Chapter 59

‘I definitely washed my face.’

Astelle touched her cheek with her hand, wondering if there were any tears left behind.

Kaizen said, as if trying to reassure Astelle.

“Don’t worry, everything will be fine.”

“……”

It may not be all right if the truth about the assassination is revealed.

But Astelle couldn’t tell Kaizen that.

If the true culprit behind the assassination is revealed, Astelle will not be able to escape.

Astelle felt terribly towards herself for thinking about that even at this moment.

She looked away from Kaizen and asked,

“Are your wounds okay?”

“As you can see, I’m fine.”

“What did the doctor say?”

“The doctor said it would be fine.”

It looked like a pretty deep cut, but he was so healthy.

Still, it was fortunate that there were no aftereffects.

Astelle bowed her head to him.

“I couldn’t thank you properly. Thank you for protecting me.”

“You have nothing to thank me for. It is only natural that I protect you.”

Kaizen said so in a calm tone.

Astelle suddenly remembered the scene she had seen in the forest.

Kaizen’s wounds while protecting Astelle.

In his moment of crisis, Kaizen fought desperately to protect Astelle without thinking about his own safety.

Astelle, feeling a little complicated, answered quietly,

“Yes, I’m glad that Your Majesty was not seriously hurt either.”

At those words, Kaizen turned to Astelle with his shocked eyes.

He looked astonished.

Astelle thought for a moment as to where she had said something so surprising to him.

“You… Did you worry about me?”

Well, how can she not worry? He is the emperor.

“I was worried that the wound would be severe. It would be a big deal if there were any aftereffects.”

Astelle said as calmly as possible. But Kaizen still looked surprised.

“Your Majesty? Why are you so surprised?”

“It’s amazing that you really cared about me because I didn’t think it was possible in real life.”

Astelle did not know whether he was joking or serious. She just sighed as tried to refute Kaizen’s words.

“You saved me, so of course I have to worry.”

A sense of guilt was mixed with gratitude.

It was Astelle’s father, the Duke of Reston, who tried to kill Kaizen.

Knowing this, Astelle could not tell Kaizen the truth.

Even though his help had saved her life that day, she couldn’t be honest with him.

“Astelle.”

Kaizen, who had been watching Astelle’s complicated expression, approached her.

In an instant, the distance between the two of them narrowed.

“Your Majesty?”

Kaizen was close enough to reach her if he stretched out his hand.

There was a warmth in his numb red eyes.

“I’m glad you’re safe.”

His sincere affection in those eyes made her speechless.

Kaizen drew closer and closer.

Astelle stood dazed, then tried to step back.

But before she could take a step, Kaizen grabbed Astelle’s shoulder and held her in his arms.

“Y-Your Majesty?”

As Astelle was panicking and trying to get out, a shaky voice reached her ear.

“When the assassin ran at you, I thought I couldn’t breathe.”

His always strong and cold voice was currently trembling.

“I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to protect you.”

Kaizen’s fearful voice was unfamiliar enough that it felt strange.

Astelle was held in his arms and quietly listening to his voice.

She obviously had to get out, but her whole body was exhausted.

“Your Majesty, I…”

Kaizen looked at her.

His face was close enough for Astelle to feel his breath.

Sharp and delicate eyes with red eyes.

A nose that creates a sharp line.

He had an incredibly handsome face.

He was a dangerously seductive man.

Astelle almost came to her senses too late.

If she had stayed like this, she felt like she would be swept away by the atmosphere and cross the line.

She pushed Kaizen away and escaped from his arms.

“Your Majesty.”

Astelle turned her body.

“Please stop and go back.”

This way, she couldn’t break the boundaries with Kaizen.

Astelle came to her senses and took control of her mind.

“……”

Kaizen looked at her without saying a word and then went outside.

***

Vellian, who was standing around in the corridor waiting for the emperor, found Kaizen coming out of the annex and ran to him.

“Your Majesty.”

Kaizen passed him without looking back and walked towards the main palace.

Vellian hurriedly followed him.

“That… all of the bodies of the assassins have been recovered.”

He followed up and reported, but no answer came back.

The Emperor seems to be in a bad mood.

Vellian deeply regretted having advised him to go on a picnic.

