CH 7

Real life summoned, update will be slightly slower after this chapter.

Nicolai appeared completely at ease, and his demeanour only fuelled my anger further. I couldn’t allow things to go as he intended. I kept my voice as calm as possible and said,

“Even if you’re the Emperor, aren’t you ashamed to force me, a young lady with a future brimming with possibilities, into a marriage with you against my will? And on top of that, you already have a child, don’t you?” 

“You call yourself a lady, Elisabeth Amster? You must be off your rockers.1”

“Hmmm.”

“If we’re talking about just your one-night stands, it would’ve easily exceeded a hundred. Compared to you, the number of consorts I have is modest.”

“My relationship with them is just like a sibling relationship. We meet up and have meals together, that’s all.”

“How about putting more effort into your excuse?”

“I’m still single.”

“Not for long.” Nicolai gave a refreshing smile. It was a beautiful and charming smile that caught my irritated heart by surprise. However, I wasn’t that thirsty that I would allow myself to be enchanted by the beauty of the villain who came to ruin my life.

“Is kidnapping your thing?”

“Not at all.”

“This doesn’t feel like something you’ve only done once or twice though?”

“You shouldn’t hesitate to use it when you need to. You have to be persistent.”

That was a threat telling me that running away would be useless. The man who stood beside the throne like a stone statue spoke up.

“Your Majesty, please release Miss Elisabeth. If she’s to be your consort, she should be treated accordingly with proper care and respect.”

“And if she tries to escape, are you going to take responsibility, Cares?”

“You will behave quietly and stay put, won’t you?” Cares looked at me with calm eyes. Cares, the Emperor’s closest aide, seemed like a reasonable person as rumoured. I defiantly lifted my chin even though I was made to kneel on the marble floor.  

“No, I won’t behave quietly. But I won’t run away either. I will leave here on my own terms2.”

Nicolai shrugged as if to say, “I told you so.” Cares, however, cautioned calmly, “Please be careful with your words. This is a place where even a single word can spell disaster.”

“It does indeed seem that way. After all, it seems there’s someone here who enjoys punishing others for the slightest slip of tongue, isn’t there? I heard their specialty is kidnapping, isn’t it?”

“His Majesty isn’t always capricious.”

“In this situation, I find it hard to agree.” I wriggled against the ropes. I wonder if that made me looked like a dancing caterpillar? Cares let out a sigh. The mastermind behind this, Nicolai, observed me silently, keeping his mouth shut. It was an intense gaze, scanning me from head to toe as if he wouldn’t miss even a single strand of my hair. Not even an astronomer who just discovered a new planet would display such a serious and fervent expression as he did. Even though he made all that fuss about us being husband and wife, his eyes were cold as ice.

‘Why are you so obsessed with me? What on earth are you hiding?’

Nicolai, deep in thought, motioned. “Untie her, for now.”

I stood up with the help of several lady-in-waiting. A deep red bruise mark remained on my pale wrists. What troubled me more than the throbbing pain in my wrists was this incomprehensible man, Nicolai.

“Listen, everyone.” Nicolai commanded. The ornate ebony and gold door to the audience chamber swung open, and thirty nobles, clad in luxurious silk garments, entered in a single file.

“We humbly greet Your Imperial Majesty.” The nobles performed a respectful greeting with refined gestures. These were the very familiar faces I had memorised through their portraits.

‘They are the respective heads of the “Four Great Noble Families.” You have the senior members of the Noble circle, the Prime Minister, and also high-ranking officials from the internal affairs.’

I didn’t rely solely on Douglas’ help. Using the seemingly inexhaustible wealth of the Amster family at my disposal, I diligently gathered every piece of information on Nicolai and the Empire’s political landscape. Money truly makes the world go round. There was no shortage of information as I was even able to gather an abundance information that even the most avid readers who knew the original work by heart wouldn’t know. However, Nicolai’s personal life was like a well-guarded fortress. Even the top experts in the information industry couldn’t dig up anything.

‘I had expected the kidnapping. After all, the person who created that insane contract is capable of anything. But what could be the reason for summoning the nobles?’

Nicolai was more than just the immature playboy persona known to the public. He was hiding something. It certainly wasn’t just a matter related to his lower region. Suddenly, the secretive Emperor rose from the throne. Treading on the flawless crimson carpet, he approached me step by step.

“Your Majesty?”

