Chapter 9 - So I Became An Emperor (9).

Chapter 9. So I Became An Emperor (9).

Seeing that he was talking nonsense, he must have heard the rumor.

If crazy guys are in a weird state, they will cause trouble when they lose control. The things these guys cause are generally really big, so it’s very difficult.

I reached out my right hand with an indifferent face. Haven held my hand and kissed it.

I nodded at the grand chamberlain. It meant to bring tea to the drawing room and postpone the meeting further. The quick-witted steward bowed his head and moved away.

I led Haven’s hand to the drawing room.

We sat on the same side of the couch as the candidate for Emperor Consort said he was jealous.

“Haven, I don’t know what you’ve heard, but it’s all a rumor.”

“There’s a rumor going around that Your Majesty is trying to make a harem.”1

“It’s nothing but a rumor. I decided not to bring any concubines, and there is no such thing as a harem.”

His cold black eyes grew a little.

“…you’re not going to let any concubines in?”

“Yes. You’re the only one for me.”

So, you have to work with all your heart and soul. Until death.

I swallowed the words that may scare the husband candidate, three days before the engagement.

Haven, who knew nothing, lifted the corners of his mouth, and kissed me again on the back of my hand.

“Your Majesty is all I have as well.”

An admirable fellow.

I ran my left hand over Haven’s cheek.1

He stared at me deeply. I met his gaze amazed to see the black orbs up close.

Black eyes can be so transparent.

It didn’t make any sense, but I didn’t know I would feel transparent by looking at the black color.

In admiration, his black eyes grew closer and closer.

The moment I realized he was getting closer than he needed, Haven’s lips touched mine.1

His half-closed eyes reflected my blinking eyes.

As soon as I blinked, Haven drifted away as quietly as he leaned over.

“Your lips are cold.”

A nice low voice drew near.

My lips are cold.

As I flutter my eyes with the thought that he was measuring my body temperature with his lips, a small crease formed in Haven’s forehead.1

“Was I hasty?”

Only then I realized what had happened.

Kiss.

Oh, I see. I’m engaged.

Engagement is the promise of marriage, and a married couple means sleeping together.

I was anticipating of extorting Haven’s labor, but I didn’t think about this at all.

Haven looked perplexed as I was lost in thought, without uttering a word.

“Was it bad?”

I don’t know if it was bad or how it was.

I declared that I would not have a concubine. On the premise that Haven does his job faithfully, this man may be the only one I can kiss.

Then this is a pretty important issue.

I looked at Haven with a new perspective.

White skin and manly features. Dark eyebrows and black eyes were strangely beautiful. Wide shoulders and thick hands. Gray-colored hair with thin long ears slightly covered.

Yeah, I’m marrying this guy.

Looking at Haven’s thick nice-looking lips, I said to him with our fingers clasping.

“Do it again.”1

His eyes widened with surprise, and soon closed them as he laughed.

He then slowly got closer.

Knock, knock.1

“Your Majesty.”

Outside the door, the grand chamberlain’s voice sounded.

“Come in.”

I replied shoving Haven’s chest.

The door opened.

Haven gave a long sigh, backed away, and washed his face dry.

“What’s the matter?”

“A proposal was sent from Lord Delmoy.”1

I glanced back at Haven unknowingly after he delivered the news in a quivering voice. Haven slowly lowered his hand which was covering his face.

His black eyes glistened softly.

“Your Majesty, please arrange a meeting with the Commander.”

“…why?”

“I will have to erase Delmoy from the map of the Seven Hills Empire.”1

If Edwin hears this, it would be a cry of joy, welcoming it with open arms.

Of course, I won’t allow it.

“It’s not possible. I told you not to meet Eddy separately.”

“Then I will declare war with Delmoy.”

“It is also not allowed.”

“I apologize, Your Majesty, but this is the authority given to me as a lord.”

“No. Then you have to leave me.”

I finally managed to catch my breath a little, but I couldn’t give up Haven for a match of honor.

Was it a desperate heart? Haven, who was about to get up and run out, stared at me, and then dropped his gaze.

Your ears must be flushed red because of anger.

“It’s just a proposal and I can refuse. Aren’t you the only one for me?”

With my words, Haven covered his mouth with one hand, glanced at me sideways and closed his eyes again. His ears were still red, but his eyes returned to its true shape and softened.1

“You can’t cut them off like a knife. It must have been a resolve that Delmoy threw, in hopes of breaking the relationship with Pagos.”

Haven’s really admirable.

I read the situation in the meantime.

He’s right.

It was clear that the impulse to send Japheth, who said he would be a groomsman when Pagos and I married, worked.

Or maybe an interference worked.

If Pagos and Delmoy split, there’s no better news than that. It’s hard to bring them down at the same time, but one by one is worth trying.

After Dalton Pagos was rejected and returned, Cecil has been constantly reporting on the disturbing movement of the East.

You think this is an opportunity before the Capital and the North completely join hands when Haven and I get married.

Skyer in the West won’t stand as they always do.

If Pagos and Delmoy join forces and the Eastern and Southern nobles agree, they may have to wage a troublesome civil war.

