Chapter 48
The next day.
Lia, who had tried to sleep uncomfortably in the office, woke up early because the Emperor came to see her. Even though the sofa was fairly soft, it could not replace a bed, and her body ached.
“Lia!”
As Lia sat up on the sofa, Kartian hurried over with a worried expression and embraced her.
“Are… you okay?”
He looked at her with concern.
“I’m fine.”
It wasn’t that she wasn’t scared at all. She had prepared herself and was confident she wouldn’t be easily defeated, but this was a first-time experience.
“How dare someone….”
Kartian’s eyes were ice-cold as he spoke, as if everything in front of him would freeze. A strong aura of rage swirled around him, but it did not touch Lia. He controlled it so she wouldn’t feel it.
“It’s… uncomfortable. Can you let go now?”
Since the embrace was uncomfortable, Lia shifted her body slightly. Kartian let her go without resistance.
For a moment, Kartian noticed a small wound on Lia’s neck. It was minor, but the dried blood suggested it had bled before.
“….”
Filled with deep anger, Kartian cautiously reached out and touched the wound.
Though it was a small cut, Lia winced at his touch, feeling the sting.
“I-I’m sorry.”
Noticing her reaction, Kartian quickly withdrew his hand and lowered his head. Even then, his mind was full of raging anger.
This morning, Baron had reported what had happened to Lia last night.
Someone had dared to enter Lia’s room and target her, only to die by their own hand before they could act.
It was lucky for that person. If they had been caught alive, Kartian didn’t even want to imagine what he would have done.
Even now, it wouldn’t be enough to tear that person apart. How dare they target Lia and leave a mark on her delicate neck.
“You must have been very scared. It must have hurt a lot.”
Kartian looked at the wound, unable to touch it, his gaze full of pain.
“They weren’t trying to kill me,” Lia said.
“That’s not a reason to forgive them,” Kartian replied, his voice icy cold.
“I’m not saying you should forgive them. I just mean you don’t need to worry.”
She hadn’t been completely fearless, but she didn’t panic because she had something to rely on. She knew panicking wouldn’t help in the moment.
Instead of being shocked, she focused on finding a way to handle the situation.
“You can lean on me in times like this.”
Kartian noticed the subtle tension beneath her calm exterior.
“Also, there’s something I need to tell you.”
He wanted to wait until things were certain, but it was better for her to know. If the letters he had were taken during the next attempt, they would lose their advantage.
“I found something in the letters exchanged between Freya and Marquis Sarontien.”
“What is it?”
‘So it really is her,’ Kartian thought.
At the mention of Freya, his expression hardened. Even with his memory lost, he felt an unexplainable hostility toward her.
He suspected she had been involved in everything Lia had experienced.
Especially when Lia said she wanted to check all the letters Freya had sent and received, Kartian began to suspect that Lia also doubted Freya.
“But I’m not certain. I only discovered that there’s something hidden in those letters.”
After a brief conversation with Lia, Kartian left the office with a rigid expression.
He had restrained himself in front of her, showing remarkable patience. Otherwise, the aura of rage around him would have terrified Lia.
He was furious. Many things had happened before, but no one had ever dared to invade Lia’s room and target her directly.
‘How dare they.’
Blood flowed along his tightly clenched fists, but Kartian felt no pain.
Freya, Marquis Sarontien, or both conspiring together—he would never forgive them.
Even if he didn’t have proof to act immediately, he would not remain idle.
First, he planned to put pressure on Freya. He wanted to lock her away or punish her immediately, but as Emperor, he could not act against a concubine without cause.
He decided Freya, being a threat to Lia, could not stay near her. She had to be sent far away.
Even if waiting quietly might reveal Freya’s involvement, he could not risk Lia’s safety. He had other, more effective ways to get evidence.
The terrifying aura radiating from Kartian made everyone around him tremble. Baron, too, was affected.
“Baron.”
Kartian called in a cold, emotionless voice.
“Yes?”
“Go to Freya immediately.”
Without hesitation, Kartian headed straight to where Freya was.
Freya scrambled to prepare for his sudden visit, a slight hope on her face.
Maybe he had regained his memories and was coming to see her?
But as she faced him, she realized that was impossible.
Kartian’s face was filled with a killing intent. The air around him felt suffocating, as if a predator was about to devour her.
“From today, your residence will be moved.”
“Y-Your Majesty? What do you mean?”
Freya looked confused, unable to understand the situation.
Kartian ignored her and continued coldly.
“From today, your residence is the Fade Palace.”
The Fade Palace was far from the main Imperial Palace.
Kartian chose this place because access was restricted. At the main palace, many could visit Freya secretly, but at Fade Palace, entry would be controlled. He planned to have knights watch anyone approaching her.
Many of Freya’s loyal maids were also at the main palace. They could help her cause trouble for Lia, so he would move her far away and assign a maid to monitor her.
“All of your actions will now be observed. You won’t be able to harm Lia through anyone else.”
“O-Oh… for me….”
Freya was frustrated. Moving her residence seemed small, but the meaning was huge. She had truly been expelled by Kartian.
She felt foolish for being excited, hoping he would come for her.
“This should have been done sooner.”
“D-Did… did Lady Empress request this?”
Freya asked trembling, thinking it impossible that the Emperor would act like this on his own.
“Who did you just mention?”
‘Did Lia ask for this? Impossible.’
It was Kartian’s choice. He would no longer leave Freya in a position to threaten Lia.
He could not let her claim everything was Lia’s fault without knowing anything.
He approached Freya quickly.
“If you mention Lia’s name one more time, I will make sure you never speak again.”
Freya was helpless before Kartian’s direct, deadly gaze.
