Of course, that too was planned. Eliade feigned ignorance deliberately, making sure not to let her voice tremble.
“…Could you keep it a secret? The fact that the Empress sneaked out to a tavern outside the palace isn’t good for my reputation.”
“I understand.”
“We haven’t known each other long, and already we have a secret.”
“It is an honor to share a secret with Your Majesty the Empress.”
Revel bowed slightly in gratitude. Eliade was confused by his gratitude for such a matter, as it was quite different from the demeanor he had shown in front of Celina. She began to wonder which was his true nature.
“Are you feeling alright?”
“Ah…”
His eyes scanned Eliade. His gaze was pure, devoid of any malice. Eliade realized she hadn’t properly thanked Revel yet.
“My apologies for the late thanks. I really appreciated your help that day. I’ve recovered well thanks to you.”
“You seemed to have trouble sleeping… I was worried.”
The concern of a stranger, something she had never heard from the lips of someone she had spent years with as a spouse.
The look of concern from someone else fell warmly upon Eliade. In Revel’s deep gaze, there was a sincere heart.
Eliade felt something surge up from the pit of her stomach. Could she accept such unadorned sincerity as it was?
It took her a long time to notice that a corner of her heart had cracked open, allowing emotions to seep through. After much hesitation, she finally spoke.
“…It’s a chronic headache. Thank you for caring.”
She started to walk ahead of Revel. Revel watched the Empress slowly move away, unaware that his eyes were blazing intensely.
“Your Majesty the Empress.”
Revel’s voice caught her ankle. As Eliade slowly turned around, he stood there like a shadow stretched out behind the Empress.
“Soon, a war will break out.”
Eliade looked at him and quietly nodded. She had anticipated this fact. Having heard news of the army gathering near the border, she was mentally preparing herself.
Now was the time to truly assess the abilities of this mercenary. If he returned victorious from the war, she would properly win him over then.
“You will be joining the campaign as well, I assume. Please take good care of His Majesty the Emperor.”
It was hard to say words she didn’t mean. Revel remained silent at Eliade’s request. The response that came from his closed mouth was entirely different.
“Do you have any specific orders?”
Yes. There are many. I need you desperately. Eliade wanted to grab his hand and plead. Among dozens of things she could say, Eliade chose only one sentence.
“We must win this battle at all costs.”
It was a statement that encompassed everything. As soon as she finished speaking, Revel knelt on one knee and brought Eliade’s hand to his lips.
A vow of silence, a promise of love, an unchanging future. At the end of every oath, there were lips. A pleasant warmth spread over the back of Eliade’s hand.
She entrusted everything to Revel’s hands – the outcome, the events that would unfold in the future.
Revel slowly brought the back of the Empress’s hand to his forehead. It was almost an act of reverence.
His low voice flowed into Eliade along with her hand.
“I will heed Your Majesty the Empress’s command.”
Why did it feel like tears would well up upon hearing Revel’s voice? Eliade hoped dearly that this oath would remain unbroken.
“Your Majesty the Empress, are you truly alright?”
“Yes.”
Returning from the teatime at the Imperial Consort’s Palace, Eliade looked as though she might burst into tears at any moment. Lynette, who quickly noticed the change, worriedly followed the Empress, spilling her concerns.
Eliade, who usually didn’t clearly express even laughter or anger, was visibly shaken. What exactly happened at the Imperial Consort’s Palace to disturb her so much?
“Lynette. I’m really fine. I’d like to concentrate, so could you please leave me alone for a while?”
When the Empress herself said she was fine and asked to be left alone, what else could Lynette do? Before being a friend, she was the Empress’s attendant. Without further ado, Lynette quietly left the office.
As soon as the door closed, Eliade collapsed onto the desk. There were many things to think about, many tasks that needed to be done.
‘I need to find out where the chamberlain of the Imperial Consort’s Palace went. Celina, or perhaps Claudius, must know.’
Maybe he met with misfortune for upsetting Celina.
Claudius likely granted the Consort the authority to make decisions. Celina, thrilled with a newfound power, might have wielded it recklessly.
And then there was Revel.
The person who whispered against her hand, promising to obey her command. Eliade’s eyes moistened again as she recalled his tenderness.
But she never let the tears fall. Hadn’t she resolved to shed them only at the very end? She closed her eyes tightly, swallowing the hot emotions that surged up.
Using people without emotion was a difficult task, no matter how much she resolved herself to do it. People were not objects; they couldn’t be manipulated or restrained at will.
And every time she saw Revel’s eyes, guilt washed over her. Could she mercilessly use someone who looked at her with such clear, innocent eyes?
Eliade looked at the back of her hand where Revel had kissed. The touch was dry and rough, yet warm. The warmth had long since faded. She gently pressed her lips to it.
She hoped that he would return safely and fight for her. The wish left only a faint trace, trembling with its faint hope.
‘…How ludicrous.’
What a mess this is. Eliade clenched her outstretched hand and collapsed onto the desk. Hadn’t she decided to use him? Then it was only right to erase all personal emotions. She couldn’t afford to mess things up because of her feelings.
The tremor rising in her heart must be just because of the kindness she had encountered after a long time. She had to think that way and move on.
My Step-brother Is Obsessed With Me (Female-dominant)
A gentle female protagonist vs pitiful in the early stage, and a sick male protagonist in the later stage
Cheng Songer transmigrated into the body of a vicious cannon fodder female supporting character with the same name as her in a female-dominant novel.
In the original story, the cannon fodder female supporting character was inhumane, committing domestic violence, gambling excessively, being lustful, and even wanting to sell her stepbrother to a brothel for money.
As luck would have it, she just happened to transmigrate at this time.
Seeing Cheng Qingzhi biting his lip, enduring the tears in his eyes, looking pitiful, her heart softened.
She stuffed the money back into the Madam’s hand and reached out to him.
“Brother, come home with me.”
