CH 52

06. Sincerely

The bloody curtains fluttered. The silence of the Emperor’s Hall was full of tension. Emperor Terto sat on a large sofa, gagging* all the knights and civil servants.

TL/N: I’m guessing choked with tension.

As if waiting for someone, he glanced at the heavy door over and over again. Terto shook his legs and smoothed the tip of his thumb. Only the surface of his thumb was exceptionally smooth. Soon after, without notice, the heavy door scraped the carpet floor.

“Here you are, Holy Father.”

Terto jumped up from the sofa and quickly sat down after seeing the knights glancing inside in the hallway. Nathaniel was beautiful today as well. The door closed behind Nathaniel.

“Rodrigo has fully awakened.”

“No way, Holy Father.”

As soon as Nathaniel sat down, he said without a moment to say hello. He talked about the matter as if in a hurry, but his tone was extremely monotonous and relaxed, so Terto wondered if Nathaniel was playing a prank with such serious content. Nathaniel’s eyebrows rose. His exceptionally red lips drooped extensively.

“I guess I looked like a person who would say silly things, Your Majesty?”

Nathaniel’s fishy smile is so cold that even the knights who have earned the title of sergeant felt numb. A great man like Terto, who had experienced a series of hand-to-hand battles and air battles only through documents, felt like his heart was shrinking.

“Imagine a marriage with Cartina in this situation. The Empire will no longer belong to Your Majesty.”

Nathaniel rose from his seat.

“What shall I do, Holy Father?”

Nathaniel shrugged.

“What should I do? Isn’t it time for you to think for yourself?”

Nathaniel went out without saying goodbye. Terto, who was staring at the door in dismay, spit out cursing while sweeping his face with his hands.

“Damn Pope bastard! Ptui, a temple not worth even my saliva!”

After all the growling, Terto had no choice but to bow down to Nathaniel. Because the imperial family without much talent has survived thus far. But he had to show something this time. Terto pondered for a long time.

It was around the time when the sun hanging over the sky was setting in the west.

– Imagine a marriage with Cartina.

Nathaniel’s words suddenly came to mind. You’re telling me to stop the Cartina. Terto waved the bell. The secretary, who was waiting, came in quickly and bowed his head.

“Bring in Count Cartina.”

***

The victory ceremony is just a day away. Meanwhile, Rodrigo visited my room every night without exception.  I was not surprised to see Rodrigo, who suddenly came because we were used to each other.

“Are you here?”

“Late.”

Rodrigo, who appeared later than usual, said only one word, said he would borrow a bathroom, and then slipped into the bathroom. I let out a sigh.

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After the Gilter incident, it was difficult to deal with Rodrigo. Since Rodrigo didn’t ask further what I was going to do with Gilter, I didn’t mention that Ether and Eyla went hunting for the swordsmanship teacher.

It’s frustrating. In times like these, it’s good to exercise to make you sweat. I picked up the sword hanging from the wall and swung it around. The muscles that were not used properly to hide my skills from others were itching.

The muscles were crying to please use them once, so I moved the practice sword, gently moving my legs. I was wearing light pajamas, so my body was light, and my movements grew bigger and bigger. Thinking of desks and chairs as enemies, I moved widely and stirred around the room.

“Well, do you hate me enough to kill me?”

Eventually, the knife stopped at the tip of Rodrigo’s chin as he came out of the bathroom.

“I think it’s the opposite”

He stared at me. Rodrigo’s wet hair dripped with water.

“I hate you?”

“No? You don’t talk to me these days, you don’t come up to bed until I fall asleep, and you leave before I wake up. Isn’t it because you hate me?”

Thinking about it, the things that made me sad these days came to mind. Without realizing it, my lips protruded and I turned my head.

I’m like a grumpy lover of Rodrigo’s indifference.

“It’s the other way around.”

Rodrigo, who looked at me for a long time, said.

“I beg your pardon?”

I asked. His red eyes were burning like fire. Rodrigo’s eyes were hot. It felt like my whole body would melt just by looking at him. I took a breath and took a step back. However, the gap quickly narrowed.

“Are you curious about how I feel?”

No, I’m not curious.

No, I’m curious.

No, actually, I know.

What Rodrigo thinks of me. But I want to pretend I don’t know.

“You seem to want to work out. Will you make a bet with me?”

“What kind of bet?”

“If I win against you without using my right hand.”

“What if I win?”

“Please have an honest conversation.”

“It’s a very unfair game for me. You’re bigger than me, you have more practical experience, and you’re also strong. You also know how to use magic.”

“Hmm, aren’t you confident? Where did Miss Estiya, who said she would save me at the banquet, go?”

Rodrigo provoked me. But I didn’t want to be a stupid person who fell for the provocation and play the losing game.

“Let me use a dagger as well.”

“You may use the dagger. But no poison.”

Well, that’s enough.

