Chapter 54
After Duke Cowet was appointed as Speaker of the Senate, Kyle kept waiting for Eilene to come see him. He thought she’d show up immediately out of gratitude—even without being called—but days passed with no word from her.
Is she staying away because she thinks she might be bothering me?
Bored of waiting, the Emperor finally gave an order to the head attendant.
“Send a message to Lady Cowet. Tell her to come for dinner.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
But when she finally arrived—his annoyance melted the moment he saw her.
Eilene stood before him in a tight, alluring violet dress. It fit her perfectly and pleased him greatly.
“It’s been a while, Eilene.”
She bowed politely, her eyes lowered. Her gaze shifted to the side as if she were shy. In her eyes, there was a new emotion—a nervous, guarded look, like someone afraid of losing something precious.
Perfect. That’s exactly what I wanted.
Kyle smiled, clearly satisfied.
Since it was raining softly outside, they stayed indoors instead of going to the terrace. In the center of the room was a vintage-style table—and nearby, a large bed. It was a guest room for both relaxing and sleeping.
The Emperor and Eilene sat side by side on a long red sofa.
A maid poured tea from the pot, and steam rose with a gentle sound. Eilene stared at the cup blankly, the fog and her expression giving off a dazed, dreamy, and slightly sensual vibe.
“You look especially enchanting today. Is that the dress I sent?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. It was a gift from you.”
From his angle, he could even see her cleavage. The seductive concept didn’t quite match her fairy-like face, but that contrast only added to her charm.
Kyle looked at her intently, then leaned toward her, resting his arm on the back of the sofa. When the distance between them suddenly shrank, Eilene flinched and tensed.
“You’re like a rabbit.”
“A ra… rabbit?”
“Yes.”
He reached out and brushed her hair back, tracing her jawline with his fingers. Her youthful skin was soft like pudding.
His hand moved down her neck, brushed her collarbone and shoulder. Eilene’s body stiffened from tension, and her eyes darted nervously toward him.
“Let’s go over there.”
“Ah!”
Kyle stood abruptly, grabbed her arm, and pulled her up. He led her firmly to the bed and sat her down.
Eilene sat trembling like a rabbit in front of a predator.
Something about that reaction felt off. That trembling—wasn’t excitement, it felt more like fear. Is it because it’s her first time?
Kyle sat next to her and gently stroked her pink hair several times—his touch was soft and affectionate.
“Eilene.”
“Y-Yes?”
“Are you… afraid?”
He asked softly, trying to ease her tension.
“There’s no need to be scared. I’ll take care of everything.”
Rustle, rustle. In the quiet room, the sound of cloth slipping echoed as Kyle removed his shirt, revealing a toned, muscular chest—smooth and flawless, without a single scar.
He took Eilene’s hand and placed it on his chest.
“I’ll allow you to do as you please. Rub your face against my hair, grab my shoulders, cry out if you want.”
“Y-Your Majesty…”
Her trembling eyes looked up at the golden-haired man.
He stared back at her with a lazy, sultry gaze and moved his face closer. As their noses touched and his lips parted, just about to kiss her—Eilene turned her head sharply to the side.
“Y-Your Majesty… Please don’t.”
Her face turned completely away. The hand he had placed on his chest shook hard, trying to pull away.
It didn’t take long for Kyle to realize that what he thought was excitement or anticipation… was actually rejection.
And when he realized that, a wave of shame and humiliation hit him like a storm.
Kyle had assumed Eilene would throw herself at him. After all, he was the Emperor of the mighty Prares Empire. He had treated her with kindness and affection—wasn’t that more than enough? With such a perfect face and body, what woman could possibly reject him?
What am I lacking?
Enraged, Kyle gripped her hand painfully hard, then let it go roughly, as if throwing it away. Then, with his back turned toward her, he coldly gave an order:
“Leave. Now.”
It was a dismissal with no room for argument.
Eilene realized this was her only chance to escape—and followed the warning blaring in her mind.
She quickly got up and left the room.
Thunk.
The sound of the door shutting echoed, and the room fell into silence. But inside Kyle, it was like a volcano had erupted.
He had crafted his plan to secure his throne—only to have his carefully chosen fiancée ruin it.
With clenched fists and trembling shoulders, his eyes blazed like molten lava.
“Head attendant! Head attendant!!”