I was looking at the Southeastern nobles one by one, while keeping Edwin in check.

A fishing rod was laid down for anyone to catch, and a big fish named Delmoy bit the bait. You have to catch a big fish while it’s fresh.

So, I can’t cut them off like a knife now. I have to hold them in my hands in some way.

However, marriage was not the only thing in my hands.

I patted Haven on the cheek and smiled.

“Don’t worry, there’s a bait for them.”

Haven bent, lowering his back, so my hands could reach him.1

“What are you planning?”

“I am determined to remove Pagos from the Empire’s map.”

Haven stared at me blankly and grinned at one point. I liked his smile that seemed playful and arrogant, so I blinked my eyes and laughed.

“Your Majesty is more fun than I thought.”

“There are only two people in the world who would say I am funny.”

“Who’s the other one?”

Who else could it be?

I just smiled without answering. He seemed to know the answer, but he still looked puzzled.

I have no hobby other than managing the estate, and from my first life, I was so hurt by the people who were trying to suppress the Sutton County, so I deliberately decided to minimize my friendship with other people.

In order to avoid being underestimated as the young Countess, I had to save my words and reduce my laughter. My tone of speech became hard and I became a cold person who didn’t stand idly. Even my brother Edwin, in my past life, had a difficult time with me.

After living like that, I was left with a lonely death.

Sutton County became rich, but due to long overwork, my body deteriorated. There was no one beside me who would pay attention to my health.

The butler and the servants were worried, but they couldn’t break my house because they have to work.

(T/N: They want her to stop working, and since her work is related to the estate, they wanted to break the house, but that would leave them jobless.)

It was a minor illness.

It was a disease that you could live with if you didn’t overdo it and received good treatment.

Now that I think about it, it was a ridiculous death.

I don’t know what kind of reason why I came back to the past, but I think the second life is livelier than before.

Above all, it was best to get along with Edwin.

I have a younger brother who laughs even if I don’t say much, and I’ve got a husband who is good at his job.

I also became an Emperor.

This time, I wanted to live as long as possible.

So even though Eddy mixed my food with medicine, I ate it without saying much. If I eat well, I don’t think I will die because of a minor illness.

By the way, isn’t it a little cold today?

“Your Majesty? Are you all right?”

“Hm? It’s nothing.”

“I think you’re trembling.”

“I had a chill for a moment. It’s all right now.”

“Your dress is too thin. I’ll get you some clothes to put on.”

“You’re too worried.”

I got up with a grin. Maybe it’s because they’re in the same family of craziness, but he and Eddy were doing similar things.1

If I catch a cold, he’ll go crazy as if it was such a big deal.

Haven followed me to the room to meet Japheth, who brought the proposal. He ordered a maid to bring him a shawl, and after he helped me put it on, he led me to the audience room.

Haven remarked, letting go of my hand in front of the door of the inner room leading to the parlor.

“Your hands are cold.”

“You’re more worried than I am. I’m fine.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

“No need. Go and get some rest.”

“I’ll wait here.”

Haven was stubborn.

Are you that bothered about the proposal letter sent by Delmoy because you are highly speculative?

Edwin would have begged to follow me in there, but I wondered if Haven was a little more modest than Eddy.

I told him to do what he pleases as I entered the room.

Japheth, a reddish blonde, knelt in one knee in front of me to show his courtesy. After I read the proposal of the Duke of Delmoy, which was handed by a servant, I questioned him.

“Isn’t it better to rejoice and congratulate your neighbors?”

“No matter how glad I am about my neighbor’s engagement, I will be as happy if it’s my family’s joyous occasion.”

(T/N: In Chapter 6, Japheth told Laviel that he is happy to celebrate Dalton’s engagement, now he’s saying that even if he should congratulate them, he would be more pleased if he would be engaged to Laviel instead.)

At that time and now, you’re really prominent with your words.

“Lord Delmoy, do you want to marry me?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“You think you’ll have more if you become my consort.”

“How dare I think like that. I just hope it will become a homage to Your Majesty.”

If he could tell such a cute lie without a blink of an eye, that’s a trick. Japheth caught my gaze with a straight face.

That impudence was quite desirable, but my answer was fixed from the start.

“What should I do? I already have someone who has promised me a marriage. You know, Duke Dehart has earned that qualification at the tournament.”

“You said there could be two consorts.”

“I thought I should do that too, but Duke Dehart is a very jealous man.”

Japheth lifted his head and looked up at me. I think he’s trying to find out if I’m joking, but unfortunately, I meant it.

He seemed very capable, but he lost to Haven in all likelihood. I had a chill again imagining them striking a sword to each other.

I asked Japheth, waving his proposal.

“If Pagos knew you sent this, would it be okay?”

“Why wouldn’t it be? Delmoy is not Pagos’ groomsmen.”

Your pride is hurt, I see.

You can scratch your nose by blowing without even using your hands.

(T/N: I believe she meant she broke the two dukedom’s relationship without even using her own hands. Because their actions themselves were the reason behind it.)

I turned my head and laughed wickedly so that Japheth could not see.