Chapter 2
Leto stared at me without moving. His gaze felt like it could swallow everything, even the early dawn itself.
“You speak as if it’s obvious,” he said.
He took a step closer. I took a step back. Thud—my back hit the wall.
Those blue eyes of his looked down at me from up close. On closer inspection, they weren’t as sharp as I’d imagined. There was something almost magnetic, drawing you in.
…Which makes them all the more terrifying. One misstep, and I’d be defenseless.
I forced a composed smile. If I showed fear, I’d lose this battle of wills.
“What exactly are you planning?”
“You might not believe me… but I don’t know why I woke up in the Empress’s coffin either.”
“You don’t, huh.”
He lifted my chin with a fingertip. I flinched. His eyes swept over my face carefully.
“So then… what is this face?”
“……”
“I’ve never heard of magic like this. Is this the work of Libya’s foolish brothers?”
Magic? That felt unfair. Sure, it had been heavily glorified, but it was originally me.
“I swear, this face is mine, Your Majesty.”
He didn’t question me further. Not because he believed me, but because he saw no point in a wasteful conversation.
He let go of my chin and spoke.
“Fine. Other reasons don’t matter. What matters is that you are guilty.”
“But there must be a reason to keep me alive as well.”
He smirked at my words, as if curious to see how far I would go.
“The Empress has passed, yes?”
“……”
“Putting aside the grief of losing one’s wife first…”
Emotional arguments were useless with him. He wouldn’t respond to that.
“The Empress’s death must have been difficult for His Majesty too. And now, I’ve shown up unexpectedly and complicated things further.”
According to the original events, Leto would soon face a political crisis. The Matrion family and their allied houses would turn against the throne. Of course, Leto would overcome it—he’s the “male protagonist,” after all.
But right now, the situation was even worse.
The Empress, once neglected by the Emperor, has revived—and the Emperor executed her?
Would a few families turning their backs really be the end of it?
Leto is clever. In politics and strategy, he’s unmatched. Even he would realize it’s better to acknowledge a “revived Empress”… as long as he’s certain I’m not the Consulate’s agent.
He let out a small laugh.
“Quite sharp. The Consulate really did a number on me.”
“I’m not their agent.”
“So I’m supposed to believe that?”
“You have no proof, do you?”
“Excuse me?”
“That I’m an agent of the Consulate.”
Probably just a hunch. And it’s strong enough to be a problem. I took a step closer and looked him straight in the eyes.
“You can kill me after you find proof. It won’t be too late.”
“……”
“If I resemble the Empress so closely, use me. You won’t lose anything.”
For a moment, I felt it—his icy gaze wavered, just slightly.
There’s no way Leto hadn’t considered what I was thinking. He was weighing options too, running through dozens of possibilities in his mind.
Please, let the scales tip in my favor.
Leto asked,
“What’s your purpose in going this far?”
Simple question. My answer was just as simple.
“Just let me live.”
What else could I possibly ask for?
“‘You want to live,’ huh.”
He leaned down and pressed me against the window behind me. I was trapped between him and the glass.
Too close…
His eyes, glimmering in the dawn light, were beautiful—but his words remained cold.
“Do you know what it means to say ‘let me live’ to me?”
A low, almost whispering growl. The overwhelming presence made it clear: he held my life in his hands.
Leto was a firm believer in meritocracy. His own abilities were extraordinary, and he never kept the weak or incompetent close. That was the secret to this young man’s power over the throne.
I wasn’t exactly weak either.
“I mean… that I want you to see I’m worth keeping alive,” I said.
He paused. Had I answered correctly?
“You speak well.”
Leto stepped back slightly, folding his arms as he observed me. The sharpness in his eyes had softened, just a little.
“For now.”
“For now?”
“Ten days from now is the Founding Festival. Protect the Empress’s seat there. Can you do it?”
I nodded slowly. There wasn’t really a choice.
“But don’t speak or move from your place under any circumstances.”
“…Yes.”
“You know what happens if you break this rule, right?”
“Of course.”
Leto turned and left the lounge. Slam—the door closed behind him.
I sank to the floor. My heart, frozen in tension, was racing wildly.
I survived… at least for now.
Just as I exhaled in relief, suddenly—
Bang!
The door opened. Leto returned, walking straight toward me without hesitation.
Why… why is he back? Did he change his mind?
I should stand, but my body wouldn’t obey.
He grabbed both my shoulders.
“Ah!”
Not painfully, but I yelped in surprise. He lifted me lightly, as if picking up a bundle of cloth.
I steadied myself on trembling legs.
“Why… why are you doing this…?”
“You should have come with me.”
