CH 165

“I’ve brought her to the drawing room, just like you ordered,” Kraman said, bowing once he was back in the office.

“Why did you come back?” Ridrian demanded. “I told you to guard her.”

“Well…” Kraman looked troubled.

“She told me to go back, as she won’t leave the room. She said she didn’t want people to look. I told her it was your order, but she was insisting…”

“I see.”

Kraman was surprised to see the emperor let it go so easily. He knew he’d softened since that fair, blonde lady came into the palace, but he was still bracing himself. In a previous time, he would’ve been stabbed by the sword for sure.

“Raven.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Send her some books so she doesn’t get bored. And a variety of food.”

“Yes.”

Kraman’s eyes widened. His Master, who didn’t care about others around him, was being considerate. It was amazing how much he changed.

Ridrian was still thinking hard.

Why is she mad?

No matter what happened, she’d been kind to him. So why was she suddenly being so cold? Had he been too formal to Iona during the ceremony?

Did I do something wrong? Did she not like me calling on the entire knight order since she didn’t like being seen by others? Or perhaps she didn’t like me staying at the mansion? But she hasn’t said anything. Ah—maybe I bothered her too much?

His hands moved vigorously even as he pondered. The ceremony was over, and the festival was being prepared. While he waited, he did his work.

Raven returned and approached Ridrian.

“Your Majesty,” he said, “Viscount Lesprey said she won’t attend the festival.”

“What?”

“It appears she’s not feeling well.”

Ridrian shot to his feet, his brows furrowing. Iona wasn’t feeling well? All his thoughts seemed to go out the window.

“Let’s go.”

“I’ll leave the festival to someone else.”

It was questionable if Ridrian heard that.

Not feeling well. Was it like that yesterday, too?

Ridrian practically flew to the drawing room to see Iona.

“Your Majesty?”

“Did the festival start already?” Ridrian opened the door, ignoring the surprised faces of Dylan and Eris. An uneasy sensation descended over him, as though the divine power was working perfectly, but he opened the door regardless.

“Iona.”

“Your Majesty?”

Iona’s eyes widened as she saw him. Ridrian closed the door behind him, leaving the other two outside. “I heard you’re not feeling well?”

“Pardon?” Her eyes grew even wider with confusion.

“I heard you told Raven you wouldn’t be attending because you weren’t feeling well.”

“I just said I’d be resting because I was tired.” Iona frowned slightly, as though still unsure what was going on. For a moment, Ridrian felt his breathing cease.

So lovely…

It had been only a few days since he realized this, but he’d been feeling it for a long time. He almost hated himself for realizing it so late.

If I realized it earlier, I would’ve never let her leave the palace. No matter what her status was, he would’ve never let her go out.

He shook his head suddenly. If I did that, Iona would’ve felt trapped. That’s not good.

She already felt suffocated, being a doll. He never wanted to have a fight like the one they’d had at the Terrace temple. Ridrian’s felt his heart drop just remembering how she’d fainted. He had a sudden urge to take her out somewhere.

He needed to hold Iona in the palace for a bit longer today.

“If you’re not too tired, do you want to go for a walk?”

Her sky-blue eyes stared at him, then turned. It was still shocking.

Is she really avoiding me? Why? Does she not like me anymore?

He wanted to tell himself that it wasn’t the case, but his heart sank. Iona had turned away, her back facing him.

“I just want to rest in the room,” she said.

At her rejection, Ridrian clenched his fist, filled with a sudden urge. An urge to drag her into his room and lock her up until she couldn’t reject him anymore. He just wanted her to stare at him. If she hated him, then at least she wouldn’t leave his side…

No, I can’t do that.

Ridrian shook his head. He’d never had to hold back on anything for the past few years. Suppressing this urge was almost impossible.

I can’t do that to her.

She was already weak. There was no way she could handle him. He couldn’t afford to let someone important to him be ruined.

After a moment of silence, Ridrian tried to persuade her.

“I know you’re feeling cooped up,” he said. “You wouldn’t need guards if you went out with me.”

Carefully, he took her hand, hoping she wouldn’t say no, and felt her tense up. Reactively, he flinched. Didn’t she want him to touch her? She remained still, thankfully, merely awkwardly looking away.

Lovely, as always.

He felt nothing when everyone else looked coldly at him, but Iona was lovely no matter what she did. Lovely enough for him to react to everything little thing she did.

This is that kind of emotion.

It was an awkward and foreign emotion to him, but Ridrian didn’t care. It was foreign, he didn’t doubt that Iona would accept it. But now that Iona’s stance had changed, he felt like a baby lamb, not knowing where to go. Ridrian felt like a child again.

“No walk?” He asked carefully, observing her reaction.