Chapter 112
---------------
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
---------------
Chapter 112
"Is that so?"
"I'm not particularly interested in writing instruments. I didn't purchase it myself."
The Emperor laughed somewhat embarrassedly.
He extended the hand holding the pen toward me, revealing its detailed appearance.
"My Aide purchased it and gave it to me as a gift, so I'm not entirely certain where it's sold. I can't even say for certain whether it's a prototype or not."
"Ah.... Was that what you meant?"
"Since I received it long ago, it's likely difficult to find in stores now. However, if it pleases you, I could summon my Aide to inquire about it."
The Emperor pondered seriously over the single pen.
"Or I could have something similar made and commission a one-of-a-kind pen. What do you think?"
"No, no. That's not what I wanted at all, so it's fine."
"Is that so? I suppose I was merely speaking aloud then."
He smiled and straightened his posture, which had been leaning toward me.
"I apologize. It seems I took your casual remark far too seriously."
"?"
"I lack eloquence.... Being with me must have been tedious for you."
Was he speaking sincerely?
I observed The Emperor carefully. He laughed as though genuinely embarrassed or perhaps bitter.
If his words were sincere rather than an attempt to evoke sympathy, he still seemed like a good person.
Yet something still felt unsettling in the depths of my heart.
I pulled down the brim of the hat I was wearing slightly, gazing at The Emperor's jawline.
"...."
Truly, it felt familiar.
The ability to sense danger was like a survival instinct I had carried and evolved since primordial times.
"...Your Majesty."
"Do you have something to say?"
"I was trying not to ask until the very end."
"Speak freely."
"...I want to know why Your Majesty is letting me go so readily."
His laughter gradually faded, and his jaw moved slightly.
"Because you dislike who I am now."
"You're letting me go completely because of that?"
"In truth, I had no such intention."
It was not a surprising revelation. I tried not to recall the original work, but the Emperor depicted there was obsession incarnate.
"May I ask why your feelings changed?"
"Back then, I thought it was acceptable to be hated if it meant I could be with you, even for a moment."
"Why?"
"Because I've never been loved before."
"!"
I found myself gasping, my mouth falling open.
The Emperor offered a bitter smile and settled deeper into his chair, his massive frame sinking into it with a certain weight.
"But now that I've experienced what it feels like to be loved, I cannot return to how things were before."
"...."
"That is why I am releasing Enya—as Empress."
He answered with unmistakable clarity. It was a definitive reason, yet one I could not fully comprehend.
Being loved by someone—but by whom exactly?
Me?
'That can't possibly be.'
My thoughts spiraled in dizzying circles.
I had no memory of ever loving The Emperor, so could it be that a few chance meetings had sparked his affection?
'That doesn't make sense either. If that were true, it would mean The Emperor and I had met before. That there had been an emotional exchange between us back then...?'
I rapped my head sharply against the confusion swirling within it and rose from my seat.
"I should take my leave...."
In that instant, my footing wavered.
I nearly brushed against a plant beside me, but The Emperor's steadying hand kept me upright.
"Oh! I'm so sorry. I think I tore a leaf."
The corner of a leaf was torn where my arm had accidentally grazed it.
'This is terrible. Destruction of Imperial property.'
"It's fine. That plant was already damaged."
At his words, I looked again. The plant's stem was already withered and drooping.
"Ah.... I see. How pitiful."
Phew, so I hadn't torn it after all.
Embarrassed, I gently stroked the plant.
'Hmm?'
But the leaf that had been dry seemed to have become slightly softer. I gazed at the plant quietly.
'...No. I'm imagining things. I don't have some innate talent for reviving dead plants.'
In any case, I was relieved that I hadn't damaged the plant. Now it was truly time to say goodbye.
"Thank you for everything, Your Majesty."
"...."
"I wish you happiness with a worthy companion."
"And you as well, Enya."
The Emperor, who had been watching me quietly, rose and extended his hand for a handshake.
"Though I'm not certain this will be our last meeting."
"...Ha ha."
I wanted to add something like, 'Why would you say something so ominous?' but instead I offered a forced smile.
I couldn't risk provoking someone granting us a peaceful parting—not when my family's fate hung in the balance.
This is difficult.
"If you need a suitable match, I can also search and recommend candidates from various circles."
"If I need such assistance, may I visit Enya?"
"You have letters as an excellent means of communication."
"Heh."
The Emperor burst into laughter he had been holding back. His lips curved upward in a refreshing smile.
"You must stay healthy until we meet again. Enya."
* * *
'...Ah. That's right. I forgot to mention something important.'
I realized I had left the Greenhouse without discussing the matter concerning the Hexagon Duchess.
But I had already exited the Greenhouse.
"It's awkward to go back now. I suppose I'll just tell Father about it."
The Emperor left behind a lingering remark, though I didn't want to contemplate its meaning.
I quickly shook my head to banish it from my mind.
"We won't meet again."
Unless I became the head of the Lockhart Family, there would be no reason to face The Emperor outside of official occasions.
Even as the Young Lady of the Empire's second-ranking ducal house, meeting The Emperor was not easy.
What had happened to me over these past years was a miracle I never sought—a special exception.
"Ah...! Now I'm truly free!"
My steps felt so light I seemed to float. But before that, there was still one matter to resolve here.
I walked toward the Meeting Point.
"Miss, Miss."
I heard a soft voice calling me from somewhere. It was the person I had arranged to meet.
"Miss Portnum."
She was the woman I had infiltrated to place by The Emperor's side.
She hadn't provided major intelligence, but she had consistently given me hints about minor matters occurring within the Imperial Palace.
"You've worked hard all this time. Now that The Emperor and I have no connection, you're free to leave and find what you truly wish to do."
"I think I'll stay here. It suits me better than I expected. I'm considering taking an exam to become a civil servant."
Miss Portnum, who had discovered an unexpected aptitude, smiled with a more relieved expression than before.
"Then do as you wish. Here, this is where I've hidden the bankbook containing your compensation from all this time."
"You didn't have to!"
She quickly tucked the note into her pocket and smiled.
"Thank you, Miss. I'll use it well."
"And you don't need to write to me anymore."
"Understood. But, Miss...."
As I turned to leave, she spoke to me.
"Aren't you and House of Hexagon on bad terms?"
"Has something happened with Hexagon?"
"It's nothing serious. I just saw something odd today, and I thought you should know."
Miss Portnum glanced around nervously before leading me behind a secluded building.
"You know how House of Hexagon recently took in an adopted daughter? Well, today that adopted daughter visited The Emperor's castle."
"Truly?"
This was not a good sign.
Duke Hexagon's newly adopted daughter would likely be pushed forward as empress in place of his biological daughter.
"That's why I'm worried... I really hope it doesn't come to this, but what if Hexagon's second daughter becomes empress...?"
I tilted my head thoughtfully.
"What do you think The Emperor's intentions might be? Have you heard anything?"
"There's been plenty of whispered speculation in the Imperial Palace. Some say The Emperor broke off the engagement with Adeline to forgive House of Hexagon and forge a marriage alliance."
---------------
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
---------------