Chapter 21: Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Isilis was enjoying her precious freedom. Tomorrow was the last day to enjoy freedom because the delegation from the Hillenton Empire was due to come.

Although she left Faylos to do the job, the final decision-maker was Isilis. All of Faylos’ documents passed through her, and she was buoyed by the expectation that due to the video stone obtained recently, the impure elements existing in the Empire would be eradicated.​

‘I should name the child first.’

Thus, she came out to the streets of the capital. She was thinking of looking for the most common names here.

‘There is a myth that if you name something common, they will live a long time.’

While she did not believe in such superstitions, when she gave birth to the child, it was different. She was even more concerned because the child was not born with magical powers, so Isilis was afraid that the child might get sick because she was too weak.

There was the Imperial doctor that was sure the child would never get sick, though Isillis only wanted to get rid of that factor.

‘Are all parents with children like this?’

When the previous Empress had her, was she the same as Isilis right now? Would her father be like her now…? She wondered.

“Found you.”

Suddenly, her wrist was grabbed, and her body was turned. Isilis’ eyes widened as she saw the man’s face.

It was him… She tried to forget but could not forget, she tried to erase but could not erase.

…The child’s father.

“Who are you?”

“We know each other, so don’t say nonsense.”

“Do you know me?”

“If you know, you might know. If you don’t know, you may not know.”

Seeing the man answering the question, Isilis laughed.​

“You… Your eye color…”

“You. Such disrespectful remarks.”

“Are you really not the woman I know?”

“Let go of this hand.”

Surprised by her words, Berthas let go of her hand.​

“Excuse me. Lady.”

Seeing the man bowing his head, Isilis waved her hand.

“It’s okay.”

She didn’t expect him to pretend he didn’t know her right away only because her eye color had changed.​

“Excuse me, you look like someone I knew.”

“It’s okay.”

“That… May I ask your name if you don’t mind?”

“You can’t.”

“Then, would you mind sparing me some time?”

“That would be difficult.”

“Do you still eat barley bread?”

“That…”

Ah, shoot.

“As expected, it’s you.”

Even though she tried to pretend she didn’t know him, the plan went awry just moments after.

Shutting her eyes tightly, she opened them again and tried to move her feet. She created a magic in the hand that was clasped tightly again. Despite the intense sparks, the man did not budge. She looked down and saw an aura wrapped around her hand.

Isilis let out a sigh at his determination to catch her somehow.

“Let’s move somewhere.”

“Are you going to run away again?”

“I won’t go. Let’s move.”

As she spoke while avoiding his approaching gaze, the man held her hand tightly and moved his steps with a bright smile as if all his troubles had escaped.

* * *

“It was a year and a half.”

The man opened his mouth first. Isilis could not say anything to the man.

“It’s been a year and six months since I saw you.”

“Didn’t the relationship start when we decided not to ask each other anything?”

She opened her mouth as she handed over a cup of tea from a nearby teahouse. The man who was staring at her face spoke again, “Why? Was our month just that much?”

“It’s only been a month in my life.”

“You really…!”

While the angry man shouted, Isilis struggled to calm herself down. What made her feel like she did something wrong…?

“So, did you enjoy it after you left me behind?”

“…What?”

“Was it good that you used me and threw me away?”

At the man’s words, she could see the people looking around her. The murmur pierced her ears precisely.

“A woman used a man and left?”

“It doesn’t look like that…”

“Is it because they are nobles?”

“No, isn’t that man embarrassed?”

The Emperor had no shame. Isilis didn’t even care about the man’s words.

“What do you mean, was it good? After the set time had passed, I just returned to my place.”

“Then, will your plans change since we meet again?”

“No way.”

She could see the man frowning at the words. The man, who was thinking for a moment, opened his mouth.

“Where did you put my necklace?”

“Necklace?”

“The necklace I put in your robe.”

“…What’s with that?”

“You saw it.”

His words made her wonder again. Why did she keep showing such a loophole when dealing with this man?

“Did you leave after seeing it?”

“So?”

“Was it really nothing? The time we spent?”

Isilis couldn’t answer his words. What did he want her to talk about?

That she already had a child? That the time she spent with him was the most splendid time in her life? The time that made her feel like a human being as an Empress? No, it was a time when she wanted to leave all this and run away with him…?

…How could she just say that?

