Chapter 78
Even in this situation, the system remained silent.
‘That glitch-ridden piece of junk!’
Somehow, the meetings had been dragging on longer and longer these past few days, and it turned out I wasn’t imagining things.
‘Before that man does something weird, I’ll make my escape first.’
I pressured the wizards with a glance, and those who had been quarreling like mortal enemies suddenly went quiet, as if they could read my expression.
Once one side ignored the fight, the meeting flowed swiftly, like a dam bursting.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“We’ll adjourn the meeting.”
The two groups gave reluctant farewells and filed out.
Of course, I did as well.
“Duke Ariel.”
If only that voice hadn’t grabbed the back of my neck again.
Creak. It felt like the sound of rusted metal grinding echoed from my throat.
Forcing my unwilling body to turn, I faced the emperor. He was smiling, as if in good humor, and beckoned with a finger.
“You stay.”
Was it because there was a hint of kindness in his voice rather than annoyance or coldness?
The wizards looked aghast, and even the Awakened looked as if they’d been hit over the head.
‘Don’t give me that look. I feel exactly the same way.’
Even if I was Duke Ariel, I couldn’t very well ignore the emperor’s command and walk away.
With a gesture, I dismissed the remaining wizards and sighed as I approached him.
“Why have you called me?”
“Sit, first.”
Even then, his arms were folded as he observed me with amusement.
‘What, does this guy think I’m some zoo monkey?’
Grumbling inwardly, I sat down, and Caesis dropped a bomb with a smile.
“I’m going to officially announce that the Emperor’s Guide has appeared.”
Thud. It felt like a boulder had just landed on me.
I was so stunned I forgot to control my expression.
Mouth agape, I stared at Caesis, unable to hide my shock.
What did you just say?
You’re going to announce what?
For a moment, I had no idea how to respond.
Was this just another one of his strange little tests?
After a brief silence, I feigned composure and asked:
“…Why did you decide that?”
“There are limits to the search. And besides—”
His icy, sharp eyes pierced me.
Feeling like a thief caught red-handed, I pressed my lips shut.
Why… What was he trying to say?
“Rumors have already spread. Staying silent will only breed stranger suspicions.”
“But…”
Think, think, think!
“How do you plan on making the announcement?”
“Just the basic features.”
I frowned.
“If you do that, countless fakes will pop up.”
“There’s a solution. Your research results.”
Ah. I groaned inwardly.
Ardiel… I never imagined your invention would be used like this.
Caesis’s gaze stabbed into my cheek, as if gauging my reaction.
“They say compatibility can be measured numerically. Unless someone has a death wish, they won’t dare come forward falsely.”
What could I even say here?
At least there was one small comfort: few people would have the guts to link a red-haired, golden-eyed woman to me.
‘But… what’s that sweet smell?’
What was this scent?
I was terrified my stomach might rumble, since I’d only grabbed a light breakfast.
Just then, a servant pushed in a trolley and laid out a spread of desserts right in front of me.
What the—
“…What is this?”
I asked incredulously, and Caesis pointed at the neatly arranged desserts.
“For you to eat.”
“…And why, exactly, must I eat dessert here?”
Ignoring me, he picked up a fork, sampled a slice of cheesecake, and scowled.
“Mm. Awful.”
I was dumbfounded.
Awful? Your taste buds must be what’s awful.
“How can cake possibly be awful?”
“Why don’t you try it yourself?”
Irritation bubbled up, and before I knew it, I’d picked up a fork and taken a bite.
Whoa.
‘Why is this so good?!’
The duke’s manor chef had never been strong with desserts. Hilaria didn’t like sweets, and most of the wizards were too old to care for them either.
And me?
‘I was a total bread-and-cake addict in my previous life!’
Oh, it melts—melts in my mouth!
‘How long has it been since I’ve had cake like this?’
All those days I couldn’t even request it properly from the chef for fear of drawing suspicion…
Suppressing the urge to tremble with joy, I slowly chewed.
I absolutely could not let it look like I was going crazy over cake.
“Not to your liking?”
Are you kidding me?
It’s freaking delicious!
I didn’t want to outright lie, but I couldn’t tell the truth either, so I replied primly:
“…It’s so-so. Nothing special.”
“Really? Then how about this one?”
This time, a strawberry-topped cream cake stood out.
I instinctively moved my fork—then froze.
“…And why exactly should I eat this?”
I hadn’t forgotten the clam chowder incident.
Duke Ariel would never just sit here happily munching cake in front of the emperor.
I lowered my fork in disgust, but he said:
“Would it do to serve ordinary cake to the royal delegation?”
“…And why am I the one—”
“Do you think anyone else would dare tell me the imperial chef’s food is bad?”
Well… no, they wouldn’t.
“So you’ll evaluate this one as well.”
If that’s the case… ahem. I suppose I must?
Maintaining calm elegance, I put the cake into my mouth.
Oh my god. It melts again! It’s gone in an instant!
And then again, and again.
‘Wait—who ate all this?’
In shock, I put down my trembling fork.
Five plates were completely empty.
‘So I really ate five slices of cake… and in front of him, no less?!’
Insane.
Stupid mouth!
“You seem to like everything that isn’t overly sweet?”
“…Is that really important right now?”
Embarrassed by my temper after eating so well, I still couldn’t bring myself to smile and thank him.
“…Anyway, I’ve eaten. But I hope this sort of thing never happens again.”
“Why not?”
As if I’m here to share dessert with you like we’re best buddies.
“The delegation is coming soon.”
Like I didn’t know that.
“Is there any need to show them that relations between the Empire’s two pillars are strained?”
Well… that much was true.
“So yes. Our demeanor must change.”
That wasn’t in the original plot.
I knew this man’s character—he wasn’t the type to change just to impress foreign envoys.
“…So you’re suggesting we pretend to get along, temporarily?”
“Not a bad idea.”
He’s lost his mind.
“I have no intention of doing that.”
“But I do.”
Clearly, when he was attacked in the forest, he must have taken a serious blow to the head.
‘Otherwise, there’s no way he’d spout such nonsense.’
I didn’t even bother replying and stood up to leave, but of course, he was shameless.
“Stay after the next meeting as well.”
My blood pressure spiked.
And yet the maddeningly handsome man just smiled slyly and waved.
“Now go along, Duke.”
Bang! The door slammed open and shut.
The knights, who knew the emperor was still inside, stared wide-eyed.
“Just now… the Duke?”
“Didn’t cake go in there earlier?”
They all looked like they’d seen the unseeable.
Sure, the emperor and the duke might sometimes stay behind in the meeting room to talk.
But since when did carefully prepared imperial cakes get served in such a situation?
The Awakened gawked for a moment, then shook their heads.
“…We must’ve been daydreaming.”
“Yeah, right. No way that happened.”
But then… how were they supposed to explain Duke Ariel stepping out just now, lips faintly smudged with cream?
They were thoroughly bewildered.
