ITTW CH 05

The emperor held my hand tightly all the way to the bedroom.

As if letting go would mean I’d run away.

Meanwhile, I was tense for a completely different reason—wondering where I was supposed to sleep if he just sent me back like this.

The distance to the emperor’s bedroom felt both long and short.

There were no obstacles, and he walked so urgently that we arrived quickly.

He pushed me inside, then shut the door behind us with a loud thud.

My shoulders flinched at the sound.

Then, while looking straight at me, he began undoing his buttons.

Starting with his upper garments, he stripped quickly.

A well-trained upper body and clean lines were revealed.

My gaze dropped straight to the floor.

“Don’t misunderstand. I’ve simply realized that it’s better to sleep in comfortable clothing.”

“Yes… I’m not misunderstanding.”

What exactly would I even misunderstand here?

“Could I wait outside?”

“You promised you’d put me to sleep.”

He narrowed his eyes at me.

I pointed at the door.

“Then I’ll just stand by the door. Or I can turn around. That works too, right?”

This novel had a high maturity level.

Scenes of the emperor undressing appeared countless times.

But reading words and seeing it in front of you were entirely different experiences.

It was embarrassing. Just overwhelmingly embarrassing.

The emperor, however, clearly had only one thought in mind—sleep.

He placed a hand on my shoulder and gently turned me around.

Now I was facing the door.

Even as he pulled his arms out of his sleeves, he kept one hand on me, switching sides so he wouldn’t let go.

A few minutes later, now dressed in light sleepwear, he turned me back around.

“Now, put me to sleep.”

His voice was hoarse.

Probably from exhaustion—but it sounded dangerously low and smooth.

“O-Okay, just… close your eyes. You’re making me nervous.”

He immediately closed them.

But there was another problem.

“Your hand on my waist! Move it!”

“So you can run off without putting me to sleep? Not a chance.”

“…I’m not going to!”

That was seriously unfair.

“Have I ever run away without putting you to sleep? No, right?”

“You haven’t run away before putting me to sleep.”

He nodded.

“Exactly?”

“But you did leave after putting me to sleep.”

Well, obviously. I needed to sleep too.

“This time as well… once I fall asleep, you’ll disappear.”

He tightened his arms around me.

“So I won’t let you go.”

He was probably just saying that out of exhaustion.

I understood that.

But still, my face heated up, and I couldn’t look at him properly.

Because it sounded like it meant something more.

“Just sleep first. Properly.”

I barely managed to press a kiss to his forehead.

But the suspicious emperor didn’t let go.

Even after falling asleep.

“Damn it…”

He had even clasped his hands behind my waist.

I tried to pry them off, but it wasn’t easy.

“How am I supposed to sleep like this, you damn emperor?!”

The problem was resolved quickly.

The head maid entered the room as soon as the emperor fell asleep.

“Roshten, hold His Majesty’s left arm.”

She gestured to a knight.

The two of them struggled for a while, but eventually managed to loosen his grip.

It took some effort—but I was finally freed.

“Wow… I thought I was going to die.”

I stretched my back.

I had seriously thought I might have to spend the night stuck like that.

“You mustn’t die. You’ll be responsible for His Majesty’s sleep from now on.”

The head maid winked.

“You should rest as well. I’ll show you to a room.”

For someone worried about becoming homeless, that was the best offer possible.

I followed her eagerly.

She opened a door.

Though not as grand as the emperor’s bedroom, the room was large and luxurious.

It was a room used only for foreign dignitaries.

“Are you hungry?”

“I’d appreciate something, yes.”

“If you’re not too hungry, we’ll prepare light refreshments.”

Her attitude was extremely respectful—completely different from the servants back at the mansion.

Not just her, but all the maids she brought along were the same.

“Do you like the curtains?”

“Why wouldn’t I? They’re nice.”

“Shall we change the bedding?”

“No need. This looks fine.”

