Chapter 58

However, Lord Pasis said nothing. Even though he had confessed his feelings to me, I had already turned him down, and I truly had nothing going on with Lord Frache, so I didn’t worry too much. Although Lehan seemed quite displeased when he heard about it.

“You mean he was jealous just because you had tea time together?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“Then I’ll either join your tea time or accompany you on your walks.”

“Would the Saintess really get jealous over something like that?”

“I’d get jealous over something like that.”

“…Then I guess the Saintess might too.”

So, in the end, I went on walks and had tea with Lord Frache in the garden or on the terrace inside the palace.

“The Saintess seems to be paying more attention to me lately.”

“Wow, really? That’s great!”

“I think the goal is finally within reach.”

Lord Frache couldn’t stop smiling as he said that. Then, sensing someone’s gaze, he turned his head and saw the Saintess approaching from a distance.

“Oh, the Saintess is coming.”

“Don’t you think you’re showing how happy you are a bit too much?”

“I’ll have to be careful.”

Even though she was quite far away, the Saintess recognized Edelis and Lord Frache right away and walked directly toward them. Lord Frache stiffened slightly as he tried to act natural.

“Hello, Your Majesty.”

“Nice to see you, Saintess.”

“Your Majesty seems to be quite close with Sir Johannes.”

“Does it look that way? Hehe.”

Edelis didn’t answer clearly. It would go against the jealousy strategy to firmly deny it, and if she confirmed it, Lehan might get jealous.

“We’ve grown close recently. Right, Sir?”

“Yes, I’ve received a lot of help.”

“I could help too, you know…”

“But it’s a kind of help only Her Majesty can give.”

“…”

The Saintess looked like she was swallowing back something she wanted to say. Her displeasure was clear for anyone to see.

‘Is the jealousy plan actually working?’

Edelis thought that if she were the Saintess, she would have chosen Lord Frache, who liked her, rather than Lehan, who was a long shot.

“Do you have something to say to either of us?”

“Huh? Oh no, I just came to say hello.”

“In that case, it’s about time for the guard shift, so we’ll be heading back.”

“Then I hope we can chat again soon.”

“Yes, I heard you’ll be leaving soon. I’ll try to arrange something before that.”

“…Okay.”

Edelis returned to the palace with Lord Frache. Behind them, the Saintess bit her lip.

“…Even Johan…”

Lord Frache escorted Edelis to her study and handed over the guard duty.

‘Lately the book hasn’t been glowing. Is it because things are different from the book now?’

There hadn’t been much information in the book to begin with, so she was a bit worried. She took the book out and skimmed through the content from the beginning. Although it wasn’t a lot, it had changed quite a bit from the current reality, which was somewhat reassuring. But beyond what the Saintess had told her, she still didn’t know much about the book itself, and that was frustrating.

‘Maybe I should look into it more?’

At first, she had been trying to divorce Lehan. Then she tried to avoid the Saintess. Then the plague came. It had all been so hectic. Now that she finally had a moment to breathe, it didn’t seem like a bad time to investigate the book. She hadn’t dared to hand it over to a lab before, fearing it might be taken for research. But now, she didn’t have to worry about that.

‘Because now, I’m the Empress!’

Resolving herself, Edelis decided to take the book back to her palace. Truthfully, she wanted to head straight to the imperial library and ask a scholar. But people had loose lips, and eyes and ears were everywhere in the castle. It was much easier to bring one trustworthy person to her palace and make sure they kept quiet. Soon after, Lord Pasis, who had taken over from Lord Frache, arrived, and Edelis was ready to head back to the Ruby Palace. But just after leaving the study, the book suddenly began to glow brightly.

“…Why now?”

“Is something wrong?”

“Oh, no.”

She knew that others couldn’t see the book glowing, but she still felt uneasy. She tried to act nonchalant, but worried about someone noticing—especially the Saintess, who knew about the book.

‘If she finds out the contents of the book…’

The Saintess had been interested in the book from the start. If she read what was inside, things could get dangerous.

‘Especially if she knew she was originally supposed to be the Empress, while she’s in love with Lehan.’

Edelis quickened her pace to leave the Emerald Palace study and head for the Ruby Palace. But the moment she stepped outside, the book’s glow vanished.

‘What? Why did it stop?’

Edelis hesitated. Should she go back to her palace or return to the study? People were watching and greeting her as she passed, so she couldn’t stand there pondering for long.

‘I’ll go back to the closest study.’

Though the Ruby Palace was just next door, there was a chance she might run into someone new. In that sense, the study she had just left was safer.

“I think I forgot something in the study. Let’s go back for a moment.”

“If you tell me what it is, I’ll have a maid bring it.”

