So he had also asked Ophelia for help. Ophelia needed to figure out how to win against Carlos’s power; it was necessary work.

“And as you get more used to it, I can lift the curses more easily and quickly. The beginning is hard, so let’s go slow.”

The hand she was holding was very strong and didn’t shake. If she wobbled, he would pull her up immediately.

“Put more strength in your ankles as you walk.”

“I can do it on my own!”

“I don’t want that.”

Ru doubted her ears at his curt reply.

“Excuse me?”

“If you can’t dance at a ball because you couldn’t take care of your ankles, despite all the dancing lessons I’ve given you, that would be terribly unfair, wouldn’t it?”

“Not really. These things happen.”

“I find it unfair.”

Hayden answered with an incredibly brazen face.

“And I don’t think I’ll have time to attend balls anyway.”

“Why not?”

Ru had a lot to say this time.

“Do you realize it hasn’t even been two weeks since I met Your Majesty?”

“Hasn’t it been a little over two weeks?”

“It has not.”

“I must’ve lost track of time. It feels like we’ve known each other for a long time.”

This man was quite the smooth talker. Nevertheless, he stayed close to her, making sure her ankles wouldn’t easily twist. In fact, they were both too busy for such leisure.

“Recently, so many things have happened that I can’t keep track. How can I find time for balls when I’m busy with curses and adjustments?”

“Attending balls is also a way to adjust. You’ll have to make your entrance into society as the Countess of Plache.”

Her green eyes widened, and her lips parted as she turned toward him. Her petite nose, slightly tanned, suited her well.

“Is that so?”

“That’s right. For the time being, your status is that of the Countess of Plache.”

Her mouth closed, and without realizing it, she pouted her thick, crimson lips.

“I like being a knight…”

Even when she was sulking, she was adorable. Her mind seemed filled only with curses, swords, and magic. Well, she’d never lived as a noblewoman before, so it was understandable.

“Unfortunately, Your Highness, you’re not yet ready to become an Imperiale…”

“I know.”

For the first time, Ru interrupted what he was about to uncomfortably say.

“I know that too.”
Unable to walk properly now, a few days later, I felt uneasy about my body that felt like a ton despite light footsteps. What kind of knight am I?

Recently, seeing Imperialle up close, I felt a slight familiar wretchedness enveloping me.

From Belfort to Plache, from Plache to Matop, and from Matop to the Catat Palace, I was able to immerse myself in other things, having met my parents in a hectic manner.

But every time I saw Imperialle, I was so envious. I was jealous. I can’t do it. I can, but I can’t.

Rue bit her lip hard and moved her awkward steps again. She still couldn’t gauge how much force was needed to walk properly.

“……So you like knights that much?”

Hayden completely bent his knee and looked up at Rue. It’s not allowed for the Emperor to do this. She was surprised because the authoritative customs of the Kaletta Empire still remained, but his expression was completely indifferent.

“Don’t you like any other jobs? Was that your dream? Haven’t you thought about any other dreams since you were young?”

Have you ever dreamt of another dream? It was the first time she had ever received such a question. Dream. What was the dream?

“I was best at it. No, I used to be good at it.”

Not now, but she had to believe that she would be good at it again someday.

“Being good at something and wanting to do it are different.”

“I also liked it. I had no choice.”

“Because of your parents?”

“Because of my parents.”

Rue nodded her head. She had extraordinary talent, and her parents had gone missing early on; becoming a knight was the fastest way to go near the barrier where her parents disappeared.

“You’ve met your parents again now.”

“If I want to slit Carlos’s throat, becoming a knight is the fastest.”

Rue, who answered immediately, had revenge in her green eyes.

“What after slitting his throat?”

“I’ll think about that then.”

“No, think from now on. There is nothing as boring as revenge over a lifetime. You have to end it as quickly as possible, and don’t forget to enjoy life while you’re taking revenge.”

Rue stared at Hayden, who was saying something she couldn’t even consider.

“If that were possible….”

“It’s possible now. You chose me over Carlos Arthur Ingram.”

The hand still holding her was solid. And his rich voice was mesmerizing.

“You made a big decision, so there won’t be a letdown. Promise.”

Hayden smiled softly as he looked at her, who still rarely smiled.

“So be a little more greedy. If you only look at Imperialle and the Emperor of another country while planning revenge, I’ll be very disappointed.”

Only then did Rue smile a little and take another step. Sweat was forming on her forehead, but she leaned on the wall and earnestly moved forward. The Emperor she would serve this time seemed like a good person.

“Also, keep in mind that constantly thinking about him is quite hurtful to me.”

And he was definitely a bit crazy.

“Huh?”

Responding naturally to her question, which meant ‘what kind of nonsense is this,’ Hayden said,

“Hate and love are a fine line, Your Highness. If you only fill your head with thoughts of taking revenge on him, where would I fit in?”

It seemed right to counter nonsense with nonsense at this point.

“If you can’t fit in, that means you’re not attractive enough, Your Majesty.”

He laughed brightly.

“Look at my face and say that again.”

Rue looked straight ahead, avoiding his harmoniously perfect face, and let go of his hand to move forward.

Even newspapers that criticized the Emperor never said anything about his face. The man, arguably the most handsome in the Perseita Empire, followed behind Rue with a small smile.

“Doesn’t work with just the face? Should I take off my clothes?”
“No, how about you just continue with the forward-looking conversations as you’ve been doing so far?”

“I am already engaged in a very forward-looking conversation, Your Highness.”

Unable to stand much longer leaning against the wall, Lu’s ankle was about to give out when Hayden lightly supported her.

“I have to go to the upcoming ball alone because I have no partner, and it’s uncertain whether I, who will lose my virginity, will ever be able to marry. Could it get more forward-looking than this?”

Just hearing the talk about virginity clouded Lu’s mind to the point where she just wanted to cry.

“Really, really, why are you like this, Your Majesty. Get a hold of yourself…!”

“I am sane. It’s you who rejects the Emperor that’s not sane.”

“There are surely many better prospects in Pertheta than me, Your Highness. You’d be better off picking from there.”

Another woman? Hayden immediately frowned.

“If I wanted to look for other women, why would I have waited so long to bring you?”

My God. Lu accidentally let go of the wall she was holding onto. He simply lifted her into his arms.

“I may seem idle because I’m so competent, but being the Emperor of Pertheta is not an idle position.”

Nestled in his broad embrace, she was set back on her feet.

“I don’t have time to merely enjoy and pass by.”

However, there was time to help Countess Flache adapt to her sprained ankle. There was an abundance of it. If not, he’d make time.