FTP-99

“Honestly, I still feel dazed.”

 

Aiden replied, pressing his fingertips against his eyelids. Anje took the teapot from his hands, which were about to pour tea into his cup, and instead poured it for him herself.

 

He must be exhausted—not just from hearing the sudden news about his birth but also from inspecting the house. Pouring tea for him was the least she could do.

 

“If Father’s assumption is correct… where could the marriage certificate be?”

 

“Hmm. I don’t think it would be here,” Aiden explained, moistening his lips with tea.

 

“As for the medal engraved with the imperial insignia, I found it among other valuables in the safe where Grandfather used to keep important items. If he had a document as crucial as a marriage certificate, it would’ve been stored there as well, given his character.”

 

This secluded Dilton farm rarely had visitors before Anje arrived, so there was no real need for such extreme caution.

 

“And judging by the fact… that Grandfather didn’t discard the imperial medal, he probably intended to tell me about my father someday.”

 

He had been in good health and had no chronic illnesses, so if not for the sudden heart attack that claimed his life, he might have told Aiden once he reached adulthood.

 

“If the marriage certificate existed, he would’ve kept it with the medal and eventually shown it to me. I can’t think of any reason for him to hide it so thoroughly…”

 

Anje nodded in agreement.

 

“Exactly. Considering what the late emperor said to you, it seems more likely that he himself kept it.”

 

“That’s true. Back then, I didn’t realize how significant his words were and simply declined, thinking I didn’t need the throne.”

 

Anje quietly set her teacup down. She had been wanting to ask him something for a while.

 

“If Father’s assumption is correct and the marriage certificate is found… do you want to become emperor?”

 

Aiden’s expression grew complex.

 

“Can I really say whether I want to or not? Your father seems very intent on the throne—”

 

“Forget about my father’s opinion. You spoke honestly in front of the late emperor, so why not do the same with me?”

 

Anje flipped Aiden’s hand over and intertwined her fingers with his.

 

“We’re husband and wife, aren’t we? We should be honest about what’s in our hearts.”

 

The word “heart” caused Aiden’s heart to give a jolt. Staring intently into the surface of the light brown tea, he opened his mouth, hoping his voice would sound natural.

 

“Well… if I could become emperor, I’d want to.”

 

To be more honest, he longed to be a nobleman of any kind. Not in some ambiguous position like a knight but in one so high even the Duke of Glasster couldn’t look down on him.

 

He clenched his hand tightly beneath the table.

 

‘I need… power.’

 

Aiden had clearly perceived the disdain and contempt in the Duke of Glasster’s eyes. At first, he felt anger at the duke’s disregard for him and his home, but it was soon followed by self-loathing.

 

The monster that had been quietly lurking deep in his heart whispered to him again,

 

‘You’re not worthy of her.’

 

If he became emperor, he could drape a red cape over her shoulders and crown her shining hair with a magnificent ruby tiara. He could provide her with a palace worthy of her and host the lavish parties the duke had proposed.

 

It was the kind of life he could only watch from afar as an illegitimate child.

 

Anje gently shook his hand, snapping him out of his deep thoughts.

 

“Aiden.”

 

She sensed something was wrong with his expression and tone. She couldn’t pinpoint what, but she saw the turbulent emotions swirling in his heart.

 

“Is that true? Do you really want the throne?”

 

Seeing the doubt in her eyes, Aiden forced a light laugh.

 

“Of course, who wouldn’t? Who would refuse the chance to become emperor?”

 

“But you already declined once. What changed your mind?”

 

“Well… I’ve experienced the world since then, unlike my innocent younger self.”

 

Swallowing nervously, he added,

 

“Besides, if I become emperor, I can do more for you. There’s no reason to refuse.”

 

“Do more? Like what?”

 

“Well… dresses, jewelry—things you like.”

 

A small crease formed between her brows. She wasn’t pleased with his answer.

 

“But I already have the ring you gave me, and my wardrobe is overflowing with dresses from Monsieur Pierre.”

 

Having more jewelry wouldn’t mean much if she couldn’t wear it all, and owning countless dresses didn’t mean she could wear four or five at once to show them off.

 

“I could get you even better clothes—”

 

“This dress is beautiful too. You said it yourself, that it suits me well.”

