Chapter 33

Swiii!

The flow of water gradually weakened before stopping.

The surroundings were silent.

The 1st Empress’s garden became muddy, the once beautiful landscape was ruined.

Even Rohan was drenched, and the only people who were in good shape here were the Emperor, whose head was covered by Rohan, and Elisha, who had been pulled and embraced by the Emperor.

The knights who had been digging the pit with their mana had also ran out in surprise, and those who did not were caught up in the bouncing current and were spat out in an unsightly manner.

As the column of water disappeared, a single flower bloomed over a large, deep pit full of water.

To be precise, it was Undine, who was standing on the water and playing with her feet. At the last minute of contact with the water vein, Undine seemed to have played some pranks.

“That was not my doing.”

Elisha, who had separated herself from the Emperor, muttered quietly without specifying to whom her words were addressed to.

Rohan lowered his gaze.

His tightly clenched lips loosened slightly, but only slightly.

Then there was the sound of the Emperor waking up the nobles.

“How is it? Do you have anything else to check from the 2nd Empress? Speak if you have. The 2nd Empress is not an evasive person, so she will definitely enlighten you.”

The faces of the nobles were dyed in various colors depending on which faction they belonged to.

If a water vein like this can be found even in Barossa, wouldn’t it be more successful in a wider land?

However, even though the 2nd Empress’s ability was worth being coveted, it made things difficult for them when the Emperor was this active.

Nevertheless, the Western nobles, especially those who had a land bordering the border with Myon, a desert included in the Kran Kingdom, had to step forward.

“Show the mercy of Barossa for the welfare of the Empire, Your Majesty. Everything the 2nd Empress does for the Empire will be recorded as Your Majesty’s reign.”

Marquis Rwanda spoke as the representative, and his followers went along with him.

“Certainly, the situation in the West is the worst. How about it, 2nd Empress? Would you like to do it?”

Asking for the Imperial faction’s opinion was likely to delay time without doing anything due to further opposition from the Eastern nobles.

Therefore, the Emperor, having predicted the Eastern nobles’ tantrum, nodded straight away and pretended to hand over the decision to Elisha.

Sufficient communication took place amidst the meeting gaze.

It was a promise that as much as the Emperor gets, it will also be shared with Elisha.

“Of course, Your Majesty. If you leave it to me, I will do my best.”

Elisha answered.

“Sure enough, the 2nd Empress is that kind of person. That aside, you don’t intend to let the precious Barossa woman’s feet be stained by the dirt outside the Imperial Palace, right?”

“… Obviously. I will lay the floor with the best, and I will pay attention to the 2nd Empress Palace so that there will be no problem while the 2nd Empress is away.”

“Great. Alright then.”

Said the Emperor.

His blue eyes were not on Marquis Rwanda, but on the 2nd Empress, who was standing with a doll-like indifferent face.

***

Jaylene Jean Rappelcia was a princess loved by the people of the Empire.

There are dozens of stories about her; the pureblood of Atien, one of the few remaining purebloods of the Empire, who married Rohan Scherzer and became the lady of Count Scherzer, many of which were made into songs or plays and became popular.

If one looked closely, there were few people who viewed it negatively, as she had betrayed her biological brother for love.

Princess Jaylene was renowned, and it was certain that her shy appearance that was like delicate flowers and lovely appearance like a young bird played a part.

Of course, the biggest reason was probably that most people could not have imagined that the ‘love’ that the princess who had everything devoted her life to was one-sided.

“It’s a nice day.”

The woman, who stood under the pouring sunlight through a large window, muttered as she put her hand on the window sill.

“Should I bring you tea?”

The woman shook her head at the maid’s question.

“No need.”

As she moved, her pale yellow hair that was like a canary’s feathers gently swayed.

Even that insignificant movement was so lovely and dignified. The heart of the maid, who had been responsible for the maintenance of Scherzer County long after the death of the former Countess, was filled with satisfaction.

The maid wondered if there was another perfect match for the young master whom she had raised like a child.

The maid, knowing that the hostess prefers to spend time waiting for the master to arrive by standing by the window of the study with the best view of the entrance to the Count’s house, backed away so as not to disturb her.

“Call me if you need anything.”

After the old maid had disappeared, Jaylene was still staring out of the window.

She was still as slender as a maiden, and the contours of her small body were studded in darkness when viewed from behind.

Jaylene reached out and picked up a box with the imperial seal on the outside from the long desk by the window.

Judging by the fact that there was something that wasn’t there until last night, it seemed that someone had come and had gone quietly from the Imperial Palace at dawn.

Click!

When she opened the box and looked inside, she found a pair of earrings with pearls wrapped in golden flowers hanging from them.

She found it familiar.

It was natural.

Because Jaylene herself sent it to the 2nd Empress.

“Ah, that’s too bad. They’re so pretty, but useless.”

Jaylene bit her pale pink lips as if upset.

“This is so unlike Kaiden. I only wanted to say hello, what’s wrong with it?”

No, even if she did more than say hello, the Kaiden she knew wouldn’t have wrinkled his eyes, right?

However.

If it’s the recent 2nd Empress, it might be worth Kaiden’s hand.

But Jaylene didn’t expect it to be worth this much.

Didn’t this mean that he is completely observing, so she shouldn’t touch her?!

Jaylene took out the earrings from the box and held them in her soft palm.

Then clenched them in her hand.

The sharp points pricked her palm.

“If this one is a warning, what about the other?”

Jaylene tilted her head.

Everything Kaiden does has meaning.

Because whoever does something already has at least one purpose.