“Excuse me?”
“You need to inform the council in the meeting room.”
“Oh… yes.”
Now I understood. Everyone in the meeting room was waiting for us. If we were to play the part of a married couple, now was the time.
“Take my hand.”
Leto extended his arm. I hesitated, then took it.
We returned to the meeting room. Leto spoke plainly to the council.
“After verification, this woman is indeed Empress Libya.”
“Of course!”
“I knew it! The Empress has returned… glory to the Empire, Your Majesty.”
The councilors offered congratulations, and the priests eagerly held my hand, performing blessings.
“The Empress is the embodiment of the Goddess’s grace.”
“This is the glory of the Imperial Family and the council, Your Majesty.”
Amid the chaos, a councilor asked Leto,
“Your Majesty, how did you become so certain?”
Yeah… how will he answer that?
He had been ready to kill me just moments ago.
Leto’s expression didn’t change at all as he replied:
“Aren’t we married? We share many secrets, don’t we, Empress?”
He draped an arm lightly around my shoulder and smiled at me. I understood. That smile meant: If we’re acting, do it properly.
I returned his smile.
“Of course. Naturally.”
Clever. Leto had avoided answering the councilor directly. Who would dare pry into the secrets of the imperial couple?
“Libya!”
“Libya, are you okay?”
Louis and Shaun rushed over, pushing aside the priests and standing in front of me. Louis gripped my right hand tightly.
“We really thought you were dead. We wouldn’t have faced our parents in heaven. This… truly is a miracle.”
The Matrion Marquess and his wife had passed. The title went to their eldest son, Louis. The only family left were the three siblings.
Shaun took my left hand.
“If your body was that weak, you should have spoken up! …Of course, your husband wouldn’t have cared anyway.”
He whispered the last part quickly. Luckily, Leto didn’t seem to hear.
“We can’t let this continue. We need to take care of you now.”
I had no time to argue. Shaun spoke to Leto.
“Your Majesty.”
“What is it, Shaun?”
“My sister needs to recover. We’ll escort her to her room.”
Shaun’s tone was subtly disrespectful. The brothers had always disliked Leto. Of course—what brother likes a distant brother-in-law?
“That’s not allowed.”
The councilor blocked our way.
“The Empress has received the Goddess’s grace. She must purify her body at the temple for now.”
“That won’t do.”
Leto interrupted firmly.
“Where would the mistress of the palace go if she left the palace?”
The councilor didn’t back down.
“Your Majesty, please consider the etiquette.”
“You mean the rule that the Empress’s quarters must remain empty for a month after the funeral?”
“Yes. Though the Empress has returned in a new body, her previous remains are enshrined in the temple. A funeral has been held.”
“You’ve done well to remember imperial etiquette, councilor. But I disagree on its interpretation.”
The argument between the two grew tense. I couldn’t let it continue all night.
“I—”
I spoke up.
“I’ll go to the Empress’s quarters.”
My words seemed to surprise Leto more than the councilor. Could he have doubted I could express my will? Or was he siding with me?
It wasn’t about siding with him. I just didn’t want to be near the councilor. Isn’t it better to be with someone scary than someone vile?
“So be it,” Leto said. The councilor finally stepped aside.
“Marquess Matrion,” Leto called to Louis. He bowed politely.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“The secondary palace is empty. Escort the Empress there.”
“Yes. Come, Libya.”
I left the meeting room with the Matrion siblings. Glancing back, I met Leto’s piercing gaze.
By the time dawn broke, I followed the Matrion siblings to the secondary palace. The gardens sparkled in the morning sun.
Everything felt unreal.
I’d died from overwork in a pharmaceutical lab, nearly died again in this world, and now… I was alive, watching this beautiful scenery.
Louis studied my face.
“Are you okay, Libya?”
“What? Libya, are you sick?”
“I’m fine… just a bit dazed.”
Shaun looked around and asked cautiously,
“Libya, in the room next to the meeting room earlier… he didn’t trouble you, did he?”
“Who?”
“The Emperor. Be honest. Then… fine, I’ll get you a divorce! Sending you to such a careless man is unforgivable.”
Shaun clenched his fists. White, delicate fists, as all wizards’ hands were.
“Enough, Shaun. Today, let’s be satisfied that Libya is back.”
“So you won’t help if she wants a divorce?”
“What are you saying? I’d help even if I had to sell my title.”
Louis spoke seriously.
“If you want a divorce, say so anytime. Got it?”
Their doting behavior made me laugh. Maybe because I never had siblings. I was already starting to grow attached.
Then I realized one thing.
This imperial family… allows divorce?
