Chapter 4

“Sniff, hic… Lehan, Lehan…”

“Yes, my Lady.”

Lehan gently patted Edelis’s back as she sobbed, patiently comforting her until her crying gradually subsided. Only after quite some time did Edelis finally lift her head.

“…Sorry. And thank you.”

“It’s nothing. Are you feeling better now?”

“Mm-hm.”

Her voice still held traces of her tears, but she knew she couldn’t cry forever. After taking several deep breaths, she finally regained some composure. As she sipped the tea Lehan handed her, Edelis fell into thought.

‘This won’t do, not like this.’

Until now, Edelis had subtly looked after Lehan. She had worried that openly favoring him might cause resentment among the other servants. Not only her, but also her father and their entire household were destined to die, the situation changed. For their sake, too, she needed to care for Lehan more seriously and openly than before. Realizing this, she concluded that what she had done so far was woefully insufficient. She started to wonder what she should do.

‘The Emperor who kills me… must be the current Crown Prince, right? The voice I heard in the book didn’t sound too old. The current Emperor is older than my father, after all.’

No matter how the marriage came about, the best course of action was to avoid contact with the Crown Prince as much as possible. Then she turned her head and met eyes with Lehan sitting beside her.

‘Then how does Lehan come to know the Crown Prince? Does he enter the palace with me when I become Empress? If not, how would a commoner ever meet the Crown Prince?’

Pondering this, Edelis tapped her knee as she considered two possible options:

Option 1: Treat Lehan exceptionally well so that, when my life is in danger later, he might plead with the Emperor to spare me.

‘If I’m kind enough, maybe he’ll speak on my behalf for old times’ sake…?’

But would an Emperor even listen to a commoner’s plea? She wasn’t confident about that part. Still, Lehan was a key figure, and he might have some influence. Then she tapped her knee twice this time.

Option 2: If word starts spreading that I’m to become Empress, I’ll run away.  

She couldn’t trust that Lehan could stop the Emperor. Rather than see her entire house destroyed because of her marriage, it might be better to escape and live a quiet life as a commoner.

‘But could a woman survive alone out there? A noble-looking woman like me is bound to stand out…’

Edelis picked up the ends of her curly golden hair and sighed softly. It was obviously well-maintained, lustrous, and golden.

‘Is there no other choice…? Either way, I’ll treat Lehan better—far better than before.’

Time was running out. The debutante ball was fast approaching. Since most marriage discussions started after the debutante season, and she was debuting this summer, Edelis knew her engagement wouldn’t be far behind.

“Lehan.”

“Yes?”

“So, um… this isn’t about me, it’s about my friend…”

Lehan knew all too well that Edelis didn’t have any friends she communicated with outside the estate. So the ‘friend’ she mentioned was clearly herself.

“Could a woman… live alone…?”

“No.”

Lehan interrupted her, even though he knew it was impolite.

“…Is it really impossible?”

“Yes. Even someone like me, who used to live in a fighting pit, knows that.”

“That’s ridiculous…”

‘So I really have no choice but to go to the palace? But what if Lehan can’t stop the Emperor?’

As Edelis sulked, Lehan spoke with quiet certainty.

“If your friend is a noble, she’s a prime target. Crimes against nobles are punished heavily, yes—but people with nothing to lose won’t care. Nobles are still targeted by thieves, are they not?”

“That’s true…”

“And has your friend thought about how she’ll survive? What she’ll do for a living?”

“Farming?”

Edelis had already requested agricultural lessons from her father. It was part of her plan in case she ever needed to run away from home. She’d need basic knowledge to survive off the land. Fortunately, the Count was pleased by her curiosity and hired a teacher. Encouraged, she’d also asked for lessons in herbal medicine, accounting, healing, and the languages of neighboring countries—Serniere and Canvier. Only naval studies had been rejected firmly by the Count, but she’d learned everything else diligently. Lehan knew all this, so her answer didn’t surprise him.

“And what will she do before the crops come in?”

“She can take some jewels with her when she leaves. They won’t sell for their full value, but it should last her until harvest.”

Edelis had been quietly collecting high-value, easy-to-carry gems that could be turned into cash. But her greatest concern was safety.

“But my friend worries that even if she takes jewels, robbers might take them.”

“…Then take an escort with you.”

“All the knights are sworn to loyalty to the family. How can I take them? It won’t work, will it?”

She had considered taking an escort. However, the knights were strictly members of the Count’s family. Why would they follow a former noble lady who was running away from the Count’s family?

“Couldn’t you take someone other than a knight as an escort?”

It seemed difficult to find a trustworthy mercenary. What if that person ran off with all the jewels and gold coins?

“…Like me.”

Edelis turned her head sharply at Lehan’s quiet suggestion.

“You?”

“Yes. I’m not bound to the household, and I have the strength to act as a guard.”

A gasp escaped Edelis’ lips.

‘Why didn’t I think of that?’

Lehan was a former gladiator and currently training under the Count’s supervision. He was strong—but not officially a knight. More importantly, he was hers. Her attendant. Maybe, if the worst happened, he could stand between her and the Emperor.

