Chapter 30

As Edelis looked around and noticed everyone’s attention was focused on them, she grabbed Lehan’s hand and quickly left. If they stayed any longer, they would be bombarded with questions like “What on earth is going on?”—especially since it wouldn’t be good for people to find out that Lehan, the Emperor, had once been the “Count’s daughter’s servant.” That made her move even faster. After leaving the Emerald Palace’s banquet hall, the place she followed him to was Lehan’s bedroom—the same one she’d seen before.

“…It’s still daytime.”

“I’m aware.”

“…”

Silence settled in the room, to the point even breathing felt cautious. When Lehan stepped closer, Edelis quickly opened her mouth.

“Lehan!”

“Yes?”

“…Are you really okay saying those kinds of things?”

“What things do you mean? That I once came to your bedroom? That I’m marrying you to take responsibility for that?”

“No, no!”

“Then… saying I’m bringing you into my bedroom today?”

Edelis had tried to change the atmosphere, but it quickly became clear her effort was in vain. Contrary to her intentions, Lehan’s words closed the distance between them step by step. His arm reached around her waist, causing her to suck in a breath.

“L-Lehan.”

“Can’t we talk more about this later?”

Lehan’s face leaned in so close, he filled her entire view. His lips were already just a breath away.

‘And that will be the start!’

Just like the kiss from earlier at the end of the wedding—long and lingering. It wouldn’t end with a light peck like before. Even if she wanted to back away, her waist was held too firmly for her to move. Edelis turned her head and pushed against his chest with both hands.

“Are you… rejecting me now?”

His voice was low—unlike his usual self. Rather than letting her go, Lehan tightened his hold on her.

“Is it because of that bastard Berman Pasis?”

“Why are you bringing Sir Pasis up now?”

“Is he still on your mind?”

“No! Not at all!”

She had thought she needed to find a way to contact Sir Pasis… but that was before entering this room with Lehan. Since being alone with him, there was no space in her head for anything—or anyone—else.

“Then why are you rejecting me?”

“No, it’s not that!”

“So you’re saying you’re not rejecting me?”

Lehan cupped her cheek in one hand, turning her face toward him. So close their breaths intertwined, he smiled softly, and Edelis’s heart pounded in her chest.

“Can you hear it?”

“Hear what?”

Her heart’s pounding was so loud it felt like even he could hear it—how embarrassing. But Lehan, despite his composed face, spoke quickly.

“My heart feels like it’s going to burst. If you did hear it, you might worry that it’ll really explode.”

“…Mine too.”

Knowing she wasn’t the only one nervous helped—just a little. She let her guard down just a little… and then a new, different sound emerged.

Grrrrrrgle.

“…”

“…”

Neither of them spoke.

It clearly wasn’t Lehan’s stomach—so the culprit was obvious. Edelis’s face turned bright red, practically shouting ‘It was me.’

“Well… I haven’t eaten anything since early this morning.”

“That was my mistake.”

Lehan moved to call the attendants, reluctantly letting her go—but not before stealing a couple more kisses. When the bell rang, the head maid and an attendant entered.

“Prepare a meal.”

“We anticipated His Majesty might be hungry and already made preparations.”

“Excellent.”

“Then, let us help Her Majesty change first.”

“Alright.”

At Edelis’s permission, the maids swarmed in to set up a screen. As she was guided behind it, she noticed Lehan still sitting in his chair.

“…Lehan?”

“Yes?”

“Aren’t you leaving?”

“No.”

“…”

“…”

He looked at her like he truly didn’t understand why he should leave.

“I’m about to change.”

“I know.”

“Then please leave.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m changing clothes.”

It was baffling why he needed this explained. But his next words left her speechless.

“We’ll be seeing a lot more than that from now on.”

“…”

“All sorts of things.”

Leaning his chin on his hand, he grinned lazily, and Edelis was left speechless.

‘Lehan has… changed. He didn’t used to be like this?!’

The old Lehan was more shy—he’d blush and step away when people mistook them for lovers while walking together. Back then, he would say it was harder to guard her if he stood so far away. But now… he embraced her, kissed her more, and now he was openly teasing her. Her poor heart couldn’t take it.

“…Am I really supposed to wear this?”

Edelis was stunned behind the screen. She whispered to the head maid, but the woman nodded enthusiastically.

“It’s worse than last time.”

“It’s your wedding night, isn’t it?”

“And last time?”

“That was just a night.”

“…”

“So naturally, the outfit for your first night together should be more special.”

