Chapter 79

‘Um… I keep worrying about it.’

Annie, who was moving her pen in the study, stopped moving.

‘Ejed Jean Porcaus…’

Now, she rolled the name that was not as scary as before. Why? These days, it even feels a little more familiar.

Annie put her hand on her chin and lowered her eyes.

‘…Who is it?’

Suddenly, she wondered about the owner associated with the ring and the letter. What a wonderful and beautiful woman that the Emperor is anxious about.

Still, at the same time, she felt good inside. The woman whom the emperor so longs for resembles her so much.

Annie, who continued to think about this and that, murmured into the air.

“Yes, I am a wonderful woman. I am also teaching His Majesty well, so let’s not have any strange delusions.”

“Mong.”

Lang came in through the door and jumped onto Annie’s lap.

Annie reflexively hugged her and rubbed her cheek against the golden back.

“Cutie, cutie, is our Lang here?”

“…”

Lang struggled once with her body as if she had suddenly become annoyed.

Let go, human.

But Annie didn’t let go easily. She murmured as she buried her face in the soft fur.

“Yes, when our Lang goes out, there are a lot of kids who look alike. There are one or two similar people in the world. It must be just a coincidence.”

You’ve got your answer already.

Lang’s gaze toward Annie was full of patheticness.

But Annie said brazenly.

“His  Majesty and I had no contact whatsoever. I am the one who he loved for seven years. Does it make sense?”

“…”

“Right, Lang?”

Lang didn’t say anything.

*

Annie’s grounding did not apply to the Imperial Palace work. No one, even the elders of the family, dared to object to the Imperial family.

Instead, they send Annie on schedule, telling her to be extra careful, so she doesn’t fall out of the tyrant’s eyes.

Because of that, Annie came out earlier than usual today.

Inside the carriage going to the imperial palace, she let out a heavy sigh. In her hand was Ejed’s coat.

She had prepared it since yesterday and brought it secretly from Carla.

‘What are you going to say when you return it? It seems a bit insincere to just say thank you.’

In return, she struggled with a gift, so she brought a fine ink and pen, but even this was far from good enough.

What would be suitable for the emperor who enjoys all the luxuries?

Annie, who was struggling, cleared her mind.

‘No. Let’s stop thinking about it.’

I can’t pick up what has already happened.

But Annie, who arrived in the waiting room, could not see Ejed.

‘…Did I come too early?’

Annie, who put her luggage down on the sofa, scratched her cheek.

Knock, knock.

“Yes, come in.”

“Hello. You’re here early, Lady Dsev.”

After greeting her politely, Doher glanced at Annie. She had a look of regret somehow.

“Are you looking for His Majesty?”

“Yes. By the way.”

Doher smiled brightly when the other party affirmed it without expressing it in embarrassment. His sharp eyes searched up to the pile of cloth that she hid with her body.

‘Oh, look. Progress has been made.’

Doher said in a clear voice.

“His Majesty is in the kitchen now.”

“The kitchen?”

“Yes, that’s right. Would you like to go with me?”

*

The French knife in Ejed’s hand shone coolly.

Taktaktaktaktaktak!

Salad ingredients such as lettuce and tomatoes were evenly sliced

along his blade.

The bodies of the royal chefs watching from behind trembled like aspen trees. When they thought of the tyrant who would cut a person like that, their stomach cringes.

Having prepared all the salads, soups, and spicy pasta, Ejed looked nervous.

The other day, he was very sorry to startle Annie. As an apology, he wanted to make the food himself.

By the way, today’s appointment time is 11 o’clock.

Annie would be just hungry, so it wasn’t too bad for a quick meal.

Dressed in a white cook hat and even a chef’s robe, he looked like a legendary chef straight out of a book.

But now, with the soup bowl in front of him, Ejed gave strength to his eyes.

‘…What do we do?’

He learned how to make hearts with peppers in a creamy white soup from a cookbook in the past.

It was an effort out of the desire to one day cook his own soup for Annie.

But he couldn’t believe it came to mind at this moment.

‘…A heart. Excessive. It’s too excessive. Annie would be uncomfortable.’

Ejed closed the lid of the pepper shaker with a bitter face.

Then, someone approached from behind.

“Your Majesty.”

Ejed’s eyes widened as he turned his head involuntarily.

‘M-Miss Annie?’

Annie in a forsythia dress was smiling awkwardly.

“Ah. Hmm. Long time no see.”

“…”

“That… that. Are you practicing for our business?”

‘Business…? Ah.’

Ejed, who understood late, nodded his head loudly. Their only business was the love business.

Eventually, the people in the kitchen disappeared without a sound. It was the quick-witted Doher’s performance.

Annie walked over to him and looked slowly over the counter. Pasta and salad with a spicy flavor looked delicious.

“Cooking practice. I’m proud of you.”

As Ejed was about to rejoice, Annie said calmly.

“Still, 60 points.”

“…”

“It’s too cliche. Furthermore, crabs in the pasta? The Lady will find it difficult to eat. You should have been considerate.”

“…”

‘Oh my God. Missing that…’

Ejed went back and forth between heaven and hell at Annie’s every word. As his expression changed minute by minute, Annie asked seriously.

“Can I try it?”

Ejed nodded his head. Then he noticed that Annie glanced around and came with a fork and spoon.

Annie was about to hand the dinnerware to Ejed, but he shook his head. He was worried that he might have an upset stomach by pretending to eat with her.

Fortunately, Annie didn’t force it. She just looked at him like he was joking.

“Why aren’t you eating? It’s not something you can’t eat, right?

“No. no.”

Annie, with a smirk, picked up her own share of the cutlery. As expected, Annie was hungry, and she ate well.

He was happy, but now he felt sad inside.