She was the Empress… An Empress who couldn’t put everything down and ran away from her place.

The man opened his mouth again as if he knew she was hesitating.

“Come with me.”

“What…?”

“Come with me. What are you worried about?”

“After I go? Can you handle it?”

“What can’t I do? You’re not the only one whom I can take responsibility for.”

Isilis smirked at the man’s confident words. The man didn’t know who she was, so he could say things like that.

“You won’t be able to handle me.”

“Then, you?”

“What?”

“Do you know who I am?”

“….”

“We don’t know each other, so come with me.”

“I can’t.”

​The man closed his eyes at her words.​

“Then, we’re done here?”

“This is it.”

She saw the man staring into her face, but Isilis stubbornly turned her face away. If she kept looking at that face, her heart seemed to weaken. She left the man who sat still and got up from her seat. Without leaving a greeting, Isilis left the tea house.

The man’s gaze continued to be felt through the window though she did not look back. Her heart ached.

‘…Is this heartbreak?’

Isilis felt an emptiness on one side, yet she had to return to the Imperial Palace.

She couldn’t help it. She was the Empress of this Empire, and this Empire of hers was her. She couldn’t leave with him.​

“You’re back, Your Majesty.”

The servant’s voice was heard, but she did not answer. As she waved her hand and dismissed the person, she struggled. Her heart was troubled.

“…Come to think of it, I forgot to name the child.”

She had gone to find out a common name to name a child.

“What if he finds out she has a daughter?”

Would he like to know that he had a child…?

“Should I have told him?”

She knew it, too. Even though she says this now, she would never say it.

“I will never see him again.”

* * *

Berthas was unable to stand up because of the sense of loss.​

“Is this the end?”

He couldn’t admit it.

…Why did she abandon him? There must have been a reason she didn’t say. The woman he knew wasn’t the kind of person to shy away that way. Knowing that she was in the capital of the Larchen Empire, he vowed that he would continue to seek, meet, and persuade her during his stay.

“Don’t try to get away from me.”

He had found the first person he wanted to be with, yet she said she couldn’t be with him… So, what should he do?

“…I have to catch her.”

Yes. He’ll catch her.

Berthas clenched his fists and looked at the woman’s back as she escaped his gaze. He would let her go for now.​

“But, not the next time we meet.”

His eyes shone bright blue with a determined will.

* * *

It was Hector who stopped Berthas’ steps as he returned back to the accommodation.​

“Your Excellency…!”

“Sir Hector.”

“No, Your Excellency, why are you looking like this!”

“Where are you going?”

“I’m going for a drink. Let’s go together!”

He didn’t refuse Hector’s hand.

“Are you worried about something?”

“Sir Hector.”

“Yes?”

“Why doesn’t she want me?”

“Suddenly? Hmm, maybe that girl…”

“I met her.”

“Did she say she doesn’t want you?”

“She said it was difficult to come with me.”

Hector fell into thought at Berthas’ words.

‘It’s not that she doesn’t want it, it’s difficult.’

“Is there something else going on?”

“Something else?”

“It’s not that she doesn’t want it, it’s difficult. There may be some circumstances.”

“Is that so…”

“If you meet her here, of course, she will be here, so let’s wait.”

“….”

Hector continued speaking as he handed a drink to Berthas, who was silent.

“Have a drink first!”

As he took the drink, the drink that ran down his neck was bitter.

* * *

The next morning. Berthas was meeting with the finance minister of the Hillenton Empire.​

“Duke.”

“Marquis Sylvester.”

“Long time no see.”

“It’s been a really long time.”

Exactly, it was a few decades ago. He had given up his position as Crown Prince of the Empire, and the other person had given up his position as a loyalist of the Empire.​

‘Because you betrayed Father…’

Seeing Marquis Sylvester, who was obsequious to the current Emperor, Berthas ground his teeth inside.

‘To entrust diplomacy to such a person, Uncle lost his nerve.’

Contrary to his cold heart, he opened his mouth.

“Should we now enter Larchen’s Imperial Palace?”

“That’s right. And here for you.”

“What is this?”

“It’s an Imperial order to negotiate a trade deal.”

“Imperial order?”

Upon receiving the letter from the Marquis, Berthas was at a loss for words.

‘What else is he planning?’

In this case, it was clear that if the trade negotiations did not go well, they would hold him accountable.

‘…A trap.’