“I haven’t seen you often in Shaim, but you always wore cumbersome dresses with an excessively upright posture.”

Carlos said, moistening his throat with wine.

“Trust me once as a prosecutor. Being upright is good, but if you put too much force into it, your body will scream for help. It’s a bit forceful, but your body needs rest.”

“You’ve been observing me.”

“I can’t help but look. That’s what attraction is.”

This time he laughed pleasantly. Mercedes’ heart lightened a little more. Caution, anxiety, and between them, something she had never felt before swelled up slightly.

“Your Majesty… you’re really… bold.”

“I prefer to be honest. Especially when a man is attracted to a woman, I think there’s no need for pride.”

Carlos leaned deeply into his chair and tilted his head slightly. Even that small action exuded a strange charm. It seemed dangerous, a bit loose, but not vulgar.

“So please forgive me for not being able to take my eyes off you.”

She was clearly feeling cautious. She also thought she couldn’t read him.

But regardless of her feelings, he had a charm that could shake a person.

“When the heart flows like that, what can one do?”

Looking at him smiling seductively, Mercedes felt her chest tighten.

“How do you know about these clothes? How does a prince know the appearance of commoners’ clothes?”

Once she blurted out a question, the second one came more easily. She changed the subject in a stiff voice.

It felt like she was being drawn in every time that man smiled while subtly hinting at his feelings for her.

And she disliked and felt burdened by that unfamiliar emotion.

How to put it? It was irritating because it felt like she was constantly becoming stupid. The only goal she had to live for now was the downfall of Count Cromwell’s family.

But how long had she been here? How could her heart waver in just a few hours?

“Ah. Don’t you know that I was the lowest-ranking prince? I’ve rolled around on battlefields many times… I too haven’t been wearing such luxurious clothes for long.”

“Ah… I’m s-. No, I see.”

She almost apologized out of habit again.

Carlos smiled happily at her as she barely managed to correct her words.

“You’re a hard worker.”

“That’s the first time I’ve heard that.”

“I may not know everything about you, but I believe that those who have lived desperately all deserve to be praised as hard workers.”

Is that so? Was Mercedes a person who worked hard?

‘I was just trying to avoid abuse.’

If the emperor found out about that, he would probably take back what he said. Mercedes inwardly sneered.

“But how did you know that the shape of those clothes is the same as commoners’ clothes? I heard you were confined to the count’s mansion and the palace.”

“…When I was very young, I was somewhere else.”

“Oh? Where?”

“These clothes are really comfortable. Thank you for your consideration.”

This time, Mercedes deliberately changed the subject noticeably. It was an indication that she didn’t want to answer.

One of Carlos’ eyebrows raised slightly and then lowered. He was curious, but he didn’t ask.

“I’m glad they’re comfortable. I was wondering if a dress might be more comfortable, so I had one prepared.”

“I don’t think… anyone could find a dress comfortable.”

Just thinking about the corset made her feel short of breath. She also recalled the ordeal she had to go through when she fainted because of the corset.

“It must have been especially hard for you.”

“…It’s in the past now.”

“To be honest, even I think women’s clothes look too strenuous. Can you even eat with your waist squeezed like that?”

“No. All day, it’s just a few pieces of chocolate and a few glasses of alcohol.”

“I see. No wonder everyone looks so pale.”

Fortunately, the topic of his feelings didn’t come up again.

Mercedes tried her best to continue the conversation naturally for the person who had saved her and offered to help with her revenge.

After all, that was how she could achieve her goal.

A while later, Mercedes, having neatly finished even the dessert, wiped her mouth.

It was time for the meal to conclude.

Having done her best to converse with Carlos, Mercedes now wanted to rest alone.

Carlos, sensing this, stood up first.

“Thanks to you, I had an enjoyable meal. Thank you.”

“Not at all. It is I who had a good time thanks to Your Majesty. It’s my honor.”

“I wish you would act more comfortably someday.”

“…How could I, before the ruler of the continent.”

“Hmm.”

Carlos approached and pulled out Mercedes’ chair for her.

She didn’t refuse and stood up from her seat. Then she turned around, intending to see Carlos off first, but as soon as she turned, she found herself face to face with Carlos’ chest.

“Ah…!”

She was startled but quickly regained her composure.

Carlos was standing about one step away from her, with his hands behind his back. It seemed like a normal posture, but strangely, it also appeared to say, ‘Don’t worry, I won’t harm you in any way.’

“Mercedes. Although the days are warm, it will be quite cold at dawn. I’ve had the fireplace prepared to be lit, so sleep well.”

“It was colder in Shaim than here. I don’t need a fireplace.”

“Hmm. Mercedes.”

