The Empress Tames the Tyrant - Chapter 31

Cayenne arrived for the evening banquet with pinpoint punctuality. He sat down after momentarily staring at Alicia, sensing the air had grown stiff with an unfamiliar tension.

“The Empress, looks a bit different today.”

Was this a mistake after all? Alicia dropped her gaze to her plate. Knowing Cayenne loathed extravagance more than anyone, she felt a wave of shame for dressing up so eagerly.

“No, rather than different…”

Since she didn’t dare interrupt the Emperor or defend her vanity, Alicia squeezed her hands together tightly beneath the table.

“You look good.”

Cayenne, who had likely never complimented a woman in his life, struggled to find the right words before giving up and tossing the phrase out bluntly. Instantly, the tension in Alicia’s hands unknotted.

“Thank you.”

Why was the appetizer taking so long today? Facing him across the table in this awkward silence, the memories of last night kept resurfacing, leaving her unsure of what expression to wear.

“Is that a sapphire?”

“Yes, it was originally a piece held within the palace…”

Cayenne nodded, his gaze meeting Alicia’s blue eyes.

“It suits your eyes.”

It was likely the first time in his life he had sincerely complimented a woman’s appearance.

“Pardon? …Ah, yes.”

Alicia held her breath, unsure how to respond, but Cayenne remained perfectly composed, as if he didn’t even realize the weight of his words. To Alicia, who was heart-stricken with nerves, his nonchalance felt almost brazen and irritating.

“You seem different as well, Your Majesty.”

Thinking that last night had probably meant nothing to him, a reckless thought slipped past her lips.

“No, I didn’t mean it like that…”

She tried to walk back her words in a panic, but Cayenne was already staring at her intently, having heard her clearly.

“In a good way?”

It was a simple yet difficult question.

“I am not sure,” Alicia answered honestly.

“Then let us call it a good way.”

Cayenne was smiling quite a bit today. In all the memories of her past life, she could count the times he had smiled in ten years on one hand. And never once had those smiles been directed at her.

“Strange. Since you cannot answer, was it a bad way?”

“No.”

Desperate to end the conversation, Alicia cast a pleading look toward Agnes, who stood by the door. On cue, elegantly dressed attendants entered in unison, the room filling with the savory aroma of the dishes.

“The food at the Empress’s Palace is always satisfying.”

“I am glad to hear it.”

“Not just the food; the tea and wine are superior here as well.”

What is this man trying to get at now? Alicia chewed her food, barely tasting it. Cayenne, despite praising the meal, wasn’t focusing on his plate either; his eyes kept drifting toward those moving lips.

“Um, Your Majesty.”

Alicia swallowed her food and dabbed her mouth with a napkin.

“I cannot eat if you stare at me so intently.”

“Ah,” Cayenne let out an embarrassed sound and finally focused on his own plate. However, the peculiar atmosphere between the man and woman did not return to normal. Despite the efforts of the palace staff, the Emperor didn’t offer a single praise for the banquet tonight. Instead, he had praised the mistress of the palace herself—which, to everyone watching, was the greatest joy and honor.

“The wine tastes excellent today. Why isn’t the Empress drinking?”

“Ah, I think I overindulged a bit yesterday.”

Was it just her imagination, or did every topic somehow lead back to last night?

“It seemed so. My punishment was excessive.”

Alicia forced an awkward smile. It was so strained that even the oblivious Cayenne noticed.

“Are you feeling alright now? You aren’t in pain?”

“Yes. I am—”

Before she could finish, Cayenne turned his head and let out a sneeze. A-choo! Alicia’s eyes widened.

“Your Majesty, are you the one who has caught a cold?”

“Me? A cold? Why?” Cayenne immediately turned solemn.

“Because you just sneezed.”

“It is nothing. I am not so fragile as to catch a common cold.”

“If you say so, then I am glad.”

However, as they say that love and a cough cannot be hidden, Cayenne sneezed twice more in quick succession. He then awkwardly avoided Alicia’s gaze.

“Your Majesty, how about a warm cup of cinnamon tea instead of dessert?” Agnes suggested naturally as she attended to them. “The flavor is quite unique when rich milk and cinnamon are added.”

Cayenne didn’t know that the tea was a traditional remedy for colds, but he nodded readily.

“If it’s from the Empress’s Palace, I’m sure it’s excellent.”

“You are too kind. Then, right now—”

“I will have the tea in the parlor.”

Before Alicia could say a word, Cayenne stood up first. He then stared at her with his dark eyes as if wondering why she wasn’t following.

