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The Empress was watching Cerden's every move, and Veronica was displeased by it. The food he forced down seemed to be dancing in his stomach.
'It'd be better to eat alone.'
Cerden sighed.
He rubbed his forehead as if a headache was coming on. The moment he stepped out of the Empress's palace, he felt like he could finally breathe.
"Did you have a good meal?"
Cerden glanced at Mortega and moved on. There was no need to answer.
Mortega followed behind him as he strode forward.
Today's hardship wasn't over yet. He had to deal with the Emperor, who was addicted to drugs.
He felt even more exhausted.
"Oh, husband! It's my husband!"
A voice, bright and cheerful, rang out. It was like waves crashing against rocks, shattering like jewels.
Cerden turned his head involuntarily, as if drawn by something.
He saw Evelyn waving her hand at him.
"Haha."
Cerden chuckled without realizing it. The tips of her toes, as she stood on tiptoe, peeked out from under her dress. Thankfully, she wasn't barefoot today.
He also saw Julia standing beside her.
Cerden covered his mouth, but he couldn't hide the curve in his eyes. Mortega witnessed it too.
"It seems... she has recovered well."
"Indeed."
Evelyn ran over while Cerden stood still. Dressed in a bright ivory dress, Evelyn looked even brighter.
Her face, transparently illuminated by the sunlight, sparkled.
He remembered Evelyn in his arms yesterday. He hadn't felt any weight at all. Her small, thin body was like a feather.
Evelyn stood gracefully in front of Cerden. Evelyn was the only one who ran around so flutteringly in this palace. Evelyn's scent wafted over him. He felt his headache receding.
"Husband, where are you going?"
"Did you have lunch?"
"Uung. I ate this much!"
Evelyn drew a large circle with her hand. Her face, smiling like a child, was adorable. Evelyn deliberately pushed her stomach out and tapped it with her finger.
"Look. My tummy is this big!"
"Good job. What about your medicine?"
"Uweck."
"She took it well."
Julia answered instead. Evelyn, who was shaking her head with a sour expression, chattered.
"I woke up this morning and it was strange. Rozalina wasn't there, Cherryna wasn't there, Rosie wasn't there either. Where did everyone go?"
"They didn't fulfill their roles, so they're where they should be."
The servants who worked at the Crown Prince Palace were all imprisoned. They weren't just kicked out.
They were being interrogated to find Spelman's spies.
"Uung."
"Do you miss them?"
"Ani!"
Evelyn shook her head.
"I'm going to play with other friends today. Rodrick and Ria are coming to play later."
"I'm glad to hear that. Have fun."
Cerden lightly flicked Evelyn's nose. It was a gentle gesture, but Evelyn pretended to be hurt.
"Aya."
"Don't do anything dangerous."
"Eung? Evelyn isn't dangerous! Evelyn is a lady."
"Yes, be ladylike."
Evelyn nodded her head vigorously. Cerden rubbed Evelyn's cheek. A healthy blush had risen on her pale cheeks.
It was as if they were dyed with pink flower water.
"Don't forget to call me if you're in danger."
Evelyn's eyes widened.
"Promise!"
"Yes, I promise. Shall we have dinner together tonight?"
"Let's eat something delicious!"
Evelyn nodded her head enthusiastically. Cerden flicked Evelyn's cheek.
"Ask Julia to get you some snacks. Lots of delicious ones."
"Lots!"
Evelyn giggled. Seeing her like that made his heart lighter. It felt like everything that had been bothering him just now had disappeared.
Evelyn was safe.
She was still smiling at him.
She no longer shed the tears that had seemed to tear him apart at dawn.
Cerden's mood improved just by that.
"Now go on."
Evelyn nodded her head vigorously. Cerden gently pushed Evelyn's back. Julia bowed her head to Cerden.
Mortega watched Cerden, who was watching them walk away for a long time. Mortega stared at Cerden with surprised eyes.
'What... did I just see?'
He had to brace himself on days when they had meals at the Empress's palace. It meant that Cerden's mood would be at its lowest all day long.
But he was smiling. With a lighthearted face.
This is... this is...
Mortega swallowed the rest of his words.
He decided to bury it because even thinking about it felt disrespectful.
* * *
The Emperor's Palace.
A decadent paradise of pleasure. The seductive laughter of women and the vulgar laughter of men.
The pungent smell of incense and the smell of drugs hidden beneath it.
Things that absolutely did not belong in the Emperor's Palace were gathered in one place. The windows were all covered with curtains so that not a single ray of sunlight could enter, even in the afternoon.
The head courtier ran over.
"Your Highness, the Crown Prince."
"Where is His Majesty?"
He was asking if he was in a state where conversation was possible. The head courtier smiled awkwardly.
"I wish to speak with my father."
"I will bring him."
The head courtier turned and entered the audience chamber. The Emperor's figure could be seen through the slightly opened door.
He was staggering around, chasing after a naked woman.
"Stop right there! If I catch you, I'll give you a big punishment!"
"Oh, my. I'm so looking forward to what kind of punishment you'll give me?"
The woman ran towards the door, panting. The head courtier frantically covered the door, but the woman's eyes met Cerden's through the gap.
The woman gave a coquettish smile.
"Oh my, it seems we have a guest, Your Majesty."
"You sly thing."
The Emperor hugged the woman from behind, who had stopped. His wrinkled hands, fondling her exposed breasts, were disgusting.
Cerden's expression hardened even more.
"Your, Emperor, Your Majesty. Your Highness, the Crown Prince, requests an audience."
"Ah, is that... today?"
"Yes, it is."
"Hmph. Then tell him to come in. We can talk anywhere. Isn't it best for me to be comfortable?"
"Bu, but this is..."
"Aing."
The woman snuggled into the Emperor's arms. The Emperor, pushing the head courtier aside, opened the door himself.
"Oh, Cerden! It's been a while. How have you been! Come in quickly, come in! Hahahaha, will you have some wine? Or tea?"
Cerden slowly scanned the room. Crazy. He barely managed to suppress the curse that was about to burst out.
Even though it was early in the day, no one was properly dressed. Everyone was sprawled out with glazed eyes. He pushed away a woman who was crawling on the floor, trying to wrap her arms around Cerden's waist.
"I don't need anything, Your Majesty."
"Heeung, heeung. Then why did you come here?"
The Emperor tilted his head, making a strange snort.
That's right. Why did I come here?
Why are you my father?
Why are you the Emperor?
Cerden clenched his fist.
Although he was acting as regent, he had not been granted all authority. To punish Augustine, a high-ranking nobleman, he needed the Emperor's consent.
He could create evidence.
He could create witnesses.
But he could not forge the Emperor's permission.
Cerden clenched his fist. He wanted to repay Evelyn for the sacrifices she had made, for the tears she had shed.
That was why he was doing this tedious thing all day long.
"Augustine has injured a nobleman. He must be punished accordingly."
"Augustine? Isn't that child like my nephew? He's practically your cousin."
What a load of crap.
Then that means Evelyn is his cousin. Is he insane?
Cerden smiled coldly.
"Is that how you saw it?"
"Of course, of course. Heeueung, heeueung. I can't punish such a child."
"There is evidence and there are witnesses. The nobles may object."
"I'll tell Duke Spelman to persuade them well."
The Emperor smiled brightly.
He sincerely wanted to kill him.
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