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 6.8

In the archives she had infiltrated, Emilia was suddenly embraced by the emperor who should have been asleep.

“Aina, I…!”

Emilia tried to struggle but stopped moving completely. His voice sounded as if…

He was crying.

The arms holding her were powerful. His forehead and cheekbone rubbing against her shoulder hurt a little. Their bodies pressed together without restraint felt slightly hot. He breathed roughly against her shoulder, the sound transmitting through. But Emilia found that breathing, gradually becoming indistinguishable from her own.

Her heartbeat raced. Heat rose to her face, and she could feel the sound of blood flowing deep in her ears. Her breathing, too, was rough. Though she couldn’t move her shoulders, her half-open mouth and chest greedily demanded oxygen.

“E… mi… ri…?”

How much time had passed? Dian’s voice, having calmed down somewhat, reached her hesitantly.

“It’s E… mi… lia. How many other women do you need to mistake me for before you’re satisfied?”

“Sorry.”

Even as he apologized, Dian tightened his arms again with certainty after having loosened them once. Emilia instinctively hugged his arm that had wrapped around her chest… stroked the back of his hand, and tapped it twice. Waiting for the restraint to slowly release, she stepped half a step forward.

Then turned around.

(Aina… that’s the name of the deceased first princess.)

Dian was there, covering his eyes with his hand. His deep breaths clearly showed his exhaustion. Emilia let her gaze wander then suddenly she noticed Dian’s arm and remembered.

Its strength.

“…You loved your sister, didn’t you?”

She let the words slip out.

From beneath his hand, only one eye was visible. Along with the corner of his mouth, it showed confusion.

“Women’s intuition? Emilia?”

“Why is the emperor allowed to remain unmarried?”

While you could call it intuition, there was actually basis for it. Though coincidental, Dian embraced the “Skill Garden” which contained only women, yet reportedly didn’t lay hands on any of them. Though not explicitly stated, that’s what seemed to have been communicated to the members. Of course, Emilia had been told too. “I have no intention of bedding you,” somewhat boldly. Or perhaps, dismissively.

(Liar.)

Emilia swallowed her words and stared at Dian with accusatory eyes.

“Ah… that’s right. My selfishness. What I forced down the throat of the father who killed Aina.”

He said bluntly, removing his hand from his eyes. Seeing his eyes, Emilia was shocked.

“Wait, what is this? You’ve been hiding it with makeup…? Since when haven’t you been sleeping?”

Under Dian’s eyes. The makeup had slightly smudged, revealing dark circles.

“Dunno.”

“Your Majesty, why would you go so far…?”

“Di… an.”

Strongly.

Almost pleadingly spoken.

“You’re platinum rank, same as me. There’s no hierarchy.”

He probably meant for her to call him by name. Unable to understand the context, Emilia furrowed her brows in confusion.

“Rest today, and tomorrow you’ll be formally hired. There’s that ‘talentless’ girl, right? You can call her here. But in exchange.”

Dian let out a sigh, shaking his head.

“If you’re going to live here, call me by name without honorifics. Even in public.”

Finally understanding the conversation, Emilia furrowed her brows even more.

(I can finally bring Iris here but calling him by name? True, everyone in the Garden is gold rank or below. Following skill absolutism, Dian and I are equals, but that would mean)

Clutching the brooch at her chest, the proof of her bond with Iris.

(Is he telling me to become his consort or something?)

Emilia gritted her back teeth.

“What’s that supposed to mean? If people heard, they’d seriously misunderstand.”

“——What if I said it’s not a misunderstanding?”

At the emperor’s words.

For some reason, Emilia felt relieved.

She let out a smile, snorting.

“What a poor joke.”

“Tch, no cuteness at all.”

“You’re the one without delicacy, Dian.”

When she called him by name, the emperor seemed unexpectedly satisfied, shaking his shoulders as he laughed. Emilia thought.

(Well, that makes sense. It would set a bad example and if he loved his sister, all the more so. Especially since she’s dead, there’s no room for me to…)

Feeling a slight loneliness mix into her inner words.

(……That’s not it. I)

“I don’t mean to do anything right now. But…”

In that gap. That opening.

“I’m serious. Emilia.”

A gaze filled with burning, almost angry passion.

Sharp, deep, piercing.

She gasped. Held her chest. Clutched the brooch tightly. The strength left her thighs, her knees nearly buckling… she slightly lowered her stance, forcibly supporting herself.

Unable to withstand the turmoil running through her entire body.

“Dian…?”

Calling his name, hoping for him to say “Just kidding.”

“Aina will always bind my heart. That might be a beautiful story, but for me it’s just painful.”

But this time, he didn’t joke about it. Rather, it reminded her of the true feelings he’d expressed before. That pain… unavoidably, reached her.

“Trying to use me for your liberation? No thanks.”

Trying to escape, Emilia put on a brave front.

But Dian’s gaze.

“————You broke up with Sieg, right?”

Still hadn’t released Emilia.

“…I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Is that so? If you have no one else, either way is fine with me.”

With slight hesitation, she let her reply slip out. His response was dismissive.

“My heart…”

Emilia was confused. But.

Deep in her chest. Certainly, she felt a “muddled feeling.”

“It’s not for love or romance anymore.”

It was an indescribable feeling. Perhaps jealousy. But uncertain. What was certain was that.

It was directed only at Iris.

Emilia put strength into her legs, breathed in, tightened her abdomen, and stood. Supported by the vague, unclear feelings for Iris — the “muddled feeling” toward her.

“…My bad. Forget it.”

Dian was laughing. His usual “emperor’s laugh” that couldn’t be taken as either serious or fake. Just like that, he flopped down onto the sofa.

“I’m going to sleep a bit more. Wake me in about an hour.”

“Wait, you’re asking me!?”

Thinking it must be a joke, Emilia unintentionally raised her voice. That’s something you’d tell Garret or someone, who’d probably be happy to do it.

“I’ve assigned work to everyone in the Garden.”

“As official duties? Starting tomorrow—”

It seemed Emilia was specifically chosen. Moreover, while she was protesting.

(He’s asleep…)

In an instant, he began breathing in sleep. Feeling like she’d witnessed something unbelievable, Emilia twitched her cheek before letting out a deep sigh.

(Really, the worst feeling. The more popular I am, the more my chest hurts…)

Herrick, Dian. Having hints of affection shown to her in quick succession, Emilia was exasperated. While she might have enjoyed it back in her previous life when she played otome games, invitations from handsome, high-status men.

(Lord Sieg…)

Were tiresome. Her chest hurt unbearably. Emilia sighed once more… and sat down at the edge of the sofa. Deep into the space that seemed deliberately left for one person. Turning right, she saw Dian’s sleeping face. His sturdy shoulders and back were leaning against the backrest. His legs were carelessly stretched out.

Too careless she thought. But Emilia too leaned against the backrest and armrest.

“……The troublesome thing is, he’s a man you can trust. Or maybe I’m just being naive.”

If it were Sieg or Herrick… being this close would make her feel more tense. Even if they were asleep. At least, that’s how it always was with Prince Sieg. But with Dian, there was none of that. He was a man who could be frightening and powerful. But inevitably, a deep sadness and weakness flickered through.

Emilia. As if brushing something away, shook her head.

(One hour, huh. If I fall asleep, will I be able to wake up?)

She closed her eyes.

★ ★ ★

“Why… Lady Emilia…?”

That there was another person who had sneaked into the archives —— Emilia hadn’t noticed.