~Chapter 2~
How much time had passed?
Before her eyes stood relatives gathered around a large bed, their faces heavy with sorrow. Her father was crying, and her mother—pale and clearly ill—lay weakly before her.
“I swear… I’ll become a great duke, just like you, Father.”
“Yes… I promise.”
“Listen to your father well until you come of age. Understood?”
Her mother had always been a strict person, and Izaya had been a good daughter who obeyed her without question.
Holding back her tears, Izaya nodded. Her mother grasped her hand tightly and said,
“I believe in you.”
Those were her last words.
And just like a stage shifting scenes, everything changed.
“My daughter, I’ve brought you a new family.”
A beautiful stepmother, and step-siblings who looked like angels.
Truthfully, she didn’t welcome them.
But Izaya forced herself to.
Father is all I have left now. I have to listen to him… I promised Mother.
The result?
Neglect and cruelty from her stepmother and step-siblings.
Still, Izaya never showed her pain.
She was afraid—afraid that if she did, the only family she had left, her father, would be disappointed or hurt.
It’s fine. As long as I have my family and my father, that’s enough.
Her father dismissed all her tutors, saying she no longer needed to study so hard.
But Izaya continued learning on her own.
I made a promise to Mother. I will become a great duke.
Then one day—
“Congratulations. You’ve been chosen as His Majesty the Emperor’s bride.”
The sudden announcement struck her like lightning from a clear sky.
Marry… the Emperor?
Becoming the heir had always been the future she accepted.
But being pushed into marriage—especially to an Emperor surrounded by terrible rumors—
That was not what she wanted.
“Father… I would rather stay with you than become Empress.”
Summoning her courage, she spoke.
Her father gently stroked her head.
“This father would prefer a daughter who is Empress.”
At that moment, Izaya realized something.
There was only one choice if she didn’t want to be abandoned.
“…Yes. I understand.”
“Wonderful! My daughter will be Empress! Now I have nothing to fear! Hahaha!”
Izaya smiled.
That’s right. Father loves me… so he’s giving me the highest position.
And so, she decided to become Empress—
And her father’s proud daughter.
She was only fourteen.
Too young to even have had her debut.
*
On the day of the wedding, people praised the bride’s beauty—
And pitied her at the same time.
“How can someone so beautiful be so unfortunate?”
“Do you think she doesn’t know about the curse?”
The Emperor was said to be cursed by a grim reaper.
His mother, his beloved pets, and every royal family member except him had died.
Izaya was aware of the rumors.
But she showed nothing.
Being abandoned by Father is far more terrifying than marrying the Emperor.
Then—
“Lady Izaya Sernece Lauchen, His Majesty the Emperor has arrived.”
The groom had come.
Izaya lifted her head slightly to look at him—
And froze.
That… is the Emperor?
A silver-haired boy with violet eyes glared at her.
He was said to be ten years old—
And even she, who cared little for appearances, couldn’t help but notice how beautiful he was.
But then she met his eyes.
Lonely.
Empty.
I heard he has no blood or tears…
Before she could dwell on it—
“It’s time for your entrance.”
At the attendant’s urging, Izaya tried to stand.
But her legs gave out.
Get a hold of yourself. This isn’t the time—
Just as panic set in—
A hand was extended toward her.
“An order. Take it and stand.”
She hesitated.
The rumors made her want to refuse.
But disobeying the Emperor could cause trouble.
So, trembling, she took his hand.
And then—
She was startled.
It’s… warm. Comfortable.
For the first time, she felt something unfamiliar, something gentle spreading through her chest.
Without realizing it, she tightened her grip on his small hand.
*
The wedding ended.
The doors to the bridal chamber closed.
Alone together, the Emperor spoke coldly.
“I don’t care whether you act like an Empress or not. Just don’t appear before me. If you irritate me, I’ll have you removed.”
Reality came crashing down.
This wasn’t a marriage of affection—
Only duty and necessity.
Izaya gave a hollow laugh.
But I can’t give up.
Her father needed her to be Empress.
Power came from the Emperor’s favor.
So she resolved to grow closer to him.
*
Because of the early marriage, she never had a debut.
And having spent her life studying, she didn’t know how to interact with people her age.
So her method was simple—
Follow him everywhere and speak to him.
“Your Majesty, are you going for a walk? May I accompany—”
“Move.”
A year passed.
He ignored her just as coldly as ever.
People feared the young Emperor, calling him a tyrant.
But Izaya thought differently.
At least he doesn’t beat or insult me like they did.
And despite her persistence, he never actually drove her away.
That’s… kindness. And besides…
Before marriage, she had always felt empty.
Like someone might strangle her at any moment.
But after meeting him—
That anxiety slowly faded.
Honestly… I feel at ease.
Then—
Her eyes widened.
A flower pot on a second-floor railing above the path was shaking in the wind.
Her heart dropped.
Just as it fell—
She pulled him back.
Crash!
The pot shattered where he had stood.
They both fell to the ground.
“Your Majesty! Are you hurt?”
The Emperor stared at her—
Then frowned deeply.
“What are you doing? You could have died!”
His first emotional outburst.
And in that moment, she understood.
So that’s why… the rumors…
She had thought it was just a political marriage.
But she couldn’t leave him alone.
His empty, desolate gaze always lingered in her mind.
I just… don’t want you to be lonely.
She knew that emptiness well.
Yet through him, she had begun to feel something else.
You’re the one who showed me warmth… my first family.
His words were sharp—
But his touch was warm.
She took his hand.
“What are you doing?” he asked coldly.
“I’ll prove you’re not cursed. If I stay by your side, people will forget those rumors.”
She smiled bitterly.
His expression didn’t change.
You don’t even cry…
Not because he was strong—
But because no one would comfort him.
She met his eyes.
“You can cry in front of me.”
“Cry? Why would I—”
He stopped.
Because she suddenly hugged him.
“I’ll always stay with you.”
He didn’t cry.
But she gently patted his back.
After a long silence—
“Then try it.”
“…What?”
“You said you’d stay with me. Prove it.”
His tone was blunt, almost challenging.
Izaya smiled.
“Yes. I’ll always stay by Your Majesty’s side.”
Then he said—
“Ernfried.”
“…Yes?”
“When we’re alone, call me that.”
Izaya froze.
He gave me his name.
For the first time, she felt close to someone.
Ernfried… Ern…
Then—
“Why are you just standing there? Aren’t you coming?”
He was waiting for her.
It felt unfamiliar.
A hand reached out again.
“Take it. Don’t trail behind me like a nuisance.”
She took his hand—
And smiled.
He let me stand beside him.
You really are kind.
From then on, Ern gradually allowed her closer.
He permitted familiarity, nicknames—
And outside of state affairs, they were always together.
Those days were precious.
Happiness she had never known before.
Please… let us stay like this forever.
But one day—
Ern changed.
