Chapter 6
Perhaps I Should Use You as a Prostitute
“Do as you wish. I, too, have no interest in what feelings you harbor toward me.”
“…Even if you say so, Your Majesty, you will never find yourself in Isolleti’s bed.”
“Do you dare to interfere with me?”
“Of course not. However, I plan to suffer a miscarriage every time Your Majesty steps into Isolleti’s chamber. Didn’t you see it just now? How Isolleti ran to me upon hearing of my bleeding?”
“…Ha. Are you saying you would sacrifice the child just to prevent me from being with the Empress?”
“If necessary, yes. As many times as it takes.”
“I knew you were ruthless, but this is beyond belief.”
Tristrian cast a contemptuous glance at Serenity before rising to his feet and leaving the room. Serenity bit down hard on her lip, her eyes bloodshot with frustration.
As he exited Serenity’s chamber, Tristrian turned to a maid waiting by the door.
“What of the Empress?”
“She was so shocked that she fainted. The maids just carried her to her room.”
“Is that so?”
He was about to head straight to Isolleti’s room when the maid’s voice halted his steps.
“The former Empress is waiting for you, Your Majesty.”
“…Damn it.”
Of course, Aira had come upon hearing of the commotion.
There was no way the ever-watchful Aira would arrive late to such news.
With her presence, spending the night with Isolleti was no longer an option.
He had brought a contraceptive just in case, but there was no way Aira would allow him to consummate the union with Isolleti under her watch.
As Tristrian walked toward the reception room where Aira awaited, he paused in front of Isolleti’s chamber.
He hated how Isolleti was always so calm and indifferent.
He had tormented her repeatedly, just to see her composed mask crumble—even if only once, preferably many times.
That had been his intent.
Yet…
“Forgive me, Your Majesty.”
The memory of Isolleti’s devastated expression when she heard about Serenity’s bleeding twisted his mood further.
An inexplicable irritation gnawed at him.
Why?
…He didn’t know.
Suppressing the urge to storm inside and wake Isolleti, Tristrian exhaled sharply, turned away, and walked off.
Having narrowly escaped my union night, I returned to my daily life.
Thinking about the night Serenity bled still sent shivers down my spine, but I couldn’t just lock myself in my room forever. I had things to do.
I refused to live as I had before—tied to Serenity and the imperial palace.
However, I couldn’t simply abandon the unborn Dilex, either.
Even in my past life, the child had been neglected and all but discarded.
I couldn’t leave them behind.
Once the child was born, I would divorce Tristrian and leave the palace with them.
The decision wasn’t difficult.
In fact, I wondered if this had always been what I had wanted in my past life.
To do that, I had to endure life in the imperial palace for a little longer—until Dilex was born.
It was disgusting and exhausting, but I had endured worse before. A few more months wouldn’t kill me.
“Your Majesty! That’s him! That’s Myrse!”
“Lately, if you don’t know Myrse, you must be a spy. Take a good look at him.”
“I went to the Benedictis temple last month and confessed to Myrse! It was like receiving forgiveness directly from the goddess herself!”
The maids pointed toward a group of blindfolded priests walking through the palace, guided by attendants. It wasn’t hard to tell which one was Myrse.
Among the clergymen, one stood out—taller and more well-built than the others.
Myrse.
He was a priest of Benedictis who had been favorable toward the imperial family in my past life.
The nobles often confided in priests like Myrse, revealing their most scandalous secrets—the kind that could ruin them if exposed. In return, they paid generous “offerings” under the guise of blessings.
The blindfolded priests lived this way to ensure they never saw the faces of those who confessed to them—so they could never betray them, even if they wanted to.
With a confidant who was both trustworthy and attractive, it was no wonder noblewomen were obsessed with Myrse.
Had he always been this popular? I couldn’t remember.
I had been too preoccupied with Serenity to even notice his existence.
I had assumed he was an older, more experienced priest due to his influence and reputation.
I dismissed the thought and continued toward the main palace’s office, but just then—
I ran into someone I desperately wished to avoid.
Tristrian.
My maids and I immediately bowed in greeting.
“Your Imperial Majesty.”
“Ah, Empress.”
I prayed he wouldn’t bring up last night.
Unfortunately, he stopped right in front of me.
Leaning down, he whispered into my ear.
“Did you sleep well? I found last night quite disappointing. What about you?”
“…Forgive me, Your Majesty. I was too shocked by my sister’s condition.”
Tristrian chuckled lightly.
“That’s quite alright. I’m a generous man. But in exchange…”
“…”
“I can look forward to our next union night, can’t I?”
A cold chill ran down my spine.
Why was he doing this?
When I had begged for his attention, he had cast me aside without a second thought.
At first, I had wondered if he had political reasons for refusing to conceive an heir with me—or perhaps he loved someone else.
Eventually, I had given up entirely.
But now, he was acting as if he had been waiting for me to stop wanting him—whispering about our next night together with the sole intention of tormenting me.
Did this mean my only choices were to plead for his mercy or endure a night I didn’t want?
I didn’t know the answer.
But I knew one thing for certain.
I neither wished to beg for his touch nor spend another night with him.
The mere thought of it made me sick.
How had I once longed for something so repulsive?
I wanted to scoff at him and say there would be no next time.
But I couldn’t.
What if my defiance once again affected Serenity and Dilex?
All I could do was maintain my composure and respond as calmly as possible.
“I thought Your Majesty did not wish for our union.”
“I didn’t.”
“May I ask what changed your mind…?”
“—Ugh!”
Before I could finish my question, Tristrian suddenly pulled me into his arms.
Caught off guard, I couldn’t resist.
To an outsider, it must have looked like an affectionate embrace between a devoted husband and wife.
Disgusted, I wanted to push him away immediately—but we had an audience.
The maids, passing nobles, and even the priests of Benedictis had all stopped to watch in stunned silence.
Tristrian leaned in, his lips brushing against my ear again.
“Didn’t you tell me the other day? That you’re not a prostitute?”
“…What are you implying?”
“At first, I thought you were right. But after giving it some thought, I realized I might be wrong.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m considering using you as one from now on.”
“What—?!”
Heat surged to my face in humiliation.
I was the Empress.
I represented the women of the Harden Empire, cared for them, and ensured the imperial family’s stability.
I was supposed to be the Emperor’s partner, not his plaything.
And yet, he dared to say he would treat me like a prostitute.
Why did he take such pleasure in tormenting me?
I clenched my fists. I wanted to slap him, to scream.
But I couldn’t.
Tristrian smirked, sensing his victory.
“You might want to fix your expression, Empress. Unless you’d like the entire court to know we’re at odds.”
I barely held myself together as he released me.
“Oh, and expect a gift soon.”
As he walked away, I bowed stiffly.
Though I forced my face into a neutral expression, my flushed cheeks betrayed me.
I turned to my maids.
“…I need a moment to cool down. Wait for me in the office.”
I hurried to the palace garden, escaping prying eyes.
As I reached a secluded corner, I collapsed by a fountain, trembling.
“That bastard…”
Tears stung my eyes.
“Why did I come back? Why…?”
Just then, I heard a rustle behind me.
Startled, I snapped.
“Who’s there?”
“Ah. My apologies. I didn’t expect anyone to be here.”
The voice belonged to none other than Myrse—the blindfolded priest of Benedictis.
