CH 11.2

The whole country was buzzing with my story.

A girl who fell in love with the young prince, at first sight, swore loyalty and was cursed to save him. She was running out of strength and was on the verge of death.

The story of a knight who loved the Emperor and sacrificed their life was a popular topic amongst the people, regardless of their age or gender.

My previous rumours were well known, so this story about me spread like wildfire.

Of course, I couldn’t take a step out of the Emperor’s bedroom, so the news was delivered to me by the knights and maids that came to see me. 

“Lindel, it’s a nice day today.”

“When you wake up, let’s see the flower tree together. You’re free to take the food you like and leave.”

“H-Hic! Poor Lindel!”

“Excuse me. I’m conscious here, I didn’t faint. Why don’t you guys stop?”

“Lindel!”

I wish someone would kick these guys out.

The three men in front of me were knights belonging to the same Imperial Knight Division as me. They were my so-called friends.

They have been making a fuss for some time, clinging to me, and leaning onto the bed with a sane mind.

Some people thought I was a critically ill patient with no consciousness.

“You can’t pretend to be okay now. I know you’re not fine.”

“Right! You always said it was okay. What’s this? When we heard from you, we were so…!”

Russell buried his face in both hands and began to cry as if he was overwhelmed by Eutilia’s words. He was the most emotional out of all of us.

Normally, Pan would have made fun of Russell, but he was very quiet today.

Instead of making fun of Russell, Pan looked at me with very sad eyes.

“I heard his Majesty is treating you well.”

“Yes.”

I had nothing to say about this.

Five days had passed since the priest’s nonsense. In the meantime, Lionel has treated me preciously as if I would break if I was touched or blown.

He said that if I was bored, I could call my friends here today.

I couldn’t leave the room, so I called people into the bedroom.

We* will be the first knights in history to visit the emperor’s bedroom.

TL/N: We as in Lindel and the three knights mentioned above, Russell, Eutilia, and Pan.

Surprisingly, I wasn’t happy at all.

“By the way, is it okay to stay in his Majesty’s bedroom like this?”

“He gave me permission. I said I would stay in a different room because I was uncomfortable, but he said no.”

Lionel shook his head even though I said I would see him in the drawing room and not outdoors. It was embarrassing for me too.

Then Eutilia whispered with an awkward face.

“No. Is this the honeymoon room?”

“What?!”

Russell’s eyes glistened as he wiped away the tears that were still falling.

“Congratulations. We’ve all heard. They said you would become the empress. Your love has finally come true, Lindel!”

“It’s been rumoured all over the neighbourhood!”

I fell onto the bed with my face covered. I was ashamed to death. Besides the honeymoon room, that’s what we looked like in other people’s eyes.

I’ve never done anything like a newlywed.

“All that’s left is to be happy. So don’t worry about anything and just think about being healthy again.”

“Right. And if you’re sick, tell me right away.”

“I’m not sick.”

I was sick and tired of those words that followed me every day.

I wanted to climb to the top of the palace and shout that I was healthy. But it was obvious that no one would believe me.

It was already a fact that I had enough experience in the past five days.

“Are you saying that again? We have nothing to worry about. We’re stronger than you think. Please take care of yourself first, not others.”

“I care about myself the most.”

“Yes, please. Continue to do so.”

“Everyone, please go away. I want to be alone.”

Even if it doesn’t hurt, even if I cried out that it wasn’t a curse. No one believed me.

The problem was that I was mesmerized that day and listened to the nonsense of the new priest.

Even if I vomited blood again in front of everyone, I should have cried that it was not a curse. Once the right timing was missed, everyone believed the curse was true.

“Your Majesty is making every effort to find out about the Black Priest*. A lot of our guards are moving, and we’ve put the whole empire on the line. We’ll find it in no time.”

TL/N: Black/dark magic priest

“Even the Guards? What about the people who will protect His Majesty if they use their energy on that?”

“It’s not just that. The person leading them is Sir Shuline. The most important thing right now is your curse.”

“I’m going crazy.”

The Black Priest. He was the only solution the priest told everyone.

‘In the South Sea, there is a black priest that can touch the soul. Find him and heal Lindel’s twisted soul itself. That’s the only way left.’

Life was so unpredictable. I just nodded my head indignantly to the story of the Black Priest. I had no energy to refute.

I just waited for the time to find out what the Black Priest will say after seeing my condition. After seeing me, he will tell everyone that I am fine.

Then, the priest who has listened to his own nonsense will be quite ashamed.

I didn’t feel sorry for the new priest anymore. I wouldn’t be like this if it weren’t for that!

It didn’t matter if someone was timid to see me like this. I was already sharpening my sword for revenge.

Now that this happened, I desperately hoped that the Black Priest will relieve my injustice.

“By the way, Lindel.”

Then Pan asked me cautiously.

“How did you notice the curse on his Majesty?”

Pan’s eyes glistened with respect.

Even if the current situation is like this, I was originally famous as a genius knight.

At the young age of 15, I was a hot topic for everyone when I discovered the existence of a curse that no one in the palace had ever noticed.

A new history has been added to me, which is already full of rumours.

Not only Pan but also Eutilia and Russell were looking at me with a curious faces.

They focused more on me as I took a moment to ease my expression.

“Are you curious?”

“Yes!”

“Please let us know. Everyone’s so curious.”

“If you say that, I’ll tell you the truth.”

I caught my breath and pretended to look around. And beckoned them close.

I said it as confidentially as possible but clearly with sincerity.

“There’s no curse. That’s all crap. How would a mere fifteen-year-old know that.”

I wanted to destroy their respect.

But as usual, it was me who was crushed.

“You’re doing it again! Phew! It’s a secret, right? All right.”

“You’re so mean!”

None of my words worked.

At this point, I was even more upset.

I said firmly without any hesitation when Luna opened the door and came in.

My fingers pointed to the three people huddled next to me.

“Please kick these three out.”

I thought that being together with friends would only increase my stress.

“…The knights?”

Luna was embarrassed, but I did not intend to reverse my orders.

“Right now.”

Translator Corner

This is the end of the first “chapter” of the story. The next chapter will be the start of the new arc.

“I’m in Trouble Because The Emperor Thinks My Time is Limited” will be on a one-month break. The next update will be on August 28th.