Chapter 41
Just as her eyes seemed to slowly close, Amelia began to breathe evenly. Ivan rested his elbow on the bed and propped up his head as he gazed down at her.
“……”
His gaze shifted evenly between Amelia and the sleeping child. On the child’s face, where the eyelids had come down to cover the eyes, Ivan’s shadow was clearly cast.
Was it a relief?
It was definitely fortunate for the child not to resemble Amelia. As for the eyes, they could somehow be passed off as simply dark brown. Based on appearance alone, one could argue the child was just an ordinary Escliffian. If the child had resembled Amelia more, the temple would’ve done whatever it took to kill him.
Even though his heart was beating like this.
Ivan’s eyes darkened further. Beneath his palm, the child’s heart was thumping steadily. Even this tiny thing was a living person.
A strange feeling washed over him. Ivan removed his hand from the child’s chest and rose to his feet. It seemed like it was time to leave.
But he couldn’t leave right away. His gaze helplessly drifted back to the mother and child soundly asleep on the bed. He hadn’t even had time to think—it was just instinctive, as if drawn by something.
Sunlight stretched across the bed. Drowsy and still half-asleep, Amelia slowly opened her eyes, tickled awake by the rays on her eyelids. Ever since entering the imperial palace, her days had passed like this.
No more Aaron or Louis showing up insisting it was time to visit the prayer room. She simply rested comfortably, attended by maids. When she wanted to, she could see Ian without worry and spend time with him. And best of all, at night, she could lie in bed next to Ivan and share idle stories.
“……”
Amelia’s hand instinctively reached toward the now-cool space beside her. It was the same spot Ivan had lain in just until dawn—but now, no one would know he’d even been there.
“You’ve awakened.”
Amelia sat up, shaking her head as if to chase away the creeping feelings. She rang the bell cord to call someone. A maid soon entered and bowed.
“I shall assist you.”
Still, no one knew of the relationship between Amelia and Ivan. Even the maids closest to her—assigned directly by Madame Warner, the head of the maids and all highly trained—had not noticed a thing.
“How is Ian?”
It was as Amelia finished washing up and changing clothes. She casually asked the maid who was about to bring in breakfast.
“I heard he’s still sleeping.”
The maid answered without hesitation. There were only three guests staying in the Western Palace, and the one receiving the most attention was Ian. As a baby, he needed the most care. And ever since Amelia had entered the palace and stabilized, his cheerful smile had won everyone over.
“They say he resembles His Majesty the Emperor.”
Perhaps it was because when the emperor smiled, it might look like that. Maybe it was the unusually similar hair color, but Ian gave a strong impression of resembling Ivan.
“Don’t say such blasphemous things anywhere. It could be dangerous.”
But of course, one could never say such things out loud. Everyone feared Ivan absolutely—and rightfully so.
Inside the palace, Ivan’s expression only had three modes: blank, sneering, and contemptuous. He never let women get close. Any who dared try to touch his tie were punished and exiled to the outer court—never to return. Ivan was as beautiful as a dazzling flower, but far too difficult a master to serve.
“Ah… then I guess I can’t visit Ian today.”
Amelia muttered a little sullenly. While she was freer than during her time at the temple, there were still limits to what she could do in the palace. Many had tried to approach her, seeing it as their opportunity—but Ivan had blocked them all.
So the only thing left for Amelia to do in the palace was to kill time.
“If you find the time too dull, may I make a suggestion?”
The maid, who had been neatly fixing Amelia’s hair, cautiously offered a suggestion. Amelia nodded in approval without refusing.
“There’s a library in the East Wing. Some areas are open to staff with permission, so there should be no issue for you, Priestess, to enter.”
It sounded like a good idea. She could borrow a book to read or simply spend time there. It seemed like a perfect way to pass the time.
“Could you take me there?”
Amelia asked, and the maid nodded. After quickly finishing preparations, she took the lead and began to walk.