Carlos lowered his head slightly, bringing his body closer to her. The scent of wine and a cool, masculine fragrance wafted from him, dizzying Mercedes’ senses.

“Emotions are strange, aren’t they? I find myself waiting for you to take my hand at any moment. So…”

Carlos placed his hand on top of hers, which was gripping the table.

A shiver ran through her in that instant. Not because she disliked it.

An unfamiliar warmth? No, it was closer to heat.

Just the touch of his hot, large hand on her cold, dry hand left Mercedes unable to move.

“Don’t worry, do whatever you want. Be it revenge or anything else. Except for your death.”

He gently stroked the back of her hand. It was an action meant to warm her cold hand, but for some reason, Mercedes couldn’t meet his eyes and lowered her head.

Meanwhile, his gaze slowly traced her forehead, eyes, nose, lips, chin, neckline, and collarbones.

As if trying to imprint it deep in his heart somewhere.

Though it was just a moment, it felt like an eternity.

Was it because the man was too captivating, or because despite this situation, it didn’t feel threatening and evoked a truly strange emotion?

“Whatever it is, I will help you.”

Carlos left that whisper and stepped back.

Then, as if nothing had happened, he asked.

“Shall we have dinner at the same time tomorrow? Would that be alright?”

“…Yes. If there are any changes, I will let you know.”

“Good. I’m not forcing you, so you can have dinner alone if you prefer. Well then, Mercedes. Have a good night.”

That was all.

He had briefly approached and covered her hand.

“Yes. Have a good night.”

After that, he left the room.

Mercedes, feeling as if she had been burned, stroked the back of her hand before hurriedly leaving the dining room.

On the way back to her room, only two maids accompanied her. She saw servants lighting candles on the lamps throughout the castle. The corridor was moderately bright.

“Would you like to wash up?”

The maids only said what was necessary. Come to think of it, despite the long journey, she hadn’t properly washed up.

Of course, she had washed up here and there along the way… To think she had eaten with the emperor in this state.

“Yes. Bring me bath water.”

She sighed throughout the time the maids moved the bathtub into the room.

Today was truly strange. Tranquility, serenity, and for the first time, voicing the questions in her heart.

Moreover, the back of her hand where he had covered it…

‘This isn’t right.’

Tomorrow, she would have to pull herself together.

She couldn’t be sure when the emperor might discard her, nor could she be certain if his claim of being smitten was true. She couldn’t trust him completely.

In any case, while trying to make a good impression, her guard must remain tight and her anger immense. She felt like she could be devoured by that man in an instant.

So she deliberately recalled Count Cromwell’s face.

She ignored the things she felt for the first time, the emotions that were blossoming.

There was no need to know anything else.

* * *

Carlos, having finished dinner, headed to his office as if it were natural.

Mercedes, whom he met after letting her rest for a day, had become more conversable.

Certainly, Mercedes had lived under too much tension. For Carlos, with his keen eye, it was an easy fact to discern.

Her body was stiffly frozen and her mouth remained shut. She always takes a step back and suppresses her emotions.

But her eyes alone.

Only her empty eyes occasionally turn towards what she wants.

What he did for her today might not all be correct. Nevertheless, seeing her loosen up a bit, it seemed to have had a positive effect.

If he puts in effort like this little by little, perhaps someday he could gain her affection.

“…Time is the issue.”

However, time is the problem. The time given to him.

“Your Majesty! It seems we need to address the recently absorbed Eastern Yeon Kingdom. It appears the kingdom’s former crown prince has led an army and started a rebellion. Even civilians have been injured.”

As soon as he entered the office, the commander overseeing all the knights in the imperial city stood up abruptly and reported.

He seemed to have been waiting for him.

“The East?”

“Yes.”

“What about the knightly order stationed there?”

“They’re still holding out well, but… how much longer they can hold…”

Oh no.

To think he’d have to leave the castle at this time when he should be getting closer to Mercedes.

He pondered quietly for a moment, then sighed.

“How many elites can ride with me as fast as possible?”

“About thirty. Our stationed forces number six hundred, of which a hundred are wounded.”

“Five hundred and thirty, then. That should be enough.”

“…No, Your Majesty. The enemy numbers at least two thousand. It could be more. It would be better to depart safely with more personnel. We didn’t train the stationed knightly order so weak-”

“Gregory.”

Carlos raised one corner of his mouth wryly and lightly bumped his fist against the knight commander’s chest.

“Are you worried about me?”

The knight commander gritted his teeth. It was difficult to dare refute the emperor’s words.

In fact, the biggest factor in the consecutive victories of the conquest wars was Carlos. The nickname ‘Blood Demon’ said it all.

But there was something that bothered the knight commander, Gregory.

“Your body, it’s not in good condition, is it?”

At those words, Carlos chuckled.