Chapter 14

By coincidence, the man Edelis had seen in the book just the day before was the very one Lehan had brought with him. She had been worried that searching for him herself might raise suspicion, but luckily, she had found him even before needing to act. She had thought that since they’d met in the book, maybe they’d meet in real life too—but she hadn’t expected it to happen so quickly.

“I am Berman Pasis, Commander of the 2nd Division of the Imperial Knights. My specialty is…”

As the man from the book introduced himself, Edelis silently repeated his name several times to make sure she wouldn’t forget it.

‘Berman Pasis, Berman Pasis.’

In the book, when other imperial knights came to take her away under accusations of treason, they had stepped aside at this man’s command. That alone was enough to guess he held a relatively high position.

‘So he was the Empress’s bodyguard.’

Edelis couldn’t take her eyes off him. Naturally, she only half-listened to the others’ introductions. When she felt a burning gaze from the side and turned her head, she saw Lehan watching her with a very displeased expression. She quickly looked away, embarrassed, but still couldn’t stop her eyes from drifting back to Pasis.

“Then, the person who will be assigned to guard you from this point on is—”

“Sir Pasis. Please assign Sir Berman Pasis.”

“…”

Even before Lehan could finish speaking, Edelis quickly pointed to Pasis, causing both him and Lehan to look taken aback. But Edelis couldn’t give him up. In the book, he had stood by her side even when she was imprisoned for treason. She couldn’t imagine a more trustworthy bodyguard.

‘Even if he didn’t protect me from the Emperor’s blade…’

He might not be able to stop the Emperor, but he was still the best person to protect her physically.

“Berman has been in the Imperial Knights for a long time, but what about Ferrin?”

“It’s a three-shift rotation, right? Then Sir Ferrin as well.”

Edelis readily accepted Lehan’s suggestion, but in truth, she would have agreed no matter who he suggested. To everyone present, it was clear that the only thing that mattered to her was whether or not Pasis was included. Even so, she couldn’t give up someone who might be her ally.

“Thank you for arranging this, Lehan.”

She quickly thanked him to prevent the topic from shifting. When Edelis smiled and expressed her thanks, Lehan could only nod.

“It’s nothing. If at any point—”

“If they’re uncomfortable, make me uncomfortable, or I don’t like them, I’ll let you know!”

Despite her firm response, Lehan’s expression didn’t ease. But since this was a matter of her survival, Edelis was never going to back down—and Lehan had no choice but to give in. Just like he had said the night before, he had begun to live being swayed by her.

“…Very well.”

“Thank you, Lehan! I look forward to working with you, Sir Pasis! You too, Sir Ferrin!”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

The knights, though surprised, quickly composed their expressions. Lehan began discussing who would be the third knight and how the rotation would work with the remaining candidates—excluding Berman. Seeing that, Edelis tried to sneak out of the room. Since Pasis had been confirmed as her guard, he naturally followed her. Knowing the rotation schedule was less important than staying by her side.

“Edelis.”

But Lehan wasn’t about to just stand by and watch.

“Y-yes? Aren’t you busy?”

“I’m not.”

Guarding Edelis wasn’t just important to the bodyguards. It was more important than any other matter to Lehan as well. Lehan, with a chilling voice, called Berman.

“Berman Pasis.”

Not “Commander of the second division,” not even “Sir Pasis”—he spoke his full name with unmistakable irritation, which clearly startled Berman.

“…Yes.”

“You don’t need to guard her right now. She’s with me.”

“Understood.”

Just like that, Lehan dismissed Pasis and the other knights he had just introduced as her bodyguards. As Lehan grabbed her wrist and began walking, Edelis couldn’t help but wonder why he had even brought them in the first place.

“Where are we going?”

“To a place you’ll like.”

“Where?”

“That’s a secret.”

Lehan, who knew her well, was confident she’d like where they were going. Edelis kept telling herself she was giving up time to bond with Pasis, all for this.

‘I’m busy trying to survive you!’

