Chapter 12

He couldn’t help but repress his feelings for Annie. He waited for six years, but this time, he couldn’t wait for another year.

What’s more was that Annie was in the process of healing from her breakup and might not be ready for a new relationship so he had to be considerate.

He was conflicted. Unlike his cool headed self, the bitter Ejed sat on his throne and took a drink.

Usually, he would leave quickly since he knew that nobles feared him, but he couldn’t even say anything even if Annie was in front of him, so he had no choice but to comfort himself with alcohol.

This was the second time in his life where he drank heavily.

So, a few days passed without anyone knowing how he was feeling. Now it felt like a year had passed even though it had only been an hour.

Even if he marked X on the calendar as the days passed, the days didn’t seem to pass quicker.

When he went to the temple, he prayed earnestly that one day when he opened his eyes, there would be more days crossed out on his calendar.

He knew it was stupid, but he couldn’t bear it otherwise.

It had been two weeks since Annie broke up.

Ejed always thought about what he could do for her.

He wanted to hold her hand in his, to dress her up or to do any favors for her, but then she might find it suspicious.

Also, this is Annie. She’s someone who has an outspoken personality and doesn’t like to owe anything. He shouldn’t overdo it.

Nevertheless, he couldn’t just stand still. He thought about what could be done, so he spent a few nights thinking about it.

There must be something she would like without feeling burdened, but he could probably find a way to make Annie laugh, even just a little.

As he struggled, several things came to mind.

‘That’s right! Lemon tart!’

[Carla, it’s really good.]

His heart almost exploded and he almost died from seeing Annie sitting on the terrace and eating lemon tart bit by bit with a fork.

With a smile like it, not even the treasures in the Imperial Palace could match her worth.

He muttered that he wanted to be born as a lemon tart or a small fork next life.

After that, it was a boutique.

To give her a wider variety of clothes in case she changed her mind, Ejed drastically lowered the prices of these boutiques by personally subsidizing it.

There was also this other thing.

She liked a man who was good at his job. In fact, she found it sexy.

He joined on the battlefield using the high-quality information he accidentally heard. Even if Annie couldn’t see him, she’d hear the rumors.

In fact, he wanted to charm her through his bravery and masculinity. Who cares if he was four years younger than Annie.

Ejed thrusted his sword directly into the limbs of the opposing emperor who declared war.

It was better than hurting a lot of people, since he only hurt the head of the country.

Moreover, it might win over Annie as well.

Of course, in Porcaus, they only talked about one brutal tyrant for a while.

‘If I was an ordinary man, I would just go… and talk to her.’

Ejed, who felt depressed, smiled bitterly.

He was very grateful to be born as an emperor’s son and enjoy the prosperity, but no one would expect such an ordeal, and Annie would never dream of it.

He had already failed his first love once.

But his second and even his third love were all Annie.

Annie was the only one who broke the boring, set routine. Her words, actions, and thoughts were all fresh and lush, like freshly harvested vegetables.

How happy would he be if he were to meet Annie, make eye contact with her, or even kiss her.

Ejed heaved a sigh. His whole world revolved around her, but did not have her heart.

‘I need to talk to her properly…‘

At that time, the sound of a knock rang in the dining room.

“Excuse me, Your Majesty. May I come in?”

“Come in.”

At his answer, two stylish aides, who were popular amongst the maids, came in.