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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: An Uncomfortable Dinner
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“I don't think so, Enoch. Look at that expression…!”
I shrank back from his even sharper gaze and shook Enoch's arm insistently.
After we went back and forth for a while over who should speak, Enoch popped a piece of meat into my mouth.
And then. Of course. At that exact moment, as if he'd been waiting, the former Emperor spoke again.
“By the way, you seem quite different from what I've heard.”
‘Is he doing this on purpose?’
How else could he time it so perfectly, speaking to me the moment I put something in my mouth?
This time, it wasn't something I could just swallow, so as I was diligently chewing,
it seemed he hadn't been expecting a reply anyway. He continued speaking.
“From what I hear, you tormented the Duke's daughter at every turn, enjoyed drinking, and caused all sorts of trouble.”
My chewing slowed as the former Emperor listed off the things I knew about Riana from the novel.
I didn't have much to say in response, and it didn't seem like he wanted an answer anyway.
Chewing slowly like a cow with its cud, I timed my swallow for the exact moment he finished speaking.
“Haha. Is that so?”
***
“That was a wonderful meal.”
Watching with relief as the plates were cleared from the table, I slid my chair back and started to get up.
Finally thinking I could have a word with Enoch, I pulled on his arm, but the former Emperor stopped me again.
“Well then, I'll be on my way—”
“Sit.”
“But we've finished the meal—”
“I said, sit.”
“I also have something to discuss with His Majesty—”
“Do it later.”
“Yes.”
Overpowered by his sharp gaze, I sat back down and darted my eyes around.
When would this finally be over?
I had no idea why he kept us here, especially with such a grim expression on his face.
Just as I was discreetly pouting and about to reach for the newly served refreshments,
the former Emperor asked another question.
“I hear a child has been staying at the Marquess's estate lately.”
At this point, he had to be doing it on purpose.
“Are you perhaps doing this on... pur...?”
I timidly raised the question, but his expression, which seemed to say, ‘What nonsense are you spouting now?’ made me quickly back down.
“Wh-what was that? A child at my estate? Yes. That's right, absolutely right. Haha.”
“And that child bears a striking resemblance to you.”
“Yes. Our eye and hair color are similar…”
Wait a minute. This conversation feels familiar.
I, who had been answering casually, blinked rapidly.
Remembering the Elders who had once asked the very same questions, I had a feeling I knew what was coming next and quickly raised both my hands.
“What are you doing?”
“Your Majesty, it's not true!”
“Is this disjointed way of speaking something you picked up from Enoch? Speak plainly if you want to be understood.”
His already sour expression soured even further.
“I-I was worried you might misunderstand… He's just a child I'm looking after for a while. He has nothing to do with His Majesty!”
“…If that's the case, then that's a relief.”
“?”
*Twitch.*
His eyebrows, speckled with white, twitched subtly. His expression was so peculiar that I scratched my cheek.
“Yes, a relief… right?”
The former Emperor watched me for a moment before draining his wine glass and speaking bluntly.
“In any case, if there's nothing tying you down, you should end things now. Preferably before the Duke returns.”
“Pardon? End what…”
Ah.
Blinking hard, I had a suspicion. I politely clasped my hands and gestured toward Enoch.
“Are you perhaps telling me to break up with His Majesty…?”
“Yes. You catch on quickly.”
“Oh…”
I rounded my lips, hearing a line straight out of a book or a drama.
And then Enoch shielded me from the former Emperor's view, his voice sharp as it cut through the air.
“Father. Do not cross the line.”
“…”
A moment of silence passed before the former Emperor was the first to back down.
“Fine. I went too far.”
“Furthermore, as I have already said, I have no intention of bringing the Duke into the imperial family. So please, do not speak of it again.”
“Still so naive.”
The former Emperor lifted one corner of his mouth and slowly shook his head.
“Do you think being the Emperor means you can do whatever you please? The Duke's power is a crucial element in solidifying imperial authority.”
“But it is not an absolute one.”
“Are you saying you intend to make an enemy of the Duke?”
“Our relationship was never a good one to begin with.”
*Thud.*
The former Emperor slammed down the glass he'd been swirling and pressed the bridge of his nose.
“Do you truly think you can handle him? Especially now that his influence will grow even greater after his victory in this war.”
The former Emperor, his face still impassive but somehow looking a little weary, tapped the table lightly with his index finger.
Just as Enoch always did when he was lost in thought. Exactly the same.
“If you cannot suppress him completely, do not rashly turn your back on him.”
My eyes darted back and forth, following the suffocating conversation, until I timidly raised my hand.
“Um… I have a question.”
“Riana?”
“What is it.”
The two pairs of identical eyes fixed on me were so intense that my raised hand began to fidget.
