WARDV 23

CHAPTER 23

“Urgh…”

Peydan glared at Laetitia as if he wanted to kill her, but in the end, he turned around and left without buying the necklace.

Bang!

Soon after, the shop door slammed shut so violently it sounded like it might break.

‘Hmph, so he’s not completely brainless after all, huh?’

Laetitia turned to the shop owner with a victorious smile.

The necklace sitting on the counter sparkled under the light.

Laetitia picked it up and raised her gaze.

The shop owner, frozen in the tense atmosphere, flinched instinctively when he met her gleaming blue eyes.

“So.”

“Y-Yes?”

“How much is this necklace?”

“Ah, that…”

“Just name your price.”

Laetitia added with a sweet smile.

“I’ll pay whatever you ask.”

She was willing to pay whatever it took for the fortune she had finally claimed in this life.

Chirp, chirp!

“Mmm…”

I woke up to the sound of birds chirping.

As I lifted my heavy eyelids, brilliant sunlight greeted me.

‘It’s been so long since I woke up in the morning like this…’

Since casinos usually operated at night, I’d gotten used to living with my days and nights flipped.

Waking up to birdsong and morning sunlight for the first time in ages felt refreshing.

Buried in the blankets that smelled of morning warmth, I began to think about what I had to do today.

‘I should eat breakfast and send a letter to Her Majesty the Empress.’

Yesterday, when I got back from buying the necklace at the antique shop, it had been so late that I went straight to bed.

‘Though I don’t know if she’ll agree to meet me…’

Enjoying the leisurely morning for a moment, I sat up.

But then…

“Good morning.”

Idris was sitting at the table in a robe, sipping tea.

‘…Am I still dreaming?’

Even after rubbing my eyes and looking again, Idris didn’t disappear.

Only then did my eyes go wide.

‘Why is he here?!’

As if he had read my thoughts, Idris set down his teacup and replied,

“I know it’s rude to enter a lady’s bedroom uninvited, but I had to play the part.”

“Play the part?”

“His Majesty the Emperor sent someone over.”

The current emperor—Idris’s eldest brother.

‘But why would His Majesty send someone over this early in the morning?’

Just as I was wondering that, Idris gestured toward the teapot with his chin.

“Want some tea?”

I was feeling parched anyway, so I quietly sat across from him.

Idris personally poured a freshly brewed cup for me.

Drip.

Watching the reddish liquid pour into my cup, I absentmindedly looked up at the teapot.

More precisely, at the hand holding it.

‘…He has nice hands.’

Big and strong-boned, but clean and unscarred—surprisingly elegant hands.

As my gaze followed his hand up, I saw Idris’s face.

Despite his tousled robe, his face was perfectly composed.

‘Wait, what about my face?!’

Realizing how disheveled I must look, I quickly tried to tame my bedhead with my fingers.

At that moment, our eyes met as he pushed the teacup toward me.

Feeling awkward, I lowered my hand and asked what had been on my mind.

“Did His Majesty send someone because of our… scandal?”

“Probably. More precisely, because I ignored his letter.”

“His Majesty’s letter…?”

“I think it was an order to appear at court. But I already knew what he’d say, so I didn’t bother going.”

I was shocked.

Who else in the entire empire but this man could afford to ignore an imperial summons?

But Idris remained completely nonchalant, even after admitting to defying the emperor.

“At this rate, His Majesty might show up in person.”

“You must be close with His Majesty?”

I asked cautiously.

Idris had two older half-brothers.

The first, Azef, the current emperor, born of the first empress. The second, Grand Duke Deon Zahir, son of the second consort.

It was said they had accepted Idris, born of a concubine, and treated him like family.

‘But that’s probably just the official story for the public.’

Who knew how close they actually were?

“It’s not bad. Well, except when he talks about marriage.”

But Idris’s tone when talking about His Majesty didn’t sound cold.

“That’s one of the reasons you accepted my proposal, isn’t it?”

Idris simply took a sip of tea, his usual relaxed smile on his face, but I could guess the answer.

“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you never run into my brother in private.”

He seemed to think I was afraid of meeting the emperor.

But just then, a flash of inspiration hit me.

I realized I could use this situation to my advantage.

“No, this actually works out perfectly.”

Idris looked puzzled, and I flashed him a grin.

“I think this is a good chance to formally introduce myself to His Majesty.”

I had something I needed to talk about, after all.

The next day.

Laetitia visited the imperial palace with Idris.

Crown Prince Rudian, who had been playing while snacking, lit up with joy the moment he saw Idris and ran over.

“Uncle!”

“Oh, Your Highness is here as well.”

Idris also smiled and moved to scoop the boy up.

But Rudian stopped just a few steps away.

His eyes were fixed on the unfamiliar woman beside Idris—Laetitia.

Noticing the boy’s hesitation, Laetitia politely bowed.

“Laetitia of House Cloel greets His Highness the Crown Prince.”

Just then, a calm but firm voice echoed from inside the drawing room.

“Rudian, mind your manners in front of guests.”

Inside sat a man with dazzling platinum hair and mysterious golden eyes that resembled Idris’s.

Azef Ronier de Atlas.

Idris’s brother—and the current Emperor of the Atlas Empire.

“There are probably only two people in this empire who can ignore a summons from the emperor for days—you and the empress, Idris.”

“How could I dare ignore Your Majesty’s order? I was just too busy to see the letter in time.”

Idris replied with feigned innocence.

Azef clicked his tongue.

“I didn’t send a letter. I sent someone in person.”

Even though his lie had been caught immediately, Idris just smiled lazily.

He didn’t even seem interested in hiding the truth.

Azef sighed at his brother’s brazen attitude.

Then he turned to Rudian, who was still hesitating in front of the unfamiliar guest.

“Rudi, I need to speak with your uncle. Could you give us some privacy?”

After a brief pause, Rudian bowed politely.

“Then I’ll excuse myself.”

Idris watched Rudian trot out of the room with a warm smile.

He turned his gaze when Azef spoke again.

“I didn’t expect to meet the Duchess in a private setting.”

Duchess.

There was a subtle emphasis in the way he addressed Laetitia—reminding everyone that she was still Duchess of Farnese, and implying she was an ill-suited match for Idris.

But Laetitia showed no sign of being offended. She simply smiled and offered a graceful bow.

“I’m honored Your Majesty was willing to meet with me.”

“No need for thanks. It’s not like I called you here for pleasantries.”

Sit down.

At Azef’s gesture, Idris and Laetitia took their seats.

Azef, making no effort to hide his displeasure toward her, went straight to the point.

“Idris tells me you wanted to meet me. Why? Surely not just to exchange kind words.”

“Of course not.”

Then what is it?

Azef’s eyes seemed to ask the question plainly.

Idris, too, looked curious—he hadn’t heard why she wanted to meet the emperor either.

As if she had been waiting for this moment, Laetitia pulled out a velvet box.

Inside was the necklace she had bought from the antique shop.