Don't Be Kind Rashly (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 9
The Perseita Emperor, who had come to her using the name Hayden, possessed remarkably striking features.
Beneath his deep, beautiful black hair, his exceptional looks were beyond description—but even in this crowded street, he stood a full head taller than others, with an imposing build that made him impossible to miss.
Thus, the moment Lu saw him in that rural corner, she’d drunkenly thrown him a flirtatious glance, though she never expected it to work. It only did because he, too, had his own hidden motives.
“Mister, please give me one of each kind.”
Lu tore her gaze away from the handsome man with a charming smile, her hat pulled low, and piled newspapers like a mountain onto the stall.
“Shall I tie them up for you?”
“Yes, that would be even better. And these magazines too.”
She swiftly plucked every hanging item and set them down, causing the stall owner’s lips to curl upward involuntarily.
Lu absolutely refused to glance in the Emperor’s direction. Once the magazines and bundle of newspapers were paid for, she’d leave immediately as soon as Aldwin emerged with the desserts.
If anyone dared interrogate her for failing to greet His Imperial Majesty, she’d simply claim poor eyesight. Ah, she’d come here to die anyway—let him kill her if he wished!
“How much is it?”
“Let’s see… Post, Messenger, and Pistol are 5 reets, plus La Trigal at 7 reets. That’s a bit pricey.”
It took time for the stall owner to mutter and calculate prices while casually abbreviating newspaper titles however he pleased.
Lu tried to keep her eyes fixed solely on the tip of her shoes, regardless of what she heard—but the Perseita Emperor seized the opportunity.
“Won’t you even acknowledge someone you saw just a few hours ago?”
His low voice, meant only for her ears, carried words a Kalleta consul could never ignore. His tone drooped slightly at the end, sounding almost hurt. So this was how he intended to play it.
“Oh, wasn’t I supposed to pretend not to recognize you?”
Lu still didn’t look at the Perseita Emperor, only moving her lips. Her eyes remained fixed on the stall owner’s hands, busily calculating and neatly stacking the newspapers.
Her attitude of complete disregard amused Hayden nonetheless.
Lu was a master at feigning indifference; though this was likely one of the rarest moments in her life when she’d been genuinely flustered, she handled it with remarkable grace.
To Hayden, that felt somewhat unfairly vexing—after all, the one who’d caused her fluster shouldn’t be so composed.
“If I’m the one who acknowledges you first, it’s fine.”
After all, it was an honor—the Emperor had specifically donned civilian clothes to indicate his desire to speak with her.
Coming from a nation that revered emperors utterly, Lu understood precisely what the Perseita Emperor meant.
“I see. I wasn’t aware.”
But just because he wished to converse didn’t mean she had to continue the dialogue. Though it might be an honor to someone else, it wasn’t to Lu—so she answered coolly and fell silent.
It was slightly irritating how he, younger than her, used casual speech, calling her “Lu, Lu” familiarly at every sentence’s end, as if something had happened between them in the past.
Yet he was the Emperor, and she was merely a diplomat from a hostile nation with no noble title—so his informal address and her respectful speech aligned perfectly with protocol. Moreover, his casual tone suited him just as well as formal speech would.
From the very beginning, his demeanor radiated an untouchable grace and arrogance, as though looking down upon everyone. Why hadn’t she noticed this back at the tail end of Momentum?
‘No. The one who deliberately deceived me is to blame—not me.’
Lu naturally halted her self-reproach.
“Do you like the house?”
“Well… yes.”
Just then, the stall owner finished calculating and called out the price. Having missed it while replying to the Perseita Emperor, Lu asked again.
“How much did you say?”
“120 reets!”
120 reets meant one large silver coin and four small ones. She fumbled through her coins and handed them over.
Outwardly, she appeared utterly calm. Hayden’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Even upon unexpectedly encountering someone beyond the city walls, she never lost composure. She was perfectly suited for a position where she must remain unshaken yet powerless to act.
That’s precisely why he liked her even less. No matter how hard he looked, he found no trace of his influence over her.
Then again, he never expected it to be easy.
‘It’s still unpleasant that I had no choice but to appear so rudely and abruptly.’
Hayden composed his emotions with a cold expression.
“Thank you. Farewell.”
“Thank you.”
Lu turned, holding the bundle of newspapers. It felt heavier than expected—she’d have to ask Aldwin to carry it.
After all, he was a knight skilled in both magic and swordsmanship, whereas she was merely a civilian who’d done a bit of exercise. But how long had Aldwin been inside that dessert shop? There was still no sign of him emerging.
“Anyone who enters that shop loses their wits completely. It’ll take him a while to come out.”
The Perseita Emperor spoke as if reading her thoughts. His low, rich voice sounded like a murmur to himself—but ultimately, it was directed at her.
“I’ll have some free time. Shall we walk together?”