“Your Majesty, do you happen to know why the Hashen War started so suddenly?”
“What is this nonsense?”
His irritated gaze made me lower my hand, and I clasped both of them tightly together.
So I wouldn't be crushed by his fearsome aura.
“You just said it, didn't you? Not to make an enemy of the Duke.”
“I did.”
“Then is everything fine as long as he's not an enemy?”
“What?”
Recalling the Duke from the novel who wielded more power than the Emperor, and the story I'd heard just a while ago at his mansion, I straightened my posture.
“Of course, I understand why you're saying this. Sometimes, it's safer to keep even those you dislike by your side. But.”
I forced myself to meet the former Emperor's eyes, which I had been desperately avoiding out of fear, and continued to speak, enunciating each word.
“Is the Duke really someone who is safe to keep by your side?”
Surprisingly, the former Emperor didn't ignore me. He listened in silence, then twisted his thin lips into a smirk.
“I know you hold ill feelings toward the Duke, but do not drag them into this conversation.”
“I'm not saying this because of my feelings. I'm truly, simply asking.”
His piercing gaze was so intense that my eyes threatened to dart away on their own.
“What was the Duke like in your experience, Your Majesty? If he wasn't an enemy, if you just gave him what he wanted, was he the type to be satisfied and content with that?”
“…”
Finally, just as I was about to give in and look away, a small chuckle erupted, growing louder.
The problem was, it didn't sound particularly pleasant.
“How audacious. Do you even know the meaning behind your words?”
“…Yes.”
“So. In the end, you don't trust the Duke one bit, and that's why you can't hand over the seat beside the Emperor to his daughter. Is that what you're trying to say?”
No, when did I ever go that far?
My lips twitched in annoyance.
“Well. Speak. Don't just mouth curses at me.”
“W-when did I curse…! I didn't!”
My eyes widened with indignation, but I pressed my lips shut and grabbed Enoch's hand beside me.
“That's not what I meant by bringing it up… but if I must say, I don't think I can follow your command to break up with His Majesty.”
“Why not? Do you covet the Empress's throne?”
“No. It's because I made a promise to His Majesty.”
“A promise?”
“Yes. So, until His Majesty tells me it's enough, I'm going to stay by his side. I'm the type of person who takes promises very seriously, you see.”
“Hmm…”
The former Emperor, tapping lightly on the armrest of the ornate chair, rose to his feet, lost in thought again.
“Wait here for a moment.”
***
“…Riana, please stop shaking your leg.”
“Oh, what do I do, Enoch? He's angry because I talked back to him, isn't he?”
I stared at the empty seat the former Emperor would soon occupy and chewed nervously on my nails.
“What if he's planning to hang me upside down from the top of a mountain?”
“…I am right here beside you. That won't happen. And he isn't angry, so please calm down.”
“No way, how could that not be an angry look? He was staring at me like I was his mortal enemy!”
“How in the world…?”
Enoch, looking baffled, enclosed my hand in his.
To stop me from biting my nails.
“You were speaking so clearly just a moment ago. Why are you like this now?”
“I was terrified then, too. The way he was glaring at me, ugh.”
“Is that so.”
As I shivered, Enoch let out a deflated laugh, then made a small 'ah' sound as if remembering something.
“By the way, why did you activate the teleportation magic?”
“Uh… well, about that.”
I glanced nervously at Enoch, who had repeatedly warned me not to do anything dangerous, and explained the whole story.
“Riana! That was incredibly dangerous!”
Just as I expected. A scolding.
“Well… I didn't mean to go in either.”
“Are you hurt? Are you hurt anywhere?”
“No, I'm not. I'm perfectly fine. Thanks to this.”
I dangled the necklace and gave him a playful smile, but Enoch just sighed deeply and pressed a hand to his forehead.
“You think this is funny? Haa… I never should have let you go alone.”
“Hey. I'm really okay. But what about you, Enoch? Are you okay?”
“? You mean me?”
“Yes. That… the war was started on purpose to put you in a difficult position…”
Sensing the faint worry in my eyes, Enoch shrugged as if it were nothing.
“Of course, I'm fine. This is nothing new.”
“…You're used to this?”
“This isn't the first time. Though, I admit I'm a bit surprised Gamel is involved this time.”
*Tap, tap.*
Just as the former Emperor had done, Enoch tapped the table, lost in thought.
“…Oh, right. Enoch, I have something to show you…”
“?”
I stared blankly at his rhythmically tapping fingers before belatedly fumbling with my sleeve,
but honestly, I don't know how the timing is always so impeccable whenever I try to say something…
“You looked like you were about to flee at any moment, yet you're still here.”
At that exact moment, the former Emperor, who had disappeared, returned with a servant carrying a full load of something.
“Did you say you enjoy a drink?”
