Episode 85

Chapter 85. Do You Really Have a Death Wish?

The next morning.

“It seems you enjoyed your outing.”

Countess Chloe said this as she set a teacup down beside me.

“Was it that obvious?”

“Of course. Your whole face is glowing.”

She gave a warm smile, her laughter gentle and comforting. Just watching her made me feel lighter too.

“Cedric showed me a wonderful place. If we get the chance, we should all go together next time.”

“That sounds amazing!”

“It would be an honor, Your Majesty.”

The maids giggled with delight.

Ah… now that I think about it, I already want to go back. That endlessly stretching field of flowers. The sky dyed with the sunset.

Its surreal beauty had felt like a dream.

‘And then…’

My hand moved reflexively to my forehead.

— Because today… is a special day.

Cedric’s voice echoed in my ears. As if it had left a trace behind, that ticklish feeling from yesterday still lingered.

“Oh my, Your Majesty. Your face is red.”

“Are you feeling unwell? Should we call for a physician?”

“Ah, I’m fine. Thank you for worrying.”

I reassured the maids.

‘To think Cedric had that side to him.’

I’d been caught off guard by the way he’d suddenly taken the initiative.

No, honestly, I’d been really surprised.

But when you think about it, in some foreign countries, expressing gratitude that way isn’t all that strange, right?

Right. That’s all it was.

Don’t assign unnecessary meaning to it.

I worked hard to settle my confused thoughts.

‘Still, he did seem to like the gift I gave him.’

I’d worried it might seem boring.

But Cedric liked it so much that my worries had felt completely unnecessary. Even in the carriage, he didn’t put the book down once.

— “Cedric, you don’t have to cling to that book like that. It must be heavy. You could put it in the back of the carriage and get it later…”

— “I’m fine. I’m comfortable like this.”

— “…But your arms are shaking.”

He clutched the book tightly, as if someone might try to take it away.

Still, I was just grateful he cherished the gift.

There was even a moment when Conrad had shown curiosity about the book in Cedric’s hands.

— “Sir Cedric. What’s that book you’re holding?”

— “You’re better off not knowing.”

He gave Conrad a sideways glare.

It was the first time I’d ever seen Cedric threaten someone.

Anyway, the return trip hadn’t been boring at all. While I was replaying the events of yesterday in my mind, the maids nearby were chatting away.

“By the way, Sir Conrad and Sir Felix are running late today.”

“They usually come by around this time to greet Her Majesty, don’t they?”

Now that they mention it, they’re right. They’re never late. Did something urgent come up?

Well, I suppose that’s possible. Things within the knights seemed pretty chaotic lately. Especially with the Second Order—it must’ve been hard to fill Leonard’s absence.

“Shall I go find out what’s going on?”

“No, it’s fine. I’m sure they’ll come when the time is right.”

I lightly shook my head in response to Countess Chloe’s suggestion.

“More importantly, what’s on the agenda today?”

“First, we need to plan for the upcoming Hunting Festival. The eve celebration isn’t far off now.”

“Then prepare last year’s planning documents and all related paperwork, along with the list of foreign dignitaries we’ll need to invite.”

“Yes, understood.”

“We’ll have it ready shortly.”

Just as the maids turned to open the door—

“Y-Your Majesty!”

A frantic voice rang out through the open gap in the doorway.

“Mary?”

The voice belonged to Mary. She was panting heavily, as though she’d been running.

“Haa, hahh… Your Majesty… it’s, huhhh…”

“Take your time. Tell me slowly.”

I stroked her back and handed her a glass of cool water. Mary gulped it down in one go.

“Ah… I feel alive again.”

“So, what happened? What brought you here in such a rush?”

“Oh! Right!”

As she recalled why she had come, Mary’s expression grew grim.

“There’s big trouble, Your Majesty! Sir Cedric is…!”

I rushed to the Emperor’s palace as soon as I heard the news.

— Sir Cedric has been dismissed by the Imperial Court!

My anxious steps quickened.

— Even Sir Conrad and Sir Felix are expected to be disciplined. What should we do?

Shocking news came one after another.

My mind was a mess.

‘Why is this happening all of a sudden?’

Apparently, he was fired without even a proper explanation.

There was only one person who could have done something like this.

Jerome. This was definitely his doing.

I had to step in.

Only I could stand up to him.