Though Lu personally disliked the suggestion, as Kalleta’s consul, she couldn’t refuse a private audience with the Emperor—a stroll with him, who’d quietly appeared after dismissing his guards.
‘In a few minutes, I might silently end up as a corpse rolling through the sewers.’
Every second was tense. As she followed the Emperor’s steps, he naturally extended his gloved hand and swiftly took the bundled newspapers and magazines from her.
The instant the heavy weight transferred, Lu immediately realized—this man possessed not only magic but also immense physical strength. His power was unfathomable.
Taking something from her hands was harder than it seemed. Lu would never willingly hand anything over, and she had years of training as a swordsman.
Yet she’d surrendered what she held so unguardedly. The Emperor, who’d so naturally accepted the burden from Lu, was clearly capable of killing her right here without anyone noticing.
She’d likely close her eyes without even realizing she was dying, and people would assume she’d simply collapsed.
‘…I shouldn’t resist. That’ll hurt less.’
It was chilling enough to raise goosebumps—and yet, she surrendered just as quickly. Someone of his caliber was far beyond Rustica Jenus, who possessed neither magic nor swordsmanship.
Once again, that familiar helplessness bound her. But she had no intention of passively accepting her fate. Lu walked calmly, never showing a hint of panic. She still had her tongue as a weapon.
“You don’t seem to mind crowds.”
Seeing the Emperor openly walking in broad daylight without fully concealing his face, dressed like a gentleman—did he not care if people recognized him?
“I dislike them immensely.”
Lu almost looked up at the Emperor’s face out of confusion but stopped herself. It was best to avoid eye contact whenever possible.
“Then why come out?”
“To meet the consul ‘informally.’ Isn’t that the point of a private meeting? To speak more honestly about things you can’t say in front of others.”
She felt his gaze above her, smiling as he looked down. Was he still intrigued because they’d once shared a night together? His intentions were unclear, and her doubts only grew.
“I’m glad you recognized me. It makes speaking more comfortably a relief.”
She hadn’t expected such blunt words. The Emperor had just reaffirmed that he was the man who’d spent the night with her and later sought her help after being injured by a bear.
Lu chose her words carefully.
“Didn’t you initiate the acknowledgment yourself?”
“You’d only recognize me if I begged you to. Right now, Consul, you’re being remarkably oblivious.”
If he was angry, let him behead her. Lu’s expression didn’t change a bit as she walked on silently.
“Or perhaps you don’t remember at all?”
What did that mean? The moment Lu found it strange, someone called her from behind.
“Oh, Rustica?”
Turning around, she saw Aldwin emerging with colorful dessert boxes—mint and pink swirled together—clutched in both hands, having just called her name before encountering the Emperor’s quietly stationed attendants nearby.
‘It’s fine.’
Lu gave a reassuring nod to the flustered Aldwin.
“Calling you so casually suggests you and your guard are close friends.”
“Yes, we were originally comrades.”
“Ah, once comrades, always comrades? Consul Jenus, you’re quite loyal.”
“…It’s unrelated to that. I simply call him by name.”
The Perseita Emperor’s current remarks felt so random that Lu struggled to make sense of them.
She tilted her head slightly, unconsciously looking up. Their eyes met. His gray eyes had been watching her from above for a long time.
“Isn’t it better to draw clear lines?”
“I always prefer drawing clear lines.”
“Yes. I know that well.”
He gave a slight nod and smiled.
“Moreover, I rather enjoy whims—so changing your mind anytime is welcome.”
The Emperor’s words—“change your mind”—were extremely dangerous. What exactly did he want her to change, and how? Lu kept various possibilities in mind and decided to probe further.
“Whims only irritate people.”
“That depends on who’s wielding them.”
The Perseita Emperor instantly countered her offhand remark. Lu tried to brush it off casually, but the Emperor aimed straight at her with pinpoint precision.
“If it’s Consul Jenus, I’d welcome a lifetime of whims.”
“How generous of you. I’ll keep that in mind and faithfully carry out my duties.”
Since he’d said it himself, even if she annoyed the Perseita Emperor twelve times a day with her whims, he’d have no grounds to complain.
“It’s fine if it’s directed at me, but isn’t your working environment rather inconvenient for that? Starting with that so-called ‘comrade’ acting as your guard.”
Lu listened silently—meaning she wouldn’t respond to the Emperor’s words. Yet Hayden bluntly pointed out the hidden truth anyway.
“An assassin disguised as a knight who carries out assassinations without hesitation under secret orders, plus a steward deeply knowledgeable in poisons.”
Eliza Barcova and the steward Martin. The Perseita Emperor had clearly already investigated them. Nothing surprising there.
No fool would fling open their gates to hostile foreigners without thoroughly investigating them first.
“The guards assigned to a retired knight who once left Kalleta are excessively lethal. It’s hard to tell whether they’re guarding or watching you.”
“That statement is excessive, even for an informal setting like this.”
Lu stopped walking and looked up at the Emperor.
