“If it’s a secret letter, I might take a look at it.”

“What? Oh, no, Your Majesty. This is too messy… and Your Majesty must be tired.”

At the offer to take a look, a momentary expression of reluctance passed over Mercedes’ face. Even as she refused. So Carlos spoke more assertively.

“During war, there were times when one letter was better than thousands of troops. My skills are quite good, so trust me.”

Soon, Mercedes’ eyes even began to faintly sparkle. Really. A woman who only looks willing when helping with revenge rather than sweet things like love or comfort.

“Hmm…”

Carlos read the letter she had written.

“Well written.”

“Really? You mean it?”

“It’s your first time writing one. You know who to send it to and how to incite conflict. This is excellent for a start.”

“…I don’t think so. Please correct it. I’d appreciate if you could point things out.”

It was the first time she had requested something.

It was a good change. Carlos decided to gladly accept the request.

“Hmm. Alright. Good. Limit the information about the islands where the 3rd and 4th ranked princes were sent. Instead, mix in a few major cities in Shame. That way, everyone will comb through that small country like searching for lice, and careless people will clash with each other causing a commotion.”

“Ah, yes.”

Mercedes immediately picked up the quill pen and wrote down his words.

“Emphasizing how quickly the king’s work is progressing would fan the flames of anxiety. I think it would be better to emphasize that part. And the sentences are too colloquial and personal.”

“That’s what I was struggling with. I… I’ve never learned such political phrases or words.”

Mercedes answered, clenching her fist.

“I’ll recommend some books. For now, get some sleep, then come to my office. The library is right next door. You must sleep first.”

“Is it… alright for me to use such a place?”

“I’ll say it again.”

Carlos smiled as if exasperated and lightly brushed her cheek. She flinched as his hot, rough hand touched her.

“Everything of mine within the imperial palace is yours.”

As soon as those words ended, the candle Mercedes had lit burned out.

In the pitch-black room, despite it being time for the sun to rise, the two standing face to face only heard each other’s breathing in the darkness.

Mercedes thought her cheeks were too hot. This man’s body temperature was a heat she would never get used to in her lifetime.

* * *

Carlos didn’t know the details of Mercedes’ life.

From the fact that she had tried to destroy everyone at the risk of her own life, he could only guess at the abuse from her ex-husband and father.

That was all. He didn’t particularly want to know the details of her misfortunes.

It was enough that she acted as if she would give anything.

After showing Mercedes to the prepared bedroom, he moved his feet towards the training grounds.

“What brings you to the training grounds when you were rushing to a woman without even sleeping?”

The captain of the knights, Gregory, who had returned with him at dawn, approached.

“Perhaps because I’ve finished my work and feel at ease, my body is strangely energized.”

“Even so, are you using your body again after swinging a sword like a madman for five days?”

“Are you calling the emperor a madman now?”

“If you think it’s disloyal, cut off my head.”

Gregory spoke casually.

Gregory, who had been worried since the expedition, was thoroughly annoyed with Carlos who had been swinging his sword without sleep.

It couldn’t be helped. Getting her heart to soften and return was more urgent than handling battlefield matters.

“Why are you here?”

“I just finished checking the armory and stables. I was about to go rest.”

Gregory grumbled.

“Why. Won’t you spar with me?”

“…Are you really crazy?”

“How about it. Like old times.”

Carlos took out two wooden swords that were neatly arranged and threw one to Gregory.

Gregory caught the wooden sword.

“No matter how energetic you are, do you want to fight again after coming back from fighting? Why didn’t you become a mercenary instead of an emperor then?”

“That might have suited me too. It fits my personality.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Someone who’s probably sick of even looking at battlefield jerky now… Anyway, how could I beat Your Majesty?”

“I won’t use aura. Like when we were young. So spar with me.”

“Ugh.”

Gregory is an excellent knight. Perhaps excluding Carlos, no one in the empire could match his swordsmanship.

But in the end, his skills can’t surpass the emperor he serves.

That’s why his request for a spar was irresistible. Especially since the world’s only aura user was offering to face him without using aura. Who knows, maybe his swordsmanship alone might be somewhat equal to the emperor’s now.

“Even though you’re not feeling well…”

“Me? That’s false information that would surprise anyone who heard it.”

“…Sigh. Alright, alright. I know nothing about this.”

Gregory grumbled but took his stance.

Carlos gripped the wooden sword tightly.

His entire body felt dull. Especially the tips of his fingers holding the wooden sword felt even more numb. This journey had indeed been too much for him.

That’s why he wanted to move even more. He wanted to deny his reality.

He forcibly moved his body, exhausted with fatigue.

Mercedes.

Carlos had no right to smile at seeing her eyes light up only for revenge.

