CHAPTER 152……………………………………………
Tristan did not know what Emily was so desperately trying to hide.
Of course not. She was hiding it.
Up until then, it had been something he could brush off with a little suspicion and caution. But after Zieg’s death and the collapse of the barrier, everything changed.
If there was someone within this empire colluding with a dark mage, it was not a matter that could be ignored.
“Of course, I don’t think the House of Duke Walker would have any reason to do that…”
But the other party was a dark mage. What if those ruthless people had taken Emily hostage to coerce her?
It was entirely plausible. If Emily’s safety was at stake and she couldn’t inform the royal family recklessly, that would make sense.
There had been many suspicious points even before Emily’s abduction, and some questions remained unexplained.
In any case, distrusting someone you love was unpleasant for Tristan.
He tried hard to set aside his personal feelings, but it wasn’t easy. In the end, he chose to ask Emily directly.
“If there’s something you’re hiding, I want to hear it from your own lips.”
It seemed far better than learning through a home search. He could listen to her side, and if there was an unavoidable reason, Tristan intended to resolve it quietly on his own.
Even at the House of Duke Walker, it would be far better than a formal imperial investigation.
Yes, he was certain of that…
Tristan gently held Emily, who was in his arms. It was the first time he had seen her like this.
“Her face is so pale, she looks like she could collapse at any moment.”
He had heard several times that her health was weak, but Emily hardly ever showed it.
To see the usually composed Emily so flustered…
“Can this even be called flustered?”
Tristan narrowed his eyes slightly. Emily’s reaction seemed less about fear of her family’s shame being exposed, and more like…
“It’s almost as if she had expected this to happen someday… a kind of resignation.”
He astutely read the hidden emotions on Emily’s face.
Some said Tristan was a moderate and strong ruler, but weak when it came to tending to the people’s hearts. In reality, he was quite the opposite.
Tristan just often pretended not to notice things he already knew.
Or perhaps he had erased from his mind the things he deemed unworthy of concern.
In fact, he was rather skilled at instinctively reading a situation.
“She seemed like she might break. If left alone.”
Tristan couldn’t clearly explain why he thought so, but he had always sensed Emily’s somehow precarious aura.
“Emily.”
He whispered to her now that her trembling had subsided.
“I don’t know exactly what you’re hiding… but I can promise one thing.”
“……”
“Whatever it is… if you don’t want me to know, I can pretend I didn’t hear it.”
At his sweet whisper, Emily flinched.
“Last time, you saved my life, so think of this as a kind of repayment. You even took my wish from me.”
He could have said the sweet words, “I love you, so I can endure anything,” but Tristan knew which words would more effectively persuade Emily.
“So… I want you to tell me.”
He closed his eyes gently.
“So I can help you.”
Emily parted her lips slightly, as if she wanted to speak, then closed them again. She repeated this several times, confused. Tristan patiently waited for her.
“…Your Highness.”
Emily whispered softly.
Tristan loosened his arms around her and leaned back slightly. Her face was now directly before him.
Her expression, twisted between a smile and tears, revealed a glimpse of her inner thoughts.
“Tristan.”
“…!”
His eyes widened slightly.
It was the first time Emily had called him by name. Though he had suggested it several times before, she had always been bound by the roles of superior and subordinate, crown prince and princess. He felt a spark of hope that this time, maybe, they were finally stepping out of that mold.
But Tristan soon realized, by her expression, that it was just his illusion.
“You’d never understand.”
Emily smiled bitterly.
“What I’ve been hiding all this time.”
“…Emily?”
“If you love me, please pretend you don’t know.”
That was the conclusion Emily had come to.
Tristan stepped back a few paces, watching her leave.
“Promise me. I won’t do anything that harms the empire.”
Her words were ambiguous.
She said she wouldn’t harm the empire… Does that mean she wasn’t colluding with dark mages?
As Tristan hesitated, trying to gauge the situation, Emily pressed forward once more.
“…If you just closed your eyes for a moment, our current happiness could continue. Why do you insist on knowing a truth you don’t need to?”
“……”
“There’s no need. Am I asking for too much? I won’t be greedy anymore. I just…”
Emily bit her lower lip tightly.
“…I just want to live like this, for now.”
They stared at each other silently.
Emily smiled gently as usual, but Tristan could feel her hands trembling behind her back.
He exhaled and approached her as she stepped back.
“Emily. What are you so afraid of?”
He couldn’t understand her primal fear. She acted as if being chased, as if some unknown monster were following her, baring its teeth at her.
“You wouldn’t understand, Your Highness.”
“You’ll only understand if you tell me. I can’t even guess.”
At this, Emily looked away once more.
“Emily… I…”
He ran a hand through his hair in frustration. He had already promised everything he could. He even said he would forget whatever she told him if she didn’t want him to know. But that wasn’t enough for her.
Seeing her trying to flee even now filled him with helplessness.
“…I just want to help you.”
Even at those words, Emily remained silent. Her trembling eyes brushed against Tristan’s face briefly before averting.
“If you don’t tell me now, the imperial investigators will have no choice but to conduct an official inquiry.”
“Do as you wish.”
Emily forced a smile.
“I think I’ve taken up too much of your time… Please forget my rudeness today.”
“Emily.”
“Even though I came without warning, thank you for your hospitality.”
“Don’t run away.”
“If you visit the House of Duke Walker next time, I’ll serve tea personally.”
“Emily!”
Even at Tristan’s shout, Emily gripped her dress tightly with trembling hands.
She hesitated, glanced at him, then spun around abruptly.
“Thank you.”
“…!”
Her words felt like a final farewell. Tristan reached out instinctively, but stopped midair.
Even though she was within reach, he couldn’t grasp her.
“……”
In the end, all he could do was watch Emily flee.
“Haa.”
He let out a deep sigh and sank into the sofa. Covering his eyes with one arm, he murmured quietly:
“Couldn’t I at least get a chance?”
At the very least, knowing what Emily was hiding would let him gauge how to handle it. But even that was impossible.
Still, he couldn’t voice such complaints in front of her.
Because Emily, the one rejecting him, looked more hurt than he did.
“Ah, Miss Emily. Did it go well?”
Werner, waiting outside, greeted him. His expectant look suggested he hoped for a hint of romance inside.
“Yes. Thank you for giving me your time despite the sudden visit.”
Smiling, Werner replied playfully, “Ah, for Miss Emily, I’ll always make time~.”
After exchanging light greetings with Werner and acknowledging the guard Marco outside the office, she hurried away.
Turning a corner, the world spun before her eyes.
“I feel like I’m going to be sick…”
Perhaps from the tension. She pressed trembling hands over her mouth.
A familiar maid passing by gave a worried look, and Emily smiled back.
Ah, there are too many eyes here.
If she vomited here, the whole palace would know. And surely people would gossip, tarnishing the Walker name again.
She was tired of the predictable routine.
“Anywhere… just get inside first…!”
Most rooms were empty, as the palace was rarely used except by the crown prince and important guests.
Emily opened the nearest door, leaned against it, and slowly sank to the floor.
“Ugh…”
Her tension released, her stomach churned. She felt a bit of acid. Even dark mages could get stomach cramps, she realized wryly.
She retched quietly and began to calm her breathing.
“Are you all right?”
But then… something was strange.
Why was that voice here?
“Emily. My goodness. Are you hurt again?”
She slowly lifted her head.
Her eyes fell on the gleaming stained-glass window, the high ceiling, and the sacred statue of God in the center.
And without a doubt, the most divine presence in the room was the man’s face, extending a hand toward her with a worried expression.
His silver hair glowed as if imbued with holy power.
“…Zion?”
Why are you here?
