~Chapter 34~

Arwen asked Lovelace a question. Ever since she had appeared in the dining room, she had been leading the entire conversation.

Neither Lovelace nor Larvihan could shake the feeling of being dragged along by Arwen.

It felt unpleasant. Since Arwen was the Emperor and also Larvihan’s old friend, Lovelace couldn’t act overly familiar.

“Arwen, it’s better if you keep your mouth shut. I’m very protective of my mansion.”

“That’s why I’m saying this here, Larvihan. If I had said it in the palace, you would’ve destroyed everything without a thought.”

Larvihan didn’t deny it. Instead, he stood up.

“Don’t bother with her, Rey. She’s worthless.”

“But does Count Lovelace think the same? I read your revised bill proposal, Count Lovelace. I’d like to talk about it.”

Lovelace wanted to follow Larvihan, but she changed her mind. Turning back with a smile, she politely said to Arwen:

“Shall we move somewhere else, Your Majesty?”

“Good idea.” Arwen readily agreed.

“I don’t like it, Rey,” Larvihan objected with a displeased look.

“Please, Larvihan.”

In the end, he gave in. Lovelace rarely asked him for anything so obediently.

“Take them to the parlor,” Larvihan ordered.

Walking down the hallway with Arwen, Lovelace thought to herself.

When Larvihan told her to amend the law, she hadn’t thought it would be difficult.

The law really was strange—it was about theft. If Larvihan ever reported her…

“You’ll pay with your body, Rey.”

Ugh, even the thought was horrible.

Such a rotten law had to be fixed as soon as possible. So when Arwen suggested a conversation, she was secretly glad.

“Here we are,” the servant said, opening the parlor door. The room Larvihan had given them was splendid, with a chandelier made of hundreds of crystals.

“Larvihan treasures this room,” Arwen said.

“Yes, he does,” Lovelace answered flatly.

Arwen frowned at her indifferent reply.

“Your tea will get cold, Your Majesty,” Lovelace said politely.

Arwen quickly relaxed her expression and smiled brightly.

“You’re very kind, Count Lovelace.”

“Only to those who deserve it.”

As she sipped her tea, Arwen carefully observed Lovelace.

Not exactly a breathtaking beauty…

Still, there had to be a reason Larvihan kept her by his side. It wasn’t just about the attribute orb.

There’s something else. But what?

“Your Majesty, aren’t you busy?”

“Yes, very. Thank you for worrying about my time.”

“You asked to talk, but you’ve been silent. I should return to my territory soon.”

Arwen couldn’t tell if she was being naive or deliberately provoking. Her big round eyes rolled innocently, with no hint of malice. Now Arwen understood why Nikolai had said she was difficult.

She’s… different from normal people.

Arwen kept her eyes fixed on Lovelace.

“No matter how busy, I must make time to speak with you, Count Lovelace.”

“Why?”

In her home country, she should have bowed, saying she was deeply honored that the busy emperor made time for her. But Lovelace, steeped in capitalism and democracy, simply asked bluntly.

Surely she wouldn’t get her head chopped off just for this? Arwen wasn’t Larvihan, after all.

“Because I like you.”

Wow. Do imperial people just lie so easily?

Lovelace forced her lips into a smile.

“As a friend?”

“More than that.”

What?! What did she just say?

Lovelace opened and closed her mouth, at a loss for words, then gulped down her tea.

So popular here, when she never was back in Korea. Was she really that attractive? Or was it Lovelace’s looks? Could she secretly be the story’s heroine? No way.

She chuckled to herself at the thought.

Lovelace wasn’t even mentioned in the novel.

If she hadn’t swallowed the attribute orb, she probably would’ve lived and died as an extra.

So Arwen must also want the orb’s power.

Her muddled thoughts grew calm.

“I can’t give it to you, Your Majesty.”

“What do you mean? I only want to be your friend, not make a deal.”

Friendship in the empire—what did that even mean? Nikolai, Arwen… they all wanted something, yet kept asking to be her “friend.”

“If you’d said it was a deal, I’d actually trust you more.”

