Chapter 22

Edelis refused to interpret what Sir Pasis was saying.

‘Sir Pasis, why would you say that to me?!’

But then Edelis recalled the sorrowful expression she had seen on his face in the book—and suddenly, it all started to make sense.

‘Could it be… that time, he really did look so sad because he liked the Empress—me?’

Somehow, it felt like puzzle pieces were finally falling into place.

‘But why would Sir Pasis like me? No, that’s not the point right now.’

“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.”

“I’m not saying this because I expect anything in return. I simply wanted you to know.”

“I only ever wanted to get along with you, Sir Pasis. That’s all.”

“Yes. I know.”

“Then why…?!”

If Lehan were to find out, Sir Pasis would likely be reassigned. And bringing him back later wouldn’t be easy. His sudden confession left her flustered. This was so far from anything she had imagined.

“If I said it was love at first sight, would you believe me?”

“…Honestly, we’ve barely even exchanged greetings.”

When I was the one trying to be friendly, he was always so distant. And now this?

“Even if I liked you, do you think I could show it?”

“And yet here you are, being very obvious about it.”

“I hadn’t planned to go this far.”

“Then why…?”

“Because it made me happy to see Your Majesty today at the knights’ headquarters. And happier still that you encouraged me.”

That was just part of her effort to build a connection. She hadn’t expected things to escalate like this.

“And didn’t you express concern for me, not just the Emperor?”

Edelis tried to glare at him in frustration, but relaxed her expression—barely. No matter what, it felt wrong to scold someone who had just confessed their feelings.

“But I was also worried about His Majesty. And I don’t think this dangerous situation can be justified.”

“……”

“And, Sir Pasis, let’s be realistic. Even if—and that’s a big if—I were to accept your feelings, I’d be demoted and exiled from the country. And as a royal guard, you’d likely face execution.”

Exile. Until recently, Edelis had desperately wanted that. But now, the idea no longer brought her comfort.

‘No, exile might not even happen. They might just add another crime to my charges.’

The biggest reason? Lehan loved her—consistently, earnestly. Being with Sir Pasis instead? That was absurd.

‘Things are starting to differ from the future I saw in the book. Maybe I won’t be killed or exiled after all.’

Compared to the previous minor differences, this was major. Especially Lehan’s affection—so much stronger now than in the wedding scenes she had read. As she fell silent, Sir Pasis made her a proposal.

“Could we start with you calling me by name?”

“……”

“Surely that much is reasonable, given the ‘closeness’ you spoke of.”

Edelis felt a headache coming on. She hadn’t anticipated a confession from him. Normally, she’d have said, “All right, Sir Berman!” with ease. But not now.

“Sir Pasis.”

“Berman. Please, call me Berman.”

“……”

“Even if it’s only when we’re alone.”

“…Berman.”

Edelis regretted asking now. She had no idea how to handle the situation.

And just then, a deep, cold voice called out the knight’s name.

“…Pasis. Are you trying to die?”

“Lehan!”

Lehan’s sudden appearance made Edelis jump to her feet. There had been no indication that Pasis would be coming—let alone Lehan. He hadn’t knocked. No one had announced the Emperor’s arrival. The door had just… opened.

‘How long has he been listening?’

There was no way he could have barged in like that unless he had overheard everything. Edelis quickly grew worried that she might’ve said something wrong.

“Edelis, why is Sir Pasis here?”

“Uh—he’s a royal guard, so it’s not strange for him to be here!”

She had meant to defend herself, but to Lehan, it sounded like she was defending Pasis, which only worsened his mood.

“Berman Pasis, you’re supposed to be on leave.”

“I… couldn’t let go of my duties and didn’t take my leave.”

“Bold of you to admit to disobeying an imperial order.”

Pasis’s expression stiffened. His intentions had been noble, but the command to take a break had come from the Emperor himself. So in the end, it was as Lehan said: insubordination. Lehan could punish him for that alone.

“Edelis may have liked you, but don’t mistake that for anything else.”

“……”

“She liked you as her guard. Isn’t that right, Edelis?”

Even though Edelis had already rejected Pasis several times, she felt guilty for putting Lehan in this uncomfortable situation.

‘What if Lehan misunderstood? What if his attitude toward me changes?’

Negative thoughts filled her head.

‘We’ve been together since childhood…’

He had always been her dear one, but only now did she truly realize how much she liked him. And the idea of Lehan—who had always loved her—changing was unbearable.

“Edelis?”

“Lehan…”

Tears streaming down her cheeks, Edelis walked up to Lehan and embraced him. She buried her face in his chest and quietly cried. Lehan let out a small sigh and gently patted her back.

