IS, IDMMYLM 03

Chapter 3

The Chocolate Thief, Reunited

---

“Ugh…”

Eliana, now in her nightclothes, threw herself onto the bed.

“Would you like me to prepare some soup?”

“No, I just want to sleep…”

Eliana shook her head.

Her voice, still muffled and half-asleep, was barely audible.

“If you sleep now, how will you sleep tonight?”

“I can’t help it. I just can’t adjust to the time difference.”

It had been a week since Eliana returned to the Empire. Although she should be getting used to it by now, the time difference from three years abroad was still taking its toll. Day felt like night, and night felt like day.

“Milla, you’re amazing. You adjusted right away as soon as we got here.”

Even though they had both lived abroad, Milla had immediately overcome the time difference upon returning to the Empire. Her adaptability was frighteningly quick.

“I’ve traveled with my father to many countries since I was young,” Milla said with a smile.

“Of course, a merchant’s daughter,” Eliana teased with a thumbs up.

Before becoming her maid, Milla had lived as the daughter of a wealthy merchant, receiving treatment no less than that of any noblewoman. Although her family had lost everything due to a bad investment, she had once known a life of luxury.

“Should I make you some coffee?”

“You know it won’t help. Just wake me up at the right time.”

Eliana buried her face into the pillow.

Milla covered her with the blanket.

“I’ll see you in a bit, Milla.”

“Okay, see you soon.”

With Milla’s slow words trailing off, a deep sleep overtook Eliana.

---

“Call off the engagement, Eliana.”

Boom—Crash!

Albert’s voice spread like smoke, and a huge thunderous sound rang through the air.

In the fog between dream and reality, Eliana’s eyes snapped open.

Bang!

The light from the window flickered, and once again, a loud noise echoed overhead.

Eliana wiped the sweat from her face and sat up.

Pulling back the curtain, she saw a dark sky pouring down heavy rain.

“You bastard.”

Flicking her fingers nervously along the rain tapping on the window, she thought about the shocking events of the day. She hadn’t been able to sleep comfortably, even in her dreams.

Just thinking about Albert and Charlotte stirred up heat in her body.

“Miss!”

Suddenly, the bedroom door opened, and Milla rushed in.

There was some sort of commotion downstairs. The noise filtered through the open door.

Unlike her usual calm demeanor, Milla appeared flustered and in a hurry.

“You’re awake.”

“Yeah, but what’s going on? It’s so noisy.”

“I think you need to go to the first floor.”

Milla quickly draped a shawl over Eliana’s shoulders.

Eliana tilted her head, following Milla down the hallway toward the entrance.

When they reached the central stairs, Eliana’s eyes widened in shock.

“Gerard?”

There, standing and drying himself with a towel, was Gerard.

Gerard was Eliana’s fourth older brother, who had volunteered for an expedition to the North just after he was made a knight, and had left the house seven years ago.

Her feelings were more anxious than happy at the return of this brother who had never sent a letter in all those years.

She wondered if perhaps something had happened, and he’d been sent back from the North.

“Why is that guy here?”

As Eliana turned her gaze away from Gerard, she saw another very familiar face.

It was the man she had argued with earlier that afternoon over the chocolate box.

“Thank you.”

The man was smiling his signature charming smile, accepting a towel from one of the servants.

“What the heck is going on?”

Confused by the strange turn of events, Eliana walked down the stairs, her face full of questions.

When she reached the lobby, all eyes turned to her.

Gerard, embarrassed to see his sister after seven years, looked at her uneasily.

“Lia, this is…”

“It’s good to see you again, my lady!”

Before Gerard could finish his sentence, the man cut in.

He flashed his toothy grin and smiled widely at her.

“Thanks for earlier. You really gave me a good gift.”

“…I’m glad it was useful.”

“Of course, it’s better for someone of the appropriate age to eat it, rather than a lady.”

Is he mocking me?

Eliana’s lips trembled with irritation.

She put her hands together politely and gave Gerard a piercing look.

Gerard, looking frightened, gently pulled on the man’s sleeve.

But the man continued without pause.

“You’ve barely got any face left. You used to be all round like a full moon. Do the Duke’s family not feed you anymore?”

“Excuse me?”

“Master, please…” Gerard almost cried out as he clung to the man.

Master?

Eliana’s mind reeled.

Her brother Gerard, who had gone north, had been calling this man “master.”

With black hair and amber eyes that resembled a wolf, his appearance strangely mirrored that of the Emperor.

Old childhood memories rushed back.

If she remembered correctly, the man’s name was Richard Norbert.

Nine years ago, he had been granted the title of Duke and sent to the North to govern the region.

Eliana quickly straightened up.

“Y-Your Grace, I didn’t recognize you. I deeply apologize.”

“Hm? What for?”

The man asked, genuinely confused.

Had she really just cursed at him, telling him to end up on the streets?

Remembering her rude behavior, Eliana awkwardly smiled.

“My lady, the atmosphere has changed.”

Richard ran his fingers thoughtfully down his chin, scrutinizing her with a curious gaze.

“So, what brings someone so important to our humble home?”

Eliana hastily changed the subject.

“Well, I’ve found myself in a bit of a situation and lost my place to stay. I was hoping I could stay here for a while.”

“A situation?”

Richard scratched his head and gave a sheepish smile before continuing.

---

The Imperial Hall

A golden-threaded curtain was hung in the grand hall.

Kneeling solemnly before the Emperor’s throne, Richard bowed his head.

“Your Majesty’s loyal subject, Richard Norbert, offers his respects.”

His deep voice echoed through the hall.

The Emperor, who had been lazily watching Richard from the throne, finally spoke, his tone indifferent.

“You’ve been making jokes. It doesn’t suit you. Get back to your usual self.”

With a simple wave of the Emperor’s hand, Richard stood and eased into a more serious posture.

“You’ve become younger since I last saw you.”

“You’re still so sycophantic,” the Emperor smirked, extending his hand.

Richard approached and lightly kissed the Emperor’s hand.

“I’m always sincere. A younger brother would never flatter his elder.”

Richard placed his hand on his chest, asserting his honesty.

At eighteen, he had been granted the Duke’s title and sent to the North.

He was the Emperor’s half-brother, born to the late Emperor and his consort when the Emperor was still young.

By age, the Emperor was more like a father than an elder brother.

“It’s been almost ten years since we last met?”

“Exactly nine.”

“Your memory is as sharp as ever.”

Richard narrowed his eyes in a smile.

Despite being half-brothers, there had never been any rivalry between them. Their relationship was cordial, perhaps even closer than most full-blooded siblings.

This was due not only to Richard’s charming personality, but also the vow he made when he was granted the Duke’s title.

The vow he had sworn to renounce his claim to the throne and serve as the Emperor’s loyal subject for life.

Richard had no desire for power, and he was skilled in diplomacy.