They hadn’t spent much time together, but since the former emperor had constantly compared them, there was no way Xian could ever be fond of Kaibel.
It wasn’t as if Kaibel had ever schemed against Xian or tried to sow discord between him and the late emperor, but his smooth, unreadable demeanor made him infuriating to deal with.
Xian didn’t even consider him family, so he couldn’t understand why Kaibel insisted on visiting so regularly just because they were cousins.
“If you’re done with your congratulations, leave.”
Even with Xian’s cold indifference—barely even sparing him a glance—Kaibel remained unfazed. He leisurely poured himself a cup of tea and took a sip, smiling.
“What do you mean, there’s nothing to see? I’m still unmarried, yet here you are, enjoying a sweet honeymoon. I must admit, I’m terribly jealous.”
Why was Leah coming out of his mouth?
Xian’s brows creased as he spoke.
“Is there even such a thing as a sweet honeymoon in a political marriage?”
Why would an outsider care about a weak soldier under his command?
As Xian fixed him with a chilling stare, Kaibel chuckled and prodded further.
“Even as a distant member of the Bermut imperial family, I still hear things. From what I’ve gathered, you two have been quite the affectionate newlyweds—even at the hunting grounds.”
“Then your sources are worthless.”
“Are you denying it?”
Kaibel mused aloud, making sure Xian could hear.
“That’s strange. I heard you and Her Majesty were quite close.”
Xian’s eyes flickered with disinterest as he picked up his documents again.
“Yes.”
“Hmm. Then you wouldn’t mind if I got close to Her Majesty myself?”
For the briefest moment, Xian’s quill paused mid-motion.
Kaibel continued, deliberately keeping his tone light.
“If Your Majesty isn’t that attached to Her Majesty, I’d like to befriend her. She must feel lonely, being in an unfamiliar imperial palace all by herself.”
Kaibel hid his amusement behind a neutral expression as he noticed the quill slowing down even more.
Right then, the chief attendant entered and relayed a message from the Empress’s palace.
“Your Majesty, Her Majesty has decided to use a separate bedroom four nights a week from now on.”
“…….”
The quill slowed even further.
Kaibel nearly burst out laughing.
A woman who could rattle this ice block!
He had never seen his sharp, prickly cousin react like this to anyone before. The Xian he knew wouldn’t bat an eye even if his wife filed for divorce, let alone requested separate bedrooms.
Xian had always been hostile toward him, but truthfully, Kaibel found most people uninteresting. He rarely meddled in the affairs of others.
But now…
This was finally something fun.
Feigning innocence, he muttered under his breath.
“Ah, this must be an uneasy time for you. If I were to get close to Her Majesty right now, you might feel anxious, so I suppose I should withdraw my request—”
“Do as you please.”
Xian’s voice was as emotionless as ever, utterly detached. If one weren’t paying attention, it would seem like he was talking about a stranger.
“Be friendly, grow close, I don’t care. Do whatever you want.”
“Is that so? Then I won’t hesitate.”
Before Kaibel could even finish speaking, Xian gestured dismissively, ordering him out.
“Pfft—!”
Once outside, Kaibel reached the end of the hallway before he finally let out a full-bodied laugh.
He couldn’t stop replaying the last glimpse he had caught of Xian before the doors closed.
Does he really not care?
As Kaibel smirked to himself…
Inside the office.
Xian, still expressionless, picked up another document.
And in his grip, another quill had snapped.
****
“As you ordered, Your Majesty, the Empress’s separate bedroom has been fully prepared.”
“Good. I’ll start using it tomorrow, so don’t get confused.”
Lauren gave me a look that clearly asked, Why suddenly sleep separately when you were doing just fine together?
I waved off her curiosity with a casual response as I continued walking.
“I just thought it might be nice to have my own room.”
“Ah.”
For some reason, Lauren immediately accepted my explanation with a pleased expression.
What’s that supposed to mean?
I tilted my head in confusion but quickly dropped the thought. Right now, convincing Duchess Shire to give me her necklace was the more important concern.
“Your Majesty, we’ve arrived at your bedroom… Oh my!”
Lauren gasped softly.
Snapping out of my thoughts, I turned to see what had surprised her.
A single, deep red rose was tucked into my bedroom door.
“What’s that?”
“I’m not sure. Perhaps His Majesty left it for you?”
It was an incredibly beautiful rose.
While I curiously examined the flower, Lauren turned to ask the palace guards.
“It was a gift from a guest from Helios, Your Majesty. It’s a special variety native to Helios.”
“Oh? It’s lovely.”
The color was rare and exquisite, and the fragrance was just as stunning. I had no idea who had sent it, but they certainly had good taste.
Smiling, I carried the rose into my room, assuming it was just an extra touch sent along with the other gifts I had received.
As soon as I entered, exhaustion washed over me.
Between making antidotes and plotting how to obtain the jewel, I had used up a lot of brainpower.
Half-buried in my blankets, I began dozing off while waiting for Xian.
Click.
“Xian?”
The soft sound of the door closing roused me. I blinked drowsily as damp black hair came into view.
“…If you’re sleepy, just go to bed.”
“Mmm, but since we won’t be sleeping together tomorrow, I wanted to help you sleep well tonight.”
Half-asleep, I murmured my response as Xian silently lay down beside me.
I turned toward him, preparing to lull him to sleep as I usually did.