The grand audience hall, adorned with stained glass windows, chandeliers, and gilded statues, was filled an almost palpable tension. The wide-eyed nobles watched the Emperor’s every move. When the most drop-dead gorgeous man stepped right in of me, even if he was a kidnapper, and as if that wasn’t enough, he even planted a kiss on the back of my hand. It was understandable if I forgot to breathe momentarily.  

“!”

Soft and warm lips touched my skin. The gentle pressure of his lips on the back of my hand made my heart pound fiercely. A burst of multicoloured fireworks erupted before my eyes. I bit my lip, fearing that a moan of delight might escape unintentionally.  

“Elisabeth, how about accepting only the Emperor’s heart?” Nicolai’s voice was as sweet as honey. Even the way he looked at me was filled with an intense longing. On the surface, he appeared to be genuinely yearning for the love of his beloved. It shook me to my core, despite knowing that everything was an exaggeration and a lie.

‘That’s some incredible method acting. If he were an actor, he would sweep the Oscars.’

The tingling sensation lingered on the back of my hand. I rubbed the back of my hand to try and erase the secretive sensation, but it was useless. It hurt my pride that I allowed myself to feel excited even a moment.

“Your Majesty, why did you summon the elders?”

“Because I thought having witnesses would help change your mind.” Nicolai teased frivolously3 with those desirable lips. The brilliance of a trickster flickered and disappeared from his dark green eyes. Once again, the mask of a Casanova was skilfully back in place, and then he knelt down on one knee in front of me.

“Elisabeth, will you marry me?”

The consecutive surprises had left the nobles shocked and speechless. I could clearly see their thoughts from the expressions on their faces, even though they deliberately disregarded my presence.

– “The emperor has been bewitched by that blood sucking, men-devouring femme fatale!” 

– “Why are they causing a scene here instead of enjoying themselves in the rear palace?”

– “He wouldn’t choose her as the Empress, would he?”

– “No matter how much of a playboy he is, would he really do such a thing? He’ll grow tired of her soon enough!”

Unlike those sneering nobles, the four heads of the families who had produced four consorts were looking at me nervously, clearly on guard. Seemed like they have noticed Nicolai’s uncharacteristic behaviour.

“You know that Elisabeth can’t give me a reply because she’s too busy observing your reactions, right? I’m sure the consorts from the noble families must be concerned, but don’t worry, she’s more delicate than she looks.” Nicolai said, while casually draping his arm around my shoulder. I attempted to push him away, but he remained unmoved. If I could, I would have loved to stick a ‘I’m an asshole’ sign on his forehead, or perhaps a sign that warned, ‘two-faced bastard, beware!’

“If all of you give your blessings to our union, I’m sure Elisabeth would gladly become my consort as well. What are your thoughts, everyone?”

The faces of the heads of the “Four Great Noble Families” turned a shade of blue, and their gazes directed at me grew more sinister. I bit my inner cheek softly, finally understood what he was trying to do.

‘Aha! He’s trying to use me as a pawn to shake things up? You think I’ll just go along with you obediently, you kidnapper?’

What would happen if a consort who received plenty of favour emerged in the harem, which was already in a precarious balance?

‘Some may flatter her, while others may reveal their true intentions. There might even be those who would attempt to overthrow the emperor.’

Nicolai observed the nobles’ reactions closely. True to his expectations, the nobles began to divide and raise their voices.

– “What’s wrong with a ruler having multiple wives?”

– “In all matters, there are procedures and laws.”

– “It’s a royal command. As His Majesty’s loyal vassals, we must abide!”

– “How wonderful it would be if we had an empress? We must seize this opportunity and quickly crown an empress!”

In recent times, the influence of the nobles, centred around the “Four Great Noble Families”, had been on the rise. There had been an increase in noble landlords who were seizing control of regional powers and accumulating wealth through illicit means, all while evading Nicolai’s watchful eyes. There were even reports of some nobles who were colluding with enemy nations and secretly raising private armies. These cunning little mice hid their tails well. To discern the loyal from the disloyal, Nicolai had to don the mask of the Casanova Emperor. It was a challenging and lonely endeavour.

‘The only thing more dangerous than the plague is the fear and unrest among the people. We must keep the fact that carriers of Netherworld blossom are being isolated in the harem a secret. The problem lies with those blind mice, who are blinded by power.’

However, Nicolai’s attention wasn’t focused on the nobles who were busy scheming4, but rather on Elisabeth, who was observing the whole thing impassively. The scent of cherry blossoms tickled his nose, and as the foul stench of the Netherworld blossom dissipated, a sense of clarity washed over him, and everything became much clearer.

