Chapter 19
“Lady Free.”
“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear anything today.”
“……”
Even though she knew what kind of expression he must have made, Free stood up as if she were unaware.
“I’ll be heading back early.”
“If my words made you uncomfortable…”
‘Maybe I’m being deceived again. Just like I was by Gaia or Itar… But even if Ian is lying, even if he’s just trying to test me… for some reason, I want to believe him.’
Maybe she simply wanted to believe. Maybe it was because it felt like there was finally a space behind her where she could breathe. For the first time in a long while, Free smiled in peace.
Ian, who followed half a step behind her, couldn’t have seen that smile. He simply trailed behind her, restless and uncertain.
Only the click of her heels echoed down the long hallway.
Ian’s allowed limit only reached as far as the door to her chambers.
And so, once they arrived, he hesitated outside before finally bowing and excusing himself, telling her to get some rest.
As always, Seth began carefully undressing her so she could bathe right away.
“Did something good happen today?”
“Something good…? I’m not sure. I just suddenly felt like I could breathe.”
“Was the corset very uncomfortable? I’ll take it off right away.”
Seth, who was already in the process of undressing her, moved his hands quickly.
“Oh. No, that’s not what I meant.”
“Really…? By the way, My Lady, His Majesty sent a message. He said he’d like to share a meal with you tomorrow—it’s been a while, after all.”
So the only thing he wants to do with me is eat?
Since that day, they hadn’t really spoken. And now, out of nowhere, he was asking her to share a meal. Irritation flickered across Free’s face.
“If that would be uncomfortable, he said you could just have tea together instead.”
“And if I refuse even that?”
“That… I wasn’t able to confirm. I apologize.”
Seth fell silent, as if she hadn’t considered that possibility. She hadn’t meant to interrogate her, but every time Argent was mentioned, her tone naturally sharpened.
“I’m sorry, Seth.”
“Not at all. There’s nothing to apologize for. Then, I’ll go tomorrow and ask His Majesty directly. About the tea…”
“No, I’ll have the meal.”
Because she was curious. What in the world was he thinking, seeking her out?
“If it’s too much, you don’t need to push yourself.”
Seth’s voice was gentle as she removed Free’s hairpiece and began brushing her hair before the bath.
“I had something I wanted to ask him anyway. So don’t worry.”
“I’ll make preparations then.”
“Alright.”
Once everything was ready, Free headed to the bathroom and quietly closed her eyes. As always, the warm bath welcomed her.
She’d sent Seth away because she needed time alone. The bathroom, now still and silent, offered her that much-needed solitude.
As droplets of water fell with soft plinks, Free’s senses gradually awakened.
“Haa…”
Breaking the silence, she cupped water in both hands and lifted it gently. The rippling water soon slipped back down through her fingers. Watching the wavering surface, so like her own emotions, Free let out a long sigh.
“Was what I did today the right thing? Or the wrong thing?”
She’d thought that securing her position as Empress was enough. That even without affection, she could still live out her life here as part of a loveless marriage. But that had been arrogant.
“Why… do you hate me so much?”
She had asked the same question countless times, but never once received an answer. Then Ian came to her with a tempting proposal—to let her escape whenever she wanted. That suggestion only left her more confused.
‘Should I just… run away?’
Muttering such nonsense even to herself, Free slowly sank beneath the water.
In the deep quiet of the bath, she simply remained there. When her lungs reached their limit, she started to rise again.
And that was when—
“Kyaaah!”
Someone suddenly screamed. Before Free could even lift herself out, Seth pulled her up by the arm.
“You mustn’t! Your Majesty!”
“Huh?”
Staring wide-eyed, Free was yanked out of the water by a panicked Seth. What… what was going on?
She met Seth’s eyes in a daze.
“Seth?”
“Ah… Are you alright, My Lady?”
“Maybe? What about you? You look so pale.”
Seth’s eyes darted around nervously before she suddenly bowed her head.
“Well…”
Free had looked so gloomy the past few days. When she asked to spend time alone, it had made Seth anxious—especially when her mood had changed so suddenly. She’d never asked for solitude before.
So the moment Free entered the bathroom, Seth lingered just outside, uneasy.
