Chapter 15
So today was the night of the union.
I had never discussed this matter with Leto. In fact, I hadn’t even thought to bring it up.
Of course, he wouldn’t come looking for me.
The real problem was Madame Mare and the maids, all of them grinning. The expressions on their faces said it all—they intended to give everything they had today.
I figured it would be best to go along with them for now. I should at least make use of what they’ve prepared.
“All right. Let’s see this so-called preparation through.”
I followed them.
The first step in preparing for the union was a bath. As I sank into the tub, a maid asked me,
“What fragrance would you like?”
“Any—”
I started to say “any,” but then changed my mind…
“Rose scent would be lovely.”
“Of course. I’ll prepare it for you.”
A short while later, the maid poured a generous amount of fragrance into the tub. Warm, soft bubbles mingled with the scent of roses. It felt like my body might just melt away.
Still, it couldn’t quite compare to the scent of a real rose garden.
I remembered something.
While talking about divorce… I had imagined my future.
A teahouse by the coast. And studying herbs.
It was a whimsical thought, but I liked it. If I could live like that, I would want nothing more.
That was, until Leto asked.
“Would you be alone there?”
Probably. Naturally. What man would meet a divorced empress?
It was a little lonely to think about… but I was used to solitude.
I fiddled with the bath bubbles for a long time.
I could feel it, really. Leto had become unexpectedly kind to me. He was trying to look at me warmly. Whatever the reason—friendship, camaraderie—it was there.
But I couldn’t forget. Eventually, I would leave the palace alone. I couldn’t get used to his attitude.
“Time to finish your bath.”
Madame Mare, who had been standing by, spoke. I finished bathing and stepped out.
The next step was dressing up. A sheer, flowing nightgown, hair accessories, light jewelry. One by one, they were placed on me.
When I entered the darkened room, the maids lit the candles. They brought in a few flowers and quietly left.
‘So now I just wait.’
I sat still, gazing at the mirror.
“…I do look pretty. All their effort wasn’t wasted.”
Livia was a neat and elegant beauty. Dressed like this, she exuded even a languid charm.
In contrast, Meryl’s appeal was entirely different—flashy, mysterious, and above all, precious. Even in the original story, the moment she appeared at a ball, Leto couldn’t take his eyes off her.
I chuckled softly. Such care put into something ultimately pointless.
I removed the accessories and jewelry, one by one. My body felt lighter. I blew out all the candles. The bedroom was engulfed in darkness.
I lay on the bed, trying to sleep. An inexplicable emptiness came over me. I needed to shake it off.
I woke to the sound of someone moving. A figure was perched on the edge of the bed.
“Falling asleep first on the night of the union. Truly the worst wife.”
‘Strange… why is Leto here?’
Thinking I was dreaming, I reached out. His silver hair, which I always only looked at from afar, brushed against my hand.
“…So soft.”
“Is it?”
He held my hand. My hand slid along his cheek and touched his lips.
“……!”
My sleep vanished instantly. I quickly pulled my hand back and sat up.
“Now, don’t play games.”
“Who made the first move?”
The tone was unmistakably Leto’s. This wasn’t a dream.
Relaxed in a simple shirt, hair naturally tousled—he looked ready for bed.
“What brings you here?”
“Well… what brings you here, on the night of the union?”
I cautiously edged back, surprised. He smirked and leaned closer.
“Why run? Afraid I’ll devour you?”
He said it like a joke—but why did he look like he might?
I had to remain calm.
“I know you’re a gentleman and wouldn’t, but your sudden appearance is… unsettling.”
“Do I look like a gentleman to you?”
No. And that was exactly the problem. Today, something was different about him.
He approached slowly, somewhere between impatience and teasing.
“There’s something you should know. I’m not exactly a good man.”
He was close.
“So I was curious.”
“…Curious about what?”
“About tonight.”
He took my hand.
“It’s late.”
With his other hand, he gently pressed my shoulder to the bed.
“If I said I don’t mind this situation…”
He placed his hand beside my face on the bed.
“How would you respond?”
I widened my eyes, staring at him. What was happening?
But he did nothing else—he just gazed at me, insistently.
“You look troubled.”
“Because you’ve put me in a difficult position.”
“You planning to ask for something?”
“Huh?”
“You do this well. Every time you put me in a bind, I can’t refuse your propositions.”
That was true. I had shown my usefulness in many ways—because I had to.
Was he testing me? To see how useful I was? It felt a little mischievous.
“There’s nothing to ask for.”
“Then what am I supposed to do? I have no reason to back off.”
He spoke, intrigued.
“First, make your refusal clear.”
“Refusal?”
“If it doesn’t work, you have to run.”
He laughed, seemingly incredulous.
“Really? You can do that in this situation?”