But Kaiden had at least two, or more.

One may not notice it right away, but they will realize it over time.

If they don’t have enough ability to withstand it to a certain extent, they’ll be devastated, not even knowing how much they’ve lost…

Jaylene, whose eyes were drooping, suddenly brought her forehead to the window. A black shadow was passing through the entrance of the road to the mansion.

It was still pretty far away, so it was hard to see, but there’s no way she failed to recognize that figure.

“Rohan.”

It is a name that tastes sweet like honey. Jaylene immediately turned her around and went out of the study.

From the study on this floor, she went through the hallway and down the central staircase. As soon as her toes touched the first floor, she moved a little faster.

The hem of the dress glistened, and the purple eyes shone brightly.

Just as always, she opened the door to the mansion and got out of the house.

To greet Rohan.

“You’re here?”

“You don’t have to come out like this every time. You have a weak constitution.”

Rohan said in such a calm tone that it was hard to say that he just ran. He then lightly kissed the back of the extended hand.

“It’s the biggest pleasure of my day. You’re not trying to take it away, are you?”

With a bright smile, Jaylene stood next to Rohan.

As Rohan took a step aside and avoided it, Jaylene’s purple eyes flash bright blue.

Rohan shook his head.

“Your clothes will get dirty. As you can see, I’m not in a good shape right now.”

At Rohan’s words, Jaylene’s gaze turned to his clothes.

It was soaked with a mess of dirt and dust, and the bottoms were covered in mud.

“What happened? What if you catch a cold? Someone, get me a towel…”

Rohan, who was about to tell the rushing Jaylene that it was okay, shut his mouth.

Jaylene wiped off Rohan’s hair and any stains on his clothes with the towel the maid had brought.

It took a while, and it would have been much better to wash and then change into new clothes, but Rohan quietly let Jaylene do what she wanted to do.

“It’s done.”

Soon after, Jaylene took the towel and handed it to the maid, who was waiting by her side.

“Hurry up and wash up. I’ll prepare dinner with something warm.”

“Thank you.”

Rohan thanked her and stepped onto the stairs leading up to the upper floor.

***

Chaenggang!

Jaylene dropped the fork in her hand onto the plate.

It’s a mistake she wouldn’t normally make, but Jaylene didn’t even care what she just did.

The story she just heard was shocking.

Jaylene sat across from the far end of the long table and checked again with Rohan, who continued his meal.

“… Are you saying that you’re going west to escort the 2nd Empress?”

“Yes. Your Majesty has ordered.”

By the time everyone left the garden of the 1st Empress that had turned into a mess, everything had already been completed.

“Is that so? I heard that not too long ago, you also went to the Capital Guard with the 2nd Empress, showing that His Majesty seems to care very much for the 2nd Empress. The 1st Knights, who are directly under His Majesty, and you, who is also the leader…”

Rohan raised his auburn-colored eyes and looked directly at Jaylene, making clear boundaries.

“The 3rd Prince’s knights have not been formed yet, and the Crown Prince’s knights have not been formed for a while, so it is natural for me to move.”

It was polite, but it was clear that he would not accept any further objections.

At this time, there was no use persuading Rohan.

However.

If one had to ask, Jaylene liked Rohan because he was such a person.

Jaylene’s pale yellow eyelashes fluttered like a butterfly with its wings outstretched.

Jaylene, who was biting her molars, forced a smile.

“If you say so, so be it. Now, you have to eat.”

“I’ve finished.”

Still, Rohan never left his seat first.

He always waited for Jaylene to finish eating, and then he got up with her.

The meal time, which was usually quite long, was exceptionally delayed today.

Jaylene, who picked up the tableware that had been dropped, slowly put down the fork and lightly nipped through the food.

She pursed her lips together as if hesitating over and over again, and only when she had a full blush on her cheeks did she spoke.

“You are going far away, my heart is empty. Would you like to spend time together tonight? I was given good wine, and I want to taste it together.”

The temptation of a bashful, girl-like woman was sweeter and darker.

However.

“My apologies. This mission is quite large, so there is a lot to prepare for.”

“… I understand.”

Rohan, who mostly listened to Jaylene, had never responded to this kind of offer.

Before getting married, Rohan, who said that he did not love Jaylene, said that he wouldn’t be able to make her happy either.

As such, Jaylene, who replied that it doesn’t matter as long as he cannot be taken away by others, had to be responsible for what she had said herself.

“I’m done eating. Let us rise.”

As Jaylene got up from the table, Rohan followed her.

Upon reaching the upper floor, in the middle of the hallway, Rohan splitted to the left and Jaylene to the right.

Never once had the two of them slept in the same room and woke up together.

Instead of the bedroom, Jaylene went into the study next to the bedroom and took out the earrings she had kept in her arms for a while.

“The rest was a warning.”

He’s telling me not to think about interfering with the 2nd Empress and Rohan’s mission this time.

Reminding me who the real owner of Rohan is.

“Kaiden, you know that stealing is the worst thing, right?”

No.

The worst thing in the world isn’t stealing, but teasing to give before taking back something.

Because it doesn’t end at once, but gnaws at the involved party the whole time.

Moreover, he didn’t even give it to me, only pretended to give it to me to scratch my stomach before taking it away again.

“Couldn’t Kaiden learn properly about how delicate a person is?”

Jaylene’s eyes twitched.

Strength entered her fingertips that were curled around the earrings.

It stung like before and didn’t end. Two viper’s fangs penetrated sharply and extracted red blood.

Anger is a poison that slowly spreads throughout one’s body.