“Are you saying I would have killed him?”

“No? Stop joking. It’s not funny.”

I witnessed a clear killing intent right before my eyes.

If I hadn’t stopped him, Marquis Brenden would have been cut in half on the spot.

Considering Nikolai’s swordsmanship, he might have been diced into pieces.

A wild party would have followed after that.

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

I rubbed my throbbing temples firmly.

Nikolai gave a cold smile.

“As you know, I’m very used to criticism.”

“I agree that people who deserve to die should be killed.”

“For once, we’re in agreement.”

“But what about my difficult position afterwards?”

“What’s there to worry about when I’m here?”

“That’s exactly the problem with Your Majesty.”

“…What?”

“If Your Majesty kills a marquis just for insulting me, there would be an uproar! The greatest villainess has devoured the empire! Your Majesty’s nickname would change from the Casanova Emperor to the worst tyrant in history.”

I explained logically, step by step.

But Nikolai was an even more unreasonable person than Franz.

“It doesn’t matter. I’ll kill everyone who spouts nonsense.”

This too was sincere, making me feel dizzy.

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

“I listened, and I’m impressed.”

“Pardon?”

“You are truly a wise woman. Quick-witted and gutsy too. If you were a man, I would have asked you to command the imperial army under me.”

Nikolai’s eyes softened as he looked at me.

They were as sweet as buttered toast sprinkled with sugar, drizzled with honey, and topped with a generous dollop of whipped cream.

He had become more brazen than before.

Seeing how his expression didn’t change at all while giving such blatant compliments.

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

What if the one praising you is the most handsome man in the world?

What if that handsome man would even commit murder for your honor?

All I could do was fan my inexplicably flushed cheeks.

“Women can lead armies too.”

Like my favorite Claudia.

A bittersweet pain spread in my chest.

Nikolai had summoned her.

Claudia was staying in the Inted Islands under the pretext of strengthening security in advance.

But I knew.

That she had already entered the capital and was secretly moving through the slums.

“Of course. There are excellent female knights in the imperial army as well.”

Nikolai didn’t mention Claudia’s name.

He must know that I fear her, though I don’t ask for details.

I was grateful for his consideration.

On the other hand, my chest felt heavy, like I had swallowed a stone, because of the secret I could never reveal.

“But you can’t become a knight. The same goes for being a general.”

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

Why do I ruin the mood with words like this?

If I had just kept quiet, things might have gone smoothly!

As I chewed on my regrets, Nikolai placed his large hand on my head.

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

“!”

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

“Your Majesty…”

“So that coming to see you can remain as enjoyable as it is now.”

His soft voice enveloped me.

His clear eyes, shining as if washed in a clear stream, also touched my heart.

He stroked my bright red hair as if soothing an upset child.

He wasn’t skilled at it.

Rather, he was quite clumsy.

But still, my heart pounded in sync with Nikolai’s gentle strokes.

It was a clear sensation that blew away anxiety and worry.

Is there a part of a human more honest than the heart?

Sometimes I wanted to focus on the heart rather than the head.

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

Even if that feeling was just a fleeting goodwill that would evaporate over time, I should be happy.

That’s how it should be.

But now I wanted to cry.

‘My chest hurts so much. Like my heart is being carved out with a sharp knife.’

This wouldn’t be Nikolai’s first visit to the canary room.

The locked door.

The feeding hatch at the bottom of the door.

The dense hedge of holly bushes like a barrier.

The elegant interior without a trace of discomfort.

Franz, who used to harbor hostility towards me.

What did all of this mean?

‘Laila must have been the previous occupant of the canary room. She would have welcomed Nikolai whenever he visited. Just like I do now.’

Nikolai might be tracing Laila’s remnants here.

A man unable to forget his first love, keeping a similar woman close.

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

Aren’t these all clichés among clichés?

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

Either win his love, or become devastated while bleeding profusely.

I didn’t want to be the protagonist of such a tawdry story.

I also couldn’t tolerate being treated as a substitute by the man who had stolen my heart.

“I’m not a doll who only waits for Your Majesty.”

It was a sharply honed voice.

Nikolai withdrew his hand, perhaps recalling when he had been treated as a womanizer.

I wanted to ignore the dismay settling in his sea-green eyes for now.

“What kind of doll would be as willful as you?”

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

“As wise as you are arrogant, and as gutsy as you are fearless.”

“See? Those are all things unrelated to dolls.”

I thoroughly mocked Nikolai’s words.

The corners of his mouth drew a neat arc.

“It drives me crazy that I don’t dislike it.”

Don’t get excited, heart.

This isn’t the time for that.

“And it drives me crazy that the woman who said she’d take responsibility for me keeps trying to rush into danger without thinking.”

He bit the corner of his lip.

His already red lips flushed crimson.

I swallowed hard, vividly remembering that sensation.

Who would have thought I’d come to know someone else’s lips better than my own.

