Chapter 32

Of course, this time, he had a dubious reason; but he wasn’t the kind of person to tell his younger brothers what it was. 

“One is a saint, and one is evil, no? We’ll see the answer soon.”

“Then, will Princess Lania investigate with you to speed up the process?” 

“Why would she? If she comes, then I won’t go.”  Rashid approached the window, and spotting a silhouette scaling the imperial stairs from afar, his face was grimly set in satisfaction. 

“…and I’m much more needed here.” 

***

As I climbed the flight of endless stairs, I forgot my words for a moment upon seeing the sight. The Dukedom of Evendell is magnificent as the most powerful house in the North; but His Majesty’s palace is completely different. 

The scenery alone is overwhelming enough to make my legs tremble. 

They call it the winter palace; every area is majestic, from the marble steps to the endless columns. At first glance, it looked like a sacred temple.

This is the place where I had committed countless sins. 

Holding my fluttering chest, my eyes swept across the magnificent palace. I had never expected that my heart would be filled with yearning for something other than the food from my previous life, the tteokbokki, galbi, and japchae. 

‘Let’s calm down.’ 

If they had known I had Haniel, they wouldn’t have sent me away like this. That great tyrant’s character would have left me tied up in chains and dragged me away.

‘They don’t know yet, so all I have to do is do well.’ 

I have a child to protect! 

As I followed the attendant inside, I thought of Haniel, and it cheered me up. 

My eyes got blurry when I thought of my baby princess who had clung close to me. 

“Mommy, mommy! Don’t go.”

“Mom will come back alive. Okay? Listen to nanny.” 

Mommy should go to sleep. I’ll be with you. 

“Hugh…” 

“Here you are, Duchess.” 

Huge doors swung open, and I stepped aside. Just like the owner of the palace, the delicate sculptures carved out of ice sparkled. 

I couldn’t escape anyway, so I loosened my shoulders and took a step inside. 

“Greetings to the great emperor; may you be protected by Lord Teresa.” 

“…Stand up.” 

The cold voice of the emperor made me tremble. 

I couldn’t believe his words flowed so smoothly. 

Last time, there were a few people present, but now, there are only the two of us, the emperor and I. 

“You look nervous.” 

“M-Me?” 

I raised my head towards the emperor, my eyes meeting his crimson orbs. It was the same as when I first saw him; he still was simply breathtaking. 

“Hmm.” His blood red eyes were clearly illuminated in the backdrop of the winter palace; his eyes were cold, implying his reign. 

Nevertheless, it was strangely familiar. 

Of course. He resembles Haniel. 

His eyes were the same color as my baby swan’s eyes. Of course, she can’t be compared to a tyrant like that, but his vivid eyes were familiar; they were the same as the eyes of the child I loved to hug.

“…Huh?” 

“What?” 

Even though I was white as a sheet, I willed myself to shake my head.

You look like my daughter! 

Our topic was about any newly-caught herbivore animals, causing me to start. 

“Maybe the Duchess knows something interesting that I don’t know.” 

“No!” 

Was my voice too loud? 

The emperor crossed his legs and lifted his chin. My chest couldn’t help but flutter. I felt like my heart was going to explode, but I pulled myself together when I thought of Haniel, whom I left behind.

‘He doesn’t know everything, does he?’ 

My body felt so tiny and weak when I faced him, it was uncanny.

I felt like I was being stabbed by his gaze.

However, I had no choice but to hide the truth, unless he revealed his purpose. 

“I am living alone, wasting away every day after his death. There cannot possibly be anything interesting involving me.”