At the mention of the imperial marriage, Hayden lowered his gaze for a moment. Right now, his closest aides only knew that Lu had suffered significant injuries because of Carlos. It was true. The fact had been appropriately covered up.

“As for the imperial marriage…”

If Lu became the empress, she would be a truly empress-like empress. She would love the imperial citizens, work for the empire, and always strive to be dignified. He used to think that was good. He loved her for being like that.

“Now, it’s better to postpone it in the current situation.”

But not now. It wasn’t now. Although it might sound like it was delayed because of Lu’s injuries to his close aides, Hayden honestly didn’t want to make Lu the empress. Not now.

When it became crucial, she wouldn’t act as his wife but would judge as the empress. Sometimes she would throw herself to protect the emperor meaninglessly.

Why did he become the emperor? Hayden regretted it all the time. Amidst regretting, he also thought.

‘Well, Lu probably behaved the same way, even if I were of any status. She would have desperately tried to catch my eye, fallen in love just the same, and left because she loved me. Very typical of Lucretia Generis.’

“Your Majesty.”

There was still someone who hadn’t left.

“How is Lu’s condition?”

At the mention of his daughter being injured again, the father’s face was full of concern.

“She still has a fever, and she doesn’t have much awake time. The bones have attached a bit during that time, but the major bones, including the spine, are still problematic.”

At the mention of the spine, Viscount Plache sighed. With that extent, it was impossible even with the medical knowledge here, which was more advanced than Caletta. Everything had to be entrusted to the hands of the magician, the most powerful magician. Eden Arthur Generis did as Hayden had just done, gently stroking his face with a stiffened expression.

“She will get better, so don’t worry.”

“It’s the child who loved the sword, Your Majesty. I’m worried that my daughter might be discouraged since she can’t pick up the sword again.”

Hayden was about to answer but closed his mouth for a moment. He felt something. A curious emerald light tinged with his power was felt in the curiosity of touching his power for no reason.

“Such a thing probably won’t happen.”

Eden thought Hayden was comforting him, but Hayden was sincere. He thought the emperor would comfort him, but Hayden meant it. After comforting Eden, Hayden immediately headed to his bedroom. Since there was nothing she could do even if she woke up, Lu was poking around with his power wrapped around her instead of bandages.

Without opening the bedroom door, Hayden immediately teleported and appeared in front of Lu. Then he took her hand.
“Stop it.”

The feeble hand held in the palm jerked, surprised.

“Oh, sorry.”

Reflexively apologizing, the thin face, upon meeting eyes, once again startled and turned downward.

“…Sorry.”

Clearly, Hayden had confined Ru. He would keep her imprisoned for a lifetime. Given the more heinous things he had done, cruelly controlling her wasn’t difficult. No, in front of Ru, he made all sorts of gestures and claims, but it could be said that this side of him was closer to Hayden’s true nature.

As he had already declared, whether the captive cried, rebelled, or did anything else, he was unaware.

“I told you not to do it because it strains your body.”

However, the usually clear voice apologizing in a small manner was unpleasant. It was too difficult to just let it pass. Clearly, it needed to be ignored, but it couldn’t be ignored. He knew this would happen.

“I already told you not to touch the curse area. It’s awkward because it wraps around the throat.”

Even though he deliberately softened his voice and explained calmly, Ru couldn’t see him properly. She kept avoiding eye contact. And once again, she apologized.

“Sorry.”

There was no strength in the apologetic voice.

The sincere and remorseful atmosphere made it impossible to meet eyes. Whenever she avoided his gaze, a deep gap seemed to form between the two.

Hayden thought it would be better not to say anything more at this point. It would be good to just check on Ru’s condition. Putting her to sleep, having meals, and repeating the routine of washing should be enough for him to be happy.

“Are you really that bored?”
When he asked, Ru felt like she was continually being pushed to the edge of a cliff. So, she knew it was better not to say more.

“It’s not that…”

Without any moisture, her dry lips made a crackling sound before she could speak.

“It seems like the curse is absorbing too much of your strength.”

To avoid being thought of as worrying about unnecessary things, Ru quickly added,

“I was just curious. I didn’t mean to do anything. I’m sorry. I won’t do it.”

With a stream of words, he realized something. The woman who had never paid attention to him was now looking at him. It shouldn’t have mattered, but Hayden, who didn’t care about anything else, felt bothered by it.