Chapter 39

When Edelis called Lehan by his name, Johannes looked on with interest. It was rare enough for someone to refer to the Emperor by name, but using a pet name was unheard of. Even though they had seemed quite close at the wedding, no one would have imagined this level of familiarity. At this moment, the man before him didn’t seem like an emperor at all—just an ordinary man.

“Keirhan… I guess I can’t call you Lehan too, huh? I figured as much.”

Johannes quickly nodded when he received a sharp look from Lehan. That glare alone seemed to say, “Why would you? Do you want to die?”

“But, am I really allowed to be here?”

“Of course. I sent you a letter, didn’t I?”

“You two seem to be getting along so well—I was worried I might be intruding…”

Edelis’s face flushed red, and she quickly shook her head.

“No, no, not at all!”

“Really?”

“No! I mean, that’s not what I—!”

Johannes silently thought to himself: “A strong denial is a strong affirmation. They really do seem close.”

Seeing the Empress flustered between him and Keirhan was unexpectedly cute, despite her royal status. In a palace full of schemes and conspiracies, it was fascinating how both Keirhan and the Empress seemed like they came from simple noble families.

“So I was right, wasn’t I?”

“Ughhhhh!!”

As Edelis trembled with clenched fists, Lehan burst into laughter.

“Are you teasing me?”

“Not at all. I was just saying—you two look good together.”

“As if you’d never tease me.”

“Are you saying you trust the young duke more than your own husband?”

“How did you even twist it like that?!”

Edelis huffed, but Keirhan just laughed joyfully. It was strange seeing him chuckling like this—he never smiled before the coup. These days, it was surprising how easily laughter came to him. While his previous stern demeanor had suited an emperor, this cheerful side wasn’t bad either.

“Keirhan, the young lady you mentioned before…”

“Shh.”

Lehan grinned and pulled Edelis into his arms. That alone gave Johannes the answer. The girl Lehan once referred to in response to why he led the coup—it was the current Empress.

“What are you doing in front of someone else?!”

“Edelis.”

“What!”

“Aren’t you supposed to speak formally in front of others?”

“…….”

Realizing her mistake, Edelis slowly turned toward Johannes. Her wide, trembling eyes betrayed her embarrassment, and Johannes barely held back a laugh—especially with Lehan’s deadly serious expression behind her.

“Your Majesty, I believe you had a reason for calling me here.”

“Oh, yes! Right.”

Johannes smoothly changed the subject, and Edelis quickly regained her composure.

“Sir Frache, do you happen to know Eliana Frache?”

“…She’s my younger sister.”

His sister hadn’t even debuted in society yet. Their mother had tried to take her to tea parties with relatives, but failed every time. Even when the family hosted gatherings, Eliana would just make a brief appearance before vanishing. She spent all her time holed up in her room reading. Their father eventually banned her from buying more books. Given all that, Johannes couldn’t imagine the Empress bringing up Eliana in a good context.

“Would it be possible to meet her sometime?”

“May I ask why?”

“I borrowed some books from the library, and her name always came up in the borrower’s list. I thought it’d be nice to talk to her about them…”

Eliana’s reading material was, to put it nicely, medical in nature. Less kindly, it was about germs, diseases, and poisons. Why was the Empress interested in books like that? And when had Eliana even visited the Imperial Library? Johannes had thought she came to see him occasionally, but maybe it was the books she was after.

“I’ll let her know.”

“Thank you.”

The Empress smiled brightly and took out a letter she had prepared in advance. Despite being described as having little presence, her smile lit up her whole appearance—it became clear why such a comment might not make sense. She was already a stunning woman; it was strange to think anyone would fail to notice her.

“I wrote this in case, and I’m glad I brought it.”

The envelope read: To Eliana Frache, From Edelis Cronad, and bore the Empress’s seal. Their father would be thrilled—unless he found out the topic was Eliana’s usual reading material.

“I’ll deliver it to her today.”

“No, deliver it now.”

“Now? I’ll see her at home later—I can just give it to her then. It’s not that urgent.”

There wasn’t much work to do, but rushing seemed unnecessary. Why was the Empress insisting?

“If not, go back to the Order.”

“I was planning to anyway.”

Still, Keirhan looked anxious, glancing between Edelis and Johannes like something was bothering him.

“Then may I return to the Order now?”

“Yes, please do.”

As Johannes turned to leave, he caught a glimpse of Keirhan’s noticeably relieved face.

‘Is he… not okay with me being around the Empress?’

Keirhan didn’t dislike the Empress. Nor did he dislike Johannes. But he clearly didn’t like them being together.

‘Jealousy?’

No way. Why would the Emperor be jealous about the Empress talking to someone else? But if it was true… Johannes couldn’t help but think it would be kind of funny.

