Episode 74. Doubts (1)

Julius smirked at Percy, amused by his reaction.

“You said it right. I am the Emperor. Sienna belongs to the Emperor.”

Among the many royals, only Sienna bore the name Liata instead of Zulatan. Julius’s eyes darkened.

‘This entire world exists for one person.’

A world that revolved around a single person was filled with lies and absurdities.

‘I will end that cycle.’

When Julius first sought Percy’s help, he was unaware of the world’s secrets. Even after discovering them, his resolve remained unchanged. Unable to divulge all the truths, Julius merely added,

“Don’t be so anxious, Duke. I haven’t changed.”

It was an absurd statement considering his high-handed words and actions. Percy, staring at Julius, turned abruptly. Had Julius commanded him to stay, Percy would have halted immediately, but perhaps Julius had teased him enough, for he let Percy go.

‘This is exhausting.’

Julius’s confinement had kept him from seeing Sienna for days.

The last memory of her lying buried in the bed only added to his worries.

‘I hope she’s okay now. According to the reports from the mansion, she seems fine.’

How could she not send even a single letter? He was desperate to see her touch, her smile.

‘What expression would she have if I said I missed her?’

He tried to imagine Sienna smiling brightly and saying, ‘Me too,’ but all he could picture was her usual aloof expression.

-Why are you just now showing up?

‘She would definitely say that.’

Her voice would be cold, but her eyes would be filled with concern, scanning him. Imagining that brought a smile to his lips.

As he hastened his steps to meet Sienna, he heard a slender voice capturing his attention.

“Lady Sienna is really too much.”

Who dared to speak of Sienna Liata? Percy turned, furious, and saw Beth with her beautiful golden hair.

The two seemed to be bickering. Percy folded his arms and watched them intently.

Beth’s voice, beautiful yet sorrowful like a bird’s cry, echoed.

“Sniff, you must be ashamed of my mistake, right?”

“…No, Beth. I was too sensitive.”

As Beth cried, Daniel’s expression turned dazed, and he tried to comfort her. Percy’s eyebrows shot up.

‘When that woman cries, Sir Daniel acts strangely.’

It was as if in front of her tears, logic and reason ceased to exist.
She seemed to warp reality.

‘She acts like the protagonist of a story.’

A convenient protagonist for whom the world turned with just a word.

This was different from Sienna, who was criticized as a villainess, and Percy, who had no choice but to follow the Emperor’s orders.
Feeling an odd sense of unease, Percy’s gaze turned as cold as ice.

* * *

Percy appeared after I had driven Beth and Daniel away. Ignoring the stares directed at me, I sat with the poise and grace befitting a villainess, when a familiar man took a seat beside me.

“Sienna.”

“Percy.”

Reflexively, I smiled at him, then felt a bit startled.

‘Since when did I get so used to this man?’

If anyone else sat so close, I would be shocked and uncomfortable, but somehow I knew it was Percy before I even turned to look.

‘This is strange.’

I clicked my tongue inwardly while looking at Percy. Even as I scolded myself, my heart pounded and I felt excited.

But these feelings plummeted as I met Percy’s gaze.

‘What has that rascal Julius done with someone else’s fiancé?’

Though Percy’s dazzling beauty remained, I noticed his slightly darkened face and stubbly chin. I almost forgot we were at a solemn event like the coronation and absentmindedly reached out to touch his chin.

‘What happened to you?’

Just as I was about to voice my concern, the choices appeared like ghosts.

▶ Did you have fun without me?
▶ Why are you just now showing up?

The options were uncomfortable, especially since I had spent the last few days without having to deal with them.

‘Of course, this is my system at work.’

Especially since it couldn’t stand to leave my romantic mood alone.

In the end, right after tenderly touching Percy’s chin, I pinched him coldly.

“Why are you just now showing up?”

Percy widened his red eyes in surprise, then chuckled as if amused. I crossed my arms and made a sulky face.

‘You’re laughing while I’m worried?’

