For the One Who Hates Me - Chapter 39

Karl said he had come to pick up the scabbard he had commissioned to be inlaid with a gem. While he was doing so, Aura sat on a sofa and rested.

The owner of the shop brought Karl’s new scabbard. Karl slid his sword into the scabbard inlaid with a blue sapphire. He seemed more concerned with the fit of the sword in the scabbard than with the gemstone’s brilliance.

He began to talk with the owner about the scabbard. Aura found herself drawn to him as he spoke with a relaxed expression, a faint smile on his face.

‘He was so awkward at the salon, but he can be so talkative.’

“Your Majesty the Empress.” A clerk approached Aura. He knelt on one knee in front of her.

“It is an honor to meet you.”

“Likewise. Thank you for emptying your shop for us.”

“It’s only proper. Your Majesty, would you like to see the necklace you ordered?”

“A necklace? I haven’t ordered anything of the sort.”

“His Majesty the Emperor ordered it for you. Please have a look.”

‘A necklace? Why another one… Well, I’ll take it for now.’

“Alright. Show it to me then.”

“Yes. Here it is.”

The clerk placed the velvet box he was holding on his knee and opened it. Inside was a necklace with a sand-colored gemstone that shimmered softly. She liked it quite a bit.

Aura took the gemstone in her hand and pulled the necklace out. Up close, the stone looked mysterious, as if it contained a desert.

“What kind of gemstone is this?”

“It’s a topaz.”

“It’s beautiful. Please tell the jeweler that I appreciate their hard work.”

“Yes. The jeweler said it was the first time they had ever worked with such a large topaz. The necklace will surely be happy to have found a suitable owner.”

The clerk closed the lid of the box and expertly began to tie a ribbon around it.

“Your Majesty the Empress, do you know the meaning of the topaz?”

Zenia was not a country known for its gemstones. Aura wasn’t very interested in jewels and didn’t know their deeper meanings.

“I don’t know much. All I know is that it means good health or something like that.”

“Yes, that’s right. But its essential meaning is ‘rebirth’ and ‘renewal.'”

“‘Rebirth’ and ‘renewal’?”

“Yes. It means to completely forget the pain of the past and start anew. That’s why it is often gifted to those who have overcome great illnesses or hardships.”

The clerk presented the box with the ribbon tied around it.

“I was just about to tell you, but he’s already given it to you.”

Karl had come over without her noticing. Aura looked up at him, her expression one of utter disbelief.

Clatter… Clatter…

The carriage rattled as it traveled through the night. Aura sat with the box on her lap, looking out the window. Her expression had noticeably worsened since they left the jewelry shop.

Karl was frustrated.

‘What did she dislike so much?’

He had wanted to apologize since the outing began. The three years of confinement might have been her destiny, a trial she had to endure to survive. But he was the one who had poked at that wound.

He had thought about it in the carriage on the way to the restaurant, but it seemed too soon. She was tense, and so was he.

‘This is nice.’

After hearing her say that at the restaurant, it became even more difficult. It was rare for Aura to say something was nice. He was afraid of ruining that feeling.

And when they were walking, he became certain. She was enjoying this outing. So he wanted to make it a little more enjoyable for her. When she got the necklace from the jewelry shop, he wanted to give it to her and apologize. For speaking so harshly to her. And that he was going to tear down the northern tower.

So… in this carriage right now…

“Aura.”

“Karl.”

They both spoke at the same time. Karl gestured for her to go first.

“Thank you for the necklace.”

“…Do you like it?”

“It’s beautiful.”

“That’s a relief. I think it will suit you well.”

It was a topaz Karl had chosen after a long talk with the jeweler. He particularly liked the meaning of rebirth. Karl himself was getting over his nightmares with her help. So he hoped she, too, would soon leave the painful memories behind.

“But Karl.”

Aura placed the box on the seat beside him.

“I can’t accept this.”

Silence. After a long moment, Karl asked, “Why not?”

“Because you’re not worthy of giving this to me.”

Aura’s voice was flat, without any change in tone. Karl’s eyes widened. Just then, the carriage arrived in front of the main palace. With a faint smile, she opened the door.

“I had a nice time today.”

Aura got out of the carriage. Karl sat there, frozen, without even blinking.

“Your Majesty?”

Theo, who had come to greet him, called to him from outside. At that moment, Karl bolted up and got out of the carriage as if he had been shocked.

