If it weren’t for the curse, the eldest son, Nathan, would have inherited the throne.
Even if he had no choice but to give up his seat to his younger brother because of the curse… … .
‘You’re going to give up even after the curse is lifted!?’
It was something I couldn’t understand.
But Nathan was firm.
“That’s why I don’t want to tell my father even if my curse is lifted. Not until Regis completely inherits the throne.”
“… … I don’t understand. Why are you giving up so much?”
“Everyone has their own place. Regis was born in the light and grew up in the light. But I… … .”
He sighed for a moment and continued.
“I’m a person who is more accustomed to living in the shadows. I’m not fit for the throne. That won’t change even if the curse is lifted.”
“There’s no such thing! I believe that Your Majesty can be a great leader… … !”
“Shh, that’s too much meddling.”
I immediately shut my mouth.
He was right.
He said he didn’t want to be the emperor, so what right did I have to interfere?
It was too much meddling and meddling.
‘Tsk, I wanted to push Regis into the pit of despair. If Nathan himself doesn’t like it, then there’s nothing I can do.’
It was heartbreaking that the unlucky Regis would become the next emperor.
I was deeply worried about the future of the empire.
And my future as well.
‘Then what should I do? If Regis tries to kill me later… … . Will Nathan protect me then?’
I was also concerned that Nathan himself said he was ‘more comfortable in the shadows,’ but I tried to suppress my interest in him.
I had decided not to have any personal feelings toward him.
“… … I understand. Then I will keep the fact that the curse can be lifted a secret until the end. However, I would like you to protect me for a certain period of time after the engagement is broken off.”
I didn’t know what harm Regis, who later seized the power of the emperor, would do to me.
He might even cut off my head to check the state of the guillotine.
Nathan didn’t seem to understand why I added such a condition.
Still, I answered.
“Well… … Of course I will provide personal protection, so don’t worry. Then, shall we go in?”
“Yes, except for this one last time.”
I took off the ring on my fourth finger.
‘I almost went in with it on. The engagement ring I got from Regis.’
I had been forcing myself to wear it because of people’s gazes, but now I didn’t have to.
Now, it would look even stranger if I had this.
“It’s all done. I think it’s okay to go in.”
We finally entered His Majesty’s office.
I was wearing clothes to avoid skin contact, but I was still stuck to him.
“Your Majesty.”
I bowed my head and looked inside.
It was just as Nathan said. His Majesty and Regis were sitting on the sofa together.
Meanwhile, Regis was frowning.
‘I guess it feels strange that we came in together.’
Regis acted as if he was looking at a fish riding a bicycle.
It was an expression that made you think that two completely incompatible objects were together…
The uncomfortable atmosphere continued until His Majesty spoke for the first time.
“What news do you want to tell me? Your servant told me this when he came in the morning. Regis has important news that you must hear as well.”
Fortunately, I didn’t have to sweat and explain.
Nathan came first and knelt down in front of His Majesty.
“I’m sorry. And Regis, I have no face to face with you either.”
Everyone looked at Nathan, who suddenly knelt down, in bewilderment.
I chose to remain silent as much as possible behind him.
In order not to get caught up in the chaos that was about to unfold.
“Nathan? What do you mean? Explain it so I can understand.”
Nathan finally spoke at His Majesty’s urging.
“I want permission to have a relationship with Lady Rubellasis.”
He didn’t add any excuses.
He just said that he wanted permission to have a relationship.
‘He were considerate of me.’
If I had said that I came first and tried to get in on it, I would have been in trouble.
Nathan himself had taken the initiative and omitted my story, clearly out of consideration for me.
And he ended up paying the price.
“You crazy bastard!!”
His Majesty slapped Nathan’s cheek with all his might.
Even though there was a thud and his head turned to the side, Nathan just held on.
He was so foolish and pitiful that he almost blocked His Majesty.
“Say it again. You… … What are you going to do with your brother’s fiancée?”
“I want Claudia, Regis’s fiancée.”
“Stop! You’re out of your mind! You have something else to covet, how could you covet your brother’s fiancée!!”
Nathan still didn’t make any excuses and just stood up.
“I will do the marriage that Regis should have done. Young lady also agreed. Then, since her father has kept his old promise with the duke, I think it will be a relief.”
“Wait, Claudia agreed?”
His Majesty calmed down a little after hearing that I agreed.
“Claudia, is what Nathan said true? Is it really okay for you to marry Nathan instead of Regis?”
“Yes, it’s okay. After all, my engagement with His Highness Regis was also a decision based on my father’s wishes. Even if the other person becomes Nathan’s subordinate depending on the situation, I don’t care.”
“Hmm… … .”
If Nathan had wanted me on his own, he would have been scolded a lot.
However, I also expressed my agreement.
‘I think he thinks it’s not bad that it’s like this. He must have felt sorry for Nathan, who has no partner.’
It’s all just a guess, but it was very likely.
His Majesty’s expression wasn’t that bad.
‘Besides, you probably knew that Regis didn’t like me very much, right?’
There was no need to watch Regis’s expression.
As expected, His Majesty showed a more positive reaction.
“This is… … . It seems that it wasn’t Nathan’s unilateral decision. But as you know, Nathan inherited the imperial curse.”
“It’s okay. I’ll endure it.”
His Majesty’s anger completely subsided.
It must have been because he judged that no one would be harmed.
I clenched my fists to hide my joy.
‘Okay, everything is going well. If we continue like this… … .’
At that moment, someone I had forgotten suddenly intervened.
“What is this situation? You are taking Claudia as your wife?”
It was Regis.
He, who should have been hoping for this situation more than anyone else, suddenly expressed his discontent.
‘Why is his face so grumpy? Shouldn’t Regis be doing a congratulatory dance right now?’
I was surprised and worried at the same time.
‘Shouldn’t he be resisting like that? I thought Nathan had agreed to Regis… … .’
I was afraid that Nathan wouldn’t accept my proposal.
That’s why I remembered how I had cleverly hidden the truth.
Nathan must have thought that Regis had agreed to not only the breakup, but also the engagement afterwards.
‘Ugh, as expected, he’s glaring at me… … .’
I glanced at Nathan’s expression and quickly averted my gaze.
It seemed that I would have to explain it at length later.
In the meantime, Regis continued to pour out his anger.
“Ha… … . I know very well what kind of feelings you have for me, hyung, but are you trying to embarrass me so blatantly?”
“Embarrassment?”
Regis shot back at Nathan’s question.
“Yes, embarrassment. If my fiancée Claudia suddenly appeared next to you, you could tell how the nobles would react. I would become the biggest laughingstock in society that day.”
My eyebrows furrowed as I heard Regis’ words.
‘What the. ‘he is saying that Nathan stole me on purpose because of his inferiority complex?’
I felt even more affectionate towards him because he seemed to be less than half as good as my brother.
Of course, I didn’t like it even before that.
“And Claudia.”
Regis gave me a resentful look as if he was going to say something to me.
There was no need to look away in embarrassment.
He was a man who had never loved me in the first place, so my actions were not a betrayal.
I was just looking for my own way to survive.
“Yeah, I wasn’t doing well. I admit it. But this isn’t right, is it?”
“If you’re worried about what the social world thinks, don’t worry. Nathan and I will be the ones to be criticized.”
“… … .”
His expression became even more distorted than before.
“… … Tsk, I didn’t know you would act this lightly, I’m disappointed.”
“Regis!”
When Regis’s bottom was revealed, His Majesty shouted urgently.
Regis turned his back without answering and left the place.
It was natural that silence fell among the remaining people.
“It seems Regis doesn’t want it.”
I was going along well, but suddenly he seemed like he wouldn’t allow it, so I tried to intervene hastily, but there was no need.
“But I will allow the relationship between you two.”
“… …!? Are you sure!?”
His Majesty nodded quietly at my question.
“Yes. Regis seems a bit dissatisfied right now, but it will be okay after a while. If he try, he can find another partner. I will try to persuade him.”
Regis could find another woman if he wanted.
However, Nathan, who was under the curse, was not.
Since he felt sorry for that, His Majesty took Nathan’s side.
“If you two agreed, then that’s it. Congratulations.”
I heard he was generous, but I didn’t think it would be this much.
I felt like bowing deeply.
* * *
After the situation was sorted out, Nathan and I returned to his bedroom together.
Originally, I wanted to go for a walk in the garden to get some fresh air.
However, I gave up after hearing Nathan whisper in my ear.
[Let’s go to the bedroom. I want to receive it again. A healing treatment to lift the curse… … .]
And as soon as he got to the bedroom, he quickly picked me up and put me down on the bed.
I understood, but it still didn’t feel good to be thrown on the bed in broad daylight.
“Actually, we don’t need to do this so often. Once a week is enough for skin contact treatment. And we don’t have any potions right now.”
“We’re just pretending to be a married couple, right? Seriously.
“You have to make at least the minimum effort to look like that.”
“Ugh… … .”
“And I should apologize physically. For your trickery.”
“Ugh… … That’s… … .”
I had nothing to say even if I had ten mouths.
It was clearly my fault for fooling Nathan into thinking Regis had approved our engagement.
Thanks to that, innocent Nathan ended up getting resented by Regis.
“Ugh… … . Okay. Then let’s take off my clothes first… … .”
“Ugh!”
As I was unbuttoning his shirt, my hand lightly brushed against his collarbone.
He jerked away from me.
And then he let out a groan of pain.
“Your Majesty?”
He slowly lowered his collar and showed me the part where he had touched me.
“… … !?”
Surprisingly, his skin was red as if it had been burned.
Even though it was just skin-to-skin contact.
“… … “It seems like the potion I drank yesterday has worn off.”
“I can’t touch you again? Forever?”
