“So, it wasn’t because of Douglas that you wanted the divine object?”

“Why does Sir Douglas suddenly come up?”

“I thought you were trying to confirm love by getting the wedding gift back.”

“I told you, it has nothing to do with Sir Douglas!”

Nikolai still seemed unconvinced.

I said it’s because I’m a medium, why keep talking about love?

“That’s not proof that you don’t love him.”

“Why do I need proof?”

“Because you two might be conspiring to take revenge on me.”

‘What delusion? Revenge? Even a tyrant can be scared, I guess?’

Nikolai was frighteningly serious.

That made it even more bewildering.

“Shouldn’t you be doubting my spiritual power in this situation?”

“Whether you’re a medium or not doesn’t matter.”

“Why?”

“Because nothing will change.”

“…!”

“You will still be by my side, and I will not let you go.”

Nikolai emphasized each word as he spoke.

A strong light of certainty or belief settled in his eyes.

My whole body went limp and my heart fluttered.

It was hard to control my emotions.

It was even harder to ignore Nikolai’s fierce approach.

What could that be?

Hot like a raging flame, and sinister like the muzzle of a wolf baring its fangs.

‘Possessiveness.’

The word flashed through my mind.

I tried to shake my head, but even that was difficult.

‘Don’t waver, Elizabeth. We’re just talking about the contract. Don’t forget he’s the empire’s number one playboy!’

I bit the inside of my cheek.

It took time for my breath to return.

Nikolai knew how to capture a woman’s attention.

He must be well-versed in lines that captivate women’s hearts.

He sometimes acts clumsy, but it might be a sophisticated technique to pique curiosity.

I gulped down the cold tea into my churning stomach.

It didn’t calm me at all.

“I saved Your Majesty’s son. Please remember that.”

“You really didn’t conspire with Douglas, right?”

“I was kidnapped without even having time for that?”

“You weren’t fooled by his innocent face, were you?”

Nikolai asked sharply.

He seemed to be suffering from some kind of trauma.

‘Was Douglas’s defiance such a shock? To be delusional about possible revenge…’

Being an emperor didn’t seem as easy as one might think.

After heaving a sigh, I decided to show some sympathy.

“Sir Douglas and I are friends. We’re not at all the kind of relationship you’re imagining, Your Majesty.”

Nikolai, who had been urging for an answer, was now silent.

Instead, the corner of his mouth curled up crookedly.

The angle of his jaw also lifted subtly.

An arrogant ruler wrapped in irresistible beauty.

‘He makes this expression when he’s satisfied or in a good mood. I don’t know what’s so enjoyable though.’

In fact, I had many things I wanted to ask him.

Not because of the guillotine nightmare, but I sometimes stayed up all night because of questions I couldn’t ask.

What kind of man are you?

What do you want from me?

Is the game everything to you?

Lately, I found myself thinking about him more and more without realizing it.

But I had to erase it.

That was how I could survive.

Pushing aside my complicated thoughts, I jokingly spoke up.

“You’ve seen what an excellent talent I am, right? Stop hesitating and approve it!”

“You haven’t been recognized by Franz as an education officer yet, have you?”

“It’s only a matter of time before approval comes.”

It wasn’t just bravado.

Franz was now practically in the palm of my hand.

“A wealthy woman like you wouldn’t want money. What do you want for tuition?”

Nikolai took my boastful words as a joke, but I seized the opportunity to answer.

“First, give me this.”

I pulled the eye of Morasynthia that was on the tea table towards me.

A strange light flashed in Nikolai’s eyes.

“Are you taking back what you’ve given?”

“I’ll check on Your Majesty’s health later too.”

“Not interested.”

“Who knows? You might have constipation.”

“Hey!”

Nikolai raised his voice abruptly.

I couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

Very few people must have seen the tyrant’s cheeks turn red.

[This is the timeline separator]

“The fencing instructor and professors are enough. We don’t need an education officer.”

Franz’s stubbornness remained.

Elizabeth moved close to Franz’s side.

“Your Highness. Please lend me your ear for a moment.”

Nikolai watched Elizabeth’s whisper with his arms crossed.

It was then that Franz’s attitude changed.

“I was wrong. I’ll be in your care, Teacher Elizabeth.”

He even bowed politely.

It was hard to believe even seeing it with my own eyes.

“Let’s do well together from now on. Hoho.”

Elizabeth patted Franz’s head.

Franz, who used to avoid even Nikolai’s touch, showed no sign of discomfort.

‘Is it true that she has mysterious powers? If I do as Elizabeth says, can I go back to how it was with Finch?’

Hope that had faded fiercely knocked on my chest again.

That too was an unfamiliar sensation.

But I couldn’t let my guard down.

Everything was flowing according to Elizabeth’s will.

‘My heart is moving according to Elizabeth’s will too. I need to stay alert. She might be a villainess who bewitches people. She might even be a witch.’

When I heard that Franz had a problem, I thought the sky was falling.

It was all my fault.

Nikolai had to control and predict every situation.

If he had properly protected Franz, this wouldn’t have happened.

“Protect Finch. That’s my last wish.”

Laila’s voice stirred up my guilt.

I was impatient and flustered.

Unbearable anger filled my throat and heated up the inside of my eyes.

I had to kill them all.

Reason was useless in the face of instinct.

