Episode 07

The Emperor’s office.

 

Leto was lost in thought.

 

Livia’s death had come as a shock to Leto. Their relationship, which had reached its lowest point, had come to an end.

 

There were things he couldn’t bring himself to say about Livia. He willingly agreed to bury her with her coffin, the only way to honor his wife.

 

It was livia’s funeral. A woman appeared out of nowhere.

 

At first, I wanted to kill her.

 

How dare she use the Huang family to commit fraud? I couldn’t forgive her. Instead, I planned to show her the error of her ways.

 

But then I realized,

 

 

 

 

 

There is no such thing as a resurrection in this world.

 

 

 

 

 

Things took an unexpected turn.

 

 

 

 

 

She wanted him to know that he was worth saving.

 

 

 

 

 

It was as if she knew what Leto was thinking, which was both disturbing and intriguing. So,

 

“Gunkuk in ten days.

 

I decided to give it ten days. Even though I had my suspicions about the High Priestess,.

 

 

 

 

 

I heard unexpected news.

 

He said he was studying etiquette all night. He said he had mastered the discipline of the Empress’s court. I couldn’t believe it, so I went to the empress’s palace myself.

 

She was walking along, immersed in a book of manners, and when I saw those brilliant green eyes, I thought to myself.

 

“It seems a bit… wasteful to kill her.

 

I wanted to make her tell the truth and send her home, not to mention use her testimony to attack the High Priestess. But things didn’t work out as I had hoped.

 

 

 

 

 

I’m sorry for your loss. If I were the High Priestess, I would have used this resurrection as evidence to pressure the High Priest.

 

 

 

 

 

As if he knew all of Leto’s troubles. He was at a loss for words. At the same time, he had a strange feeling.

 

He hoped this woman wasn’t the High Priestess. It was tempting to trust this woman he barely knew.

 

An irrational, unreasonable impulse.

 

In short, it was not like Leto himself. So he said,.

 

 

 

 

 

– Funny.

 

 

 

 

 

He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t surprised to see her on the morning of the founding festival. It wasn’t just the way she was dressed—so noble and elegant.

 

It was the way she looked at him—the way she looked straight at him, with a hint of excitement in her eyes. A smile that somehow managed to be kind. Together, they were like a painting.

 

 

 

 

 

and that outfit.

 

 

 

 

 

It suits you so well. He almost said so.

 

The woman poured tea into Fahram’s hand. It wasn’t the High Priestess’s order. It couldn’t be.

 

I was angry. No, more than angry, I felt betrayed, so I pushed her harder.

 

She didn’t back down this time.

 

 

 

 

 

So you believe Baron Fahram’s illness is a curse from the goddess? If it’s not a curse from the goddess, if it’s just a skin disease, you should be pleased.

 

 

 

 

 

It’s ridiculous. Why does he do this every time? Why does he seem to see right through me?

 

Then something amazing happened. Fahram’s rash had healed. The woman was not one of the high priestesses. Relief washed over him.

 

They were on their way to take the woman to the Star Palace. Let me think back over the past ten days.

 

Doubting, then wanting to believe, then hoping, then disappointed, then relieved.

 

“I don’t understand. I’m acting like an idiot in front of this woman.

 

The result of my foolishness was a large bruise on her wrist. I was sorry and embarrassed. Normally, Young-ae would have been in tears.

 

I would try to console her as best I could. Whether it was a kind word or a gift,.

 

I wanted to rebuild our relationship.

 

But she didn’t seem to mind.

 

 

 

 

 

It’s okay; you apologized.

 

 

 

 

 

I felt a pinch in my head.

 

She’d made me so curious. I couldn’t see a single crack to poke through. What the hell am I supposed to do?

 

It was at this point that I had a strange feeling.

 

 

 

 

 

Your Majesty, I am a man of many uses.

 

 

 

 

 

The woman grabbed Leto’s arm. But then she let go. Leto seized the moment and tugged at her.

 

Useful? It was enough to keep her as Empress. But what a joke!

 

 

 

 

 

– Really? What else are you good for?

 

 

 

 

 

She didn’t ask the question expecting an answer, just to see the bewilderment on his face for once.

 

The answer was unexpected.

 

 

 

 

 

If you’ll give me some time, I’ll brew a potion to heal Sir Fahram.

 

 

 

 

 

A nervous subject with brown eyes that never wavered. The boldness to risk my life to make a deal with the Emperor. At that moment, Leto was instinctively certain.

 

 

 

 

 

I’d give her the empress’s seat outright if it meant that she’d be mine.

 

 

 

 

 

This woman must not be lost.

 

Whether it was her usefulness or her budding attraction,.

 

But she never ceased to amaze him.

 

 

 

 

 

‘After a year, I want you to divorce me.

 

 

 

 

 

‘You’re going to dethrone me as Empress? And what’s with that sure look in your eyes?

 

I had a million questions. But I held back. If I pushed, she might run away.

 

Instead, Leto asked, “So, what do you call yourself now?

 

 

 

 

 

So what should I call you now?

 

We can call you livia, right?

 

 

 

 

 

He looked at me like I was asking him something between ‘one year’ and ‘two years,’ which was odd in its simplicity.

 

“It makes me angry.”

 

Leto muttered.

 

“Excuse me, Your Majesty?”

 

Ewarton, seated in the secretary’s chair, called to him cautiously. Leto quickly pretended to look up from his papers.

 

“Uh. Why.”

 

“What are you thinking about?”

 

“Thinking about what?”

 

“Your expression keeps changing. You’re frowning, then you’re blank, then you’re…”

 

Leto tapped his fingertips on the papers.

