TMLNHMB 03

Chapter 3

“I heard that His Majesty is winning the war.”

“……”

“The King of Herace and his brothers trembled in fear when they heard the news. They turned pale at the idea that the illegitimate prince they once held as a prisoner of war might seize the imperial throne.”

At last, Seydin met Luan’s gaze.

His violet eyes were still as mysterious as ever.

Among her half-brothers, he had been particularly cruel—one had even mocked Luan’s eyes and threatened to gouge them out with an iron skewer.

Even though she knew from the original story that Luan wouldn’t be injured, Seydin had always been scared. Scared that he might get hurt.

Recalling those days, Seydin moistened her dry lips and spoke.

“That alone was enough. I don’t have any fond memories of the palace, but that one…”

She smiled—a genuine, heartfelt smile.

“It was a very good memory.”

Then she bit her lip. A moment later, as if nothing had happened, she softly continued.

“……But that doesn’t mean I saw Your Majesty in a special light.”

“……”

“Oh! Well, maybe I did, a little. I always wondered if you’d come back and strike the kingdom. As you know, I wasn’t treated well at all in the royal palace. Hehe.”

Seydin forced a clueless laugh. She wanted to disrupt the heat and intensity building in Luan’s gaze. Pressing her back firmly against the bedpost, she began chattering.

“Still, it seems Your Majesty remembers our childhood connection! Ten years of the arrogant kingdom blocking the empire’s path. And yet, in such a mess, you rose to become Emperor. It must’ve been so difficult to reestablish order among the subordinate states.”

Just as she was gathering momentum with her rambling speech, Luan, who had been silently watching her every move as if memorizing it, spoke languidly.

“So, are you saying you want to be friends with me, Princess?”

Friends.

To steer the story away from its original course, perhaps it would be better to be his friend than his subject. While Seydin was silently contemplating, Luan added affectionately,

“How cute, a boyfriend, was it? Even the title sounds nice.”

“……?”

Caught off guard, Seydin hesitated before replying with a hushed voice.

“P-please don’t say things that people could misunderstand.”

“I said it hoping they would misunderstand. Because I wish it were true.”

Luan’s violet eyes sparkled as he said it so innocently, like he meant every word.

‘…You’re not listening to a word I’m saying, are you?’

And yet, Luan’s expression as he looked at Seydin was unusual—so intense that she swallowed her scolding words.

Something was wrong. Her heart was pounding uncontrollably.

Luan’s gaze was too heartfelt, too fiery.

He looked nothing like the boy she’d met in her youth—his features were now mature and striking.

His slightly tousled black hair, eyes that gleamed like amethysts, a sharp nose, and crimson lips beneath it.

As she stared blankly at his lips, Seydin felt the weight of time pass.

Back when he was a prisoner and bullied in the palace, he never even opened his mouth. How did that same boy become so shameless?

Staring blankly at the male lead racing toward a bad ending by falling for her, Seydin swallowed hard.

That’s right. For the sake of world peace, she had to crush Luan’s one-sided love.

‘Yes! I can do this!’

Seydin steeled herself and crossed her arms again, speaking firmly.

“Your Majesty, even if I cared for you when you were held captive as a child, I am still a member of the Herace royal family. I wasn’t treated well in the palace, but…”

“I see.”

Luan gave a small smile, just enough to crinkle his eyes, and nodded. It was the demeanor of a model student attentively listening to a master lecturer. Seydin felt a flicker of hope—maybe he was finally understanding her.

“So I mean to say, I’m of such a status that referring to Your Majesty as my ‘boyfriend’ is completely inappropriate.”

“No one in this empire would dare disrespect you. Not the princess who stands above even the emperor.”

“…That’s a terrifying thing to say, hoho.”

Seydin forced an awkward laugh. But her playful demeanor only made Luan’s heart burn hotter.

He had finally saved his first love, finally seen her atop his bed. No wonder his emotions surged even more fiercely than before. He thought:

Just how significant is your presence in this palace?

Then, Luan reached out. Still clad in a loose robe that could slip off with the slightest movement, he pulled Seydin into his chest. Startled, she nearly gasped.

It wasn’t just the sudden closeness that flustered her—it was the fear she might instinctively reach out and touch him. Specifically, his firm chest.

‘No! Resist it!’

Seydin curled her fingers inward as if they’d been scorched, like a roasted sweet potato skin shriveling up.

Just then, Luan reached behind her and pulled a long cord.

Ding.

A chime rang from the bedside. At that sound, attendants rushed toward the emperor’s bedroom.

“Eep?!”

Hearing movement outside the room, Seydin’s eyes widened. Afraid they might see her in a satin nightgown, she yanked the blanket up to hide herself.

But that was a mistake.

As Luan shifted slightly on the bed, the robe draped over him slipped off his shoulders—exposing not only his chest but his well-toned abs.

And unfortunately for Seydin, there was no one in this world more handsome or beautiful than Luan.

‘Oh no!’

“Princess.”

“Y-Your Majesty, I’m not feeling well. I’d like to be alone.”

“One hour before you woke, the physician checked your body and mana. He said you only needed to wake up. Are you still unwell?”

‘Damn that physician.’

In truth, Seydin felt fine—good enough to do cartwheels, even.

‘Ugh.’

She almost pouted but held back. She parted her lips again, ready to cement the “just friends” narrative. It didn’t seem like she could fulfill the role of a “loyal vassal” anymore. Maybe being the emotionally supportive female friend of a tortured male lead was more her speed?

Then Luan, watching her, said softly:

“Since you’re well, I’d like to show you the attendants assigned to you. No one in this palace will dare mistreat you again.”

“…Huh?”

It still felt strange. Was a fallen princess supposed to be treated so well?

To prove his point, Luan rang the bell again. This time, the maids entered the room. Their attitudes were incredibly respectful. And once again, Seydin realized:

She was the woman occupying the Emperor’s bed.

* * *

That night, after being pampered and dressed up by the maids, Seydin was still in the Emperor’s chambers.

She couldn’t leave—every time she tried, the maids would fuss and stop her. And though her body was fine, she was mentally exhausted. So eventually, she fell into a deep sleep.

The more complicated your thoughts, the deeper your sleep—such was life. As fatigue set in, Seydin thought of Luan, and the war that had brought them together again.

Perhaps that was why—when Luan returned from his duties—she spoke to him like she used to. Like the rejected princess who had once cared for the captive prince.

“Luan?”

Just then, Luan silently entered and smiled gently. He whispered to the princess, who hadn’t even brushed her messy hair and was lying on her pillow.

“You’re awake.”

He had thrown his imperial cloak carelessly on the floor. Striding over, he sat at her bedside, and the bed sank slightly under his weight.

That was enough to jolt Seydin awake. She quickly sat up and cleared her throat.

“Your Majesty, please excuse me. I must have been sleep-talking.”

“It’s quite alright, Princess. I rather like your sleep-talk.”

“……”