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Chapter 52

But, why did I meet Stella again here…?

I was shocked to see her standing in front of me. The detached palace, where the delegation was in, was far from the Main Palace. So, why was she in the Main Palace garden?

‘I shouldn’t have come out…’

I regretted answering Declan’s call to go for a walk.

“Greetings, Emperor.”

Stella greeted slightly.

After glancing at my complexion, Declan gently narrowed his brow before opening his mouth, “Even in the detached palace, there must be a garden. Please, do not enter this place.”

He just uttered those words and turned around.

“Are you mad?”

I looked up at him blankly at the unexpected cold attitude.

Meanwhile, Stella’s golden eyes were trembling slightly as she was too embarrassed.

“I—I…Your Majesty.”

She bit her lip and caught him in a trembling voice. Declan stopped his steps with an annoyed expression on his face as he listened to her words.

“I’m, I’m sorry. I didn’t know if this place was off-limits.”

Seeing her thin shoulders shrugging, I felt a bit sorry.

‘…It’s strange. Since when has it been banned?’

The last time the delegation came, they didn’t prohibit entry.

“If you know, be careful in the future.”

Declan, who spoke casually, tried to turn again but Stella blocked his way.

“Your Majesty, well, I’m already inside. Can’t you please let me go this time?”

In the original, she was so timid and weak that she couldn’t speak properly, and she was always trembling. However, now, she blocked Declan’s way and spoke to him.

“I wish you could just go back today.”

Seeing his eyebrows raised, it was clear that he had become uncomfortable.

‘Stella, please stop…!’

I was anxious to see if he would put a death flag on her.

“Your Majesty, I want to visit the garden with Your Majesty. Please, allow me.”

Although she barely smiled, the shaky corners of her lips looked like a frightened rabbit as she asked that.

‘Why, why is she doing this?’

It was obvious that she was afraid, but I couldn’t figure out why she was acting recklessly. She hadn’t been held hostage, and she shouldn’t have to act so hard like this.

Thinking that, I looked up at Declan’s eyebrows as they soared, I quickly rolled my head.

“Your Majesty, ask the knight to guide her, and we’ll go to the greenhouse. How about that?”

It was because the greenhouse was forbidden for outsiders to enter. Then, when I took his arm and asked carefully, Declan watched me carefully. What else is he looking at?

“Let’s do that.”

As if she thought he was answering herself, there was a relief in Stella’s face. Though it quickly became dark at Declan’s words that followed.

“Liam, attach a knight to the Princess to guide her through the garden.”

“Understood.”

And so, we left the garden just like that. As I looked back, Stella’s eyes were wet.

‘Why is she crying?’

For some reason, I felt uncomfortable…

As I turned my head to stop thinking, Declan’s eyes met mine immediately.

“It’s better now.”

“Yes…?”

As I tilted my head, his lips slightly loosened.

“You are particularly uncomfortable with the Princess.”

The tone was insignificant, but it hit the point. However, it was difficult because I could not explain that they were the ones who would put their own death flags.

“Am I?”

Well, let’s pretend we don’t know.

When I said that, Declan just glanced at me but he didn’t say anything in return. I decided to open my mouth again.

“Your Majesty, how about drinking a cup of tea in the greenhouse? I think it’ll be a relief.”

“You can’t even drink.”

“Ah, though it feels different when it’s in front of you.”

“In the end, you’re going to appreciate my face.”

“No? I’m going to enjoy chocolate cake with eclairs.”

When I answered bluntly, he smiled softly and called for Noah.

“Prepare refreshments in the greenhouse, dessert with eclairs and chocolate cake.”

“Gasp, Your Majesty.”

Seeing Noah covering his mouth in surprise, Declan and I frowned at the same time.

“Go, quickly. Hurry up”

At my words, Declan nodded his head and hurried him.

“Did he just say Eclair? Someone who only knows cookies? And, chocolate cake? It’s said that when people change, big things just happen, Your Majesty…!”

Noah was breathing gaspingly as if he was chased as he cried and muttered nonsense.

“If you don’t prepare refreshments before we get to the greenhouse, I’ll have to hang you on top of the greenhouse.”

At that moment, Noah’s mouth, which had constantly been moving, stopped. I burst into laughter as I remembered Noah, who had been timidly staring and repeatedly saying, ‘You are too much,’ even when we entered the greenhouse.

“What is so much fun?”

“The chief attendant, I think he’s cute.”

It was strange for him to constantly resist even though he was scolded every time. Even so, his timidness was funny.

“Your taste is unique.”

Declan bluntly spit out something he didn’t like.

“Even though I was especially being generous, I can’t believe you were thinking of something else.”

Saying so, he blinked as he drank tea.

‘He gave me time to look at his face, but I didn’t look at him so he’s doing that.’

Since we had been hanging out together every day, I could now recognize that much.

“Thank you for your generosity. It feels good to see these after a long time.”

I glanced down happily at the desserts laid out on the table. For a moment, Declan’s face frowned slightly.

‘It’s a big deal to see how cute he was even when he’s overflowing with so much self-love.’

Holding back the laughter that was about to escape, I put my chin on my hands and gazed at Declan.

“But, it’s better to see His Majesty. I guess that’s what it feels like to feel full just by looking at it.”

“Cough.”

Suddenly, he coughed out of nowhere before crossing his legs and turning slightly. Then, as he picked up a teacup, his sharp jawline stood out, overflowing with sexiness.

“Are you doing this on purpose to ask me to see you now?”

Anyway, where did you learn something like that? I couldn’t deny that it was ridiculous yet cool, so I giggled softly.

‘After all, being handsome is healing.’

When he glanced at me, he could see that I was already looking at him, and smiled contentedly.

In the evening, Declan changed into his uniform. He was due to have supper for the delegation of the Kingdom of Ielro. As he entered the banquet hall, in the middle of a long rectangular table, splendid silver candlesticks were placed side by side.

“Greeting, Your Majesty the Emperor.”

The delegation of Ielro Kingdom, including Mason, rose from their seats and greeted them.

Stella, standing next to Andre, looked neat in a silvery ivory dress. She was still looking down with a pale face.

Andre glanced at her and furrowed his brow slightly in disapproval of her.

‘That’s understandable. How did Andre treat Stella?’

Declan’s treatment of Chloe was utterly different.

“Please, sit.”

As Declan sat down at the table, Hans set the doll down on the chair next to him.

“You worked hard to come a long way. I’m glad to be able to strengthen the friendship between the two countries.

Declan raised the glass of wine, and the others raised their glasses.

“Burgundy and Ielro, for the development of both countries.”

After drinking the wine with the glass raised high, the food came out one after another.

“I hope it suits your taste.”

“Last time I felt it, the food of the Empire was not only delicious, but also visually stunning.”

When Andre smiled widely and asked for support from his natives, everyone spit praises. Seeing that, he looked more relaxed and confident than he had before.

‘It must be because of the peace agreement.’

It seemed that this incident had made him quite recognized well in his own country.

‘…What kind of proposal did he come up with to be so confident?’

Compared to Andre, Stella couldn’t even raise her head properly.

“I’m glad it suits your taste.”

Declan replied simply, took the food and cut it into small pieces on the plate in front of the doll.

Andre, who watched the scene, spoke again.

“Your Majesty seems to be very fond of Her Highness the Crown Princess.”

“Isn’t it natural as a brother?”

Declan responded indifferently, paying attention only to serving food.

“Haha, that’s why I also came with my sister this time.”

“Is it.”

A look of nervousness crossed Andre’s face as Declan spoke back without looking at him.

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