Chapter 36

Chapter 36

Marquis Cyrka’s momentum seemed to change.

“Did he say concubine…?”

“He said so.”

“The Grand Duke?”

“Yes.”

Regardless of the marquis’ changed momentum, Isilis calmly continued.

“He said that to me, too, that I look so lonely. He was worried that I had nowhere to rest my heart. He said something similar to the Marquis.”

“Does Your Majesty agree with that?”

“What do you mean?”

“Concubine.”

“Ah, that.”

At that, Marquis Cyrka looked at Isilis’ expression as she continued to speak casually.

“Pillaire.”

“Yes?”

Asi t was the first time Isilis had spoken this name, the Marquis gazed at her with astonished eyes.

“I am the Empress of the Empire.”

“I know.”

“Then, do you also know the history of the Emperor falling for concubines and setting bad precedents?”

“I know that as well.”

“I don’t want to go through the same thing.”

“Your Majesty…”

“It is the same with a consort. If I am bound by one person, what will happen to this Empire? Like the previous Empress, who lost Father, if I lost my way and left somewhere, the only member of the Imperial Family left in this empire would be that child… I don’t want to give my child the same burden as the previous Empress.”

“….”

“That’s why I’m skeptical about getting married. Look, even the stalwart previous Empress collapsed when she lost her father. There is no law telling me I won’t be like that.”

Pillaire couldn’t speak at Isilis’s words, still, he needed to. Next to the Empress. It was his dream.

“Your Majesty won’t do that.”

“You must know the condition I set.”

“That’s right.”

“You are an exception.”

“…Your Majesty.”

“You know? I will not marry anyone from this Empire.”

‘Are you saying you don’t like me?’

As he thought so, Pillaire swallowed the words that came up to his throat. It was difficult to keep an expressionless face as it was not easy to be denied in front of his face by the woman he liked.

“It’s not just you. The same goes for anyone in this Empire.”

“Why?”

“Imperial people are the ones I have to take care of. How can I share my heart with someone who has to look at me with the same heart as a mother?”

The turmoil in his heart did not subside even at the Empress’ lament, rather, it became more of a thrilling feeling. He wanted to have that lofty woman.

‘Did a woman who thinks this way open up her body recklessly…?’

He couldn’t hide his cold eyes. She had a child while on vacation and gave birth to her. Who was the other person? Who was that she gave her heart and body so easily? Pillaire had a hard time hiding the heat rising up from within.

The Empress’ words fell to him as he lowered his head, trying hard not to show his feelings.

“So, close your heart.”

It came like a thunderstorm.

“Did you… know?”

“You’re closest to me, how can I not know.”

“Still, why did you not say a word…”

“What would change if I said it?”

‘Has she been fooling me all this time?’

As Isilis meant that she had no heart for him at all, Pillaire let go of his anger.

‘Was it like that?’

There was no one to answer his continuing questions.

“You can go.”

“…I’ll excuse myself. Your Majesty.”

As soon as he left the office, Pillaire bit his lip. He couldn’t forgive her. The Empress who trampled on his heart… no, that woman…

“How dare you play with me?”

Who was he? He was the son of a margrave and the country’s only sword master. When he was young, he fell for the Empress and promised to become her aide. He left behind his father, who stopped him and abandoned the border and came here, but what remained was a sense of betrayal.

‘It has to be me…!’

Pillaire walked with a cold glare in his eyes.

It was difficult for him to control the anger that welled up with every step he took. As the aura tried to rise, the magic power surrounding the Imperial Palace seemed to try to suppress him. He made up his mind and calmed himself.

“I will have you beg in front of me.”

He spoke again as he walked down the wide hallway.

“…Let’s see if you can say that when you open up your body to me when you become my woman.”

A cold wind blew where he passed.

“What did you say, chief attendant?”

“The Crown Prince of the Khalifa Empire has requested a private meeting.”

“Private?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Why?”

“I am sorry to inform you though I suspect that he had heard about the conditions for the imperial wedding that Your Majesty mentioned.”

“Ah… Right.”

It was just as Isilis opened her mouth as she put down the document she was reading. The chief attendant spoke again.

“Bertas Hillenton also requested a private meeting.”

“He, too?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Where are the two now?”

“They are in the reception room.”

“Both…?”

“Yes.”

“You act so fast, Berthas.”

“So is the Crown Prince of the Khalifa Empire.”

Sparks flew from the eyes of the two people who met in the reception room. The tea the maids had set down was slowly cooling down, but neither of them touched it.

“Are you aiming for the position of the Empress’ consort? You?”

“It seems that the Crown Prince is, too.”

“It’s well known that I’m aiming for the spot next to her. Don’t you know my story?”

“I do not know.”

“Have you really never heard of it?”

“I am not well-versed in rumors because I have been to and from the battlefield. I don’t know though I don’t want to know either.”