I quickly recounted the scene in the novel. Is Rodrigo left-handed or right-handed? Although not specifically mentioned in the novel, in the illustrations drawn as events several times, Rodrigo was clearly holding a sword in his right hand.

I grabbed the knife I was holding and swung it towards Rodrigo’s side. Rodrigo’s eyes widened as if surprised, but then his eyes bent like crescent moons.

He hasn’t gotten a weapon yet. I decided that it would be better for him to surrender before he took the weapon. Unfortunately, however, Rodrigo was quick and skillfully lifted his sword in the midst of a barrage of attacks and blocked my sword.

Kang.

The sword and the dagger collided. Since it wasn’t a practice knife, Rodrigo was fighting from the edge of his sword.

“Why do you keep avoiding me?”

As I approached him, he moved away, widening his distance apart.

To use a dagger, you have to be close!

Rodrigo laughed without answering. At first, it was a game that started out like a joke. However, seeing him constantly avoiding me made me feel determined.

Even with your left hand! You fight so well!

It was so funny that I said I would protect such a person.

My body was getting warmer. Come to think of it, Rodrigo is not even dressed properly after taking a shower. It was a strange feeling to see him fighting with a sword while wearing only pants.

“You thought you were going to exhaust me now, but I’m in good shape, right?”

I shot and dug through the crack in his side. It was definitely empty. It was like that but. Rodrigo just lifted my back and threw me on the bed.

“Ro, Rodrigo!”

“I’m glad to hear that you’re in good shape, but I’ll end it here today.”

He grabbed my wrists and pressed them onto the bed. I gripped the handle tightly so as not to let go of the dagger, but the pressure was so strong that I eventually missed the dagger. The moment the dagger is lost, the game is lost.

I lowered my eyes. My eyelashes trembled. My heart was pounding. Still, what’s a little comforting is that Rodrigo’s body, which covers me, is hot. It was comforting because I didn’t think I was the only one who fought hard.

“Come on, say something.”

I want him out of the way. I raised my free hand to push him away, but suddenly realized that he was undressed, so I lowered my hand.

I heard laughter above me.

“Let’s do this. We exchange questions with each other. We only say the truth.”

“What, it’s not what you said at first.”

“Because it’s efficient. If we stay up all night talking, the day might dawn. Aren’t you tired because you haven’t slept well lately?”

What, did you know I woke up halfway through?

As Rodrigo said, I haven’t had a deep sleep these days. I kept waking up in the middle of my sleep. Because I cared. Each time, my bedside was empty. I can’t sleep because I’m worried about it again, and then when I can’t sleep and fall asleep, I wake up after a while. I had a very bad sleep pattern.

“I was watching.”

What, you pretended to be sleeping in front of my desk.

“Why did you approach me? What do you really want? Can’t Cartina and Erhardt really work? What do I have to give up to have you?”

The question became heavier as it went on. I couldn’t open my closed eyes.

“Just one.”

I suggested to him.

“Yes?”

“Let’s exchange only one, question.”

Rodrigo rose to his feet. Then I opened my eyes and sat down.

“I’m not in a position to suggest it after losing, but let’s do it. It’s not fun if you know each other too much, right?”

Rodrigo looked at me with a strange expression neither smiling nor crying, then smiled and nodded.

“All right, ask.”

“You go first.”

“I was taught that I should give preference to women.”

“It’s a good lesson, but now I want you to do it first.”

“Can you handle my question?”

When asked by Rodrigo, I shut up. His attitude was quite aggressive. Not a gesture, but an expression. That atmosphere. It hit me with my whole body.

“………I’ll have to go first.”

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In the end, I lost again to Rodrigo. I don’t know if there will ever be a day in my life when I can win. I caught my breath. What question should I ask? Actually, I had so many questions for him. Did you change your mind about my family a little after meeting me, when did you start using magic, and why do you keep coming in and out of my room…….

What I’m most curious about is.

“What do you think of me?”

Rodrigo flinched. I guess my question was unexpected. I was surprised, too. I didn’t expect such an emotional question from my mouth. I was gonna ask you what you think of Cartina.

“I like it.”

My face heated up.

“……Is that so.”

He came up with an answer after a long time. I didn’t know that the word “I like you” was this heavy.

“I thought I was always talking and expressing it, but I guess it wasn’t enough.”

Rodrigo added a groan to the back, but none of them reached my ears.

So, what about Cartina? Do you like me enough to forgive me for the harm I’ve done to your family?

Selfish questions followed, but we decided to exchange them one by one.

“Question, go ahead.”

Rodrigo pulled a chair by the bed and sat down. His knees were close enough to reach mine.

“One more time, to be clear, I like you. Then, what do you think of me?”

My lifeline.

It was the first answer that came to mind, but I knew for myself that it was not the answer.

“I don’t know.”

“Didn’t we promise to tell each other the truth?”

“That’s the truth.”

