him?’
Had Conrad really become that important to her?
Regina tried to push away that thought.
“Your Majesty, His Majesty the Emperor is here.”
The study door opened and Conrad walked in. Regina slowly took a breath. She still looked a bit pale.
Conrad walked straight to her and checked her face.
“Are you feeling sick?”
“No, I’m fine.”
“Remutan.”
Before she could finish talking, Conrad called for the aide.
“You’ve heard about all the gossip in society, haven’t you?”
It wasn’t serious enough to report to the Emperor, but Remutan repeated everything he had told Regina.
“I see. You can go.”
Remutan quickly put away the documents and left the study.
Conrad, who already understood the situation, walked over and grabbed Regina’s waist.
“Ah!”
He lifted her and sat her on the desk, putting his arms on either side of her legs. Regina was trapped between his arms and felt flustered.
“Why…?”
“Remutan can’t understand us, Regina.”
Conrad’s voice was soft, almost sweet.
“Only leaders like you and me can understand each other.”
“Conrad.”
“I used to make a new sword for every life lost. What about you?”
“…One magic tool for every life.”
That was why Regina kept making magic tools back in the Permang Empire.
Actually, making magic tools there was something only people with weak magic did.
“What are you going to do with useless magic tools like that?!”
In the Permang Empire, where almost everyone had magic, magic tools were not seen as useful. They could just use magic themselves.
Even the simple tools for daily life were exported to Fredericks. That’s why Hereis never understood why Regina made them.
“It must have been hard.”
At Conrad’s gentle comfort, Regina finally cried.
Her big eyes filled with tears, and Conrad softly kissed the corner of her eye.
“I was the same.”
“Conrad.”
“I have carried dozens, hundreds, thousands of lives.”
“So have I.”
No one really cared about the lives of dead knights or mages. If they weren’t family, people soon forgot them.
Especially for the Magic Division Regina led—most were wanderers. If they weren’t friends, no one even remembered their names.
“Conrad. I’m scared.”
“What are you afraid of?”
He asked in a gentle voice.
“I’m afraid of the responsibility the nobles will ask from me.”
Regina had experienced it all before in the Permang Empire. After carrying all that responsibility, she was only betrayed.
If she was betrayed once, who could say it wouldn’t happen again?
She was afraid of everything.
People looked at her with respect now, but if they learned she had sent their family to danger, would they throw stones at her or curse her?
Conrad rubbed his nose against hers. Regina almost turned away, but stopped at his gentle touch.
“From now on, I’ll share your responsibility with you.”
Regina bit her lip. No one had ever said such words to her. People only gave her orders and forced duties on her.
“If you don’t protect the border, who will?”
“If you don’t go on the subjugation, are you just going to let the people die?”
“It’s your duty as the commander of the Magic Division!”
Even her family said the same things. Only you can do it. You have to do it.
And when the monster problem was solved, they threw her away. She thought she couldn’t get hurt anymore, but the pain just grew worse inside.
“Conrad.”
“I’m your husband now, your partner. I’ll share your burdens, so… will you share mine, too?”
Tears finally fell down her cheeks.
Conrad wiped them away and smiled playfully.
“Don’t want to?”
“…No, it’s not that.”
Of course not.
She swallowed the words she couldn’t say and answered him.
She thought she was doing well in this new place, but it was still hard.
Meeting her old subordinates made her happy but also nervous. She even asked them to bring magic tools without telling Conrad.
And she had to deal with the Grand Empress Chloe every day.
Conrad’s blue eyes looked at her tired face.
Seeing her smile at him with tears in her eyes made his chest ache.
‘Why do I feel like this…?’
He pressed his lips to her eyes. She flinched, but didn’t move away, and Conrad didn’t want to hold back anymore.
Regina had been quietly avoiding him, and his feelings had built up.
The kiss that started lightly became more passionate, and Regina was surprised.
“Conrad, um…”
“Do you hate it?”
He asked before she could even speak.
“…No, not really.”
“Then let me have you.”
He leaned over her, and her back touched the desk.
He kissed her red lips deeply, his tongue searching her mouth. The heat made Regina’s fingers curl. Her whole body was wrapped in his warmth.
His hands moved as he kissed her.
When he saw her shoulders already red, he laughed softly.
“Why are you already like this here?”
“That’s—!”
Before she could answer, he lowered his head again. Regina trembled. For a while, Conrad focused on her, and then he whispered,
“Your body is more honest than your words, Regina.”