“Berman Pasis, I want to exile you immediately—but since there are so many outsiders in the palace right now, I’ll hold off.”

“…Yes, Your Majesty.”

“You’ll continue guarding until the wedding and banquet are over—in one week. Then you’ll be suspended for a month.”

“Understood.”

There was nothing Berman Pasis could do but obey the Emperor’s command. His fists clenched and trembled with helplessness. The weight of his lowly status crushed him.

“Now get out of my sight.”

Lehan didn’t bother hiding his fury as he dismissed him. Pasis bowed formally and exited the room. His lips were bleeding from how hard he had bitten them. And just before he shut the door, he shot Lehan a piercing glare—cold as ice.

“Edelis.”

Still holding her, Lehan gently stroked her back in comfort. It was his usual way of reacting, but Edelis’s feelings were anything but calm. She clung tighter to him, sobbing harder, and he let out a long sigh.

“Why are you crying? Is it because of him?”

Edelis gave a small nod, and Lehan had to restrain himself from going after that silver-haired knight and tearing him apart. A real sword duel suddenly sounded appealing. He regretted not going through with one earlier that day.

“Are you that upset I took him off your guard duty?”

Edelis shook her head. Lehan was about to ask why, but she lifted her face slightly while still in his arms. Her eyes were filled with tears, and the tip of her nose was red.

“…Lehan.”

“Yes.”

Just hearing her say his name, her voice trembling with emotion, was enough to shake him.

“You’re not… misunderstanding anything, are you?”

“Misunderstanding what?”

“…There’s nothing between me and Sir Pasis.”

“Is that what has you crying?”

Edelis couldn’t look him in the eye. She couldn’t bring herself to ask him outright whether his feelings had changed—so she hinted, hoping his reaction would reassure her.

“…Yeah…”

Then she lowered her head again, burying her face in his chest. His shirt was getting soaked, but he didn’t mind. Moments ago, he had been furious—ready to see that knight dead—but now…

“Edelis.”

She looked up at him again.

“…I’m not misunderstanding anything.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Then… nothing’s going to change between us, right?”

“There’s no reason for it to.”

When Lehan had heard that Pasis had visited the Empress, he had immediately rushed over. The maid had tried to inform her lady, but voices had carried out into the corridor.

―If I said it was love at first sight, would you believe me?

Worried that Edelis might face scandal, Lehan had made the maid keep quiet. He had wanted to storm in—but knowing she had once taken interest in that knight, he hesitated. But when he heard Edelis reject him outright, saying they’d barely exchanged greetings, it gave him strength. He wanted to keep listening—but the knight wouldn’t back off. That’s why he had come in.

“That man’s feelings were entirely one-sided, weren’t they?”

When Edelis nodded with relief, he finally relaxed.

“You believe me?”

“Yes.”

He had heard it with his own ears. There was no room for doubt.

“Thank goodness.”

Seeing Edelis smile in relief made an uncomfortable feeling stir in Lehan’s heart again.

“But Edelis, that doesn’t mean I’m no longer angry.”

“Why? You said you didn’t misunderstand anything.”

“I didn’t. But I clearly told you before, didn’t I? I hate you being around a bunch of men—but I hate it even more when it’s just one.”

He hadn’t expected to bring it up today.

“…It won’t happen again.”

“Edelis, how can you be so sure this won’t happen again?”

Her innocent eyes asked, “Then what?” And he once again realized—he was always the one worrying. He knew better than anyone how charming she was. When he had been her guard in the past, he had fallen for her—and now Pasis had done the same.

“This won’t do. Even if it’s not Pasis, something like this could happen again.”

Assigning her a guard was a mistake. No one else should ever be that close to her.

“From now on, stay by my side at all times.”

“Why?!”

“If we’re together, you won’t need another guard. I will protect you.”

She looked completely overwhelmed. But Lehan couldn’t afford to let her go.

“But you’re the Emperor! What if you get hurt trying to protect me…”

“Edelis, you are more important than I am.”

“……”

“I told you—I don’t want to order you.”

“But—”

“This is my first request—as your Emperor and your husband.”

He hadn’t wanted to bring up his title, knowing it made her uncomfortable. But he had no choice. This time, he had stopped it in time—but if she were alone again, he might not be able to.

“…What do you want me to do?”

“When you’re reading, bring your book to the imperial office. I’ll be right next to you.”

“If that’s all… all right.”

Edelis agreed more easily than expected.

“And, Edelis.”

“Hm?”

“From today onward… you’ll sleep in my chamber.”