PLML 24

CHAPTER 24

Theoris bore no resemblance to the Emperor whatsoever.
Even so, the comment that he looked like his father was clearly intended to draw attention to the fact that Theoris was illegitimate.

It was already a well-known fact, not just within the imperial family but even among commoners, that Theoris was a bastard.

“Even if that’s true, does he have to be so obvious about it?”

Feigning ignorance, Jayna played along.

“Yes, Your Majesty. When I saw Your Majesty’s noble visage, it was like looking upon the Sun God himself—it was dazzling. I wondered how Theoris could be so handsome, and now I see it must be because he takes after you.”

The Emperor narrowed his eyes as he looked down at Jayna. She tensed, wondering what he would say next.

But the Emperor said no more.

“Very well. It seems my son is doing fine. That’s enough. You may both return now.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The way the Emperor looked at her left Jayna feeling unsettled. She left the audience chamber with Theoris, as if fleeing.

She stood barely over 150 centimeters. With airy, frill-like hair, round and gentle eyes, and a petite frame with an innocent face that seemed oblivious to the darker sides of the world—she was a delicate, flower-like young lady.

Back when marriage talks with Count Hans were underway, Jayna had been thoroughly investigated. An illegitimate child whose mother was unknown. Apart from her pleasant looks, there was nothing particularly notable about her.

No one had expected her to be so clever. The way she spoke clearly and yet knew how to flatter just enough—it was rather charming.

The Emperor found himself regretting that he had given Jayna to Theoris.

“If not for my father, I would never have acknowledged that filthy boy as royalty.”

Theoris wasn’t the Emperor’s illegitimate child—he was the Empress’s. The Emperor had no intention of recognizing as royalty a bastard who shared no blood with him.

But for some reason, the Emperor’s father had insisted on recognizing Theoris. He was still the son of the Empress, and therefore a part of the imperial family. The Emperor had been unable to overturn his father’s firm will.

Of course, Theoris was never treated like royalty. The Emperor had thoroughly disregarded him. So did the palace servants and nobles.

Aside from the fact that he had fallen out of the Emperor’s favor, his white irises—a trait only found in those with demonic blood—also played a part. In the end, Theoris had been neglected and cast off to the North. He was given the empty title of Duke.

“It’s too late to call off the marriage now…”

The Emperor clapped his hands while staring blankly into space. A faint, bitter smile curved on his lips.

“Haah… I seriously thought I was going to die in there.”

Once outside the audience chamber and in a secluded spot, Jayna collapsed onto the ground.

“Jayna, are you alright?”

“No. Not at all. That man—no, wait, Theo. Let’s get this straight. Is that person really your father?”

“Huh?”

Theoris looked puzzled but then stiffened at her serious expression.

“On the family register, yes.”

“Then… would you be upset if I insulted your father?”

Theoris thought for a moment and slowly shook his head.

“Then I’m going to vent. What the hell is wrong with that man? How can someone be so petty? He’s old enough to know better, yet he’s tormenting someone so much younger. If he just kept his mouth shut, at least he’d look dignified.”

Jayna unleashed a flurry of insults at the Emperor.

“Jayna, if you say those things inside the palace…”

“There’s no one around anyway. And I didn’t even mention names—how would anyone know who I’m talking about? Ugh, I hope his hair all falls out.”

“…What?”

“Theo, is there a medicine that makes people go bald?”

“No, there’s not.”

“But there’s medicine to make hair grow back—so why not one to make it fall out?”

At Jayna’s grumbling, Theoris burst into laughter.

Had he ever laughed like this in the palace before?

This was the first time he had left the audience chamber without that sickening, twisted feeling.

Theoris thought back to what had just happened.

‘Theoris, wouldn’t it be safer for your wife to stay in the South, rather than live with you in the dangerous Northern duchy?’

The Emperor had a point. For Jayna’s safety, sending her away would be the right thing to do. And yet, in that moment, Theoris had nearly said it without thinking: “I don’t want that.”

“Live as though you are dead. That is the only way you will survive.”

That was what his grandfather had once told him, and Theoris had lived by it ever since.

He had lived like a dead man—never responding to the abuse from servants, never defying the Emperor. Even when he was ordered to move to the most dangerous region of monster-infested Northern Seronia, he obeyed without a word.

But when the Emperor suggested sending Jayna away, he couldn’t answer.

And the only reason he stayed silent was because of Jayna.

If she had agreed to go South…

‘No. I still wouldn’t have let her go.’

[“No, I don’t want to.”]

