It Turned Out She Wasn't a Favored Concubine - Episode 59

Erich came all the way to the central gate of the imperial palace to greet me. It was the same place where Giscal had held his victory ceremony not long ago.

After a month apart, Erich looked pale. As soon as I stepped down from the carriage, he pulled me into a tight embrace and stood still for a while. His short blond hair tickled my cheek. Only after I pushed against his chest with my arms did he slowly let go. Yet his dreamy, dazed eyes remained unchanged.

“Arne. I kept dreaming of seeing you, and now that I truly see you, reality feels more like a dream. Did you enjoy your stay at the Edelheit estate?”

“Yes, of course. His Majesty also…”

I trailed off, unable to finish the polite inquiry. His emaciated appearance made the question feel hollow.

“As long as you were well, that’s all that matters. Now that you’ve returned to my side, I couldn’t ask for more.”

Erich gazed at me with sparkling eyes. His pale skin looked even more delicate from the weight loss, and beneath his trembling lashes, his blue eyes shone. And then came the unbearably suffocating whispers of false love.

It finally sank in—I had truly returned to the imperial palace.

Erich led me straight to the Berna Palace. He said he had something to show me and opened the largest room in the palace. He explained that during the month he waited for me, he had prepared a gift: a lavish, extravagant dress adorned with jewels and silk.

Under the lights, the white satin gleamed, and between the long folds of the skirt, transparent, sparkling gems were embedded. Feeling uneasy, I stepped closer—every single one was a diamond. Even the center of the chest boasted a diamond the size of a fist. I wished someone I knew could walk behind me in that dress just to pick up the diamonds that might fall off. One could live in luxury for three generations just from those.

The pièce de résistance was a tiara covered in diamonds. Decorated with rare pinkish diamonds, even the joints were fitted with tiny diamonds. But that wasn’t all. Erich shyly smiled and said the dress was designed to match the ceremonial outfit he would wear at the upcoming autumn hunting banquet. When the attendants brought out his white outfit adorned with diamonds, I felt dizzy. It was an outrageously obvious couple look.

“Try it on. They said the details need adjusting after it’s worn. It’ll suit you perfectly.”

Erich urged me with expectant eyes. The maids were already waiting with measuring tape and needles, so resistance was futile.

I barely managed to ask them to move the mirror and surrendered myself to the maids. Meanwhile, Erich changed into his white ceremonial outfit. Dressed in white and embroidered with diamonds, he looked breathtakingly beautiful.

If a young girl imagined a prince on a white horse, he would look exactly like that. Truly, his exterior was dazzling.

“You both look wonderful together.”

The maids exclaimed as if on cue.

“You’ll wear this dress and enter with me, won’t you?”

“I’m grateful, but it feels a bit overwhelming…”

My mild resistance didn’t work, as expected.

“I spent a month preparing this dress while thinking of you. You don’t like it? They claimed it was perfect—are they liars now?”

The maids who had carefully dressed me and checked every measurement turned pale. I sighed inwardly. It was always the same pattern.

“No, I like it. I really do.”

The headache began the moment I returned from the Edelheit estate to the palace.

“And there’s something else I want to show you.”

“More?”

Erich took my hand and hurried toward the outer edge of the palace, where tall trees stood in rows. They were metasequoias—tall and sturdy, lining both sides of the path. Their crimson leaves formed a radiant canopy and a luxurious carpet.

As I admired the scenery, Erich proudly extended his arm.

“I created this new walking path while you were away. The foliage is at its peak now—please enjoy it.”

“You made it recently?”

“Yes. You didn’t like the old palace paths, did you? I also cherished our walks together. So I had this new path built. Count Melton complained endlessly trying to finish it before your return.”

Erich chuckled as if telling a funny story, but all I remembered was that ridiculous joke.

Complained? Of course he did! Not just Count Melton, but the workers who moved those massive trees, planted them, and paved the path! To complete such a beautiful and seemingly endless trail in just a month?

