“Is he insane?”

I truly had such a question. It couldn’t be helped.

Asking about my health?

Leonarda had been frequently unwell, and yet there had been no interest in her until now.

“The palace has a resident physician, so don’t worry.”

“I’ll select quality herbal remedies to assist with your well-being.”

“There’s no need for that…”

In an instant, I realized that something was odd.

“Wait, did he just address me formally?”

Enrique used honorifics with me? Nobles seemed equally shocked, though Enrique was the only one acting unfazed. He nonchalantly opened his mouth again. It was truly audacious.

“The Empress’s health is a matter of concern that should be tended to by her ‘husband,’ who would be me. Please decline.”

There seemed to be a deliberate emphasis on the word ‘husband’… Was he really insane?

I glanced at the nobles with a gaze that questioned why the Emperor was behaving like this, but no one seemed to know.

“Hmm.”

If you wanted to take care of your health, you should have done it earlier. What kind of backtracking is this?

If I were certain that I was dealing with Astoroth and he spoke like this, I wouldn’t just be grateful – I’d want to strangle him immediately.

How dare he talk about health in front of me after I personally killed him, severing his spine and all?

“This is so awkward. Suddenly acting like this, I don’t know how to respond.”

“How can there be anything to respond to? I admit that I’ve been neglectful so far. However, pretending that this sudden change in our relationship is a good thing is not right.”

Enrique’s sanctity, although slightly diminished, was still damnably pure. It didn’t feel corrupted.

Bellifor wouldn’t dare to think of eating Enrique, and indeed, his soul remained intact.

If there really was a change of heart…

“Now let’s live like an ordinary couple.”

“Yes. The Empress is undoubtedly my wife. I, too, am a husband. I’ve realized this a bit late.”

Look at this cheeky fellow.

I stared at Enrique in bewilderment. Even though he received my icy gaze, he didn’t retreat in the least, calmly turning his eyes back to me.

His indigo eyes, unfazed like thick velvet curtains, didn’t reveal what was hidden inside.

I couldn’t even fathom what was going on in his mind, what desires he harbored, and why he suddenly behaved like this.

“Since we’re not preparing for a divorce, we’re still a married couple, aren’t we?”

Enrique asked in an even-toned voice, facing me while the whole court was watching. I had only one response.

“…Yes.”

“I’d like to send medicine, but I suspect you won’t take it. Still, I’ll send herbal remedies.”

How did he know that?
As soon as I received it, I wanted to order to throw it in the trash, but there’s no choice. Since precious medicinal herbs aren’t at fault, I should either give them as a gift to the court maids or knights in the palace at the end of the year.

“When turning away, he turns neatly. I wonder if he knows I’m Astoroth.”

He must have smelled my magical aura…

“Maybe he’s forgotten all the time we spent together and won’t notice.”

It was one of the most intense moments in my long, immortal life.

But it might mean nothing to Enrique.

“Come to think of it…”

Walking out of the meeting room and stopping in the corridor, I had a bitter realization.

“When you met me back then, you never once said my scent reminded you of cinnamon sugar.”

Even though he must have smelled my scent.

“Not even once, never mistakenly asked me about it.”

“Perhaps you had to conceal it, the fact that you could smell it, as it must have been a special power of yours.”

A bitter laughter echoed in my throat.

Theology also teaches about the magical aura of demons. Therefore, Enrique must have known what a magical aura is.

And he probably pretended not to know about the scent of cinnamon sugar while pretending to love me.

“Although I’m a demon, this is truly filthy.”

I prefer honest humans.

Someone with a bright and lively personality is a bit burdensome, and someone calm and composed, sincere and open…

“Yes, someone like Merem is my ideal type, huh?”

As I stood still, Giovanni Kyung and Showpen Kyung, who had followed as today’s bodyguards, and my officials who were following behind also stopped their steps.

Feeling the waiting gazes of the people and noticing their confusion, I hurriedly resumed walking.

But my mind was now filled with thoughts of Merem.

“I miss Merem.”

I wanted to purify my eyes and heart, which had become filthy from Enrique.

Seeing Merem’s face, holding his warm hand, and meeting his eyes would quickly dispel this bad feeling.

“Take a walk alone for a moment.”

“I’d like to take a walk with Your Majesty… Is that not possible?”

As I came out to the main palace garden and said so, Squirrel, who usually complies with my requests, stuck to me.

I wanted to allow it, but it went against the intention of bringing all the officials here today. So, I nodded slightly.

“Everyone, go and enjoy the main palace. Showpen Kyung will guide you.”

“Ah… understood.”