Ilaiyd was clad entirely in black.

She seemed like a figure emerged from profound darkness, allowing not even a sliver of light. Her hair pinned up, only her eyes stood out in contrast. She wore black often, but particularly in black, she exuded an enigmatic aura as if she contained all colors of the world.

Dressed in mourning clothes, she must be on her way to console the families of the fallen. Ilaiyd bowed her head slightly in greeting towards Claudius.

That was all. Her face, devoid of tears or joy, felt cold behind the dense black veil. Ilaiyd quickly turned away, vanishing from his view.

As she receded, Claudius realized even a brief exchange was now a luxury. Not that their conversation had been meaningful.

He wished she would look back just once. Even a glance filled with contempt would do. If a conversation was too much to ask, this wish seemed feasible, though it remained merely his wish.

He stroked Celina’s hair while watching Ilaiyd. What if the person in his arms were the Empress? It had been long since he held Ilaiyd’s hair. Even the memory of her scent had faded – was it like the freshness of a garden after rain?

But the scent he tried to recall was quickly overshadowed by the perfume Celina had sprayed.

Back when he was still the Crown Prince, he sometimes took Ilaiyd’s hand first. Her startled flinch was endearing.

‘How did it feel to embrace her?’

Was she slightly smaller than Celina? He regretted not seeing her face, hidden in his embrace.

Perhaps that’s why he gradually reduced the frequency of their embraces.

Claudius yearned to witness every moment of Ilaiyd. Her subtly changing lips, eyes, even the tremble of her brows, or how her fair cheeks flushed and faded. He wanted to savor every expression, making them his forever.

He never allowed anyone else close. He pulled everything towards himself, not minding the damage or breakage in the process.

That’s why he needed power to keep his beloved Empress by his side, even if it meant entangling her family in a tragedy.

The Melpiram family, growing too influential, cast an ever-expanding shadow over Claudius.

They were almost outcasts in the aristocratic society.

A unique house with the potential to influence all of Astrid, advocating for sharing power between the royals, nobles, and commoners.

Especially ‘Keira Lowen Melpiram’, the Countess Melpiram, played a significant role.

Once she gained access to the council through her husband, Count Melpiram, Keira’s actions accelerated.

‘Grant the commoners access to the council. They too deserve a voice!’

The people were stirred, and everyone focused on the Melpiram family’s stance. Their opinion gained strength from the common folk and started growing. Eventually, a few commoner representatives were allowed into the council.

And there was the problematic figure, ‘Rimres Lowen Melpiram’.
Due to the rumor that the Melpiram family treated everyone equally regardless of status, the number of people wanting to join their private army was increasing. This was not a favorable trend for Claudius.

At this time, he caught wind of the underground republican faction’s movement to recruit Rimres. Seizing the opportunity, Claudius quickly acted and branded him a traitor.

The Melpiram family vanished completely. ‘Ilaiyd Lowen Melpiram’ had long become ‘Ilaiyd K. de Astrid’. Finally, Claudius held the full original power in his hands.

Someday, he would subdue those factions that suggested dethroning the Empress. If he could even sew their mouths shut, then his reign would be perfect.

‘Only mine. My one and only Empress.’

But Ilaiyd never once looked back at him. Always slipping through his grasp, she never meekly bowed her head. A strong person who would not easily yield.

As the one person he couldn’t possess drifted away, an uncontrollable groan escaped Claudius’s lips.

To restrain his overflowing desire, he tightened his grip on Celina, who was in his arms, causing her to let out a shallow cry of pain.

“Ouch, Your Majesty! Why are you doing this?”

“Nothing… It’s nothing. We’re going to the Empress’s palace. It’s time to relieve the accumulated frustrations.”

“Have you missed me that much?”

“…Of course.”

Disgusting lies flowed effortlessly. Going to the Empress’s palace would hardly ease the desires piling up in his throat.

The only one who could unravel Claudius’s heart was Ilaiyd.

**

Inside the moving carriage, Ilaiyd leaned her head against the wall, enduring the overwhelming fatigue.

Sharing and empathizing with so many people’s grief took a significant mental toll. Even if the number of casualties was small, the magnitude of sorrow was not to be underestimated.

The procession was modest, befitting a journey of mourning. They chose inconspicuous carriages and minimized formalities, so the passing people paid little attention.

As she endured the carriage’s jolts, Ilaiyd caught sight of a familiar figure. She instinctively stood up, delighted.

“Your Majesty, that’s dangerous.”

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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