Chapter 12
“Continue what you were doing.”
With that short command, the Emperor turned and strode out of the room.
“Huh?”
The three handsome men blinked in confusion—then their faces lit up.
“We’re alive!”
Having brushed shoulders with death together, the trio hugged each other and burst into tears of relief.
What just happened? What was that?
The maids and guards exchanged bewildered looks but quickly hurried after the Emperor.
“Where is the Empress right now?”
“She’s in her study, Your Majesty! We’ll take you to her immediately!”
The servants scurried to guide him, their hearts overflowing with newfound gratitude for the Empress.
If blood had been spilled inside the palace—especially not in the torture chamber—it would have been a nightmare to clean up afterward.
Who knew the scandalous Empress could ever be useful!
So she didn’t keep those men around out of affection after all.
Though they occupied the same hallway, the Emperor and his attendants each had completely different thoughts.
Of course, the person who gained the most from all this was the Empress herself—Lea—who unknowingly earned +1 reputation point without even realizing it.
To be honest, Sian wasn’t even aware that he was heading toward the Empress.
Just as his body automatically stood when she called for dinner, or his eyes closed when her soft voice lulled him to sleep, his feet simply… turned toward her.
It was only when he started up the stairs to her office that he suddenly frowned.
Wait. Why am I—
Before the thought could finish, his sharp eyes caught something.
Silver hair and golden hair gleamed together inside the room.
“Are you sure you tested it first? If I faint, you’re not getting a single guilder.”
“I swear on my degree, Your Majesty. It’s perfectly safe.”
The Empress was chatting casually, sounding utterly at ease.
Beside her stood a golden-haired man with an easy, playful smile—handsome, refined, far too polished to be a servant or knight.
Just one look at that face told Sian everything.
He was from the harem.
So why did she leave the other three behind in the attendants’ wing and keep this one so close?
They looked awfully familiar, even comfortable, bickering like old friends. Sian’s jaw tightened.
“All right then. What should I wear?”
“Hm. I’d suggest something long-sleeved—better to keep your arms and legs covered.”
He even picks out her clothes?
Something in Sian’s head snapped.
“Y-Your Majesty? What brings you here at this hour—Kyaa!”
Shiiing!
“Ah—!”
“Gasp!”
The air in the room froze.
The Empress, startled, widened her eyes. The Emperor twisted his lips into a cold smirk.
“When something happens in the Imperial Palace without the Emperor’s knowledge, that’s called treason.”
“Y-Your Majesty?”
The Empress’s confusion was clear, but Sian ignored it. His blade gleamed as he pressed it closer to the golden-haired man’s throat.
“State your name and position.”
“…I-I am Lindo Carsel, formerly attached to the Empress’s Palace annex, Your Majesty.”
The annex—better known as the harem.
“The report stated that the harem was completely dissolved. Explain why someone from that establishment remains in the palace without the Emperor’s authorization.”
Perhaps sensing that his life depended on it, the man dropped to his knees immediately.
The sight of that pale neck trembling beneath his sword made the Empress realize what was happening, and she quickly spoke up.
“I’m sorry, Your Majesty! Staff appointments within the Empress’s Palace fall under my discretion, and since you permitted me to manage the harem however I saw fit, I assumed it wouldn’t be a problem.”
Her voice was as gentle and sweet as always.
But for some reason, it sounded almost like she was defending him.
Sian’s golden eyes hardened.
“What if there is a problem?”
“Wh-what kind of problem?”
She tilted her head slightly, genuinely puzzled.
Truthfully, there was no real issue.
The man was clearly weak—he didn’t look like he could wield a sword if his life depended on it.
Even if there were ulterior motives, no one could breach the palace’s iron-tight security.
But deceiving the Emperor was still a convenient excuse—especially when his temper was as volatile as it was now.
“If you’re hiding him to threaten the Emperor’s safety…”
“Me? No, of course not, Your Majesty!”
The Empress’s eyes widened in shock.
But Sian simply jerked his chin toward the small vial he’d seen the golden-haired man hand her moments earlier.
“What’s that in your hand?”
“This? It’s massage oil. It helps you sleep better if you rub it on your skin…”
Just the two of them, exchanging something like that?
Sian’s expression grew darker.
“And what exactly were you planning to do with it?”
“Well, to use it on you, of course… tonight…”
Her words trailed off carefully. The servants nearby all started coughing awkwardly, pretending not to understand the implication.
Of course, the Empress was simply being cautious, unsure what had provoked him this time.
But to Sian, it looked like she was nervously lying to cover up her affair.
“Then why is he the one giving it to you?”
