Chapter 52

The pink lip color that had been on Edelis’s lips was now smeared all over Lehan’s face.

‘Anyone who sees this would think I devoured him.’

But in reality, Edelis wasn’t the one who did the devouring—she was the one who had been devoured. Edelis took out a handkerchief to wipe Lehan’s lips but stopped midway.

“Edelis?”

“…Are you really okay if the Saintess sees this?”

“Yes. Even if it’s in front of the Saintess—”

“No, there’s no need to go that far!”

Showing affection in front of others once at the wedding had been enough. Honestly, she didn’t really want to show off in front of the Saintess. But the Saintess kept showing interest in Lehan. Edelis wanted to believe Lehan wouldn’t fall for her, but the book said otherwise, so a small seed of doubt remained. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if the Saintess saw a little.

“I-I’ll call the Saintess, then.”

Edelis was slightly hopeful. Maybe if the Saintess saw them like this, she would give up on Lehan.

‘I’m grateful she helped the Empire, but still! There’s no reason for her to be close to my husband!’

With a pounding heart, Edelis was about to call the Saintess. But Lehan pulled her wrist and drew her back into his arms.

“Do you think this is enough?”

“H-huh?”

“You told me not to get close to the Saintess. Is this enough?”

“…Is it not?”

“Of course not.”

Was he seriously thinking of showing her an actual kiss? No way—doing that in front of someone! Edelis’s heart pounded even more. Lehan kissed the nape of her neck, which her dress didn’t fully cover. The lipstick from his lips left a mark on her pale skin.

“We need to mark it more clearly. It’s too faint.”

Lehan was using this as an excuse to satisfy his own desire. But Edelis quickly covered the spot with her hand.

“N-no! This is enough!”

“…If you say so.”

Lehan swallowed his disappointment and rang the bell on the desk.

“It took a little longer than—”

The Saintess couldn’t finish her sentence. Lipstick was clearly smeared around the mouths of both the Emperor and Empress. The Empress awkwardly covered her neck, even attempting to wrap her hair around it. The Saintess bit her lip, then forced a smile.

“Let’s start the discussion about the future.”

“Good.”

“Then, as for Her Majesty the Empress—”

“It was thanks to the Empress that we could respond quickly. She should join the discussion.”

“…Very well.”

The Saintess’s smile was strained, but Edelis was relieved. Because she’d been present the whole time, nothing but business had happened.

“Saintess!”

Late in the evening, the discussion was interrupted by a priest rushing in to find the Saintess.

“What is it?”

“Please come to your room.”

“Can’t it wait just a little? We were just about to—”

“No, you must come now.”

“….”

The Saintess’s expression hardened for a moment before she quickly composed herself with a smile.

“Forgive me, but I’ll have to leave for today.”

“Thank you for your help.”

“Please rest well.”

“Yes, thank you.”

The Saintess left, hurrying after the priest who had rushed in.

“…I wonder what’s going on.”

“No idea.”

Lehan opened the window and knocked on the wall three times. A person dressed in tight black clothing appeared from outside the window. Edelis clutched her chest in shock. Lehan calmed her.

“It’s probably your first time seeing them. This is one of the Duke’s Shadows.”

“…Hello.”

“Greetings.”

Those known as “Shadows” were agents of the Duke’s intelligence division, used to gather information. Even after Lehan became Emperor, they continued to serve him. Although an Emperor could theoretically gather all the information within the palace, the Shadows’ speed and precision were unmatched.

“Something’s happening on the Saintess’s side?”

“Yes. Other countries are flooding us with complaints.”

“It’s about the medicine, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

The medicine had only been provided to their empire, which understandably upset the other nations. The Saintess’s followers were everywhere, but only Cronad received help.

“What about the recipe for the medicine?”

“It’s identical to Her Majesty’s formula.”

At that, Lehan looked at Edelis. If the Saintess had received a divine revelation, but Edelis already knew the formula beforehand, it was suspicious. Edelis, trying to change the subject, brought up a lingering question.

“…Wait a minute. Then the Holy Empire bought up all the Lailonia herb and used it themselves?”

“Yes.”

“They even bought the ones I tried to get from other countries?”

“That’s right.”

“Do you have proof?”

“Yes. I have it. Our agents compile both witness testimony and physical evidence.”

Initially, Edelis had planned to verify the medicine’s effectiveness and then supply it in bulk. But since the Holy Empire monopolized the herbs, she couldn’t gather enough, and the Saintess ended up supplying a large quantity first.

“Then, can we discreetly leak that to a few countries?”

The reason for this was simple. First, it would shift the attention and pressure from Cronad to the Holy Empire—helping avoid war. Since those countries had also received clerics to fight the disease, they couldn’t complain too loudly.