“Your- Your Majesty?!”

Karl walked with long strides toward the main palace. In front of the palace were the head maid and maids of the Empress’s room. Karl asked in a low voice, “Where is the Empress?”

“She said she was going for a walk in the garden.”

Karl immediately turned toward the garden. His steps were unwavering as he walked through the dark garden. And then he saw Aura, standing in front of a pergola covered in vines.

Aura was lost in thought, gripping the vines tightly. Karl grabbed her arm and turned her around.

“…! Karl?”

Something surged up inside of him. Seeing her face, he understood. He understood how much her words, “you’re not worthy,” had hurt him.

“I’m your husband.”

“…”

“I have the right to wish for you to get better. Your body as well as your mind.”

Aura’s turquoise eyes glistened in the moonlight. She was about to say something in a rage, but she stopped herself. She spoke calmly instead.

“Yes. But I’m not with you because I love you.”

“!”

“So don’t meddle in the state of my mind.”

Karl felt a lump rise in his throat. But his mind was cold. He let go of her.

“Fine. Then I’ll do what I can as your husband.”

Karl turned around and left the garden. Aura watched his back until it disappeared.

The next day.

Aura had finished getting ready and was about to go to the office when Mina came rushing in.

“Your Majesty…! Your Majesty!”

“What is it?”

“It’s…! It’s a disaster, I think. But I thought you should know.”

Mina was babbling incoherently. Aura chuckled.

“What could possibly make you so flustered?”

“The northern tower is being torn down.”

“…What?”

Aura’s smile vanished like snow. Mina, flustered, added, “His Majesty the Emperor apparently ordered the northern tower to be demolished. He’s already built a new watchtower to replace it.”

Aura heard her words and immediately walked briskly toward the north side of the palace. Her heart was pounding uncontrollably.

She hoped it wasn’t true.

‘Karl is trying to get rid of the tower without discussing it with me.’

She finally understood what he had said yesterday.

‘Fine. Then I’ll do what I can as your husband.’

He had the right to do what he wanted with every building in the palace. No, every building in the Empire. But the northern tower, that one, he shouldn’t have done it so easily. Not if he understood even a piece of her pain.

Aura walked through the desolate northern forest. When the northern tower came into view, she was speechless.

The tower was truly being torn down. Laborers were breaking down the stones from the top and passing them down. Dust and stone powder flew in the wind. A significant pile of broken stones had already accumulated next to the tower.

And Karl was watching all of it. With his arms crossed, as if he was just watching an ordinary construction site.

“Karl.”

At Aura’s voice, Karl turned around.

“Aura.”

“What… are you doing?”

Aura looked at him with bloodshot eyes. Karl approached her and said, “I went to the tower a few days ago. It was horrible. I was wrong to say you were safe for three years. You can hate me for talking without knowing anything about it.”

“Then why are you getting rid of the tower?”

Aura asked, trying to suppress the emotions boiling up inside her.

“It’s obvious. There’s no reason to leave a place filled with painful memories. It’s not good for either of us.”

“…”

“I’ll build whatever you want in its place. Anything. So we can cover it with new memories.”

Aura said nothing for a moment. She just stared blankly at the tower being torn down. Karl said tiredly, “You don’t like it, do you? It might feel that way now, but with time…”

She turned away, as if she couldn’t stand to hear any more. Karl quickly grabbed her. With a blank expression, he said, “Accept it. You can’t live buried in that memory forever.”

A thin tear welled up in Aura’s eyes. She fiercely pulled her arm away from his and walked into the northern forest.

She walked through the forest path as if she was running away. Her vision was blurring uncontrollably.

After she had walked for a while, she heard footsteps running after her. The footsteps passed her and stopped in front of her.

“Hah… Aura. Why are you…?”

Karl wiped the tears from her cheek.

Aura blinked. A tear rolled down onto the back of his hand. She glared at him with her wet eyes.

“You ask me how long I’m going to live buried in that memory?”

Aura took his hand and pulled it away.

“Fine. That three years of pain… I can forget it even if you don’t understand. Especially when I think about you having nightmares…”

“…”

“Why would I make a big deal out of being confined in a place like that?”

“Aura, that’s not what I meant.”

“The thing I can’t forget… is you.”

“What?”

“You wanted me dead.”

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