Chapter 5

A torrent of curses swept through Edelis’s mind.

“I’ve just found a partner. Thank you for your concern.”

“And who would that be?”

“Viscount Baise who was just here…”

Once again, a flood of curses stormed through her mind. The scoundrel who had been standing right in front of her was now gone. The moment the Emperor approached her, he had fled faster than light.

“If you don’t have a partner, shall I step in?”

“I’m afraid I might cause Your Majesty inconvenience due to my inexperience. I appreciate your kind offer, but…”

“It’s fine.”

The Emperor extended his hand to Edelis. Refusing him now would be akin to testing if she could die without becoming Empress.

‘Damn it… I should’ve just said I hurt my foot. Baise, you bastard, I’ll never forget this!’

With no other choice, Edelis placed her hand in the Emperor’s. Just the sensation of his hand around hers gave her goosebumps. She walked with him to the center of the ballroom, every eye now on her. She bowed her head, and the Emperor responded in kind, then wrapped his arm around her waist.

‘What the hell? Was the dance always this clingy?’

The Imperial orchestra began to play, and although it felt like she was dancing just as she’d been taught, the Emperor’s behavior was far from normal. He kept caressing her waist, pressing his body closer than necessary, brushing against her deliberately. She couldn’t exactly push the Emperor away, so she stuck to the steps she knew, trying to remain composed.

Then the Emperor chuckled and blew into her ear.

Goosebumps prickled all over her body.

“I’ll be bringing you good news very soon.”

As the music ended, the Emperor leaned close to her ear and, without warning, licked the rim of it. Frozen by the wet sensation, Edelis bowed hastily and pulled away from him. When she dared to glance at him again, the Emperor was smiling as if she were some adorable creature—somehow, that was worse.

‘Is he insane? Does he know his daughter is older than me? My father’s younger than he is!!! I should’ve known when he was getting too handsy!’

She hurried back toward the Count who had been waiting for her. Concern was plain on his face.

“Edelis, are you alright? I’m so sorry. Of all days, of course the Duke summoned me today…”

The Count couldn’t refuse a summons from the Duke. That was the nature of their status. Edelis, understanding this, shook her pale head. Even if her father had been there, it wouldn’t have changed what had happened.

“May I first go and rest …?”

“Yes, yes, I’ll go with you.”

“No, Father. It’s okay.”

Count Brill, not wanting to press her further, escorted her swiftly to the carriage.

“Lehan!”

Edelis lit up upon seeing Lehan waiting outside the carriage. She quickly climbed in, anxious that someone might follow her.

“My Lady, what happened? You look so pale…”

Lehan’s first words as he shut the door. Though Edelis had tried to greet him brightly, up close her face was devoid of all color.

“My first dance partner was the Emperor. I thought I was going to die.”

“The… Emperor?”

Lehan stiffened. Edelis nodded lightly.

“Yep. I started my debut in society with the Emperor. Why? Why me of all people…?”

Even though they were far from the palace now, she still felt sick to her stomach.

“I should never have come, no matter what Father said.”

She murmured, still pale.

“Was the dancing that hard?”

“I practiced with you hundreds of times—of course not!”

“Then what—”

“The partner was the problem! Do you know what the Emperor did? I swear he’s insane!”

Edelis, trembling with fury now that she was in a safe place, recounted everything: the Emperor’s hand lingering between her waist and hip, the excessive pressing of his body, the breath at her ear, and finally the tongue that touched her earlobe. She hadn’t been able to think clearly in the palace, her nerves frayed and anxious. But now that she was out and safe, fury welled up and wouldn’t settle down. It continued even after they reached her room.

“You think I dressed up this beautifully just to be groped?!”

She wanted to rip off the ornaments in her hair and throw them all away. But she had never dressed this beautifully before—not once since seeing that book. So she restrained herself and fumed.

Then, Lehan, who had been escorting her with a complicated expression, knelt before her on one knee. Surprised, Edelis looked down at him.

“…Lehan?”

“My lady, would you grant me a dance?”

