Chapter 69
“There wasn’t a cake so desperate that I had to steal it.”
Although he was a baron, Baron Bliss of the eternal noble house of the imperial family had never failed to obtain what he wanted. He knew his place, and that made it even more so.
“In fact, I don’t know either. So today, I intend to find out—the taste of a cake eaten in secret.”
“…Your Majesty!”
Baron Bliss suddenly realized that the “cake” Mateo was referring to was a person, and he shouted in shock.
“So be ready. Make sure no unnecessary people interfere.”
Faced with such a shameless demand that went beyond mere boldness, Baron Bliss fell silent. The emperor was serious.
His strangely glowing eyes turned toward the rain-drenched forest. A continuous song flowed from his lips.
At that time, Eliana had finished her bath in warm water and, draped in her gown, wandered near the terrace.
She was the last to remain with the empress, so she knew her position better than anyone. Yet the emperor had sent Gredi away into the forest without allowing him any information.
Knock, knock.
“Your Highness, the Grand Duchess. Here are some cold medicine and warm ginger tea.”
“Come in.”
The moment permission was given, the door opened. The maid quickly placed the medicine and tea on the table, bowing her head.
“This is made from special herbs from Orante Forest. It may taste bitter, but it is effective, so I prepared it.”
Eliana nodded at the maid’s explanation.
“Drink it before it cools.”
‘Make sure the Grand Duchess takes the medicine before you leave.’
Frightened by the head maid’s strict words, the young maid could only nod obediently.
“Special herbs from Orante Forest, huh… I suppose such things really exist.”
“The winter in the Orante territory is longer and harsher than elsewhere.”
Eliana had been feeling chills just then. Moreover, the words Rodin had spoken earlier in the corridor came to mind, making her decision quick.
Eliana took the cold medicine from the maid in one gulp. The bitter taste filled her mouth unbearably.
Unconsciously grimacing, she was handed the tea by the maid.
“It’s ginger tea sweetened with honey. It will warm your body.”
Eliana nodded and took the teacup. The crackling fire warmed the bedroom.
The moment she took the medicine, the maid disappeared. Eliana didn’t particularly mind her absence.
Her gaze remained fixed on the terrace. The rain showed no sign of stopping, and her eyes reflected a mix of frustration and pity.
“Yawn… why am I so sleepy?”
After the maid left, Eliana, worried that Gredi might return, lingered by the terrace before sinking into the sofa.
Overwhelmed by fatigue, her eyelids fluttered before finally closing completely.
The only sound in the room was the dry crackle of burning logs.
“Your Majesty.”
“Shut up and do your job.”
Emperor Mateo walked through the dark corridor, adjusting his gown. He had dismissed the knights who were supposed to guard him, so the path to Eliana’s room was quiet.
In fact, the emperor’s room and the former crown prince’s room were not far apart, making it easy to avoid prying eyes.
Baron Bliss walked beside Mateo, his pupils nervously darting about.
Reaching the red door, Mateo carefully turned the handle.
It turned smoothly, then suddenly caught with a clunk.
“The Grand Duchess is cautious, I see.”
Apparently pleased even that the door was locked, Mateo smiled and reached out to Bliss.
After a moment of hesitation, Bliss handed over the key.
“You wait here.”
Pushing the door open, Mateo entered, tugging his gown’s belt. Baron Bliss, left alone, swallowed nervously, his eyes scanning the dark corridor.
Mateo entered the room where Eliana slept and first turned off the lights.
He carried out what he would never normally do with a sense of joy. Holding a kettle full of water, he poured it over the fireplace logs.
Even as the flames hissed and went out, Eliana remained asleep.
“Hah, I thought you were useless from old age, but you’re quite perceptive.”
Recalling the head maid who had guarded the villa for generations, Mateo smirked. Everything, from A to Z, pleased him.
Even the relentless rain pleased him.
‘On a day like this, it’s hard to find traces of people.’
Moreover, Rozella was a light-footed woman. In this rain, she wouldn’t even leave footprints.
After extinguishing the last ember, Mateo surveyed the darkened room with satisfaction.
This was a room he had never set foot in, even when he had finally become the crown prince he so desired. Yet now, thinking Eliana was asleep there, it seemed special.
Mateo slowly sat beside the sofa where Eliana slept.
“Beautiful.”
His muttered words filled the dark room. Without hesitation, he raised his hand and brushed Eliana’s sleeping face.
“She may lack what it takes to be an empress, but for a one-night companion, she’s not bad.”
His hand traveled from her face to the nape of her neck. Seeing her reddened neck, his touch grew rougher.
Not only that, his steady breathing began to quicken.
“Is she a cake eaten in secret, or one already eaten?”
Clicking his tongue in dissatisfaction, Mateo kept his hand on her body.
When his hand reached the gown belt at her waist, a black shadow appeared on the rain-soaked terrace, then disappeared.
Eliana’s gown belt loosened helplessly under Mateo’s rough touch. Watching the gown slide down her body, he swallowed dryly.
“Hmm.”
A low exhalation slipped from his lips. He couldn’t look away from the pale skin revealed before him.
As he hurriedly reached for the clothing draped over her shoulders, he touched something cold and raw at her side and froze.
“Who the hell is this?!”
“Take your filthy hands off!”
The bold words came as a sharp command. Mateo momentarily lost his words.
“Has the rumor spread that the seductress’s night is vacant? The master of this night is me—step back if you value your life.”
Mateo’s forceful words were met with silence. Instead, pressure pressed against his side. He inhaled sharply without realizing it.
“…If you find out who I am, you won’t leave here alive. But if you quietly wait your turn, it could be a pleasant night for both of us.”
Feigning composure, Mateo reached for Eliana’s pajamas. The thin fabric barely covering her chest teased him.
He was displeased that someone so stern was keeping him at bay while he nearly undid her gown.
Just as Mateo grabbed the hem of her skirt to pull it down…
“Ugh!”
Eliana inhaled sharply as if experiencing pain for the first time in her life. Instinctively, she covered her side. Sticky blood was vividly felt in the dark.
Mateo turned, but all he saw was the dark wall where the intruder had vanished.
“Hmm.”
Eliana groaned softly and shifted uncomfortably. The cold air on her exposed skin gradually woke her from sleep.
The effect of the medicine Mateo had given for a special amusement had worn off. It was only meant to keep her obedient for a brief period in bed, so its effect was minimal.
A night with the emperor, who had no heir, was special. He had no interest in straightforward seduction.
Mateo remembered what Duke Lloyd had said after he met Eliana:
“Cunning as a cat.”
He had no interest in a compliant woman thrown into his arms. He liked a woman who resisted fiercely, letting him taste the thrill of conquest.
Hence, the special medicine.
“Damn it.”
Mateo bit his lip. By his original plan, Eliana, tied to the bed, should now be pleading with him.
Her heavy eyelids twitched, slowly lifting.
Blink, blink.
Her eyes, adjusting to the darkness, widened.
“AAAAAH!”
A scream shook the darkness. Mateo covered her mouth with the hand that had been protecting his side.
“Shut up!”
Even with the short command, Eliana did not stop struggling.
Normally, he would have subdued her easily, but with a wound in his side, the blood scent inflamed her thrashing.
“Your Majesty! Are you alright?”
“That idiot!”
Baron Bliss, rushing in after hearing Eliana’s scream, exposed Mateo’s presence. In an attempt to protect evidence—or perhaps her life—Mateo grabbed Eliana’s neck.
