Chapter 24.1

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Chapter 24 – Part 1

It was so easy.

There was something strange and puzzling about it. Perhaps, it was because I am not from this country. It was not just the Emperor, but the people of this country seemed to be absurd as well.

Raniero gently led my hand to the throne of the Empress. It was somehow really awkward for me to sit next to him and look down at the nobles who stared at me with a welcoming expression.

A formal ceremonial opening speech was followed by the Duke of Nerma. The endless development of the Actilus Empire, our loyalty to the Emperor, and development and expansion are the only proof of faith… Well, these were the kinds of stories I knew all about now.

Raniero gazed at me, not at the Duke giving the opening remarks. I tried to pretend I did not see it at first, though he was making me feel self-conscious… To be honest, it was so blatant that there was no sign of hiding it, so it was difficult to turn a blind eye.

Eventually, I turned my head slightly and asked.

“Why, why are you…”

…Why is he looking at me like that?

To His Majesty, people’s faces all look the same, so it was not surprising that I have become pretty all over again.

“It’s amazing.”

Although he just cut off his words before he could finish, leaving me to just guess. It had always been an unparalleled self-centered way of speaking.

Since I could not figure out what was going on in his mind, I just laughed vaguely. However, when he stopped talking and ignored my words, I had no choice but to open my mouth.

“Thank you.”

“You didn’t ask me what it was about?”

…If Your Majesty was me, would you have asked?

Raniero’s lips slowly rose as he asked a rude question only to himself. I realized something was wrong again when his lips opened and said, ‘Ah.’ The smile on Raniero’s lips was truly ominous.

“You… you don’t even need to understand my thoughts, so that’s why you didn’t ask? What were you talking about?”

My eyes were tightly shut.

Your Majesty, I have only been out of the realm of death for just a few hours. Could you give me a moment to rest…?

I swallowed my tears and shook my head for another improvisation.

“Oh, oh… I didn’t know what it is, but I’m just happy that Your Majesty is looking at me, and I’m grateful for all the attention you give me…”

As he listened to me, he leaned his upper body this way. The momentary silence that he deliberately placed before he opened his lips made me nervous… This guy was obviously doing this on purpose.

He whispered the last words in a really sweet voice.

“You’re only getting better at using your tongue like a snake, aren’t you?”

It was a really absurd remark for me, who lives a daily life that fluctuates every day. And, why does he think that is…?

Guess who it was because of…!

Even though I cried on the inside, I could not help but laugh on the outside. Meanwhile, Raniero straightened his posture again and whispered.

“Now, I know what your face looks like.”

My head turned towards his direction without me knowing. Those words naturally brought back the memories of that night.

“I can’t tell the faces of others apart. It’s because they all look alike.”

In fact, Raniero does not even need to memorize other people’s faces. Because, as an emperor, when he is meeting someone he needs to know, he will always meet someone he should know their name and official rank first.

‘If you are a normal person, you would be able to memorize their faces if you see them dozens of times.’

I was lost in my thoughts for a moment.

Raniero may have a problem that was not mentioned in the original. Perhaps, it was not that he was indifferent to others, but he really could not tell the difference between faces. However, if it was, it would go beyond a simple memory problem. I mean, would it not be an illness, then…?

“Empress.”

‘…What? If he was really sick, wouldn’t it be strange that he suddenly remembered my face?’

“Empress.”

“Ah…”

Confused and immersed in my thoughts, I realized later that I was led by Raniero and led to the center of the banquet hall. At that, I glanced around stupidly again.

As my head spun around, Raniero clasped one hand over my cheek to fix my head.

“You’re thinking about something else again.”

Heuk—

“May, maybe I’m dazed because the side effects of the medicine still remain…”

“I don’t like lies.”

I shut my mouth and rolled my eyes at his words. I was thinking about how I would respond with the skill that I was good at adapting to the situation. However, before the time limit of five seconds had passed, a long, beautiful hand wrapped around my waist.

In the blink of an eye, we stood close together, holding one hand and placing my other hand on his shoulder.

Since it was awkward for me to have my hand on his body, I kept pulling it back. Though every time, Raniero just pulled me closer as if I had no choice before pulling me closer to him again.

‘Ahh…’

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