“What do you see me as?”

Was it anger? Was it sorrow?

A voice unable to hide the surging emotions flowed from between Nikolai’s red lips.

Bluish veins stood out on the back of the hand gripping a cheap beer mug.

“An embodiment of lust? A womanizer who drools at the sight of any woman?”

“Aren’t you?”

“You know nothing. Who I am, how I live.”

Nikolai’s green eyes sank coldly.

He succeeded in changing the subject, but the intimate pleasure of focusing solely on each other amidst the raucous commotion also disappeared.

I gathered my wits, which had been loosened by his unusual kindness and delicious food today.

“You said you seem honest, but everything about you is full of secrets. The same goes for Your Majesty.”

“……”

“I don’t know what you’re thinking, why you make such expressions, why you suddenly change. You don’t tell me either.”

“Sometimes it’s better not to know.”

“Then before lamenting that I don’t understand your inner thoughts, reflect on yourself. How honest have you been, Your Majesty?”

The more time I spent with him, the more I felt like I was wandering through a labyrinth.

Nikolai was so different from the original tyrant.

He didn’t match the emperor known to the public either.

More polite, more hateful, more dangerous. And beautiful.

‘I’ve been curious from the beginning. Why he forced the contract, why he eats meals with me, why he shows a different face only to me.’

He tried to grab my nape with the face of a ferocious beast, but my curiosity didn’t subside.

Rather, it grew larger day by day.

Nikolai always stirred up unfamiliar sensations.

He also awakened emotions I thought were cumbersome.

If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have known how comfortable a man’s embrace could be.

I wouldn’t have known that I like long, firm fingers, or that I’m swayed by someone who buys me delicious things.

Also, that a man who has everything can look so pitiful that I want to hug him.

“Tell me. What kind of person are you, Your Majesty?”

Nikolai just stared at me blankly without replying.

The silence lengthened.

The careful question was met with obvious disappointment.

Maybe it was an illusion that I felt special.

We were just seducing each other according to the contract.

It was all what I wanted.

Then why do I feel like crying?

‘You can’t even be honest yourself, what are you expecting from Nikolai? What difference would it make if you knew? What could you do?’

The truth was heavy for both the one revealing it and the one receiving it.

Truth treated lightly can become an indelible wound.

An inescapable responsibility for both the one demanding the truth and the one confessing it.

In contrast, how convenient are secrets and lies?

We fell into an even narrower and more solid silence.

As the fatty meat was turning white and hardening, Nikolai opened his mouth.

“You are Elizabeth.”

“?”

“Elizabeth Emster knows everything.”

“What do you mean?”

“Aren’t you always piercing through the truth, always one step ahead?”

He’s been seeing me like that all this time?

It sounded like a compliment, but soon turned bitter.

“Your Majesty doesn’t know anything about me either.”

“That’s also true.”

“I too am struggling with all my might every moment. I’m writhing and floundering.”

“It doesn’t look that way.”

“See? You haven’t seen properly.”

Don’t say any more, Elizabeth.

You won’t be understood anyway.

The fear and loneliness are yours alone.

He’s just stimulating you while looking into your innocence and ignorance.

As I was steeling my heart like that, Nikolai uttered in a voice so low I could barely hear.

“Still, I… don’t want to be misunderstood.”

“…Pardon?”

“I don’t want to be hated by you either.”

What should I do with this man?

Those green flames flickering like a wounded child.

Those beautiful eyes looking at me with earnest desire.

“If I confess, will you reveal everything too?”

“What do you want to hear?”

“I want to know what you really want.”

“……”

“What you’re afraid of. Why you’re being chased even in your dreams. Why you think you’ll die soon.”

I stopped breathing for a moment.

Just stepping on the edge of the layers of secrets made me dizzy.

‘How much does Nikolai know? Should I reveal a little? No. I shouldn’t act impulsively. It might be an elaborate scheme.’

My hesitation lengthened.

We had a contract, but no trust between us.

I always found that chafing, like a thorn stuck in my throat.

“You don’t answer after all.”

His tone was bitter, as if he had expected it.

“Are you disappointed?”

“No. If it were easy, I would have been disappointed.”

I blinked at the unexpected answer.

Nikolai’s lips curved into a languid smile.

His sharp gaze, which had been on edge all along, also softened slightly.

“Didn’t I tell you? You are harder to conquer than any fortress.”

“…!”

“That’s what makes you valuable.”

He wiped the sauce off the corner of my mouth with his thumb.

It was too early to blush.

Nikolai licked the sauce he had wiped off with his thumb.

His eyes remained fixed on me.

A moist pink tongue appeared and disappeared between his sensual lips.

I felt weak, and my mouth went dry.

I wanted to borrow the effects of alcohol.

I snatched the wooden beer mug from his hand.

“Let me have a sip too.”

As I was about to moisten my parched lips, Nikolai took the beer mug back.

“I don’t allow alcohol.”

“Why?”

“You’ll wet my chest again, won’t you?”

Nikolai fiddled with the front of his shirt.

He was talking about the clothes that had been soiled with tears and snot, but my heart sank.

It felt like something hidden in my heart had been bitten.

“No alcohol. No crying either.”

“Is that an imperial order?”

“It’s a plea.”

This man is a bewitching creature.

The rumors about him enchanting women are undoubtedly true.

Nikolai was always ahead in the game of seduction.

My pulse was racing, and he cornered me in a new way.

“I’ve summoned Lady Claudia Rozlois.”

“!”

“Would you like to meet her too?”