But despite those thoughts, she couldn’t help feeling a bit excited.

‘Well, I can’t help but be curious, since Lehan seems so sure I’ll love it.’

They walked down a maze of corridors—places Edelis wouldn’t have even guessed had paths. She was sure that if Lehan hadn’t been leading, she would have gotten lost. After a long walk, they arrived at a wide, open space. Though it was secluded, guards were stationed at the entrance and along every corridor they passed. Finally, standing in front of a massive door, Lehan inserted a key.

“Open it.”

He looked at her with a hopeful expression. Wanting to meet his expectations, she turned the key and removed the lock. She then pushed the heavy door with all her might but struggled—until Lehan stepped in to help. As the door creaked open, light poured through the gap.

“…”

When the door was fully open, Edelis could only gape in awe at the sight before her.

“Do you like it? I knew you would.”

“I—I mean… this is…”

Edelis couldn’t even form a coherent sentence. In front of her were priceless treasures passed down through the empire’s long history—things she’d only ever seen in books or paintings. She realized that Lehan had brought her to the imperial treasury.

‘So that’s why there were so many guards…’

As she stood there stunned, Lehan beamed proudly.

“They’re all yours.”

“All?!”

“Take whatever you want.”

Edelis had grown up as a noble and could tell at a glance that these jewels were on a completely different level. Just a few of them would make excellent alimony, enough to live comfortably.

‘How much is all this even worth…?’

Before Lehan could change his mind, she began carefully trying on necklaces, bracelets, rings, and tiaras. When she heard a soft chuckle and looked up, Lehan was quietly laughing.

“W-what?”

“I knew you’d like it, but I didn’t think you’d be this happy.”

“How did you know I’d like it?”

Of course, no one hates jewels—but she still wanted to steer the conversation elsewhere. And instantly regretted it.

“You used to collect expensive jewels, didn’t you?”

He remembered how she had been stockpiling jewels in preparation for running away. It was a bit embarrassing—but worth it, if it meant getting to take all these treasures. These would be her future servants, her living expenses, her new home.

“That one’s probably worth even more.”

Lehan brought over a necklace from afar—one so exquisite Edelis hadn’t dared to touch it. It looked like something destined to be taken by the female lead later.

“Don’t take it back later.”

“As if I would.”

He took off the necklace she’d been wearing and replaced it with the new one—then wrapped her old necklace around her wrist. Edelis raised her hands to keep the pieces from slipping.

“Take everything. The bracelets, the necklaces, the brooches, me, the tiara—”

“One of those doesn’t belong in that list.”

“I don’t see a problem.”

Lehan smiled as if nothing was out of the ordinary. Since Edelis now had a pile of treasures, she was perfectly content.

“Can I… come back again later?”

“I’ll give you the key. Come whenever you want.”

“L-Lehan!”

She covered her mouth with both hands, overwhelmed with emotion. Even though he might one day kill her, Lehan truly had the makings of a wise and benevolent Emperor.

‘No, no—he won’t kill me. He’ll divorce me! So Lehan will be a great ruler!’

It was wishful thinking—but Edelis sincerely believed it. She wanted to believe it.

“That’s it?”

“…Huh?”

“I gave you the key to the most valuable treasury in the empire… and that’s it?”

Edelis wondered what more she should do.

“Oh! Thank you! I forgot to say it. It’s late, but thank you!”

When she smiled as happily as anyone could, Lehan let out a soft sigh.

“Haa… If you’re happy, then that’s all that matters.”

As Edelis blinked and gave an awkward smile, Lehan’s shoulders twitched subtly. He raised his hand, lowered it, and repeated the motion a few times before finally taking a step closer to Edelis, who had her arms weighed down with glittering jewelry. She found herself looking up at Lehan, who was now standing right in front of her.

“…Lehan?”

“I thought you’d at least do this much for me.”

Do what…? Without hesitation, Lehan cupped the back of her head and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

“W-What are you doing…?”

