The Hated Empress Tames the Tyrant

‘I’ve always heard from my fellow angels that you should always be careful of scams when you go to the human world.’

 

Seeing Arundel looking a bit flustered, the old woman chuckled as if she found it amusing.

 

“I do read fortunes, but I won’t take money from you, so don’t worry.”

 

Feeling somewhat embarrassed as if her thoughts had been read, Arundel coughed awkwardly and subtly sat down in front of the old woman.

 

She had heard about fortune-telling even when she was in heaven. It was a very fascinating technique that predicted fate using stars.

 

Of course, it was up to her to believe it or not, but for now, Arundel’s eyes sparkled with anticipation because it seemed fun.

 

“Hmm, what’s your name, miss?”

 

“It’s Irina.”

 

The old woman nodded her head.

 

“When is your birthday?”

 

At the old woman’s question, Arundel felt taken aback. She realized she didn’t know the information about Empress Irina.

 

“…It’s June 25th.”

 

Since she couldn’t answer that she didn’t know, she just mentioned any date that came to mind. The old woman was chuckling at Arundel’s answer.

 

Although it was a bit unpleasant to see the old woman chuckling by herself, Arundel held back because she wanted to know her fortune.

 

The old woman spread a piece of paper on a shabby box, drew something with a pen, and then opened her mouth.

 

“A family with only one member… is less than others.”

 

A family with only one member…? Arundel thought of Empress Irina’s family tree, and then thought of the only remaining family member. It was ‘Zion’.

 

At the old woman’s words, which pinpointed so accurately, she almost shouted ‘That’s right!’ for a moment, but since she didn’t know if the old woman was guessing, she had to keep her expression for now.

 

“A precious person, but the inside is full of wounds.”

 

Arundel nodded without realizing it. Seeing this, the old woman chuckled again.

 

Now, Arundel didn’t care about the old woman’s attitude. She was curious about the next part of the surprisingly accurate fortune-telling.

 

“He needs someone to soothe his wounds.”

 

The problem is that the noble person doesn’t give a chance to soothe his wounds. Arundel sighed briefly.

 

“His spirit is like a tiger. No, more than that…”

 

The old woman murmured, blinking slowly.

 

It seemed like she was looking for a more accurate metaphor for Zion.

 

Anyway, it was a well-known fact, so it didn’t matter what she compared him to. She wanted to hear the next story quickly.

 

“Everything you say is exactly right. How can I deal with him?”

 

Arundel, who was anxious, said to the old woman.

 

“Young people are impatient.”

 

“I’m sorry. It’s important to me. I don’t have money, but I can give you this.”

 

Arundel showed the bracelet she was wearing. After breakfast, the maids would help with simple dressing, and this bracelet was chosen by Belle in the morning.

 

She didn’t know how much it was worth, but it wouldn’t be cheap since it was a bracelet worn by the empress.

 

“Oh, you don’t have to give me that, just calm down.”

 

The old woman said, sticking out her tongue. Realizing that she might seem a bit rude, Arundel put the bracelet back down.

 

“He is alone like you, weak in affection. If you approach him warmly first, he will never be able to push you away.”

 

The old woman’s answer did not sound refreshing.

 

‘Approach warmly?’

 

How could she approach him any further when he even took the advice not to skip meals grudgingly?

 

The old woman’s solution felt like she had received an impossible homework.

 

Arundel, who was about to thank the old woman, looked at the old woman, who was slowly reaching out her hand, with a puzzled face.

 

“Ah!”

 

Despite saying she wouldn’t accept it, Arundel grumbled to herself and took off the bracelet she was wearing and handed it to the old woman’s palm.

 

She thanked the old woman and got up from her seat. The old woman saw Arundel off with a smiling face.

 

‘That cunning old woman. It reminds me of someone.’

 

It wasn’t about the appearance. The way she acted slyly and cunningly was just like…

 

“Are you wandering around alone right now?”

 

Just as she was thinking about who it was, two muscular-looking men surrounded Arundel.

 

‘This doesn’t look good…’

 

Arundel looked around to see if there was anyone who could help her, but everyone seemed busy with their own way.

 

“Let’s see your face. How precious a face it must be, to hide it so tightly.”