After much trial and error, I had discovered that bedtime stories and sound effects were ineffective—but ASMR lullabies worked like a charm.
Clearing my throat to hum, I barely managed to begin before Xian cut in.
“It’s fine. Just sleep.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
It seemed the sleep training had worked—Xian had been sleeping well lately.
On particularly good days, he didn’t even need my ASMR to doze off. Today must have been one of those days.
“Then goodnight, Xian.”
Already exhausted, I let my eyes drift shut.
Just as I was slipping into sleep, Xian’s low voice reached me.
“Why did you suddenly decide to sleep in a separate room?”
I yawned, rubbing my heavy eyelids.
“Mmm… Since you’re sleeping well now, I figured we don’t have to sleep together every night anymore.”
“…….”
I had expected my casual response to be enough, but an unsettling silence followed.
“What’s with that reaction? Are you still having trouble sleeping? Do you still need me?”
Even in my drowsy state, I felt a sudden surge of concern.
Had his sleep problems worsened again? Or was he just adamant about not sleeping separately because of my health?
“Of course not.”
Xian’s curt reply was so indifferent that my worry instantly felt pointless.
Seriously? That’s all?
I blinked in mild annoyance before drifting back into slumber.
“Then four days later, we’ll sleep—huh? What’s that?”
“What do you mean?”
I mumbled, too sleepy to care.
I vaguely felt Xian shift, sitting up.
“That rose—it’s from Helios. Why is it here?”
“Oh. It was a gift… I accepted it.”
I recalled how Loren had placed it in the most prominent spot in the room. Snuggling deeper into my blankets, I murmured,
“Isn’t it beautiful?”
I had never seen such a gorgeous rose before.
Not thinking much of it, I buried my face into my pillow.
“…….”
However, Xian didn’t lie back down.
Instead, he remained sitting, staring at the rose for a long time.
It wasn’t until much later that he finally returned to bed.
Half-asleep, I had a fleeting thought.
I didn’t know Xian liked roses.
Did he really like it that much?
****
Duchess Shire was surprisingly bold.
When a tea party invitation arrived that morning, I was delighted.
“Today at lunchtime? Of course, I’ll go!”
Another tea time in just a day? I had assumed she was timid, but she was clearly someone who followed through once she made a decision.
Lauren seemed troubled by the lack of preparation time, but I needed to solidify my relationship with Duchess Shire as soon as possible. So, I got ready quickly and set off for the duchy.
“Your Majesty! Thank you so much for coming!”
As soon as I stepped out of the carriage in a simple dress, Duchess Shire rushed over excitedly.
“I was worried that sending such a short-notice invitation might have been a burden.”
“Not at all. I’ve actually been wanting to visit the Shire estate. I heard your gardens are absolutely beautiful.”
I winked playfully and handed her a basket of desserts I had brought as a gift.
Duchess Shire blushed deeply, clearly pleased.
“Please, come inside, Your Majesty. I’ve already set up a tea table in the garden.”
Even during the short walk to the garden, she hovered around me, shyly asking what kind of tea and cookies I preferred.
“I like everything. What I’m more excited about is our conversation today.”
“Eep!”
She let out an involuntary squeal.
Just as we stepped into the garden, I burst into laughter at her adorable reaction.
“Your Majesty, I really can’t thank you enough. If it weren’t for you yesterday, the Shire family would have been terribly embarrassed.”
“It wasn’t a big deal. If you ever have trouble again, just let me know.”
“Kyaa! You’re so generous! I really want to repay you somehow—wouldn’t there be something I could do for you?”
Oho, an opportunity already?!
My eyes sparkled.
“Oh, there’s no need for that, but if you insist—”
I was just about to ask if I could take another look at the necklace she had worn last time when—
“Your Majesty, welcome.”
A familiar voice interrupted.
Step, step.
“Eloise?”
My cousin approached with a smile.
Behind her, I spotted a tea table and three chairs.
“Duchess Shire mentioned having tea with you, so I shamelessly asked to be invited as well. Wouldn’t it be more fun with all three of us?”
“Of course, the more the merrier.”
I was a little disappointed but hid it well as I took a seat with them.
Tsk. I knew it wouldn’t be that easy.
Eloise had been eager to befriend Duchess Shire, and since her plan to win her favor with the digestive medicine had failed yesterday, she must have seen this as a second chance.
I’ll just have to wait for the right moment to be alone with her.
If Eloise also took an interest in the necklace, things could get complicated.
With that in mind, I decided to focus on enjoying the tea time for now.
“There are so many pet owners in Bermut. I’ve always been jealous—I could never have one in Helios because my family members had fur allergies.”
“Oh my, then you can get one now! Would you like some recommendations?”
Eloise enthusiastically suggested various pets—parrots, cats, and different dog breeds.
“My father is allergic too, so I couldn’t have one either, but once I get married, I plan to adopt one. I guess that makes us similar, Duchess.”
“It does! Thank you for the recommendations, Lady Eloise. I’ll definitely consider them carefully.”
Duchess Shire nodded happily before turning to me.
“Your Majesty, do you have a pet? I’d love to raise the same kind as you!”
“Ah, I have allergies too, so I can’t keep any in the Empress’s palace, unfortunately.”
As I sighed in disappointment, Duchess Shire mirrored my expression, looking just as crestfallen.
