The Empress Tames the Tyrant - Chapter 29

This marriage had been botched from the very first button; it was never supposed to be possible for them to become a normal couple.

“This is certainly…”

And yet, a possibility Alicia had never once considered was now racing through her mind.

“I never imagined such a thing, but…”

Alicia bit her lip unconsciously. She could still vividly feel the heat of his lips against hers.

“Our relationship has changed.”

It was faster to accept it than to search for a reason. In her previous life, Alicia had lived in a state where she could barely endure being in the same room as Cayenne, but now, so much was different. This was because she had changed first.

“To think it would change in this way.”

Marriage, by nature, could become infinitely complex if one allowed it—but the same was true for its simplicity. If Cayenne were to start desiring a beautiful wife like any other man, this marriage, which had once seemed hopeless, would instantly gain a significance that could shake the entire continent.

“I…”

Alicia traced her plump lips with her fingers. If she closed her eyes, it felt as though his distinct scent still lingered in the air. She could not deny that the trace of him was still stirring her heart.

“What is it that I truly want?”

The lingering heat Cayenne had left behind made her head spin, and her heart felt just as unstable. Cayenne’s dark eyes, always so cold, had been tender and warm today. His body temperature had been high, and his lips had been unbelievably soft. It was hard to believe that such a massive, imposing man shared the same vulnerabilities as she did.

“I cannot run away like I did before.”

She didn’t want to live like her previous life—ignoring the problems in front of her and relying on the judgment of others. Even if their kiss had been sparked by a small accident, it hadn’t been forced.

“I must think. About what I want.”

She was tired of a life spent helplessly watching time pass.

“And what it is that he wants.”

Every moment tonight had been bewildering, but… Alicia didn’t hate any of it. No, she couldn’t hate it. It was a judgment driven not by logic, but by instinct.

While Alicia was lost in her private agonizing, Cayenne returned to his quarters and moved about as if nothing were out of the ordinary. At least, that was how it appeared to others.

“Your Majesty, you’ve returned.”

Emma bowed to Cayenne, who had returned earlier than expected. He didn’t even give her a glance, striding toward the bathroom while pulling off his tunic.

“Your Majesty.”

“I don’t need assistance. Just a towel.”

Cayenne’s voice was low and indifferent as usual, but his movements were frantic as he splashed cold water over himself. It was as if he couldn’t control his own internal heat unless he rushed.

“Your Majesty! Heavens… there is warm water ready, why are you using cold?”

Emma, bringing the towels, gasped in shock, but Cayenne merely reached out and snatched a towel without a word. After roughly drying off, he sat heavily on the bed without putting on the fresh shirt Emma had set out. Water droplets rolled down his wet hair and down his bowed head, tracing the lines of his firm chest and abdominal muscles.

“You’ll catch a cold if you’re not careful.”

“I am not that fragile.”

Cayenne finally lifted his head, and his expression looked surprisingly complex. A woman’s intuition told the old lady that something had definitely happened at the Empress’s Palace—but if so, why had he returned now instead of in the morning?

“Where is Glen?”

“It is late, so he should be in his quarters. Shall I summon him?”

“Tell him to meet me in the rear garden.”

Emma couldn’t fathom what the two of them were going to do in the garden well past midnight, but she had no choice but to grab some clothes and chase after Cayenne as he headed outside.

“Your Majesty, the night air is chilly. Please, put something on…”

“Chilly, you say?”

“Yes, winter is nearly here.”

“Winter? Nonsense.”

Cayenne frowned. Only then did Emma realize his face was still flushed. It wasn’t just his face; his neck and his powerful torso were radiating heat as if it were the height of summer.

“I’m burning up. I’ll never understand the weather in the capital.”

The weather today was perfectly normal. However, Emma couldn’t say that to Cayenne, who was currently stomping toward the garden fuming about the heat.

Of course, the same went for Glen, who was dragged out of sleep to the garden to exchange sword strokes with Cayenne under the moonlight.

Truly, an Emperor was a most selfish creature.

Alicia, who had finally fallen asleep only as dawn was breaking, skipped both breakfast and lunch. She was now late into her preparations, attended by her maids.

“Your Majesty, which necklace shall we choose?”

The maid, Nancy, held open a box filled with glittering jewels. Alicia scanned the box with her usual indifference before looking at Agnes. As always, it was a silent request for the Head Maid to decide.

