CH 7

love or deception (6)

Translated by Wook

Edited by Wook

I didn’t know much about Davan.

Rather, I knew better about Cadel, the male protagonist.

Nevertheless, there was a part that I remembered particularly vividly about Davan Khajans, said by the original author themself.

— Q. Reader 113: Author, why didn’t he become an emperor? He’s stronger than the other imperial members.

— A. I, The Most Beautiful in the World: Because he thinks it’s annoying. Had he been a little more diligent, he would have killed them all and became emperor.

— Q. Reader 217: But Davan seems like a workaholic, he seems to do more work and war than the emperor. Wouldn’t it be better to just be emperor in that case?

— A. I, The Most Beautiful in the World: For Davan, the imperial family is not something he has to own, it’s something he has to protect.

‘It’s not something he has to own, it’s something he has to protect.’

For some reason, that single sentence was particularly strong in my memory.

I still don’t know exactly what it means…

Anyway, I already knew that Davan’s only weakness was the imperial family.

It was a very good thing that I paid attention to the author’s Q&A as a passionate fan of the original work.

“But it’s not just the duke’s problem. What about the imperial family’s face?”

I naturally opened my lips.

“There must be some people from other kingdoms who have defected to the empire, how unpleasant they will feel when they hear this news…”

I glanced at Davan’s expression and blurred the end of my speech.

I couldn’t figure out what the heck that undisturbed face was thinking.

“Besides, His Majesty has always been known as a benevolent saint.”

After organizing my thoughts, I cheered up and hit the last home run.

Actually, I don’t really know the details about this. I only said that because I knew that the emperor is praised as a benevolent saint.

“If there is even a rumor that His Majesty has disregarded the sincerity of a foreign country’s member so much…”

I didn’t have to say “What would you do?” to left a lingering impression, just like drinking black tea.

“…”

There was silence at the end of my words.

I was thinking of adding one more word, but in the end I shut my mouth.

‘Humans are all the same.’

If you enter the tiger’s den, it’s enough if you keep your mind straight, and even if you suddenly fell into a different world one day, the same rule applies where humans live.

This was the law of the relationship that I had already broken up with.

If it was found out that I was desperate, it would only hurt me.

“Your Excellency.”

Heins, who was looking at me with a strange gaze, broke the silence.

When I was thinking about what kind of stiff logic he’s going to use this time…

“After listening to the young lady’s words, I realized that I had a short thought.”

Yes?

My eyes widened at Heins’ unexpected reaction.

“As citizens of a kingdom who surrendered to the Empire, it would be right for them to be treated accordingly. Even if only for the prestige of the imperial family.”

I was surprised to see Heins supporting my opinions to the point of belittling himself.

He seemed to be subtly ignoring Leah, so I didn’t even expect this reaction.

Anyway, it was a benefit to me because now the persuasive power has become +1.

“Besides, due to the nature of the status, the slaves that His Majesty himself granted to nobles cannot be discharged.”

Susan was also surprised by Heins’ response, so she glanced at me and Heins, and quickly joined in.

“Like the young lady said, the reputation of the imperial family may be damaged.”

‘Ooo. This is great.’’

The harvest was more than expected.

The two major pillars in charge of the duke’s family helped me out. In addition, they did so peacefully!

“…”

I was surprised, but I pretended not to be surprised.

“I scolded Susan because she seemed to be immature in dealing with important issues, but I, too, was actually blind.”

Heins looked at me and smiled slightly. It was the first time I saw his smiling face.

“I learned something new from Young Lady.”

“Ah… It’s not that serious.”

It was an embarrassing compliment.

It was embarrassing, but I couldn’t miss the timing to soothe Heins’ mind.

Because he’s important enough for me to give him 5 stars!

“As Butler said, it is not a matter to be judged by private compassion.”

“…”

As soon as I finished my words, Susan and Heins looked at me at the same time.

They looked at me so blatantly that I wondered what I said wrong.

‘Why are you looking at me like that?’

“Take care of this problem between yourselves. Let’s stop talking about this.”

Davan snorted as if he had just lost interest.

“Yes, my lord. It will be done.”

Heins and Susan bowed their heads.

I was relieved because it seemed like the problem was solved properly.

