Don't Be Kind Rashly (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 14
Lu walked at a suitable distance behind Emperor Perseta.
Even as her mind churned frantically, the thought that none of it mattered drained all the energy from her.
Emperor Perseta clearly surpassed the limits of humanity, and Lu still hadn’t fully grasped who he truly was.
All she knew was that no one here used magic. Science seemed comparatively advanced because of it. That was all she knew.
What good was struggling over something so trivial? While one emperor acted carelessly, the other saw through everything as clearly as if reading his palm.
‘How did he notice?’
Then again, it made sense—he was the one who’d secretly crossed the barrier, traversed Calleta, and appeared at the far edge of Momentum.
He’d even sensed the traces of Carlos, Emperor of Calleta, whom everyone believed to be the strongest in the world. And from the way he spoke, he’d definitely seen Carlos with his own eyes yesterday.
The back of her neck, once slick with cold sweat, now felt icy. At this point, it was clear everything had gone terribly wrong from the start—and Lu had walked right into this disaster to die.
“I didn’t ascend the throne through normal, peaceful means, yet even though I thought ‘this is enough,’ people keep saying I must do this or that—endless complaints.”
Lu, whose heart had shriveled in fear, silently listened to Emperor Perseta’s idle words. He was no different from a predator playing with a mouse already caught in its claws.
He’d toy with her as he pleased, and once bored, crush her flat without a second thought.
“Ambassador Jenus.”
Lu, who had been stiffly walking while staring only at his feet, flinched when his steps suddenly stopped. Her eyes met those of Emperor Perseta, who had turned around.
What was he thinking? Black monsters pouring endlessly from the barrier came to mind unbidden, as did the enormous monster she’d seen in the wasteland yesterday.
“Do you know how to dance?”
“…Dance? Pardon? Dance?”
Watching Emperor Perseta nod, she muttered inwardly that there truly were countless ways to toy with a captured mouse.
“Not at all, Your Majesty. I’m not of noble birth.”
“Here, even those not born nobly can manage most dances, Ambassador. Calleta is no different.”
Strictly speaking, it was more accurate to say Lu had never even tried.
Back in school, while other students dreamed of rebellion and went out to play, she devoted herself relentlessly to studying, swordsmanship, and magic, burdened by the duty to stay disciplined—since she had no parents to guide her.
“I really don’t, though.”
She didn’t know what exactly he wanted, but Lu shook her head firmly. Emperor Perseta, as always, gave a crisp nod.
“Good.”
Ah. Would she even survive today? Lu felt her ability to control her expression slipping. She’d been so tense that her whole body had been tingling since morning.
Every day, she lived wondering if she’d die today or survive tomorrow.
“This way.”
Emperor Perseta’s stride wasn’t particularly wide for his long legs, and his pace was slow enough to follow easily. After scanning the empty corridor left and right, she opened her dry mouth.
“Your Majesty, about what you said earlier…”
How should she, as an ambassador, conduct herself? She didn’t care what happened to Carlos Arthur Ingram, but the young knights and conscripted soldiers dying horribly again and again before the barrier must be stopped.
“As Ambassador of Calleta, I…”
Emperor Perseta cut her off mid-sentence.
“Ambassador Jenus, you truly lack perception.”
That bastard! Lu seriously considered contacting the columnist who’d written a scathing editorial about him today, just to exchange regular updates.
Hello, we both dislike the same person—let’s become friends.
“Casually crossing another nation’s border is a serious matter.”
The Emperor instantly closed the distance she’d desperately maintained—at least three paces—closing in on her.
“I understand your curiosity, but you were terribly careless. So much so that I had to personally obscure everyone’s attention to keep you unseen. Ah, I’m not blaming you, Ambassador—I’m blaming the Emperor of Calleta. Don’t misunderstand.”
“So you were near the embassy last night.”
“I quite enjoy strolling through the Diplomats’ Quarter. Since I pass by occasionally, I might as well drop by the Calleta embassy too.”
She chose to say nothing at all. Emperor Perseta would talk regardless.
“Anyway, back to the point. Though you’ve caused quite a stir, if you cooperate willingly today, I’ll simply let it pass—that’s what I mean.”
Though unspoken, the words “Are you really that oblivious?” clearly trailed behind.
“I still don’t understand what you’re referring to, but if Your Majesty requires my assistance, it’s my duty to cooperate at any time.”
Which meant: “Since you’re willing to overlook it, I’ll cooperate for now—but that doesn’t mean I accept it!”
And since Lu fundamentally didn’t trust Emperor Perseta, she didn’t believe his promise to let things slide either.
“I happen to need someone who can’t dance at all.”
“What do you intend to make me do?”
