The Empress' Scandalous Paramour - Chapter 57

“Gladly.”

Many people were already dancing to the slow waltz tempo.

I took Shylo’s hand and joined them, and as soon as I did, it was as if the sea had parted.

‘Oh, have I been caught?’

Well, with twelve empresses all here, it’s natural to be suspicious of a suddenly appearing thirteenth.

I moved gently, one hand on Shylo’s shoulder, the other facing him.

Shylo’s leading skills were considerable, so it was enjoyable after a long time.

‘Come to think of it, I’ve never taught Mereum how to dance.’

I should teach him when I return.

Since he’s physically adept, wouldn’t he be decent at dancing too?

‘But why does he attach such great meaning to being taught music and art, as if it’s such a joyous thing?’

I didn’t fully understand the attachment Mereum had for me. Because what I had done for him wasn’t that significant.

It’s not like I destroyed a country for him and gave him a golden crown and an ermine cloak.

I didn’t give this luxurious cruise in his name, nor did I buy him a piece of land somewhere.

I didn’t give Mereum anything tangible.

Yet he says he’s satisfied with the intangible things.

That’s probably because his soul is that noble, but for me, who has never been noble in my entire life, I was filled with doubts.

It’s also strange that I have such great meaning to someone…

‘Then, will you not betray me?’

I promised to give everything to Enrique, but I was betrayed.

That’s because Enrique had something more important than love.

‘You, do you have nothing more important than me, Mereum?’

He would say there isn’t now.

But we don’t know how it will be in the future.

Unlike demons, for whom yesterday, 10 years later, and 100 years later are not much different, humans change countless times even within a single day.

My heart, which was deeply wounded while raising Mereum, has healed to some extent.

While living as an empress, I even stopped hating all of humanity as I met affectionate people.

That’s why I hesitated even more.

If I were betrayed once more, even I don’t know how I would react.

“Other thoughts.”

It was then.

As the violin stopped with a sharp sound, Shylo suddenly pulled my waist close, leaving no gap between our bodies.

“You were having them, weren’t you?”

The corners of his mouth were sweetly raised, but there was no laughter in his eyes.

Shylo gently pressed his forehead against mine and stared at me as if he wanted to examine every inch of me. There was no reason to avoid his gaze, so I stared back at him blankly.

How many seconds passed like that?

Shylo let me go and sighed softly.

“I’m sorry, Lady Arti. I got jealous because you were thinking of someone else even with me in front of you.”

“What can I do, Duke. I’m not yours, you’re mine.”

“That’s right. I suppose I wanted to be the most cherished among them.”

Such strong possessiveness.

I clicked my tongue, but I didn’t dislike it much.

This is why appearances are important.

When a pretty fawn like Shylo sulks, it’s cute in its own way.

I didn’t say that I wasn’t thinking of other things.

Instead, I brought up a topic that could keep Shylo focused.

“Have you thought about how to deal with the sirens?”

“Of course. I’m going to use wide-area attack magic.”

Eventually, we stood in front of a table full of desserts.

Shylo casually continued speaking while putting chocolate-covered strawberries on a plate.

“I want to show you lightning magic. The sight of lightning striking from within the clouds is quite mesmerizing. I’m sure you’ll like it.”

He smiled at me as he offered me the strawberry. As I unconsciously took it and ate, I recalled that I had seen lightning magic a very long time ago.

That was certainly incredibly powerful…

“Wait. Are you saying you’ll randomly drop lightning into the sea?”

“That’s right. If we can’t target the sirens one by one, we might as well fry them all at once.”

It’s a brute force method possible because of his immense magical power. But it was an effective tactic.

Since we can’t know where in the sea the sirens are, it’s better to roast them whole rather than aim precisely.

Moreover, lightning could penetrate the attack below the water surface. However.

‘The problem is that I have to go into that sea?!’

This could seriously injure me if the timing is off.

Mereum has the Water Spirit King, but as you know, water and lightning have a very bad compatibility.