“Y-Yes, Your Majesty!”
Count Livingston, the head attendant, rushed in, startled by the yelling. He had just been with Lady Cowet, and now found the Emperor shirtless and sitting alone on the bed. Confused, he blinked—only to shrink back at Kyle’s next command.
“Capture Raymond. Mobilize the entire special unit!”
“Wh-what? But, Your Majesty, didn’t you say it was too dangerous because the Grand Duke has strong escorts—”
“I know. I also know exactly when Raymond will be alone.”
A sharp glint passed through the Emperor’s fiery eyes.
“Make sure it succeeds. If you fail again, your life is forfeit.”
“Y-Yes, Your Majesty. I’ll obey your command.”
Trembling at the Emperor’s furious roar, the head attendant bowed even deeper. Another bloodbath is coming, he thought in fear.
Meanwhile
After being ordered out by the Emperor, I rushed to where the carriage was waiting. My footsteps quickened, and the palace scenery blurred past as my heart raced.
There was no denying it—Kyle was the textbook male lead: a stunning face and body, loved by the world itself. A character who shone like no other.
Maybe that’s why—despite all my resolve—it took countless moments of hesitation before I could reject his seduction. I even thought about the starlit nights he shared with the original heroine. That curiosity had tugged at me. His pull was dangerously strong.
I opened my hand and then closed it into a fist. My palm still held the sensation of his skin—smooth and flawless. That body wasn’t trained for battle, but polished purely for appearance.
On the other hand, Raymond’s body, which I had seen before, was full of scars.
That contrast helped me resist. I imagined Raymond’s shield in my mind and used it to block the temptation.
But what’s the Emperor planning now?
Even if it’s for politics, to try to seduce me—was he really planning to go against his own taste?
Or maybe… his judgment was clouded by that dress.
The violet gown, which clearly matched the Emperor’s preferences, was something Claire had insisted I wear. It would’ve suited Amelia, the real female lead—but not me. I’d worn the wrong outfit, and the consequences were awful.
Still… at least I escaped. For now, I would focus on that.
A few days later
At the Grand Duke’s invitation, we visited the hideout during the day.
Emotionally drained from what happened with the Emperor, I didn’t want to go out or do anything flashy. I just wanted a quiet time with him.
After enjoying a meal full of soft “malcang” mushrooms, I sipped some warm tea. The fragrant steam gently tickled my nose, bringing peace to my tired heart.
“Raymond, this tea smells wonderful.”
“Really? I’m glad it suits your taste.”
He smiled softly at my compliment. Raymond always seemed especially happy when he saw me eat well—he smiled a lot more in those moments.
“But, Eilene.”
He called my name, drawing my attention.
“After that day… nothing else happened with the Emperor, right?”
“W-What? Of course not!”
The sudden question made my shoulders jolt. I blurted out an answer—but it stung with guilt. Like a thief afraid of being caught, my conscience prickled.
I had already decided not to tell Raymond the whole truth. There was no need to put a problem with no solution onto his shoulders.
“Hm.”
“W-Why?”
He didn’t seem convinced, so I nervously asked why.
Did he hear something? Did he find out?
I felt like someone who got caught cheating—nervously waiting for the truth to come out.
“No, it’s just… I heard Kyle’s been raging again lately. But then again, that’s nothing new. It just seems like he’s becoming more and more like the former Emperor.”
“…Ah.”
People never really change, after all.
Whatever the trigger was, it looked like Kyle had gone back to his old self. In the original story, he had descended into darkness and become a tyrant—so maybe that was simply his fate, or the way he was written.
“Actually, I should let you know. I’ll be away for a little while. We won’t be able to see each other for a bit.”
“Really? Where are you going?”
No Raymond for a while? What about my emotional support?
It was sad and disappointing, but I held back my feelings and asked.
“It’s the anniversary of my parents’ passing. After they were cremated, they were buried in our territory.”
“Oh…”
He said it so calmly, but I worried that I’d made him feel heavy by asking.
Still, with Kyle going more and more unhinged, I couldn’t help but be cautious.
Normally, I would tell him not to travel—but for something like this, I couldn’t stop him.
All I could do was give a reminder.
“Please be careful. Make sure to bring On with you.”
“I will. I’ll keep that in mind.”
Raymond smiled gently at me, as if to reassure me.