Before I knew it, I had arrived at Jerome’s room.

“Your Majesty the Empress.”

The attendant waiting at the door greeted me.

“Tell His Majesty that I’m here.”

I gave the order.

But—

“…?”

The attendant remained in front of the door, looking uneasy.

“What are you hesitating for? This is urgent—go inform His Majesty at once.”

I pressed him again.

“Um, it’s just that…”

The attendant’s expression darkened even more. He bowed deeply, looking troubled.

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty. His Majesty has ordered that no one be allowed in.”

“He said not to let anyone in?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. He gave me that instruction first thing this morning.”

“Why?”

“I’m not sure. He didn’t say.”

The timing was almost too perfect.

Did he know I would come and prepare for it in advance?

Fine. So that’s how he wants to play it.

“Y-Your Majesty?!”

Ignoring the shocked attendant, I opened the door myself.

“You can’t do that—ah! Y-Your Majesty!”

There he was—the person I had come to see.

He looked like he had just gotten out of the bath.

Jerome was drying his hair with a towel, droplets of water flicking off his hand.

His shirt hung open, revealing his firm chest.

“My apologies, Your Majesty.”

The attendant bowed low to Jerome.

“Leave us.”

Jerome gestured carelessly with his eyes.

The attendant stepped out, and the door shut behind him.

Now it was just the two of us in the room.

“What’s the matter? You seem to be in quite a rush.”

He casually wiped the remaining water from his hair as he asked.

His relaxed attitude only made me angrier.

“Don’t pretend you don’t know. You already know exactly why I’m here.”

“Hmm. I haven’t the faintest idea.”

He kept up the act until the end.

I sighed internally.

“I heard you fired Cedric. Cancel the order. Now.”

Jerome gave a short laugh.

“You came all the way here for that?”

For that?

I was dumbfounded.

“Cedric is the most talented magician in the Imperial Court. And you call it ‘that’ after firing someone so capable overnight?”

“There are plenty of magicians in the Court who can replace him.”

“You of all people know that the Magic Division’s performance tripled after Cedric joined.”

No—before all that.

“What exactly did he do to deserve being thrown out like this?”

“What did he do?”

Jerome’s lips curled, as if to say the answer was obvious.

“He took you outside the palace.”

“…!”

“He tarnished the dignity of the Imperial Family. So I issued an appropriate punishment.”

“You think the Family’s dignity is harmed just because we went out once?”

“You’re the Empress. What business do you have going out alone with a Court magician? It only invites scandal.”

“There was nothing scandalous. I just wanted some fresh air.”

“Do you think others would see it that way?”

He sneered.

“The nobles are dying to tear us down. Even the smallest incident will be gossiped about—you know that better than anyone.”

“Even if it did harm the dignity of the Court, you punished the wrong person. I was the one who wanted to go out.”

I stood up straighter.

I refused to back down in front of him.

“I left of my own accord. So if you’re going to be angry, take it out on me. Don’t punish innocent people.”

That’s when it happened.

“If that’s what you want.”

At the same time, he grabbed my wrist—hard.

“…!”

In an instant, my vision flipped.

Before I knew it, I was lying on his bed.

I struggled to get away.

But it was no use.

No matter how hard I tried, he wouldn’t let go of my wrist.

His grip was strong—but thankfully, not painful.

I frowned.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“You just admitted it yourself. That this was your fault.”

His crimson eyes locked onto mine.

“You should be more aware of the position you’re in right now.”

His gaze remained cold as ever.

But something felt off.

Up close, Jerome’s eyes were tangled with emotions I couldn’t name.

“Do you have a death wish?”

Was I imagining it?

His voice, even lower than before, sounded… angry.

Not because I had gone outside—but because of something more.

‘There’s something else going on here…’

I couldn’t read his intentions at all.

Unable to hold back my confusion, I spoke.

“Why… why are you doing this to me?”

“Good question.”

His hand brushed my cheek.

The coldness of his touch made me instinctively flinch.

“…I don’t even know myself.”

Jerome muttered, barely above a whisper.

He slowly leaned down.

I glared at him.

“If you get any closer, I’ll scream.”

“Go ahead.”

He spoke indifferently.

If anything, my words only seemed to provoke him further.

He leaned in even closer, until we could feel each other’s breath.

“I told them not to let anyone in. I’m curious to see who dares to disobey me.”