His hand trembled slightly as he reached out to her. His ears were already red, and though his face was lowered, it was obvious he was blushing. Edelis chuckled at the sight. He was dressed so nicely today, after all. She’d been reluctant to change out of her clothes anyway—this was perfect. She placed her hand atop his.

Lehan looked up at her, startled.

“You’re the one who asked. Why are you surprised?”

“I thought… you might refuse.”

“How could I say no to such a handsome man kneeling before me? Not everyone does that just to ask for a dance, you know.”

“…”

Flustered, Lehan rose and assumed the formal dance posture, just as they’d practiced so many times before. Edelis smiled and hummed a familiar tune, one they’d often danced to.

Dancing without the grandeur of the Imperial Palace, simply enjoying the moment, lightened her mood. The Emperor’s touch still lingered faintly, but it was easier to bear now. No Emperor, no Crown Prince, no royalty to worry about—just her and Lehan moving in perfect step.

“Want to dance another?”

“Gladly.”

Lehan took her hand again. His hand trembled slightly. Edelis remembered how he’d blushed awkwardly when she first asked him to help her practice, but now—thanks to their daily rehearsals—he moved with grace and confidence. She laughed lightly and hummed another tune. The terrace doors were open, letting in a cool night breeze under the shining moonlight.

“You’ve gotten really good at this!”

“Thank you.”

“Alright, which dance next?”

As she swayed, humming absentmindedly, Lehan made a tentative suggestion.

“How about the Léchute?”

“Léchute? Yes, yes, perfect!”

Edelis began humming her favorite song for that dance. They smiled at each other and began to move again.

Knock knock—

Just as they were enjoying their dance, a knock came at the door. They paused, stepping apart politely. Edelis lifted her skirt gracefully and bowed. Lehan placed a hand over his heart and bowed in return. They laughed quietly together, but the knocking came again. This time, Edelis opened the door to find her father, looking far worse than when they’d left the palace.

“Father?”

“…Let’s talk in the drawing room.”

“What’s wrong?”

Something was definitely amiss. Her father said nothing further, leading her to the drawing room where the Emperor’s Chamberlain was waiting.

“You’re late.”

“…Apologies.”

Edelis had no idea what was going on. The chamberlain pulled out a sealed letter bearing the Imperial crest.

Ahem.

He gave a signal, and both her father and Edelis knelt. The chamberlain then opened the letter and read its contents aloud.

“By order of His Imperial Majesty of the Cronad Empire: Lady Edelis of House Brill is hereby designated a candidate for Empress Consort. She shall present herself at the palace within seven days.”

It felt as if the sky had collapsed.

‘What’s happening…? Did the future change?’

Edelis felt the ground give way beneath her. She had hoped the future might change—but not like this. The Count responded dutifully, but Edelis couldn’t speak. When her father gently patted her back, she finally found her voice.

“Ah… y-yes, understood.”

Her eyes trembled uncontrollably. The chamberlain said he would return in seven days and left. But Edelis remained kneeling, unable to move.

‘This can’t be happening. Empress Consort? In the book, I was always called Empress. I thought I was going to be an Empress… Could it be that I become Empress after being a consort?’

No, the Emperor’s voice in her memory had sounded far younger than the one she heard today. That meant the Emperor in her memories wasn’t this one. If she did become a consort, it would be to the Crown Prince, not the current Emperor.

Her head throbbed. The future she had known no longer aligned with the present unfolding before her.

‘I need to check the book.’

She couldn’t sit here forever. There are only seven days left. Leaving her concerned father behind, she ran to the study and pulled out the book, flipping to the page where her name appeared. It still referred to her as Empress.

‘Then is this book a lie? But what about Lehan—he was in the arena…’

None of it made sense. Her head pounded.

“My Lady.”

Lehan entered the study, helping her up and leading her to the couch.

“Lehan…”

“The Count told me everything.”

“I… I’m supposed to be a consort… but I didn’t know. That wasn’t in the book…”

She was overwhelmed, muttering incoherently. Lehan tried to calm her.

