Episode 7

Yvonne had altered Hildebrandt’s memories so that he believed he had never awakened to his powers in the first place.

The reason was simple: if he realized he could use his abilities, he would be far harder to control. But if he believed he had never awakened at all, the idea of using his powers wouldn’t even cross his mind.

Thinking this, Yvonne checked the restraining collar around Hildebrandt’s neck. There was no sign he was trying to use magic—if there had been, the red light would have glowed.

“Mother, I…”

Hilbebrandt’s heart ached at Yvonne’s cold behavior—and yet, at the same time, he felt strangely happy. It was as if all of her hatred was focused on him alone.

Because of that, Hildebrandt himself was the most surprised by his reaction. Staring into her icy eyes, he took a step back.

“I’ll try harder.”

With that, Hildebrandt had no choice but to step away at her gesture.
Every time he saw her pale, delicate hand, he wanted to hear her heartbeat.
Every time he looked into her cold eyes, it felt like a wisdom tooth had grown in his heart—it throbbed with pain.

And yet… why did he feel so relieved that the space next to her was still empty?

His body resisted that lie, but at the same time, longed for the comfort it offered—a contradictory state of acceptance.

Once Hildebrandt left, Yvonne turned her gaze away, filled with hatred, and finally walked off.

* * *

“I mean, we’re fine with it, but… is it really okay to build something like this inside the imperial palace?”

The construction-type ability users moved at Yurian’s command, though they couldn’t hide their confusion.
They were standing on the site where the old empress’s palace had once stood—a place that had remained vacant for years, now cleared out and leveled.

Yurian had kept the future empress’s palace intact—Yvonne’s—but bulldozed the rest without a second thought.

He had no intention of sharing her love with anyone else.
And he was sure she felt the same.
He trusted her.

“Just do as I said.”

“…Yes, Your Grace.”

Even if it wasn’t an order bearing the emperor’s seal, they obeyed. Yurian was, after all, publicly known as the emperor’s man.

Yurian looked over the blueprints and then across the open space, visibly pleased. He wanted to transform this place and gift it to Yvonne.

He had an abundance of wealth, the ability to command capable talents—and above all, his overflowing affection for her.

“Exactly like this. Build it just like this.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Just then, as he reached into his coat and absently stroked the ring box inside with excitement—

“Ah! A greeting to the strongest sword of Bricesys!”

All the construction-type psychics bowed their heads toward Yurian, and he turned around in surprise.

Standing in front of him, Yvonne took his hand and said,

“Everyone, turn around.”

As her magic swept through the space, everyone but Yurian turned their backs instantly.

Yvonne immediately pressed her lips to his.
Yurian, noticing a strange stillness in her expression, had been worried—but as if in answer, he kissed her back.

He thought her kisses had gotten much more skilled than before… and yet, something about it felt urgent.
And he could tell—she was angry.

Even so, every time they touched, he felt his magic purify.
Every time her breath met his skin, his heart reacted, and he couldn’t help but smile.

Soon, things had grown intense.
Even when it became overwhelming for Yvonne, Yurian didn’t let her go—he held her tighter, threading his fingers into her hair.

Yvonne laughed when he messily undid the elegant bun she’d styled her hair into.

When he gently ran his hand along her shoulder, pulling her closer, she felt a wave of relief.
The unease and discomfort caused by Hildebrandt, even the subtle fear she had felt when he approached, all melted away.

With Yurian, she knew she could handle Hildebrandt again if needed.

To her, Hildebrandt was a person she deeply hated—but also, somewhere in her heart, there was a voice screaming that she must never kill him.
A twisted, complex relationship.

Yvonne didn’t want to retrieve those memories.
That desire only grew stronger every time she looked into Yurian’s eyes.

‘Don’t go looking for your memories.’

‘Why?’

‘Because that’s the only thing I can say… as your mother.’

Whenever Yvonne asked about her memories, Ebony always responded the same way.
Yvonne knew Ebony’s sincerity.

The fact that a warrior like Ebony stayed by her side as a maid, never revealing she was her mother, was something she thought resembled Yurian’s love—different, yet deeply affectionate in its own way.

Yvonne knew well that the peace she had now was because of them—because of the people who cared for her.

“Hh… ah…”

As Yvonne gasped for breath, Yurian tried to pull away. But she bit his lip.

Yurian realized—it meant she didn’t want him to stop.
And so, once again, he passionately sought out her breath.

At that moment, Yvonne felt like she could forget she was the guide and he was the psychic.
It was she who found comfort in him.

“Hh… Yurian.”

“Yes, Yvon.”

Seeing him smile brightly and gently wipe her lips, she smiled too.

“Let’s call it a day. I just want to be with you.”

“Of course.”

With that, he lifted her into his arms.

“Where would you like to go?”

“My room.”

The moment she said that, he took off running—carrying her toward the emperor’s bedchamber.

* * *

“Do you remember when you asked me if I was your bedroom slave?”

“Ah… yes.”

They had made love so passionately that morning had come without them noticing.
Now, not wanting to go to her morning meeting, Yvonne was having fun teasing Yurian.

She had deliberately bathed separately, and just as Yurian stepped out from washing up, she was pretending to slowly get dressed.

When Yurian didn’t spend the night, Yvonne usually asked her attendants for help dressing. But when he was there in the morning, that wasn’t necessary—because he dressed her himself.

The only issue was his terribly conservative taste.
Yvonne disliked most of the clothes he picked. He had a preference for outfits that buttoned all the way to her neck or had sleeves extending past the elbows. And he loved full skirts more than anything.

So this morning, she had taken her time getting ready alone, pretending to choose something modest but just decorative enough.

“That moment was so funny. Even without your memories, how could you ask something like that? I was honestly amazed.”

“That’s because I shrink into nothing whenever I’m in front of you.”

“What part of you is small, Yurian?”

“My heart. If you were to fill it with anyone else, I wouldn’t be able to take it.”

Yurian roughly towel-dried his hair and stepped toward her.
Seeing that she was putting on stockings, he looked deeply pleased. He took the garter belt from her hand and began fastening it around her waist himself.

“Can’t something else shrink instead of your heart?”

“That would lower your satisfaction.”

He grinned as he noticed her gaze drifting toward the towel around his waist.

“Didn’t you… take care of that in the bath?”

“I saw your hair in there, I had to pull myself together a bit.”

“Then why is it… reacting again?”

“Because you touched me. Dogs naturally wag their tails when their master touches them, you know.”

Even as he thought his excuse was shameless, he didn’t mind.
She seemed entertained, which made it easier to justify.

“Yurian.”

“Yes?”

“I’m really glad I have you.”

He paused with the stocking still around her ankle and looked into her eyes.

“What if I proposed to you right now?”

“Should I?”

He wavered for a moment at her words, but steeled himself.
This wasn’t the time. He didn’t want to leave even a shred of regret when expressing his feelings to her.

“Th-then… can I just give you the ring now, and propose properly later?”

At that, Yvonne let out a soft laugh.

“I’m joking. I’m waiting for your proposal.”

“Yvon…”

“I guess I was feeling a little insecure. Maybe because you’re so popular.”

Her words made Yurian’s heart pound.
He cupped her face and kissed her.

They didn’t leave the bedroom until lunchtime.

Marquess Rohan, still longing for Yvonne’s affection, had no idea his plans were already unraveling.