Compared to what she wore two nights ago in Lehan’s bedroom, this outfit was far more outrageous. It was not only shorter—it was practically transparent.

“But it’s still daytime!”

“…Then we’ll bring it back tonight.”

“No need to bring it at all.”

The head maid looked disappointed, muttering about how nice it was, even holding the fabric up to the light—revealing how sheer it really was. Edelis finally dressed in something more appropriate and felt relieved. But as soon as she looked at herself, her face flushed again, and she had to fan herself as she stepped out.

“That outfit looks lovely as well.”

“Thank you.”

“But I think there’s something you still don’t realize.”

“…What?”

She couldn’t even guess. Lehan extended his arm to escort her, and Edelis naturally placed her hand on it. As she stood next to him, he leaned in to whisper at her ear.

“It’s not about day or night.”

His low, lazy voice tickled her ear, and she instantly felt embarrassed. Clearly, he’d overheard her conversation with the head maid.

“Does it matter whether it’s day or night?”

“…”

“What matters is whether you’re willing or not.”

And I, am very willing.

Upon hearing the unspoken conclusion, Edelis nearly tripped.

‘I can’t even relax during the day!’

But Lehan wasn’t finished.

“Itdoesn’t matter what you wear.”

“My clothes?”

“Whether it’s a dress like now, or like last night…”

“Stop!”

Flustered, Edelis covered his mouth with her hands. Lehan stared at her hands, then grabbed her wrists with one hand and gave her a deep kiss.

She tried to pull back, but it was useless.

“Whatever you wear—day or night—it doesn’t matter.”

“Even if I wear something falling apart?”

“Yes. But if it’s a pure white sacred robe, I might be a little shocked.”

Lehan chuckled lightly, and Edelis was taken aback. He probably meant to say she’d still be attractive even in something religious, like a priestess’s robe. But the word “sacred” made her think of “saintess”, and that brought up a recent memory:

—“I told you. It’s a book that shows the future. What it shows is indeed the set future.”

A predetermined future. Remembering what the Saintess had said made her mood sink. It was hard to believe that the Lehan, who just declared he’d devour her whole, would one day kill her. She didn’t want to believe it. He was consistent in his love, thoughtful in small ways, always putting her first—even above the Saintess.

—“It was written in the temple’s records.”

The temple had predicted harvests, avoided disasters, even foreseen the coming of the Saint. So their records were far more trustworthy than personal judgment. Though Edelis wanted to believe Lehan would never betray her, doubt crept in.

“…Lehan.”

“Yes?”

He sensed the sudden shift in her tone. From the moment he mentioned the sacred robes, she’d changed. That was the only clue he had.

“Remember what the Saintess said earlier? About the book?”

“Oh, the one that shows the future?”

“Yeah.”

“Are you interested? Should I look into it?”

“You can do that?!”

If Edelis wanted it, Lehan would bring it—whatever it was. He had the power, money, and will. He guessed she’d remembered the book and gotten upset. So he wanted to give her what she was curious about—to make her smile again.

“It won’t be easy. But it’s worth a try, don’t you think?”

“I’d like that!”

Edelis smiled brightly, and Lehan smiled back. Her mood seemed to dictate his own.

“I didn’t expect you to be interested in something like that.”

“I just… wonder if it really shows the future.”

“If you looked into it, what kind of future would you want to see?”

“…A happy one.”

One where you aren’t happy after killing me and destroying my family.

“We don’t need a book to see that future. I’ll make sure it happens.”

Edelis leaned her head on his shoulder.

“I hope so.”

“It will.”

Finally arriving at the dining room, Edelis could enjoy a peaceful meal. The table was oddly filled with stamina-boosting dishes, but she decided to ignore that. As the meal ended, Lehan spoke again.

“I’ll still try to find the book. Since you want to see it.”

“Okay, thank you. Just don’t overdo it.”

Lehan smiled, pleased by her concern.

“It’s fine. First, I’ll try to bring it up before the delegation leaves.”

“…That soon?”

Two conflicting emotions warred within her. One wanted to delay out of fear it might be true. The other wanted to confirm quickly that it wasn’t.

But she didn’t have time to dwell on it.

“It’ll be easiest while the Saintess is still here.”

“…That quickly?”

“Yes. Since she said she saw the records herself, it’s best to ask her directly.”

When Lehan mentioned “the Saintess,” Edelis’s heart thudded in her chest—not in a romantic way, but with dread.

“I’ll arrange a meeting with the Saintess.”