Chapter 44:
“Your Majesty, Berotin has decided to resign from his position.”
“The reason?”
Arden pressed his fingers to his eyes and spoke. The meeting had been difficult and had taken too long. Exhausted, he led his tired body to his office, leaned back in his chair, and tilted his head.
“He says he has a good opportunity to study medicine abroad. He also recommended someone he knows as his replacement. The Queen has agreed to this as well…”
“The Queen?”
He slumped further in his chair, adding ice to his glass, pouring whiskey, and stirring it with his hand. The aroma slightly woke him up.
“And the status of the recommended person?”
“We’ll have an interview after the banquet the day after tomorrow.”
“If the Queen has permitted it, let it be.”
“…Are you sure it’s alright?”
At Raymond’s question, Arden nodded. He had to let things go her way to keep her from running away. He still felt like she was trying to escape from him. It was just his intuition.
“And the Emperor?”
“He seems uneasy. His expression was quite dark.”
His transparency in not hiding his expressions without Leticia was apparent. He wanted the Emperor to return to the Empire quickly, but until he saw Leticia, he would find excuses to delay it.
“Finish the negotiations quickly and send him back.”
“Strangely, he didn’t seem to have any intention of staying longer.”
“…Really?”
It was unexpected. He thought the Emperor would find any ridiculous excuse to stay, but he planned to leave right after the schedule ended. There must be another motive, but there was no need to dig into it.
Arden slightly raised himself and savored his whiskey. The sight of him was both languid and supremely elegant. Although he seemed somewhat displeased, he didn’t look bad.
He took out a cigar, cut off the end with a knife, lit it, and took a deep draw. As the smoky scent filled his mouth, he exhaled. Thick, hazy smoke floated up.
A smile appeared on his face, hidden and revealed again by the smoke. Raymond, noticing that his mood wasn’t too bad, spoke cautiously.
“I have one more thing to inform you.”
Arden blinked his blue eyes, waiting for him to continue.
“The Queen plans to hold a small tea party after the banquet.”
“Do I need to know about the tea party as well?”
“I’m telling you because you should know who will attend. She has sent invitations to the nobles who were expelled from the banquet hall.”
“…The Queen?”
—
What is he thinking?
He put down his cigar and furrowed his brows. The nobles must have sent a letter to the queen to attend the banquet. If it were the original her, she would have surely received the letter and responded.
But instead of sending a reply, she sent an invitation, which is strange, isn’t it? Her uncharacteristic behavior piqued his curiosity. Arden loosened his chin and stood up from his seat.
“I’m going to the queen’s chamber.”
“Right now?”
“Yes, you said that conversation is necessary.”
Although that wasn’t the intention, Raymond nodded. It would be foolish to deny his own words. He started to put on his jacket and then turned to approach Raymond.
“Your Highness?”
Raymond looked at him questioningly and stepped back. The way he was approaching seemed strange. Holding his jacket in hand, Arden strode towards him, causing Raymond to press himself against the door.
“Your Highness, what are you doing?”
He placed his hand on the door and narrowed the distance between them. Trapped between Arden’s hands, Raymond broke out in a cold sweat, looking distressed. As he slightly lifted his head, his heart pounded at the sight of the expressionless face and languid eyes looking down on him.
‘What is this? Why is he making such a sorrowful expression?’
Raymond wanted to escape this situation. Why does he keep putting him through such trials? At this point, he wondered if Arden was teasing him.
“Smell me to see if I have any odor.”
“Please stop teasing me! Are you having fun?”
“Yes.”
Arden chuckled and increased the distance. He bowed his head to smell his own body and made a displeased face.
“I don’t think I can go like this.”
“How about just quitting altogether?”
“How much do I even smoke? You’ve been nagging more often these days.”
“…Don’t look at me like that. Feel free to smoke as much as you want. I was just worried because Her Majesty the Queen is not feeling well.”
At those words, Arden patted Raymond’s shoulder a few times and laughed softly.
❖ ❖ ❖
Arden looked at Leticia, who was sound asleep. Sitting on the bed and looking at her strangely made him feel at ease.
“There are many things to ask, yet she alone is so carefree.”
—
—
Time seemed to flow slowly around her. Or was it just a wish? It was the only time he could see a relaxed face instead of a frowning one.
Seeing her face, it seemed like she was no longer in pain. He had planned to have the Pope give her a blessing when he arrived tomorrow, but if Cardius found out, he wouldn’t let it slide. His good mood sank in an instant.
Talking to her, who had changed, was not an easy task. It wasn’t like he was avoiding her, but why was it so difficult to face her? Even if he wanted to practice the importance of conversation that Raymond mentioned, there was no opportunity.
Her question from the other day, asking if he loved her, kept lingering in his mind, making him uncomfortable. Is what she really wants from him the feeling of love? What is the reason for desiring that?
That damned talk of love.
Arden pulled the blanket up to cover her neck. Come to think of it, she was opening the window despite being unwell. He was about to get up from sitting on the bed when Leticia, curled up, turned over.
“Umm.”
Still half-asleep, she slowly opened her eyes and looked at him. Arden froze as he stared at her, unsure whether it was a dream or reality. The time they spent looking at each other without avoiding each other’s gaze grew longer.
In her golden eyes, the blue sky was reflected. Every time he saw them, he thought how beautiful her eyes were. They shone alone, even in the darkness, enough to make him envious. Her lowered eyelids slowly lifted and fell repeatedly.
“Uh…?”
A small sigh escaped her lips, realizing something was strange. Arden quietly received her gaze and waited for her to speak.
She might say, ‘Why are you here?’ or ‘Is something wrong?’ or she might not say anything and frown. She never welcomed him. Or she might think he came just to sleep.
While Arden was lost in these thoughts, Leticia slightly raised herself and reached out her hand. He flinched at the cold touch on his cheek.
“It’s warm.”
It was strange, as if she was confirming it wasn’t a dream. Her eyes were more relaxed than usual, and her expression was languid… She seemed to be intoxicated with sleep. Or maybe it was because of the strong medication she had switched to.
“It must be a dream… You appeared this time too, just like last time. There’s no way it could be you….”
“….”
“I… I hate you so much… Hate you to death, resent you.”
She faintly smiled as she withdrew her hand from his cheek. She gathered her small hands to her chest, curled up even more, and murmured as she fell back asleep.
“Yet… why do I….”
Her tired-sounding voice made his heart ache heavily. Arden brushed her hair back and pulled the blanket up to her neck again.
He got up from the bed, walked to the window, and closed it. Moonlight softly seeped in, illuminating her entirely.
‘It’s been a long time since I haven’t had nightmares.’
It might be because of Leticia. Getting a little sleep made his mind feel more at ease. His perspective widened, and his previously sharp nerves softened. At least, that’s how he felt.
All of this was thanks to her.
The reason he no longer had seizures and didn’t see his brother standing at the brink of death was all because of her.
Because of her small and fragile self, he gained freedom. Something he never expected anyone to give him, she gave. Many were concerned about his well-being, but….
Arden pressed his eyes with his hand and sat on the chair by the table. He leaned deeply into the chair and took in the sight of Leticia, bathed in moonlight. Her lips were slightly curled up, as if she was having a good dream.
—
