Xian rose from the imperial throne and descended the steps, feigning indifference.
Leah, who had claimed she wanted to meet new people, had been flitting about non-stop for two days, chatting tirelessly without showing the slightest sign of boredom.
He recalled what his lieutenant and steward had mentioned earlier that afternoon: that guests were beginning to view their relationship more positively, impressed by the vivacious empress.
Indeed, the atmosphere had softened noticeably. The wary glances and fearful scattering that usually accompanied his presence had been replaced with smiles and laughter, even in his company.
It was a sense of belonging Xian had never experienced before.
Yet, politics aside, when he looked at her shimmering silver hair and fairy-like violet eyes…
“She’s like a lark.”
The thought was absurd, useless. And yet, it flitted through his mind like an unwelcome guest.
Even more remarkable was that, despite the noise and commotion, his chronic headaches didn’t flare up as they once did.
Drawn to her in a way that felt almost instinctual, Sian wove through the crowd, passing the dancing guests, his focus solely on Leah. The sensation of being submerged in the throng was strangely novel.
But just as he approached her, his sharp senses caught something.
“Isn’t the Empress quite different from her old reputation?”
“Indeed. They say she even dissolved the harem. What could her intentions be?”
The voices came from behind a pillar in a blind spot not easily visible from the ballroom. The speakers were Duke Simand and Marquis Renscul, chatting over champagne.
Talking about the Empress behind her back, were they?
Xian’s face darkened, his expression hardening. He considered intervening, but the nervous glances of nearby guests reminded him of the delicate atmosphere Leah had carefully cultivated.
With effort, he smoothed his expression and veered in the opposite direction, away from the crowd.
Thankfully, the lively atmosphere remained intact. Quietly, he slipped through the throng, positioning himself discreetly behind the pillar where the two men stood.
“Confidentially,” Duke Simand began, “the Empress was combing her hair in front of me earlier with this unusual brush. Then she said she’d gift me a new one! Can you believe that?”
“You too? She did the same for me! Called it a commemorative gift, but considering her history, isn’t it more likely she’s showing interest in us? Some habits die hard, after all.”
Xian’s face hardened further, his jaw clenching.
A brush… it wasn’t just for me?
“As if that wasn’t enough, she asked me to meet her on the balcony later. Said she wanted my opinion on the brush, but I bet it’s just an excuse.”
“Oh, lucky you! Maybe she’s got her eye on you. Who knows, you might even rise to the role of the Empress’s lover!”
“Listen to yourself!”
Duke Simand made a show of mock indignation but grinned, clearly pleased.
Xian recalled that Simand’s homeland, an exotic subtropical nation, was notorious for its Casanovas.
The whole thing left a bitter taste in his mouth.
That a man like this could be speaking so casually about the Empress. That such a man dared to toy with her name.
“Time’s up. Go meet her and let me know how it goes!”
Draining his champagne, the duke sauntered off. Xian’s green eyes gleamed coldly as he silently followed.
He needed to know if Leah had truly invited that man. If she really wanted him.
No, he needed to know if all his assumptions had been wrong—if he meant nothing to her.
Without confirmation, he felt he might not be able to endure the crushing weight of the doubt that gnawed at him.
*****
“Ah, Duke Simand, over here!”
Through the translucent curtain, Xian could see Leah sitting with the brush resting lightly on her lap.
Duke Simand, with an insincere smile, drew back the curtain and sat beside her.
“I’ve prepared this brush as a gift, but I’m not sure if it works perfectly. Please try it out here, and if there’s an issue, I’ll replace it for you.”
Xian eavesdropped on their conversation, his insides twisting. He knew it was beneath him as Emperor to skulk around like this, but he couldn’t help himself.
“Your Majesty, you truly are a fascinating person. I won’t forget tonight for as long as I live.”
How could anyone leave them alone like this?
“For as long as you live? It’s just a brush; you really don’t need to make such a fuss,” Leah replied kindly, her soft tone sending Xian’s temper boiling.
He wasn’t the kind of man to let emotions control him, but right now, he felt like a volcano ready to erupt.
“It’s working wonderfully, Your Majesty.”
“Is that so? I’m glad to hear it!”
Clink.
The duke ran the brush through his hair and handed it back. Leah turned, placed it in a box, and handed over a newly wrapped one.
From behind the curtain, Xian noticed something odd: there were two boxes. Simand didn’t seem to realize it, but Leah had discreetly tucked away the brush he had just used and offered him a brand-new one instead.
Why take the used brush and replace it with a fresh one?
Frowning, Xian mulled over the scene.
Could she just be ensuring he receives a perfect gift, free of flaws?
It seemed overly meticulous, borderline obsessive. Then again, Leah’s quirky nature was no secret.
Still… why meet him here?
A private balcony, a secluded setting—it was almost too easy to misinterpret. Xian gritted his teeth. Anyone witnessing this would think…
“The Empress herself showed me this! How could I forget such a heartfelt gesture?”
“Excuse me? What gesture are you talking about?”