She felt uneasy. By then, the Emperor had already reached another large door, opened it himself, and ushered her inside.
“What else? Your dance partner. No need to be so tense, Ambassador.”
Inside was unexpectedly a vast hall with ceilings as high as three stories. Several chandeliers hung down, and the entire right wall was filled with enormous windows.
Each window, crowned with elegant curves, bore blue velvet and white linen curtains. Bright sunlight poured through the gaps.
The marble floor stood completely empty except for a large piano in the corner, its lid open.
It was hard to tell from here whether a pianist sat at the bench. The strong sunlight cast deep shadows in the corners untouched by light.
“You’d better take off your coat.”
Standing alone in the empty hall, Emperor Perseta extended his hand to her.
“Your Majesty, I truly don’t know how to dance.”
“You’ve said it enough times—I understand perfectly. The coat.”
Helplessly, she removed her heavy coat and tried to move away to put it aside herself, but he wouldn’t let her slip past.
He took the coat himself and handed it quietly to a servant who had appeared soundlessly.
“Doesn’t wearing something so heavy feel stifling? Are you fond of clothes that feel weighty?”
“Yes, well…”
That wasn’t it at all, but Lu mumbled vaguely. She couldn’t very well say that all the clothes prepared for her in Calleta were like this.
Apparently, they believed an ambassador’s attire symbolized the dignity of the Calleta Empire. Yet the Emperor of Calleta himself had sneaked in like a thief—and been caught—and now they spoke of dignity?
The thought reignited her frustration and anger toward Carlos. Damn him. If he caused the mess, he should clean it up—why should she have to?
“Now then, young lady who’s never learned to dance.”
“Young lady”? That was a term she’d only heard back in the westernmost edge of Momentum—a simple way to address an unmarried young woman.
But when Emperor Perseta used it, it sounded less like that and more like addressing a noblewoman of esteemed bloodline—something utterly unrelated to Lu.
“I’m certain I won’t be a good partner.”
She’d try to slip away at the first chance.
“I chose you—so of course you will be.”
Confidence radiated from Emperor Perseta from head to toe. He extended his hand again.
Unlike his usual gloved hands, today his were bare—large, firm, and refreshingly long-fingered. Lu tilted her head, frowning seriously.
“Your hand.”
How could she act without understanding?
“You must take it.”
This man—wasn’t he clearly younger than her? Yet his quiet tone felt not grating but utterly natural.
That dissonance was strange. The experience, maturity, and weight behind his tone weren’t things one could simply imitate.
Lu stared blankly at him until he gave his hand a slight shake. Realizing her delay, she hastily placed her hand atop his—feeling like a dog resting its paw, utterly awkward.
“Don’t be tense.”
“Before Your Majesty, sovereign of Perseta, tension is only proper.”
In an instant, the Emperor’s firm chest was right before her eyes. A light chuckle settled gently atop her brown hair.
“Hearing you speak so precisely, I see I needn’t worry.”
For Hayden, this was reassuringly fortunate. Of course Lu, unaware of what had transpired between Perseta and Calleta, would be wary of him. Even if he explained patiently, she’d likely call it lies.
Most Calletans went through this phase. So he simply intended to leisurely spirit Lu away to the safety of the palace, show her much, and let her rest deeply.
Spending the whole day dancing and chatting wouldn’t be bad. She’d have more occasions to dance ahead, so preparing in advance was important.
His strong arm wrapped around her waist. With the shortened distance, his scent drew near too.
A faint woody aroma, fresh and crisp like grass? Where had she smelled this before? Lu tilted her head, her unoccupied hand hovering awkwardly in the air. She still had no idea what Hayden was thinking.
“Place that hand on my shoulder.”
The moment his low whisper brushed her ear, sending a jolt through her nerves, Lu remembered where she’d smelled that scent.
Upstairs at Uncle Ben’s place, which sold terrible liquor—the shabby inn’s bed was awful, but that fragrance alone had been enough.
“Relax your strength.”
Lu, relax.
She’d thought those memories—half pushed away by alcohol, half buried in darkness—would never resurface. How arrogant of her.
The Emperor effortlessly revived Lu’s memories—the night she’d become not a rational human but a beast driven solely by desire, lost in that chaotic, heated, bittersweet pleasure.
“Slowly.”
His breath touched her forehead. Lu looked down, unaware her feet had begun to move.
“No, don’t look down—look at me.”
The moment she realized the strength coiled in the arm around her waist, she lost confidence.
“I’m afraid I’ll make a mistake…”
Her words wouldn’t come out properly. Even her voice sounded strange.
“It’s fine if you step on me—just look at me, Ambassador Jenus.”
Lu, look at me.
She remembered the hand that had insistently, coaxingly lifted her chin, demanding she look straight ahead as she’d whimpered and fussed.
