IBRIP l CH 148

Chapter 148

As soon as I saw the emperor, I realized this was not the kind of situation where I could charm my way out with a cute act or a graceful noblewoman’s apology.

He said flatly:

“I didn’t know two days meant five nights for you.”

I panicked, ran up, and clung to his waist.

“I’m sorry! I was wrong!”

After waking from the dream, we returned to the imperial palace with the help of the Northern Empire’s spirit master.

As for Hojen — the moment he woke up, he insisted on going back to sleep to meet Lady Rustin again. Just before we left, he woke up once more.
It seemed he did see her again, but I saw him burning all the seraphine leaves he had hidden away. Maybe he finally realized something.

If the Millia in the cabin really was her soul, then once Noe used his power to leave the dream, what remained there was only Hojen’s old regrets and longing.

And did I leave him behind there?

Of course I did!

He was dazed the whole time, and we had to leave urgently.

We boarded the fairy carriage safely, but compared to the spirit’s wind magic, it was painfully slow. It took a whole day to return.

When we finally arrived, I planned to sneak to the side palace first to meet Lottie in secret. But that plan died instantly—
because when I walked into my room, the emperor was already there, doing paperwork.

So I clung to his waist and wailed:

“I just stayed a little longer because I haven’t been out in a while. I’m really, truly sorry!”

He replied:

“You weren’t at the Tradiga townhouse.”

“…Huh? What?”

“Of course I went there myself. On the fourth day, since you still hadn’t returned, I went to see what was so fun that you wouldn’t come back.
All I found was the duchess, looking pale.”

But… the duchess never mentioned this in her letter?!

“If you thought she would hide it from me, you’ve underestimated me. She’s my person, not yours. If I told her to die, she would. You really didn’t know?”

Yikes.

I gripped him tighter and shouted:

“I’m sorry! I was wrong! Please just kill me!”

“Alright. I understand.”

“…What?”

He kept stamping papers and then called toward the door:

“Linton. Bring it.”

Linton’s face turned pale.

“Your Majesty… perhaps reconsider—”

“No more mercy. Even if you’re the daughter I officially recognized, this has gone too far.”

I stared at his cold profile. Linton entered, face drained of color, and pulled out a glass bottle from his coat.

It was small enough for an adult to hold in one hand, but I needed both of mine to support it.

The emperor spoke in a dry tone, still stamping papers:

“You have three choices. First—drink that.”

I looked at the strange liquid inside. It shimmered with black, red, blue, and green all at once.

“Second—send it to the duchess. If you refuse to drink it, she will.”

“What?!”

“She only helped me! It’s all my fault—punish me, not her!”

“If that’s how you feel, then drink it. I won’t question her if you do.”

I bit my lip and asked:

“…What’s the last option?”

“Tell me the truth. Where you were, what you did. I have more than enough ways to find out if you’re lying—don’t think you can get off easily if you do.”

His expression wasn’t the usual firm-but-gentle look—it was harsher. My hands trembled as I opened the bottle.

“I’ll take responsibility for what I did.”

“That’s the best thing you’ve said recently. Everyone must take responsibility for their actions. Sometimes, even for things they didn’t do, if it’s for the greater good.”

Linton tried again to stop him, but the emperor was unmoved.

“Stop wasting time. Drink. You’ve kept the emperor waiting long enough.”

I raised the bottle to my lips, glancing up at him one last time.

“The emperor doesn’t fall for cute acts.”

…So I closed my eyes. Time to face it.

The bottle’s mouth fit my lips perfectly, as if made for me. I tilted it. The thick, unpleasant liquid hit my tongue—and I swallowed it without hesitation.

“Ugh—!” I coughed, spitting up dark red fluid and collapsing.

“Not a drop left. Finish it.”

I glared up at him and croaked:

“This is…”

“Concentrated organic juice from 200 carrots. Every single one compressed into that tiny amount. The pinnacle of magical engineering.”

Pfft. Count Hester couldn’t hold back his laughter and fled the room.

As I blacked out, I thought:

So this is the kind of prank he’s been holding back all this time.

The last thing I saw was the emperor’s very satisfied smile.

***

When I opened my eyes again, I was lying neatly in bed. Turning my head, I saw the same face I’d seen before fainting.

“Tell me where you were for those five days.”

I shut my eyes again and turned away.

“…The joke ends here. If you don’t get up now, I’ll go to the duchess.”

…Wow. He’s gotten better at this push-and-pull.

I stretched like I’d just woken up and sat up slowly. He gave me a dry, sarcastic look.

“Why not yawn while you’re at it?”

“I’d never be so rude before Your Majesty.”

He suddenly pinched my cheek.

“I was seriously wondering if your face was made of steel. Sadly, it’s not.”

Sadly?!

I fiddled with my fingers.

“I’m sorry…”

“Forget it. Where were you?”

“Didn’t the duke tell you?”

“I wanted to hear it from you.”

I was ready to lie—tell him I went to Raglia’s nest, got distracted by treasure, then wandered into a village wedding. That way, maybe I’d just get lightly scolded.

I looked up, ready to deliver the lie—

But then I saw something in his eyes.

It was the same as what I’d seen in Hojen’s eyes.

Loneliness. Helplessness.

That… stopped my words completely.