What if she’s having bad thoughts? Seth could never read her emotions clearly and was always worried. In the end, she couldn’t help herself—she barged into the bathroom, only to find Free submerged underwater.
Her mind had been filled with only one thought: Save her.
Free, watching Seth’s darting eyes, could guess what she was thinking.
“Seth. Did you come rushing in because you were afraid I might… do something bad?”
“Yes… I just… I was afraid you might’ve collapsed. That you might be thinking dark thoughts… I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s fine. Did I look that depressed to you?”
Now that she was out, Free wrapped herself in a large towel.
“His Majesty… he can be clumsy in many ways, so I wondered if maybe he upset you… hurt you…”
“You don’t have to worry. Honestly, I’m feeling pretty good today.”
“But when you talk about His Majesty…”
Seth busily rinsed Free’s soaked hair.
Leaning her head back, Free met Seth’s gaze.
There are people who worry about me.
Her heart tingled. She’d tried to play the villain and keep people at a distance, but Ian and Seth worried about her more than even her own family did.
The image of Seth, pale with fear, pulling her out of the water, softened something inside her.
“It’s not like I’d want to die just because I didn’t want to see him. Seth. I want to live.”
“My Lady…”
“So don’t worry about me. And now that I think about it, I have been acting a little strange lately, haven’t I?”
Smiling warmly, Free reached up and cupped Seth’s cheek. For the first time ever, she crossed the line. Stunned, Seth froze.
But Free didn’t withdraw her hand. The more she thought about it, the better she felt. Could the offer of freedom from someone really bring this much relief?
The wretched feelings she once had for Argent were now being smoothed over by that freedom.
At last, she stepped beyond the line she herself had drawn.
“Seth. Thank you. You came running in because you were worried about me, didn’t you?”
“…My Lady.”
“I know you worry about me more than anyone. But I’ll be fine from now on.”
There was no need to run away holding Ian’s hand.
At the very least, she had never run from what was expected of her. Though Argent’s actions had suffocated her, they had brought her to a decision.
I’ll survive here with everything I’ve got. And I’ll find out what you’re really thinking.
As if signaling the end of something, Seth gently poured warm water over Free’s hair. The suds washed away with the stream, and her bath quietly came to a close.
“I must still be a burden to you. I’m someone from this place, and we’ve only just met… But, My Lady, to me, you always come first. If anything is ever difficult, please lean on me. I’m very good at comforting.”
Seth clenched her fists and beamed, and Free couldn’t help but smile in return.
The next morning, just as they’d discussed the day before, Seth helped prepare her for the meal.
Cathy, who had been keeping Free company lately, had just changed into a maid’s uniform to assist her for the day.
“I heard you’re having breakfast with His Majesty today! I picked out some trendy dresses for you!”
Cathy, brimming with excitement, handed over two dresses.
“Because you have such fair skin, I think these will look amazing on you!”
One was as white as a bridal gown, the other a deep blue, like the sea at night.
“Which one do you think suits me better?”
“Um… that’s a tough one! They both look so good… Honestly, you look stunning in everything, My Lady.”
Frowning slightly, Cathy busied herself inspecting the dresses.
Just then—
“Cathy. Didn’t I tell you to call her ‘Your Majesty’? She may not have had a wedding, but she is officially the Empress.”
“Ah… yes! I’ll remember!”
It felt… strange.
There was nothing wrong with Cathy’s unfiltered enthusiasm, but it still made Free feel oddly uncomfortable.
Maybe it’s just because I’ve never met someone so bright before.
There was Zell, but even she wasn’t like Cathy.
Cathy sparkled, even when standing still. You could tell just by looking at her that she had grown up loved. Someone completely different from herself. That contrast must be what was making her uncomfortable, Free thought, as she stopped Seth.
“It’s alright. I don’t mind how she addresses me.”
“But…”
“I’d like you to be comfortable around me, too, Seth.”
“If that is Your Majesty’s wish, I have nothing more to say… Cathy. Be mindful. Always.”
“Yes! So, which dress do you prefer?”
Cathy held up the dresses again without a hint of hesitation.
Feeling she couldn’t scold her any further in front of Free, Seth let out a long sigh and shook her head. A silent promise to give Cathy a proper scolding later drifted away with that sigh.
“I really like the ocean. Let’s go with the blue one, please.”