“Don’t understand?”

As Edelis tried to grasp what was happening, her eyes shook with confusion. Lehan kissed her forehead again.

“Still don’t understand? Then…”

“No! No! I get it! I really get it!”

“Hm.”

Lehan took a step back from Edelis again. It was still close, but at least not so close that he could suddenly kiss her again. Edelis, her face heating up, wanted to fan herself but couldn’t—her hands were still burdened with layers of jewelry.

“Edelis.”

“Y-Yes?!”

“You said you understood.”

“Yeah.”

With Lehan continuing to steal kisses, she couldn’t pretend she didn’t get it. Even if she didn’t understand, she had to act like she did. But now Lehan was gazing at her with expectant, shining eyes.

‘Why is he looking at me like that…?’

Flustered by his heated gaze, Edelis averted her eyes.

“Seems like you still don’t get it.”

“What? No! I really do get it!”

Edelis tried to step away from him, but Lehan’s firm grip around her waist made it impossible.

“Then, why aren’t you doing it?”

“Doing… what?”

Edelis racked her brain trying to figure out how they ended up like this. The sudden kiss had scrambled her thoughts, but as she traced her memories back, she realized the first thing she recalled was Lehan kissing her.

‘Why am I starting the memory there?! So embarrassing!’

Face burning, she kept thinking. Then it hit her—what Lehan had said right before he kissed her.

—I thought you’d at least do this much for me.

She tried to feign ignorance, but now that she remembered, her face turned bright red again. Lehan’s smile deepened, and to make matters worse, he even closed his eyes.

‘Why are you closing your eyes?!’

Edelis had never once imagined this kind of situation. She’d expected a cold marriage born of duty, a distant husband, a female protagonist appearing and stealing his heart, and being treated like she was invisible. Never once had she pictured a husband who looked at her with eyes dripping with affection, or who waited expectantly for a kiss.

“…We’re not even married yet.”

Her timid protest prompted Lehan to half-lid his eyes and fix his gaze on her lips. Feeling her lips dry, Edelis unconsciously licked them, and Lehan chuckled softly.

“Didn’t you say that even kids barely in their teens kiss when they’re dating?”

He remembered that too? It was something she’d said offhandedly while watching a young noble couple kiss on the cheek during one of their outings. She never thought he’d remember such a random comment. At this rate, she couldn’t really use “we’re not married yet” as an excuse to delay even a kiss on the cheek.

‘What do I do…’

As Edelis anxiously darted her eyes around, Lehan took a step back.

“I’m looking forward to our marriage. There are so many things I’ve held back on until then—what am I going to do once we’re married?”

His meaningful smile made her heart tighten.

“Until then, please prepare yourself. Even if you try to delay… it won’t be delayed.”

“….”

Edelis nodded. After all, it was the Emperor’s wedding—they would need lots of preparation. It wouldn’t be anytime soon, she told herself. She needed to use the time wisely to figure out how to survive this crisis. Maybe the safest path was to hand Lehan over to the female protagonist. But even so, she’d still end up marrying him. In the book, she was already the Empress, after all.

“Good thing I already ordered the preparations to be rushed.”

“…Huh?”

“There should be handmaids waiting for you in your office.”

But no matter how rushed things were, she had only arrived yesterday. Surely, it would take at least a few months. That was Edelis’s optimistic assumption—but Lehan’s timeline was far more urgent.

“Envoys will begin arriving next week. You won’t need to worry about it.”

“Why are they coming? Is something going on?”

He said envoys, plural. It wasn’t often that many foreign delegations came at once. Surely not… right? Edelis tried to deny the looming reality.

But as always, Lehan shattered her illusions.

“They have to attend our wedding, don’t they?”

“…They’re coming already?”

“Typically, they arrive about a week before the ceremony.”

“….”

Envoys arrive a week before the wedding. But envoys were coming next week. So when was the wedding?

“…The week after next?!”

“Yes. Water Day, the week after next, is the wedding.”