“Did you say I would have killed him?”

“No? Stop joking. It’s not funny.”

I witnessed a vivid flash of a blade right in front of my nose.

Had I not intervened, Duke Brendon would have been bisected on the spot.

Considering Nikolai’s swordsmanship, he might have been minced.

A huge party would have followed, no doubt.

“Executing a noble family head without trial is something only a tyrant would do.”

I massaged my throbbing temples.

Nikolai smirked sarcastically.

“As you well know, I am quite used to criticism.”

“I do support killing those who deserve to die.”

“For once, we agree.”

“But what about the complications afterwards?”

“What is there to worry about when I am here?”

“That’s precisely the problem, Your Majesty.”

“……What?”

“Just imagine, Your Majesty, killing a Duke because he insulted me. ‘The greatest villainess in history has swallowed the empire! What chaos would that bring? Your nickname would change from Casanova Emperor to the worst tyrant in history.”

I explained logically.

But Nikolai was more oblivious than even Franz.

“It doesn’t matter. I’ll kill all those who spew nonsense.”

This, too, was so genuine that it was disconcerting.

“Have you even been listening to what I’ve been saying?”

“I have, and I am impressed.”

“What?”

“You truly are a wise woman. Quickwitted and with a strong backbone. If you were a man, I would have suggested that you lead the Imperial Army.”

Nikolai’s eyes softened as he looked at me.

They were sweet, as if butter and sugar had been spread on toasted bread, drizzled with honey, and topped generously with whipped cream.

He had become more shameless than before.

His expression didn’t even change while he praised me so blatantly.

‘I’m not used to receiving compliments. I don’t even know how to react.’

What if the one complimenting me is the most handsome man in the world?

And if that handsome man is willing to kill for my honor?

All I could do was to fan my suddenly flushed cheeks.

“Women can also lead armies.”

Like my beloved Claudia.

A sour pain spread in my chest.

Nikolai had summoned her.

Claudia was staying in the Inted Islands under the pretext of strengthening the border defenses.

But I knew.

I knew she was already in the capital, undercover in the slums.

“Of course. There are very competent female knights in the Imperial Army.”

Nikolai did not mention Claudia by name.

He knew that I feared her, but didn’t ask for details.

I appreciated his consideration.

However, there was also a heaviness in my chest, as if I had swallowed a rock, because of secrets that would forever remain untold.

“But you cannot become a knight. Nor a general.”

“Why? Because I have to raise Your Majesty’s children?”

Why did I ruin the mood with such words?

If I had stayed quiet, things might have taken a different turn!

Regret gnawed at me as Nikolai placed his large hand on my head.

“No. Because you have to wait for me in this Canaria room.”

“!”

“I want you to stay in a place as comfortable and safe as this.”

“Your Majesty……”

“So that it can always be pleasant when I come to find you.”

His velvety voice enveloped me.

His eyes, shining as if they had been washed in clear brook water, also touched my heart.

He stroked my rosy hair, not very skillfully.

Rather clumsily, in fact.

Yet, in tune with Nikolai’s touch, my heart thumped.

It was a touch that drove away anxiety and concern, a touch so clear.

Is there anything as honest as a heart in a human?

Sometimes I wanted to focus on my heart rather than my mind.

I couldn’t be sure if Nikolai liked me, but I could at least feel that he treasured me.

Even if that feeling vanished as time passed, I would still be happy.

I should be.

But right now, I wanted to cry.

‘My heart hurts so much, as if it’s being gouged out by a sharp knife.’

Nikolai’s visits to the Canaria room wouldn’t be the first.

The door with a lock.
A hole under the door.

A thorny hawthorn fence as thick as a wall.

An elegant interior without a hint of discomfort.

Franz, who harbored hostility towards me.

What did all of this mean?

“The owner of the Canary Room was Laila. Every time Nikolai visited, Laila would have greeted him. Just like I do now.”

Nikolai might not even know he was tracing Laila’s footsteps here.

A man who can’t forget his first love keeping a woman similar to her close.

Obsessing over another woman while remembering the first love he couldn’t protect.

Isn’t this all the epitome of clichés?

The fate of the woman who falls in love with such a man was obvious.

Either win love, or bleed out and become wretched.

I did not want to be the protagonist of such a stale story.

I couldn’t tolerate the man who stole my heart treating me like a substitute.

“I am not a doll that waits only for you.”

It was a voice sharpened to a point.

Perhaps remembering the sensual treatment he received, Nikolai withdrew his hand.

I wanted to ignore the sense of defeat reflected in his turquoise eyes for now.

“What doll would behave so autonomously?”

“Didn’t you say I was wise and courageous?”