Chapter 7
【 That Calmness Makes Me Angry 】
Imperial Palace, Emperor’s Office.
Leto was lost in thought.
The death of Livia had shocked him. Their relationship, which had escalated to its worst, ended that way.
The mistakes of Livia that Leto could never reveal—he had willingly buried them along with her coffin. It was the only way to preserve his wife’s honor.
It was during Livia’s funeral that a woman suddenly appeared.
At first, he had truly wanted to kill her.
How dare she use the imperial family for a scam? It was unforgivable. He had planned to teach her a lesson right then and there.
But then…
There’s no such thing as resurrection in this world.
The situation took an unexpected turn.
It must mean she’s worth keeping alive.
She seemed to know all of Leto’s thoughts. That was infuriating… and yet, intriguing. So, he decided:
‘Ten days until the Founding Festival.’
He would observe her for about ten days, still suspicious that she might be connected to the Deputy Minister.
Unexpected news reached him.
She had been staying up all night studying etiquette. She had supposedly restored discipline in the Empress’ palace. Leto found it hard to believe, so he went to the palace himself.
The woman was walking, absorbed in an etiquette book. Looking into those bright green eyes, he thought:
‘She’s a bit… too precious to kill.’
He wanted to make her confess the truth and send her back to her hometown. Using her testimony, he could strike at the Deputy Minister. But things didn’t go as planned.
What a pity. If I were truly a person of the Deputy Minister, you could have used this resurrection incident as leverage against the Imperial Court.
Her words seemed to know Leto’s every concern. He was at a loss for words. And yet, a strange feeling stirred within him.
He hoped she really wasn’t connected to the Deputy Minister. He wanted to trust her, even though he hardly knew her…
An irrational, unreasonable impulse.
In short, it was completely unlike himself. So he said:
Interesting.
On the morning of the Founding Festival, he wouldn’t have been honest if he said he wasn’t surprised to see her—not just because of her elegant appearance.
There was a lively sparkle about her, a straightforward gaze that met his own, and somehow, a gentle smile. Altogether, she looked like a single, perfect painting.
That outfit…
It suited her so well that he nearly said it aloud.
The woman poured tea into Param’s hand—not by any order from the Deputy Minister. It was impossible.
He was angry. No—more than angry. Betrayed. And so he pressed her even harder.
She didn’t back down.
Then, Your Majesty, do you believe Baron Param’s illness is the Goddess’s curse? If it’s not a curse, but a simple skin disease, you should be pleased instead.
He was astonished. How could she always read him like that?
Then something incredible happened. Param’s rash began to improve. She wasn’t connected to the Deputy Minister. Relief washed over him.
He was escorting her to the secondary palace and reflected on the past ten days.
He had doubted her, wanted to trust her, expected too much, been disappointed, and then relieved—all alone.
‘I don’t understand. I act like a fool whenever I’m in front of this woman.’
His foolishness had left a bluish bruise on her wrist. He felt both sorry and awkward. Normally, a young lady would have burst into tears.
If resentment poured out, he was prepared to comfort her as best as he could—with kind words, or gifts.
He wanted to rebuild their connection.
But she casually said:
It’s alright. You’ve apologized.
It felt like his mind had been twisted.
She provoked his curiosity yet left no opening for him to dig in. What was he supposed to do?
Just then, a strange stubbornness rose within him.
Your Majesty, I am a person of many uses.
She grabbed Leto’s arm, then let go immediately. He didn’t let her go—he pulled her close.
Uses? Just guarding the position of Empress would have been enough. But what kind of mischief was this?
Really? And what uses might those be?
It wasn’t a question meant to be answered. He just wanted to see her flustered, even once.
But her response was unexpected.
If you give me some time, I will try to make a medicine to cure Baron Param.
Despite her tension, her brown eyes didn’t waver. She risked her life in a bold bargain with the Emperor. In that moment, Leto instinctively knew:
If that works, I wouldn’t hesitate to give her the position of Empress completely.
He could not let her go—not for her usefulness, nor for the feelings that had just begun to grow.
Yet she continued to astonish him.
In a year, please divorce me.
‘She plans to throw away the position of Empress herself? And what is with that confident look?’
There were a thousand questions he wanted to ask—but he held back. Pushing further might make her run away.
Instead, Leto asked:
Then, what should I call you now?
…Livia, isn’t that fine?
Her expression seemed to say, What’s there to ask in a one-year arrangement? That calmness… it strangely…
“Angry, huh.”
Leto muttered.
“Your Majesty?”
Yutton, sitting at the secretary’s desk, cautiously called him. Leto pretended to be reading papers.
“Ah. Yes?”
“What are you thinking about?”
“Thinking? About what.”
“You kept changing expressions—frowning, then staring blankly…”
Leto tapped the papers lightly with his fingertips.
“Business thoughts.”
“They haven’t moved for an hour.”
