Chapter 26
After the Prime Minister, Yusian, left, Lia began a large-scale task.
It was not something extremely big, but there was a lot to do.
First, she had to write instructions explaining the ledger-writing method in a way even beginners could understand.
She also needed to create a manual that briefly listed what they had to do.
She planned to change all the work that had been handled in a rough, improvised way.
From what she saw, whenever something seemed lacking, they simply bought more.
She intended to change this method too.
By checking current inventory, she would make it possible to know the remaining amount of supplies in real time, instead of just buying things when they ran out.
That would make management much easier.
At the same time, Lia fell into deep thought.
Since she was going to leave anyway, was there really a need to go this far?
But whether or not it had been her choice, the work had been given to her.
She could not do it carelessly.
As long as she stayed here, these were the things she had to manage, so it was better to do them properly.
Doing things half-heartedly was not her personality.
Because of that, she had often taken on unnecessary work in Korea as well—but what could she do?
She could not simply ignore such things.
“Haah.”
How long had she been focused on work?
Before she knew it, the sun was setting.
But there was still work left to do.
Documents she still had to review.
The poorly written ledgers also had to be rewritten according to the method she explained.
At this rate, even if the night passed, it seemed impossible to finish everything today.
I might have been better off refusing this.
Maybe I should have only taken authority over the maids.
She felt a slight regret.
After resting for a few days since coming here, she was buried in a mountain of work again.
“Hmm? Tian?”
When Lia briefly looked away to rest her eyes, she saw Kartian.
She did not know when he arrived, but he was sitting on the sofa, staring at her.
“I stayed quiet.
I didn’t want to disturb you, Lia.”
Kartian spoke proudly, as if hoping for praise.
“Yes. You did well.”
Seeing how focused she had been, she probably would not have noticed even if he had spoken or done something.
Lia praised him absentmindedly.
“Is there a lot of work?”
“There is quite a lot.”
Lia sighed.
Kartian flinched at that.
It was not like he had given her the work to burden her or make her tired.
But seeing how exhausted she looked, he wondered if he had done something unnecessary and felt regret.
“Should I… help you?”
“That wouldn’t solve anything.”
He had returned internal affairs to her to restore the Empress’s authority.
Lia spoke as if refusing.
She did feel like she needed help, but it was awkward.
She would have to explain everything again.
“Then…”
Kartian carefully approached her, watching her mood.
He came behind Lia and gently placed his hands on her shoulders.
Wondering what he was trying to do, Lia looked puzzled—
then let out a small laugh when he began awkwardly massaging her shoulders.
An emperor giving a massage—what in the world.
Sadly, it did not feel refreshing.
To feel good, he needed to press firmly, but Kartian was only lightly touching her.
“That’s enough.”
“But you’re tired.”
“I’m going to rest now.
Doing too much in one day isn’t good either.”
Since the work could not be finished today anyway, she could just take it slowly.
And that weak massage would not remove her fatigue.
“Let’s eat.”
Because she had worked so hard, she was quite hungry.
“Okay, okay.”
Kartian nodded.
“If you’re tired… should I carry you?
It’s hard to walk to the dining hall.”
Kartian said carefully, watching her reaction.
“It’s not that bad.
No matter how tired I am, I can still walk to the dining hall.”
Besides, being carried in someone’s arms was absolutely not acceptable.
How embarrassing and cringeworthy would that be?
She preferred acting on her own rather than being protected by someone.
At Lia’s firm refusal, Kartian looked disappointed.
He still vividly remembered holding her before and wanted to hold her again, even like this.
But since she said no, he could not do it.
Leaving his regret behind, Kartian went to the dining hall with Lia.
Food had already been prepared for them.
Lia sat down naturally.
Kartian looked at her with a sulky expression.
“What is it now?”
“It’s too far.”
They were sitting across from each other, but the table was large, making the distance feel too great.
“Does distance matter while eating?”
You just have to eat.
Lia spoke indifferently.
“But I want to be close.
I couldn’t see you all day, and now I can finally see you.
We couldn’t spend time together.”
Kartian spoke weakly, shoulders drooping.
“Just eat.”
Lia said firmly.
Kartian’s expression darkened further, but Lia saw no reason to move seats.
Instead, Kartian moved himself.
Right. If Lia won’t come, I can go to her.
He pulled a chair beside Lia and sat down.
It was meant for one person, but the table was large enough for two.
Lia frowned slightly but said nothing.
She was more hungry than bothered.
“Eat well. You worked hard.”
Kartian personally pulled the dishes closer to Lia.
“You should eat too, Tian.”
“Okay.”
As Emperor, he had to lift his spoon first before Lia could eat, so Kartian picked up whatever food was nearby and started eating.
Only then could Lia begin her meal.
Perhaps because she was hungry, the food tasted good.
Even though all she did today was paperwork, it still felt exhausting.
After a moment, Lia looked at Kartian, feeling his obvious gaze.
“What is it?”
She felt burdened because he was only staring at her without eating.
“I’m watching you eat.”
“You’re not holding anything in your hands.”
“Just looking at Lia makes me full.”
He smiled softly, eyes curving gently.
Lia shook her head.
Parents sometimes say they feel full just watching their children eat, but they are not truly full.
Still, since he said he did not want to eat, she did not feel the need to force him.
If not for the sound that followed.
Grrr…
At the clear sound, Lia’s gaze moved to Kartian’s stomach.
It could not have come from her own stomach while she was eating.
The culprit had to be Kartian.
“Uh… ah…”
Kartian looked embarrassed at the loud noise.
“You said you were full.”
“……”
He could not answer.
His face burned with embarrassment.
His ears were already bright red.
“Your skin isn’t naturally red, right?”
Lia asked, noticing how easily he turned red.
“No! I’m not red!”
But when he lifted his head, his face was as red as his ears.
“Just eat.
Your stomach seems hungry.”
“No, I’m really not hungry.
That sound earlier… was the chair moving.”
Lia could not understand why he made such an absurd excuse instead of simply admitting he was hungry and eating.
“So chairs make growling sounds these days?
That’s strange.”
She muttered quietly.
“Y-Yes, they do.”
Kartian avoided her gaze.
But it was useless.
Grrr…
The sound came again.
“The chair seemed very quiet this time.”
His face turned so red it looked like it might burst.
He lowered his head as if burying it in the table.
Why again…
He glared at his own stomach.
Why doesn’t it understand the mood…
Embarrassed, he lightly slapped his stomach.
“If you don’t eat, of course you’ll be hungry.
Stop feeling embarrassed and just eat.”
Lia shook her head.
“…I’m hungry for Lia because I haven’t eaten Lia.”
Kartian mumbled, trying to hide his embarrassment.
“So you’re saying you want to eat me right now?”
“No, that’s not what I—”
“Of course not.
I’m not food. How would you eat me?”
“I just…”
He only meant that Lia mattered more than food.
That he wanted Lia more.
But he could not finish the sentence.
“If you’re not trying to eat the table, just eat your meal.”
Even though Lia said it innocently, without teasing, Kartian hurriedly picked up his spoon in embarrassment.
I should eat first.
I need to get rid of this embarrassment.
Seeing his almost battle-like determination to eat,
Lia simply let out a small laugh.
