Chapter 102
The Emperor ordered the Chief Steward to have me attended to, then locked me in a room.
“Locked” is the correct term because Nian had placed a magical barrier outside the room that only he could pass through. However, it wasn’t a prison by any means—it was luxurious and refined, as if treating me as his fiancée. There were many eyes watching, so I assumed no one would dare mistreat me.
Still, it was comfortable enough without shackles.
Late at night, Nian secretly came to the room.
Since he was the one who set the barrier, passing through was effortless. He came to me and pressed his hand to his forehead, looking troubled.
“Lady Eileen, how did you end up being captured?”
“Ugh… I wonder myself.”
His sigh made my heart tighten. I felt so pathetic that I couldn’t bring myself to respond.
“I tried to resolve the situation, but I failed and got caught.”
“You mean that incident from before? Didn’t you have a backup plan in case of failure?”
“No…”
“Then… does His Highness the Grand Duke know about this?”
“Ah… no.”
I answered in a barely audible voice. Of course he wouldn’t approve, but the guilt for having broken such an obvious rule washed over me.
Nian seemed about to scold me for being so helpless, but seeing my dejected state, he relented. Instead of scolding, he let out a deep sigh.
“Ha. Then I shall inform His Highness the Grand Duke myself.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Do not worry too much. With me here, you will be safe.”
“Thank you, Nian.”
Being in enemy territory but having an ally inside was incredibly reassuring.
“If there is ever an emergency or anything you need, call for me anytime. I will come immediately.”
I nodded silently. He looked at me with sympathy and placed his large hand over my head. I was truly glad Nian was here.
By a single moment of misjudgment, my place of residence changed—from the side of the Grand Duke to the side of the Emperor.
After a night soaked in regret, the next day, Kyle summoned me to a meal. The journey to him was not an easy one.
From the morning, the Head Maid arrived with a group of maids, crowding into my room.
“His Majesty has invited you to breakfast. We will prepare you for the occasion.”
They submerged me in a bath full of warm water, creating foamy bubbles. Then, with the determination to remove every trace of dirt, they scrubbed me thoroughly. To someone unfamiliar with such cleansing customs, it might have felt like a form of torture.
Once my body was polished and clean, they applied fragrant oils to my skin and hair. They rubbed it in repeatedly until there was no more space for absorption. It seemed as if they intended to transform me into a living perfume.
Next came the attire. The morning meal called for a slightly extravagant pale lavender dress. It was designed more to show the body’s lines than to have heavy decoration, in a sensual style. The tank-top neckline revealed the edges of my cleavage, with shoulders and collarbones exposed, adorned densely with purple gemstones. Below the narrow waistline, a lighter purple dress spread outward in multiple layers of lace. My shoes were deep purple, and the accessories on my neck and ears were subtle, transparent jewel drops that added a soft accent.
When I had reported to the imperial city before, the Duke’s household had done their utmost to dress me, but this was even more exquisite. It was clear that the imperial city had superior talent. I was amazed that such skilled designers were always on standby.
Like a blooming flower, I followed the Head Maid to a dining room.
A long table was set up, with maids bustling about arranging the food. At the head sat the Emperor, waiting for me.
“Oh, you’ve arrived, Eileen.”
“I greet the Sun of the Empire.”
The Emperor’s face brightened upon seeing me. I offered a reluctant, half-hearted greeting and moved toward the seat across from him. Then he deliberately called me over.
“That is not your seat. Come here.”
He pointed with his palm to a seat forming an L-shape from where he sat. I stood silently, staring at the spot.
“Understood, Your Majesty.”
I had no desire to sit nearby, but eventually forced myself to take a step.
Technically, I was a prisoner, but that was only known to us. To the outside, it appeared as if the Emperor had simply regained his fiancée. He did not wish to abandon that image, and I, for the sake of my family’s well-being, played along quietly.
“It is good to dine together after so long.”
“I am pleased as well, Your Majesty.”
“Returning safely, even a day like this comes. Haha.”
