Chapter 20
John approached Verdi after saying that.
“Lady Saturn, I heard that you have entered the palace. I hope you will assist the queen well.”
Formal language?
Anel looked at John with a bewildered heart. Is this the same man who behaved so rudely to me?
“Yes, it is an honor. Your Majesty.”
Verdi was puzzled and didn’t know what to do.
Come to think of it, is this the first time Verdi has mixed formal and informal language with Johannes? Anel forced a bitter smile.
“Could you please give us a moment?”
“What?”
Verdi, completely taken aback, looked at John’s face blankly.
“I have something to discuss with my queen.”
“Yes, yes!”
Only then did Verdi greet Anel and Johan before quickly vacating his seat as if making a hasty escape.
As Verdi, who had been a shield of sorts, disappeared, Anel displayed an even more uncomfortable expression.
“If you had something to say, you could have sent a message through the garden. It’s impolite to abruptly stop someone like this.”
“Empress.”
Johan narrowed his eyes as if genuinely sorry.
“Don’t keep acting so rigid.”
“Rigid? What do you mean by-!”
As Anel, flustered, tried to raise her voice.
Johan wrapped his hands around her waist.
Anel was taken aback, uttering only a faint sound of surprise. In broad daylight, outdoors, what on earth?
“If you keep doing that, I might end up committing impoliteness.”
However, Johan was still Johan.
Anel glared at him. What kind of ulterior motive was he harboring?
But soon, such thoughts crossed her mind.
If he had decided to use her, there was no reason why she couldn’t use him in return.
Anel was more than capable of using him to her advantage.
“So, do you want to be rude?”
“Yes.”
“What do you want from me?”
At Anel’s words, Johan’s playful expression hardened.
However, Anel had no intention of stopping.
“Rather, please honestly tell me the purpose of what you’re doing, Then I will help you sincerely.”
“…”
“That’s what the empress should do.”
Is he trying to restrain Viscount Rodian? Or is there someone else he wants to restrain?
Anel wanted to understand his intentions.
She wanted to know why he was doing this, especially –
Why only to her.
“The purpose, huh?”
“Viscount Rodian sent a breakfast invitation.”
At the sudden change of topic, Anel furrowed her brows.
But soon, she softened her expression.
“I heard you enjoyed it. The entire palace was talking about it.”
“I enjoyed it.”
“John seemed genuinely delighted, nodding as if he truly enjoyed the moment.’’
“Unlike others, Empress Dowager 1 was not someone who simply ran away,” he said.
Anel’s ears turned red.
John smiled faintly as he looked at her reddened ears.
“My Empress knows how to blush, unlike others.”
“Well, then, just stay with Empress Dowager 1.”
“That should be fine.”
John acknowledged it nonchalantly.
“However, I called her my Empress, not Empress Dowager 1.”
At his words, Anel flinched and tried to step back.
But John, as if saying that wouldn’t do, pulled her closer.
“I’ve been thinking since last time, but it seems my Empress easily sacrifices others.”
“What are you talking about now…!”
“If you don’t want to come to breakfast, you shouldn’t send someone else in your place. That’s sacrificing others, isn’t it?”
How is that a sacrifice?
Flora wanted to be in the same place as you at least once and came looking for me.
Anel replied, holding back the rising anger.
“I wasn’t feeling well. But since it seems you don’t know how to have breakfast alone, I thought Empress Dowager 1 might-”
“Never engage in such pointless maneuvers again.”
“Calling it a false act?”
Anel couldn’t believe it and let out a bitter laugh.
“Who did what to whom now?”
“Originally, wasn’t it Your Majesty who committed the false act?”
“Me?”
Johann tilted his head as if he knew nothing.
“I have never done such a thing, Your Majesty.”
“You said you would have breakfast with me alone!”
Anel raised her voice in frustration. However, Johann blinked his large eyes as if he didn’t understand a word.
“I said I would be alone with my Empress. How can that be a false act? Have you perhaps not understood the concept of marriage?”
“Your Majesty!”
“Marriage is a beautiful union of two people, a product of love and trust, Empress. With faith, devotion, and love-”
“Please!”
Anel shouted and bit her lip.
“Why are you doing this? Why can’t you leave me alone? Do you have a reason for tormenting me like this?”
“I do.”
“What?”
Johann twisted one corner of his mouth. His already cool expression became even colder.
“You asked what my purpose is, didn’t you?”
Anel answered obediently, but it only made things worse.
Anel nodded slowly.
She struggled to free herself from his grip, but Johann held onto her even tighter.
“My purpose is you.”
Another unbelievable lie!
Anel stared straight into his eyes.
The sunlight that had been pleasantly shining until a moment ago now felt like an unpleasant heat.
Only because she was with this man.
“Do you have a reason to lie to me as well? I understand the reason for deceiving the world, but-”
“Was it sincere with Samuel Denege?”
Thud.
Her heart sank at the name that came out of Johann’s mouth.
Sincere with Samuel? Anel stared blankly, her mouth agape.
What sincerity was he talking about?
“I… I don’t understand what you’re saying.”
“If he had said he would only spend time with you then, would your reaction have been the same?”
Suspicious, scrutinizing, and avoiding harm with empty schemes.
Finally, escaping.
Johann sneered.
No, of course not. My Empress believes that Samuel Deneige is the truth and goodness of the world.
“Gyres Grand Duke and Lady Phe, they are different individuals.”
Anel managed to gather herself and replied. She must not get entangled with this man.
“So, what’s the answer?”
Anel couldn’t answer readily.
Samuel is a good person and kind person.
There were no issues with their engagement.
Samuel cared for Anel and provided her comfort.
So, Anel respected Samuel. Cherished him, and trusted him.
Was that sincerity?
If so – it was sincere.
The feelings of respect and affection for Samuel were genuine.
“No.”
However, saying that might invite unknown retaliation from this man towards Samuel.
“Lies.”
“If you don’t believe me, why are you questioning me in the first place?”
Johann silently looked down at his Empress.
“Say what you want.”
“What?”
Suddenly? Anel furrowed her brow once again.
“You must have something you want from me too. Speak.”
In Johan’s expression as he spoke, there was no hint of emotion.
Like a dead person. Just looking at his peculiarly colorless and odorless face made it feel like the air was being stifled.
Why does he think I have something I want from him? Well, truth be told, there were many things she desired.
Please help Samuel’s territory. He should have the qualifications for that.
Visit Jezelle at least once. For that girl who seems to be sacrificed in your power struggle.
And,
Let me go.
“Speak, Anel.”
It was a bizarre situation.
Why would a man insistently hold onto her while telling her to speak about what she wants?
Knowing what she wants.
Knowing she would ask to be let go. What was the reason for holding onto her even stronger?
“There can’t be… anything like that.”
Anel turned her head away.
If she looked into his eyes a bit more, it felt like the words she had held back would spill out.
“Nothing?”
However, Johan’s eyes only grew colder.
“I’m not someone who gives chances to the same person multiple times. So it would be wise to answer carefully.”
She shook once again.
But Anel gritted her teeth even harder. She shouldn’t be swept away by this man’s provocations.
“I don’t have anything.”
Johan, seeming disinterested in her resistance, finally let her go.
“Make sure to come to breakfast tomorrow.”
“But…!”
Ignoring her resistance as if it didn’t matter, Johan left without any lingering sentiment.
What remained was the uncomfortable lingering heat, wilting flowers in the heat, and Anel alone.
