It was strange to hear the question from the one who is considered the supreme ruler and tyrant of the empire.
But Karaf spoke with a genuinely perplexed face.
“Every woman I’ve ever known, without exception, loved sparkling things. They would laugh widely or cling to me annoyingly with tears in their eyes when I gave them luxurious gifts like these. But I don’t know why this method doesn’t work on Vanessa… Duran, do you know?”
Duran awkwardly answered.
“Actually, I don’t know either. I don’t know much about women… But Vanessa is definitely different from other women.”
Karaf sighed, pinching his brow.
Duran cautiously said to him.
“Maybe… you just need a little time?”
Karaf questioned as he removed his hand.
“…Time?”
“Yes. Vanessa has probably had mistrust and wariness toward Your Majesty since childhood. But she became Vanessa overnight, so she needs time to adapt, and most importantly, time to get closer to Your Majesty.”
Karaf responded, lost in thought.
“Yes… you’re right. I was too pushy. Vanessa must feel burdened, especially since I had her doing demeaning servant work until the banquet day…”
He sighed deeply, truly regretting why he had done that.
After tormenting her so much, he now suddenly treated her well, which must have seemed shameless and untrustworthy to her.
Actually, the words she said earlier must have been a reproach to him, asking why he hadn’t treated her like this then…
Duran looked at him with a pitiful expression.
“Why did you do that…”
When Karaf glared at him for outright scolding him, Duran quickly averted his eyes.
It really seemed like the situation was going as he had feared.
Karaf restlessly tapped his fingers on the red velvet where the jewels were spread out.
She didn’t even touch these tempting gems, let alone look at them.
As if everything he had was worthless to her, and he had nothing to give her…
He had never felt smooth even before ascending the throne as Emperor, but this was the first time he felt so helpless.
If he wanted something, he would obtain it by any means necessary, even if it meant trampling on others.
He was generous to those who would become his own, but if he could not have something, he would destroy it so that no one else could.
That was the mindset he essentially possessed.
But for some reason, when it came to her, he just became impatient, and a longing burned within him.
He didn’t care if she didn’t love him; it seemed enough if she would just accept the love he offered.
Karaf looked at the accessories on the desk uncomfortably and then spoke to the servants.
“……Remove them. Such trash does not suit Vanessa.”
The servants were taken aback by his words.
The accessories on the desk were certainly not something to be called ‘trash,’ but they obediently followed his instructions, fearing his madness.
Karaf’s eyes sparkled as he spoke.
“I will make a ring that is unique in this world. Bring the most skilled jeweler in the Etzheim Empire.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The chief servant answered politely.
Karaf chewed on the earlier event and let out a slight, incredulous laugh.
A woman who dislikes diamonds in this world…….
He would certainly give Vanessa something that would satisfy her as a gift. So that she knows she is happy by his side.
But Karaf suddenly thought of something and asked with a suddenly serious face.
“Duran. Could it be that Vanessa doesn’t like jewels, but land?”
“……Yes?”
Duran asked in astonishment, but Karaf was lost in deep thought with a very serious face.
Perhaps she, like the high nobles, was not interested in jewels and wanted land.
Since she is the Empress, the scale must be big, after all.
He was not even dreaming that Vanessa hated him, not diamonds.
At this rate, he seemed ready to conquer the continent…….
In the blink of an eye, Karaf, burning with a competitive and conquering spirit, ordered Duran.
“Tell the nobles to make tributes right now.”
(This is the time separator.)
Instead of the suddenly halted banquet at the Imperial Palace, a ‘tribute ceremony’ was held, gathering only the nobles.
Asha thought nothing of it, considering it one of the Emperor’s duties, but was slightly surprised at the directive to attend the tribute ceremony herself.
He wanted her to sit beside him like a butterfly.
He said he would formally introduce her to the nobles at the Butterfly Enthronement Ceremony, but he seemed to have changed his mind.
In fact, he wanted to introduce her to the nobles as his woman and stamp his approval as soon as possible.
As Asha took her seat next to him, Karaf solemnly commanded in a dignified manner.
“Bring in the tribute.”
The banquet hall doors opened, and the nobles came in one by one.
“We greet the Emperor, the flower of the Empire, and Vanessa, the butterfly of the Empire.”
Asha looked impassively at the familiar faces.
The five noble families of Lilac, Blossom, Iris, Delphinium, and Freesia, who protect the Etzheim Empire along with the Emperor.
Called the ‘Five Petals’ of the Etzheim Empire, they, like Duran, each had hair colors symbolizing their families.
As they entered the banquet hall, their eyes were all drawn to Asha, who sat beside Karaf.
‘Is that the woman who was chosen as Vanessa this time.’
The Male lead Always Seduces Her with His Beauty (Matriarchy)
Xin Jiao Zhou is the leader of the world’s premier sect. She has just experienced betrayal from all sides, was poisoned in an assassination attempt, and faced death squad attacks while the poison was taking effect. After finally clearing out the scum from her sect, she was drugged again while trying to detoxify.
After waking up from a night of unconsciousness, she gained a “beautiful and kind-hearted” husband.
Xin Jiao Zhou: “???”
He fell ill.
She came to see him, bringing breakfast.
As she put down the breakfast and was about to leave, his hand slipped while holding the spoon. “Clank!”
She turned around upon hearing the noise.
He looked up at her, his eyebrows drooping: “My hand… has no strength.”
“Shall I… feed you?” she asked tentatively.
He opened his mouth cheerfully: “Ah—”
Thinking she was drowning, he jumped in without hesitation to save her, but nearly drowned himself. In the end, it was she who swam over to rescue him, giving him air underwater.
After emerging from the water, his ear tips turned red. He lightly brushed his cheek, tucking his sideburns behind his ear, revealing delicate, pink-tinged ear tips. He lowered his gaze, too embarrassed to look at her.
Xin Jiao Zhou: He’s truly beautiful, kind-hearted, and adorable.
A certain someone when disciplining subordinates behind the scenes: “If they don’t obey, just kill them.”
What’s that? She might already have someone she cares about in her heart? A certain someone: Find out who it is, kill them, and then there won’t be anyone.
What? She met a man by the riverside? What? That man even hurt her? A certain someone: Whichever hand hurt her, chop off his entire arm.
Love at first sight without realizing it, gradually falling in love, slowly getting closer…
Family and national grudges, schemes and desires, good and evil, crime and punishment, she and he face the future together, seeking justice with passion!
A naturally dark female lead who could accidentally destroy the world but is actually an honest person VS a weak, pitiful, and helpless but skilled fighter, beautiful white-cut black male lead
My heart is not of stone, how steadfast is your love? — Tao Yuanming “Imitating the Ancients (No. 3)”
— Reading Guide —
Cold female lead & dramatic black lotus with hidden yandere traits male lead