[This is the timeline separator]

Simon was forced to kneel in a moldy basement.

A mysterious woman behind a translucent veil murmured.

“I told you not to disappoint me, Simon.”

“It’s not my fault! That wench Elizabeth…!”

“Stop whining. What little affection I have left for you is about to run out.”

“The emperor has gone mad. He’s lost his senses, wrapped up in that wench’s skirts.”

“For six years, the elders have said the same thing. But the empire is still intact.”

The woman’s voice grew harsh.

Simon chose to remain silent for a moment.

“Simon. Was it you who poisoned the crown prince?”

“Absolutely not! Wasn’t it you who did it, Your Grace?”

“Do you think I would use such a shallow method?”

“Then who would try to harm the crown prince?”

“Well. There are too many worms trying to aim for Hartmann’s heart without knowing their place.”

“You mean one of the other empresses did it?”

“The Minister of Internal Affairs is shaking them down, so something will come out.”

“We should make the first move!”

“Are you suggesting treason? Just because you lost your position as a fencing instructor?”

Simon’s shoulders twitched.

The woman replied with a sneer.

“A revolution needs justification. There needs to be a fatal event that all the people will acknowledge.”

“So his depraved private life isn’t enough?”

“The ignorant masses don’t care what the emperor does. As long as they’re well-fed and warm, they don’t care who rules the country.”

“Then what should I do?”

As if exasperated at having to spell everything out, the woman let out a long sigh.

“Haa… We can’t touch the crown prince for now. And you can no longer exert influence like before.”

“It may sound like an excuse, but Elizabeth is no ordinary wench. She has a viper’s tongue.”

“Are you afraid of that wench?”

“How could that be!”

“Don’t seek me out for a while. The Minister of Internal Affairs’ minions are everywhere.”

“Are you… casting me aside?”

“Don’t look so sad, Simon.”

“How can I regain Your Grace’s trust?”

Simon asked in a desperate tone.

The woman’s immediate answer came back.

“Bring me that wench’s head.”

“!”

“I cannot stand by and watch such a thing run wild in my courtyard.”

A chilling energy settled in Simon’s eyes, which had been wavering for a moment.

“Please wait just a little longer.”

“Don’t rush. As you said, she’s not an easy opponent.”

“I will be cautious, and cautious again.”

“Has there been a reply from the southern border?”

“It’s going smoothly. Good news will come soon.”

“It had better. If you want to keep seeing me.”

“Your Grace is all I have.”

“I don’t keep incompetent men by my side. Unless they provide some special entertainment.”

The woman extended the toe of her shoe from behind the veil.

As if he had discovered the most precious treasure in the world, Simon crawled to the woman’s feet.

Simon, who could finally prove his worth, swore in a trembling voice.

“I will bring you the head of Elizabeth, who insulted me and disturbed Your Grace’s mood.”

[This is the timeline separator]

Even after leaving the skewer restaurant, Elizabeth remained quiet.

‘I pushed Elizabeth too hard. I shouldn’t be greedy. I should just stay quiet.’

Nikolai took in her side profile illuminated by moonlight.

His gaze was briefly captivated by the bridge of her nose and lips extending from her round forehead.

Though she had only taken a sip of beer, both her cheeks were flushed rose-pink.

Her eyebrows, drawn as if each hair had been painted individually, and her eyelashes, spreading out evenly like fan ribs, were a deep crimson.

It was a captivating color that stirred Nikolai’s heart at will and secretly dyed it.

‘I wanted to be understood, and I wanted to understand. But I was clumsy this time too, it seems.’

As soon as Claudia’s name came up, Elizabeth stiffened.

Dark eyes sinking turbidly. Pale lips trembling slightly.

He was suddenly afraid she might shed thick tears.

But Elizabeth smiled brilliantly.

“I’d like to meet her too. Please call for me when Lady Rozlois enters the palace. I’ll be looking forward to it!”

Elizabeth was shaken enough that she had to put on such a lively voice.

Nikolai could only chew on his regret, still not knowing the reason.

“Let’s go somewhere less crowded. The emperor’s carriage is too conspicuous.”

“What about the guard knights?”

“I told them to hide, but it seems you’ve already noticed them.”

“I just guessed. There’s no way Your Majesty would move alone.”

“You are indeed clever.”

“I’m honored that you finally recognize it.”

Elizabeth lifted her dress hem with a graceful movement.

‘Does this mean I can praise her without hesitation?’

Nikolai was practicing a few things.

Being honest with his own emotions was one of them.

He was still clumsy.

He was making painful mistakes over and over.

But to unlock the lock of the heart, a key was needed.

Since Elizabeth wouldn’t easily give up the key, Nikolai intended to knock and knock again.

It was fine even if a year or ten years passed.

He had confidence in his patience, at least.

“If there’s somewhere you want to go, we can look around before returning to the palace.”

“With Your Majesty?”

“If you’re alright with it.”

“You buy me delicious food and escort me too. It’s an honor for my family.”

“I’m glad you appreciate it.”

“Actually, there is somewhere I’d like to go. Will you come with me?”

Nikolai’s face brightened up before he could hide it.

Elizabeth was trying to give him a chance.

He almost grabbed her hand.

In fact, he wanted to wrap one arm around her slender waist and pull her close.

However.

“Nicky. I smell the scent of the netherworld flower.”

The wolf whispered.

In front of what might be his last chance, the cursed chain wrapped around Nikolai’s neck.

A slave of fate wearing the emperor’s crown.

For the first time, Nikolai contemplated rebellion.