 

One of the men bowed his head and approached Arundel’s face. Surprised and uncomfortable, Arundel threw a punch at the man’s face.

 

“Ah!!”

 

Caught off guard by Arundel’s attack, the man clutched his nose. Red blood dripped from one side of his nose.

 

The other man, looking at his friend with a nosebleed, chuckled and grabbed Arundel’s hood.

 

“You’re acting so pricey when we just want to see your face!”

 

Just as the man was about to rudely take off Arundel’s hood.

 

“That person is with me. Let go of your hand.”

 

Arundel recognized the charming baritone voice she had heard before.

 

“Royden!”

 

It was Royden, the captain of the royal knights, whom she had encountered when she sneaked out of the palace last time. He appeared just in time, like a savior.

 

Arundel quickly hid behind Royden.

 

“Isn’t that symbol the mark of the Royal Knights?”

 

“Let’s get out of here quickly!”

 

The two men confirmed the symbol engraved on Royden’s armor and ran away as if their tails were on fire. It was fortunate that a bigger commotion didn’t occur.

 

“Thank you for saving me! What are you doing here?”

 

As the men disappeared, Arundel came out from behind Royden and asked.

 

Royden seemed a bit hesitant to answer, then slowly opened his mouth.

 

“I apologize. In fact, I’ve been watching Her Majesty the Empress since she left the palace.”

 

“What? You’ve been following me?”

 

“No…! I was just doing my duty.”

 

When Arundel shouted loudly, Royden seemed to be flustered without an answer.

 

He spoke calmly, but his slightly flushed face told her that he wasn’t confident.

 

“Hmm… Then why didn’t you help me right away, and watched until my fist went out?”

 

“I’m sorry. I lost sight of Her Majesty for a moment and was looking for her.”

 

She couldn’t say anything more to Royden, who was making a truly sorry face.

 

Still, it was a fact that she was grateful because he helped her at a crucial moment.

 

“Anyway, do you have any money?”

 

At Arundel’s question, Royden rummaged through his pocket and took out a few gold coins. Arundel’s eyes sparkled.

 

“I don’t know the city well. It would be great if Royden could guide me around the city!”

 

She has money now, so…..Arundel muttered quietly.

 

“You can’t. You should go back now…”

 

He only got as far as “You should go back,” but Arundel slumped like a wilted spinach. She had been anxiously praying that he wouldn’t say those words.

 

“If that’s the case, you should have taken me with you when you saw me!”

 

“Well…”

 

“Just when I was having fun!”

 

At Arundel’s scolding, Royden felt a bit wronged.

 

In fact, not only this time, but he had also followed Empress Irina when she visited her home.

 

If he were his original self, he should have stopped the empress from leaving the palace without hesitation, but he wondered why he couldn’t do that.

 

It was the same this time. Even though his head repeatedly instructed him to stop her, his heart just secretly followed her. Rather, seeing her looking around the city and enjoying it, he felt a bit sad.

 

A sigh escaped at his inexplicable behavior.

 

How many times in his life had he done something against discipline? Probably only a handful. But more than half of them were because of the empress.

 

Moreover, he recently had a fight with Zion over this issue.

 

Even though they didn’t know each other or have any friendship, if it was related to her, he couldn’t act rationally and Royden was just frustrated.

 

“Let’s go. There’s street food I like.”

 

Royden sighed briefly as if giving up, and Arundel clapped her hands in joy at the spot.

 

‘It’s just a small thing, but she’s so happy. Is it sympathy?’

 

Seeing Empress Irina enjoying even trivial things, a part of his heart felt tender.

 

Royden thought that to be sure of this feeling, he would have to spend more time with her.

 

“Um, it’s really delicious.”

 

“Your Majesty, you have some on your…I’m sorry.”

 

When sauce got on Arundel’s mouth as she was eating with wide eyes, Royden unconsciously reached out to Arundel.

 

Then, realizing that the other person was the empress, he hurriedly withdrew his hand.

 

“Where? Why did you stop helping?”

 

“It’s on the left side of your mouth.”

 

At Royden’s words, Arundel casually pulled the sleeve of her robe and wiped the corner of her mouth.

 

“And call me Irina.”

