Chapter 102

Chapter 102

“It’s fun.”

Returning from the courtroom, Seian smiled. The situation turned out differently than expected, although he knew that someday Princess Medicis would suffer a heavy blow to her pride.

‘She should have been arrogant by looking at the other person first.’

To think that such vulgarity would work for the Emperor. Still, the last curse was quite worth watching.

“…The Savior.”

The biggest ambush was that woman.

“She was really shocking.”

One for her appearance, the same as the doll, and the second for being a savior and having divine power. Even so, the most surprising thing was none other than the Emperor. He thought the Emperor was acting at first, but it seemed that he really meant it.

The Emperor?

That blood-crazed emperor was in love…?

Seian let out a laugh.

Wasn’t this really unimaginable? Naturally, his curiosity arose for the Savior.

‘What kind of person was she to have made that madman falls for her?’

From what he could see, it seemed like the Emperor was hiding her tightly.

“Hmm. Shall we present flowers?”

As he approached the window, he saw a row of flower pots. What if he pretended it was a coincidence…?

“It will have to end before this flower blooms.”

There was excitement in his muttering voice as he touched the now-grown leaves.

“Savior, Crown Prince of Varenne sent you a gift.”

“…A gift for me?”

Seian would have no reason to send me a present. I tilted my head and put down what Stella was holding on the table.

“He said it was an engagement gift.”

Looking closely, it was a flower pot with a pretty ribbon attached to it.

“He is a very meticulous person.”

“I checked it beforehand, but I think it would be good to check it one more time.”

Even though I looked closely, I didn’t see anything that could be harmful.

“There’s no problem, so don’t worry.”

Only then did Stella’s nervous expression ease.

“He sent you a card, too.”

When I opened the card she had handed me, it read congratulations on the engagement and the name of the flower.

“Polemonium?”

The flower, whose name I had never heard of, had beautiful purple petals resembling a trumpet on a long stem. Come to think of it, on the day the engagement was announced, many people celebrated, but Seian was far away.

‘…He only smiled meaninglessly.’

As I shook my head in a still uncertain mood, I immediately remembered the flower basket I had received at Chloe’s birthday banquet.

Presenting a pansy and putting meaning into the language of flowers…

“Stella, do you know the language of this flower?”

“Hmm, I’m not sure. I’ve never seen this flower.”

What? How awkward…

Clearly, Seian was a minor supporting character in the original story.

“Stella, let’s go to the library.”

“Now?”

“I’m curious about the language of flowers.”

I needed to get rid of it quickly.

As I hurriedly left the door, Wenzel, Hans, and the Kefienas followed. I had to leave the main palace to go to the library, so I couldn’t avoid the eyes of others. Even though they greeted me politely, they couldn’t hide their curiosity, as there was a mixture of jealousy and hostility among them.

Those gazes made me uncomfortable, so I accelerated my steps.

“I want to find a book about the language of flowers.”

“Sa-Savior, how are you?”

The librarian jumped up in surprise.

“I’m sorry, but could you find some books for me?”

“Yes, of course. Come this way.”

The librarian led me to the shelf on the left and recommended some books. Thankfully, it didn’t take long to find the language of flowers.

‘…Come to me.’

The moment I checked the language of flowers, my head became complicated. Although it could have been simply a gift of flowers, my intuition screamed.

…This was a message to me.

That night, after tossing and turning with complicated thoughts, I finally fell asleep.

…Chaeng!

Suddenly, there was a faint, sharp sound.

‘…Is it a dream?’

Chaeng, chaeng!

I was startled by the clear sound of blades and opened my eyes. Even though I was covered by the canopy so I couldn’t see what was going on outside, I could feel the stinging murderous intent.

“Savior, don’t come out!”

Perhaps sensing my presence, Nikki shouted loudly from afar.

“Erika!”

Then came Declan’s voice.

Just as I was about to say I was fine, the canopy swung away and I saw him holding a sword. He must have been running frantically as the gown on his body was all disheveled.

“I’m fine.”

As I held his hand, I could feel him trembling.

“I’m all right. I just woke up.”

When I said it one more time, a deep breath fell over my head.

“How much was I…”

Couldn’t speak, he only embraced me tightly and I could hear a loud beating sound spread through our chests. When the surroundings eventually became quiet, he carefully pulled himself away.

