Episode 27
Alicia ended up getting three more “punishment drinks,” and now her pale face was blushing bright red.
Kaiyen, also in a good mood, had been drinking steadily and was clearly tipsy.
He looked much more relaxed and cheerful than usual.
“I can’t hold it in anymore,” he suddenly said.
“What do you mean?”
“Look in the mirror.”
Alicia quickly grabbed the small hand mirror from the table with slightly clumsy hands.
When she looked, she saw a long red wine stain at the corner of her mouth.
“Oh my!”
Embarrassed, she quickly put down the mirror and wiped her mouth with a handkerchief.
Her face grew even redder.
Kaiyen burst out laughing, enjoying the moment.
“Haha! I was watching you secretly. It was so funny I couldn’t keep it to myself anymore.”
Alicia didn’t know Kaiyen had a mischievous side like this. She kept wiping her mouth, cheeks still red.
“You’re terrible. You came to the Empress’s chambers late at night, gave me punishment drinks, and now you’re teasing me!”
Maybe it was the wine, or maybe it was Kaiyen’s friendly attitude, but Alicia’s words were much bolder than usual.
“Life would be boring without a little mischief,” he said with a smirk.
Life being fun? That sounded strange coming from someone like Kaiyen.
“What makes Your Majesty’s life fun?”
“Hm… usually, being the Emperor isn’t fun at all.”
“But if you had to choose one thing?”
Because of the wine and the small sofa, they were sitting much closer than normal.
Both leaned in to hear each other better.
“I do feel proud sometimes—like when the people of Lubeo live better lives.”
“That’s something to be proud of, but it’s not exactly fun.”
“If it’s something fun… it was just in front of me a moment ago.”
Kaiyen gave her a playful grin.
He was talking about her funny reaction to the wine stain.
“Especially when you looked in the mirror. That was hilarious.”
“So teasing me is fun for you?”
“Today, it is.”
Kaiyen laughed again, and Alicia gave him a side-eye glare.
“You’re no gentleman.”
She said it without thinking and instantly regretted it, even in her tipsy state.
But Kaiyen didn’t seem offended at all.
“Are you scared of me now? You were laughing earlier. Why look at me like that?”
She bit her lip, unable to reply.
Kaiyen smiled gently.
“I know why. If anyone else said I wasn’t a gentleman, I might’ve been offended. But I know what you feel, so I’m not upset.”
“Okay…”
“So don’t be afraid of me because of that.”
Kaiyen had his flaws, but he was still a dignified, smart, and strong man.
And he clearly knew now that Alicia, the Empress who had once strictly followed Lucan’s teachings, was on his side.
“Thanks to you, I think I’m becoming more of a gentleman. What do you think?”
“You’d be a perfect gentleman… if you’d stop teasing me.”
That made Kaiyen laugh loudly again.
He couldn’t even remember the last time he laughed like this in public or private.
“Then I guess I’ll never be a gentleman. I realized something earlier—teasing you is more fun than teasing anyone else.”
Alicia glared at him in frustration, but to Kaiyen, she just looked adorably flushed.
“I never noticed before, but you’re really beautiful.”
“…Huh?”
The sudden compliment made Alicia freeze.
“I never really looked at your face closely before.”
Her silver hair shimmered, her eyes were as blue as gems, and her pale skin and elegant figure were known even by those who disliked her.
Probably, Kaiyen was the only one in the palace who hadn’t noticed until now.
“Why didn’t I notice? Even your voice is calm and pleasant.”
In their past life, Kaiyen never realized this because every time she spoke about Lucan’s teachings, it annoyed him, no matter how nice her voice was.
“It’s strange when I think about it. We even had a wedding, didn’t we?”
“Yes, we did.”
“I must’ve lifted your veil and taken vows. Why don’t I remember clearly?”
Alicia gave a sad smile.
“You didn’t really look at me that day.”
“But we should’ve looked at each other, right? Lift the veil, kiss…”
Kaiyen didn’t even seem to realize how careless he had been as a husband.
“You shortened the ceremony because you said it was annoying. You did look at me, but you weren’t interested.”
Alicia spoke calmly.
“And instead of a kiss, you just touched my cheek lightly and turned away.”
Kaiyen blinked.
He didn’t remember any of that.
“I did that?”
“Yes.”
“That was it? That was our whole wedding?”
Being asked that by the person who ruined the wedding made Alicia feel a lot of things—annoyed, sad, and reminded of how meaningless her role as Empress used to be.
