The Northern Mad Dog Is Wagging Its Tail

  When Sig was finally able to stand up on his own, Britia hurriedly returned with him to the banquet hall. She had just remembered the Emperor’s command to follow him at the party tonight.

 

  She wondered how angry the Emperor, who was sensitive and irritable, would be.

 

  Fear made Britia’s footsteps quicken.

 

  “Britia.”

 

  But then a man called out to her. Who would stop her at such a busy time? Britia quickly turned to look at the man and held her breath for a moment.

 

  “Duke Scandars.”

 

  She didn’t know why he was calling her, but Britia’s voice trembled. She had lied to him for Kyra’s sake and had done something she couldn’t tell his successor, so she was nervous.

 

  “Duke Turas.”

 

  Duke Scandars lightly greeted Sig, who was standing next to her.

 

  “Kyra was in your debt before, and I haven’t had a chance to thank you. I apologize for that.”

 

  He expressed his gratitude to Britia with a gentle smile, saying that it had been bothering him. At first glance, he seemed like a warm father who cared for his daughter. But Britia had already heard something about him.

 

  Be careful when someone smiles, there’s always a wolf lurking.

 

  “As a token of gratitude, I would like to invite you to our side as well…”

 

  “Britia Lockhart!”

 

  Britia, who was on guard against him, was taken aback by the sudden shout. The Emperor glared at her with his chin resting on his hand.

 

  “I’m sorry, Your Grace. Your Majesty called for me.”

 

  Britia apologized and quickly made her way towards the Emperor.

 

  “You dance for so long. You’re neglecting the Crown Prince, your partner, and even the Lord you should escort at the party.”

 

  Sure enough, the Emperor didn’t seem pleased.

 

  “Are all my subjects obsessed with dancing? Is it such a distraction from their duties? Maybe I should ban dancing at parties from now on.”

 

  He spoke as if he disliked dancing, but Britia knew that he kept contradicting himself. Strong denial is often a sign of strong affirmation.

 

  So, she didn’t know if his words meant that he actually wanted to dance himself.

 

  “Don’t you dance, Your Majesty?”

 

  Britia cautiously asked. She suddenly realized that she had never seen the two of them dancing before.

 

  She had seen the Empress dance with the Crown Prince, but not with the Emperor. So, did the Emperor ever dance with someone else? She didn’t have any memory of that either.

 

  She hadn’t been to many parties at the palace, but still, not even once.

 

  “People are probably expecting the two of you to dance.”

 

  In response to Britia’s words, the Emperor frowned.

 

  “Is audacious Lockhart now hinting that I should dance for her?”

 

  His voice filled with anger made Britia flinch. Since his tail wasn’t visible, she couldn’t tell if he was really angry or if it was an act.

 

  What if her assumption that he secretly wanted to dance was wrong?

 

  “She’s right.”

 

  The Crown Prince, who had appeared behind Britia, interjected with concern.

 

  “After all, this party is held to celebrate a successful hunting competition. But today, Your Majesty, who caught the bear, not dancing is like having a party without a main character.”

 

  The Crown Prince tried to persuade the Emperor cheerfully.

 

  “Now you’re taking Lockhart’s side because you don’t want to be on my side anymore.”

 

  The Emperor chuckled and snorted.

 

  “Shouldn’t the main character of the party, Your Majesty, show everyone that you’re enjoying yourself?”

 

  The Crown Prince gestured to Sig, seeking his agreement.

 

  “You just want to have fun without worrying.”

 

  “If I have any intention, it is my sincere wish that Your Majesty would enjoy this party.”

 

  The Crown Prince calmly responded to the Emperor’s mockery.

 

  “Are you going to keep nagging at me until I get up?”

 

  He said it in a way that meant he was tired of the emperor’s constant nagging. He gently closed his eyes, placing his hand on his chest.

 

  “The reason for my annoying headache is probably because of all of you.”

 

  The emperor clicked his tongue and reluctantly got up from his seat. As he turned slightly to the side, his previously unseen tail became visible. It moved quickly, like a dog waiting for its owner to throw a toy.

 

  “Why do you keep pretending not to like it when you clearly enjoy it so much?”

 

  Britia felt relieved and waited for the empress to get up.

 

  Everyone’s attention was focused on the empress. However, instead of getting up, she looked closely at the emperor, who stood in front of her with a face full of dissatisfaction.

 

  It had been about ten years since she danced, even though she secretly enjoyed it. The emperor didn’t like dancing because he considered it a useless and suspicious activity of spinning around in one place.

 

  But now, they wanted him to get up and dance, pretending to give in to the children’s words?

 

  The empress doubted whether he had hit his head and come back from the hunting ground acting so strangely today. Maybe he had been replaced by someone else.

 

  “Do you want me to kneel down and beg you to dance with me?”

 

  But looking at his irritable attitude, she was sure it was her husband.

 

  “Will you dance with me?”

 

  “Then should I dance with that annoying kid?”

  

  Sig’s eyes widened.

 

  “Auntie.”

 

  He didn’t want Britia to be taken away, and his eyes pleaded desperately. In response, the empress raised both her hands. Her body became as tall as a bear, but her eyes remained small and cute, just like when she was a child.

 

  It felt strange for the empress to hold the emperor’s hand for only the second time today. It wasn’t something she consciously thought about.

 

  “I had forgotten about it, but your hands are still sweaty.”

 

  As she held the emperor’s moist hand and descended from the platform, the empress remarked. The emperor sighed and looked at her.

 

  “You always complain and fight whenever you get the chance.”

