BTEE 16

 Chapter : 16

What kind of dream could she be having?

Since the coronation, Regis had watched Casielope sleep every night, and today was no different. He gently brushed her cheek as he stayed by her side.

Casielope, who usually tossed and turned without a peaceful night’s sleep, was unusually calm tonight. Regis smiled, clearly satisfied by this.

As the corners of her mouth lifted slightly, he murmured softly:

“I wish it were me.”

For now… and even in the future, he could not bring a smile to Lope’s face. So at least in her dreams, he wanted to make her smile.

“That’s not something I can do,” he admitted.

It was for her, but he knew it came with pain. Even knowing that, it had to be done, so even dreaming was a luxury he couldn’t afford.

Regis bitterly chuckled, knowing Casielope was unaware he was still living in the memories of their shared past.

Knock… knock—

The sound of the door made him glance lightly in its direction.

Marital relations were between husband and wife. Yet the union of an emperor and empress could not be dismissed as merely a private matter.

Only her close aides and Regis knew that Casielope’s body could not conceive. Others naturally had doubts when she mentioned selecting a concubine, but officially, it was a matter directly tied to succession.

No palace attendant could have been unaware that the Empress had visited the imperial chambers dressed for a union. Therefore, no one should interfere.

For a moment, Regis’ brow furrowed. The gentle gaze he had given Casielope vanished, replaced by a cold stare directed at the door.

“Who is it?”

“…It’s Ian, Your Majesty.”

Casielope had personally chosen Ian as her aide during her reign. Her eye for talent was impeccable, and Ian had proven himself suitable.

He was a competent assistant who could produce the best results no matter the task. Calm and steadfast even when the throne changed hands, Ian’s visit now was far from welcome for Regis.

“I’ll step out. Wait a moment.”

Regis adjusted the negligée that had ridden up as she shifted and covered Casielope with the blanket. Then, quietly, he whispered:

“It’s fortunate you can’t conceive, Lope.”

With that, Regis quietly left the room, careful not to wake her.

Ian, waiting at the door, stepped forward as if he had been expecting him, holding out a pile of documents.

“I’ve completed everything you ordered.”

The work Regis had assigned could not have been finished in a single day. He quietly skimmed through the documents Ian handed him.

The work was flawless.

“I know your skills are excellent, so there’s no need to prove it like this.”

“…I didn’t intend to prove myself. Only one person can truly evaluate my worth.”

Ian’s gaze was unwavering, brimming with the arrogance that Regis could not possibly judge him. Bold, defiant, and unacceptable for a mere aide to show toward the emperor. Yet Ian did not look away.

Regis had wondered when Ian would finally bare his teeth; it seemed that moment had come.

“You’re more patient than I expected.”

“You flatter me, Your Grace.”

Even though he was clearly the rightful ruler, Ian still addressed Regis as a duke. The open hostility made Regis chuckle softly.

Casielope’s aides all glared with deadly intent but restrained their disgust. Ian was different.

In the nobles’ terms, he was a lowly commoner. He had no need to pretend to be polite or socially graceful. In fact, in moments like this, he was almost grateful to be a commoner.

“Duke, huh…”

“Just as my commoner blood didn’t change when I became the emperor’s aide, your noble blood doesn’t suddenly become royal just because you sit in that position.”

“Not wrong… so, what are you trying to say? Why bring work that doesn’t need immediate review at this hour?”

“You already know why I’m here at this hour,” Ian sneered, staring Regis down without wavering.

“Do not trouble her any further.”

“….”

“You never intended to be with her, did you? If you had, you wouldn’t have come to see Her Majesty dressed like that.”

Unlike the elegantly dressed Casielope, Regis remained in his work attire. Regis silently looked down at himself, ignoring Ian’s scolding. It was as if he cared nothing for the one he was supposed to unite with.

“You are correct,” Regis said.

“Then do not insult Her Majesty further. She does not exist for your amusement, Duke.”

“…Seems you heard everything. You are right.”

Regis did not argue; he simply acknowledged Ian’s points. Ian’s composed face cracked with frustration.

“Are you joking now?”

Ian’s incredulous laugh continued.

“Why did you do it? Why did you betray Her Majesty?”

There were many reasons. Yet Regis said nothing. Ian did not need an answer.

“Does the reason matter? Whatever it was, I hurt Casielope—that remains unchanged.”

“Ha…”

Ian exhaled, dumbfounded by Regis’ answer.

“If I must answer—”

He paused, his gaze falling then lifting from the door.

“…Casielope Clemens should not be in that position.”

“You know better than anyone. You saw Her Majesty sacrifice herself for the empire. And now you dare say such things after seeing it firsthand?”

That was why. Casielope had given everything for the empire, and the empire needed her.

Thus, she should not be in that position.

“I’ve watched closely all this time. I know best.”

With those words, Regis left. Ian, standing alone, slammed the wall in anger.

“Damn it!”

He glared at where Regis had disappeared, his eyes filled with murderous hatred.

It had been a happy dream.

It felt like walking on shimmering, glistening water.

A dream that he wished were reality, and the past that he hoped were the present.

“It’s fortunate you can’t conceive, Lope.”

Until that voice, low and unbearably close, woke her from the dream.

Sitting up in bed, Casielope stared blankly at the air.

What a cozy abyss.

She had thought nothing could be uglier or more despairing—but that was a huge misconception.

She thought this was the end—but there was an even deeper abyss.

“Casielope Clemens should not be in that position.”

She wiped her face with her hand. Her disheveled red hair was a wild mess, like blood stains.

“How much more disappointed must I be in you, Regis?”

She had foolishly believed he acted coldly before her for a reason. All a huge misunderstanding. Blind to the truth, she had still wanted to trust him.

Regis’ words trampled even the memories she had clung to, memories she hadn’t let go of.

“It’s fortunate you can’t conceive, Lope.”

If she had known she’d hear that answer, she would never have hoped.

“What was I expecting, foolishly?”

Perhaps she had even hoped his heart, which had once wanted a child, had changed. She had guessed vaguely.

But thinking vaguely and experiencing it were entirely different.

“Truly… pathetic.”

She whispered the rebuke at herself, as tears flowed from her unfocused eyes.

Her fragile resolve not to cry for Regis shattered completely.

Casielope bit her lips hard enough to draw blood and rubbed her eyes with her sleeve.

When her vision cleared, her violet eyes carried a bitter, deadly chill.