~Chapter 08~
Three years?
Does that mean I have to wait three years to break the spell?
I looked at Aria with genuine surprise.
“Yes. We have to do the spell removal once a year, three times in total.
It’s a very delicate and energy-consuming process.
And more than anything, if even one step goes wrong, we could ruin everything.”
“Three years… What do you mean by ruining everything?”
“I don’t know exactly.
But casting and removing spells are both dangerous.
Many people have been hurt because of them.”
“Are you saying Noah Everdane could be in danger?”
“It’s possible.
So… will you still go through with it?
Also, when this child is born, I’ll lose my powers.
I don’t know how long that will take, though.”
If something goes wrong and Noah is in danger… what should I do?
I was doing this to save him—if he got hurt because of me, I could never forgive myself.
But if I do nothing…
‘Right. If I do nothing, things will just go the same as in the original story.’
So I have to do something.
Even if it… doesn’t turn out the way I want.
Even if that happens… there’s no choice but to do it.
‘No, wait, that’s not right.’
The one doing the spell is Aria Harrington, no one else.
I already knew she was an extremely skilled sorceress.
But what worried me was her powers disappearing after the baby was born.
If her powers vanished within three years… she wouldn’t be able to break the spell at all, and Noah could be in even greater danger.
“How long does it usually take for the powers to disappear?”
“About two to five years.
My father lost his powers when I turned three.”
Two to five years… it was a gamble worth taking.
Of course, if there had been a completely safe method, I wouldn’t even think about gambling with Noah’s life—but this was the only way to save him.
“So? Do you still want to do it?”
“Of course.”
I couldn’t show hesitation now, after coming this far.
I held out my hand to Aria, and she took it.
“But… what happens after the three years are up and the spell is gone?”
“What do you mean?”
I already knew what she was worried about, but I pretended not to.
“I mean… what if someone demands a paternity test after three years?
How am I supposed to trust the Empress?”
“I’m not interested in this position anymore.
The only thing that matters to me is Noah Everdane.
So… just raise the child well.”
I glanced at her stomach.
“Oh, and I’ll say one more thing.
If you try anything sneaky while breaking the spell, I won’t just stand by.”
“I already told you—there’s a chance the spell removal could fail.”
“No. It must succeed.
If it doesn’t, remember that it will be the end for both you and the baby inside you.”
With that, I stood up.
I exchanged one last warning look with the Empress before leaving the reception room.
“Haa.”
As I stepped outside and inhaled, the cool air filled my lungs.
It wasn’t over yet—in fact, it was only just beginning—but I felt strangely relieved.
Noah.
I closed my eyes and recalled his handsome face from yesterday.
Just the memory made me smile without meaning to.
“Oh, I still need to meet the Emperor.”
When Noah’s face faded and the Emperor’s appeared in my mind, I frowned without realizing it.
Still, I had to do what needed to be done.
With that thought, I quickly returned to the Empress’s palace.
I sent word to the Emperor that I wanted to see him, then spent the day organizing what I wanted to say to him.
* * *
The next morning, a message came from the Emperor.
He suggested having lunch together—with the Empress.
Since the Empress knew what I planned to say to him, having her there might make things go more smoothly.
I immediately sent back my agreement.
After getting ready, I went to the palace where the Emperor stayed at lunchtime.
When I entered the dining room, the Emperor and the Empress were already seated.
“You’re here, Empress. Come, sit here.”
The seat he offered was directly across from the two of them, who sat side by side.
“Thank you.”
“Your Majesty, Aria Brien greets you.”
“Empress, did you sleep well last night?”
“Yes. Thanks to you, I rested peacefully.”
After exchanging greetings with the Empress, I sat down.
“I’m curious about what you have to say, but let’s eat first.”
“Yes, let’s.”
When the Emperor raised his hand, delicious-smelling dishes began to appear one after another on the table.
From lamb stew overflowing with meat, to grilled skewers, freshly baked bread, and fresh vegetables and fruit—it was far too much food for just the three of us.
I focused quietly on eating.
Meanwhile, the Emperor and Empress couldn’t keep still—feeding each other and making a show of it.
‘They really suit each other.’
The Empress was probably worried I’d reveal her secret, but as long as our deal worked out, I had no interest in interfering in whatever they did.
They could live their life together, I could live mine, and Noah could live his.
‘Three years… I’ll get to spend three years with him.’
Originally, I had only planned to break the spell and not live with Noah for that long.
From his point of view, it would be absurd—having someone he’d never known before, the Emperor’s ex-wife no less, suddenly become his wife and live with him.
But after making the deal with Aria yesterday, my plan changed completely.
To make sure Aria didn’t try anything, I needed to stay by Noah’s side.
No, I had to.
Most of all, I wouldn’t be able to rest easy until I personally confirmed the spell was completely broken.
‘So, three years it is.’
I would stay by Noah’s side for three years, then leave.
Of course, three years was no small thing.
Living with someone you loved, then leaving—it would be incredibly painful.
After parting with Noah, I would probably hurt for a long time.
Maybe I’d cry alone for ages.
But for his sake, I couldn’t stay by his side forever.
Even if it meant giving him the label of “divorced,” Noah would have the ability to be with the person he truly loved.
I wanted to give him a normal, happy life—something he had never been able to have.
And that would always be my determination.
“Empress?”
“…Yes?”
“What were you thinking about so intently?”
“Oh, nothing.”
I’d been so lost in thought that I didn’t even hear the Emperor call me.
I quickly pulled myself together and focused on the food in front of me.
When the meal was over, we moved to the reception room.
“Now that we’ve finished eating, say what you wanted to.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
I answered and exchanged a look with Aria.
She gave me a slight nod.
Then I turned to the Emperor and spoke.
“I will step down from my position as Empress.”
“What… what did you just say?”
“I said I will step down from this position.”
“Do you even understand what it means to say such a thing?
Do you know what you’re saying?”
“Yes. I want to divorce you.”
“Ha, divorce? What in the world are you—”
What?
