CH 162

Two of them stayed that way for a while. Then Ridrian pushed Eris away. I was curious to know what face he was making, but his face was covered by Eris’s hair. Still, it looked like he was covering his lips.

“What do you think?”

“I…I think it’s ok.”

“Right? I’m good at this.”

Eris was giggling, but I couldn’t feel whatever she was feeling. It felt like I’d been hit in the back of the head.

They kissed?

It was me who had wanted them to get together. For the first time ever, they were laughing and enjoying themselves. Ridrian had definitely liked kissing Eris.

It’s a good thing…

I realized my hands were shaking. My heart was racing.

Don’t do this, I told myself. You were preparing for this. That’s not my place. Things are finally as they should be.

“I’ll protect you for sure.” Ridrian’s voice filled my head. “So stay by me.”

I shook my head.

No, I thought. I shouldn’t focus on that. He’s become nice to Eris. It will be the female lead who saves the male lead.

I hugged my legs close to my chest, sinking my head onto my knees.

When dinnertime came, I didn’t want to go, but as a host, I had to. So, I showed up smiling.  I was cutting my meat, not knowing if I was eating to begin with, when Eris spoke.

“Iona, are you okay?” she asked, looking worried. “You don’t look well.”

She’d been eating happily until a moment ago. I felt uncomfortable looking at her face but forced a smile.

“I’m good. My stomach just wasn’t feeling too well.”

“Are you okay?” Ridrian wanted to know. “Ravis.”

“Yes.”

He’d already called Ravis, who could heal me of any injury must arise. I stared in surprise as he got up. I’d been lying about not feeling well.

“I’m just tired!” I protested. “I don’t need healing.”

“But—”

“I’m really okay. I can’t depend on divine power all the time.” I shook my hands desperately to avoid any more offers. Just then, Raven changed the subject.

“Your Majesty,” he said, “you need to go back to the palace tomorrow.”

Ridrian dropped whatever he’d been about to say to me and turned to Raven.

“The inheritance ceremony will begin tomorrow at 2pm. A festival is planned afterward.”

It was a ceremony for me to inherit my title as viscount, but it also included other nobles that would be getting their titles back. Of course, Ridrian as Emperor could cancel it at will, but he didn’t look like he had any such intention.

“Of course,” he said. “I want to give her the title as soon as possible.”

Then he smiled at me. Ordinarily, I would have felt happy about his smile, but for some reason it made me uncomfortable this time. I avoided his gaze and changed the subject.

“I still haven’t gotten a proper dress.” I’d been kidnapped while looking for one.

“Ah, Mrs. Sed sent us one,” Eris replied, as if she’d just remembered. “Lina took it upstairs.”

“Really? That’s good.”

“She was glad to hear you were ok. The delivery person told me.”

“I should send her a thank you note later.” I spoke.

“I think we need to strengthen our guards during the ceremony,” he said. “The palace doesn’t have the divine barrier. Brother Dylan will be with her at all times, but I think we should be careful.”

Ridrian nodded. When he spoke, he sounded more serious.

“I told you two days ago—a person became a demon in the capital. It was intelligent to consume a human. This isn’t normal. Ravis, contact the religious party and ask to start the purification of all of Etherium.”

Ravis nodded seriously. “Will do.”

The emperor sat there, thinking. Everyone in the dining room was waiting for him to speak. He pondered for a while, then spoke.

“Let’s put out the maximum number of guards on that day, Ravis.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Go back to the palace first. Start putting some barriers in the hall for the ceremony.”

“As you wish.”

“Young Lady Deron,” said Ridrian. “Sir Fortis.”

“Yes,” they both answered.

“Make sure to stay with her at all times. I’ll allow you to stand by her during the entire ceremony.”

“As you wish.”

“Raven, make sure you allow them into the palace, and prepare a separate room for Iona to rest in. More guards the better. Ravis, put barriers on that room as well.”

“As you wish,” said Raven.

“Understood,” Ravis said.

I looked at Ridrian, who was giving orders nonstop like it was the right thing to do. It dawned on me how much of an emperor he truly was. I was born into this monarchical society with the memory of my past life, so it felt a little odd getting used to the scene.

“Iona?”

He’d caught me. I turned away, uncomfortable all of a sudden. I would’ve caved if I gazed into his eyes, so I avoided them.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, as though nothing had happened during the day.

Unlike me, he seemed completely fine. Realization dawned on me.

Ah, he had no feelings for me to begin with…

I could feel my mind clearing. Boys usually bullied the girl they liked. Ridrian had been quite rude to Eris from the beginning. It was starting to make sense now.

Ok, that is enough, I thought. This is how things should be. Ridrian’s trauma is healed, and I become free. This truly will be best for him. That’s enough for me.

Trying to slow down my thoughts, I smiled brightly at him. As my mind cleared from all the worry I’d been experiencing, I found it easier to smile. Although it didn’t come from my heart, it felt enough.

“Yes, Your Majesty. Did you call me?”

“That day, no…” He took another look at my face and glanced away, his ears reddening. It was hard to tell what troubled him. As I glanced at him, he went on. “Hm,” he said, “stay by my side on that day.”

I thought about it for a moment and decided it would be easier to guard me.

“Yes, I’ll do that,” I replied immediately, getting to my feet. “Is this it? I must prepare to get into the palace tomorrow, so I’ll dismiss myself.”

Ridrian seemed to notice the coldness in my response. He looked a little flustered.