If Elizabeth hadn’t been by my side, if her delicate body’s cherry blossom scent hadn’t soothed me, I would have chosen the path of destruction without hesitation.

I would have annihilated the group that spread death and fear and harmed my precious one.

In fact, Nikolai had done similar things several times before.

Without any hesitation.

‘If I had done that, Elizabeth would have despised me. Even though she pretends to be selfish, she can’t stand seeing innocent people oppressed.’

The only reason Nikolai could pretend to be calm was because of Elizabeth.

He didn’t want to disappoint her who had detected Franz’s change instead of him.

To be more honest, he didn’t want to be hated.

Just like when he was unknowingly drawn to Elizabeth’s red, plump lips.

“Is it Your Majesty’s method to harass a woman caged in a birdcage? If so, Your Majesty will never truly win.”

It was a haughty voice, but she was trembling slightly.

Elizabeth was different from the women who desperately desired Nikolai’s touch.

Nikolai, accustomed to the appearance of other women, felt shame. More than that, the fact that he was rejected by Elizabeth was a bigger shock.

He was anxious about not being able to approach her in the future, about not being able to taste her sweetness.

The only way to completely possess Elizabeth was to win the seduction game.

What other way could there be?

“To win someone’s heart, understanding comes first. It’s a step you can’t just skip over.”

Nikolai was about to embark on a challenge he had never attempted before.

The effort to understand Elizabeth, to take the first step in winning her heart.

At that moment, a servant brought the news Nikolai had been waiting for.

‘Even the heavens are on my side.’

A picture-perfect smile spread across Nikolai’s face.

It was time to regain the pace that had been completely taken over by Elizabeth.

“Congratulations on becoming the education officer, Elizabeth.”

“I will serve Your Highness with all my heart.”

“Let me introduce you to the new language professor and court literary scholar.”

“Was there such a person in the imperial palace?”

“You’ll know when you meet them.”

[This is the timeline separator]

“It’s been a while, Lady Elizabeth.”

Douglas smiled shyly.

His pink hair reminiscent of pink muhly grass and his soft brown eyes like freshly baked bread remained the same.

The unique atmosphere that made people around him feel comfortable hadn’t changed either.

I was so happy I could almost cry, but worry came first.

“You’ve lost weight, Sir Douglas.”

“Elizabeth looks healthy. I’m finally at ease now.”

“Why did you come to the imperial palace?”

“His Majesty appointed me as the language professor for the Crown Prince. I was also entrusted with the role of court literary scholar.”

“What deer would come on its own when a beast calls?”

“Haha. Am I a deer?”

Douglas smiled, his eyes crinkling.

Nikolai immediately bristled.

“Who are you calling a beast?”

“Your Majesty. What’s your purpose in bringing in Sir Douglas?”

“Your words are too harsh, Lady Elizabeth. His Majesty has only given me an opportunity.”

Douglas tried to stop me.

He seemed worried that I might incur Nikolai’s wrath.

“He’s the one who’s been dying to eat you up, Sir Douglas. How can you say such a person gave you an opportunity?”

“That’s…”

Douglas opened his mouth.

Unable to wait, Nikolai cut in.

“Being the Crown Prince’s teacher is a great honor. It’s proof that one has respectable cultivation and learning.”

“I am humbled and honored, Your Majesty.”

“It’s a chance to restore the honor of the marquis family wallowing in the mud. I’ve shown mercy to a criminal who deserves to be executed for treason.”

“I will never forget it, Your Majesty.”

“Don’t do anything presumptuous from now on, Marquis Nettleton.”

Nikolai warned in a chilling voice.

Douglas seemed to truly believe he had received imperial favor.

“Sir Douglas. This isn’t such a simple matter, you know?”

“I’m just so happy to be able to meet you like this, Lady Elizabeth. I thought I would never see you again.”

“You don’t know His Majesty’s dark intentions!”

Nikolai shrugged his shoulders as if greatly wronged.

“Who are you saying has a dark heart? You’ve never even seen it.”

That slick appearance made my blood boil.

I grabbed Nikolai’s sleeve and pulled him.

“Your Majesty. Look at me for a moment.”

“Are you requesting a secret meeting?”

“Of course not!”

I took Nikolai, who was licking his lips, to a place out of Douglas’s sight.

Whatever he was thinking, Nikolai couldn’t hide his smile.

“Your Majesty. Have you forgotten our contract? We agreed not to involve others!”

“You changed the contract too, so I’m going to change it as well.”

“What?”

“If you don’t like it, you can terminate the contract.”

Nikolai brought his face close to mine.

My fists clenched involuntarily.

‘This foxy man has noticed. That I can’t give up the seduction game. He called Douglas here to pressure me!’

I couldn’t entirely blame Nikolai.

I was the one who changed the contract in my favor first.

“How did you change it?”

“I just added one clause.”

“What is it?”

“It wouldn’t be fun if I told you easily.”

Nikolai raised the corner of his mouth as he looked down at me fuming.

But that was only for a moment.

“Your Majesty. May I have a private conversation with Lady Elizabeth?”

Douglas asked.

Suddenly, the smile disappeared from Nikolai’s face.

He emitted a condensed black aura, like steam escaping from a rice cooker.

“Private? What do you want to do in private?”

Was he unaware that Nikolai’s aura was not normal?

Or had the person changed?

Douglas answered while staring directly into the tyrant’s fierce eyes.