Chapter 05
The boy, despite having the elegant features of the late emperor, was still just a child. He stood awkwardly, biting his lip, unsure of what to do.
“…Yes, Your Grace.”
He looked like he was afraid I’d scold him.
‘This is my karma too…’
Not only was I a bad lover, I was also a bad aunt. I’d constantly belittled Lexin to make him feel unworthy of the throne. His timid nature was entirely my fault.
Lexin sat across from me and lowered his head.
“You’re still so skinny. Is the food not to your liking?”
“Ah, no! Not at all. I always finish everything that’s prepared for me.”
He quickly responded, his amber hair shaking as he did. His purple eyes trembled with uncertainty, and I felt a pang of guilt.
One way to make sure Axion didn’t end up on the execution platform was to give the throne to Lexin myself.
But before that, I had to try to undo some of the wrongs I’d done to this poor boy.
I had been cruel to Lexin because I didn’t think of him as my real nephew. He was Geneia’s nephew, not mine.
Besides, I knew from personal experience that aunts and nephews didn’t always get along.
“Kim Jaein, is that how you talk to your aunt? After everything I’ve done for you?”
I had stopped her hand midair before it could hit me.
“What? Let go of me!”
“You didn’t feed or shelter me out of kindness. It was Dad’s money that did that. Don’t act like you’ve been supporting me for free.”
“Unbelievable! Just like your mother… after I took you in out of pity for my poor brother.”
After my parents died in an “accident,” I lived with my aunt.
Though I had an inheritance and insurance in my name, I was still a minor. I needed a guardian, and my aunt volunteered.
She was my family, so I hoped we’d get along, but she never saw me as her own.
She’d never liked my mom, even before.
“Don’t speak like you know everything.”
My cheek was already swollen from being slapped. I ran into my room and slammed the door shut while her angry voice echoed behind me.
“I can’t live with her anymore. Say something! Poor brother of mine…”
She always acted like she pitied my dad, but he was cheating on Mom. And Mom wasn’t any better—she had an affair too.
My aunt probably thought they died on a romantic trip together, but that wasn’t the truth. They both died horribly on the same day, but with different lovers.
She was the one who didn’t know anything.
I used to think that was normal. After all, why would someone care about a child that wasn’t even their own?
To become emperor, I needed to prove that Rexin wasn’t worthy of the throne.
I pressured him in every way, except physically hitting him. I wore him down emotionally.
Seeing him now, trembling in silence, reminded me of my younger self.
‘Why didn’t I see it before?’
They say if you hate someone too much, you end up becoming like them. I guess I became like my aunt without even realizing it. Just like I ended up like my parents, jumping from one man to another.
That was my only excuse—but I didn’t want to make excuses anymore.
“I-I really eat everything. You can ask Jerome!”
Jerome was the one I’d assigned to keep an eye on him. He served Rexin but also spied and made his life harder. Rexin was still too young to fight back.
“Right. I should mention—Jerome won’t be attending to you anymore.”
“…What?”
Rexin forgot to tremble and looked at me, completely confused.
I had to act naturally—like my usual self—just like I did with Axion.
If I was too kind all of a sudden, he might get suspicious.
‘Ugh, I really messed up.’
I cleared my throat.
“He disobeyed my orders, so I removed him. Unless… Do you want him to stay?”
Lexin shook his head quickly.
“Good. Then I’ll assign Sir Ericksen instead.”
“…Sir Ericksen? Really?”
“If you don’t like him, I can—”
“No! I like it!”
His face lit up. Of course he would—Sir Ericksen was from his late mother’s side.
He had tried to stay by Rexin’s side until the end, but I had exiled him.
“Then it’s settled.”
“…Yes, Your Grace.”
“And one more thing.”
I sipped my tea before continuing. For some reason, it was hard to get the words out.
‘After everything I’ve done to him… can I really say this?’
I hesitated. Lexin’s expression began to darken, so I had to speak.
From now on, I need to be a kind aunt. Only then could Lexin gain confidence and begin learning how to be emperor.
In the past, people supported him because they thought I stole the throne. But not anymore. I had no more interest in ruling.
If Lexin stayed weak and indecisive, no one would back him. The throne would lose all power.
‘I won’t let that happen.’
If I was going to return the throne, I’d make sure it was strong and secure.
“From now on, call me Aunt.”
I didn’t mean to sound so strict—but it came out like a command.
I worried that I’d scare him again instead of getting closer to him.
“……”
He didn’t answer.
‘Of course he hates it. Who wouldn’t? After everything I put him through, now I’m suddenly asking him to call me aunt?’
“I’d love that, Aunt.”
I froze mid-sip.
Looking at Rexin, I saw his cheeks were blushing, and his purple eyes sparkled like amethyst.
His joy was so real, it made something tickle deep in my chest.
He was smiling so brightly—like he’d been waiting for this moment.
Even my ears started to feel hot.
“Ahem. Then go get some rest.”
“Yes, Aunt. I won’t disappoint you. I’ll work hard!”
He stood up and bowed politely.
‘How could I treat such a good kid like that…’
I felt guilty again, and I promised myself I would do better.
Even if we couldn’t be a perfect family, maybe we could still go back to a proper relationship.
****
Later…
The Imperial City within the capital was like a city of its own. It was full of noble residences, the grand Phantom Hall for coronations, and even a temple for the Pope’s visits.
So even without leaving the palace, there were plenty of places to go on a date.
“Staying in the palace all the time gets boring.”
“You should go out sometimes to relieve stress.”
Axion had a scarf I gave him wrapped tightly around his neck like a brace, even though the weather was warm. I had just convinced him to take it off.
He was now playing with the end of it, almost like he didn’t want to let it go.
“Have you been to Madame P’s coffee house?”
“No, I haven’t.”
It was a fairly new place, tucked away off the main road. Not many people knew about it yet.
But soon, ‘Madame P’ would take over high society, and the coffee house would be packed with visitors.
‘I remember going there with Maksim Dolan.’
Back then, it was so popular you had to reserve a spot in advance. Maksim wanted to go there badly, and I always gave in to whatever he asked.
People loved gossip. I secretly hoped they’d spread the story of me and Maxim going there—just so Axion would hear about it.
I wanted to see how he would react.
“Are you okay? You don’t look well…”
Axion leaned toward me with a worried face. I’d been feeling queasy from the guilt.
I shook my head.
“No, I’m fine.”
“Are you sure…”
“I said I’m fine.”
As soon as the words came out, I shut my mouth. That cold tone again—my cursed habit. Axion backed off, probably feeling rejected.
I clicked my tongue, annoyed at myself.
As the carriage slowed to a stop, Axion got out first and helped me down.
We were greeted by a few people who bowed. I gave a quick nod in return and started walking.
Something felt off as I walked.
I suddenly stopped—and so did Axion, two steps behind me.
He was acting just like a bodyguard.
Now I heard the whispers around us.
“How could she treat Duke Dierik like just a guard…”
I thought they were just talking about our outing, but no. They truly believed I was treating him like a servant. That was shocking.
“…Why are you walking behind me?”
Axion looked confused.
“Didn’t you tell me not to act like your fiancé?”
One problem after another. I shut my eyes tight.
‘Forget it. I’ll just make him cry.’
That thought crossed my mind.
I turned to face him, and he flinched.
“Listen carefully, Sion.”
“…People are watching…”
He sounded like he was warning me not to make a scene.
But I shook my head firmly.
“I don’t care.”
“……”
He still looked uncomfortable.
So I spoke clearly.
“This is a date.”
“…What?”