But as  I was about to turn my gaze away, I heard Davan’s voice.

“Oh, yes… You.”

Davan’s eyes were bitter as he stared at me with a clenched jaw.

“Do you have anything else to say to me?”

I met those blue eyes head-on.

‘Something to say?’

The man had a talent for making people scared instinctively.

Whether it’s the sharp-lined eyes, the low-pitched voice, or the cold eyes.

“Pardon? Something to say…”

I just rolled my eyes.

In other words, he seemed to be expecting me to say something more, whether it was an excuse or an explanation.

Was the whole acting performance that I showed you earlier was not that cool?

“None.”

I smiled too sweetly.

“I don’t have anything else to say.”

I thought he’d let it go roughly, so now I had no more excuse to squeeze out.

He was probably not curious about how I’ve been in my room all week.

“Because you won’t care how I’ve been.”

I was Leah Prezis, not Ollina Fabian. I wasn’t the person he would be interested in.

“…”

For some reason, Davan’s eyes looking at me became more and more strange.

“I didn’t know you cared about that.”

He even frowned slightly.

It was the first time the expression on his face showed his emotions openly.

‘You’re not even curious!’

I wanted to scream like that right away, but I had to hold back.

Instead, I called him in a more subdued voice.

“Look, about that…”

I fiddled with the teacup for no reason.

“Even if we have breakfast every day like this, we’re uncomfortable with each other.”

If it was Leah, she had no reason to not see Davan’s face every morning.

“You must be tired of it, and there are times when I want to rest until late.”

Of course, Davan must have nothing to say to this. It must be a pain to face me every morning.

“So I was wondering what if we just eat on our own from now on?”

“…”

I was very sure he’d agree, but there was no immediate reply.

“What… do you think?”

As soon as I slowly raised my head, his eyes met Davan’s.

“Since when?”

Davan was looking at me with his arms crossed.

“You feel that way about me.”

‘…What?’

It was a very cold tone for a question.

“Pardon?”

“Davan.”

At that time, the man corrected firmly.

“I know.”

“Davan.”

The voice completely subsided.

Now the voice was not cold, but sharp. It was the tenacity of wanting to hear my mouth call that name.

No, wait, is it a problem whether I call you Davan or not now?!

Those words never came out of my mouth.

It felt odd and cringey!

“Yes.”

So I decided to take the next best option.

“Davan Khajans.”

By keeping my teeth in my mouth and singing each letter clearly.

[T/N: She stopped herself from retorting]

Since that person also calls me Leah Prezis, why can’t I call Davan Khajans?

“…Ha.”

Davan burst into laughter as if he found it ridiculous.

The red lips seemed more red because of the heat.

‘What kind of man has such pretty lips?’

Without realizing it, I stared at him, and my eyes met Davan’s as it was.

“Hmm…”

I blinked and avoided his gaze at once.

I can’t believe I got caught staring at him in such a situation. Shame on me.

“Great. If that’s the case, we’ll have dinner together from tomorrow.”

Davan nodded as if he had come to a conclusion.

“Wh-what?”

I was wondering what he was thinking. But what the hell is this?

“You said you were uncomfortable being with me.”

Davan wiped his hands with a towel and threw it on the table.

“You will feel less uncomfortable if you see me twice a day.”

“Why is that?”

It’s hard even once a day. Now, what? Twice? T-W-I-C-E?!

My eyes widened because of the absurdity.

At Davan’s words, the servants exchanged glances with each other. It was an answer that no one in this room expected.

“I mean—”

“From this evening.”

But Davan was tough.

He stood up, as if he had nothing more to hear or say, and I looked up at him in a daze.

I had to tilt my head a long way to the back.

He was that tall.

“Wait a minute.”

I jumped up from my seat and called out Davan, who was walking away.

“No, hey!”

[T/N: She actually said something like “Hey, the one over there!”]

“…What?”

Then, Davan turned around.

“What did you say? Hey?”

The voice was only cold enough to make me think he was going to let it go.

“If you call me that way one more time.”

“…”

“It’s not going to be fun, so take care of your words.”

I was mesmerized by the darkness in those blue eyes.

At this moment, there was only one thought in my head.

‘I’m fucking done.’