It’s not a lie. To be honest, I like Rodrigo, but I wasn’t sure if this was enough to throw my everything. Still, I want Rodrigo to spare Cartina and I’m doing my best for him. Can I be with him even if this purpose disappears?

I do not know.

Rodrigo looked at me silently for a long time. I bowed my head and avoided his eyes.

“……I see.”

A shadow fell before my eyes. He got up and headed somewhere. He was neatly dressed.

“I’m going back to the barracks today. I have a lot to prepare for as I enter the capital tomorrow.”

Rodrigo turned around. I didn’t catch him.

TL/N: AHHH omg!! I feel like Rodrigo keeps getting hurt recently!! T_T

***

[Stefan’s POV]

It was very late at night when Stefan was called by Terto. Stefan was in a state of irritability, and he wanted to twist his neck if someone quarreled with him.

“He said it was urgent.”

Terto’s envoy gently nagged Stefan as he slowly washed and changed clothes.

“I can’t see His Majesty the Emperor like this, can I?”

He said it politely, but the death that was reflected at the end of his words made the envoy falter.

How urgent is it to teleport the envoy? With a magician? It’s definitely not good news. I’m sure you’ll tell me to clean up shit.

It’s the emperor that’s disappointing. Stefan moved slowly, thinking so.

***

[Stefan’s POV]

“Sir Stefan, you’re late.”

Terto frowned at Stefan’s neat outfit. He said he was dealing with monsters on the western border, but seeing him dressed lavishly as if he was going to a banquet, he was filled with anger.

“I hurried because you said it was urgent, but the time has already come.”

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The dawn was breaking. From late at night, Terto couldn’t sleep waiting for Stefan. Stefan felt better when he saw his dark eyes and bulging veins.

“Sit down.”

Stefan, who had been standing by the door so far, sat down on the soft sofa at the Emperor’s orders. When Terto blinked, the people in the emperor’s bedroom ran out like the low tide.

“I have something to tell you.”

“I guessed so.”

“It’ll be easier to talk about.”

Have you ever had a hard time?

When has it been difficult?

The emperor had a bad habit of telling difficult stories as if nothing special. After all, the emperor’s position is a place where you can’t help but think that way.

“Speak, Your Majesty.”

Stefan played a very faithful servant in front of the emperor. In fact, he had no respect for the emperor at all. The emperor is just one tool for Cartina to live well.

An irreplaceable tool.

“Get rid of Erhardt.”

The words from the emperor’s mouth were so unexpected.

“We’re always doing our best to get rid of it.”

Because since Stefan became head of state, there has never been a time when Erhard was not an enemy.

You want me to get rid of Erhardt now? Stefan always did his best to get rid of Erhard. As if it’s life’s destiny.

“Not just reducing the power. I mean….”

Terto swallowed his words for a moment.

“I mean, kill him.”

There was a slight incontinence on Stefan’s face. But it was fleeting. Stefan smiled again and looked at Terto.

“Aren’t you benefiting from the feud between Erhard and Cartina, Your Majesty?”

Terto’s eyes shook greatly.

“What are you talking about?”

Stefan wanted to spit in the hateful Tereo’s face, but he resisted it.

“No, But more than that, kill the Duke of Empire?”

“Yes.”

“There’s a great risk our family has to take, Your Majesty.”

“I will turn your daughter into a princess.”

“Ether? Eyla?”

“Estiya.”

Stefan frowned, forgetting that he was in front of Terto. The words “Are you crazy?” filled his throat, but he barely held it in. I know who the prince is. Detheus was, in Stefan’s eyes, a piece of garbage. So it’s perfectly easy and excellent for Eyla and Ether to exploit him, but it didn’t fit the naive Estiya at all.

Estiya was such an innocent child that she said that she would marry Rodrigo, whom she fell in love with at first sight.

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“That’s not going to happen.”

“why not?”

“The child will never marry for the rest of her life.”

Terto laughed inwardly at the unexpected stubbornness.

‘That’s his weakness.’

He was skeptical because he always kept a shield around him, but seeing Stefan who was genuinely annoyed, he was convinced.

“Yes, I can’t help it if you don’t like it. By the way.”

Stefan’s eyes narrowed as he looked at Terto, who retreated easily.

“If your daughter really wants it, are you really going to object?”

It can’t be.

“You’ve allowed Erhardt, but there’s no way you won’t allow our son, right?”

I allowed Erhardt?

I wanted to say no, but I missed the timing.

“Get rid of Erhardt. Before your daughter is married to Erhardt. The person on the same boat as you is not Erhardt, it is me. Don’t forget.”

This is why it is not easy to see Terto. he one who commands the empire in this narrow imperial palace. Although he did not have enough actual battle experience, he was second to none when it came to sitting down, thinking, and calculating. As an emperor, he also has extraordinary intelligence.

“Well, let’s try to capture my daughter’s heart, Your Majesty.”

Terto let out a low laugh as he watched Stephan leave the room.

‘Well, will I win your daughter’s heart or will I break it? It’s up to you.’