But there was one problem left.

“Just hypothetically speaking…”

“Yes?”

“If I… if I asked you to run away with me like my friend plans to do—would you come?”

Lehan had a stable life here now. She didn’t see why he should throw it away for her.

“Yes.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I’ve already sworn to protect you, haven’t I?”

“Well… yeah, but still…”

“Then promise me. Tell me before you leave.”

“…”

‘Why would he do all this for me?’

“Promise me.”

Lehan’s firm tone left no room for doubt. Edelis finally made the promise.

“You better not take it back later. If I leave this place, you’re coming with me. Got it?”

“Understood.”

Satisfied, Edelis smiled.

‘If a marriage proposal comes, I’ll just leave with Lehan.’

“Thanks, Lehan.”

“It’s nothing. Wherever you go, whatever dangers you face, I’ll protect you. Even if you’re no longer the Count’s daughter.”

Edelis’s heart fluttered.

“From anyone.”

“…You don’t even know who it’ll be.”

“If it comes to it, may I take you and run away?”

Lehan said it with a playful smile, though it didn’t seem like he had any real intention of fleeing.

“I’d love that.”

‘I’ll be ready to run. If I really end up dying at the Emperor’s hand, even then… I’ll remember this moment.’

***

“…I don’t want to go to the debutante ball.”

Time passed quietly, and the chill of early spring turned into the warmth of summer. According to the empire’s rules, all noble children had to debut at the palace ball at age eighteen. This summer was Edelis’s turn.

‘A palace ball is the last place I should be. It’s dangerous just being there.’

But a problem arose—her father insisted that she attend.

—If my daughter doesn’t even show her face at her debut, I don’t think I’ll be able to die in peace.

When he mentioned his own death, Edelis remembered the scene from the book—how he rebelled after her unjust death and ultimately failed. Covered in blood, her father had screamed in anguish.

So she couldn’t say no. In the end, she dressed for the ball and came down to the front steps to find Lehan—handsomely dressed and waiting for her. The sound of her footsteps—swish, swish—caught Lehan’s ear, and he turned to see her descending the stairs.

“…”

Their eyes met, and for a moment, they were both mesmerized by how different the other looked. Their hearts pounded so loudly they feared the other might hear. Lehan stepped forward and offered his arm.

With a deep breath and a trembling voice, he asked, “May I escort you, my Lady?”

Edelis smiled brightly and placed her hand on his arm.

“Of course.”

She had dreaded this ball, but with Lehan by her side, she felt braver.

‘If something goes wrong, Lehan will protect me.’

But as the palace came into view in the distance, her courage began to waver. She sighed again. Lehan noticed.

“Would you like to turn back?”

He looked as though he’d do it without hesitation if she asked. Knowing he was serious, she simply let out another sigh.

“…I want to… but I can’t.”

She sat stiffly, as if heading to her own execution. Soon, the carriage arrived at the venue. The door opened, and Count Brill came to escort her.

“Lehan. I’ll dance just one song and leave, okay?”

“Yes. I’ll be waiting.”

Lehan couldn’t enter the ballroom with her, being neither a noble nor of age.

The Count led her into the hall. As they entered, he began introducing her around, clearly wanting her to make connections. Edelis merely filled the space, hoping to disappear after the first dance.

Then he whispered to her,

“Edelis. If anything happens to me, seek out these people.”

Only then did she understand why her father had insisted she attend. If she never married and ended up alone, he wanted to ensure she had allies. The knowledge melted her resentment toward him.

“Announcing His Majesty, Emperor Ventus de Cronad!”

Unfortunately, Edelis was near the center of the ballroom when the Emperor entered. The crowd parted as he walked through them. Edelis held her breath as he passed. When he finally stood on the dais, he surveyed the guests and spoke: “Lift your heads.”

He offered brief congratulations to those reaching adulthood. When his eyes met Edelis’, she quickly looked away—so quickly, she didn’t see what kind of gaze he had. All she could do was wonder why he looked at her.

The Emperor took a sip of champagne, returned the glass to his steward, clapped once, and music began to play.

“Edelis.”

Her father smiled and offered his hand. She was just about to place her hand in his when someone called for him.

“Count Brill.”

The Count turned, frowning, to find Count Mille standing there.

“What is it, Count Mille?”

“Duke Darius wishes to see you.”

Count Brill’s expression twisted.

“Today is my daughter’s debutante ball. Can it not wait—”

“It concerns His Majesty.”

At the mention of the Emperor, he couldn’t refuse.

“Go ahead, Father.”

Edelis gave him a gentle push. With a heavy sigh, the Count left with Count Mille. Left alone, Edelis wondered what to do.

‘I’ll just stand here and pretend I don’t have a partner. As soon as this song ends, I’ll slip away.’

But just then, a young man with a flushed face approached her.

“Lady Edelis Brill, I don’t know if you remember me. I’m Ruta, eldest son of Viscount Baise. If you don’t have a partner…”

He meant to ask her for a dance.

“Does she not have a partner?”

A low voice came from behind her. She turned stiffly to find the Emperor, dazzlingly dressed, standing there.