Chapter 72
Bliss’s expression darkened as he saw the crimson paint smearing at his fingertips.
“So it really is paint.”
At Baron Bliss’s words, the Emperor let out an exasperated laugh and brushed his hair back, only to soon harden his expression.
“Were there painters at the palace?”
“There have always been nobles who wished to immortalize their bravery during hunts in portraits,” Bliss replied quickly.
Mateo ruffled his hair roughly. It was absurd to think he was so tense over nothing more than paint and a brush, not a sword.
“Find out immediately.”
At the Emperor’s order, Bliss nodded briefly and withdrew.
“Be especially careful not to let water touch your wound,” the doctor advised.
The Emperor waved his hand impatiently. He seemed agitated, distracted by his thoughts. Seeing the Emperor biting his nails, the doctor hastily stepped back.
Mateo turned his gaze to the view outside the window. Beyond it, the Emperor’s palace came into view—a massive fortress enveloped entirely in greenery, grand and imposing.
“Good grief!”
Mateo clicked his tongue. Perhaps because there was one more truth he had to hide, his complexion was uneasy.
Unlike those who hurriedly left the palace behind the Emperor, Eliana remained there until the very end.
Hearing this, Mateo licked his lips. Any concern for the still-missing Empress had long since vanished from his mind.
Knock, knock, knock.
“Come in.”
“Your Majesty.”
Count Orante bowed his head. Simply the fact that the Emperor had been attacked on his lands was enough to hold him accountable.
Looking down at the tense Count, the Emperor let out a low groan. The pain in his side was unbearable.
“Is returning to the palace still impossible?”
At the Emperor’s curt words, Count Orante lowered his head further.
“The Britia Bridge has been flooded due to the rain. It seems the waters won’t subside until tomorrow.”
The unprecedented winter rain had thrown the entire region into chaos. Supplies were already scarce, and the lord’s castle was crowded with guests.
At this moment, the one who most desired the Emperor’s swift return was Count Orante himself.
The Count feared a nervous breakdown over the cursed hunting contest. It felt like a nightmare from ten years ago had resurfaced.
“Go out and see.”
Without even turning his head, the Emperor spoke. He didn’t ask why Count Orante had come.
Hesitating under the Emperor’s decree, the Count cautiously spoke.
“We just received word that Her Majesty the Empress was found in the forest and has been brought to the palace.”
Only then did the Emperor divert his gaze from the window toward Count Orante.
“Ah! The Empress.”
It was the time of day when the noon sun had begun to tilt toward the west. Night in the forest came quickly, and soon the palace would be engulfed in complete darkness.
“…Yes, Your Majesty. Fortunately, she is unharmed,” the Count reported with calm composure, despite the Emperor’s delayed reaction.
“I see. It seems impossible today, so it would be best to meet her tomorrow and return together.”
With the Britia Bridge submerged, going alone was impossible anyway. Mateo decided it would appear better to return with the Empress rather than leaving her behind.
“We will prepare accordingly.”
Yet contrary to the Emperor’s plan, Empress Rosella arrived at Count Orante’s castle late that night, just as darkness fully enveloped the fortress.
“She is safe… Empress.”
Mateo, sitting in the Count’s room sipping wine, turned to Rosella in surprise. Overnight, she had grown noticeably pale and thin.
She limped toward Emperor Mateo.
“I heard you were attacked.”
Though unable to walk properly, Rosella looked at the otherwise healthy Emperor with a worried expression.
“It’s nothing. It seems there were no serious injuries after all,” Mateo said.
Rosella gave a bitter smile, a fleeting expression of sadness Mateo had missed.
“I apologize for causing you worry.”
Her long lashes fluttered downward. Her unusually pale skin reminded him painfully of Eliana, who had not been drunk the previous night.
At that moment, Rosella lost her balance while limping and fell into Mateo’s arms.
“Empress!”
Instead of dropping his glass, Mateo caught her. Her small, warm body fit snugly against him.
Rosella lifted her head slightly and gave a faint smile.
She had deliberately arrived at Orante Castle after sunset.
The reason for avoiding the day was obvious: the marks of the night she had to conceal were evident on her body.
It was why she had taken the scarce potion herself and hurried to find the Emperor.
“Your Majesty.”
Her breath, escaping between her lips, was sweet.
Rosella had already heard all the news from the head maid while en route by carriage. Mateo’s inevitable anxiety over her unresolved desires and unease was predictable. She wore a dress easy to remove and had slipped into his chamber under the cover of darkness.
“…You seem different somehow tonight.”
Mateo stroked Rosella’s face. Her soft body pressed against his, intoxicating him with its warmth and sweet scent.
“Ha… Your Majesty, I cannot express how shocked I was to hear of your injury.”
“I never intended to make you worry.”
Mateo naturally caressed her shoulders and kissed the nape of her neck. Failing the pheasant hunt, he would at least take his pleasure elsewhere.
His desire was abundant, and the woman beside him was more than willing to satisfy it.
“What’s this now?”
“You seem tired. Please leave tonight to me, Your Majesty,” Rosella said, covering Mateo’s eyes. Her gaze, sharp and composed despite her heated voice, cut through the darkness.
Pushed onto the bed, Mateo laughed behind the blindfold.
The thrilling tension dissolved the anxiety that had churned within him.
Following Rosella’s lead, Mateo embraced the night she offered.
She kissed his lips.
Love had begun.
From now on, Mateo had more to protect than just the position of Empress. Having awakened to a new love, Rosella instinctively knew she could not ignore Florian.
Love was sweeter and warmer than anticipated, unlike the struggles she had fought for so relentlessly.
Rosella pressed her body close to Mateo’s. Mateo inhaled the sweet fragrance emanating from her.
“Something seems different.”
“Is it? Would Your Majesty like to find out for yourself?”
Rosella guided Mateo’s hand to her chest as the moon stood high in the sky.
Meanwhile, at the palace, Eliana was chasing after Gredi in a hurry.
“Wait!”
Her weakened body made it difficult to keep up.
Without glancing back, Gredi moved with cold precision, making it nearly impossible for Eliana to catch him. Yet she refused to give up. She could not afford to lose him after finally confronting him.
Remaining alone in a deserted palace to guard a massive fortress was no easy task. Had she not believed he would return, she would have left like everyone else.
“Gredi!”
The corridor was long. The flickering lights cast Gredi’s elongated shadow at Eliana’s feet repeatedly.
Unable to close the distance, Eliana paused. Gredi’s back only grew further away.
Panic rising, she shouted. Fear gripped her voice, trembling at the thought she might never see him again.
“I—I killed him!”
Gredi stopped in his tracks. Eliana, exhausted, sank to the floor. She confessed the sins she had ignored all this time.
“What did you say?”
Eliana collapsed onto the ground, her head hanging like a flower past its season.
Step by step, the dark figure approached. Eliana’s regret deepened. She bit her tongue to stop herself from crying, but sobs escaped despite her effort.
“Say that again. Who did you kill?”
Gredi, now before her, lifted her chin to meet his gaze.
Eliana’s body trembled.
Facing his inscrutable dark eyes, she had to confess her sins from that day, making her shiver uncontrollably.
Tears flowed unchecked as Gredi pressed gently on her jaw. Her lips parted, and a sob escaped.
“…Killed? Who?”
Eliana quivered, her throat catching in fear, letting out a strangled cry.