“You don’t know my love for the Empress.”

“What do you mean love? Is it one-sided love?”

Saying so, Berthas laughed as Usman flinched at his words. But soon, he straightened his posture before opening his mouth again.

“Even if the previous Empress of Larchen hadn’t disappeared, the spot next to her was mine.”

“I see.”

Berthas laughed as he passed his words casually. Seeing that, Usman, offended by his laughter, spoke again.

“It would be better not to dream vain dreams.”

“Who’s saying that?”

A war of words came and went, and a storm passed. When the chief attendant, who had gone to announce the meeting, returned, both of them jumped to their feet.

“What did the Empress say?”

“Her Majesty… will not see you both.”

“What?”

While Usman exclaimed, Berthas couldn’t hide his devastated look.

“She said she is busy with her duties.”

“So, when does she say she can give me some time?”

When Berthas asked, the chief attendant gazed back at him.

“At least, not today.”

The next moment, Usman laughed at the chief attendant’s firm words.

“I knew it. Yes. I knew it wouldn’t be easy. If it were easy, it wouldn’t be her.”

With his words, Berthas looked at him.

“What are you looking at?”

“You seem to know her well.”

“No one knows her as well as I do because I saw her a lot when I was young.”

“When you were young?”

“Yes. When I was young.”

Seeing Usman’s eyes change as if recalling the past, Berthas was overcome with jealousy. He envied him for knowing the part of the woman that he didn’t know.

“She was pretty cute. She was like that then, and it is still the same today.”

A soft smile on Usman’s face bloomed with love for Isilis.

‘…That man also has something called love.’

The sincerity was evident on his face.

“Hmm. Since the Empress won’t meet us, I guess we’ll have to wait?”

“What?”

The chief attendant, taken aback by Usman’s words, asked back.

“What are you so surprised about? Go and tell her we’re waiting until she has time.”

“…Understood.”

As expected of the imperial chief attendant, he quickly put his face together and left the reception room. Berthas, who had been watching the chief attendant’s appearance, rose from his seat.

“Are you going?”

“I am not idle like you.”

Despite his words, Usman did not move. Berthas shook his head, seeing Usman leaning languidly in his chair before parting his lips.

“Goodbye. Think again about exiling into our country.”

“I don’t think that will happen.”

“You’ll think about it soon.”

‘What is he planning to do…’

Berthas, who glanced at him for a moment, left the reception room. Usman, who was watching that back, beckoned to Haliman, his aide, as he whispered in the man’s ear.

“Send information to Hillenton. Berthas is a Sword Master.”

“You mean right now?”

“Right now.”

Watching Haliman nod and leave, Usman thought.

‘I have to tell Hillenton now so Berthas will be summoned…’

It was a shameful method though it was a way to get the most powerful candidate out of sight. Berthas had to disappear so he could approach the Empress comfortably. It would be burdensome if there were two men waiting, so he had to clean it up now.

‘Come to think of it… He was there as well. The Margrave’s son.’

Usman had once competed swords with Marquis Cyrka.

‘He was quite sharp. He was not someone to be put under.’

When they clashed swords, what they saw was their personality. Marquis Cyrka was not one to bow down to others. In a way, he was a person with a more dangerous personality than Berthas.

‘…Berthas’ sword is honest.’

Someone who did not use trickery… At least, Usman thought so.

‘The more dangerous of the two is Berthas, but Marquis Cyrka is a different kind of danger.’

As thoughts continued to follow, a shadow fell. When he raised his head, Isilis was in front of him.

“I kept calling, but you couldn’t hear me.”

“When did you come?”

“Just now.”

“Excuse me.”

While Usman corrected his posture, Isilis sat on the chair provided by the attendant while watching him before she asked.

“What is the reason for requesting an interview?”

“I have heard the terms the Empress has put.”

“You mean the conditions for the imperial wedding?”

“You seem to have forgotten, but there was talk of marriage between our family.”

“…It was.”

Usman smiled wryly at Isilis, who spoke as if she had really forgotten.

“Then, have you read the letter I sent you?”

“I read it, but I didn’t reply.”

“I’m glad you read it.”

“Why do you keep sending letters like daily reports?”

At the question, he smiled and answered Isilis, who asked with sincere curiosity.

“Because I wanted to tell you about me. To you.”

“…To me?”

“It is. Do you remember when you were little?”

“I remember. You were the boy I had first seen in my life.”

“I was shocked. I saw a girl who said I was weak.”

“Was it?”

“It was. Maybe it was then… the moment I fell in love with the Empress.”

Isilis staring at him with eyes wide open was cute to Usman.

“I asked for an engagement, and the previous Empress of Larchen gave permission. If the previous Empress hadn’t left, I would have been in the seat next to the Empress.”

“….”

Uttering those words, he stared at Isilis, who was speechless, with eyes filled with lust. He was quite satisfied with his face in her blue eyes.

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