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Rachel leaned on his firm hand and took a deep breath. Her vision alternated between dark and light due to dizziness.
“I’m, I’m sorry…”
“No. I’m the one who should apologize. I shouldn’t have talked to you like that, but I was so angry.”
She shook her head. There was no need for Cian to apologize.
Cian supported Rachel and carefully placed her on the chair and then knelt on the floor, lowering himself. He looked at Rachel with a face full of concern.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
In truth, she wasn’t fine. She needed time to calm down and organize her thoughts.
But Cian didn’t seem to have any intention of leaving, and Rachel quietly lowered her head, avoiding Cian’s gaze.
Cian spoke, handing the pouch back to Rachel.
“I don’t know if this will comfort you, but I understand how you must be feeling right now.”
“You understand…?”
“I lost someone precious because of that beautiful object too.”
“Oh…”
Rachel slowly raised her head and met Cian’s eyes. Every time she moved, the glass roots inside the pouch clinked and made a clear sound.
“The Archduke also lost someone precious because of this…”
A mix of empathy, pity, and warmth filled her heart.
Seeing Cian, who was kneeling on the cold marble floor and looking up at her, made her chest tighten. Her nose tingled, and her eyes felt warm.
Even though she knew that Theodore was the one who did something bad, and even though she knew she did nothing wrong, she wanted to complain to him.
Rachel’s rosy lips softened and her voice became watery.
” Why… why haven’t you arrested Theodore?”
Cian’s eyes widened.
It was understandable, he probably hadn’t expected Rachel would blame him at this moment.
Rachel shook her head.
“No, no. Please pretend you didn’t hear that.”
“I’m sorry.”
Rachel felt as if her breath had stopped at his straightforward and sincere apology. Tears she’d held back threatened to spill over.
Cian reached out and gently clasped Rachel’s hand that was holding the pouch.
“It might sound like a poor excuse, but it was because of you, Countess Rachel.”
“Because of me?”
“I thought you might make a face like this.”
“What do you mean…?”
“I was afraid that if I arrested Theodore, you might look sad like you do now because you still have feelings for your ex-husband. I was also afraid that you would blame me for arresting an innocent person.”
It was something she had never imagined. She’d assumed that anything Cian did would be for political reasons.
‘He did it because he was afraid I might look sad… could that be true? That’s such a… kind reason.’
Her heart, which had been filled with anger and sadness towards Theodore, now pounded. The fingertips Cian held felt hot.
Realizing she was feeling fluttery towards Cian, Rachel was startled.
‘No, Rachel, are you crazy? How can you feel this way about him? He’s going to be Graham’s father-in-law!’
She quickly tried to free her hand, but Cian wouldn’t let go. His golden eyes sank heavily.
“I’m sorry, Countess Rachel. I’ll do whatever you want. If you want me to arrest Theodore, I will. If you tell me to leave him hanging around you like this, I will let him be.”
“Your Highness, the Archduke.”
“Tell me what you want from me. I want to hear it from you.”
Rachel’s excitement, which she had tried to suppress, grew even more with Cian’s voice, gaze, and warmth.
She raised her free hand to cover her mouth, afraid her heart might burst out.
‘No. No, Rachel. The Archduke is naturally a kind person to everyone. Don’t misunderstand!’
“Rachel.”
“Please… arrest Theodore.”
She quickly cut off what he was trying to say. Even though she knew it was rude to dare do something like that to the Archduke, she couldn’t help it.
Her palms were sweating from tension.
“If it’s because of me, you don’t need to hesitate. I don’t pity him. I want him to disappear from my sight forever.”
“…Are you really okay with that, even knowing that his charges of rebellion are false and that he will be punished for something he did not commit?”
“Of course. Do you think I wouldn’t be okay?”
“Yes.”
Cian, who had answered firmly, muttered while looking at Rachel’s fingertips in his hand.
“You are kinder and more delicate than you think. So much so that I want to protect you without even realizing it, to the point where I feel like I might go crazy with jealousy.”
“…I’m sorry, Your Highness. I couldn’t hear you very well. Could you say that again?”
“…It’s nothing.”
Cian took a deep breath and nodded.
“All right. If that is what you wish, I will immediately capture Theodore and make him kneel at His Majesty’s feet.”
Only then did Rachel lower her shoulders in relief. She nodded her head.
“Thank you. I am very relieved to hear Your Highness say that. Now I won’t have to worry about Theodore anymore.”
