As Akkia entered the royal chamber, he saw Illei sitting at the center table. His eyes widened with joy as he saw Akkia approaching.
“I’m overjoyed to see you looking so well.”
Illei, more effusive than usual, stood up from his seat and approached Akkia, embracing him.
“My one and only sibling, Akkia.”
His hands that were gently sweeping down Akkia’s back hesitated for a moment. Rumors were rife that the once frail Akkia had transformed dramatically.
As if to prove it, Emperor Illei felt the welldeveloped muscles under his fingertips. Nevertheless, he wiped off any trace of surprise from his face and grinned.
“I heard the news after we drank tea that day. You can’t imagine how startled I was then.”
“……”
“The late Empress too departed so disappointingly. If something were to happen to you as well, I couldn’t go on. Akkia.”
The Emperor who had been holding Akkia stepped back. The moment the Emperor mentioned the late Empress, a faint crack appeared on Akkia’s face.
It was a minute change in expression, one that a stranger might overlook. Yet, the Emperor noticed it and feigned a compassionate look.
“We grew up like real brothers even though we’re cousins. You are the only one I can rely on, Akkia. You can’t leave me over a mere cup of tea. Right, it’s unacceptable.”
The Emperor returned to his seat and gestured for the Count to sit.
“Let’s talk seated. So, are you well now?”
The Emperor’s scrutinizing gaze followed Akkia until the moment he sat down.
The probing eyes seemed to dissect everything about the Count until their gazes met in the void.
According to rumors, the Count had regained his speech. Emperor Illei wanted to confirm it for himself.
When met with the Emperor’s anticipatory gaze, Akkia let out a small sigh.
“I’m fine.”
Illei closed his eyes. A shiver ran through his body at the sound of Akkia’s voice, which he hadn’t heard in years.
His deep voice lingered in Illei’s ears, taking a while to fade away.
Then slowly, he opened his eyes. There was Akkia, looking right back at him.
His golden hair, previously dulled by sickness, now shimmered. Akkia’s radiant blond locks emanated the royal lineage.
And not just that. A commanding aura radiated from his strengthened frame.
‘Maybe even more than me…’
Thoughts that he might fit the Emperor’s throne crossed his mind.
Illei felt increasingly irritated at the sight of the Count before him, who exuded presence like his one and only cousin.
Yet, the more uneasy he became, the more Illei’s lips curved upwards.
“How fortunate. But it’s strange.”
“……?”
“You collapsed so suddenly, yet dandelion root tea is just a nutritional supplement.”
The Count, who was fiddling with his teacup, looked up upon hearing the Emperor’s continued words. Even if the dandelion root had somehow increased toxicity, it wouldn’t be lifethreatening.
Akkia had surely staged the situation.
Otherwise, he couldn’t have returned in such robust health after experiencing cardiac arrest.
The Emperor’s eyes flickered as they scrutinized the Count.
Akkia, who had been silent, finally broke into a low chuckle. The sudden laughter changed the Emperor’s expression.
“Your Majesty has always been one to think deeply.”
“What?”
“I merely thought my body was weak. Were you considering more, Your Majesty?”
“……”
‘I’ve been played.’
The emperor was left awkward by the Count’s simple retort. At the Count’s piercing response, the Emperor momentarily lost his words.
If one did not know that the Count was taking Foralium, it would have been difficult to associate the collapsing of Haezari grass and Akkia.
Through Akkia’s counteroffensive, the Emperor had one assurance.
‘Akkia knew I had intentionally given her the Haezari grass.’
Seeing the composed Count, it was clear that Akkia knew the efficacy of the Haezari grass and had drunk it.
Perhaps she even realized that he had learned about her Foralium consumption through Professor Rams.
‘I’ve underestimated Akkia until now.’
Lifting his tea cup, Akkia sniffed the aroma but did not drink, putting the cup back down with dignity.
Suddenly, Akkia, who was looking at him, cracked a smile.
“So, I always think of you.”
Unlike before, the Emperor’s lips slightly trembled as he smiled.
“Anyway, I’m going to give a great reward to the healer who cured you. I’m curious about the face.”
“……”
“So, I have a favor to ask you.”
Ilei asked under the pretense of a ‘favor,’ something Akkia could hardly refuse.
Knowing that it would be impossible to refuse the Emperor’s request, the Count’s eyes wavered for a moment.
But the Count soon erased his flustered look and responded with a smile.
“If it’s something I can do, anything.”
Ilei seemed to have waited for that response as he called for the entrance.
“Bring in the healer now.”
The door opened, and Lea, who had been waiting outside, walked in. She dared not make eye contact and deeply bowed in greeting.
“I am honored to meet you, Your Majesty.”
As Lea slowly raised her head to look at the Emperor’s face, she sharply inhaled.
My Arch-enemy Sealed My Memory and Said That He is My Husband
This is an incredibly captivating story that you absolutely shouldn’t miss! I’ll give a brief introduction here, and below you’ll find a detailed synopsis of the plot.
The female lead is a fierce and powerful demon king. The male lead is a once-in-a-millennium celestial lord, admired by the entire cultivation world.
They are equally matched, legendary rivals who have battled for centuries.
In the final duel, the female lead is gravely injured. The male lead saves her, seals her memories, and hides her true identity. He tells her that he is her fiancé. His entire life has been flawless—except for the one thing he never expected, never controlled, and never wanted to control: falling for his greatest enemy. She is his inner demon, his obsession.
When the female lead regains her memories, she is furious at his deception.
She makes his life a living hell.
And somehow, the male lead—possibly a total masochist—doesn’t mind at all. In fact, he’s happy she’s paying attention to him.
Yep, we’re back to my favorite trope: male lead suffering. If you love this kind of story, jump into the pit with me now!!!
Intro
Dong Xia lost her memory.
Her handsome and extremely powerful fiancé Li Qing comforted her: “It’s okay if you can’t remember. I’ll always be with you.”
Everyone thought Dong Xia’s ancestors must have burned incense to get such a perfect fiancé. He was the number one person in the immortal realm, yet he remained chaste and only loved her.
…
The day before marrying her fiancé, Dong Xia finally remembered everything.
She wasn’t suffering from memory loss at all.
Her arch-enemy had made her fake her death, destroyed her cultivation, replaced her memories, and pretended to be her deeply in love fiancé.
No wonder he said, “It’s okay if you can’t remember”!
Dong Xia laughed coldly as she pulled out her long knife: Li Qing, prepare to die 🙂
*
Li Qing, as the supreme being of the immortal realm, was the people’s shining beacon.
The only unknown stain in his life was his affection for Dong Xia, the ruler of the demon realm.
In the final battle of the war between immortals and demons, the sky collapsed and the earth shattered. The ruler of the demon realm was finally slain under the sword of the supreme being of the immortal realm, and everyone in the immortal realm applauded.
The cultivation world lost a ruler of the demon realm.
And in the back mountain of Li Qing’s cave dwelling, he secretly hid away a fiancée.
Notes:
1. The female lead is white on the outside, black on the inside, and the queen of flattery; the male lead repeatedly tests the edge of darkness, a VIP guest at the crematorium.
2. Fantasy cultivation world setting.
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