“It’ll be alright.”

“What if I become a consort? What if I become Empress after that?”

“My Lady, it’ll be alright.”

“How can you be so sure?!”

Edelis lashed out, not even knowing what she was saying. It was the worst. Truly, the worst.

“…Sorry.”

“It’s alright.”

His bittersweet smile brought her back to reality. She wasn’t consort yet. Just a candidate. She had to stop this.

“Lehan, let’s run away. You said we could if I had to leave. I’ve got everything ready. We can go tonight. We can sneak out with horses and—”

“I don’t mean to refuse, my Lady. It’s just… I thought you wanted to stay with the Count.”

Of course she did.

“I do! But just because I want something doesn’t mean I can have it…”

She burst into tears.

Eventually, through the sobs, she looked up and clutched Lehan’s shoulders. An idea had struck her. A way to stay—without going to the palace.

“There’s a way.”

“What is it?”

“If the Emperor rejects the marriage… it’s over, right?”

“Do you have a plan?”

Her eyes went to the sword at his hip.

“If I have a scar on my face, he’ll reject me.”

“…What?”

That should work. She would stay, and the Emperor would refuse her. She braced herself and said again:

“I can’t do it myself. It’ll hurt too much. Will you do it?”

“Absolutely not!”

“No, if it’s quick, like slash, it won’t hurt much.”

Lehan turned pale and objected.

“I’ll help you stay here—but not like that.”

“Is there any other way?”

Truthfully, she was scared of the pain. Lehan’s words brought her relief, though she worried—was his method truly effective?

“If it brings dishonor… is that alright?”

She nodded. Death or treason were worse than disgrace. She would not be that Emperor’s consort. She wouldn’t die either. Dishonor was the better path.

“If possible, make it painless.”

She said with determination. Lehan leaned in and gently touched his forehead to hers, brushing her cheek softly.

“Tonight, I’ll come to you. Make sure the maids don’t disturb us.”

“We’re running away? Should I pack?”

Lehan smiled softly, his eyes curving.

“No. I’ll prepare everything. Just wait for me.”

* * *

Even though it was the middle of the night, Edelis couldn’t sleep. She paced restlessly around her room. She had already told her maid earlier that she was too tired and would be going to bed early. She had also asked not to be disturbed and hoped that things would stay quiet outside. Other than the regular patrols, no one was likely to come by tonight.

Not long after, a quiet knock sounded at the door. Unable to contain herself, she ran to open it softly.

“Lehan!”

She couldn’t raise her voice, but the excitement in her tone was impossible to hide. As soon as Lehan entered the room cautiously, she shut the door behind him. No sooner had the door closed than Lehan spoke in a serious tone.

“My Lady, are you truly sure about this?”

“It won’t hurt, right?”

“It shouldn’t be painful.”

Despite his words, his expression was grim as he drew a dagger with a greenish-blue hilt from his cloak. Edelis felt her heart drop. She had no desire to be stabbed like in the book. Seeing “Edelis Cronad” wounded by a blade in those pages had been traumatizing enough.

‘Then why is he pulling out a knife?’

If things were to unfold just like in the book, she’d be stabbed by the Emperor anyway. But she had no desire to get stabbed before becoming Empress. Of course, not that anyone wanted to be stabbed.

“My Lady… are you truly alright with something disgraceful?”

Her gaze kept flicking to the dagger in his hand. She trusted that Lehan wouldn’t stab her like the Emperor, yet she couldn’t stop glancing at that weapon.

“So we’re using that method after all?”

Edelis closed her eyes and leaned her face forward. She scrunched her features tightly, steeling herself for the pain to come.

“My Lady, you won’t be the one hurt. You can open your eyes.”

That was an odd thing to say. “You won’t be hurt” implied that someone else would be. Still wincing, she cracked one eye open—and saw Lehan striding past her without giving her a chance to speak. He walked over to the bed, kneeled onto it, pulled back the blanket, and then—without hesitation—slit his own palm with the dagger.