“Then do you manage the state carelessly?”
Leto scolded Yutton playfully. In the office, they often bickered. They were both sovereign and long-time friend.
Yutton shrugged as if conceding.
“I have news for you. Good news.”
“Go ahead.”
“Baron Param has canceled his relocation and will stay in the capital.”
“I knew it. Good.”
Leto answered casually as he turned the papers. Param was a loyal subject. Now that the “Goddess’s curse” was lifted, he wouldn’t leave Leto’s side.
“And, Your Majesty, I have a suggestion.”
“A suggestion?”
“How long do you plan to keep the Empress in the secondary palace?”
Leto looked past the papers at Yutton, intrigued. Yutton rose and came closer.
“If not the secondary palace, where should she go? There’s a law that says the Empress’ quarters must remain empty for a month after her death.”
“That law was made to prevent the Emperor from remarrying too quickly after an Empress dies. But the current situation is exceptional, isn’t it?”
Leto set the papers down and crossed his arms.
“It seems pointless suggestions are coming up.”
“The secondary palace is just for young ladies who might become concubines. If the Empress stays there too long, it looks… improper.”
Yutton had a point. The Empress had just been resurrected. Public attention would naturally focus on her treatment. Especially regarding the Emperor and Empress’ relationship, rumors abounded.
“If that’s the case, is there anywhere more suitable?”
“At minimum, a place equal to or better than the Empress’ palace.”
“Where is a place equal to or better than the Empress’ palace?”
“Where else?”
Yutton smiled knowingly. Leto immediately understood the meaning behind it.
“…Yutton, are you serious?”
It became bothersome. Suddenly they were asking her to move—and not just anywhere, but to the Imperial Palace.
But there was no choice. The dissatisfied party must be satisfied. So I moved in with Lady Mare to the Imperial Palace.
Compared to the secondary palace, the Imperial Palace was incomparably vast and magnificent. Among countless rooms, they were shown to the largest guest chamber.
Maidens, knights, and servants awaited her. They had been assigned by Leto and greeted her politely.
“Welcome. Lady Mare, Marchioness, will be managing your household here.”
The room quickly became bustling with unpacking. Lady Mare directed the maids in organizing the wardrobes. She seemed genuinely pleased.
“What’s so enjoyable?”
“I can’t help it. His Majesty the Emperor brought you into the Imperial Palace.”
“Just for a moment. I’ll be moving to the Empress’ palace soon.”
Lady Mare smiled gently.
“Even so, people’s eyes will see it differently. I was worried about you staying at the secondary palace too long.”
I knew she had gossiped about me being in the secondary palace. I didn’t really care—but Lady Mare apparently did.
“Now everyone will know how much His Majesty cherishes you.”
“Really?”
I chuckled. Not cherishing, just keeping me under watch.
Anyway, it’s only for a year. I just need to do my assigned work well.
No worries about divorce. Merril will show up soon enough. Then Leto will want a divorce, too.
“Ha… it’s huge.”
I walked around the room. Doing nothing felt dull. Lady Mare wouldn’t let me help with unpacking.
At that moment, Yutton passed through the open door.
“Sir Yutton.”
“Oh! Your Majesty, Empress. Did the move go smoothly?”
He smiled pleasantly. I stepped into the corridor. Yutton’s secretaries carried piles of documents.
“Thanks. Where is His Majesty? And what’s with all these papers?”
“He’s in a meeting with the ministers. These are the documents for later in the day.”
“All this? Alone?”
“Even so, it’s a relatively small amount.”
Does he handle so much work alone every day?
Half of imperial duties belonged to the Empress—it was her responsibility and right.
Previous Emperors had shared the work with their Empress. But not in Leto’s reign. Livia had been intimidated by imperial documents.
I, on the other hand, had processed countless documents. I had learned imperial work from Lady Mare.
“So being Empress includes handling paperwork after all, huh?”
“Sir Yutton, may I assist with some of the work?”
“…Empress, Your Majesty?”
“Oh, if it’s inconvenient, please forget I asked.”
He might be cautious. Taking over work Leto had done alone for so long.
“No! Inconvenient? Not at all. I was just surprised since it’s the first time you’ve offered. And…”
Yutton hesitated for a moment.
“His Majesty’s workload is heavy. I was worried it might harm his health. If Your Majesty can help, it would be greatly appreciated.”
Looking at the pile, Yutton’s concern made sense. It was only natural to assist… after all, we are husband and wife.
“If there’s an empty office, please show me. As you can see, my room is chaotic.”
“Yes. This way.”
I followed Yutton. The office wasn’t far. It had been left unused for some time—it was cool but clean and bright.
“There are two offices in the Imperial Palace. One is used by His Majesty the Emperor.”
“I see.”
“For reference, this is Your Majesty’s office.”
Yutton politely pointed to the wall, which had a hidden door leading to the next room.
“…Next room?”
