It was so easy.
There was something strange and puzzling about it. Perhaps, it was because I wasn't from this country. It wasn't just the Emperor though the people of this country seemed to be absurd as well.
Soon, Raniero gently led my hand to the throne of the Empress.
It was somehow really awkward for me to sit next to him and look down at the nobles who stared at me with welcoming expressions.
A formal ceremonial opening speech was followed by the Duke of Nerma. The endless development of the Actilus Empire, our loyalty to the Emperor, and development and expansion are the only proof of faith… Well, these were the kinds of stories I knew all about now.
Meanwhile, instead of paying attention to the Duke, who was giving the opening remarks, Raniero's eyes were glued towards me. Although I tried to pretend I didn't see it at first, he was making me feel self-conscious… To be honest, it was so blatant that there was no sign of hiding it, so it was difficult to turn a blind eye. Eventually, I had to turn my head slightly and ask.
"Why, why are you…"
'…Why is he looking at me like that?'
To His Majesty, people's faces all look the same, so it was not surprising that I have become pretty all over again.
"It's amazing."
Nonetheless, he just cut off his words before he could finish, leaving me to just guess.
It had always been an unparalleled self-centered way of speaking. Since I couldn't figure out what was going on in his mind, I just laughed vaguely. However, when he stopped talking and ignored my words, I had no choice but to open my mouth again.
"Thank you."
"You didn't ask me what it was about?"
…If Your Majesty was me, would you have asked?
Raniero's lips slowly rose as I asked the rude question only to myself. I realized something was wrong again when his lips opened and muttered, "Ah." The smile on his lips was truly ominous.
"You… you don't even need to understand my thoughts, so that's why you didn't ask? What were you talking about?"
My eyes were tightly shut.
Your Majesty, I have only been out of the realm of death for just a few hours. Could you give me a moment to rest?
Even though I thought so, I swallowed my tears and shook my head for another improvisation.
"Oh, I-I didn't know what it is, but I'm just happy that Your Majesty is looking at me, and I'm grateful for all the attention you give me…"
As he listened to me, Raniero leaned his upper body this way. The momentary silence that he deliberately placed before he opened his lips made me nervous… This guy was obviously doing this on purpose.
Soon, he whispered the last words in a really sweet voice.
"You're only getting better at using your tongue like a snake, aren't you?"
It was a really absurd remark for me, who lives a daily life that fluctuates every day. Why did he think that was?
Guess who it was because of…!
Although I cried on the inside, I couldn't help but laugh on the outside. Raniero straightened his posture again and whispered.
"Now, I know what your face looks like."
My head turned towards his direction without me knowing. It was because those words naturally brought back the memories of that night.
"I can't tell the faces of others apart. It's because they all look alike."
In fact, Raniero didn't even need to memorize other people's faces. Because, as the Emperor, when he had to meet someone he needed to know, he would always meet someone when he knew their name and official rank first.
'If you are a normal person, you would be able to memorize their faces if you see them dozens of times.'
I was lost in my thoughts for a moment.
Raniero may have a problem that wasn't mentioned in the original. Perhaps, it wasn't that he was indifferent to others though he really couldn't tell the difference between faces. Still, if it were, it would go beyond a simple memory problem.
I mean, would it not be an illness, then…?
"Empress."
'…What? If he was really sick, wouldn't it be strange that he suddenly remembered my face?'
"Empress."
"Ah…"
Confused and immersed in my thoughts, I realized later that I was already led by Raniero and led to the center of the banquet hall, and I glanced around stupidly again. As my head spun around, Raniero clasped one hand over my cheek to fix my head.
"You're thinking about something else again."
Heuk—
"May, maybe I'm dazed because the side effects of the medicine still remain…"
"I don't like lies."
I shut my mouth and rolled my eyes at his words. I was thinking about how I would respond with the skill that I was good at adapting to the situation. However, before the time limit of five seconds had passed, a long, beautiful hand wrapped around my waist.
In the blink of an eye, we stood close together, holding one hand and placing my other hand on his shoulder.
Since it was awkward for me to have my hand on his body, I kept pulling it back. Though every time, Raniero just pulled me closer as if I had no choice before pulling me closer to him again.
'Ahh…'
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