Chapter 17. “Be My Imperial Consort”
“Let’s hold a grand banquet to celebrate Elise’s recovery!”
During the morning imperial council, Emperor Roan announced this to his ministers. The night before, his concubine Elise had finally broken the curse at the Grand Duke Cremian’s estate and returned. Everyone in the imperial palace knew how Roan had been during the time he waited for her. So, it was only natural to celebrate her return with a grand banquet.
Psyche, despite having expected this, still felt uneasy now that it had become reality. While it was true that she had hoped Elise would return quickly so Roan could regain his peace of mind, she also felt a sense of loss, knowing that Roan’s feelings for the concubine—who had returned from the brink of death—had likely grown even deeper.
For this situation, she had already proposed something to Grand Duke Cremian in advance—but there had been no response yet.
“Still no reply from the Grand Duke?”
Psyche asked her attendant.
“No, Your Majesty. No contact has been received yet.”
“That won’t do. I will write a letter myself. Send someone to deliver it to the Grand Duke’s estate.”
This was the best way to draw Roan’s attention. If he learned that the Empress herself was meeting with Damon Cremian—the person Roan was most jealous of—what kind of expression would he make?
The messenger left the room with Psyche’s letter in hand.
Elise was alone in her empty room.
Returning to the imperial palace from the Grand Duke’s estate, she was suddenly overwhelmed by an unexpected emptiness. The hardest part was that Damon was no longer by her side.
Even though it had only been a few days, it felt as if she had spent a long time with him—her eyes, her body, her heart… everything was searching for Damon. But he was not there.
Moreover, being in her room brought back memories of times she had spent with Reina. As time passed, sadness and depression slowly filled her.
Although the Emperor had prepared new maids for her through the Empress, Elise asked them all to leave. Being alone was lonely—almost frightening—and she longed desperately to see Damon. But pretending to be fine while being around others was even more exhausting.
She preferred to be alone, even if it was painful.
Knock, knock.
A knock came from outside.
“Her Majesty the Empress has sent someone.”
“…She’s prepared multiple people, I see.”
Elise had expected this since the previous night. When she arrived at the palace the night before, Roan had personally come out to greet her, arms open. He helped her down from the carriage, and then quickly sent Damon back to the estate as if reclaiming something that had been taken from him.
Damon, obedient to the Emperor’s command, bowed without complaint and returned to the estate. Elise felt a sense of disappointment, but she did not look back—even once. She was afraid her feelings might show in her eyes or body if she watched him leave.
As she entered the palace almost in Roan’s embrace, Empress Psyche stood there with a gentle smile.
“I’m truly glad you’ve returned safely, Elise. You’ve endured much.”
There was no falsehood in her gaze. She sincerely welcomed Elise’s return. Elise was surprised by this, but had no time to dwell on it, as her heart felt unbearably heavy—like a soaked cotton blanket pressing down on her.
“Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress.”
Watching her, Roan smiled and said,
“The Empress has selected new maids for you. If you need anything else, feel free to ask.”
With Reina gone, Elise needed new attendants. Matters of the inner palace were originally the Empress’s responsibility.
“They’ve been carefully chosen, but if you don’t like them, more will be sent. You may select whoever you prefer.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you for your consideration.”
The formal response slipped out of her mouth unconsciously. Her heart felt like it had been cut in half, yet she somehow managed to speak and act composed. Still, her expression betrayed her emotions—she looked deeply troubled.
Roan assumed this was due to grief over the betrayal and loss of her close friend Reina, who had died after betraying her.
“Rest well today. I’ll leave after seeing you fall asleep.”
His words carried the assumption that they would share the night together, but today he was “being considerate.”
Roan, in truth, longed for her more than ever. Seeing her again after nearly losing her made it difficult to control his emotions. He wanted to hold her, comfort her, and cling to her through days and nights.
But since she had suffered so much, he decided to wait—for now.
The next morning, new maids were introduced to Elise as soon as she woke up. None of them caught her attention.
And now, it seemed the next person was about to enter.
“Nice to meet you, Lady Elise. My name is Margaret.”
A neatly dressed maid with light brown hair and pale green eyes entered and greeted her. She then requested permission to serve tea.
“I was sent by Her Majesty the Empress, as she said my tea-making skills are quite good. Even if I am not selected as your attendant, I would still like to serve you a cup of tea.”
