Chapter 3

Joint meals weren’t held that often, but it was always filled with silence. About four months after their wedding, Yvonne finally managed to strike up a conversation.

“Your Majesty, how about sleeping in my bedroom today?”

Yvonne asked in a modest way as if she would only ask once.

“Why should I do that, Empress?”

“I think it might be a good idea to sleep together at least once.”

It was a dull and boring reason.

“Why, does your father compel you to do so?”

The Emperor grumbled as he answered her question with another. Karloi was well aware that the Duke’s visit to the Empress’ palace had increased rapidly.

The Empress replied after a long period of silence.

“…My father is just worried about his child.”

“The Empress knows better than anyone that I don’t want to relieve that worry.”

“I’m also saying this for you, Your Majesty. I don’t know what you’re thinking, but I mean it.”

The Empress’ tone came off as a warning to Karloi, ‘If you don’t listen to me, you will be seriously hurt.’

“I know best what’s good for me.”

“…..Your Majesty.”

“If you don’t intend to spoil the food, you should stop.”

The atmosphere sank further by the sarcastic tone that didn’t hide signs of irritation.

Even the handmaidens and servants who were far away from the cold atmosphere began to tremble.

Yvonne continued to eat quietly for a while, as if to accept the Emperor’s response, but soon opened her mouth again.

“What do I have to do to get you to my palace?”

Her whispering voice was too soft to be heard. It was then that Karloi saw Yvonne’s face properly for the first time.

There was a subtle emotion on the face he hated because of her usual arrogant expression, but it was difficult to read exactly what it was.

However, her eyes remained the same. A deep, unpleasant green with a resolute gaze that resembles the Duke’s. In those eyes, Karloi felt something familiar. It was an unpleasant….familiarity.

“…..Well, if the Empress were to disappear, I would probably go.”

TL/N: Insert sound of my heart breaking