 

  The empress was surprised to hear the complainer complain about complaining. Whenever she tried to open her heart a little, the emperor would always say something unpleasant.

 

  “I was concerned that you might slip when holding a pen.”

 

  She disliked it when her husband said things like that, but somehow she found herself responding in a snarky manner.

 

  She used to be innocent. He had changed her like this.

 

  The empress sighed inwardly.

 

  “No need to worry about that.”

 

  The prince interjected, his face showing that he had thought of something.

 

  “Your Majesty, your hands are very dry. They only get sweaty in front of the Empress.”

 

  The empress didn’t believe her son’s words. Though he resembled the emperor in some ways, he was good at smiling and being kind. He was also good at lying, especially if it meant keeping their parents’ relationship harmonious.

 

  “When I think back to my childhood, I never thought your hand was sweaty when my father held it.”

 

  But when Sig chimed in with the same statement, the empress paused to think. Unlike her son, he was an honest child who didn’t know how to lie.

 

  “Do you dislike holding my hand to the point of sweating? Or…”

 

  She couldn’t bring herself to say the words that felt unfamiliar. As a result, the emperor’s hand, which had remained unresponsive, became increasingly damp.

 

  As the two of them stepped forward to dance, everyone stopped and watched, parting to give them space. They all held their breath, eager to witness this rare sight.

 

  The empress couldn’t meet the emperor’s gaze because it felt awkward. It had been so long since they had been this close.

 

  “Is it true that you shed tears when I mentioned divorce?”

 

  The empress asked, averting her gaze. In response, she felt a slight tremor from the emperor.

 

  Wait, is this really the same man?

  

  Doubting her own eyes, the empress looked into his face. It was a mischievous expression that was almost indistinguishable from usual, as if she had imagined it.

 

  “Nonsense.”

 

  The emperor blurted out abruptly, sensing the empress’s gaze.

  

  “So, are you asking for a divorce?”

 

  His pupils suddenly filled with anger.

 

  She had never given in to divorce despite all the excuses and avoidance. Could it be that he truly loved her?

 

  The empress’s conviction, which had been “There’s absolutely no way,” began to waver towards “It’s strange that there’s no way.”

 

  On the other hand, the prince, who witnessed his parents dancing together after more than ten years, was lost in thought.

 

  He didn’t know what this mysterious power of Britia was. There were rumors about seeing the souls of the dead, but he didn’t believe them.

 

  If it was real, they wouldn’t have left her alone in the temple. So, what could this power be? If it was a power that couldn’t be used directly, maybe he could obtain it by drawing her into his side.

 

  With determination in his heart, the prince looked at Britia and gave her a bright smile. In the short time they spent together, he noticed that her gaze often wandered to strange places.

 

  Could her secret be hidden there?

 

  “Britia, I have something I’m curious about. Can we talk for a moment?”

 

  As the prince, accompanied by Sig, who was always by her side like a loyal guardian, made eye contact with Britia, he hesitated. His normally gentle eyes flickered with jealousy.

 

  The prince felt both unjust and amused at the same time. Escorting her even once would be a big deal.

 

  If he did that, it would be difficult to observe her and ask questions in front of Sig. He would have to wait for the next opportunity.

 

  “Do you want to monopolize her like that?”

 

  The prince laughed out loud, causing Sig’s eyes to soften.

 

  “Just because a rare partner appeared, Sig feels lonely and wants her all to himself.”

 

  The prince intentionally teased, sighing as if he was lamenting, and then left his seat.

 

  When only the two of them were left, Sig stole a glance at Britia’s profile.

 

  Monopoly.

 

  Those words deeply resonated within Sig’s heart. Even though he loved his older brother, he had never once felt the desire to share her.

 

  Britia noticed Sig’s intense gaze and turned to look at him.

 

  “Because of Duke-nim, my partner left.”

 

  “…I’m sorry.”

 

  Sig’s poker face didn’t look apologetic at all.

 

  “Apologizing won’t solve everything.”

 

  “…”

 

  “Duke-nim should take responsibility and escort her.”

 

  Britia deliberately furrowed her brow and spoke with a hint of reserve. In response, Sig’s lips, which had been tightly sealed, formed a small smile.

 

  “Is it okay then?”

 

  “Why are you so happy when you’re the one who made things difficult?”

 

  Sig’s tail, which had been drooping lifelessly, suddenly regained its vigor.

 

  “You’re being mean by causing trouble for others and then being happy about it.”

 

  “If I can have you all to myself by doing that, then yes, I’ll do it.”

 

  Britia let out a long sigh at his blunt words.

 

  Who said this person was innocent? They’re playing with my feelings without even knowing what’s in my heart.

 

  “You’re really greedy for monopoly, aren’t you, Duke-nim?”

 

  She emphasized the title of “Duke-nim” purposely, knowing that he cared about being called that. And then Sig’s tail drooped.

 

  “Britia, can’t you call me Sig again?”

 

  “No, I can’t.”

 

  Britia coldly rejected him, and Sig swallowed his breath.

 

  “Do you really like me?”

 

  “Yes, for now.”

  

  “For now…?”

 

  As Sig showed signs of unease, Britia smiled mischievously.

  

  “We don’t know what the future holds, do we?”

 

  “What do you mean by ‘we don’t know’?”

 

  “Whether I will call Duke-nim Sig again or call  Count Slanford as Harty, only the Goddess knows.”

 

  As Britia made a remark that didn’t reflect her true feelings, Sig froze in shock, forgetting even to breathe.