Chapter 28

“So I wanted to teach you…”

Her voice sounded very sad. I looked back and forth between the emperor and the slightly wrinkled book, then sighed unnoticeably.

“It’s all right Your Majesty.”

At my words, the emperor raised her head with a spoiled, childish face. I smiled. I don’t think it’s a big deal that she couldn’t read the book I wanted, but if I just left it like this, I would be standing here all night.

“I want to hear other fairy tales as well. Also, since this book isn’t torn, it’s okay.”

“But I ripped this doll off.”

Along with the emperor’s sullen words, the nutcracker that was being held in her hand showed a pitiful appearance. The cover of the book was covered with silk, so the clothes were stitched into it, and when she tore the nutcracker off, it became half naked.

“…”

Oh, I made eye contact. I hope you don’t come at night to take revenge along with the mice (she’s talking about the nutcracker). I smiled as wide as possible like a child and opened my mouth.

“Isn’t this the first page? I’m curious about what the book will be about.”

The emperor’s face lit up from my words. She jumped out from her seat and smiled softly.

“Yes. I’ll read this to you!”

She held the fairy tale book as if it were a treasure and moved. Mirina followed with a smirk, and I frowned slightly as I watched the scene. This is probably the third time.

‘The emperor’s nature… was it always like this?’

She was a gentle, generous, and friendly person, but still a ruler. Her favor was more philanthropic than affection. But, choosing a fairy tale book for a child did not include philanthropy.

“Sanya?”

When I didn’t approach, she turned away. She then walked back towards me while holding the book and then sat hunched over with a deep smile.

“Come on. Let’s go.”

I looked at my hand and had a face where I didn’t know if I should laugh or cry. When did the emperor look back? And why is she bending down like this?

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

I buried my thoughts. When I put my hand into hers, she walked excitedly while trying to match my strides. Her palm felt warm.

***

Naturally, I laid in the same bed as the emperor and Mirina. The bed was large, and it wasn’t too uncomfortable because it had enough space for three people to lie down.

…The only problem is I’m in the middle of them.

“Mirina, can you read this chapter?”

“Will it be alright, Your Majesty?”

I would like you guys to have your love affair without me being here. My face was cool, and it was nice because I’m in the middle, so they won’t be able to see my expressions properly.

The two of them took turns reading the fairy tale book to me. It didn’t take a long time since the contents were reduced and it was filled with colorful illustrations. The problem was that the emperor really couldn’t read the text properly.

“King, give up… give it to the mouse king, cotton… Ah, no. Throwing…”

It reminds me of my elementary school days. In Korean class, sometimes the teacher would make the children read out loud, and right now it sounds exactly like that. Maybe it’s because she didn’t have to read things out loud in the lessons she used to take, or it just wasn’t in the educational policy here, but her skills were really poor. Her voice was trembling as if she was very tense.

I don’t think I’ll be able to fall asleep after hearing this. What’s worse is that Mirina is looking at the emperor with a smile on his face. Again, I would like to not be around when they’re together.

I couldn’t really understand what was going on, so I tried reading the book myself, but even that wasn’t easy. No, can this even be called a book?

There were five different types of jewels on the cover alone. And Marie, who was the main character, had dresses that were all made of real silk, and the nutcracker was decorated with all kinds of gems, making it three-dimensional. There were all of these things inside the book, making the weight of it a little heavy.

I was tired, but I kept waking up so my nerves became sharp. I tossed my body once, and then raised my gaze and looked out the window. Bright blue moonlight shined through, and when I saw it, I naturally remembered Go Woon.

As I watched the scene, which was much better than looking at that fairy tale book, a shadow among the trees shook. My eyes then flashed with anxiety.

‘…No way.’

As soon as I looked further towards the window, I heard a careful voice from the emperor.

“…Are you asleep?”

At that moment, I turned off my nerves that were forming from looking at the window and immediately closed my eyes. I really don’t want to hear that stuttering nutcracker anymore. When the emperor looked at me, I was very careful not to have my eyelids shake and made sure my breathing was even.

While I could still feel her staring at me, she murmured.

“You’re asleep.”

I was amazed by the proudness that was mixed in her voice. She thinks she put me to sleep.

“Yes. I see.”

Mirina’s voice also followed. I couldn’t find any vagueness in their tones, so I became a little nervous.

‘I still don’t have my earplugs yet.’

When I was thinking that I should pretend to wake up, Mirina gently whispered.

“How lovely.”

“…I see.”

I almost laughed at the emperor’s quiet affirmation. She really cares about Mirina, and it’s pretty obvious. I didn’t think that she loved someone, so I couldn’t tell if she was only acting. Then, I felt a small kiss on the top of my head.

“Good night.”

The voice was low, so I couldn’t tell who it was. Since then, no other voices could be heard besides a small sound of even breathing. I tried checking the shadow that I saw earlier, but gave up because they were holding both of my hands.

I had a dream that night.

Someone appeared, but when I woke up, I couldn’t remember the dream.

“Good.”

“…”

“You.”

“…”

“…Dawn.”

“…!”

It wasn’t until the third call that he lifted his head. His bangs shook and eyes trembled. I sighed deeply.

“Last night, the window by the palace.”

Flinch.

Go Woon’s shoulder’s trembled. His eyes crept towards the ground. I raised my eyebrows even though I tried to avoid doing that. Go Woon was not good at lying. It’s also obvious with him fidgeting his fingers or his shoulders slightly trembling every time I spoke. But the most transparent thing was his eyes.

Perhaps that was why he was lowering his bangs. Thanks to that, his eyes were clearly covered. If I really were a child, I would’ve been deceived, but unfortunately, I could see through all his tricks. Instead of catching him at once, I decided to push a little.

“I’m pretty sure I gave you something so your bangs won’t fall like that.”

“…”

“One of them is here, but where’s the other?”

I held out the pin and looked at him, but he still avoided my eyes.

“…Oh.”

“Come think of it, your bangs are so long it’s blocking your view.”

He looked up at me at my way of talking. I raised the corner of my mouth while he shook his head with eyes that were mixed with fear.

“No, it will be uncomfortable, so let’s cut it. You can cut it enough where your eyes can see and ask Seo Yeon to trim it tomorrow.

“Oh, no.”

My eyes widened at his reaction. This was the first time Go Woon had directly refused to do what I said. Even though he was stuttering, what he said sounded quite determined. I don’t intend to punish him, but I feel like I should ask why.

“Why?”

“…My colleagues said my face is ugly, and told me to cover it up.”

His ears were burning as he said those words. It’s easy to tell that it was shame, not shyness. I was quite appalled by that, and thought I must see the faces of his “colleagues”. I don’t judge people by their face, but by the standards, Go Woon has a very handsome appearance.

His skin doesn’t have blemishes, bigger eyes and lips, and dense features. Regardless, I reached out and grabbed his face. I moved closer and made eye contact and then said firmly.

“You’re not ugly.”

Go Woon’s eyes widened at my words.