I couldn’t even imagine how much labor had been poured into it.

“But I insisted—it was for you.”

“Oh… I see…”

Ha, how generous of you. I raised a hand to hide my crumpled expression. The resentment of the workers, of Count Melton, would surely be directed at me. While he lounged around, he forced through the construction. I wasn’t even angry anymore.

“Shall we walk together?”

Erich extended a hand, like a boy offering a carefully wrapped gift to a beloved girl, hoping for praise.

But I didn’t take his hand.

“I’m sorry. I’m a bit tired. I’ll walk it later.”

“Oh… well, I understand.”

His hand dropped weakly. He murmured in disappointment.

“I thought you’d be happier…”

No matter how annoyed I was, I couldn’t let Erich harm the workers who had labored so hard. I forced myself to hide my discomfort.

“Of course I’m happy. It’s beautiful. I can only imagine how hard it was to create. But I’m truly tired today. The carriage ride wore me out.”

“Oh, I was so excited to see you again that I didn’t consider how tired you must be. I’ll escort you back.”

“No need for that. Oh, right.”

To gently push Erich away, I took out the bracelet I had prepared. I’d planned to give it to him at the right moment anyway. Erich looked puzzled as he accepted the blue bracelet. It was quite plain for an emperor.

“I made it hoping it would bring you luck during the autumn hunt. It’s simple, but it’s heartfelt. I’d be grateful if you accepted it.”

“You… made this yourself?”

When I nodded, Erich stared at me and the bracelet in disbelief, like a cat hearing a human speak. He gently traced the blue cord and the hard metal plate, even feeling the engraved letters with his fingertips.

What was that inscription again? I’d forgotten for a moment, but then remembered: “Those who feel nothing shall possess nothing.” It was meant to warn against emotional numbness. I chose it because the ancient word for “nothing” had a simple shape. After tracing the inscription for a while, Erich suddenly lifted his head. His blue eyes were as vivid as the sky.

“Is this the token of love you promised?”

“What?”

“The token of love. From the auction house—you mentioned it then.”

It was a desperate question that demanded a yes. I frantically searched my memory for the day we went to Martavid together.

When Erich gave me a ring and I unknowingly put it up for auction, I’d babbled whatever I could to save myself, even mentioning a “token of love.”

It was a spur-of-the-moment lie I’d completely forgotten. But telling the truth now would be disastrous. I quickly pretended to remember.

“Yes, that’s right. It’s the token.”

Erich, overwhelmed with emotion, opened his arms. I had no time to dodge and ended up in his embrace. It was gentler than our greeting hug, but so close I could hear his breathing.

His unsteady breath reflected his emotions.

“I never dared hope for this, but I’m truly happy. I never imagined you’d make something for me. I… I…”

Erich couldn’t finish his sentence and exhaled deeply. His warm breath brushed against me.

Then I felt a thin stream of moisture.

“Your Majesty?”

“Oh… dear…”

Erich groaned and turned his head. I stepped back and looked up at his flushed face.

He quickly wiped both eyes with his fingers.

Was he crying?

“I’ve shown you such an embarrassing sight.”

His words confirmed my suspicion. Erich had just shed tears.

Why had he cried? I clutched my head.

There are many reasons for tears. Most people think of sadness, but this was Erich. I considered other possibilities.

Anger, frustration, disappointment, embarrassment—negative emotions. Or joy, pride, happiness—positive ones.

On the surface, it seemed he cried from joy at receiving a token of love. But with Erich, that wasn’t likely.

There was only one answer: he was frustrated by having to pretend to be so happy. But to cry over it?

“I’ll make a bracelet for you too. You said exchanging gifts is what gives them true meaning, didn’t you?”

Erich, now composed, fastened the bracelet to his wrist and held it up proudly.

“When I make yours, you must wear it. So that through these bracelets, we’ll be connected as one.”

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