“I think it would be better to aim one by one, even if it takes longer than area-of-effect magic. Soldiers who have fallen into the water will die too.”

I opened my mouth, feigning calmness. Shylo tilted his head.

“Why take the long way when there’s a quick path?”

In that instant, I realized.

This single remark was the difference between Mereum and Shylo.

Mereum would never have said something like that.

‘Perhaps it could also be seen as the difference between one who has lived in low places and one who has only lived in high places.’

Anyway, I had to stop Shylo here and now.

I didn’t mind getting hurt myself, but I wasn’t keen on anything that might put Mereum in danger.

“I cannot allow casualties.”

“Ah, I see. I was careless. If there are casualties, it would tarnish Your Majesty’s reputation.”

Thank goodness. With just one dignified remark, Shylo seemed to understand everything.

“Because I’m not familiar with defensive or healing magic… I was in a hurry to show off.”

“You’re plenty impressive already, so please.”

“In return, it would be nice if you called my name.”

Shylo created a thin silk cloak out of thin air and draped it over my shoulders.

Even in summer, the nights are getting cool.

Gratefully accepting the cloak, I looked up at him and moved my lips.

Although I didn’t call out loud, Shylo smiled brightly as if he had read my lips.

“After we defeat the sirens, make sure to call my name out loud.”

“If we end this without a single casualty.”

“I’ll try. I think I can make spheres containing lightning. That will also brighten the night sky, which will be good for our side.”

Having barely dissuaded Shylo, I swallowed a sigh and left the banquet hall. As I took off the black wig I had been wearing all along, my golden hair rippled like waves.

Brushing back my hair, I ordered the knight.

“Sir. Double lock the banquet hall doors. Board them up so no one can come out.”

“Gasp, Your Majesty?”

“Put a couple of soldiers inside too. To control anyone who’s not asleep.”

“I’ll carry it out!”

It was about time.

‘Soon, the sirens will…’

Start singing.

Connected, the shining stars.

Like the twinkling Milky Way.

Like a thousand daffodils

Endlessly blooming at the edge of the sea.

At that moment, a voice so sweet it sent chills down my spine eerily echoed from the distant sea.

Originally, sirens are not just one, but dozens singing together in harmony. Their song becomes a sonic attack that bewitches humans, and a trap from which they cannot escape.

“Then I’ll be going.”

Shylo must have heard that sound too, as he immediately disappeared.

When I went outside, I saw Faivel with his arms spread wide, eyes closed, listening intently to the song.

“Ah, it’s been a while since I’ve heard this. A siren group sing.”

“Faivel, calling it a group sing suddenly makes it sound funny.”

“Well… it’s not wrong.”

Neither Faivel nor I are affected by the song, so we don’t need to stuff our ears with wet cotton.

That’s why we can appreciate the sirens’ song better than anyone else.

To confess, we rather like the sirens’ songs.

Ah, the waves are dancing.

In ecstasy, we sing.

Come here. Come here.

Join us.

Before I knew it, the sirens surrounding the ship were desperately reaching out their hands.

The sight of white, webbed hands stretching out from the pitch-black sea was quite eerie. But to the eyes of those enchanted by the song, it would look incredibly beautiful.

“Wow. It’s been a while since I’ve seen so many. They must all be starving, so be careful, my lady.”

“Yes. I’ll move to the bow.”

The waiting soldiers murmured as they raised their spears.

Mereum’s order was not to attack first unless they charged at us.

Given the sirens’ nature, if they lose their leader, they’ll avoid fighting and retreat, so there’s no need to provoke them unnecessarily.

‘So I need to meet the leader as quickly as possible.’

It’s good that I didn’t bring Derek after all.

If Derek were here, he would have had to just salivate even with the siren leader right in front of him.

“Reo. That guy has risen into the air. Looks like he’s trying to do something.”

As I approached Mereum, I saw him frowning and looking up. I also turned my gaze in that direction, and indeed, Shylo was standing in mid-air.

Behind his back, more than ten glowing spheres had been created, brightening the surroundings.