Chapter 41 — A Man’s Jealousy

What is wrong with this man?

He’s not even a dog!

Every hair on my body stood on end from my toes to the nape of my neck.

Nikolai’s warm, damp skin had brushed the sensitive flesh of my palm and then pulled away.

My whole body trembled.

My cheeks flamed.

I bit down on the rising dizziness and squeezed my eyes shut.

Nikolai was shameless to the point of arrogance.

“Do whatever you want. I’ll pay you back in kind.”

His confident, almost provoking look irritated me.

But if he laid a hand on my palm again, I wouldn’t be able to hold myself together.

I forced out ragged breaths and stepped away from Nikolai.

Douglas and Owen looked between us, bewildered.

“Excuse me for a moment!”

With a stiff, fixed smile I pulled Nikolai out of the room.

He followed obediently — whether because he was pleased with my reaction or simply amused, I couldn’t tell.

We passed down a narrow corridor like a maze.

The heat between us hadn’t cooled at all.

I rubbed my palm, but it was useless.

His hot breath was an imprint I couldn’t shake.

The fever that had started in my palm seemed bent on taking over my reason.

I shoved Nikolai into a private room the Burgkin restaurant proudly kept for itself.

After a few deep breaths, I finally let my lips part.

“What were you doing in front of the others?”

“Didn’t I say I’d win the seduction game?”

“You were about to declare defeat.”

“Only about to. That doesn’t mean you’ve actually won yet.”

Leaning against the wall like a defiant youth, Nikolai tilted his head as if sulking.

Something heavy and hard rose up from deep inside my chest.

“Playing with people’s feelings and acting so carefree. Do you know how hard I’m trying to save you right now?”

Swallowing a silent shout, I clamped my hand into a fist.

When had it happened — that Nikolai’s life had become as precious to me as my own?

Even in dreams of the guillotine, it wasn’t Claudia I looked at; I looked at him.

At Nikolai, with his strong body and noble rank, waiting mournfully for execution.

At those hollow eyes that had let everything go.

I had watched the last moments of the man once called Emperor — the blade poised above his neck — with my own eyes.

And every night I vowed:

“For Nikolai’s sake, I’ll stop Claudia. As long as I’m here, no one will kill this man.”

Nikolai didn’t know of that vow.

It didn’t matter that he didn’t.

As long as he remained lofty and untouchable, that was fine.

Though sometimes it makes me furious.

“Who is that man?”

“He’s the artist I’ve invited to be Franz’s art instructor.”

“His face seemed unfamiliar.”

“Because he’s a hidden talent.”

That wasn’t exactly a lie.

Saying he was a talented fugitive would have been more accurate, but I planned to reveal Owen’s identity after convincing Nikolai.

“Why need Douglas to find talent?”

“Douglas introduced him.”

“Can’t you do anything without Douglas?”

“Don’t be picky. Douglas is my friend, and he’s the literature professor appointed by Your Highness.”

Seeing Nikolai’s thick brow twitch, I hurried to add:

“I’m not taking Douglas’s side or anything.”

It was pointless.

Nikolai’s green eyes began to take on a fierce glint.

“If you defend Douglas in front of me, eat with him, accept his help and side with him —”

Nikolai trailed off.

Tension tightened in the air around us.

“Are you two… seeing each other?”

I couldn’t help a scoffing incredulity. How many times did he need to say the same thing?

I crossed my arms and ground my teeth.

“Surely Your Highness knows I’m not in a position to date anyone, right?”

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t remember the contract? You wrote the clause yourself saying I must not consort with other men.”

“Still don’t know. Even if I did, I wouldn’t admit it. So whether it’s Douglas or some mangy mutt, don’t get too close.”

A childish stubbornness brought an involuntary laugh.

“Earlier you were like a puppy; now you’re like a child. At least Franz has some charm.”

I sighed and pressed my throbbing temple.

“Don’t worry — I won’t break the contract.”

“You want me to be reassured while you sneak off to mingle with other men whenever you can?”

“How long will you keep following me around?”

“I just came out to buy something.”

“How did you know I was here?”

“Couldn’t miss the commotion — you arrived with two men.”

His answer was almost brazen enough to be suspicious.

Had he had me followed?

He’d said he wanted to know my every move.

But there was truth to what Nikolai said.

Douglas with his pure, soft beauty; me, simply radiant even when doing nothing; Owen, with that artist’s magnetism — we were enough to draw attention.

“If you command it, they’ll fetch everything for you. Why come yourself?”

“No big deal.”

“Why not just summon merchants?”

“You have to touch and test things in person.”

“You said it wasn’t a big deal.”

Nikolai turned his gaze away. The faintly pinched curve of his mouth and slightly flushed cheeks made him look uncomfortable.

“What are you buying anyway?”

“Wait. Even if you don’t want to see it, you will soon.”

“Is it a bespoke item?”

“It has to be.”

Nikolai shrugged it off.

“Fine. Once your shopping’s done, come back quick.”

“And you?”

“I have errands. I haven’t eaten yet.”

