Chapter 169

Then, the drama queen, Haniel, who stretched out in the grass again, caught her eye. Poor thing~ Seeing Mr. Darren cool her face with his wings and Selene putting wet grass on her forehead, Catherine, too, couldn’t help but hold on to her heart.

“Uh, anyway, I fully understand your Majesty’s feelings.”

“You know about it?”

“…”

Somewhat intrigued, Rashid settled his chin on one hand. His unique yet lazy countenance made her feel like he wanted to eat her alive with his intense stares.

“What do you know about my heart?”

“…”

Why would he ask her that? She really wanted to hit her head somewhere, but their gazes didn’t seem to want to let each other go. If the story had already begun, it was better to close her eyes and end it quickly.

“You’re also a man after all, Your Majesty.”

“I suppose so.”

“Well, I’ve actually been a little—pretty, right?”

“… … .”

Wow, he didn’t always answer when this happens. Catherine was the type of woman to blurt out whatever once she lost her mind. Anyway, that must have drove the Emperor insane. She closed her eyes, and added brazenly.  “So, uh… What should I say? You’re alone with me in this quiet place, so I understand that you might be attracted to my beauty more and more because you are in  your prime and unlike the capital, there are not many aristocratic ladies———”

Catherine heard the Emperor chuckle.

”Are you laughing at me right now?”

“HAHAHAHAHAHA!”

When she opened her eyes, Rashid avoided her gaze in an instant. It was the first time she saw it happen, seeing him avert his eyes and bursting in guffaws, so she didn’t know what to do. Meanwhile, her face had gradually turned red, so it looked like her cheeks were burning. Wow! She really couldn’t sleep because of a guy like this! If she could go back to yesterday, she wouldn’t be able to get a good night’s sleep and never wake up again. If so, she wouldn’t have to suffer like this.

“Excuse me?”

“No, Catherine! You’re really——-” He didn’t even think of raising his head to look at her. Suddenly, his big shoulders shook as well. It was quite surprising that this tyrant could laugh happily, not sarcastically or savagely, but he had never wanted to laugh at her especially for this reason.

“I’m not good for you, Your Majesty.”

“Why?”

Rashid finally removed the hand blindfolding his eyes, but he couldn’t completely erase her laughter. Angry at the unfamiliar appearance, she snorted timidly.

“You don’t really know people, Your Majesty. I might just end up using you unintentionally———”

“Wait! Wait!”

Rashid’s laughter became more intense than the first. Now, he put his hand on the back of his neck  as if he couldn’t handle what he had heard of so far.

“What are you d-doing to me?”

“Really! Really!”

The Emperor was so mean! What kind of reaction was she expecting from a man like him? Now, she’s discouraged and had  nothing to say. In particular, the difference became clear when she saw Mr. Darren, who looked after Haniel with utmost sincerity over there.

“Even if I tell you not to laugh at me, you seem to be chuckling, so keep doing it. It should be over before nightfall. I’m sorry but it appears like I have to go first. Since you have laughed a lot because of me, I’ll count that as paying my debt off. Then I———-”

“Where?”

“Ah!” His hand quickly grabbed her wrist and his hold was neither painful or loose. Then, he took her hand and squinted.

“I just thought it was funny but don’t you think you’re even ruder? Shouldn’t the famous Duchess listen to the Emperor’s words until the end?”

“This conversation is over.”

“No. I haven’t even started yet but let’s begin with your reputation. Whatever it is, it’s better than mine. I don’t care about other people’s opinions because I’m the Emperor. Ah… and————-”

“…”

This time, he stared straight into her eyes.

“I did laugh but I didn’t say you weren’t pretty, Catherine.”

“N-No!” Brother shouldn’t do it!”

“…”

Haniel, who even talks in her sleep, couldn’t stop her sobs even while lying in the cradle.

“I’m going to bite you before you get your black teeth in my eyes!” Perhaps because she was wearing a white ribbon around her head, her spirit was as strong as any other queen.

“The princess is so stubborn too.”

“….”

If there was a queen with conviction, of course, there would be a sneaky concubine. Selene, who had patted Haniel’s chest with one wing, was busy pulling the ribbon around her neck with her other wing.

“Why don’t you do it? There seems to be a clear trend. Whoops?”

“So, Selene. id you take the traitor’s route?”

“What do you mean a traitor? Let’s just say that I’m good at reading the trends of the times!

*QUACK*

Selene proudly turned her neck, showing off her turquoise ribbon.  Catherine noticed she came back a little late yesterday, but it appeared like she got something from Rashid.

“If you look closely, His Majesty has a good eye. Doesn’t the color match my hair color too well?”

“Yes. You’re really lucky!”

In a house with three women, one had decided to lay down while the other had completely switched routes. As a result, she felt like crying because there was only one left.

“This is why men should come into the house well. A man has  successfully cut the family in half.”

“Madam, if anyone sees it, they’ll think I’m the only one who received the gift.”