Episode 31
Kaien arrived right on time for dinner and quietly stared at Alicia for a moment, noticing that something about her looked different.
The atmosphere turned a bit awkward, so he quickly sat down.
“Tonight’s Empress… looks a bit different.”
Alicia lowered her eyes to her plate.
She suddenly felt embarrassed for dressing up, even though she knew Kaien hated anything too flashy.
“Actually, it’s not that you look different.”
She didn’t dare interrupt him, nor could she say she made a mistake by dressing up.
Instead, she tightly clenched her hands under the table.
“You look nice.”
Kaien had never really complimented a woman before, so after struggling to find the right words, he just said it plainly. Alicia, who had been so tense, finally relaxed a little.
“Thank you.”
But the appetizers were taking forever.
Sitting across from Kaien like this kept making her think of what happened the night before, and she didn’t know how to act.
“Is that a sapphire?”
“Yes… It originally belonged to the palace…”
Kaien nodded and looked into Alicia’s blue eyes.
“It suits your eyes well.”
That was probably the first real compliment he had ever given a woman.
“Huh? Oh, I see…”
Alicia held her breath, not knowing how to respond.
Meanwhile, Kaien didn’t even realize what he’d said and looked completely calm.
His attitude made Alicia feel silly for getting so flustered.
“Your Majesty seems different today as well.”
She hadn’t meant to say that out loud, but it just slipped out as she wondered if last night meant nothing to him.
“No, I didn’t mean it like that…”
She quickly tried to fix what she said, but Kaien had already heard it clearly and was staring at her.
“In a good way?”
It was a simple question—but not easy to answer.
“I don’t know.”
Alicia was honest.
“Then let’s just say it’s in a good way.”
Kaien smiled more than usual today.
In fact, he probably hadn’t smiled this much in ten years.
And never—not once—had he smiled at Alicia like this in their past life.
“That’s strange. You couldn’t answer, so maybe it wasn’t good?”
“No.”
Alicia turned her gaze to Agnes by the door, hoping for help. Just then, the beautifully dressed servants finally entered with delicious-smelling dishes.
“Empress, your meals are always satisfying.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“Not just the food. Even the tea and wine taste better when they’re from you.”
What was he trying to say now? Alicia chewed her food without knowing if it was even going down.
Kaien also couldn’t focus on eating because he kept staring at Alicia’s lips moving.
“Your Majesty.”
After swallowing and wiping her lips, Alicia spoke.
“It’s hard to eat properly when you keep staring.”
Kaien awkwardly cleared his throat and looked down at his own plate.
But the awkward air between them didn’t go away.
Kaien never said anything about the dinner itself tonight—only about the Empress.
And that alone made everyone pleased and proud.
“This wine is nice. Why aren’t you drinking?”
“Oh, I think I had too much wine last night…”
No matter how much they changed the topic, it somehow always led back to last night.
“I figured. I did give you a strong drink.”
Alicia gave an awkward smile. Even Kaien, who rarely noticed such things, could tell how forced that smile was.
“Are you okay now? Not sick or anything?”
“Yes, I’m fine…”
Just as she was answering, Kaien turned away and sneezed. Alicia’s eyes widened.
“Your Majesty—are you catching a cold?”
“Me? A cold? Why?”
Kaien immediately frowned.
“You just sneezed.”
“It’s nothing. I don’t catch colds. I’m not that weak.”
“If not, that’s a relief.”
But as the saying goes, love and sneezes can’t be hidden—Kaien sneezed a few more times and avoided Alicia’s eyes.
“Your Majesty, how about some warm tea with cinnamon instead of dessert?” Agnes suggested naturally.
“If we add rich milk and cinnamon, the flavor becomes very unique.”
Kaien didn’t know it was good for colds, but he nodded.
“If it’s from the Empress, I’m sure it’s good.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty. Then I’ll prepare it right—”
“I’ll drink the tea in the drawing room.”