“Yes. Seriously. I’ll try. What else can I do?”
Again, that teasing expression. But only briefly. He let go of the hand that had held me.
“No escape.”
He flopped down beside me. I turned to face him. He muttered while staring blankly at the ceiling.
“Right. No running.”
“If you play games like this again, I’ll actually run away.”
He slowly turned toward me. In one sudden motion, I was face-to-face with him.
“Games?”
“You were testing me, weren’t you? To see if I’m more useful or not. Isn’t that what you wanted?”
He looked at me silently, then smiled softly. His large hand brushed through my hair.
“Yes. A game. I’ve been too playful.”
He twirled a lock of my hair and kissed it. I decided to let it go. The apology felt sincere enough.
“I actually wanted to speak with Your Majesty.”
“Oh? About what?”
I brought up the ‘Forest of Wizards,’ explaining that his approval was needed to enter.
“Surprising. So you’ve learned something useful.”
Leto sneered at Shawn. Their relationship was… tense, to say the least.
“If you approve, I’ll go with Shawn.”
“No. It’s too dangerous. Send someone instead.”
I was flustered. He refused so bluntly?
“I know what the plants look like. How can I send someone?”
“Draw a picture and send it. Didn’t we discuss it a few days ago? I won’t compromise on your safety. Why trust Shawn with you?”
“He’s the guild’s vice-master. Unusual as he is, you know he’s strong.”
He frowned.
“Strong, huh.”
“Not biasing you. You’re childish.”
“Then remember—your husband is this childish.”
Last time, he said I was his wife; now he said I was his husband. Every time, I was startled, though I didn’t show it.
I couldn’t read his thoughts. Simple mischief? Or did he want something?
His fingers brushed my cheek, lifting my chin slightly.
“All right. Let’s go.”
“Really?”
“On one condition.”
Condition?
“Not with Shawn. With me.”
“With Your Majesty?”
“Yes. You and me. Just the two of us.”
“But you need a wizard to enter that place.”
“Then we’ll make it possible.”
I had no words. If Leto said it, it would be done.
“Your Majesty…”
“Yes?”
“Do you really not trust Shawn that much?”
He bristled, ready to reply, then fell silent, looking at me with narrow eyes.
I wondered why—and suddenly, he hugged me.
“Why… why are you doing this?”
“…I’m annoyed.”
His voice tickled my ear, accompanied by low breaths.
Our hearts raced, uncoordinated. He buried his face in my neck and inhaled.
“Rose scent.”
“……”
“I like the scent of roses.”
It was the very early hours of dawn.
Leto awoke with a piercing feeling in his chest. Looking down, Livia was holding him.
‘…This is awkward.’
It took him a moment to fully grasp the situation.
“When did you say you’d make your refusal clear?”
He brushed her hair back. She slept soundly, like a baby. A smile spread across his face.
Last night, he had interrogated Baron Oran late into the night. The baron refused to speak, causing some trouble—but he could feel it. Sooner or later, the truth would come out.
He hadn’t come for Livia because of the union. He hadn’t expected it would be possible.
Just a chance to see her face—that was all.
He hadn’t expected her to be asleep. He knew, yet still… she really didn’t see him as a man.
A stubbornness arose. Her face was so relaxed. Meanwhile, he was anxious.
He did something he’d never done with a woman in his life.
He hadn’t expected her to yield, and he was prepared to be refused. He pushed forward, but inside, he was pleading.
Please, take me seriously.
And she said she would run away. And she meant it.
He was instantly alert.
It had been a while since he’d felt such fear. If Livia truly disappeared… could things return to the way they were?
Impossible. Far too late.
Leto kissed the sleeping Livia’s forehead and held her gently.
“Hmm…”
Livia kept nuzzling into him. A quirk of her sleeping habits.
“Haah…”
Leto sighed, letting her go. His hands wandered too much; it wasn’t safe.
He carefully placed a pillow under her head and went to the window, looking outside. The morning sun was rising.
He drew the curtains to keep the sunlight out.
‘She said she drinks coffee when she wakes up. Should I prepare it in advance?’
If the maids came in, she’d probably wake up. He decided to go himself and fixed his clothes.
Then, there was a small commotion outside. He could hear Yuten’s voice.
Leto opened the door. Sure enough, Yuten was standing there, looking flustered.
Leto’s face twisted. It was the early morning after the union night.
“…This is insane.”
Yuten bowed deeply.
“I’ve committed a grave offense.”
“Shh. You’ll wake someone.”
Leto pressed a finger to his lips.
“What happened?”
He asked seriously. If this insane thing had happened, there was only one reason: something even more insane had occurred.
Yuten whispered urgently.
“Your Majesty. Baron Oran has been murdered in prison.”
