Chapter 9.2

TL: ROSEMUND PR: BELLIS

“You’ve burned down all of Iglis’s forests and salted the ground for ten months so that it’d become a wasteland. Deployed ten thousand soldiers to ruin the wheat fields in Jaden’s plains by plucking out a year’s worth of grain. Destroyed every ship in Catenza’s harbours without a single drop of bloodshed. You’ve even bankrupted the trades of ten countries in a month. After all this, you still want me to surpass your reputation? I can’t do that as I do not have such power, Your Imperial Majesty.”

Now that she thought about it, the Emperor has done quite a bit. In addition to what she has just listed, several nations, as well as even the Imperial Palace have been brought to ruin before. All of his relatives have been murdered by his hands too.

Cecil stopped herself from continuing, as this didn’t really suit the word ‘reputation.’ So she refrained from saying more and stared at the grapes besides her.

‘How strange. I didn’t think the grapes contained any truth serum. Why is my mouth chattering so excitedly?’

Cecil contemplated the possible causes. Was it because she just woke up? Perhaps.

‘Is it because of my good mood after being fed fruit from him?’

Of course, that did contribute to it.

But it didn’t erase the night when the assassins targeted her, nor did the dangerous roads ahead get any safer.

So why was her mouth moving so well as if she was at ease?

While reflecting on this, Estain’s calm face came into view.

‘Handsome.’

Cecil remembered what she had secretly written on the bathroom wall.

<My husband> 

The moment she remembered the words, Cecil knew why she could speak so easily in front of the Emperor.

‘That man is my husband.’ 

She couldn’t loudly announce it anywhere but he was still clearly her husband on paper.

‘This is the first time I have had my own family.’

Her mother had passed away and her only other family member, the king, abandoned her and left her in a palace annexe.

She knew no one would like her, but still, none of the royal family approached her when she left, and even the maids who had stayed with her in the annexe spoke harshly to her.

<I am aware that this might sound cold right now, but we are not your people. You should not be thinking of us like that. We will be leaving this place too someday.> 

With teary eyes, Cecil had nodded at their words. She knew they only spoke their thoughts and not with their heart.

Cecil picked the ripest grape and pressed it to the Emperor’s lips. She wanted to give them something she liked. It was the first thing she wished to do when she had her own family.

Estian’s expression hardened with Cecil’s sudden actions, wondering who in the world would dare to put food into his mouth. Especially grapes of all things. He hated them since he first was poisoned by grapes. However, the juice that had flowed from her lips a little while ago was so very sweet. Perhaps this one would be too, he thought.

He cautiously accepted the grape that Cecil had fed him. When he carefully bit it, the skin burst open and the refreshing juice filled his mouth. It was delicious, oddly enough.

In the past 20 years, he had never been able to eat this fruit. He’d never thought the moment where he could do so would ever come. A smile spread through Cecil’s face below him when he swallowed the grape. Her laughter reminded him of the schedule awaiting him later.

Inspection of the knights, meeting with the lieutenants…

‘Well, they can be ignored.’

Ever since he was crowned as emperor, not once had he ever skipped a meeting. How was it that all of that now seemed so distant today?

‘It’s not a big deal. I can skip it.’ 

It would surely be a problem if Cain caught wind of this. Estian gently bit Cecil’s fingers that still lingered near his lips.

Cecil flinched in surprise for a moment, but didn’t back off as she explored his face with caresses. Estian closed his eyes to feel the sensations of her touch. This wasn’t unpleasant. Rather, he wanted to continue enjoying her touch. Her actions strengthened his confidence in this.

‘I think she can do it.’ 

Estian spoke …

“You don’t have to do the same things, or work harder than me in order to surpass my infamy. You can easily overpower me.”

“How?”

He laughed.

“Like this.”

He immediately grabbed Cecil’s waist, lifting her before switching their places. Their positions were reversed and she was now atop him.

“Y-Your Imperial Majesty!”

Her face flushed as she sat on top of Estian. Is literally being on top like this what it means to overpower him?

“How’s that? Simple, right?”

“…”

‘Are you kidding m-’

Fortunately, she wasn’t quite relaxed enough to spit out those words.

As she agonized over her next words, Estian hugged her from behind and whispered.

“Who else did you think could top me?”

“You are the first.”

Estian brushed back Cecil’s hair.

“There’s only one thing you have to do. It’s to own the notorious Emperor and manipulate him to your heart’s content. If you can do that, your name can be placed over my own infamy. As the diabolical manipulator of this wicked tyrant, everything I have will be yours.”

When Estian said that, Cecil stared at him before speaking her mind.

“This is all quite fascinating… but I fail to see how this can save me.”

‘Do something immoral for survival. Doesn’t it usually go the other way?’

“If I do something immoral for my survival, won’t people hate me??”

“Perhaps so. But there are several others who do the same, and they’re my enemies.”

In order to digest this, Cecil tried to move from her position on the Emperor’s stomach. This entire plan sounded like a story she needed to listen to while sitting properly and taking notes with pen and paper. However, when she tried to move, Estian grabbed Cecil’s waist.