“Your feelings for me, of course.”
“Have you already started drinking?”
“I’m intoxicated by Your Majesty.”
Crack.
The decorative curtain pin in Xian’s hand shattered into pieces.
“I’m not alcohol,” Leah replied evenly.
“You’re far stronger than any wine, Your Majesty. I never imagined you’d confess your feelings in such an adorable way. Haha, and you even gave my friend, Marquis Renscul, a gift to throw others off the scent!”
Xian’s mind went blank.
Of course, he knew that giving someone a thoughtful gift wasn’t necessarily special treatment. Leah had always been unconventional, bearing a myriad of nicknames in the early days of their marriage.
Perhaps this was just a fleeting whim, a playful indulgence. She was entitled to such things; he had turned a blind eye to the harem, so why make an issue over a simple gift?
Yet Sian couldn’t suppress the visceral desire to curse.
“I only wanted to share something useful with the guests. I’m sorry if you misunderstood. I hope you enjoy the rest of the ball. As for your recent rudeness, I’ll overlook it as the Empress.”
Leah’s voice, usually warm and soft when addressing Xian, was now icy and sharp.
Hearing her draw such a clear line brought Xian some relief. His tightly wound emotions began to loosen, just a little.
Stay calm. This is Leah’s ball, the one she wanted so desperately. I can’t ruin it for her.
Grinding his teeth, Xian forced himself to remain composed.
If he endured this moment, he could listen to the new soundscape Leah had prepared for him tonight. She’d even promised to comb his hair.
Even though none of this made sense right now, he convinced himself that he’d get the answers later—in their chambers.
Why was she giving that man a gift?
Why did she swap the brushes?
…Why had she kissed him that night?
“Let go of me.”
“Haha, even your protests are charming, Your Majesty.”
“Aah!”
The scream broke through his thoughts, snapping the fragile leash on his restraint.
Thud! Crash!
The curtain was ripped away entirely, and Duke Simand, who had been reaching for Leah’s waist, was sent flying as Xian’s fist connected with his jaw.
“Urgh!”
Xian’s heavy footsteps echoed as he approached, radiating murderous intent. One hand gripped the duke by the collar, hoisting him off the ground as if he weighed nothing.
“Y-Your Majesty!”
“If I sever that filthy hand, will you finally understand?”
As the words left his lips, Xian’s mind burned with searing heat.
“Xi-Xian?”
When his eyes met Leah’s startled violet ones, all he could think was:
I want those eyes to see no one but me.
*****
Why is Xian here?!
What is going on?
I looked back and forth between Duke Simand, who was gasping and choking, and Xian, who had him by the collar, radiating murderous intent.
Wait. First things first—stop him before people show up!
“Xi-Xian? Hold on a second!”
I hurried over and tugged at his sleeve. Normally, his gaze would obediently follow when I poked or prodded him, but this time, he didn’t even flinch.
He was like a beast whose control mechanism had broken.
“K-Kh… Kaack!”
At this rate, the duke was going to suffocate.
Not that I particularly cared about the pervert’s well-being—plans can be adjusted, and he can die for all I care.
But with the palace full of foreign guests, if anyone saw this scene, it would obliterate the carefully rebuilt image we’d worked so hard for.
The sound of armored footsteps rushing down the hallway was already echoing closer.
Ugh, screw it.
I flung myself forward.
Thud.
“Xian! I need to talk to you!”
I wrapped my arms tightly around his waist. That finally drew a reaction. Xian, who had been holding the duke aloft with one hand, hesitated, his grip loosening slightly.
“Your Majesty, did you call for us?”
The guards burst in, their boots thundering against the floor.
Crash!
Duke Simand was unceremoniously dropped, landing in a heap.
“Guh… Huff!”
The large, bronze-skinned man, flailing and gasping on the floor, looked utterly powerless.
Even as I marveled at Sian’s strength, I quickly grabbed his arm and pulled him back.
“Xian, let’s go. Too many people are watching. If anyone sees blood, they’ll start whispering.”
The memory of the coronation ball, where the Tyrant nickname was born, loomed large. If there was another incident at this first grand ball in years, shedding that title would be nearly impossible.
“There’s been a bit of an incident. I’ll deal with it afterward. For now, keep the duke under close watch and escort him out,” I instructed the guards, stepping in to manage the situation as Sian’s furious silence filled the air.
Then, leaning closer, I whispered quickly, “Xian, I know what you’re thinking, but I’ll explain everything later. Let’s just finish the ball properly first, okay?”
His fierce golden eyes snapped to mine.
The lingering menace in his gaze made me flinch, but panicking now wouldn’t change anything.
This cursed palace, I swear—it can’t go a single day without something exploding into chaos.
“Xian, let’s find a better way to handle this, alright?”
Trying to coax him out of his statue-like fury, I slid my fingers into his and gave his hand a firm squeeze.
“You trust me, right?”
I unleashed the classic yet undeniably effective “Trust me” move.
Fortunately, it worked. The tension in Sian’s rigid body began to ease, ever so slightly.