The conversation was entirely superficial, but we did our best to make it seem warm and friendly. I did not want to break the mask of the Emperor’s smile. I never wanted to see the dark, sinister nature hidden within him.
When the meal ended, we moved directly to tea time. Considering the timing, it was more like a late morning snack, perhaps serving dessert. We went to the terrace we frequently used before the current tense situation.
While sitting and waiting, a maid brought out cake and tea. I watched silently as she set it up. The cake was the chocolate cake I liked. With graceful movements, she cut slices, placed them on plates, and set them before me.
Once the maid withdrew, the Emperor, who had been silent until then, spoke.
“Eileen.”
The scene felt as if time had rolled back. The Emperor within it tried to maintain composure, yet his eyes held a glint of loneliness, obsession, and madness. This was not something that could be hidden with a mask, at least not from me.
Even with only the two of us, the Emperor maintained the act of a tender lover. He lifted his hand and gently brushed my hair aside.
“You are as beautiful as ever.”
“….”
But I had no reason to care. The act of lovers was only for appearances before others.
The Emperor’s outward gentleness, while inwardly harboring a blade, made my skin crawl.
“Why are you doing this?”
I lightly pushed his hand away.
Even putting aside the fact that he was the Emperor, it was rude, and I couldn’t tolerate it. Startled by my sudden change in demeanor, his eyes widened as if ice had been poured over his head.
“Eileen.”
His voice trembled. His gaze was fixed squarely on me.
“Why have you entered the imperial city? What were you aiming for?”
“I will not answer.”
“You are not longing for me, I hope?”
“….”
“Perhaps it was to make me jealous by visiting Raymond.”
What exactly did he want from me?
Why waste energy with these frivolous remarks?
Frustrated by the lack of answers, I closed my mouth tightly. Why was he doing this to me instead of falling for the heroine?
Observing my sullen expression, the Emperor frowned in displeasure.
“You should think carefully about whose side you are on right now.”
Yes. I was paying the price for acting recklessly without regard for my own safety. Foolishly, indeed.
I stayed silent with my lips sealed, and the Emperor abruptly stood and left the terrace.
“Force her, then.”
Kyle, having left Eileen, entered the audience hall in an unpleasant mood and flopped onto the throne. Immediately, Chief Steward Keln approached and offered his counsel.
“Force her…?”
“If you plant your seed, she will abandon other thoughts.”
Keln was different from the previous Chief Steward, Count Livingston. Rather than flattery, he was rational and cool-headed. He suggested this based on observing the Emperor’s usual way with women.
But Kyle did not look pleased at the suggestion.
“Forcing her is meaningless.”
“Why is that?”
“Carrying Raymond in her heart while bearing my seed… it is wholly unacceptable to me.”
Kyle clicked his tongue.
He was the Emperor, ruler of the entire empire, absolute power at his feet. And his looks? Even the greatest beauty would not refuse him. Every woman blushed at his gaze, striving to touch even a fingertip. Yet now, she desired another man. The thought was intolerably infuriating.
“I will make her break her will.”
Kyle’s pride flared. Since she chose Raymond over him, he was determined to see her submit.
At that moment, a question arose in his mind.
“But why did she come to the imperial city? She hasn’t said a word.”
“Judging by the circumstances, she might be trying a beauty trap.”
“A beauty trap?”
The Chief Steward, knowing the situation, voiced his speculation.
“A beauty trap… plausible.”
Kyle thought of Amelia. Indeed, she was his type. Judging by her appearance and demeanor, it was certain. But now was not the time. Conquering a woman by his own hand was what mattered. There was no time for other distractions.
Yet Kyle couldn’t help but think of Amelia.
“The woman who came with her…?”
“Amelia.”
“Excuse me?”
“Her name is Amelia. A Baroness of Soph in the provinces.”
“Yes. What shall we do about Baroness Soph? The maids report that the Baroness keeps seeking Your Majesty. She wishes to meet you.”
“Hm. Is that so?”
Kyle pondered and spoke.
“Let her wait for now. First, make sure she is comfortable.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Keln bowed respectfully.