‘I thought she was merely fragrant, but she turned out to be far more astute than I’d anticipated. She has already noticed what I’m trying to conceal.’

Elisabeth was unperturbed. She spoke with a harsh yet candid tone, but refrained from intervening. Occasionally, she would cast a fearsome glare in his direction, but aside from that, Elisabeth handled the situation much better than Nicolai had anticipated. A peculiar sense of pride welled up within him for choosing her.

‘As it turns out, I was neither captivated by her nor did I lose my self-control. It’s just as usual.’

At least, that was how he convinced himself. He had brought a woman unrelated to the Netherworld blossom. Even right now, he was worried that she might run away. The true Nicolai was far more unattractive and pathetic than the Casanova he had pretended to be. If he remained resolute in front of Elisabeth, there would be no need to feel ashamed. If he merely used that woman as a means to an end, there was no need to fear change. She was a diffuser, dispersing the foul stench of the Netherworld blossom, as well as the spark that would divide those cowardly nobles. That’s the extent of her usefulness.

“Your Majesty, Marquess Douglas Nettleton has requested an audience.”

Nicolai’s eyebrows twitched. He didn’t miss the subtle change in Elisabeth’s delicate face. The urge to dismiss and check on Marquess Douglas Nettleton, Elisabeth’s former fiancé, surged simultaneously.  

‘He’s nothing more than a pretentious fallen noble. There’s no need to waste time meeting him in person.’

That was his initial thought and intention until he clashed with Elisabeth’s provocative dark eyes. Their gazed entwined, igniting a spark of tension. She stood tall, not like a mere delicate flower, but rather a knight on the battlefield. Did she have something to say? Nicolai tried to ignore it, but the captivating red lips he couldn’t forget even for a moment, moved slightly.

“Scared? Then get lost.”

“Your Majesty, I beseech you, please revoke Miss Elisabeth’s conferment!”

Douglas presented a box containing the Iris of Mourasynthia to Nicolai. In front of the Emperor and the distinguished nobles, he showed no signs of wavering. It could have cost him his life, and his entire family could have faced great danger, but Douglas did not forget his promise to protect me.

‘I truly underestimated Douglas. He’s a handsome, kind, and upright man.’

What was so appealing about a woman who had discarded him that he would willingly take such a risk? It didn’t make any sense to me. That’s why I felt even more grateful and deeply moved. I couldn’t fathom how I could repay his kindness. I found myself looking at Douglas’s back, which looked unusually wide today.

“So, this is the treasured bestowed by the First Emperor himself. In those days, the empire had five great noble families.

“I apologise, Your Majesty.”

“I see, are you implying that you’ll use your power to defy for her?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.

“Do you even realise the significance of your actions?” Nicolai’s eyes turned fiercely menacing.

To be continued…

1 지나가던 개가 웃겠다 (a passing dog will laugh) is a figurative expression used to emphasise the absurdity, ridiculousness, or extreme amusement of a situation. It’s often used to mock or ridicule someone’s actions, decisions, or remarks that are considered laughable, foolish, or deserving criticism. I didn’t translate it literally, and just use a similar expression in English that I can think of.

2. 내 발로 나갈 거니까 This translates literally as “I’ll go out on my own feet.” A colloquial expression to imply someone who will handle a situation or leave a place by their own initiative rather than relying or on others’ command. “Leave/go on my own term(s)” imo is a more natural expression in English.

3 입술을 나풀거렸다 (stem word: 나불거리다2) I thought this might be interesting for other learners too. 나불거리다 originally means “to flutter/flap” as in “my skirt fluttered/flapped”, “the leaves fluttered to the ground”, etc… “입술을 나풀거렸다” literally translated to “lips fluttered/flapped”. What does it mean for lips to “flutter” or “flap” in English? If we want to get really technical, I guessed “flap” is possible, considering the “open/close” imagery the word “flap” can impart. And that is what “입술을 나풀거렸다2” (lips flapped) means. 나풀거렸다2 became a (속된말로—slang) and “입술을 나풀거렸다2” then became to mean “speak recklessly/carelessly”/”yap needlessly”/”speak frivolously”, etc…

4 The Korean idiom ‘주판(을) 놓다’ and the Chinese idiom ‘打算盘’ (da-suanpan) share a similar meaning. Both idioms metaphorically refer to the act of using an abacus to calculate and plan. They imply a deliberate and thoughtful process of considering various factors, weighing options, and making decisions. Both idioms convey the idea of careful planning, strategizing, and taking calculated actions.