Chapter 07
Hasollan decided to write a resume seriously. She was quitting her job as a Yongyeon manager, so she needed a new job. Having worked in administration and politics, she knew the capital, Impel, was in chaos. She also understood that her fate depended on what happened to Akelans like before.
“So annoying.”
It was frustrating, but it made sense. When Akelans acted like a madman, no one could stop him. Even if she didn’t want to be involved, she would be dragged in. Hasollan frowned, then relaxed.
“Well, how long will this mood swing last?”
For 14 years, she had focused only on Akelans because she was foolish and loved him too much. She endured his coldness and indifference. But could Akelans do the same? He had once sat on the Yonghwa (Dragon Throne), but whatever whim he had now, it wouldn’t last. He neither had the heart nor the dedication for it. She knew that better than anyone—14 years had taught her that.
“Name, age… Ah, I’m twenty-three.”
Thinking about her age reassured her. She was still young, so she felt like she could do anything. But listing her work history was a problem. A former Yongyeon manager? Akelans was refusing to be emperor, but if she was associated with him, she’d be in trouble whether he became emperor or not.
‘If he does, I’ll be stuck in Impel for years. If he doesn’t, I’ll still be tied to him…’
Ah, what a waste of time. Hasollan sighed and shook her head. If she wanted to escape, she had to do it now. She decided to hide her past as a Yongyeon manager entirely.
‘I can’t even mention my experience managing Solaris Duchy…’
Right now, in this era, she was just a minor manager. A dragon had awakened, and luck had struck like lightning, but for Hasollan Odair, it wasn’t luck at all.
“Languages I can speak… One, two, three… That’s useful.”
She barely smiled. With no solid job experience, her skills were painfully limited.
“I’m good at math, bookkeeping… My handwriting is neat, and I’m educated. Also…”
If she put it together well, maybe she could find a decent job. But there was one problem—she couldn’t work in Impel. She didn’t need a high-paying job; she just wanted to get far away from Impel, dragons, and the Yongjwa.
‘Should I move to another country?’
She spoke three languages. Why not? But to protect herself alone, she’d have to use the power of a “bonded mate.” And that was the real problem.
‘Why won’t it disappear?’
In the past, as the Solaris Duchess standing beside Emperor Akelans, it was her only proof of status. Even if the dragons ignored her or treated her as useless, she had the mark of a bonded mate. No one could argue against it. But Akelans never officially recognized her as his empress or mate.
Now, that mark was nothing but trouble.
‘Especially with the succession crisis looming.’
If a dragon had a bonded mate, they were destined to rule. Hasollan picked up a newspaper in the Faikal Palace. Time to check the job listings.
“Miss, would you like some tea?”
A palace maid asked politely, but Hasollan wasn’t in the mood. She was staring at the front page, not the job ads.
“Where is His Highness?”
Her natural bluntness as a former duchess slipped out.
“Um… Over there.”
Hasollan lifted her head. Following the maid’s gaze, she saw Akelans sitting on the ledge of a massive window. How long had he been there?
“Go on, I don’t need tea.”
Realizing her mistake, she quickly corrected her tone and stood up.
“Since when—? No, if you’re here, at least make your presence known.”
“I didn’t want you to get mad. You’ve been angry with me a lot lately.”
“I wasn’t angry before because I was too soft.”
Instead of snapping back, Akelans just smiled bitterly.
“I see.”
“This isn’t the issue right now. What are you trying to do?”
“You’re mad again. What is it this time?”
Hasollan looked at him—his sharp features, dark eyebrows, strong nose, piercing eyes, pale skin, and powerful jawline. Everything about him was striking. Of course, he was beautiful—he was a dragon. Dragons didn’t age, and they were always perfect.
“If you tell me, I’ll change it.”
He was needlessly kind. He tilted his head slightly, waiting for her to speak. His golden eyes focused only on her. But that warmth wasn’t real. Akelans was always like that—gentle, but untouchable. No one could get truly close to him. He wasn’t kind. He was cruel.
“Why did you get rid of Sir Filch?”
She held up the newspaper, though there was no news about Flich at all.
Akellans didn’t deny it. Hasollan, the former Solaris Duchess, had known immediately.
“He was in the way.”
“He was the most important person who helped you take the Yonghwa.”
Akelans looked amused.
“Hasollan, do you want me to sit on the throne?”
“Why do you keep asking that?”
“I don’t like how formal you sound. Just talk normally, like before.”
Hasollan clenched her teeth and threw the newspaper aside. She had never broken protocol as a duchess, but now she was doing things she never would have before. And Akelans liked it.
“If you want me to be emperor, then get mad. But that’s not what you want, is it?”
“I don’t care about that. I just don’t want a civil war.”
She deliberately spoke even more formally.
“Why? Because it would ruin your job search?”
Akelans chuckled.
“Well, maybe it’s time to see if Bessa is a good administrator.”
Hasollan was stunned. Bessa Wipred? He had been executed twelve years ago after a civil war.
“He wasn’t a good administrator.”
Bessa wasn’t a good strategist, either. Or maybe it was just that Akelans was too much of a genius in war.
“So, do you want me to take the throne, Hasollan?”
“It’s none of my business. Just tell me why you killed Flich.”
“He petitioned my sister to make me a crown prince. He also knew about you.”
Akelans shrugged.
“He wasn’t the head of the council yet, so it’s fine. He was just a potential future elder.”
How could he say that so casually? Hasollan fell silent. If she kept talking, she might get pulled in again, unable to escape.
“You don’t want to be an empress.”
Akelans enjoyed the way she glared at him. At least she was looking at him.
“Then should I have let someone who was pushing me onto the throne live?”
Hasollan realized—Flich had to die. A simple refusal wouldn’t have worked. No one would take “My mate doesn’t want me to be emperor” seriously.
“You said you don’t want this.”
Akelans’ voice was bitter.
“So I stopped it.”
Then he stepped away from the window.
“There are always replacements.”
Hasollan looked at him like he was terrifying. He knew that, too.
“Your Majesty, the emperor has summoned you.”
Akelans nodded. After the messenger left, he turned back.
“Flich wasn’t a good man, anyway.”
He avoided saying what truly mattered.
“I’ll be back after getting scolded. Do whatever you want. Just stop trying to run away.”
He glanced at her and muttered.
“If you want to go, go. I’ll pick you up before dark.”
It wasn’t arrogance. It was just the truth. No matter where she ran, Akelans would find her. Hasollan didn’t react. She just calmly went back to reading the job listings.