“If you’re tired, we’ll take our leave.”

“Hmm… no, I’m not that sleepy yet. But…”

I rested my chin on my clasped hands.

The people fussing over the room all paused at once.

“It feels like you’re all watching my reaction. Am I imagining things?”

The head maid placed tea and cookies on the table.

“Please don’t misunderstand. We simply hope you’ll stay here as long as possible.”

“Me? At the palace? Why?”

“After you leave.”

She smiled.

“His Majesty has changed.”

The maids eagerly added:

“He smiled at the morning sun.”
“He’s less irritable.”
“And when Ren stepped on his robe, he let it go.”
“Though… he gradually returned to his usual self.”

The last maid sighed.

“So we couldn’t stop him from coming to you. To be honest… we welcomed it. If he sleeps well, he may regain stability.”

The head maid gave a bitter smile.

“Well… um…”

The emperor had come because I called him.

But the timing to say that felt off.

I just bit my lip.

“Either way, it’s a change because of you. We welcome it. So we hope you’ll stay by His Majesty’s side.”

She gestured to the others.

“These are all Ren’s colleagues. They’re grateful their friend lived.”

“If you need anything, we’ll provide it!”

One maid clasped her hands.

“So please… don’t say you’re going back.”

A silence filled with desperation followed.

I sighed, holding my teacup.

“Don’t worry. I’m not that attached to the dukedom anyway.”

“Really?”

“Of course.”

If anything, I planned to delay going back as much as possible.

After all, I had turned the mansion upside down.

The duke wouldn’t see it as anything but defiance.

He was probably on edge, worried Railan might still run away.

I would wait.

Until he calmed down enough to value his reputation over harming me.

“By the way, this tea smells wonderful. Could I have more?”

“Of course, my lady.”

“This flower is a lilac, and that one only grows in the imperial garden. Its name is…”

The maid explaining the flowers noticed a shadow behind me and quickly stepped aside.

“You’re still here.”

A low voice followed.

I turned.

Of course—it was the emperor.

I had woken early, but with nothing to do, I wandered.

Then the maids told me about the garden.

Apparently, there was a large one in front of the palace.

Since I showed interest, they brought me out.

And so, eight hours after leaving his bedroom, I faced the emperor again.

He scanned the area, then fixed his gaze on me.

The urgency in his eyes softened.

So he had been wandering the garden looking for me.

As he approached, the maids stepped back.

I suddenly remembered something one of them said:

[Don’t be surprised… while you were gone, His Majesty kept asking for you.]

Maybe it wasn’t a joke after all.

He slowly reached out and grabbed me.

Only after confirming I was real did he relax.

“If I go home, I’ll probably get scolded.”

He thought for a moment, then chuckled.

“That sounds about right.”

“So… could I stay here for a while?”

“Why wouldn’t that be allowed? Stay as long as you wish.”

He licked his upper lip.

“Then tonight as well… will you come put me to sleep?”

“Yes.”

He smiled lazily.

Without anxiety, his expression looked almost sweet.

“I like that.”

“Your Majesty has arrived.”

Odlen bowed, holding documents.

The emperor walked past the lined-up officials and sat on the throne.

He tapped the carved lion on the armrest.

The signal that the meeting had begun.

“We will begin the reports.”

The daily council proceeded.

The first report came from Marquis Helion.

He kept glancing nervously at the emperor.

By the time he finished, his face was drenched in sweat.

But no one mocked him.

They were all the same.

Everyone in that room feared the emperor.

He was wise. Capable of ruling.

But there was one reason they feared him.

He showed no mercy for even the smallest mistake.

“What of the Ospalten rebellion?”

A month ago, Count Ospalten had rebelled.

The emperor had dispatched forces after judging it manageable.

The officer in charge now stepped forward.

The moment their eyes met, he dropped to the floor.

“I apologize. Their resistance is stronger than expected. We have not advanced yet. We require reinforcements.”