Before Alicia could finish, Kaien stood up first.
Then, with those deep black eyes, he looked at her as if asking why she wasn’t following.
“Ah, then we’ll use the drawing room beside the dining hall—”
“No need to make a fuss this late. Let’s use the small drawing room near my bedroom.”
Kaien gave a nice smile—but to Alicia, it looked very smug and shameless.
At first, the tea combination seemed strange, but both Kaien and Alicia ended up liking it.
Still, sitting so close that their knees almost touched, and the intense way Kaien stared at her made her feel very uncomfortable.
“It’s much better than I thought.”
Kaien casually said as he set down his cup. Alicia just nodded stiffly.
“Sometimes, it might be better than alcohol. I should send some to Rubeo.”
“I’ll let the head maid know.”
But Kaien shook his head.
“I appreciate the thought, but Rubeo isn’t in the position for such things.”
Alicia’s eyes widened again. This time, Kaien clearly saw it.
She wasn’t just shocked he said her name so casually—his gentle tone while talking about Rubeo was also surprising.
“Oh… this must be unfamiliar to you.”
“Yes. But if Your Majesty tells me, I’d like to learn.”
In the past, she was too afraid to ask anything. She thought that if she showed ignorance, this world would reject her.
“It’s not an interesting story for a lady.”
“But Rubeo is an important place for you, isn’t it?”
She had finally learned in this life that every moment builds your present and shapes your future.
That’s why she had to learn whenever she had the chance.
“I’m glad you said that.”
Kaien’s eyes showed genuine warmth.
Once, they couldn’t even make eye contact—now they could almost call each other friends.
“Sadly, Rubeo is poor. With winter coming, many people there struggle to even eat. So things like milk are hard to come by.”
He used to criticize Alicia for being spoiled, but maybe change didn’t happen from one person alone.
Maybe their relationship had just started badly.
“I received a letter from the knight commander today. The barbarians I thought we got rid of have come back, this time with mercenaries, and crossed the border.”
Kaien looked serious. Alicia didn’t fully understand, but she asked out of pure curiosity.
“People say you’re stronger than any soldier.”
“It’s true.”
His pride was obvious—but Alicia knew he wasn’t bragging.
“And… I heard you spent many years leading battles in Rubeo.”
Kaien nodded like it was obvious.
“Then why do the invasions never stop?”
Her question was innocent—but honest.
“Because when we drive them out, they just gather more power and return.”
“Then are there more barbarians and mercenaries each time?”
Something seemed to click in Kaien’s mind.
“Alicia.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t know much. I didn’t mean to…”
“No. Keep asking. Ask me more.”
His sudden seriousness was strange, but seeing how sincere he looked, Alicia nodded.
“I just thought… if they’re weaker than the empire, why do they keep fighting and losing? And… isn’t hiring mercenaries expensive?”
Kaien looked like he’d been hit in the back of the head.
He let out a stunned breath. How did no one else see what Alicia saw so clearly?
“You’re right. Only you saw it.”
He had always felt something was off—and now that Alicia said it out loud, the puzzle pieces finally fit.
He was so excited that he grabbed her hand.
“Why didn’t I think of that sooner—”
Before he could finish, Alicia smacked his hand away.
“S-Stop it! Really…”
Her cheeks were red, but her blue eyes were now looking straight at Kaien—sharp and serious.
“Huh? What did you just say? Wait, I—”
Kaien, still caught up in excitement, grabbed her hand again.
This time, Alicia stood up and pulled her hand away.
“Stop!”
Her voice was firm and clear—so sharp that Kaien froze on instinct.
It was hard to believe such strength came from such a gentle woman.
“If I say stop, please stop right away.”
Feed him with warmth, watch him closely, and when he crosses the line—stop him, firmly and clearly.
“All right.”
They say there are no bad dogs or bad children—maybe, there’s no such thing as a bad emperor either.
