Chapter 69

The love education was rewarding in its own way. This was thanks to Ejed, who took everything seriously and respected Annie.

When she was teaching, he never talked back, tried to accept and put it into practice.

The more he did, the more Annie felt strange.

‘I can’t believe I saw the Emperor like this…’

Ejed showed a startled reaction. Like making a shy expression or biting his lips without knowing what to do because he was embarrassed.

When she guessed it, those actions seemed to be known only to herself. As a result, the terrifying imperial hallway was even more refreshing.

It was so quiet that it didn’t seem like a place where people lived.

Still, the decoration was gorgeous.

‘They’ve got roses today.’

Annie admired the rose decorations hung as if they were on display throughout the hallway. Somehow, the gardener of this Imperial Palace seemed like a great man.

It wouldn’t be easy to do manual work by removing the thorns one by one. In particular, the depth of the effort was tremendous as there were no small scratches on the petals or stems of roses.

‘Pretty.’

As she walked with this feast for the eyes, she saw a familiar face in the distance.

It was Fizz.

“Hewo, Lady Dsev.”

“… Ah yes. Hello.”

What’s with that weird way of speaking? Annie was stunned while she was greeted.

In the meantime, she has been familiar with the two aides. Doher was a very clever person of great brilliance and Fizz was unusual.

It was the same today. He was looking at her with a look of disapproval.

She wasn’t feeling sorry, so Annie threw a fastball.

“Do you need anything from me?”

“His Majesty suggested that we have dinner today after conducting a market research. Do you agree?”

It was questionable, but it felt like an order.

But it was also an order to refuse the offer.

Don’t!

Don’t do it!

Annie was confused as the blue eyes gave a strong meaning.

‘… Did I do anything offensive to him?’

After a while, Annie concluded that it wasn’t. In the first place, she also picked up a mix of his words.

‘Then why…’

“Tch.”

“…”

Fizz, turning his head with his arms folded, was full of dissatisfaction.

‘Why are you so rude?’

Annie snorted internally. She remembered a conversation she had with a noble lady in the past. The Imperial Palace was full of opportunity and people who were mean to newcomers.

As expected, not all social church stories are fictional. Annie was looking up at him and smiled.

“Good. His Majesty personally suggested it, so of course I have to comply.”

“…”

“Then I have to go because His Majesty is waiting. His Majesty loves my class.”

Fizz’s face looked distortedly positive.

‘Yeah, bring it on.’

Annie waved her hand cheerfully.

“Then I will go ahead.”

Fizz, who took a blow, opened his mouth blankly.

*

After teasing Fizz, Annie raised her eyes, feeling better.

Ejed’s outfit, sitting face to face in the carriage, was different from usual. He wore a black fedora and a plain suit, not a uniform.

‘You were loved by your aides.’

Annie affirmed, recalling what the two aides had done so far. They all seemed to care for Ejed.

‘Then why did you become… a tyrant? Can I try asking?’

Annie, who was struggling, shook her head. She just needed to be faithful to her current role.

Today’s outdoor class was called field training. The destination was also the most famous theater in Porcaus.

‘Hmm. The theater…’

The people of Porcaus Empire often went to plays or concerts together to strengthen the affinity of the opposite sex.

The two were stuck together in a dark space. Once you see it, you become inevitably conscious of each other. In addition, holding hands while sharing refreshments like snacks.

Annie lifted one side of her mouth.

‘This class is important in many ways. When a man and a woman watch a play or a performance together, it has a variety of effects, such as natural skinship, building consensus, and strengthening friendship.’

You could even enjoy the skinship while watching quietly.

But Ejed, who misunderstood Annie’s gaze, asked suddenly.

“Is it weird?”

“Huh? What?”

“… Me.”

“Your Majesty?”

As he nodded his head, Annie looked perplexed. It’s a problem because he’s strangely cool. Today he was more neat than usual, but his excellent fashion style had not disappeared.

He’s such a handsome guy she couldn’t even dare to score points for what he looks like.

“It’s great.”

“…””

Ejed inadvertently moved his gaze to the window. It was difficult to read his emotions on his face with his facial expressions erased.

Annie started asking questions with her chin up.

“Do you have a lot of conversations with her?”

“It’s just fine.”

“You said she also enjoys plays and classical performances. What kind does she like?”

“There is nothing to hide.”

A quick conversation came and went. Ejed seemed to really know her well.

Other people’s relationship history was also interesting, especially if it was the Emperor’s relationship history, which no one in the world knew about.

The immersed Annie nodded her head loudly.

“Then what kind of performance do you prefer?”

“Anything.”

There was no such thing as ‘anything’ in Annie’s dictionary. She inquired eagerly again today.

“What was the last performance you watched?”

“Rebellca.”

(T/N: An alternate version of the musical ‘Rebecca’ to prevent copyright XD)

“…”

‘Isn’t it a show 6 years ago?’

Annie stared absurdly at Ejed, staring at the window. There was no change in his expression, but his chin trembled slightly. He, too, seemed embarrassed.

“Ah, Rebellca. I also enjoyed the performance. And, well, if you’re busy, you may not be able to see it.”

Annie hurriedly said her words and smiled sweetly.

“But if you want to reach out to that cultured lady, it would be better to try to match her tastes. In the future, I think it would be nice to learn about plays occasionally.”

Again, Ejed only nodded his head a little.

After all, the student who listens well is the best, and Annie asked with sincerity.

“What shall we see today? Well, there are three performances: Naan Karenina, The Days Before, and Exoncalibur.”

(T/N: Pun for musicals Anna Karenina, The Days and Excalibur XD)

“Naan Karenina.”

It was an immediate answer. As she looked puzzled, Ejed added his words in a firm tone.

“Watch Naan Karenina.”

“That’s fortunate. I also missed it the most.”

A faint smile came to Annie’s lips. In fact, she has been fond of the play called Naan Karenina since before.

So, even after she watched, she used to see it again and again. Even today, she thought that if possible, she would like to see the play.

‘I often come with John, but…’

The purple eyes became a little darker. The last play she saw was with him.

Even if she tried to erase it, traces of her old love remained in the world. As an indelible stain.