“That’s okay.”

She didn’t need that kind of help. With a gentle smile, Edelis turned back immediately. And as soon as she stepped into the corridor inside the palace, the book started glowing again.

‘What is this, seriously?’

She had never taken the book out of the study since entering the imperial palace, so this had never happened before. Edelis tried her best not to show her confusion. At the door to the study, she said to Lord Pasis:

“I’ll be quick. Please wait here.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Once the door was closed, Edelis quickly opened the book.

“Where is it? Where?”

She glanced nervously at the door, worried it might open, so she couldn’t find the new part right away. But since she had read the book many times, she quickly spotted the new section. It was toward the end.

‘There it is!’ she thought, and then a vision appeared before her eyes.

The vision showed the corridor of the Emerald Palace, where she had just been. There, the Emperor and the Saintess were embracing each other happily. The Emperor kissed her forehead and cheek again and again, as if he couldn’t contain his love for her. Just like Lehan did with Edelis.

『Keirhan, you can’t do this here.』

『Why not?』

『What if someone sees?』

『You’re my wife. Isn’t it a good thing for a man to show affection to his wife?』

『Well, yes, but…』

She said it was a problem, but in a tone that made it clear she didn’t really mean it. Naturally, the Emperor didn’t stop. Instead, he kissed her again, this time on purpose.

“If they’re going to do that, why don’t they just go to the bedroom? There’s a room right there—why make out in the hallway?”

Edelis vowed that if the book ever glowed in a bedroom, she would never open it and get out immediately. Whether it was her in the scene or not, she didn’t want to see it. After all, the Emperor in the book wasn’t Lehan, the man who cherished and loved her. But even thinking that, it was hard to keep her cool, since they shared the same face and voice. She wanted to punch both the Emperor and the Saintess, but unfortunately, she couldn’t touch them.

『K–Keirhan!』

『What is it?』

『Um, Johannes is…』

The Saintess looked apologetic as she spoke. The Emperor didn’t let go of her—in fact, he tightened his hold as he looked over at him.

『What is it?』

『…Didn’t you call for me?』

『Oh, right. I did.』

The Emperor smirked with one side of his mouth. He looked relaxed, but there was something irritating about his expression.

『Elaine, I’m sorry, but could you go inside first?』

『Okay, Keirhan. I’ll see you later, Johannes.』

『Yes, Your Majesty.』

『Elaine, you’re supposed to call him Lord Frache.』

『Okay. Then I’ll go now. Keirhan, Lord Frache.』

The Saintess smiled and went into the room across the hall. Through the slightly open door, Edelis saw a lavish bed.

‘I will never go into that room. The book wouldn’t describe that scene, would it? Please, no.’

Edelis felt even more suffocated seeing their expressions. It felt like she had just watched her husband cheat on her in real time. She recalled some of the curses she’d heard in the city and muttered them under her breath. Once the Saintess had closed the door behind her, the conversation resumed.

『You looked like your eyes were about to pop out.』

『Pardon?』

『Elaine. My wife.』

『I know.』

『Then why not give up already?』

『…I’m not thinking anything improper.』

『You don’t look that way to me.』

『I’m not. So there’s no need for this act.』

『What are you talking about?』

『I mean you don’t have to go this far just to show off in front of me.』

Lord Frache clenched his fist as he spoke. But the Emperor just chuckled at him.

『I’ll think about it.』

Given how things were now, it was hard to believe. Currently, Lehan and Lord Frache get along well. From what Lord Frache had told her, they were comrades who’d faced death together. Now, Lord Frache liked the Saintess, and Lehan loved Edelis. It was all peaceful.

‘But how did it come to this…?’

The fact that the Saintess called the Emperor “Keirhan” rather than “Lehan” was the least of her worries. The vision ended as the tension between the two men reached its peak.

As soon as the vision ended, Edelis grabbed a random book and stepped outside.

“Sir Pasis, did you wait long?”

“No, Your Majesty. I’ll escort you back to your quarters.”

“Thank you. Let’s hurry—it’s getting late.”

In truth, she just didn’t want to bump into the Saintess. Whatever the reason, the important thing was to leave quickly. As Pasis escorted her, he kept looking around. Though the path was familiar and short, he seemed to be taking his duty very seriously. And once Edelis stepped into the Ruby Palace, the book started glowing again.

‘Again?’

Even before and after the marriage, the book had never glowed this many times in a single day. What’s different now?

‘Could it be because I took the book out of the study?’

Come to think of it, when she read the book in the study at the mansion, it showed events that had happened there. And when she opened it in the hallway, it showed what happened in the hallway. Not always, but often.

‘Then should I take the book around and explore?’