If he weren’t the original tyrant but an ordinary man, I’d fold this moment neatly and cherish it preciously.

“You don’t need to worry about the bet. Everything will work out fine.”

“What makes you so confident of victory?”

“You’ll find out soon.”

“You still have many secrets.”

“Your Majesty’s patience seems to be not what it used to be.”

I meant to tell him not to go around wielding his sword, but Nikolai furrowed his brow.

“You are truly insensitive.”

“About what?”

“My patience has grown stronger since meeting you, and I’m benefiting from that patience even now.”

“I don’t understand what you mean.”

“If it weren’t for my patience reaching new heights, I would have already…”

He couldn’t finish his sentence.

Instead, a burning thirst pooled in his eyes, clearer than emeralds.

His nose bridge, jaw, and lips were all taut with tension.

It was impossible not to know what kind of flames were surging within Nikolai, what kind of patience he was exercising.

It was hard to look away.

Because those crackling flames had caught on me as well.

His lips drew a handful closer.

I turned my head to the side, swallowing the saliva pooled in my mouth.

“It’s gotten quite late. I have a lot to do early tomorrow.”

The heat blazing in Nikolai’s eyes disappeared.

Bewilderment, disappointment, and regret passed in succession, leaving only an expressionless mask feigning indifference.

“I will judge fairly.”

Nikolai said.

He wasn’t consumed by anger, nor was he sneering.

Just so detached that I couldn’t even force a smile as I nodded.

“That’s what I’ve been looking forward to.”

“Don’t forget our contract either.”

“…I understand.”

“I’ll pray for your victory in the bet with Marquis Brenden. But I will be the victor in this game of seduction.”

Nikolai left with those words.

He still didn’t seem to know.

That I had lost long ago.

That even while ruminating on my bitter defeat, I wished to remain by his side.

Spring had deepened.

The sunlight was warm and flowers bloomed profusely.

I made excuses of a headache to shake off Franz and sat lost in thought in the rear garden.

After admitting I had been seduced by Nikolai, everything felt futile.

‘At times like this, I should be working hard to gather talented people…’

But I could only think of Nikolai as tiny pink petals piled up on my shoulders.

Cheeky little Nikolais ran rampant in my mind.

Knowing I couldn’t chase them away easily, I let them be.

“See! I told you this would happen.”

“Some femme fatale you turned out to be.”

“Let’s go find another woman now! There might not be anyone prettier than Laila though.”

“I hope the new occupant of the canary room is more docile.”

Who caused all the trouble in the first place?

Who asked to be taken responsibility for?

Who pulled back when trying to kiss?

Hating Nikolai for bewitching an innocent Confucian girl, but then missing him again, my head kept turning towards the main palace.

‘What a pathetic sight. There’s Boritz, Owen, and mountains of work to do. Next week I have to bet my entire fortune too.’

I roughly brushed off the petals and moved to leave.

That’s when I spotted Douglas.

“Sir Douglas?”

“Did you enjoy your walk?”

Douglas asked, his eyes creasing gently.

I hadn’t been walking, and Douglas knew that.

I also realized our meeting wasn’t coincidental.

The same flower petals that were on me were stuck to his hair and shoulders.

‘The literature lesson ended a while ago… How long has he been watching me?’

I was curious, but didn’t ask.

The precarious wall between Douglas and me seemed about to crumble at any moment.

Douglas draped his outer coat over my shoulders with a warm smile.

A faint scent of soap, fresh paper, and light ink.

Even Douglas’s body scent was kind.

“Congratulations. I heard the second volume of ‘The Red Star of the Empire’ became a bestseller too?”

“It’s thanks to meeting an excellent editor and illustrator.”

That illustrator, I might know her a little.

“What use would that be if the work itself wasn’t excellent?”

“You flatter me.”

“I heard the palace maids are hanging around the Crown Prince’s palace trying to catch a glimpse of you, Sir Douglas. Letters and gifts are pouring in too.”

“It’s not me they want to see.”

“Then who?”

“The fantasy novelist, I suppose.”

“I bet you’re probably better looking than that fantasy novelist. I guarantee it.”

Douglas lowered his head, seemingly embarrassed by the playful compliment.

But he didn’t blush or get flustered like before.

Is it because I’m no longer the Elizabeth of the past?

Or because Douglas’s heart has grown stronger?

This time walking together wearing his coat felt more comfortable than being alone.

Even though I knew it was a selfish feeling.

“Elizabeth. Thank you for recommending Susan for that prestigious position.”

“Susan was chosen for her skills.”

“I’ve never seen Susan so happy before. She’s showing great enthusiasm to become a pharmacist and carry on her grandfather’s legacy.”

“Don’t worry about the workload. I asked the court healer to consider Susan’s physical condition.”

“I don’t know how to repay the kindness Elizabeth has shown.”

If it were an ordinary person, they would have waved it off, saying not to mention it.

But I wasn’t that kind of character.

“What if an opportunity to repay that kindness has come?”