 

“I can’t. How can I…”

 

“It’s too conspicuous to call me ‘Your Majesty’.”

 

Empress Irina was already acting very casually, so no one would have thought she would be, but at Irina’s words, Royden nodded his head.

 

“Understood.”

 

Arundel ate four skewers on the spot. The royal food was good, but if it felt more luxurious and healthy, the street food was indeed a taste that whetted the appetite like junk food.

 

Arundel, who had eaten satisfactorily, stared at Royden.

 

“Where shall we go next?”

 

“There is a lake in the city center, a famous spot. It’s a very beautiful place.”

 

At Royden’s explanation, Arundel nodded her head. The lake located in the city center, as Royden described, was very beautiful.

 

There were beautiful flowers in full bloom around the lake, and a large and splendid fountain was set up in the middle of the lake.

 

When Arundel sat down anywhere, Royden laid a handkerchief he had on the grass.

 

“Please sit here…Irina.”

 

Calling her name seemed very shy and awkward, so Royden spoke while looking elsewhere. Arundel sat on the handkerchief without refusing.

 

Carrying a handkerchief around, he seemed more delicate than expected. It was common for young nobles to carry them around, but she had heard that it was rare for men to do so.

 

Although it was a short time, Royden was a really gentle and delicate person. He was a bit stiff because he was a knight, but on the other hand, he was serious and tight-lipped. He was to Arundel’s liking.

 

‘Plus, he’s handsome.’

 

Black, shiny hair, slightly tanned skin, a solid-looking body under the armor, harmonious features. If such a person had been the emperor, things would have been easier.

 

No, then there wouldn’t be a route like the fall of the empire in the first place.

 

While thinking to herself and staring at Royden, he touched his face and spoke.

 

“…Is there something on my face?”

 

“Ah, no! I think it’s about time we should head back.”

 

Realizing that she had been staring too intently, a flustered Arundel got up. And it was indeed time to head back.

 

Arriving at the stone wall of the Empress’s Palace, Arundel bid farewell to Royden.

 

“Thank you for today. I hope we can have fun like this again next time.”

 

“…Next time, don’t sneak out like this.”

 

At Royden’s honest words, Arundel’s shoulders slumped again. Why did he have to ruin the mood at the end! Arundel protested inwardly.

 

“I’m worried about Her Majesty the Empress. If the Emperor finds out about this…”

 

“You don’t have to say the next part! I know well enough…”

 

Feeling that an unwelcome remark was about to come from Royden’s mouth, Arundel hastily cut him off.

 

If she heard that remark, the fun of the day would disappear from her mind.

 

Just like last time, Royden supported Arundel so she could easily climb over the wall.

 

Arundel was able to safely climb over the wall by stepping on his shoulder.

 

‘I barely made it.’

 

As she entered her bedroom, Belle came in with dinner just in time.

 

She wondered whether to tell Belle about what happened today, but she kept her mouth shut, fearing unnecessary nagging.

 

After finishing her meal and lying in bed, Arundel recalled the events of the day. The first person she thought of was Royden.

 

‘He was a good person.’

 

She thought he would be stiff because of his position as the captain of the royal knights, but he was a flexible person who could communicate well and pretend not to see.

 

Thanks to Royden, who knew the surroundings well, she had the most fun day since she entered the body of Empress Irina.

 

As Arundel turned to her side, she saw her empty wrist. She remembered the old woman she saw during the day.

 

‘Approach warmly…?’

 

The previous remark was spot on, but she didn’t believe in the solution. That fierce emperor is weak to affection? Arundel shook her head.

 

Wouldn’t it be dangerous to approach a fierce beast warmly? Arundel grumbled inwardly.

 

But she couldn’t completely ignore it because the previous words fit perfectly. The explanation about Zion was also…

 

Suddenly, Arundel was curious about the identity of the cunning old woman she met during the day.

 

The old woman only knew Arundel’s name, but she guessed correctly.

 

‘But what if it’s correct…Whether it’s affectionate or whatever, he should at least show his face.’

 

Thinking of Zion, who hadn’t been around the Empress’s Palace for days, Arundel buried her face in the pillow.

 

Arundel fell asleep while thinking about this and that.