“That’s good to hear.”
Cian smiled and kissed the back of Rachel’s hand.
Although she knew that kissing the back of the hand was merely a gesture of greeting, and that kneeling was nothing special for Cian, Rachel felt like her heart might explode.
* * *
As Beatrix entered the garden, Stefan, who had been waiting for her, smiled brightly.
“Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress. How have you been?”
Beatrix glared at him, standing a little away from the chair. Stefan’s unusually proper greeting was out of character.
“…You never used to come to the palace, and now you’re here, even greeting me so politely. What trouble have you caused this time?”
“Trouble? None at all.”
Stefan’s eyes had slight dark circles underneath, but he looked happy.
“I’ve come to bring you good news, Your Majesty.”
“Good news?”
Beatrix felt rather depressed when she heard that it was ‘good news’.
There were only two good things that could happen to her. Either Sigar dies, or Sigar ousts her from the position of empress. Neither was likely unless the world turned upside down.
Beatrix dismissed the maids who had followed her and sat down opposite Stefan.
“Tell me. What is this good news?”
“I’ve secured the mansion you requested. It’s a quiet, secluded place, perfect for enjoying rural life. The road is rough, so it’s not easy for just anyone to come and go. I’ll soon bring you drawings of the mansion’s scenery and layout.”
She smiled faintly.
Beatrix was always grateful and sorry to her nephew, who indulged her ridiculous whims.
Although she knew she couldn’t take a single step outside the palace without Sigar’s permission, Beatrix dreamed. She dreamed of escaping from Sigar.
She wanted to escape from that cruel and frightening man’s grasp. Though she knew that resisting Sigar would mean the end for not only herself, but the entire Iacobs family, she still dreamed.
Buying and imagining living in those mansions was the only rebellion she could afford.
“Thank you. You always go to so much trouble for me.”
“It’s not over yet. I have something else for you today.”
Stefan took out a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to her.
“It’s a report on the number of knights guarding the Iacobs estates.”
“…Does this mean you’ve hired this many knights? What if His Majesty asks if you’re plotting a rebellion…?”
“That’s why I’m reporting it before he finds out. I’m planning to start a rental business using the mansions I’ve been buying. There is a need for more knights to guard the mansions.”
“Knights to guard the mansions…”
Beatrix, who lived with Sigar, was more perceptive than most people. She immediately understood the meaning behind Stefan’s words.
The increase in knights guarding the mansions meant there were more knights in her dream who would protect her.
Beatrix’s voice trembled.
“Stefan, you…”
“At first, I hated being asked to expand my inventory of useless mansions. It was a hassle, and the maintenance costs were burdensome.”
“…I’m sorry…”
“However, while preparing for this rental business, I dared to try and understand Her Majesty’s feelings. I don’t know if this will be of help to Your Majesty, but I hope that my feelings will be conveyed.”
Help? It was more than helpful.
With each new mansion, she could imagine hiding in every nook and cranny of the mansion, including the basement and closets. In her imagination, she could take a breath until the imaginary Sigar found her.
And now, there were even knights in her imagination to protect her. How could this not be helpful?
“When I was younger, I didn’t understand what it meant for you to become Empress. It’s late, but now, at least, I want to protect you in any way I can, even if it’s just in spirit.”
“…”
“Forgive me. I truly regret blessing your marriage back then.”
Beatrix married Sigar when Stefan was fifteen. While studying at the academy, he gave his sincere congratulations at the news of his aunt’s marriage.
He didn’t know what kind of man Sigar was. He didn’t know what it was like to be married against someone’s own will, or what it was like to bear the child of a man young enough to be her son.
He felt sorry, even though he made excuses such as being too young to fully understand. The reason he couldn’t refuse Beatrix’s requests every time was because of the guilt he didn’t want to admit.
As he prepared for the rental business and hired knights, Stefan acknowledged his feelings and understood Beatrix’s feelings for the first time.
Beatrix burst into tears.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I should’ve had a marriage that could accept your pure congratulations as they were.”
“Don’t apologize. The one suffering the most is you.”
“Thank you, Stefan. Thank you so much.”
Stefan quietly watched Beatrix, who kept thanking and apologizing, huddled in her chair.
‘…I didn’t know you would be so moved. I should thank Countess Rachel. I’ll have to be careful not to make Cian jealous…’
Stefan’s mind wandered as he thought of Cian’s jealous face.
‘…Jealousy? That Cian?’
