Chapter 6.2

Chapter 6 – Part 2

Amelia was troubled. Carlos always confused her. He said he had never seen her before, but he had fallen for her a long time ago. He doesn’t know why he fell in love with her, yet he lied and said that he fell in love and took her as his wife. Then, he said that he ‘likes’ her. How could she trust his heart? Nevertheless, what he does is what one does to someone they really like.

What was the truth behind him?

Amelia wanted to ask him, but she didn’t have the courage. The world the Emperor had created was so comfortable and warm. Can’t she just live thinking that he might like her? Actually, she doesn’t think it’s wrong either…

“Lady.”

“Uh, huh?”

She was immersed in her thoughts, and then she came to her senses at Colin’s words. Colin and Amelia were having a late lunch.

“You’re not eating properly. Do you have any concerns?”

“No.”

Colin looked worried.

“I have to tell His Majesty.”

“No, what are you talking about!”

“His Majesty will take care of everything. Sister, no, Lady asked me to tell you if there was anything difficult.”

“Colin, you too!”

“His Majesty loves you, so His Majesty will be able to help you.”

Colin wouldn’t even know in his dreams that she was troubled by that very same Emperor. To the young and naive Colin, she would be seen as a happy person to have met a good husband. The Emperor acted more intensely towards her in front of Colin, and Colin, who had been somewhat anxious because of that, also seemed to be stable now.

“Do you think His Majesty loves me?”

“Of course!”

It seemed that way in Colin’s eyes. Then was she as innocent as the child? She felt sorry for Colin, but she felt a little skeptical.

“There are rumors circulating that the prostitute woman and His Majesty are now loitering around everywhere in the palace.”

At Count Butler’s words, the Empress Dowager looked displeased.

“It’s hard to hear, loitering. That woman must have seduced His Majesty.”

“Oh, I was reckless. I’m really sorry. I should have killed him on that matter.”

“It’s okay to know. But we should fix it when we can.”

Count Butler gritted his teeth at the words of the Empress Dowager, but the Empress Dowager did not see this.

“When things are done, will you make my daughter the Empress?”

“That’s right. Instead, the Count should actively support the military.”

“It is natural. I’m risking my life too, Your Majesty.”

Of course, Carlos had to die. As long as he remained Emperor, there was no chance that Count Butler would enter politics and win victories. As long as Carlos has made it clear that he hasn’t forgotten about it.

As they both were immersed in their own thoughts, a knock was heard.

“Come in.”

At the permission of the Empress Dowager, one of the maids appeared with a letter. The Empress Dowager’s expression brightened when she saw the letter.

“As expected, he’s a great prince. He is incredibly fast with one job.”

“What does it say?”

“It says they will arrive in the capital within a week.”

Count Butler smiled at that. But at the next words spoken, his expression hardened in an instant.

“It is said that the new king will ascend to the throne in Kshamil. Grand Duke Piast headed there as a congratulatory ambassador. In return, the new king sent a congratulatory messenger.”

“A congratulatory messenger?”

“Yes. Among them is General Durante.”

Count Butler’s face began to turn red with anger. But the Empress Dowager smiled brightly.

“Do you have the sensibility to suppress your anger, Count? It is necessary to bring down that girl.”

At the Empress’s gentle words, the Count looked at the Empress with blood-red eyes and clenched his teeth. Why wouldn’t he know Durante? It was a name he will never forget. It was the general of the barbarians who devastated the frontier guarded by Count Butler.

“Uhh, Your Majesty, Colin will be here soon.”

As soon as they arrived at the dining room, Carlos got up to greet her, then he immediately embraced Amelia’s waist and drew her into a kiss. It was a soft kiss. However, the subtlety brought back memories of the night before, which was embarrassing. As she resisted a little, Carlos smiled and took his lips off. At the same time, the door opened and Colin appeared. Colin greeted him politely.

“Good morning, Your Majesty, Lady. You’ve been on good terms since morning.”

Amelia struggled to hide her blushing face.

“Because my Empress is pretty.”

“Your Majesty, please.”