“I haven’t either.”

“…..Excuse me?”

“Let’s eat together.”

“You want to dine with Douglas?”

“If sacrificing myself for you is a thing, then consider me honored.”

I was about to refuse such a sacrifice, and Nikolai stepped forward.

My stomach churned and felt queasy.

Because of that stubborn intruder, I couldn’t tell if food entered my mouth or my nose.

Fortunately, Owen hadn’t noticed who Nikolai really was.

He’d piled emptied plates like a mountain and focused on the food — it was easy to see why.

The awkward meal ended and Nikolai gave me orders.

“Wait here until I return.”

“Shop well. Don’t let them rip you off.”

“Don’t you dare move from this spot.”

“I won’t even if you tell me to leave. Don’t worry and go!”

With his hood up, Nikolai glanced back suspiciously more than once.

‘If he’s that anxious, he could just come along. Whatever it is you’re buying must be some huge secret.’

“I’ll go buy the experimental supplies Susan asked for. It won’t take long,” Douglas said.

I answered with a smile.

“Charge them to me as Susan’s sponsor.”

“I want to help Susan’s research too. Please allow me, sponsor.”

“Elizabeth is lucky to have a brother like Douglas.”

“Count on me, Count,” Douglas bowed slightly to Owen.

Owen and I settled into a seat in the cafeteria.

A pleasant breeze tickled my cheek.

Owen asked, “Who was that young man who ate mechanically? I’ve never seen anyone like him; he sapped my appetite just watching.”

“Good to hear. If Your Count had lost his appetite, I might have gone bankrupt.”

“Hmph. I feasted well, thanks. Much obliged.”

“Thank you for enjoying the meal.”

“It tasted like something I haven’t had in years. It was worth risking my life to return for it.”

Owen patted his stomach contentedly.

I felt a thrill — using the original story’s details paid off at last.

“If you become the Crown Prince’s art professor, you could eat food like this every day.”

“You mean he’d bring me to this expensive restaurant daily?”

“You wouldn’t even have to come here. Today’s dishes were all prepared by the palace chefs.”

“How are palace chefs at Burgkin?”

Owen’s eyes widened.

He showed no sign of being offended that palace staff had prepared the meal.

“I rented this whole restaurant.”

“What… what?”

“The palace chefs took a day off and were dispatched here. Of course, I paid for it.”

“Is that possible?”

“The Burgkin chefs are filling in for the palace staff. It was a special permission from the Minister of Internal Affairs.”

Kares, who ran the palace household, had been a huge help.

Of course none of it would have been possible without an enormous sum of money.

Owen seemed to catch on.

“Why go to such lengths for me? What did I ever do?”

“Losing a talent like you would be a great loss to the empire’s art history.”

Owen’s reddish-brown eyes flickered.

He loved praise almost as much as he loved good food.

‘He was driven into the mines and has been hiding — he must be thirsty for praise. Even if he were popular as an illustrator, he’d be frustrated not being able to show his true skill.’

My guess was spot on.

“Is Elizabeth taken with my painting as well?”

Owen answered bitterly.

I felt bad; I’d never actually seen Elizabeth.

“I never thought there’d be someone in the court who understood art.”

“You were driven out ten years ago. The world and the court have both changed.”

“Even so, I can’t work for the Yevrei royal family.”

“…..”

“I’m sorry.”

Owen turned away.

From behind him, I heard a voice.

“If you wish to live according to the late Empress’s will, I won’t stop you.”

“What do you mean?”

“It was Penelope who drove you to the mines. She did it in revenge for the refused portrait.”

“That woman tried to kill me the day I disobeyed her.”

“Penelope didn’t want your life.”

“You’re saying Elizabeth doesn’t understand the northern mines — it’s a living hell where humans can’t survive!”

“Why would she send you to hell if she had the guillotine?”

“Well… to inflict pain upon me….”

“No. Penelope wanted to ruin the future of a genius painter named Owen. She wished for him to suffer a wretched fate for his whole life.”

Owen staggered, pale.

I hid my pity and spoke in a harsh voice.

“The only way for you to take revenge is to make a full comeback. The Crown Prince and I will help.”

“The Crown Prince is the grandson of that demoness, isn’t he?”

“Not a drop of blood connects them. He hates Penelope more than anyone.”

“But….”

“Penelope became the queen of a foreign nation. She’s become an enemy of the Yevrei court. Why do you continue to blame the innocent court?”

Owen couldn’t answer.

He probably sensed that his anger had lost its aim.

But pride wouldn’t let him bend easily.

Fear would still cling to him.

The mere fact that he had escaped the mines was enough justification for execution.

“You can refuse the art professor position. But I hope you’ll paint again.”

“You’re too kind for the heiress of the Emster trading house.”

“Thank you for the compliment, but I say it for calculated reasons. I intend to profit handsomely by using you.”

“What can an illustrator possibly do?”

Owen looked skeptical.

‘I’ll make sure you never show that expression in front of me again.’

I parted my lips with a triumphant smile.