As they went, Amelia took her first proper look at the gardens and corridors of the Western Palace. When she first arrived, she had been too overwhelmed, and after that, she simply hadn’t had the chance. She was too busy visiting Ian or waiting at night for Ivan to come. That had been her whole life here.
“The flowers are blooming.”
“Yes, it’s almost summer. And I heard the late Empress was very fond of roses. That’s why they planted so many all over the palace.”
Amelia walked along the path lined with large garden stones, briefly glancing at the blooming flowers. Despite Ivan’s clear lack of interest in landscaping, the palace grounds were stunningly well-kept. The pavilion by the artificial pond and the sculptures highlighting the beauty of the human form were just two examples.
One part tradition, one part the servants’ passion—and eight parts Ivan’s indifference. That’s how the palace seemed to function.
In fact, Ivan didn’t seem to have genuine interest in anything. It wasn’t that he purposely pushed others away; he simply didn’t seem to care about anyone. Perhaps not even himself.
“Here we are.”
Just as Amelia was lost in thought, the maid suddenly stopped and turned around. Amelia instinctively halted. They had passed through an arched corridor and now stood in front of the library door.
“All you need to do is write your name on the visitor’s list.”
Amelia carefully wrote her name on the blank paper and stepped into the library. The musty scent of old paper and faint dust filled her nostrils.
“I’ll browse on my own, so go enjoy your time. Let’s meet back here in a couple of hours.”
Amelia offered, glancing back. The maid nodded and walked off. With no one following, Amelia began to freely explore the library.
“……”
She felt something strange when she realized just how quiet the library was. Standing between the bookshelves, Amelia looked around. No one was there. Only dust floated lazily in the sunlight.
Was it always this empty?
Just as Amelia hesitated and lifted her foot to walk, the sound of a shoe echoed. She tilted her head and glanced at her own foot—still raised, not touching the ground. The sound hadn’t come from her.
“Then who…?”
She set her foot down. At that moment, a long shadow stretched to the tip of her shoe. Her gaze lifted naturally.
“Your… Majesty the Emperor.”
It was Ivan. Amelia had instinctively started to say his name but quickly changed to a formal address when she saw him raise a finger to his lips in a shushing gesture.
“There are no books there that would interest you, Your Majesty. Priestess.”
The librarian following Ivan hurriedly bowed to Amelia. She returned the greeting with a slightly awkward smile. Finally, the reason for the sudden silence in the library became clear.
“What were you doing here?”
Ivan asked, expressionless, meeting Amelia’s gaze. She carefully replied that she had wandered in while looking for a way to spend her time.
“If you’d like, I could make some recommendations.”
Ivan casually added. If she needed something to pass the time, he could suggest some books. Book recommendations. From the emperor—not the librarian.
“In that case, I’d be honored to ask for your suggestion.”
Amelia didn’t refuse. Others might find Ivan difficult or intimidating, but not her. Though he disappeared at dawn after every night, he was the man who opened his arms to her. Ian’s father. That’s what Ivan meant to Amelia.
“This one…”
Ivan pretended to consider for a moment, then picked a book and handed it to her. Amelia’s face immediately showed discomfort. It was a reaction she couldn’t hide. Of course—it was a theological book. Ivan had intentionally chosen it, knowing full well she wouldn’t be interested. How teasing.
“Your Majesty, I’m not here to study. I just want something to pass the time.”
“Ah.”
When Amelia didn’t hide her disinterest, Ivan let out a short, feigned sound of realization.
“Then… geography?”
As if she’d be interested in that either.
Amelia instinctively furrowed her brows. Noticing this, Ivan quietly lifted one corner of his mouth in a smile. It was a smile meant only for Amelia, hidden from everyone else.
“Seems I should leave book recommendations to the librarians.”
He said, taking the theology book back from her hands. He could’ve taken just the edge of the book, but instead, his warm hand grasped the back of her hand supporting it—and lingered there before letting go.
As if he’d used it as an excuse just to hold her hand.
Amelia, now empty-handed, clasped her fingers over her chest, watching the path he had taken. The hand he had secretly held still burned with heat.