Carlos smiled softly at Amelia’s words. There was affection in Carlos’s eyes as he looked at Colin. They began to speak freely without Amelia’s knowledge, just like brothers. She was really glad that the Emperor liked Colin.

“And so? Colin, what will you do today?”

“Today I will start learning swords from Sir Reinkel.”

Thankfully, the Emperor gave Colin a teacher. Amelia knew what a great opportunity it was to be raised by teachers invited by the Imperial Palace, and how power it needed to “provide” such an opportunity at the Imperial Palace.

“Sir Reinkel?”

“Well, I think it must be someone Amelia knows well so she will be reassured.”

Carlos whispered, and Amelia nodded her head. After all, leaving Colin to an unknown knight would be unbearable. At least she was reassured that someone with a personality like Sir Reinkel would become Colin’s teacher. Carlos said with a smile.

“Isn’t it hard?”

“It’s not hard. I want to become strong quickly and protect Sister.”

At that, Amelia burst into a peal of laughter.

“I will protect Amelia, so you don’t have to worry.”

“Your Majesty!”

“Then I will protect myself.”

A roar of laughter passed across the table.

“But, Your Majesty, am I not starting too late?”

“It’s not too late for a twelve-year-old kid. That’s average. I started then too. Of course, I didn’t work very hard.”

“Wow, really? But according to Sir Reinkel, he says that Your Majesty is good with swords.”

“I’ve been working hard since I was fifteen. It’s a secret, but I actually shoot arrows better than swords.”

Then Carlos glanced at Amelia.

“Really? Cool!”

“Still, the sword is more dignified, so Sir Reinkel must have said you were good at using the sword.”

“Hehe, Sir Reinkel said I was bad. Sir Reinkel does not tell lies.”

“Sir Reinkel would have to change that habit. Especially to a child who is still beginning. Shall I scold him?”

“Oh, I really didn’t do well. Don’t blame him.”

Amelia smiled as she watched them.

Seeing her relaxed expression, Carlos had a smile and bitterness on his face. Carlos knew he had a very good relationship with Amelia. But Amelia never spoke her mind.

It was obvious. For Amelia, he was nothing more than an ideal haven for herself. In this environment where she wouldn’t have to worry, he brought her brother, who she was most worried about, and protected her from everything in the world. Neither the backlash of the noisy nobles nor the tyranny of the Empress Dowager reached her. Amelia was satisfied with this and decided to remain because she was so exhausted.

Furthermore, he held her every night…

Carlos was the happiest moment when he held her, but also the most miserable. It was even more so because he knew how Amelia felt and she asked him to hold her. Having s*x was not just a sharing of affection, but an act of reassurance for Amelia. Something like, ‘I like your body, so I won’t leave you. This is your duty as Empress.’ Even if he loved her, it felt like he was thrown out.

〈 It doesn’t matter if Your Majesty meets another woman. 〉

On that day, at the moment when he eavesdropped and heard her true feelings from the conversation she had with the vulgar Natalia, Carlos realized the value of his use. She was satisfied with the position he had provided. What kind of heart does she have? Does she still miss her dead fiance? Or maybe she perhaps longed for Sir Reinkel in her heart.

Carlos couldn’t understand her. He was trying to keep the optimistic hope that she would just give her heart to him after a while.

Now she had to live with him for the rest of her life. Whether she liked it or not, she’s the Empress, his wife, his woman.

But was this okay?

He knew that Amelia did not see him properly. What would happen if she noticed?

Carlos harbored such anxiety. And the moment he saw Claude’s letter that General Durante was coming here, Carlos’ anxiety reached its peak.

“Your Majesty.”

“Yes?”

“Are you worried about anything?”

Seeing Amelia’s soft expression, Carlos’s heart suddenly filled with happiness. She… she cared for him!

“It’s nothing.”

“Your Majesty.”

“You don’t have to know.”

“Ah…”

Of course, this came from the desire not to cause Amelia to worry about things other than him, but from Amelia’s point of view, it felt like he was putting distance between them. Amelia’s expression darkened.