If he hadn’t come up with that suggestion, none of this would have happened.

But he couldn’t undo what had already happened.

He thought the northern forest would be safe as the knights kept guard of it.

Even if dangerous things happen, Kaizen was one of the best swordsmen in the empire.

‘I shouldn’t have taken it so easy.’

Because of that, the Emperor’s mood was bottoming out.

When they reached the middle of the corridor, Kaizen said firmly.

“I will take Astelle to the Imperial Palace.”

“Sorry…?”

‘No, what do you mean…’

Vellian stopped in surprise, but Kaizen did not wait for him and continued walking.

“Y-Your Majesty.”

Vellian followed Kaizen and quietly said something he couldn’t say out loud.

“Your Majesty, if the Duke of Reston dies as a traitor, Lady Astelle will not be able to return to the Imperial Palace.”

The Duke of Reston must be behind this incident.

Even if this was not the case, Kaizen planned to kill the Duke of Reston as a traitor one day and destroy his family.

No matter how wonderful Astelle was, she could not become the empress if she became the daughter of a traitor.

It was common sense.

Kaizen responded coldly as he walked without hesitation.

“If the Duke dies before becoming a traitor, Astelle won’t be a traitor’s daughter.”

Vellian, who was following him, stopped in surprise when he realized the meaning contained in it.

He meant to kill the Duke of Reston without revealing his guilt.

It also meant that he would bring Astelle back to the Imperial Palace as soon as possible.

***

The emperor’s party set off for the capital the next day.

The atmosphere was stricter than ever.

Everyone was on the lookout because there was an assassination attempt.

Even when they stayed in the dormitory for a while, neither Astelle nor anyone could leave the dorm.

It took ten days to reach the capital by the fastest route possible.

Meanwhile, Astelle was confined to only the carriage with a harsh atmosphere, like a prisoner being transferred to prison.

‘I’m really glad that I made a lot of potions for Theor’s eyes.’

Otherwise, she would have had to run away from the knights to get the herbs.

She didn’t even have the confidence to go into the forest for medicinal plants without being caught.

The knights protecting the emperor were stricter than ever.

‘……’

Astelle remembered meeting Kaizen that night as if it had just happened.

Astelle deeply regretted that her heart had been relieved for a moment in those pathetic eyes.

‘I shouldn’t have broken the boundaries like that.’

There were plenty of reasons why Astelle couldn’t get closer to Kaizen.

Just thinking about Theor’s birth and her father’s work.

Even so, she did not understand why she was relieved by Kaizen at that moment.

‘Why…’

Meanwhile Theor, who was sleeping on Astelle’s lap, turned his body.

Astelle looked at Theor who was sleeping soundly and calmed her confused mind.

Anyways, the past is irreversible.

All that is left now is to finish the work of the Empress Dowager’s will as quickly as possible and go home.

Astelle looked out the window of the carriage and made up her mind.

As soon as she goes to the capital, she promises to finish the will and leave.

***

The morning of the tenth day after departing from Dentsu Castle.

A rattling carriage passed through the eastern gate of the capital.

Finally, the Emperor’s party has arrived in the capital.

Astelle looked out at the familiar road scenery and swallowed a bitter thought.

‘I’m back.’

When she left this place six years ago, she swore she would never come back.

The affairs of the world were really unpredictable.

‘To come back to the capital with the emperor like this…’

The Emperor’s party went into the Imperial Palace, but Astelle, Theor, and the Marquis’ carriage went to the mansion near the Imperial Palace.

It was the mansion that Kaizen ordered to prepare in advance when Astelle said she would not stay in the Imperial Palace.

The carriage entered the large gate.

Astelle shook Theor to wake him up.

“Theor, we have arrived. Get up.”

“Hm…”

Theor, who was sleeping on Astelle’s lap, opened his eyes.

“Have we arrived?”

“Yes. Now we are in the capital.”

When Astelle got off the carriage, they were in the front yard of a large mansion.

Dozens of windows adorned with gold and silver hung on the pure white wall carved with holy water.

It was an incredibly gorgeous mansion.

It was as splendid and grand as the residence of the Reston family where Astelle lived.

Come to think of it, this was the mansion of a fallen duke.

The Marquis, who got off the carriage with her, frowned as if realizing it.