He was no different after all.

* * *

Mercedes, who fell asleep only after the sun rose, opened her eyes at noon.

Had she slept for about three or four hours?

As soon as she woke up, she quickly called for her maids to change out of her nightclothes, washed her face, and tied her hair up tightly so that no stray hairs would bother her.

Since Carlos had said he would recommend books when she woke up, she also asked the maids what he was doing. She thought Carlos, who had returned from the battlefield, might be sleeping from fatigue.

But her expectation was wrong.

They said Carlos was already handling work in his office.

“Surely he didn’t not sleep?”

“Umm. Probably… I heard he was sparring in the training grounds this morning.”

“Didn’t you just return from the battlefield?”

Mercedes asked, seeming a bit bewildered. The maids smiled awkwardly.

“His Majesty often does this. Sometimes I think he might not be human.”

Rhonda whispered quietly as if sharing a secret. Mercedes recalled him. A physique that anyone would see as strong, with shining eyes. If the pulse of life were personified, it would look like Carlos.

Even his thighs seemed as thick as her waist.

Such a person might not feel fatigue.

“So he’s working right now?”

“Yes.”

“Please guide me to the office.”

“Without resting more?”

Rhonda asked awkwardly.

“I’ve slept enough.”

“…Yes, I understand.”

It seemed the person she served was quite stubborn. Rhonda swallowed a sigh and guided her along with Patricia.

They arrived at the emperor’s office on the third floor and announced her presence. Carlos immediately let Mercedes in. She entered and the door closed.

“Excuse me, Your Majesty.”

“Welcome, Mercedes.”

Leopold was sitting in front of Carlos. The straightforward aide sighed when he saw Mercedes and stood up.

“I’ll be going now. I’ve finished my report.”

“Alright, you’ve worked hard, so go downstairs and work some more.”

“Normally when someone’s worked hard, you tell them to rest, don’t you?”

“Think about the salary you’re taking home, Leo.”

“Yes, yes.”

Leopold ruffled his hair with a tired face and walked towards the door. When his eyes met Mercedes’, he gave a slight bow and left the office.

“That fellow is quite polite. You must have done something interesting while I was away. Mercedes?”

“…I’m sorry. The aides’ offices probably aren’t places I should be entering and leaving. I was in a hurry.”

Carlos gave a languid smile and motioned to Mercedes.

“There’s no place you can’t go. Come here, Mercedes. You didn’t sleep much. I hoped you’d sleep until you were fully rested.”

“I tend to sleep for short periods, so it’s fine. Rather, I heard Your Majesty didn’t sleep at all.”

“Who’s already tattling? A day or two is nothing, don’t worry about it.”

Carlos was still wearing a cheerful smile. He had clearly looked tired at dawn, but now he seemed full of energy.

As if he had slept deeply.

Does swinging a sword in the training grounds restore him?

It was an amazing recovery ability.

“I came to get the book recommendations you mentioned earlier. Do you have time?”

“My time is always open to you. Ah, about the books. Mercedes. I’ve had a good idea.”

“An idea?”

“Rather, how about learning properly? Political science, international affairs, and if necessary, even tactics and strategy.”

“What?”

“If you wish, I could attack Shame right now, start a war, and bring you the heads of those who tormented you. But I don’t think you’ll ask me for that.”

Carlos hit the nail on the head.

Mercedes nodded slowly.

“…That’s right.”

“May I ask why?”

She hesitated for a moment before those black eyes.

War, she couldn’t believe such a big thing would be done for someone like her. It seemed unreal that he had fallen for her. If he had ulterior motives and she was betrayed again, she might die too unfairly.

All of it, reasons full of distrust.

“…”

Being poor at lying, she kept her mouth shut.

Carlos frowned when her gaze wasn’t on him, looking at her stubbornly closed lips.

‘This is quite high-maintenance.’

It would have been better if she were an easier woman.

He decided to try changing the atmosphere for now, and raised his voice while wearing a cheerful mask.

“Sit down first. It feels like I’m punishing someone by keeping them standing.”

“Ah, yes.”

Mercedes went to the long sofa by the window that Carlos pointed to and sat down gracefully, keeping her back straight.

Carlos looked at her like that, then suddenly stood up and approached. His stride was so wide that it took no time at all.

Unlike the morning, a fresh scent wafted from him.

“Mercedes. My request for you to be comfortable means…”

He personally stacked up cushions, glancing at her, and adjusted their position a few times. Then he grinned.

“You can lie down anywhere you want, even in front of the emperor.”

“…Pardon?”

“If you don’t want to grant my request, think of it as an imperial order and lie down.”

He said boisterously. Mercedes was perplexed by this unpredictable emperor.