“Understood. We were already debating what to do.”

Lehan smiled like a villain. That in itself was a problem—it made him look even more attractive. Edelis figured he must have thought the same thing. Second, it would be payback for the rumors spread about her.

“I told you I wouldn’t let it slide.”

“You certainly did.”

Other countries would naturally try to make the medicine once Cronad revealed the recipe. But when they did, they’d find they couldn’t acquire the ingredients. Because the Holy Empire had monopolized the supply. That would raise suspicions.

‘Even if we don’t know whether the Saintess was involved, the Holy Empire certainly was.’

This level of revenge was fair. Soon, diplomatic complaints would arrive from various countries.

“But I don’t fabricate things.”

“Of course.”

Lehan chuckled as he brushed her cheek. Then his expression hardened again as he spoke to the Shadow.

“You heard?”

“Yes.”

“Execute immediately.”

“Understood.”

The Shadow disappeared through the window to carry out his orders.

“Now we’re finally alone.”

“Yeah.”

Edelis didn’t want to think about the Saintess. But no matter how much she tried, it bothered her. She leaned her tired body against Lehan.

“…Feels nice. It’s quiet.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah, except for the sound of your heartbeat—it’s so loud.”

“….”

Lehan cleared his throat as Edelis giggled.

“Hey, Lehan.”

“Yes?”

“What do you think about the Saintess?”

“The Saintess? To be honest, I’m grateful to her.”

“…I suppose so. She helped stabilize the situation with the medicine.”

“That’s part of it.”

Lehan rested his face on top of her head, drawing them even closer. The warmth of his presence spread through her.

“She also let me see a new side of you.”

“…A new side?”

“Yes. The jealous one.”

“I guess she did.”

“I’d like to see more of it, but you seem tired, so I should send her off soon.”

“Thank you. If it’s the jealous, possessive Edelis Cronad, I can show you that anytime.”

“Really?”

She used to obsess over him to the point of interfering with work. But if enduring a little embarrassment made Lehan happy, it was worth it. He asked for nothing, which made her want to give him everything.

“Yeah. I love you, Lehan. I hope you’ll keep loving only me.”

“That’s too easy.”

“Only look at me. Only love me.”

“That’s as natural as breathing.”

Edelis smiled brightly. Just from looking into his eyes, she could tell how he felt about her. That expression—like honey dripping from his gaze.

‘I really love you. More than you think.’

So please… don’t go to the Saintess. Words she couldn’t quite say aloud.

A few days later, the epidemic was nearly eradicated. The Saintess’s complexion worsened, likely due to increasing responsibilities in the Holy Empire. Still, she never missed a meeting with Lehan and Edelis. It seemed it was the only way to be near Lehan.

During one such meeting, Edelis left to get a reference book from the study. In the hallway, Lehan stood waiting.

“What about the Saintess?”

“She’s waiting inside.”

Lehan gestured toward the office, then took the heavy book from Edelis’s arms.

“Thanks.”

“Just ‘thanks’?”

“…Of course not.”

Edelis glanced around to ensure no one else was in the corridor. When the coast was clear, she rose on her toes to kiss Lehan.

“…Too tall.”

“You’re small.”

“No, you’re just tall.”

“Sure.”

It felt like he was humoring her, which made her frown.

“Hmph!”

Then she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulled him down, and kissed him.

“I’m a little taller than average, you know.”

She pouted, and Lehan stared at her.

“…What?”

“I just like you so much.”

He then pinned her to the wall and leaned in as if about to devour her.

“W-wait!”

“Why?”

“We’re in the hallway! People walk here!”

“I’m the Emperor—what’s the problem?”

Edelis, eyes darting in panic, pushed against Lehan. Not that it would move him, but—

She had made eye contact with Lord Frache.

“L-Lord Frache…”

“I’ll pretend I saw nothing if I can just vanish now.”

“Johannes Frache.”

“I only came because the Saintess is inside… why must I suffer like this?”

Edelis’s face turned crimson. She slipped out from under Lehan’s arm. As Empress, she felt it was better to quietly retreat before more people saw her.

“The Saintess’s still inside.”

“Yes. I saw nothing.”

“…”

“Then maybe you should’ve left quietly.”

“I had business in the office.”

Frache bowed, flustered. It was understandable—since the Saintess was from another country, he rarely got to see her. His feelings were obvious.

‘…Wait?’

A thought flashed through Edelis’s mind. There were four key characters in the novel: Edelis, Lehan, the Saintess, and Lord Frache. She was the villain, so out of the picture. The Saintess was loved by Lehan and Lord Frache. But now, Lehan loved her, and she loved him back. And Lord Frache still liked the Saintess.

‘Then shouldn’t I just matchmake Lord Frache and the Saintess?’