Chapter 30
“So please, pity me just a little.”
He looked up at me and gently took my hand, placing it against his cheek.
A lukewarm warmth seeped through my palm as it touched his smooth skin.
“Back then, whenever you comforted me, you always cupped my cheek like this.”
Resting his cheek in my hand, he slowly closed his eyes.
“I really liked it.”
Sunlight streaming through the window poured down, casting his beautiful face in a pale glow.
His eyelashes, glistening white under the light, cast delicate shadows over his eyes.
“Uh… A-Akes…”
It was the first time I realized that if someone is overwhelmingly beautiful, it could actually be hazardous to your heart.
Even when Akes was younger, I had vaguely thought he’d break hearts when he grew up. But I didn’t expect I’d be one of them!
As I called out his name, almost in tears, Akes blinked a few times and smiled faintly as he slowly straightened up.
“By the way, how long are you planning to stay here, Einra?”
Settling himself beside me, Akes tilted his head and asked.
I felt briefly relieved at the change of topic and tapped my cheek thoughtfully.
“Hmm… Since the reason I came down here is gone now, I should probably head back to the capital soon, right?”
“I noticed your house in the capital was already sold. Do you have somewhere to go?”
“Ah, well… I suppose staying in a hotel until I find a new place would be best.”
If I told the Emperor, he’d probably pester me endlessly to stay in the palace. It seemed wiser to quietly stay at a hotel until I found a house.
Just as I was settling on the hotel idea, Akes asked casually,
“Then, Einra, how about staying at the Grand Duke’s residence?”
“The Grand Duke’s? You mean your house?”
I blinked in surprise, and Akes nodded.
“Yes. The place is huge and has plenty of guest rooms, so it wouldn’t be uncomfortable for you.”
“Would that really be okay? I’d feel like I’m imposing too much…”
“You know I’m cursed. Being near you helps me feel at ease, so I’m asking for your help. You don’t need to feel burdened.”
“But…”
“Einra, hmm?”
He gave me a sweet, pleading smile.
That look was too adorable—I nodded before I even realized it.
“Mm, alright. I’ll stay at the Grand Duke’s place for a while.”
Hearing my answer, Akes lit up like someone had given him the whole world.
“I’m so happy, Einra.”
Imperial Office – Emperor Elberk
As the recorded voice finished playing, the light within the crystal orb faded.
It had been a report from Akes regarding Grand Duke Baharman.
“Ah, my foolish uncle. Not only did he kidnap Grand Duchess Serenia at the ball, but he cursed her, and even failed twice in trying to assassinate her.”
The Emperor’s pink eyes curved in amusement.
“By now, he must be absolutely fuming.”
With a snicker, the Emperor crossed his legs and sank deeper into the back of his chair.
“He’s probably throwing things at his servants for bringing him bad news. Typical.”
Tilting his head lazily, he rested his chin on the armrest.
His navy-blue hair, the color of the night sky, slipped gently over his shoulder.
He felt not a shred of pity for the enraged Grand Duke Baharman.
Whenever you set something in motion, thorough preparation is essential.
He had set things into motion without considering failure—it was only natural he would fall.
“There are all kinds of cause-and-effect relationships in this world, dear foolish uncle.”
The Emperor scoffed and turned his gaze to the person standing beside him: Violetti.
“So, Count Chevilla. When exactly is your lord planning to return to the capital?”
“I apologize, Your Majesty. He is expected to return soon, but he hasn’t given an exact date, so I can’t provide a definite answer.”
“Of course. He’s waited five whole years to see Einra again. Who wouldn’t want to be with her as much as possible? I, being the magnanimous Emperor, shall endure.”
With a mischievous sparkle in his eyes, the Emperor gave a boyish grin.
“Still, the day I finally get to see our Einra again is just around the corner. I’m sure she’ll be arriving with Grand Duke Serenia, right?”
Guess I’ll have to freeze all real estate deals in the capital for a while.
I’ll make sure Einra stays in the palace. Maybe I’ll offer her the empty Empress’s quarters.
The Emperor pondered gleefully.
Of course, the chance of that actually happening was close to zero.
Night had fallen before I realized it.
I was reading a book in the living room with Akes when nervous tension slowly started building inside me.
‘…What should I do? Are we sleeping together again tonight?’
Akes had told me he was plagued by nightmares. That was why I offered to sleep beside him.
‘But he’s an adult now!’
If he still looked like little As, I’d still feel a bit awkward, but not this conflicted.
But now, I was sharing a room with a full-grown man!
Even if nothing suggestive was going on!
“…”
I kept sneaking glances at Akes across from me, who was calmly reading an academic tome.
He must’ve noticed, because he looked up and met my gaze.
“Einra?”
Startled, I quickly shook my head.
“N-No, it’s nothing!”
“Alright,” he replied with a slight laugh and turned back to his book.
Flustered, I quickly raised my book to hide my flushed face.
‘Was I staring too obviously…?’
He had caught on way too fast.
Trying to calm myself down behind the book, I took a few deep breaths, then cautiously lowered it.
“Um, hey, Akes.”
“Yes, Einra?”
He smiled brightly as our eyes met again.
My face heated up again under his red gaze.
I rolled my eyes around, struggling to find the right words.
“About tonight…”
“Tonight?”
Akes blinked in surprise, clearly caught off guard.
His reaction somehow made me feel even more embarrassed, but I pushed through and continued.
“I… I’ve been helping you sleep lately, right? But now… well…”
“Is it because I’m an adult now? Is it uncomfortable for you?”
His eyes lowered slightly in disappointment.
Startled, I frantically shook my head.
“N-No! That’s not it! I just thought maybe we’d both be uncomfortable…”
“I’m not uncomfortable at all. In fact, I haven’t had any nightmares, which is great. But… if you’re uncomfortable, I’ll stop.”
He bit his lip gently and looked up at me again, offering a soft smile.
“I’ll try my best. To endure the nightmares, and the pain. I’m really good at enduring things… right after not taking my eyes off you.”
“Akes…”
“So don’t worry about me.”
His smile felt tinged with sadness, and my chest ached.
‘I used to sleep next to As all the time. This is just to help someone who’s afraid of nightmares… It should be fine, right?’
It’s not like we’re snuggling or anything—just sleeping in the same space!
The more I thought about it, the more it seemed okay.
Resolved, I looked at Akes with determination.
“No, Akes. I’m not uncomfortable at all. Let’s sleep together.”
“…Really? You’re sure it’s okay?”
“Of course!”
I clenched my fists and gave a firm answer.
He blinked as if receiving an unexpected gift, then broke into a radiant smile.
“Thank you, Einra. I’m so happy you’re not uncomfortable around me.”
“D-Don’t get so excited over something like that…”
Embarrassed, I scratched my cheek awkwardly. Akes tilted his head, puzzled.
“But Einra not avoiding me—that’s everything to me.”
“…”
His voice held a quiet certainty, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
My face burned, and my heart throbbed at the same time.
How could something so small mean everything?
Shouldn’t he want more?
‘It must be because of that long misunderstanding…’
The misunderstanding with Akes had stretched for five whole years, ever since that disastrous “black history” and the sudden war with the Semel tribe.
If only we had just talked, it could have been resolved so easily.
But war got in the way—and for five years!
Though it was my fault for reacting poorly to his sudden confession back then, I now owed him.
And if just being beside him at night could help keep the nightmares away—
How could I not do it?
“…Akes.”
“Yes?”
“I’ll protect you. I won’t let you have any more nightmares.”
With a determined look, I raised my fists again.
Looking at me with warmth, Akes responded with a smile in his voice.
“I’ll trust only you, Einra.”