 

She lifted the hem of her simple floral dress and smiled sweetly.

 

Aiden started to follow her with a smile in his eyes but hesitated. Once again, the shadow whispered.

 

‘You claim to love her, yet this is all you can do for her?’

 

The voice sounded like the guard of a prison camp or perhaps the exiled prince Philip.

 

“It’s fine even if I don’t have expensive jewels or the latest dresses from the capital. I prefer the pickles we make at home and comfortable clothes.”

 

But her voice was accompanied by a persistent buzzing noise.

 

‘Do you really think she means that? You fool. She’s only consoling you out of pity.’

 

“Aiden?”

 

He took a deep breath.

 

“I… well—”

 

His eyelids trembled violently, and his vision blurred as if submerged underwater. Anje’s face wavered, becoming clear and then hazy again.

 

Seeing her lips forming the words ‘Are you okay?’ he muttered that he was fine, but her worried expression showed she didn’t believe him.

 

Clutching his head with both hands, the ringing in his ears grew louder.

 

“You… for you. Everything. Everything.”

 

Why was it so hard to simply open his mouth and speak?

 

Two small hands gently wrapped around the back of his neck.

 

“Shh, shh. It’s okay. Just breathe slowly and take your time. We can talk once you’ve calmed down.”

 

The air, which had felt frozen, grew warm. His numbed senses returned, and through the ear pressed against her chest, he began to hear her heartbeat. It thudded fiercely, like a small bird’s wings.

 

Focusing on his breathing, Aiden worked to calm his heart. Slowly inhaling, and even more slowly exhaling.

 

This place is safe. The vast forest of Leslie, the Dilton farm, and the embrace of Anje. It was not the imperial palace haunted by Philip, nor the prisoner-of-war camp filled with suffering.

 

While Aiden concentrated on his breathing, Anje waited silently. Occasionally, she would stroke his hair or back to reassure him of her presence, remaining patiently quiet.

 

TL/N: MY ROMAN EMPIRE Y’ALL:

 

 

Finally recovering his voice, Aiden stammered,

 

“A… Anje?”

 

“Yes, Aiden?”

 

His red eyes met with light green ones.

 

“I don’t want to lose you, Anje. That’s all I wish for.”

 

Ah, he couldn’t bring himself to lie to her. Especially not in the face of those eyes silently declaring that she would bear all his burdens and pains with him.

 

Aiden groaned inwardly but ultimately confessed honestly.

 

Anje responded kindly yet firmly.

 

“That will never happen. Didn’t we swear before God to stay together until death parts us?”

 

Aiden averted his gaze sheepishly.

 

“…Well, there is such a thing as divorce.”

 

She gasped audibly. How did he seem to know about her earlier conversation with the Duke of Glasster?

 

“Did you overhear the talk I had with my father earlier?”

 

“The talk? No, not that…”

 

After a brief hesitation, Aiden finally confessed his transgression.

 

“Actually, I once found a letter in your room about remarriage. I’m truly sorry. I know it’s wrong to read private letters, even as your husband—”

 

“No, Aiden!”

 

Cutting him off, she embraced him even tighter.

 

“When… When did you find that—? No, that’s not the point. I should be the one apologizing for letting you see such a thing!”

 

Thinking of the letter filled with dismissive comments about their marriage, she felt overwhelming guilt. How much had he silently suffered because of it?

But now wasn’t the time for regret; she needed to tell him the truth.

 

“Since it’s come to this, I’ll be honest. When I first arrived here, I thought I’d get divorced and marry someone else as soon as possible. My father… well, he agreed to look into it, probably for his own benefit.”

 

Revealing her flaws to the person she loved was excruciatingly difficult. Her face burned with shame, but Anje gathered her courage to continue.

 

“But as I spent time with you, my feelings gradually changed. Now, I can’t imagine being with anyone else.”

 

Letting out her pent-up emotions made her throat tighten. Blinking to clear the tears forming in her eyes, Anje finished what she wanted to say.

 

“I love you, Aiden. More than anyone else in this world. Only you.”

 

TL/N: I’M NOT CRYING…YOU’RE?

 

* * * *

 

If you want to support the Translator, Translator’s Ko-Fi: