IFLDMHF | Chapter 136

Episode 136

Well, it’s not like the one standing at the peak of the empire needs to watch what he says around others.

I realized the emperor had feigned friendliness, calling out to me just to subtly bring up my past and drive a wedge between Euclid and me.

‘Seriously, what kind of emperor is this petty?’

Having sat on the throne for so long, I expected him to be shrewd and was tense about how he might strike, but…

The emperor was astonishingly childish to the point of draining all tension.

‘And he calls that a question?’

Of course, in reality, marrying my favorite person was an unparalleled stroke of luck, but only I knew the full story behind it.

Still, from the outside, it looked like I had been rejected for years only to end up marrying another man. And now he’s asking how I feel about seeing the crown prince again?

‘No way… he’s not seriously trying to confirm whether I still have feelings for the crown prince, is he?’

If that’s the case, then he’s truly arrogant and self-absorbed to an absurd degree.

‘Honestly, even the real Evgenia didn’t seem like she had feelings for the crown prince.’

But seeing both the crown prince, who immediately dismissed her marriage as a lie, and the emperor, who continues to test her feelings even after the wedding… it made me think perhaps Evgenia had acted desperate enough for them to believe it.

Whether that desperation was real or for some other purpose, I don’t know.

‘Not that it matters anymore.’

Even if the crown prince still suspected me, I didn’t care.

At first, I was angry that the emperor asked such an inappropriate question in front of Euclid. But the more I thought about it, the more grateful I felt.

He had set the stage for me to seize the spotlight before the unpredictable crown prince could arrive and ruin the mood.

“Your Majesty, the truth is…”

Under the eager gazes of the nobles dying to hear how I’d respond, I slowly lifted the corners of my mouth.

“I was truly delighted to hear that His Highness the Crown Prince returned with an overwhelming victory.”

“Is that so? As expected of the young lady…”

“As you know, my younger brother Alexis departed with His Highness. I’ve been worried all this time, and only now can I breathe a sigh of relief. I believe every citizen of the empire who has family on the battlefield must feel the same.”

The emperor’s face hardened as he casually referred to me as “young lady.”

It was only natural. Instead of giving him the response he’d hoped for, I touched on a topic that would provoke the noble faction.

‘To be fair, war is a sensitive issue even among the emperor’s noble allies.’

No one could stay at ease with family members on the battlefield.

“Kaiden has never lost a battle. He always returns victorious. Not once has he come back injured.”

“His Highness is a strong man, after all.”

Yes, your son is super strong.

But not everyone else is, you know?

Thankfully, as a swordmaster, the crown prince fought at the front lines, but if he hadn’t, there would’ve been countless meaningless deaths.

Even if a war ends in victory, it’s impossible for there to be no sacrifices.

The emperor’s face flushed and paled as he caught the hidden implication in my words.

‘See what happens when you provoke people?’

It was something I’d planned to bring up eventually, but I hadn’t intended to do it today.

Realizing that flaring up or extending the topic wouldn’t help him now, the emperor quickly composed his expression.

Then, wearing the face of a meddling elder relative, he asked in a friendly yet teasing tone:

“Hoho. But Evgenia, did you say you were worried about your younger brother?”

“……”

I didn’t expect him to retaliate with a personal attack.

Thinking again how petty this emperor was, I smiled shyly as if unbothered.

“There was a time when I was indifferent to my family. But since getting married, I’ve grown up a lot.”

Even better.

It allowed me to draw a line between who I was and who I am now—a more family-oriented person.

Seeing me skillfully deflect his cheap shot and escape like a snake, the emperor clicked his tongue in frustration.

This time, it seemed he couldn’t manage his expression. He scanned me, then Euclid, and then the children behind us.

“I see. You all… certainly seem to be getting along well.”

It seemed our matching outfits had a great effect.

But before I could even enjoy the satisfaction, the emperor’s crimson eyes lit ominously, and he fixed his gaze on Euclid.

In that moment, I realized the target had shifted from me to Euclid.

The emperor’s lips moved.

“Come to think of it, about the title…”

“Your Majesty! I’m truly moved by your words.”

At the same time, I spoke in a grateful tone.

Even though the banquet hadn’t even begun and I knew Euclid would eventually have to converse with the emperor, I acted on impulse.

The emperor, his words cut off, looked bewildered. But since he’d been acting so warmly earlier, he couldn’t really scold me.

“In truth, I was hoping to hear those very words from His Highness the Crown Prince today. Though he didn’t believe in my marriage before he departed, now he has no choice. And once he sees how happily I live with the best husband in the world, I’m sure he’ll bless us.”

Please! I genuinely meant it.

Maybe my sincerity showed, because the emperor looked startled.

He wasn’t the only one surprised.

The nobles, who had been expecting a melodrama or scandal, stared at me as if they were seeing something unexpected.

Well, even the Basilian ducal family, who had long known of my decision, and Euclid, who’d heard me say I had no lingering feelings for the crown prince, were frozen in wide-eyed shock.

‘It just goes to show how intense my history with the crown prince was.’

In that sense, it felt like I’d just climbed a huge mountain.

And I did it without overemphasizing my past, while clearly showing that I had no regrets about the crown prince!

Of course, anyone who mattered already knew I used to like him.

Even Marianne and Dior probably picked up on it from the emperor’s comments.

But no matter how many people in the world knew, I didn’t want to imply I had a deep connection with the crown prince in front of Euclid.

Especially since I hadn’t yet been able to confess to him—as I had to the kids—that I never truly loved anyone else.

I turned my head slightly, vowing that once we confirmed our feelings for each other, I would clear up any misunderstandings about the crown prince.

And my gaze met Euclid’s, who had been looking at me with a dazed expression.

Like when i told Damien to change his form of address last time, his cheeks were tinged with a faint blush, and he smiled brightly.

He seemed deeply moved that I had publicly drawn a line between me and the crown prince—but to me, Euclid’s smile meant even more.

In return, I quickly lifted the corners of my mouth in a smile.

And then—

“Eek!”

“Hic!”

For the first time in a while, startled exclamations rang out from all directions.

Everyone had been gazing, enchanted by Euclid’s smile, and when they turned to look at me, they jumped in shock.

I was slightly miffed, but the moment I saw Euclid’s face glowing with happiness after seeing my smile, all irritation vanished instantly.

The emperor, now finding it awkward to continue speaking with me, cleared his throat and looked away.

Right on cue, a carriage arrived.

Just like at my wedding, Damien stepped out, wearing a white robe embroidered with gold thread, still boasting his angelic appearance.

As befitted a high priest admired by nobles and commoners alike, his appearance caused a ripple through the crowd.

The emperor twitched his brow slightly, displeased by the reaction, but quickly put on a pleasant expression as he welcomed Damien.

“High Priest, you’ve arrived.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Damien replied curtly in a stiff tone.

The emperor’s jaw tightened again, but he somehow held back.

It was said that the imperial family had recently made a large donation to the temple, asking the high priest to bless the crown prince’s victory at the triumphal ceremony. He must’ve truly been determined.

After greeting the emperor, Damien quietly stepped to the side, but then spotted me and flinched, freezing in place.

Even though we’d promised to meet again in the capital soon.

His pupils trembled as if he were truly surprised.

‘Isn’t he staring a little too much?’

I was already under scrutiny from the conversation with the emperor. I didn’t want to draw more attention because of Damian.

I furrowed my brows, ready to tell him with just a look to turn away, when—

Someone shouted.

“His Highness the Crown Prince is arriving!”