CHAPTER 85…
In that moment, the first thought that came to mind was, “Why?”
But I swallowed the question rising to the tip of my tongue.
I was curious — and yet, not.
Because no matter the answer, I felt it would become a turning point in our relationship.
And I was afraid of the changes that answer might bring, regardless of what it was.
So, for now, I chose to bury that question.
“…Alright. It’s not that difficult. But before that—”
I grabbed Idris’s hand just as he was about to fold the letter.
“Since you’re back at the estate, you should wash up first.”
Idris let out a helpless laugh, then stood up and raised his hands in surrender.
After I pushed him off with a little shove, I returned to writing the letters.
“Next on the list is…”
As I checked the next name, I couldn’t help but furrow my brow.
[Baroness Chloel’s Family]
Too familiar. No — downright suffocating. It was the name of my father’s house.
‘They’ve been unusually quiet lately…’
There was a part of me that wished I’d never hear from them again — and another part that remained curious.
‘Still… I should send them an invitation.’
Eventually, I’d have to face them and settle things, one way or another.
After writing the invitation to my family, I checked the next name — and let out a sigh filled with irritation.
[Duke Farnese’s Household]
‘Ugh, I don’t even want to see his face…’
But he was still a high-ranking noble, and this time the event wasn’t being held under my name, but in the name of the Imperial Family.
‘I can’t let my personal feelings get in the way.’
Suppressing my disgust, I quickly scribbled out a formal invitation and moved on.
Finally, there was one last person left.
‘…I should probably send them an invitation too, huh?’
The Next Day
“Phew…”
Stepping out of the carriage, I sighed as I stared up at the grand building before me.
The symbol of the Empire loomed large.
I was at the Imperial Palace.
‘His Majesty the Emperor is so intimidating…’
Still, despite being afraid, I had come here in person.
The reason? The invitation to the upcoming charity bazaar in my hand.
Most nobles received a joint invitation for their household or couple, but—
‘Somehow, that didn’t feel appropriate for His Majesty.’
He was the sun of the Empire, after all.
Of course, since it was an event hosted by the Empress, he would attend regardless.
But not sending even a formal invitation felt like inviting unnecessary scrutiny.
Especially since I was already on thin ice — I didn’t want to give anyone more reasons to dislike me.
‘Besides, I’ll still have to keep pretending to be Idris’s lover for a while.’
That’s why I’d come to the palace myself, invitation in hand.
‘He’s a busy man — there’s no way we’ll actually run into each other…’
That was my plan — just hand it off to an attendant and leave quietly.
At least, until—
“What brings Lady Chloel all the way here?”
…Until His Majesty appeared behind me.
‘Gah!’
I barely held back the scream threatening to escape and quickly bowed.
“I-It is an honor to see Your Majesty.”
As I recalled the question he’d just asked and opened my mouth to answer, his eyes landed on the invitation.
“…A letter?”
I quickly held out the envelope.
“It’s an invitation to the upcoming charity bazaar.”
He took it from me.
“I know Your Majesty is already well aware of the schedule… but since this is the first event I’ve personally organized, I wanted to formally invite you. You’re our most honored guest, after all.”
“……”
“There’s nothing important written in it, so you don’t need to read it.”
“……”
“Well then, I’ll take my leave now—”
I bowed quickly, hoping not to take up any more of his time.
But then—
“If you’re not busy, stay for a moment.”
“…Pardon?”
Before I could even fully grasp what he meant, His Majesty had already turned and walked into his office.
Urged on by the silent nod from the attendant, I nervously swallowed and followed him inside.
“Make yourself comfortable.”
He pointed toward the sofa with a glance as he read the invitation I’d handed him.
I smiled softly and sat down.
‘Why am I so nervous now? I didn’t feel like this when I was with Idris…’
By the time I collected myself, His Majesty had finished reading and placed the invitation down.
A knock came, and a servant brought in tea before quietly leaving.
The sound of the tea being poured was the last thing I heard before silence returned.
Bracing myself for any question he might throw at me, I waited — and finally, he spoke.
“How are preparations for the bazaar coming along?”
He started with the topic of the event.
I calmly explained the plans I had made.
“Since the event has been on hold for the past two years, I thought the biggest issue would be that people had forgotten about it. So I decided the main goal should be regaining attention and visibility…”
But His Majesty didn’t say much in response.
He only asked occasional questions, offering no real opinions.
Unlike Idris, who was always smiling mysteriously, the Emperor remained expressionless — making it impossible to read what he was thinking.
‘It’s strange how different they are, yet kind of similar. They really are brothers…’
To stay calm, I imagined him as just Idris instead of the Emperor.
Once I finished my briefing, the next question came.
“You’ve known Idris for quite a while, haven’t you?”
I paused.
‘Quite a while…? Not really. We haven’t known each other that long.’
Did Idris say that?
If so, I had to go along with it.
“Ah, yes.”
“What was it about him that drew you in?”
If anyone else had asked, I would’ve thought they were just curious about gossip. But since it came from the Emperor, it felt very different.
‘Does he suspect our relationship is a sham…?’
A cold sweat trickled down my back.
Still, it wasn’t a question I couldn’t answer.
“At first, honestly… I was more afraid because of all the rumors. But once I got to know him better, I quickly realized — those were all false. He’s actually very kind and warm.”
That wasn’t a lie to fool the Emperor.
It was the truth.
But at my words, the Emperor reacted for the first time.
“…He’s kind and warm?”
His brow furrowed deeply, as if he couldn’t believe it.
I tilted my head.
“Is that not the case? He’s always gentle with His Highness the Crown Prince and with others too… I thought it was just who he was.”
“…Well, with Rudian, yes, but…”
Kind. Warm.
The Emperor muttered the words to himself with a serious expression before asking his next question.
“Do you intend to marry Idris?”
There it was. The Question.
Last time the Empress asked, I hadn’t been prepared and was caught off guard — but not today.
‘For Idris’s sake, I should lie here.’
If I say I intend to marry him, it’ll keep people off his back for a while.
Later, when our contract relationship ends, I can pretend he broke things off — no mess, no drama.
I opened my mouth to speak, ready with my story —
But the Emperor beat me to it.
“If your feelings are light, I’d prefer you end things quickly.”
It was exactly what I’d expected to hear.
In fact, I was surprised he hadn’t said it sooner.
But what caught me off guard was the expression he wore as he said it.
“That boy… lost his mother early and has lived without a real family ever since. I’ve done my best to support him, but I doubt it’s been enough to fill the emptiness in his heart.”
“……”
“That’s why I hope he can build a ‘real family’ of his own — to be loved, and to love, with stability.”