 

“Thinking about work.”

 

“I haven’t gotten to the papers in an hour.”

 

“So you’re just keeping up with state affairs?”

 

Leto gave Ewarton the pin glass. It was a common exchange in the Oval Office. The two men were both lords and old friends.

 

ewarton shrugged once, as if to let it go.

 

“I have news for you. Good news.”

 

“Tell me.”

 

“fahram has canceled his move and is staying in the capital.”

 

“I knew it. That’s good.”

 

Leto replied dryly, flipping through the papers. Fahram was a loyal servant, and now that he was free of the goddess’ curse, he would never leave Leto’s side.

 

“And, Your Majesty, I have a proposal.”

 

“A proposal?”

 

“How long do you intend to keep the Empress in the Star Palace?”

 

Leto looked over the papers at Euthene. It was a sign of interest. Yuton stood up and came to Leto’s side.

 

“If not the palace, where would you send him? I heard that when the Empress dies, the palace is supposed to be empty for a month.”

 

“That was enacted when the Empress died to prevent the Emperor from remarrying too soon. This is a special case, isn’t it?”

 

Leto put down the papers and crossed his arms.

 

“I see you’re talking out of your ass.”

 

“The Star Palace is merely a temporary home for the young ladies who will be her consorts, and if the Empress stays long enough, it will become a bit of a mess.”

 

Yutian had a point. To the outside world, the Empress had just been resurrected. Attention would be drawn to her treatment, especially with all the talk of the emperor and his wife’s golden threads.

 

“Is there any place that’s in decent shape?”

 

“It should be at least as good as the Empress’s, if not better.”

 

“Where is there a palace that can match or exceed the Empress’s?”

 

“There is.”

 

Ewarton laughed softly. Leto quickly realized the intent of the laugh.

 

“Yuton, are you serious?”

 

 

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

 

 

It was getting annoying. To be asked to move so suddenly. And not just anywhere, but to the Imperial Palace.

 

Still, what the hell? The unhappy one should listen. I moved into the Imperial Palace with Madame marais.

 

The Imperial Palace was larger and more ornate than the other palaces. We were shown to the largest of the many rooms.

 

Handmaidens, knights, and maids were waiting for me. Leto had assigned them to me. They greeted me politely.

 

“It is a pleasure to meet you. Your care will be in the hands of Viscountess Marais here.”

 

The room quickly bustled with activity. Mrs. Marais directed her maids to organize the closets. She seemed somehow pleased.

 

“What are you so pleased about?”

 

“I should be happy; His Majesty the Emperor has welcomed you into the Imperial Palace.”

 

“Just a moment. We’re going to the Empress’s palace soon.”

 

Madame Marais smirked.

 

“That’s not how people see it, though, and I’ve been very upset that His Majesty will have to stay in the Palace.”

 

I know I’ve gotten myself into a lot of trouble for being in the palace. I didn’t mind, but Madame Marais didn’t.

 

“I’m sure this has shown everyone how much the Emperor cares about you.”

 

“Of course not.”

 

I chuckled. He doesn’t love you; he just makes you easier to spy on.

 

Anyway, I have a year to go. In the meantime, I’ll just have to do my job.

 

I’m not worried about the divorce. Sooner or later, Meryl will show up, and then Leto’s side will want a divorce.

 

“Hah, it’s big.”

 

I glanced around the room. I was bored with nothing to do. There was no way Mrs. marais would let me help her pack.

 

Just then, Ewarton walked through the open door.

 

“Lord Ewarton.”

 

“Ah. Your Majesty, I hope the move went well.”

 

He smiled wryly. I stepped out into the hallway. Lord Ewarton’s secretaries were carrying piles of papers.

 

“Thank you. Where is the king going? Is he alone? And what’s with all that luggage?”

 

“His Majesty is in a meeting with his deputies. These are the papers he’ll be collecting later.”

 

 

“This much?”

 

“Still, it’s a small amount.”

 

I can’t believe he sees that much paperwork on his own every day.

 

Half of the imperial work is the empress’s responsibility. That was her responsibility and her right.

 

The previous emperor and his wife also worked together. But not with Leto. Livia was terrified of imperial papers.

 

I, on the other hand, have had enough of the paperwork. I learned about imperial business from Madame marais.

 

I suppose ‘imperial duties’ include getting things done?

 

“Lord Ewarton, I wonder if I could help you with some of your duties.”

 

“Her Majesty the Empress?”

 

“Oh, if you don’t mind, please pretend you didn’t hear.”

 

Perhaps she’s being cautious, taking over a job that Leto has been doing all by himself.

 

“No! I’m not troubled; I’m not troubled at all; I’m just surprised, because it’s the first time I’ve heard Her Majesty say such a thing, and…”

 

Yutan hesitated for a moment.

 

“Her Imperial Majesty’s workload is indeed heavy, and I was worried that she might become ill. If Her Majesty could help, it would be greatly appreciated.”

 

Judging by the amount of paperwork, Ewarton was right to be concerned. It was humanly appropriate. They were a couple, after all.

 

“If you have an empty office, please show me it. As you can see, my room is a mess.”

 

“Sure. This way.”

 

I followed ewarton. The office wasn’t far away. It was cool, as if it had been unoccupied for a long time, but it was clean and bright.

 

“There are two rooms in the Imperial Palace. One is occupied by His Majesty the Emperor.”

 

“I see.”

 

“His Majesty’s office, for your information, is this way.”

 

Ewarton politely pointed to the wall, which had a side door leading to a side room.

 

“The next room?