“Is Your Majesty all right?”

After becoming a human, the headache that signaled danger disappeared. That was why I was more nervous than when I was a doll.

“I’m fine.”

“What a relief.”

He rested his face on the hand he was holding as if to check my warmth.

“Is it an assassin?”

Declan nodded his head in silence.

“I need to see if anyone is hurt.”

As I tried to get out of bed, I was grabbed by a large hand.

“It’s better not to see.”

“Still…”

“You can see it when it’s sorted out.”

Thinking I knew why he was holding me back, I quietly nodded my head. Needless to say, it was not going to be a pleasant scene.

“Wenzel, clear the area and report.”

“Understood.”

Soon after, the sounds of bustle and tidying were heard.

“…I shouldn’t have left you alone either.”

The green eyes that had lost their light were stained with self-reproach.

“You know that no one can hurt me.”

“I don’t want to expose you to this kind of threat, though.”

Seeing his drooping shoulders, I felt sorry for him and gently hugged him.

“It’s okay because Your Majesty is here.”

Declan leaned his face on my shoulder and let out a hot breath at my words before he parted his lips again.

“I want to protect you. If I lose you again…”

“There is no such thing. We will live together for the rest of our lives.”

I patted his back and soothed his anxious heart. Knowing that he had only lost loved ones so far, I decided to hold back my words.

“I’d rather you sleep in my room today. You don’t know what will happen again, and they’ll have to clean up here.”

Seeing the worry and anxiety in his eyes, I nodded my head. With a small smile as if he was relieved, Delcan took off his robe and put it on me, and he carefully hugged me.

“I can walk.”

“You can’t because the floor is dirty.”

I remembered the puddle of blood I had seen when I was attacked for a moment and decided to embrace him quietly.

“Are you okay?”

Nikki approached me with great strides as I walked out of the canopy.

“I’m okay. What about the others?”

Since the Kefienas were always in close escort, the assassin would have encountered them first.

“We are fine, too.”

Relieved, I nodded my head.

“Is Sir Oswan all right?”

“Haha, this much is not enough.”

Wenzel winked one of his eyes and smiled.

“You didn’t kill them all, did you?”

He then laughed at Declan’s gloomy question.

“I have kept some alive for interrogation.”

“Leave the interrogation to Liam.”

“Understood.”

Wenzel gestured at the knights and went outside.

“Noah, clean it up.”

Noah, who had been standing in the back and was restless, quickly approached.

“Understood. Is the Savior all right?”

He asked anxiously with watery eyes. It was only when I smiled back that he relaxed and stroked his chest.

Declan, who carefully put me down on the soft bed, lay down next to me.

“It’s been so long since we last laid together like this?”

He murmured as he wrapped himself around my waist.

‘It wasn’t awkward when I was a doll.’

As we lay on the same bed, my heart started beating fast. It was obvious that if we stayed like this, my face would heat up, so when I lowered my gaze, I saw the round crown of his head.

“Wh, what?”

Something hot and soft touched my neck at that moment, and the hairs all over my body stood up.

“I think I can live now.”

When Declan took a deep breath, I just rolled my eyes, not knowing what to do with the sudden movement.

“I will never forgive those who tried to harm you.”

In contrast to his anger, my tension was relieved and I barely let out the breath I had been holding back.

“Who is behind it?”

“I have to find out now. There must be many people who are aiming for the position of Empress.”

This wasn’t just about hurting Declan.

“Could Seian be involved in this?”

He probably wouldn’t have been interested enough to attempt an assassination, but strangely, the flowers I received today bothered me. It felt like an advance warning was sent to me, so I was very uncomfortable.

“I’ll figure that out, so get some rest first. You were very surprised.”

His big hand gently covered his eyes.

“Shall I sing you a lullaby?”

I couldn’t tell if he was still having nightmares these days as we used separate rooms. Meanwhile, Declan smiled at the question, apparently feeling my concern.

“It’s okay because you’re by my side. So, go to bed.”

The gentle pat on the back made the worry about whether I would be able to sleep really fade, and I became increasingly drowsy. My eyelids soon grew heavy at the familiar melody that quietly rang in my ears, so I couldn’t even ask why he sang the lullaby and was sucked into sleepiness.

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