I Will Break Off the Engagement Because I'm Jealous - The Untalented Villainess Who Rejected the Prince Searches for a Safe Haven with the Cheat Heroine - Chapter 6.5

After closing the door, Emperor Dian approached with strangely light steps.

“Sorry to bother you, Emiri.”

“It’s Emilia, Your Majesty.”

Dian wore a triumphant expression after getting her name wrong. As Emilia’s cheek twitched.

“Oh, my bad. Oh, leftover tea discovered. I’ll help myself.”

(Eww, gross. Good thing it’s not mine.)

Thump – he settled heavily onto the sofa. Emilia stared quietly at the emperor.

“Don’t make such a scary face.”

(I will. Behind you.)

Emilia kept her gaze fixed on Dian while letting her awareness slide to read the presence. Right behind the emperor. By the window.

(Iris is hiding there)

She sensed her friend’s presence.

(If she’s discovered, what happens? Should we beat up this emperor and escape…?)

Dian nonchalantly drank the leftover Garret. He snorted at the cooled aroma and gulped it down in one go.

(…I’ll drive the emperor away moderately. Keep his attention on me so he doesn’t notice Iris. In the worst case, knock him out and escape. Okay)

The emperor was pouring himself a refill from the pot. He didn’t seem like he’d be leaving soon. Emilia resolved herself deep in her gut.

“Stop staring so much. You’re making me blush.”

(I’m glaring at you, you invincible jerk)

Glaring again at Dian who grated on people’s nerves, Emilia sat on the sofa facing him.

“You heard from Garret, right?”

“Yes”

Faced with Dian suddenly moving to what seemed like the main topic, Emilia.

(Huh? Not an explanation, but a story?)

She tilted her head inwardly. If it wasn’t about the Skill Garden explanation, but Garret’s story…

The only thing that came to mind.

Emilia tightly clenched her hands on her knees… gritted her back teeth, and waited for his words.

“Then I’ll ask too”

The emperor exhaled deeply.

Muttering – he let out a whisper.

“What will become of this country?”

“It will perish”

To those ear-shattering, scream-like words, Emilia answered without hesitation. Dian’s eyes widened, then he laughed.

“Taha! This is irresistible. How will it perish?”

Though his tone was playful, Dian’s eyes.

(Weren’t laughing)

Emilia felt sweat running down her spine.

She carefully regulated her breathing.

“The nobles will simultaneously declare independence.”

“Figured as much. Was the western region that inclined?”

“I’m just a commoner, so I wouldn’t know such things. I have no connections either. But”

Pushing strength into her stomach. Emilia looked straight at the emperor.

“If you think about it a little, you’d understand, wouldn’t you?”

“————Good”

This time, Dian relaxed his attitude to match his tone. No words followed. So, Emilia.

“So, you’ll make another country into the empire?”

She inadvertently voiced her question.

“That’s what imperialism is”

“Yes”

He whispered, then fell silent. At least one of those “other countries” was the Oren Kingdom. Understanding that the empire’s attack on the kingdom wasn’t just rumor but serious, Emilia erased her expression to avoid being noticed.

“I had an older sister. She was absolutely outrageous, you know”

The emperor who had slumped heavily against the backrest suddenly began speaking.

(Sister… the first princess, I wonder? I think she passed away.)

“I still think she should have become emperor. Even now”

The words reached Emilia who was recalling this. They pierced her chest. She was startled.

He——as if he was crying.

The untrustworthy emperor. This man.

Seemed to be hiding tears.

Unintentionally, she let out a breath.

Her blinking increased, her eyes moistened.

As if confused.

Her gaze.

Wavered.

“With me or my father, we’ll just perish.”

“Don’t you think about trying to do something about it?”

Emilia spun her words as if rushed. This man was an enemy. Even if her mouth tore, she couldn’t say she wanted to help. But to avoid saying it, she had to grit her back teeth.

Feeling a strange heartbeat in her chest, Emilia gripped her brooch… trying to suppress it, to hide it.

“The only ones I want to help are my compatriots”

Dian sat up, leaning forward. Slightly turning his face away. Emilia was startled. Gasped, held her breath.

“I——can’t bear the misfortune of my compatriots loved by the spirits”

From his eyes. Drip – teardrops were falling.

“Thinking about the future makes me anxious! No matter how much I think, I can’t see a good future! Whether sleeping or waking! The only future I see is one where stones are thrown! My sister!”

Without wiping his tears, the emperor roared. Spat out. Emilia felt as if her chest had been punched, painfully. Suffocatingly. Desperately hugging herself as if to protect herself.

“That sister who had her head cut off. Is waiting in the future”

Though it sounded like resentment.

Dian was crying all over his face.

Overflowing with affection and kindness.

“I want to see my sister again”

Those tears were saying.

“I won’t abandon the bonds with my compatriots. I want you… if possible, to help too. Emiri.”

“I’m Emilia. Don’t get my name wrong”

Emilia gritted her back teeth and retorted without pause. She was overwhelmed by his words. They had force. They were heartfelt. Her chest hurt. Precisely because of that.

She couldn’t lose. That’s what she thought.

“…My bad, Emilia. Well then, thanks for the tea”

Smoothly, Dian stood up. He passed by Emilia’s side.

“If you were as smart as you are… no. Never mind”

He let slip just that little bit.

The door opened.

Closed.

(He’s seen through me… he’s been to the kingdom before. I should have changed my impression, but he remembers, huh. But the fact that he corrected my name means he doesn’t intend to pursue it. More than that…)

Emilia slowly turned around. Gazed toward the other side of the door. Feeling like he was still there beyond it. Feeling like… there was a bit of warmth deep in her chest.

“What exactly are you expecting from me?”

“Well, Lady Emilia, one could expect something, couldn’t they?”

“Woah woah woah!?”

A voice came from behind, making Emilia jump. Turning around, Iris stood frozen against the sunset backdrop. The tension left her shoulders. Only her blue eyes seemed to shine brilliantly.

“Iri… Iris? Are you angry about something?”

“I’m not angry”

“But”

“I’m going home”

“Ah, okay…”

Iris turned her back. Apparently, she was heading to the terrace, then toward outside the castle.

“…You seemed to be enjoying yourself, Lady Emilia. Talking with the emperor.”

Hearing that from her as she placed her hand on the window.

“Huh?”

Emilia unconsciously made a foolish sound. Her eyes were drawn to Iris’s profile.

“Were you charmed?”

“No, not really. Why?”

Iris’s eyes. Narrowed sharply, opened wide in surprise, then narrowed again as if glaring.

“You really seemed to be enjoying it. Like you were empathizing with him.”

“Such a thing…”

“It happens!”

She shouted with her eyes tightly closed. Emilia’s eyes widened, and she gasped.

“Iris?”

“…I’m sorry. But. I’m always watching you, Lady Emilia. I can’t be mistaken.”

The window opened. Iris stepped out onto the balcony.

“Good night”

“Ah-”

She immediately closed the window.

(…If you’re always watching me. Then stay. Just a little bit longer, stay with me)

Left alone, Emilia stared blankly at the sunset. Beyond the brightness, Iris immediately disappeared.

(…What are you angry about? Iris. Tell me I don’t understand)

That she should have stopped her. She regretted it much later.