“Ah, then I shall have the parlor next to the banquet hall—”

Cayenne cut her off as she rose.

“Why make a fuss at this late hour? Let us have it in the small parlor next to your bedchamber.”

Cayenne wore a dashing smile, but in Alicia’s eyes, he looked incredibly shameless.

The tea combination, which had sounded strange at first, was quite satisfying to both Cayenne and Alicia. However, sitting much closer than expected—nearly brushing knees—Alicia found his burdensome gaze incredibly uncomfortable.

“This is much better than I thought,” Cayenne said casually, setting down his cup. Alicia merely nodded, stiff as a board.

“Sometimes it’s better than wine. I’d like to send some to Rubeo.”

“I will instruct the Head Maid later.”

Cayenne shook his head.

“I appreciate the gesture, Alicia, but Rubeo is in no position for such things.”

Alicia’s eyes widened again. This time, Cayenne saw the change clearly. She was surprised that her name had slipped so easily from his lips, but she was also fascinated to hear him speak of Rubeo with such a soft tone and a smile.

“Ah, I suppose these stories are foreign to you.”

“Yes. But if you would teach me, I want to know.”

In the past, she had been too afraid of this unfamiliar world to be honest. She feared that appearing ignorant or lacking would lead to her being rejected by this society.

“It isn’t a particularly interesting story for a lady.”

“But it is an important place to you, Your Majesty.”

She had realized in this life that every moment creates the present, which in turn becomes the future. If there was an opportunity, she had to learn now.

“I am glad to hear you say that.”

Sincerity shone in Cayenne’s eyes. They had been a couple who wouldn’t even make eye contact, but now it felt as though they had at least reached the level of friends.

“Regrettably, the situation in Rubeo is impoverished. With winter approaching, many worry about their next meal. So… something like this milk is hard to come by.”

He was once a man who criticized Alicia for being extravagant and out of touch, but change wasn’t reserved for only one person. Perhaps they had simply fastened the first button in the wrong place.

“I received a letter from the Knight Commander today. The barbarians in the sector I thought I had cleared are invading the borders again, accompanied by mercenaries.”

Though Alicia didn’t fully grasp the complexities of his serious military talk, a point of pure curiosity struck her.

“I heard that Your Majesty is stronger than any other commander.”

“That is true.” Pride was evident in his face. Knowing his temperament, it wasn’t a hollow boast.

“And… I know you have stayed in Rubeo for a long time, leading the battles personally.”

Cayenne nodded, as if wondering why she was asking the obvious.

“Then why… do the invasions never stop?”

Alicia’s face as she asked the honest question was innocent and beautiful.

“That is because once we drive them out in battle, they simply gather their strength and tiresomely attack again.”

“Then, does the number of barbarians and mercenaries just keep increasing?”

Something was hovering in Cayenne’s mind, almost within reach.

“Alicia.”

“Ah, forgive me. I asked because I do not know well, so please…”

“No. Keep asking. Anything. More.”

His sudden seriousness was strange, but seeing the earnestness in his eyes, Alicia nodded.

“I just thought, surely the barbarians are much weaker than the Empire. Why do they continue to come, time and again, even after being defeated in battle?”

It was a question so basic that no one had ever thought to ask it.

“Winter must be hard for them too. And aren’t mercenaries bought with money?”

Cayenne felt a shock as if someone had struck him on the back of the head. Ha. He let out a gasp of realization. Why had no one else noticed what this woman saw instantly?

“You are right. No, you alone were right.”

As the answer clicked into place for the question that had been nagging at him, Cayenne was so overjoyed and relieved that he suddenly grabbed Alicia’s hand.

“Why didn’t I think of that sooner?”

But before Cayenne could pour out his joy, Slap! Alicia smacked his hand away.

“S-Stop that! Really…”

Her fair cheeks were flushed, but her blue eyes were staring at Cayenne directly and quite fiercely.

“Eh? What did you say? More importantly, I—”

Too excited by the shift in perspective, Cayenne reached for her hand again, but this time Alicia surged to her feet and shook him off.

“Enough!”

In an instant, at that authoritative voice, Cayenne instinctively froze. It was a command so firm and instinctive that it was hard to believe it came from such a delicate woman.

“From now on, when I say enough, please stop.”

Always keep the belly warm and full, observe their reactions steadily, and… when they cross the line, stop them immediately with firmness and strictness.

“I shall do that.”

They say there are no bad dogs or children in the world.

He had acted on impulse, but perhaps, there was no such thing as a truly bad Emperor, either.