Her voice and demeanor were as neat and composed as her appearance.
Elise silently nodded.
A moment later, a teacup was placed before her with a soft clink. As she reached for it, she noticed a small letter tucked between the cup and its saucer.
Since the maids from the Empress’s quarters were waiting outside, only Margaret was present.
After taking a sip of tea, Elise set the cup down and asked everyone else to leave.
Once the door closed, she opened the letter hidden between the cup and saucer. Reading the few words written inside, her golden eyes widened, and a smile returned to her face.
It was from Damon.
Meanwhile
“I’ve confirmed that Margaret has safely taken her place beside Lady Elise.”
“That is a relief.”
Damon felt a weight lift from his chest upon hearing Heim’s report. It had not even been a full day since she left, yet he had been unable to focus on his work due to worry.
Though they had only spent less than a week together, he hadn’t realized how deeply she had already settled into his heart.
Hearing that Elise had cried and begged not to return to the palace—and that she even said she hated being the Emperor’s concubine—had shaken him.
He sighed quietly, pressing his forehead.
“Why do I keep accumulating reasons to feel sorry for her?”
He couldn’t stop thinking about her expression as she turned her head away in the carriage, as though holding back tears.
He now understood why she had looked that way. She had clearly wanted to stay at the Grand Duke’s estate. And he had not wanted to send her back either.
But his resolve to bring her back had collapsed under the Emperor’s command. What he had promised her had become something he could not immediately fulfill.
He had told her to wait, believing he would return for her someday. At least saying that had been the only thing he could do.
A letter soon arrived from the Empress.
Damon read it.
It was regarding his earlier proposal in exchange for her help resolving a food hoarding crisis.
He had forgotten about it entirely due to Elise.
Since he had received her help, he could not simply ignore the matter.
He wrote his reply, agreeing to her proposal—with certain conditions—and sent it back.
Soon after, another visitor arrived.
“Count Taylor is here.”
“Already?”
The count had been investigating the spirit-infused item Damon had asked him to locate. Fortunately, he had found it and rushed to report back.
Entering the office, the count said excitedly:
“Your Grace, we’ve finally found it.”
“Good news!”
Damon stood to greet him.
“We’ve also succeeded in extracting it. The quantity isn’t large, however.”
“Did you bring it?”
“Yes. It’s right here.”
The long-sought spirit stones had finally been found and excavated. A servant brought in a large box, and when it was opened, three luminous blue stones were revealed.
“These are quite pure,” Damon said.
“Yes. Their color and scent indicate high purity.”
‘That scent…!’
Damon immediately recognized the familiar fragrance.
It was the scent of roses—cool and sweet.
The same scent that reminded him of Elise.
Back to Elise
With Margaret by her side, Elise gradually regained her vitality.
Margaret relayed messages to her:
“The Grand Duke instructed that I assist in keeping you safe. He also said he will send updates occasionally.”
Knowing she could hear news of Damon through Margaret lifted Elise’s spirits immediately.
Margaret, perceptive and attentive, carefully provided everything Elise needed based on her condition. Naturally, Elise began to recover.
Her improved condition did not go unnoticed. Reports reached Roan that she had regained color in her face, was taking walks again, and even smiling occasionally.
Roan was delighted.
“I will personally visit Elise and bring her a gift.”
That evening, Roan visited her room.
After Margaret stepped out to prepare tea, the two were left alone.
Roan approached her, intending to embrace her—
But Elise instinctively stepped back.
“Huh… you don’t want this?”
Roan froze, visibly shocked.
“P-Please forgive me, Your Majesty… I’m not feeling well emotionally yet.”
Her voice trembled as she avoided his gaze.
Roan suppressed his disappointment. He believed she was still recovering from trauma—both physical and emotional.
‘Perhaps… she hasn’t regained her memory.’
Still, he felt a pang of frustration. He had hoped she would lean on him.
But he decided to wait.
Then he said:
“I have a gift for you.”
“What is it?”
“I hope you will accept it happily.”
After a pause, he continued:
“At the banquet this time… become my imperial consort.”
“…Pardon?”
What?
An imperial consort?
‘I escaped the palace just to survive… and now he wants me to go even deeper?!’
Unaware of her inner turmoil, Emperor Roan had just proposed elevating Elise’s position.
Elise silently screamed inside.
“No… please… tell me this is a dream…!”
