Chapter 57

“Urgh…”

Etias groaned as a splitting headache surged through his skull while he sat up in bed.

A medic, who had been grinding medicine nearby, quickly approached to check on his condition.

“Are you all right, Your Highness?”

“…Not too bad.”

His head still ached, but his body felt surprisingly light.

The medicine he had taken earlier must have finally neutralized the effects of the drug.

“We applied cold herbal compresses to the injured areas. Well… you’ll bruise, no doubt.”

The medic avoided Etias’s eyes, visibly uncomfortable.

He’d clearly figured out what the Emperor had done to his nephew in an attempt to secure a cheap victory—but even knowing that, he couldn’t dare say it aloud.

“…Her.”

“…Pardon?”

The face that had flickered before his blurry eyes the moment he awoke.

The woman who had fearlessly stepped between him and the Emperor’s blade.

“Where is Catrin Elemoer?”

“She’s likely returned to her estate, I believe.”

Still battling the headache, Etias cradled his head again.

The medic supported him and helped him sit upright as he spoke.

“Lady Elemoer was quite concerned for Your Highness’s well-being.”

“……”

Etias felt his lips go dry.

He could feel the thumping of his own heartbeat.

……

He recalled the moments just before he collapsed.

It was the first time he’d ever wanted to win that badly.

And the first time he’d hated his own helplessness so deeply.

He had always endured, always hidden his claws and accepted his place—but in front of her, all restraint seemed to vanish.

“Don’t worry too much. I’m sure she only did what she did for His Majesty. After all, the Lady…”

The medic’s voice buzzed faintly in Etias’s ears. He couldn’t hear a word.

No matter what anyone said, there was something he knew.

Those slender fingers that had clutched his hand before the match.

Truthfully, he had wanted to hold them back.

For the first time in his life, he felt like a small animal in a cage, yearning for a gentle touch.

“……”

And just then, the muffled grumbling of soldiers echoed from outside.

“With that many witnesses, there’s no way the story won’t spread. How are we supposed to contain that?”

“I mean, people are already calling His Majesty ‘The Naked Emperor.’ That’s seriously damaging to his image.”

“I even heard some traveling troupe already turned today’s events into a play. Rumors sure spread fast. And they’re wanderers, so it’s hard to even track them down.”

“Bet His Majesty is furious.”

“There’s even gossip that His Majesty’s… royal parts were just out in the open. Hah!”

The soldiers muttered as if annoyed but barely stifled their laughter.

Etias’s cold blue eyes trembled.

Disgraceful.

Catrin’s voice rang in his mind once again, bold and unhesitating.

He closed his eyes and repeated her words to himself.

A shadow of his long lashes fell beneath closed lids.

***

Apparently, the complaint I had made some time ago had been accepted—when I visited the office building a few days later, Etias’s room had been moved to a much neater space, now with windows.

He even had an investigator stationed at his side.

‘But this man…’

Walking with flowers in hand, I glanced sideways at the face of the investigator guiding me.

I thought I’d seen him working as a gardener here before.

On the left side of his chest, his name tag read: Caron Fernar.

‘Fernaar… the son of Baron Fernar?’

In The Star of Revolution, he had appeared as Etias’s right-hand man—and had contributed significantly to the revolution.

He would later become one of the ministers leading Oswell.

With Etias’s treatment improved recently, it must’ve been an opportunity to officially hire an investigator. Apparently, Etias had chosen Caron, the former gardener.

‘It’s probably better to pretend not to know.’

But he was the one to speak first.

“I heard that His Highness’s office was changed thanks to you, Lady Elemoer. Thanks to your actions, he’s able to work in a much more comfortable environment. We’re grateful.”

“It’s nothing.”

I shrugged casually.

“As you know, it wasn’t really for His Highness. I just didn’t want to spend time in a run-down place while I had to listen to his investigation reports for a while.”

At my words, Caron’s brow twitched faintly.

With an understanding look, he said,

“I see… Even so…”

His dark eyes seemed to shimmer.

“Thank you. Even if we can do nothing for him… what you’ve done is something we’re sincerely grateful for. For protecting His Highness at the training ground too—regardless of your reason.”

He seemed like a man with the loyalty befitting Etias’s right-hand.

That gave me a bit of reassurance.

“I take it you’ve known His Highness for a long time, Lord Fernar?”

“Yes. My family was impoverished, so I couldn’t attend the academy, but I’ve learned much under His Highness.”

“I see… Actually, I’d like to ask you a small favor.”

I paused for a stretch.

“I was reading a book in the government library and completely forgot I’d left a note in it. The title was Liberation Economics.”

“It was something I meant to add to Paddelmon’s list of charges.”

Caron’s face turned subtly awkward at the idea of someone scribbling in a library book, but I had my reasons for wanting him to look through that book—so I simply smiled.

In The Star of Revolution, Etias eventually seized imperial power and became emperor of the empire. But two or three of his early policies failed—especially the initial economic reforms.

It wasn’t until after his death that Caron implemented the liberation economic theory to correct course.

That theory, tailored to Oswell’s situation, led to the empire’s second golden age.

‘It’s a bit early, but it’s better to help him avoid failure altogether.’

“You seem to be quite talented in many areas, Lady Elemoer.”

“Me?”

“You run the Sistina orphanage with a kind heart, possess remarkable political talent that’s earned His Majesty’s full trust, you placed second in the hunting festival… and now I hear you’re well-versed in economics too.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t say all that.”

Though he complimented me, his gaze wasn’t entirely innocent.

The more he tried to judge who I was, the more conflicted his eyes seemed—like multiple values and judgments were colliding inside him.

It’s natural to doubt me.

Right before a revolution, the crown prince is receiving frequent visits from someone at the heart of the emperor’s faction.

From the hunting festival to the duel, I’d gotten entangled with him in all kinds of ways.

But unlike Aglia, who kept her guard up out of pure distrust, Caron’s watchfulness felt genuine—and not unpleasant.

Because his loyalty to Etias came from sincerity.

Soon, we started walking again, and I came to a stop in front of Etias’s door.

“I’ll look for the note you mentioned.”

I nodded in response and looked at the door of Etias’s new office.

The nameplate was polished and well-maintained, and the clean finish of the wood pleased me.

“Your Highness, Lady Elemoer is here to see you.”

“Let her in.”

At the sound of Etias’s soft voice, my heart began to pound.

As the heavy door opened and I stepped inside, I saw him seated with his back to the window.

The light framed him like a halo—I nearly lost my breath at the sight.

I bowed and greeted him.

“I greet Your Highness.”

And slowly, I lifted my gaze—only to see that he had already stood up and was walking toward me.

Each firm, masculine step stirred something in me.

He stopped right in front of me.

His face now barely a hand’s breadth away.

“Why did you come so late?”

That quiet voice slipping from between his lips startled me.

His deep blue eyes pierced through me, filled with intense, unmistakable emotion—and it made my heart thump loudly in my chest.

“…I waited. All day.”