Chapter 13
“Yes. I will follow your lead.”
The joy and peace of everyday life brought a sense of serenity to Free’s face. Was it because she had learned, officially through Seth that very morning, that she had become Empress?
Or perhaps it was because she was looking forward to their mealtime together?
Wearing a smile she had never shown back in the Kingdom of Ezan, Free stepped lightly and gracefully.
Before she realized it, she was standing in front of a now-familiar door.
A door tightly shut. Whenever she approached it, it always seemed heavy, yet she had no trouble opening it—just like how the people here treated her.
As always, Argent was already seated inside. Whether she arrived early or late, he was always there before her. Free naturally took her seat across from him.
“You’re always early.”
“I simply value punctuality.”
Despite his words, his gaze remained fixed on her. Though she didn’t know, for Argent, this was the moment he waited for more than anything else. He often spent time in that room an hour before she arrived.
Just in case she came early. Just in case he missed a moment.
“I see.”
As usual, the table in front of them was slowly filled with dishware. The porcelain, handcrafted by artisans just for the two of them, gleamed in a soft white, preserving the delicate texture of ceramic.
It was then that something caught her eye.
Amid the snow-white porcelain, a transparent glass vase stood out. In it was a flower she had never seen before.
A bloom tinged with orange, close to ginger, looked as though a drop of paint had fallen onto water, each petal flowing like a gentle ripple. Beautiful, like the balance between grandeur and simplicity, Free stared at it for a long while.
“Let’s begin the meal.”
“Ah.”
Snapped out of her daze, Free quickly picked up her utensils. Ever since she had mentioned enjoying fish dishes a few days prior, fish had become a staple at every meal.
Steamed, stewed, fried—prepared in every possible way. Perhaps because of that, her appetite had been gradually increasing.
“You seem to enjoy it.”
“It’s thanks to everyone’s care.”
“Is there anything you particularly like?”
“Among foods, fish suits me best. As for tea…”
“Not food. Do you enjoy things like books?”
Their conversation felt one-sided, yet it continued. He asked, and Free simply answered.
But she didn’t dislike the exchange. It gave the sense of keeping a comfortable distance. Not too close, not too far.
Assuming this was just another typical question, Free swallowed a bite of the flaky fish and nodded.
“Yes.”
“I see. I’ll have the library opened for you. Feel free to visit anytime.”
But this time was different.
At the mention of a library, Free choked.
Cough, cough.
A servant who was serving the last dish quickly handed her a glass of water. After calming herself with a few sips, Free looked at him with a flushed face.
“I must have misheard. Did you say… the library?”
Though it varied by nation, most kingdoms treated libraries as treasures. The books inside often held unique histories and ways of life that could only be found there.
What civilizations they had endured, what battles they had fought—nations that took such things lightly always met their end.
To conquer a culture was to truly conquer the land. Climate, terrain—these things were invaluable in warfare, and were often detailed in ancient texts.
One country once dismissed the value of its written records and was destroyed when its water routes were blocked. Even sewage systems and underground waterways were sometimes recorded in books.
Books were the labor of knowledge, the wisdom passed down from ancestors.
That’s why Free was so shocked. That they would show such things to her.
Someone who was neither fully Empress, nor exactly a slave.
Though she had become Empress on paper, she didn’t think she was in a position to be shown such secrets. The confusion showed on her face.
“Is that really… for me?”
“Is that a problem?”
And this was a country hidden from the outside world. Surely their library would contain not only their history, but even the smallest details. Though Free loved reading more than anyone, the weight of it all overwhelmed her.
“Is it really okay to do this for someone from an enemy nation?”
“It’s not okay for someone from an enemy nation. But it is okay for the Empress.”
Something stirred in her chest.
“I’ll have it prepared for you. Go anytime you like. Ian will escort you.”
Why do you leave everything to Ian? Do you really dislike seeing me that much?
She was deeply grateful for the kindness of showing her the library, but that same gesture, paired with his constant distancing, brought her heart back down from the clouds.
“…All right.”
That was the end of it.
As always, their mealtime stretched on, and ended only when Argent finished his dessert and left first. Familiar with the routine, Free showed no reaction and quietly sipped her tea.
The desserts here were truly exquisite.
Not just the desserts—every dish was magnificent. That’s why she could never give up these meals. After watching him leave, Free turned her attention back to the sweets.
Soon Seth approached and cheerfully placed tea in front of her.
“Does it suit your taste?”
“It’s delicious.”
“The chefs will be thrilled. Looks like we’re finally done changing the kitchen staff.”
“Changing?”
Free, enjoying a spoonful of lemon sherbet, looked at her in surprise.
“Oh, don’t even ask. The head chef changed every single day! When you first arrived, you barely ate anything.”
“Ah…”
“Everything was for your sake, my lady.”
Though Seth was praising her master’s thoughtfulness, Free was filled with doubt. Why? Why go through so much? Was it just how they treated every guest?
Could Argent really be a kind man?
These thoughts caused her hand, which had been reaching eagerly for the food, to stop mid-air.
“Is he really like that?”
“Sorry?”
She said no more.
Free knew better than anyone that he wasn’t doing it for her.
No matter the excuse.
Does he want others to see him that way? As someone who cares deeply for the future Empress…
Then he could simply act that way.
If she had to play the part of a woman overwhelmed by such affection, she could do it easily. She had smiled even while being beaten by her sisters as a child.
“He’s a good man. Truly.”
“That’s a relief. I’m sure His Majesty would be glad to hear that you think so.”
As she responded with a simple smile, the door opened and Ian entered.
“Have you finished your meal?”
“Perfect timing. It’s as if you were watching us.”
“Perhaps it’s because after His Majesty, I care the most about you, Lady Free?”
Smiling, he held out his hand to help her stand. She took his kind hand and rose to her feet.
“He said I could go to the library today.”
“Yes, I’ve been ordered to escort you. Would you like to go now?”
To think she could go this soon—it made her heart race. Life here had been peaceful, but admittedly growing dull.
“Yes.”
With a much brighter expression than before, Free followed him.
Perhaps to emphasize its importance, the library was located in the main palace. It was the same main palace they had stopped by briefly on her first day before heading to her quarters.
The place felt unusually quiet, and there were few attendants or maids in sight.
“It’s so quiet.”
“Lord Argent doesn’t like having people around him. Only a few trusted ones are allowed close, so even this grand palace isn’t very populated.”
“Ah…”
Curiosity about him suddenly bubbled up.
“Ian, what kind of person is Argent?”
“His Majesty Argent… what sort of story would you like to hear?”
Tilting his head kindly, Ian gave her a graceful look.
“It’s just… I haven’t heard much about him.”
“Hmm… His Majesty has led a very lonely life.”
“I see…”
“Though he built this nation with his own hands, he’s never leaned on anyone. Even with his mother and me by his side, he always kept his distance, as though he believed he shouldn’t rely on anyone. Even though many people were around him.”
His clear green eyes, filled with summer leaves, quietly rested on Free.
Somehow, those eyes looked lonely. As if he was Argent. Perhaps that’s why something inside her grew heavy.
That word—lonely—it felt far too familiar.
Free too had grown up surrounded by people. A father, a stepmother (though not her birth mother), two older sisters, and a life as a princess.
Yet she had always felt suffocating loneliness.
My sisters always called me a brat who didn’t belong among royalty…
As if afraid she would take their place, the two princesses had relentlessly bullied her. When she was younger, Free didn’t even understand why she was hated. She simply believed what they said—that she was cold, and unfit to be a princess.
She could never confide in anyone.