Did he know how much I was scared by his absence for several days?

‘I was excited when I heard I would see your face today.’

As I pouted, Percy grabbed my wrist. He kissed my hand and replied,

“I was briefly trapped in the palace. Things didn’t go as planned…”

The sensation of his lips on my hand sent shivers down my spine. Feeling uneasy, I pressed my lips together, and Percy murmured in a low voice,

“I see. This must be the helplessness and anger my father felt.”

A chill, different from the previous one, ran through me as if a ghost had passed by. It lingered in his red eyes.

‘Oh, Julius. Whatever you made Percy do, he looks ready to kill you.’

What foolishness had my brother done to make Percy this angry? I tilted my head and asked,

“Did Julius give you a hard time?”

“The only person in this world who can torment me is you.”

Percy replied in a sugary voice that didn’t suit him. Then he added softly,

“But it was annoying.”

“…”

I understand. Old habits die hard, especially for someone who called people idiots and fools while crying.

I was imagining Julius provoking Percy to the point of wanting to kill him when the archbishop and Julius entered, and we all had to stand. Clad in the Emperor’s coat and crown, Julius looked incredibly solemn, not the silly brother I remembered.

“Announcing the ascension of Julius, Emperor of the Empire, our divine sovereign, and father to us all.”

From the front row, I watched Julius’s coronation with a mix of fascination and pride.

The ceremony of placing the crown on his head ended quickly, but the nobles’ oaths of allegiance dragged on.

As the lengthy proceedings drew to a close, just before Julius went to present himself to the people, he called for me.

‘Oh, now that he’s Emperor, do I need to address him formally?’

But would the system allow that? While I was pondering how to address Julius, he chuckled and spoke to me casually.

“Don’t frown like that, fool. You look even uglier.”

Look at this guy. I smirked and replied.

“A fool like you being Emperor is a big problem.”

Apparently, my answer was correct, as Julius chuckled. His smile was still stiff, likely due to lingering tension, but it was a far better look than his earlier stern demeanor.

After touching his face for a moment, Julius looked at me seriously.

“Sienna.”

“Yes?”

“Return to the palace now.”

I hadn’t expected that. I instinctively glanced at Percy, then back at Julius. If my ears weren’t malfunctioning, he had just asked me to return to the palace.

“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“Since the previous Emperor is dead, there’s a six-month moratorium on marriages. With the wedding postponed, come back to the palace. It doesn’t look good for you to stay at another man’s house when you’re not even married.”

Ah, so in this world, no one can get married for six months after the Emperor dies? That explains why the maids were tearfully writing cancellation notices for their weddings.

‘He’s telling me to return home since the wedding will be delayed for a while.’

I made a sour face at that thought. Julius frowned and asked,

“Why do you look like that?”

“Because it’s strange to hear you make such sensible remarks, Julius.”

I couldn’t get used to Julius making reasonable comments, of all people. I shrugged.

“But I’m already known as the century’s villainess. No one will care if I cohabit before marriage or not.”

“Why do you…!!”

Julius erupted in anger when I referred to myself as a villainess.

The same person who used to criticize me for being a villainess was now reacting like this. I blinked at him, and his face contorted in frustration.

“It upsets me, Sienna. The way people treat you. I just want you to live peacefully and quietly.”

“Julius.”

Despite everything, the only person who truly cared for me was this foolish brother.

‘I briefly wondered if he became Emperor for my sake.’

At that time, I dismissed it as a foolish thought, but now I understood. Even if I wasn’t the entire reason, I must have been a part of it.

“I’m so happy just knowing you became Emperor.”

And a surge of guilt washed over me for the burdens and dangers Julius had taken on without telling me.

“You must have gone through a lot. Why didn’t you tell me? Why did you handle it all alone?”

Julius shrugged. There was a steadiness in his demeanor that I hadn’t noticed before.

“Even if I told you, nothing would change. It would only trouble your heart unnecessarily.”