“Since you prefer elegance, the simple pearl necklace would be best.”

Alicia had been staring blankly at her reflection for some time. The mirror reflected a graceful, radiant face of a twenty-year-old—a face so beautiful it made both her life in her original world and her previous life as “Alicia” feel like a fading dream.

“I greet the Empress.”

The Chief Attendant, Howard, entered and bowed, naturally breaking Alicia’s train of thought.

“I have word that His Imperial Majesty will be dining at the Empress’s Palace this evening.”

At the word “Emperor,” Alicia’s eyes wavered.

“It is nothing strange or special. His Majesty likes the food here, and he said he would dine here as often as possible before leaving for Rubeo.”

No one had asked, but Alicia was explaining herself fervently. To anyone watching, it looked exactly like she was making an excuse.

“Then, I shall relay the message to His Majesty’s attendant.”

Howard bowed and withdrew, and Alicia’s gaze returned to the mirror. The elegant blue dress she usually wore and the pearls weren’t bad, but for some reason, she felt unsettled today.

“Nancy, show me the necklaces again.”

“Pardon? Oh, yes!”

The young and beautiful Empress from Lucan had always been so uninterested in self-adornment that her maids found it tragic. Today, something was different.

“Agnes, what about the third one in the second row? That gem… what is it called?”

“One moment, let me look closer.”

Only Agnes remained unruffled by this change, maintaining her usual calm.

“Ah, it is a Northern Sapphire. They are praised for a deep navy hue that looks like the deep sea. One this large is exceptionally rare.”

When Alicia hesitated, Agnes naturally removed the pearls and fastened the sapphire necklace. When Alicia’s beauty—which had always been modest for a young Empress—met a jewel that actually suited her, she bloomed like a flower finding its season.

“You look truly breathtaking. Oh, wait…”

Before Alicia could change her mind, Agnes brought over a rouge that was pinker than usual, applied it to her lips, and smiled with satisfaction.

“Is it… too much?”

Among everyone in the room, Alicia was the only one unaware of how brilliantly she shone.

“If it looks too extravagant or if I look overdressed…”

“Not at all.”

In Lucan, extravagance was considered a great sin, and until recently, there had been no one in this palace to truly look at Alicia. Though no one said it aloud, they had all been pained to see the Empress looking so diminished during the brightest years of her life.

“I will be seeing His Majesty soon, and I don’t want to look… awkward.”

“You don’t look awkward at all. Besides, since His Majesty is visiting, it is only proper to show due etiquette.”

In times like this, an experienced Head Maid knew exactly what to say.

“He will surely be pleased.”

Alicia said nothing, staring intently at herself in the mirror. It was just one necklace and a bit of rouge, yet she felt like a stranger to herself.

“Oh dear, my apologies. While fastening the necklace, your hair has become slightly mussed.”

“Hm? It looks fine to me…”

“Nancy, bring the hair ornament box. Maren, a comb.”

The young maids moved in perfect synchronization at Agnes’s command. Before Alicia could refuse, Agnes quickly let down her hair, combed it with a scented brush, and brought out the full volume of her shimmering platinum locks. The maids carefully braided the hair at her temples and inserted silver pins set with small sapphires.

“Wait, Agnes, this is…”

“Using gems that match your necklace creates a sense of unity,” Agnes replied with a deliberately innocent smile.

The maids’ hands did not stop. Alicia felt the adornment was foreign, but halfway through, she fell silent, simply watching her transformation in the mirror.

“You are dazzlingly beautiful,” Agnes said, finishing the look with small sapphire earrings and looking utterly satisfied.

“Really?”

Alicia’s question was shy, her gaze lingering on the mirror more than usual. It was obvious to everyone that something had happened between her and Cayenne.

“Yes. Anyone with eyes would think so.”

“No, I just… as Agnes said, I must show proper etiquette when receiving His Majesty.”

The nobles had already concluded that this marriage was a disaster. But if they saw her now, they would be forced to change their minds.

“Of course.”

“Hmph. Then that is enough. Etiquette is the most important thing in the Imperial Palace.”

Though she wore no makeup on her cheeks, a natural blush had taken its place. It was clear to anyone that a gentle spring breeze had begun to blow for this young, beautiful Empress.

“Well then, shall we begin preparing for tonight’s dinner?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Everyone wore a proud smile as they looked at Alicia’s perfect form. It was the start of a day that showcased the perfect unity of the Empress’s Palace.