Episode 29
This marriage had started wrong, and it seemed like the two would never become a normal couple.
“But now…”
Alicia couldn’t stop thinking about something she had never considered before.
“It’s something I never imagined could happen…”
Without realizing it, she bit her lip. She could still feel the heat of Kaiyen’s lips on hers.
“Our relationship… It’s changed.”
There was no need to search for a reason—it was easier just to admit it.
In her previous life, Alicia didn’t even dare to be alone with Kaiyen. But things were different now.
She had changed first.
“I never thought it would change like this.”
Marriage can become very complicated, or it can become very simple.
If Kaiyen started wanting his beautiful wife like other men did, then this once-hopeless marriage might suddenly become something powerful enough to shake the empire.
“What is it that I really want?”
Even after he left, Alicia could still feel the heat he had left behind. And her own heart was still fluttering.
Kaiyen’s black eyes, which were always cold, had looked warm and gentle tonight.
His body was hot, his lips soft—so soft she could hardly believe it.
It was strange to think such a big, scary man had a side like that.
“I can’t run away again.”
She didn’t want to live the same way as in her past life—ignoring her feelings and relying on others’ choices.
Their kiss tonight wasn’t forced. Maybe it started by accident, but she hadn’t stopped it.
“I have to think. What do I want?”
She was tired of just letting time pass her by.
“And what does he want?”
Even though tonight had been confusing and awkward, Alicia didn’t hate it.
No, she couldn’t hate it. Her heart—not her mind—had made that decision.
While Alicia was lost in thought, Kaiyen returned to his chambers as if nothing had happened.
“Your Majesty, you’re back.”
Emma bowed politely as he walked past her without a word, heading straight to the bathroom and pulling off his shirt.
“Your Majesty?”
“I don’t need help. Just bring a towel.”
His voice was calm as usual, but his hands were rushing to splash himself with cold water, like he needed to cool off the heat inside.
“Your Majesty! Why cold water? We have warm water ready.”
Emma ran in with a towel, shocked, but Kaiyen only grabbed it silently.
He barely dried off before collapsing onto the bed, not even bothering to put on the fresh clothes she’d prepared.
Water dripped from his hair onto his strong chest and abs.
“You’ll catch a cold like this!”
“I’m not that weak.”
He finally looked up, and something about his expression seemed complicated.
Emma’s instincts told her something definitely happened in the Empress’s chambers.
But then, why was he back now instead of staying the night?
“Where’s Glenn?”
“It’s late. He should be in his room. Shall I call for him?”
“Tell him to meet me in the garden.”
Emma had no idea why the Emperor wanted to meet someone in the garden this late, but she had no choice.
She grabbed his coat and chased after him.
“It’s cold tonight, Your Majesty. Please wear this.”
“It’s cold?”
“Yes, winter is coming soon.”
“What winter?”
Kaiyen frowned.
That’s when Emma noticed—his face was still red, and not from the bath.
His neck and chest were also hot, like it was summer.
“I’m burning up. I don’t get this city’s weather.”
It was a normal fall night. But how could she say that to the Emperor, who was stomping off, saying he was too hot?
Of course, Glenn—who was dragged out of bed to practice sword-fighting in the middle of the night—felt the same.
The Emperor really did whatever he wanted.
By the time the sun was rising, Alicia had finally fallen asleep.
She skipped both breakfast and lunch, and the maids were just now helping her get dressed.
“Your Majesty, which necklace would you like today?”
Nancy opened a jewelry box full of sparkling necklaces.
Alicia looked at it briefly, then glanced at Agnes, as if saying, You decide.
“She usually likes something simple. A pearl necklace would be perfect.”
But Alicia wasn’t paying attention to the necklace.
She was just staring blankly at her own reflection in the mirror.
The face she saw was so beautiful and graceful, it was hard to believe this was the same person who had lived a sad past life.
Even her last life as Alicia seemed far away now.
“Your Majesty, the Emperor will be dining in the Empress’s palace tonight.”
When the head servant, Howard, entered and made the announcement, Alicia was pulled from her thoughts.
“It’s nothing strange or special,” she said quickly.
“His Majesty said he enjoys the food here and wants to eat here until he leaves for Lubeo.”
No one had asked, but Alicia was already trying to explain—almost like she was making excuses.
“I’ll tell His Majesty’s butler then.”
Howard left, and Alicia looked at herself in the mirror again.
Her usual blue dress and pearl necklace weren’t bad… but today, for some reason, they didn’t feel right.
“Nancy, show me the necklaces again.”
“Huh? Y-yes, right away!”
The Empress was famous for not caring much about her looks, even though she was young and beautiful.
But today, something was different.
“Agnes, what’s that third necklace in the second row? That gem… what is it called?”
“Let me check more closely.”
Agnes stayed calm as always.
“Oh, that’s a northern sapphire. That deep blue color is often compared to the sea—it’s very rare.”
Alicia hesitated, but Agnes gently took off the pearl necklace and replaced it with the sapphire one.
The jewel suited Alicia so well that her beauty seemed to bloom even more.
“You look stunning, Your Majesty. Oh, and—”
Before Alicia could change her mind, Agnes brought out a pinkish lip tint and added just a little to her lips with a pleased smile.
“Isn’t this too much?”
Alicia was the only one in the room who didn’t realize how breathtaking she looked.
“If you think it’s too fancy or overdone…”
“No, it’s not.”
In Lukan, showing off wealth was seen as a sin, and no one in this palace had really seen Alicia for who she was.
Secretly, the maids had always felt sad that their Empress didn’t get to shine during the most beautiful time of her life.
“I just don’t want to look awkward when I see His Majesty.”
“You look perfect. And since you’re seeing the Emperor, of course, you should look your best.”
As the head maid, Agnes knew how to handle moments like this.
“I’m sure he’ll be happy when he sees you.”
Alicia said nothing and just stared into the mirror.
Just changing her necklace and adding a little color made her feel like a completely different person.
“Oh no, sorry! Your hair got messy while I changed the necklace.”
“Hmm? It looks fine to me—”
“Nancy, bring the hairpins. Maren, bring a comb.”
The young maids moved quickly.
Agnes gently undid Alicia’s hair, brushed it with scented oil, and brought out her long platinum waves beautifully.
They braided a small part of her hair and added a silver hairpin with matching sapphires.
“Agnes, isn’t this a bit much?”
“Matching the necklace makes everything more elegant.”
Agnes gave a casual answer, while the maids continued working.
Alicia wasn’t used to being dressed up like this, but after a while, she just stayed quiet and watched her reflection change.
“You’re dazzling, Your Majesty.”
Agnes added matching sapphire earrings and smiled, clearly satisfied.
“Really?”
Alicia’s question was shy. It was obvious to everyone in the room that something had happened between her and Kaiyen.
“Yes. Anyone with eyes would agree.”
“I mean… I just wanted to be respectful, since His Majesty is coming…”
Most nobles thought this marriage was hopeless.
But if they saw Alicia now, they might change their minds.
“Of course.”
“Well, good. In the palace, manners are very important.”
Alicia hadn’t even put blush on, but her cheeks were already naturally rosy.
Anyone could see that a soft breeze of change had touched the young Empress.
“Alright. Let’s prepare dinner for tonight.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Everyone smiled with pride at Alicia’s perfect appearance.
It was the start of a day that showed how united and supportive the Empress’s palace truly was.