“Would you? Then let’s do that. Be my friend, and I’ll grant what you want. Should I make this law pass instantly as an imperial decree?”

Tempting. Power really was the greatest.

She remembered Nora’s troubled expression when reviewing the proposal.

“The nobles will strongly oppose this, Count.”

“But it has to pass.”

“Then you’ll need their support…”

Lovelace knew the rest of the unspoken words.

You don’t have friends. You don’t have allies. You even dismissed your retainers.

Of course, Nora hadn’t meant it rudely. Nora was ready to devote her life to Lovelace, the woman who hired her despite her low status.

“You mean… it would pass right away?”

“Of course. As soon as I return to the palace and sign it.”

So better to hold onto the emperor’s coattails than deal with hundreds of noisy nobles?

“Arwen, don’t trick innocent people.”

Larvihan entered without knocking, dropping heavily onto the seat beside Lovelace. Though he sat casually, dignity radiated from him. Lovelace’s posture straightened unconsciously.

“Larvihan, when speaking on official matters, at least call me ‘Your Majesty,’” Arwen scolded sternly.

Larvihan sat up straighter. Was he going to obey?

Lovelace watched curiously. But he simply popped a grape into his mouth and leaned back on the sofa.

One of Arwen’s eyebrows twitched. But she quickly smiled.

“Think carefully, Count Lovelace.”

“There’s nothing to think about. An imperial decree? Do you know what that means? If the emperor changes her mind, it’s over.”

Lovelace recalled Nora’s lecture on imperial law. As Larvihan said, the emperor could create or abolish laws at will.

“Then I refuse, Your Majesty. I want to amend the law properly.”

She spoke firmly, without hesitation.

“Count Lovelace, I admire your purity. I like that about you. But persuading the nobles will be difficult, no matter how reasonable your cause is.”

Arwen lowered her brows and gently took Lovelace’s hand. Her voice dripped with concern.

Larvihan pulled Lovelace back by the waist. Because of his arm’s reach, Arwen lost hold of her hand.

“I’ll handle it.”

“By threats? By changing the heir?”

That was how the last amendment had been forced through. Arwen calmly accused him.

Even here, the two of them clashed like enemies.

“The method doesn’t matter. The result does. Isn’t that right, Rey?”

No, Larvihan. The method and process matter too.

Lovelace sent him a look, then pulled his hand off.

“I don’t need either of your help. Just don’t get in my way.”

What gave her the courage? Was it anger at Larvihan for tying her down and solving everything himself? Or at Arwen for trying to deceive her with false kindness?

Recklessly, she spoke words she now had to stand by.

“Count Lovelace, you’re courageous too. At least let me help with the first step. Will you allow that?”

“I’ll hear you out and then decide.”

Arwen actually liked this wall Lovelace was putting up. A rose without thorns had no charm.

“You’ll need to meet the nobles anyway. I’ll invite you to a palace banquet.”

Larvihan frowned, displeased.

“I’m not going.”

“Then Count Lovelace can come alone.”

“Rey won’t—”

“I’ll go. When will it be, Your Majesty?”

Larvihan looked at her like he had something to say, but Lovelace raised and lowered her eyebrows and turned away.

“Three days from now. Best to stay in the capital to prepare. Why not stay in the palace?”

“Thank you for the offer, but I’ll decline.”

She couldn’t stay in the capital. Three days wasn’t enough for a round trip by carriage, but with teleportation, she could manage.

“Then I’ll send a carriage.”

“No need. I’ll escort her,” Larvihan cut in.

“Didn’t you just say you weren’t coming?”

“Did I?” he lied coolly, pretending not to remember.

Arwen’s eyes glimmered oddly.

“As you wish.”

She rose from her seat. Winning Lovelace over could take time. People always craved help in times of trouble. That was the best chance to win favor.

And if Lovelace didn’t end up in trouble? Impossible. Arwen would make sure of it.

With a sweet smile, she bid Lovelace farewell.

“No!”

In the middle of Larvihan’s bedroom, Lovelace cried out in despair after focusing for a long time.