“It’s an undeniable fact.”
He stared straight at her, unblinking. His clear gray eyes were filled entirely with her.
“Isn’t that something Consul Jenus knows all too well?”
But as a proper Kalleta consul, she wouldn’t admit it. Hayden knew this—he was merely stating facts.
Lu’s long-held awareness of Kalleta’s contradictions and the suspicious circumstances surrounding her had once again been dragged into the light. It was a threat he deeply cared about—and it irritated her. It irritated her immensely.
“If you start distrusting those close to you, you’ll feel death’s threat everywhere. Truthfully, I find stepping outside the consulate even more frightening.”
From her experience at the bank, it was already fortunate if a Kalleta Imperial Consulate official wasn’t pelted with stones by Perseita citizens.
Thus, Lu—who always traveled with guards—planned to be even more cautious. Once people learned she was Kalleta’s consul, she’d face threats multiple times a day.
“Within the empire, I guarantee your safety. However, the Kalleta Consulate, though temporary, is Kalleta Imperial territory—so I cannot intervene in matters occurring within it.”
In other words, if Lu were harmed by consulate staff inside the consulate, the Perseita Emperor couldn’t interfere.
“You speak what’s obvious.”
“It means that if anything happens inside, you should come out.”
He spoke as if it were a foregone conclusion that something threatening to Lu would inevitably occur within.
“Usually, if something happens inside, stepping outside is just as dangerous.”
“You’ll believe it only after it happens. But I prefer preventing trouble before it arises.”
If every action of the Kalleta Emperor was filled with dignity, the Perseita Emperor concealed his intentions behind smiles.
“I’d like to see you often from now on.”
Lu’s gaze followed him, still puzzled by his hidden motives.
Most Kalleta natives were profoundly ignorant—or pretended ignorance even when facing facts. Such was the fate of those long imprisoned and brainwashed.
Hayden hoped Rustica Jenus would be different. Thus, he cautiously and cleverly circled around her, testing her bit by bit.
Ah, of course, becoming intimately entangled with her privately was also part of his wish.
May she grow more curious, pay more attention. May she, despite finding him bothersome, seek the truth.
“My frequent audiences with Your Majesty imply many problems are arising.”
“Perseita is a nation where social gatherings matter. Not meeting would imply even more problems.”
The Emperor’s gray eyes crinkled beautifully. Who could refuse him when he approached with such a smile? Many would gladly give him their liver and gallbladder.
Carlos was handsome too—if he stopped scowling every day and changed his demeanor like this, wouldn’t unexpectedly more people pledge loyalty? No, he’d probably accuse himself of undermining imperial authority first.
“Many invitations will fly to your consulate.”
Fly indeed. As if that would happen.
“Not a single one will arrive.”
“I’ll be the one sending them.”
The words “please don’t send any” rose to the tip of her tongue, but Lu skillfully held them back.
“Thank you.”
“You’ll be busy adjusting for now. Chalea is a vast city—accordingly lively, with much to explore.”
The Perseita Emperor walked down the street casually, glancing around Chalea. The corners of his fine lips lifted slightly.
“I sincerely hope Consul Jenus finds it to her liking.”
“A diplomat goes where assigned, whether she likes it or not…”
“No, not that. I mean I hope it becomes a place you’d want to live in for the rest of your life. You understand.”
Ha! The Emperor laughed aloud yet kept his gaze fixed firmly on her. He caught her again as she kept deflecting and avoiding, holding her right before his eyes.
“Your Majesty, is it your hobby to persuade diplomats from hostile nations to defect?”
When she threw a direct pitch, he widened his eyes again and laughed brightly.
“I’ve decided to take it up as a new hobby starting today.”
Brat! Kid! Lu wanted nothing more than to kick his thick, solid thigh—just once. Though her own foot would probably break.
“Without conditions or a reasonable justification, I can only refuse such a proposal.”
“I believe Consul Jenus will realize the reason on her own.”
Rustica Jenus was in Perseita—and thus, the Perseita Emperor held her life in his hands.
“Your Majesty, I possess enough pride not to defect over something as insignificant as my humble life.”
It was a sunny day. The Perseita Emperor was a man who shone brightly even in sunlight alone.
Amid that beautiful scene, Lu suddenly felt a chilling pressure. The towering man looked down at her and asked,
“Must I even care for Consul Jenus’s pride?”
It was a question from someone who could crush her with a mere flick of his finger—why should he bother with something so trivial and insignificant?
Her composed face, filled with fear and his overwhelming presence, made her breath catch instantly.
Turns Out He’s Been Secretly in Love with Me
One-line summary: He acts like he doesn’t like her but is actually playing hard to get.
Synopsis:
Xu Muzhou like her. He has liked her for a very long time, and through repeated schemes, he finally closed the distance with her.
But this is still far from enough.
He wants to be the one who stands out among her many suitors, to fight for her attention, and to make her take the initiative to pursue him.
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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.