“You skipped the wedding feast and started packing to leave for Lubeo that same night.”
Kaiyen narrowed his eyes, trying to remember.
“I stood behind you, reciting Lucan’s teachings. I think that’s when you got angry.”
She said it without blaming him.
“I got angry?”
“That’s how I remember it. And…”
Kaiyen gestured with his eyes for her to continue.
“You told me not to expect anything from you.”
Kaiyen’s brows furrowed.
He didn’t remember being that cold, but from her side, it must have felt harsh.
“And then?”
“You left for Lubeo, I stayed in the Empress’s quarters, and not long ago, I fell seriously ill.”
“…Right. That’s when you changed.”
Kaiyen repeated the words more to himself than to her.
“You must’ve resented me.”
“I’m not sure. I don’t remember very well since the fever.”
Alicia gave a vague answer.
Kaiyen’s dark eyes turned thoughtful.
“Can I take it back now?”
“Take what back?”
“The thing I said… that you shouldn’t expect anything from me. I want to take that back.”
What did he mean by that? Alicia looked at him, unsure, but nodded slowly.
“At the time, I think I believed you were a spy sent by Lucan and the nobles. A foolish thought, I know.”
Actually, that was true.
That had been her original role. But she never fulfilled it, was ignored by the Emperor, and died miserably.
Then she came back to age twenty, and everything changed.
“If my foolish judgment hurt you, I want to apologize.”
Kaiyen had always seemed proud, but now he spoke kindly and humbly.
It was surprising, but sweet.
“No… I don’t remember much before the fever either.”
This life was different from the last.
Alicia was going to live her second chance fully.
“Then… can I hope for something now?”
“…Sorry?”
His dark eyes looked gently into hers.
“Instead of being strangers who barely remember their wedding… I want us to have more moments like this.”
“You mean… like friends?”
“Of course not. We’re already married.”
Alicia froze at the unexpected answer.
Kaiyen also felt flustered after saying something he’d never said before.
“Well, we could start as friends.”
“Y-Yes… that sounds fine.”
Alicia quickly agreed, trying to move past the awkward moment.
“Um… when will you return to Lubeo?”
“Why? Want me to leave?”
“No! I just meant… you’re usually there.”
Kaiyen nodded.
“I plan to stay in the palace a bit longer this time.”
He had just decided that.
“I see.”
“If it’s okay, I’d like to have meals here in the Empress’s quarters while I’m here.”
He said it gently, like he was testing her reaction.
Alicia felt her efforts hadn’t gone to waste.
“You’re always welcome.”
She smiled sweetly, her lips the color of wine.
“If you’d like, I could even make a cookbook so you can have the same meals in Lubeo.”
“Hm… that would be nice.”
Kaiyen emptied another glass.
“But instead of a book, how about… You come with me?”
Her blue eyes widened.
The more surprised she looked, the more beautiful she seemed.
“Well, I guess you wouldn’t want to go to a place like that.”
“No, I do. I want to go.”
Once she left the palace, escaping again would be easier.
But to Kaiyen, who didn’t know her real thoughts, it sounded like she was willing to give up her luxurious life to follow him to a rough land.
“Really? Life in Lubeo is much harder than here.”
“It’s okay. If you’ll allow it, I’d like to go with you.”
Her blue eyes were filled with sincerity.
Kaiyen stared at her quietly.
After the Count of Hayer, she was the first person who ever said they wanted to follow him to Lubeo.
“I see.”
Her light and warmth were beautiful.
“Yes. Please take me with you anytime.”
Though she had always been beside him, he was only now seeing the gentle light she gave off.
“Empress…”
No, that title didn’t feel like enough anymore.
“Can I call you by your name?”
“Yes… of course.”
Alicia shyly nodded.
It was the first time she had ever looked truly lovable to him.
“Alicia.”
“…Yes.”
Hearing him say her name in his deep voice felt strange and new.
She nodded again and again, trying to hide her feelings.
“Just calling you ‘Empress’ doesn’t feel right. Your name is too beautiful.”
Kaiyen smiled faintly.
He looked truly kind.
Anyone watching would’ve thought they were a loving married couple.
“It suits you perfectly.”
Alicia’s cheeks blushed again, this time not from wine.
She had always thought he was cold and distant, but now, seeing this side of him made her heart flutter.
Knowing he felt the same way made her even more surprised.
“Don’t you think so too?”
“Yes, Your Gra—”
Oops. Alicia quickly stopped herself.
Kaiyen smiled again with that teasing look.
It seemed like this night would go on for a very long time.