When the words he had repeated in his mind came from Jayna’s lips instead, it filled him with joy.

[“I like the North. I don’t want to leave the place I live now.”]

[“And I don’t want to be separated from my husband. I can’t live without Theoris.”]

With just those few words, all the darkness inside him was dispelled.

She said she liked the North. That she couldn’t live without him.

[“I like handsome, fit men. And I’ve never seen anyone more handsome than Theoris.”]

What made him happiest of all was that she loved him simply because he was handsome. Because if someone loves you for no reason, you can never know when they’ll stop. But if she loved his looks and body, he could just maintain them to stay in her favor. And if she ever fell for someone more handsome than him… he’d make sure that man vanished without a trace.

“You said you liked me.”

“Theo, I’m serious, you know?”

Jayna, who was now plotting how to make the Emperor bald, was absolutely adorable.

“Thank you, my lady.”

Theoris gently kissed Jayna’s forehead. Jayna, who had been chattering about herbalism just moments before, went completely silent. Her cheeks turned rosy.

“Hey, don’t just do that when we’re not even at home!”

“There’s no one around, is there?”

Theoris echoed her earlier words with a smile. Jayna pouted up at him with star-like eyes.

“Well… that’s true.”

Jayna wrapped her arms around Theoris’s neck. She tried her best to put on a seductive expression, and Theoris found it so cute he wanted to tease her.

So, as always, he resisted her pull and simply smiled down at her. His expression said, “Go ahead and try.”

Jayna tightened her arms with all her might, but her slender limbs couldn’t budge Theoris. After some effort, she crossed her arms and pretended to be upset.

“Fine, forget it then.”

She turned away with a huff.

Even that little pout was too endearing.

Theoris leaned in close and whispered in her ear.

“I never said I didn’t like it.”

Chapter 10: Huh? What about demons?

“No matter how much I love him, this is insane. Seriously!”

Jayna hid in a corner, fanning her red face with her hands.

What happened to the shy Theoris who used to blush all the time when they first met?

Now he looked proud—no, downright brazen.

“Let’s stop this and go home now, Theo.”

At her words, Theoris grinned playfully.

“Are you not satisfied yet?”

“Wha—?! That’s not what I meant!”

Jayna exploded.

Well… maybe she wasn’t completely satisfied…

“I apologize. You were just so lovely, I couldn’t help teasing you a bit.”

“Ugh… well, I guess it’s not really something to apologize for.”

“We’ve finished our business. If you wish, I’ll have the carriage prepared immediately.”

Jayna was about to nod, but then paused. They had come all the way to the imperial capital—it seemed like a waste to just go back.

A true homebody knows how to make the most of an outing.

“Theo, I want to look around the palace. Since we’re here, let’s do a little sightseeing.”

“Understood. Shall we start with the gardens, Jayna?”

“Yes, I’d love that.”

Theoris led Jayna to the imperial gardens.

They were more beautiful than she had imagined. Rose vines stretched along both sides, white marble statues stood in harmony with the sweet scent of blooming flowers.

As they walked the well-maintained paths, Theoris led her into a side trail. Soon, a wide lake opened up before her eyes.

“Wow…!”

Jayna ran to the lakeside, full of wonder.

The water was so clear she could see the bottom. It sparkled in the sunlight like crushed glass scattered across the surface. Jayna couldn’t take her eyes off the dazzlingly white lake.

Crouching down, she dipped her hands in the water. Theoris knelt beside her.

“Do you like it?”

“Yes. It’s beautiful.”

Jayna splashed the water with her hands, then suddenly turned toward Theoris with a mischievous grin.

She scooped up a handful of water and threw it in his face.

Soaked, Theoris blinked in surprise.

Wow, his eyelashes are so long…

His black hair clung to his forehead, just barely damp. Droplets dangled from his long lashes like tiny gems. Jayna turned her head away instinctively.

A soft heat crept up her cheeks. If she saw her reflection now, her face would be as red as a rose. It was all Theoris’s fault for being too good-looking.

Not even the imperial garden, not even the sunlit lake, could compare to Theoris’s beauty.

“Jayna?”

Theoris leaned in. Startled, Jayna pushed his face away.

“Are you uncomfortable?”

“No—it’s not that…!”

Still flustered, she tried to hide her face. A faint laugh tickled her ears.

Long, slender fingers wrapped gently around her arms. His hands slid slowly upward, lacing their fingers together.

With her hands trapped, Jayna could no longer hide her face.

Theoris’s lips curled into a seductive smile. In his crescent-shaped eyes, Jayna’s flustered face was reflected.