“S-Stepping on you isn’t allowed, Your Majesty!”
“It won’t hurt at all if you step on me. Step a hundred times if you like—just lift your head.”
When she finally raised her gaze, his gray eyes were already fixed on her, as if ready to swallow her whole.
Only when their eyes met did his eyes soften into a smile—identical to that heated night and now—making her cheeks burn.
Forgotten memories surfaced one by one, vividly clear. She needed to stop thinking and seal those memories away quickly.
“Your Majesty, this really doesn’t seem right—ah!”
Her scream echoed through the hall. Yet Emperor Perseta only laughed, seemingly delighted, and pulled her closer.
“I’m the one stepped on—why are you screaming?”
“I’m sorry…”
This wouldn’t do. This was wrong. Lu tried to pull away from him.
“If you’re sorry, don’t think of running—stay with me until the end.”
But the Emperor easily drew her back close. They said dancing was the first step nobles used for romance, affairs, and flirtations—and indeed, it was true.
“Don’t look down, don’t tense up, just think ‘I’m here to be stepped on.’ If you keep that in mind, you’ll do much better.”
“That’s impossible, and I don’t want to do better anyway.”
Ah. She’d stepped on him again. Lu squeezed her eyes shut.
“You keep making mistakes because you think like that.”
His words sounded scolding, yet his tone brimmed with amusement. Back then too, on that drunken night he’d initiated, he’d laughed the whole time—happily holding her.
“This is just like swordsmanship. Step in rhythm, match the beat—that’s all. You’re doing well.”
“I’m only good at stepping on Your Majesty’s feet.”
She wanted to cry. She rarely cried, but lately tears kept threatening to spill.
Trampling the boots of a man whose foot might slit her throat at any moment—would her head still be attached when she left? This new role was proving as extreme as she’d anticipated.
“Whatever happens in here, I’ll forgive.”
Yet to her immense frustration and injustice, Emperor Perseta only laughed cheerfully, seemingly enjoying himself alone.
“Think carefully, Ambassador. Opportunities to trample my feet as much as you like aren’t common.”
Lu, don’t go anywhere—stay with me. Do you think chances to live with a man like me come often? I’ll treat you well.
His voice overlapped, his smirking expression superimposed. The large hand holding hers, the strength and weight supporting her—kept reviving buried memories.
As if urging her: Remember. Recall it just once more. Turn back and look again—prodding deep sensations awake.
“Just a moment, Your Majesty.”
Lu stepped back, halting her steps regardless of whether he held her or not, bent down, and kicked off her boots entirely. Then, slightly shorter now, she looked straight at the Emperor.
“If I’m to do this properly, I’ll step on you countless times—barefoot is better.”
Her eyes, determined to see this through to the end, were nothing short of provocative.
That night had been quite heated, yes—but it wasn’t as if she’d been helplessly devoured one-sidedly.
Ah, Lu, so good—ugh…!
Of the two, only Lu could call it merely something that had happened once between them. Her green eyes, unflinching, shone clear and transparent in the sunlight streaming through the curtains.
Emperor Perseta—Hayden—smiled and removed his shoes just as she had.
“Bare feet won’t hurt your skin as much as stepping on shoes would.”
With that, he swiftly wrapped an arm around her waist and placed her atop his feet.
“This way is easier too.”
His gray eyes smiled warmly.
Somehow, today felt terribly long—but she’d see how far it went. Seeing the Emperor’s enjoyment, it seemed unlikely her head would roll off today.
Male lead is a Love-Obsessed Merman
When he discovers she has gone, he risks everything to pursue her on land, enduring agonizing pain to transform his tail into human legs…
One-line summary: Male lead chases female lead. The male lead’s love is a bit sick, an invincible love brain.
Synopsis
During a voyage at sea, Jiang Yang accidentally captures a merman.
Servant: I heard that mermen are fierce and brutal.
Jiang Yang looks at the merman obediently rubbing her palm like a puppy: “You call this fierce and brutal?”
Servant: I heard that mermen have no human nature.
Jiang Yang looks at the merman with wet puppy eyes, obsessively calling her ‘A Yang’ like a childish infant: “You call this having no human nature?”
With great difficulty, she releases the merman back into the sea and returns to shore.
Who would have thought that in less than half a month, the merman, who should have been freely wandering in the South China Sea, would shed his scales, endure the pain of losing his tail, transform into human legs, and come ashore to find her?
He kneels at her feet, rubbing her palm, with merman tears rolling down: “A Yang, don’t abandon me.”
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I’m not sure where Lu gets the patience to deal with Hayden. He’s like a bulldozer. He seems convinced he’s helping her yet he doesn’t consider her opinions throughout it all.