“He studied pharmacology, Your Majesty. He’s skilled at mixing oils and tonics, so I occasionally ask him to make things I need. Surely you’re not… misunderstanding?”
Misunderstanding? He nearly laughed. The evidence was right there.
With a sharp motion, he snatched the vial from her hand.
His fingers brushed hers briefly—and he was shocked at how soft her skin felt.
Which only made him angrier.
Without realizing how insane he looked, he hurled the vial back at the golden-haired man.
“If you need someone skilled in pharmacology, I’ll assign a proper specialist.”
“Oh! Really?”
“In exchange, you have no objection if I execute this man on the spot, do you?”
The blade’s edge tilted toward the trembling blond again.
“E-execute?”
The Empress looked between the two men in alarm.
Sian noticed that she looked at the blond first—then at him second—and his irritation flared hotter.
“Exceptions always lead to trouble later. I’ll set an example and eliminate him.”
The sword shifted in his grip, the murderous aura filling the room like a wave of frost.
Everyone froze.
Every servant and knight instinctively realized the Emperor’s temper was balanced on a knife’s edge—
and only the Empress could stop the bloodshed now.
So much for peace while it lasted!
If he kills her favorite concubine, the scandalous Empress might burst into tears—or worse, challenge him to kill her too!
Just as those nightmarish scenarios flashed through their minds—
“I understand.”
The Empress calmly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
No tears. No panic. Just poise.
Sian frowned.
“…You’re fine with him dying?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Well, because you said so, Your Majesty.”
Her violet eyes were cool and unflinching, not even glancing at the pale, trembling man behind her.
…
He had expected her to protest. To scream or cry.
But instead, she seemed completely detached—like she couldn’t care less whether the man lived or died.
For some reason, that pleased him immensely.
Clack.
Sian sheathed his sword.
The servants gawked in disbelief, not daring to breathe.
“Your Majesty?”
The Empress looked up at him curiously, as if wondering why he’d suddenly stopped.
Ignoring the blond, Sian muttered, “I think I have a headache.”
Of course, it was nonsense. The man slept soundly every night.
But his words had the intended effect—her expression immediately softened with concern.
“Oh no! It’s too early for a nap… Ah! I have some tea leaves that are great for calming the nerves. Shall I brew you some?”
She hurried to his side, guiding him out of the room.
“Oh, right—what should we do about him?”
Sian sighed and followed lazily.
“Do whatever you want.”
If the man was worthless enough that killing him didn’t matter, why bother? Cleaning up afterward was too much trouble anyway.
In his mind, Concubine No. 1 was already erased from existence.
“Let’s go.”
Expressionless, he walked beside her, idly wondering what kind of tea she’d serve him.
So he didn’t see her glance back over her shoulder, silently mouthing something to the terrified blond.
You. Hang. In. There.
Nor did he see the golden-haired man trembling as he formed a little circle with his fingers.
More. Money. Please.
Even if he had seen it, it wouldn’t have mattered.
Because Sian’s mood—once buried deep beneath the earth’s crust—was now soaring cheerfully through the clouds.
Lately, curious rumors had begun to circulate through the Imperial Palace.
The infamous, scandalous Empress had… reformed.
“She doesn’t drink anymore.”
“She disbanded the harem completely and stopped seeing men! And apparently, she and His Majesty are really close these days.”
Naturally, the gossip extended to the Emperor as well.
“They say he doesn’t live in the torture chamber anymore—and even handles state affairs himself.”
“I heard they share chambers every night now!”
With the once-notorious imperial couple suddenly behaving so properly, palace servants finally felt like they could breathe again.
Though, to be fair, some quietly whispered that the pair had become… just a little too strange.
“Your Majesty, could you please take that off? It looks uncomfortable.”
One afternoon, during tea time.
The Empress pointed innocently at the dagger sheath on the Emperor’s waist.
His brow creased immediately, and the guards around him went pale.
He’s carried that blade since his days as crown prince. He’s never once removed it—not even on the battlefield…
Clink.
He… he took it off?!
“Here.”
“Y-Yes, Your Majesty!”
The guards scrambled to receive the dagger, eyes wide in disbelief.
Why? How?!
“Wow, it looks so much better without it!”
The Empress clapped her hands, then personally poured him a cup of tea she’d been steeping for the past thirty minutes.
“This is supposed to be really good for relaxation. Isn’t the color beautiful?”
“I nearly grew old waiting for it.”
He grumbled and downed the cup in one gulp.
The Empress yelped.
“You didn’t even look at the color! You’re supposed to savor it slowly!”
“It’s red.”
“It’s plum-colored!”
She pouted, scolding him softly as she started brewing another pot.
