Chapter 123 – I’m Yours Too (2)
After listening to the citizens’ affairs in the audience chamber, I stayed only as long as I needed and left my seat as soon as it was over. Duke Tuania wanted to cancel his divorce with Duchess Tuania and reunite with her, and had wanted to see the necessary documents.
“If you’re not busy, I have something to say to you.”
Before I could leave, however, Sovieshu called me first. I turned around, and he stood up from his throne and approached me. Two guards were posted outside the audience chamber, but other than that, we were alone in the hall. Sovieshu spoke in an annoyed tone.
“Does your brother have any sense of reason?”
His words echoed loudly in the empty audience chamber, and he immediately lowered his voice.
“He’s been doing something else since the incident with the abortive drug.”
“Something else?”
“You don’t know?”
“Whether I know or not, you have to tell me what it is so I can decide.”
“You don’t know.”
He lifted his eyebrows and his voice dropped to a mutter.
“No, you wouldn’t have anything to do with this. If you were involved, you wouldn’t be doing the same thing.”
Same thing…?
“Lord Koshar is investigating Viscount Roteschu.”
Ah. My brother too? Inwardly I was surprised, but I kept my face expressionless. Meanwhile, Sovieshu narrowed his eyes in accusation.
“I’m sure he’s looking into Rashta as well.”
“Is that so?”
“Just like the Empress.”
Instead of answering him, I stared quietly into Sovieshu’s dark eyes. The sound of the bejeweled clock in the room seemed exceptionally loud in the chamber. Sovieshu looked at me, then turned away.
“Guard your honor as an empress.”
I already did that. If I had decided to cast off my honor, I would have already torn off Sovieshu’s hair several times by now. It might make me feel better for a while, but I knew it would only cause a bigger storm.
“I will. As always.”
I didn’t want to argue with him, so I simply agreed. As I turned around again, Sovieshu spoke up.
“What on earth are you so unhappy about?”
I looked back at him, and he continued with sincere curiosity.
“That girl has nothing, and you have everything.”
“She has taken His Majesty the Emperor.”
You, my husband. Sovieshu gave an empty laugh.
“I am already yours. Don’t talk nonsense.”
I made a noise of disbelief. Sovieshu was mine?
“And did I lend His Majesty to Miss Rashta?”
“What?”
“Unless I have done so, His Majesty is not my own.”
Sovieshu stared at me with a strange look.
“…You’re jealous of Rashta.”
“Whether I love you or not, we are already legally married.”
“It would have been nice to hear that you’re jealous because you love me.”
“!”
“But of course you won’t say that. Because you don’t love me.”
I was taken by surprise by his words.
Although his dark eyes trembled in hurt, I was satisfied to see it. He was like the sensitive mimosa plant whose leaves folded on itself when touched.
“If you have nothing more to say, I’ll go.”
I turned my heel, and Sovieshu called me yet again.
“Empress.”
What was it this time? When I looked back, Sovieshu had removed the sensitive mimosa mask and replaced it with the handsome emperor.
“I’ll be gone for two days to investigate the loss of the mages’ power.”
“You’re going in person?”
“I think it’s real.”
“I see.”
I suddenly became worried at his words. The mages were the source of power for the Eastern Empire. Although the military army was a considerable force, they were not as powerful as the mages.
“Come back safely.”
I spoke from the heart this time.
“…”
However, Sovieshu did not answer. I thought he ignored what I said, but then he slowly spoke.
“Would you like to come with me?”
“For the investigation?”
“I won’t work the whole trip. Maybe take a break on the way back.”
He paused as I stared at him, and then he listed places famous for their tourism and recreation. He wanted to idle away after work. I shook my head.
“I can’t.”
Sovieshu’s expression turned to disappointment.
“You can’t?”
“I was already away for a few days on my birthday.”
“?”
“If we both leave now, there will be no one to hold audience again until later.”
“It’s only two days.”
“Those who have been seeking an audience have been waiting outside the palace for days.”
***
“The Empress puts work over His Majesty.”
Rashta clasped Sovieshu’s hand and spoke over and over. Instead of answering her, Sovieshu simply shut his eyes.
Rashta stared intently at his grim face. He usually looked like a majestic emperor, but when he closed his eyes at the thought of the Empress rejecting him, he looked like an ordinary man.
‘What kind of words did the Empress say to make him like this?’
Rashta gazed at the Emperor’s profile, which was picturesque even when he was angry, and then murmured softly again to him.
“How could the Empress do that to you?”
Sovieshu’s eyes were still closed. Rashta lightly kissed his cheek and whispered her confession to him.
“You always come first to Rashta.”
“The Empress is simply busy.”
“Rashta can’t replace the Empress, but…”
She trailed off, and Sovieshu opened his eyes and looked at her. She leaned her head against his shoulder.
“Would you mind if Rashta came along?”
“You?”
“Rashta can’t help with work, but Rashta can help you. And helping you helps the country.”
“It won’t be a fun journey.”
“It’s alright.”
She looked up at Sovieshu and smiled brightly.
“It’s important to go with His Majesty.”
Rashta sadly stroked her stomach with one hand.
“And I don’t want to be alone in the palace when you’re gone. It’s scary. Who might try to hurt our baby…?”
Sovieshu remembered the poison attempt and nodded.
“I’ll think about it.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Rashta leaned her head again on Sovieshu’s solid shoulders and embraced his arms. She remembered the advice Duke Elgy had given her.
‘Rashta is not the empress yet. Rashta needs to go around and get the support of the common people.’