Chapter 06
The duke who met Lia did not leave the imperial palace immediately. There was one place he had to visit first.
The Emperor’s study.
“Your Majesty, the light of the empire, the noble brilliance, I greet Your Majesty.”
The duke bowed politely to the Emperor upon entering his study. The cold expression he had shown toward Lia earlier was long gone.
“What brings you here?”
Just as Lia had failed to recognize the duke, Cartian did not recognize him either.
But instead of asking who he was, Cartian asked what business he had. Before the question of identity could arise, the duke’s face—resembling Lia’s in some way—revealed enough to hint at who he might be.
“I apologize for disturbing Your Majesty’s precious time. I have something to report, so I came to see you.”
Normally, the duke would never come to see the Emperor alone. He knew the Emperor would not meet him. But this time, he was confident the Emperor would not refuse.
In the past, he had not been favored because he disapproved of the Empress, Lia’s father would not have received proper treatment. But now, that was no longer the case.
The duke, who was well-informed about the palace, knew the Emperor would not ignore him as before.
Even if the Emperor still remained cautious, he would no longer treat him coldly just because of the Empress.
“What is it?”
His attitude toward the Empress was completely different.
Cartian, who had appeared endlessly relaxed in front of Lia, now looked every bit the perfect Emperor.
“It concerns the consummation with Her Majesty the Empress.”
“Consummation?”
Cartian asked sharply in response.
The Seronian Duke felt a flash of confusion. He expected a positive reaction, as the Emperor’s attitude toward the Empress had changed, but apparently, he was wrong.
“Consummation… Consummation.”
For Cartian, this was actually welcome. He wanted to tie Lia to him by any means. If they consummated and she bore his child, she would have no choice but to stay by his side, even if she did not love him.
Of course, even now, as the Empress, she could not leave him. But Cartian always felt uneasy and insecure.
He knew.
Even though she was by his side as the Empress, it was not truly what she wanted.
So he was anxious, afraid she might leave at the first chance.
But he had no intention of letting her go.
He simply hid his true feelings, knowing that showing them might drive her away.
Outwardly, he showed boundless affection, but his heart was not filled with just cute, innocent feelings.
He wanted to bind her, lock her in a room so she would rely only on him. At the same time, he fought the urge to hurt her, restraining himself.
“Yes. Unfortunately, the last consummation was canceled, so shouldn’t we arrange it now?”
The duke spoke calmly, trying to hide his embarrassment at the Emperor’s cold demeanor.
“It is presumptuous interference.”
The idea of consummation was tempting, but it was too early. Lia gave him no room yet.
Knowing this, Cartian wanted to win her heart slowly rather than claim her immediately. If he forced consummation now, she would notice and try to escape.
He even kept some distance, thinking that once he recovered his memories, his behavior toward Lia might change, giving her a chance to slip away.
Of course, this did not mean he would refuse consummation altogether.
If she gave him just a little of her heart, he would seize the opportunity and keep her by his side. But not yet.
Lia certainly did not want it now.
Even if the duke in front of him was her father, he did not speak out of concern for her.
Cartian knew the Seronian Duke was ambitious, seeking power, and was using Lia as a tool for his own goals, pushing for consummation for that reason.
This would be her first consummation, and Cartian did not want it to be used as a tool. He wanted her to give herself willingly, purely out of affection.
“However, Your Majesty, this is a very important matter.”
“I will ignore it. The timing and decision of consummation are my choice alone. Your opinion is irrelevant.”
Cartian spoke coldly.
“It has been over two years since Your Majesty welcomed the Empress. There has been no news of heirs, so as a subject, I am concerned. Also, to strengthen the Empress’s position, consummation is important. Do you not care for Her Majesty?”
In the past, he could never have spoken like this. He knew the Emperor and Empress were not close. But now, things had changed, making the argument somewhat persuasive.
“I understand your concern as a subject, but it does not give you authority over me. I will decide myself, and if you speak of consummation again, I will see it as a challenge.”
Cartian was utterly firm. It was not that he did not want consummation. He cared about Lia’s position but only he could make the final decisions. And only Lia herself.
Faced with Cartian’s firm words, the duke left quietly.
“Hah.”
After the duke left, Cartian brushed back his hair irritably. What mattered most was Lia’s heart, not the consummation. And yet, here was the duke pushing that first.
“Master.”
“What is it?”
Baron, the guard who had been quietly listening, spoke carefully.
“The Seronian Duke is the head of the noble faction. Her Majesty the Empress is also the daughter of that head.”
Though stated plainly, Baron’s real message was clear: never yield to the Seronian Duke. Keep distance from the Empress.
“So what are you trying to say?”
Cartian asked sharply, showing no concern for her being the daughter of the noble faction.
“Her Majesty’s presence could be a great danger to you.”
Cartian looked at Baron quietly. His gaze was utterly cold.
Before losing his memory, Cartian had trusted Baron completely. Baron, devoted and disciplined, had never overstepped his position. But now, he had to speak cautiously.
Baron disliked seeing the Emperor and Empress close, knowing it was dangerous.
The Seronian Duke’s intentions were obvious, and Lia might unknowingly be part of them.
“Even so, I think your interference is presumptuous. How I regard the Empress and maintain my relationship with her is not your concern.”
Cartian understood that Baron spoke out of concern for him. Even without memories, he trusted Baron.
He also knew that the stronger Lia’s position became, the stronger the noble faction would grow.
But Cartian trusted Lia. She had no interest in power herself.
Even if she became a risk to him, he wanted her by his side, no matter the danger.
“Does the Empress displease you?”
“No, it is not that.”
Baron was not saying this because he disliked the Empress.
“I just want to know your feelings.”
“I’m sorry.”
Baron could not say he disliked her to the Emperor. She was the Empress.
“Then hide it thoroughly. If you wish to remain by her side.”
Cartian’s standard for who could stay close was Lia herself. He knew Baron would always support him, so he offered this advice.
“Especially, avoid those insolent gazes whenever possible.”
Cartian knew how Baron looked at the Empress, and why she occasionally glanced at him.
“Lia herself cannot be a threat. So if she is in danger, cut off the root that makes her dangerous. That will be enough.”
The current danger to Lia came from her father, the Seronian Duke. Remove him, and she would no longer be a threat.
Cartian’s gaze remained cold, considering the methods.
Seeing Cartian’s firm reaction, Baron remained silent. He could not defy his master.
“Go to Lia.”
“…Understood.”
Though all tasks were not yet complete, Baron obeyed quietly.