***

The following afternoon during tea time, Eliana Frache visited Edelis.

“…Hello.”

“Nice to meet you, Eliana.”

Though Edelis usually had tea in the garden, she had invited Eliana to her drawing room today. Johannes had mentioned that Eliana found other people uncomfortable, so Edelis kept only one maid nearby. Even the guards were adjusted—Johannes himself took over the duty to make Eliana more at ease. Despite this, Eliana sat hesitantly, clearly still nervous around the Empress.

“I asked you to come today because I wanted to ask you something.”

“Ask me something?”

Eliana responded in a small voice. She had heard it was about books, but she worried the Empress might criticize her for reading strange things. Her father had done so many times—why wouldn’t the Empress?

But instead, Edelis pulled out a book from a drawer and handed it to her.

“I don’t quite understand this sentence. Could you help me?”

It was a beginner’s book—not too difficult for someone like Eliana. She explained the part as best as she could. Edelis’s eyes lit up, and she immediately began asking question after question. While the book itself wasn’t marked, there were numerous sticky notes filled with her curiosities.

“…That’s why people think diseases spread between others.”

“But we can’t just stop people from gathering. Why do you think diseases spread?”

“I think maybe because people unknowingly pass them on?”

“But how?”

“I don’t know exactly… But I believe animals might also be able to spread them.”

“Animals too?”

The two continued their passionate discussion. Johannes had never seen his sister talk so much. He should’ve been happy, but the subject matter was, of course, disease.

“Since the undertaker was the first to die, corpses might spread disease too.”

And now even corpses? This wasn’t the kind of conversation a newlywed Empress or a debutante should be having. Still, it was better than her being locked away in her room reading alone.

“If animals and corpses can spread it, that means it could happen unconsciously. But how…?”

“Maybe just touching, or even being nearby. I’m not sure—it’s just a guess.”

They talked for so long that they eventually had dinner together. Johannes joined them. Lehan had wanted to as well, but Edelis declined, saying Eliana would be uncomfortable.

“It feels like time flew by.”

“…I hope I was helpful.”

“You were! I’d love to meet again, if that’s okay with you?”

“Yes, I’d like that!”

Eliana answered before looking at Johannes. It was already too late, but he didn’t intend to object. Their father would probably go wild imagining things, but if the girls enjoyed each other’s company, he would shield them.

“When should we meet again?”

“I’m free tomorrow too!”

“Then let’s meet tomorrow! Is morning okay?”

“You’re welcome anytime!”

Before it got too out of hand, Johannes intervened. At this rate, Eliana might be invited to stay the night.

“Then let’s go, Eliana. His Majesty is waiting for Her Majesty.”

Eliana looked slightly disappointed but nodded when she heard His Majesty.

“Then, Your Majesty, I’ll see you tomorrow morning!”

“I’ll bring her on my way to work.”

“Okay! I’ll be looking forward to it.”

“Me too!”

His sister had a one-track mind—if he hadn’t offered to bring her himself, she’d probably have shown up at dawn.

‘But that’s what makes her so endearing.’

As Eliana was escorted out, Edelis spoke again.

“You can walk her to the carriage if you’d like.”

“I’m still on duty. It’s not yet time for my shift to end.”

“Still, I feel bad letting her leave alone. Should I go to Lehan instead?”

“No need.”

Even though Edelis insisted it was fine, Johannes couldn’t bring himself to leave just yet. Eliana clearly enjoyed herself, and seeing her so animated was new and touching.

“Your Majesty.”

“Yes?”

“Thank you for spending time with Eliana today.”

“I should be the one thanking you! It was such a meaningful, fulfilling day.”

As her older brother, Johannes had always felt a twinge of sadness about the way others talked about Eliana in social circles. But now she had a companion. And that companion was the Empress. No one would dare say anything—unless they found out about the topics of discussion. And he’d make sure they didn’t.

“Eliana reads… less conventional books, so she doesn’t have many friends.”

“She’s a little unusual, but I like that. I’m just glad to have someone to talk to.”

“Thank you. I’ve been worried—she hasn’t even debuted yet, but rumors are already forming.”

“Well, there are plenty of rumors about me too. It’s okay. I can protect her.”

There was that rumor about the Empress dragging a young servant into her bedroom. …Though that was the Emperor’s doing.

“You’d protect my sister…?”

“She feels like a younger sister, or maybe a friend.”

“As someone who also has a sister, I swear this.”

She had been sickly as a child and fell in love with books while bedridden. Growing up without a single friend, Eliana’s first companion was a treasure.

“If anyone dares raise a sword against you, I’ll be your shield.”

“How reassuring! Must be because you’re the Captain of the Imperial Knights!”

The Empress giggled and gave him a thumbs-up.

“Not as the Knight Captain, but as Johannes Frache, heir to House Frache—I swear it.”