"Have you cald down a little, Your Majesty?"
"When the culprit who made unable to calm down says that, it really pisses off... But I have already cald my agitation."
The Emperor's sister glared at with a sharp, cold look, speaking bluntly. Though her eyes were still filled with anger, they were much calr than before. It was nothing like the fiery gaze from earlier that made it seem like she was about to kill .
At least, I avoided the death sentence.
For now, I could breathe a little easier.
'Could it be... that this wasn’t a disguise...?’
My deductions had been perfect, yet the unexpected variables threw off track.
I hadn’t imagined that the workaholic Emperor’s sister would skip work for no particular reason, greet in an extrely revealing, airy nightgown, and speak in an infuriatingly evasive manner.
It would be odd not to suspect her, considering the bizarre state she was in today.
"You're acting quite different than usual... May I ask why?"
"Are you trying to get to say that out loud? You wretched fool..."
"..."
She clenched her teeth with a soft "tsk," glaring at again. As soon as I caught sight of her, it felt like I was choking.
What’s going on? Why does she seem kinda cute today?
The person who normally acts so stoic and charismatic is looking so awkward today.
Perhaps it’s because I’m witnessing a side of her that I didn’t expect.
She’s always been pretty—undeniably stunning—but this might be the first ti I’m seeing her as cute...
'Wait a minute. Get a hold of yourself. Is this so kind of trap...?'
As soon as that thought crossed my mind, I snapped my eyes open, trying to collect my scattered thoughts. For a brief mont, I had been distracted by the Emperor’s sister and couldn't think straight.
Could it be that she was deliberately trying to lure in?
Since her gift offensive didn’t work, maybe she decided to try another tactic—using charm. Perhaps she wanted to make her fool and get to work for her forever, sacrificing her pride if necessary...
The pure, malicious intent in her eyes sent a chill down my spine.
"Did you intend to tempt ...?"
"You're quick to figure it out. You’re completely clueless at tis, but when it matters, you actually pick things up fast."
"Next ti, please let know in advance if you're going to try to tempt . I was so worried, wondering if you had been kidnapped by soone."
"I appreciate your concern, but I will never do that again."
"Why not?"
"Seeing the response I got, why would I ever want to do it again!?"
"..."
I was at a loss for words. That was a fair point.
"Still, wouldn't this be much more cost-effective than gift offensives? Shouldn’t you try it more often?"
"Gift offensives? Are you talking about the treasures I sent to the mansion last ti? If you think I sent those with so ulterior motive, you're mistaken. They were simply a token of my gratitude, nothing more."
"How does that make sense? The compensation for the small advice I gave you when you were younger turned out to be treasures worth more than the entire fortune of a noble family."
"Why wouldn’t it make sense? Your advice helped , a monster who couldn’t even understand the minds of others, understand what people were truly thinking. Without your advice, I wouldn't have beco such a wise emperor, and the Empire wouldn’t have prospered. You, in fact, should be the one demanding more as compensation."
"..."
I couldn’t respond to that.
At that ti, I didn’t believe my advice would change the future much.
I thought the Emperor's sister would have beco a great ruler with or without my counsel. That’s why I hid my identity and offered my advice cautiously...
I never imagined my small piece of advice would have such significance for her.
"Damned fool. You might not have thought much of it, but I spent ten years looking for you..."
"..."
[The Evil God, 'Kali,' strongly advises that you take an interest in our Empress as well.]
The Emperor’s sister mumbled in a barely audible voice, as if feeling embarrassed.
At that mont, my hand moved instinctively, rising above her head without any resistance.
The Emperor’s sister accepted my touch as if she were used to it, without hesitation.
"Is that why you kept the button I gave you? You probably helped every random child you t without thinking, but because of you, my life changed completely..."
"I think there’s so misunderstanding. Just because I helped a child on the street doesn’t an I helped just anyone. If it had been a child I didn’t recognize, our relationship would have ended there when I hid you from the guards. The advice I gave you that day was a small favor because I knew who you were, Your Majesty."
"You speak so smoothly..."
She blushed again, avoiding my gaze. Seeing the Emperor's sister act this way, it made wonder where the usual imposing, stoic figure had gone. In this mont, she almost seed like the sa child I helped all those years ago.
I hadn't intended to, but I had changed her life, made her wait for for ten years. It would be strange not to feel so responsibility for that.
"So... where was I? You were asking why I was acting differently than usual, weren’t you?"
"No, it’s fine now. Let’s just relax and pass the ti."
"Hmm..."
"It’s clear that you’re exhausted. You can rest now, take a break, and recharge before starting again."
"That sounds right..."
For so reason, she had beco as gentle as a lamb, resting her head against my chest. I continued to gently stroke her head and wrapped her up in a soft embrace.
What’s this? She’s acting different today?
A workaholic taking a break?
Speaking in circles and avoiding direct answers?
So what?
If she’s tired and worn out, that’s just how it is.
Rembering the way she used to be as a child, I found myself forgiving and accepting everything. After waiting for ten years, there’s no way I wouldn’t indulge her a little.
'But... how long do we have to keep doing this...?'
I suddenly thought about that but decided not to dwell on it.
After all, the Emperor’s sister's break would surely end soon.
...Or so I thought.
I never imagined the sun would set, and the night would co. I didn’t expect that I’d have to stay in the sa position until my arm went numb from the weight of her resting on it.
...
"Let’s begin the eting. All ministers, please present the agenda."
"Yes, Your Majesty..."
Vanessa entered the eting room. The ministers were all tense, looking at her nervously.
Perhaps because she had been overworking lately, she seed especially on edge.
The ministers, bracing themselves for so minor criticism, were caught off guard by her suddenly bright expression.
"Why are you standing there? Hurry up and present the agenda."
"Ah, sorry."
"There’s no need to apologize. If you're feeling unwell, go drink so water and rest. Many of you must have worked through the night, so you must be exhausted."
"Yes, Your Majesty... thank you for your consideration..."
Her unusually lenient attitude left the ministers frozen in place, unsure if the person in front of them was really the Emperor.
Had she been kidnapped, and soone else was posing as her?
It was a valid thought considering how drastically she had changed.
anwhile, while the ministers trembled in fear, Vanessa struggled to suppress a smile, recalling the events from earlier in her bedroom.
'How happy I was to find that man again, Aslan has no idea. But today... finally...'
It seed that Aslan still didn’t realize how much that small piece of advice had changed the course of the Empire’s history.
At that ti, I wasn’t exactly human. I was more like a monster, neither human nor spirit. I had been born in a human body, but with the eyes of the Spirit King, I could easily read people’s minds. I couldn’t trust anyone, and I had lost the ability to empathize with people at a young age. I had beco a ticking ti bomb.
What fixed was a disgusting man.
A man who was filled with hypocritical ideals.
But it was unclear whether those ideals were truly hypocritical.
He continuously lied to himself for his own benefit, preaching his hypocritical morals to the world.
His words were sothing I couldn’t ignore.
Not everyone’s inner world is entirely dark.
If there is darkness, there must be light as well.
Perhaps that light was hidden sowhere deep within, beyond the reach of the Spirit King's eyes.
That was the decisive turning point for , when I stopped relying too much on the Spirit King’s eyes.
'Heh heh... next ti, I’ll summon Aslan Vermont again and indulge in his arms, acting all spoiled... Ah!? This isn’t it!'
In that mont, Vanessa’s eyes widened as she recalled what she had almost forgotten.
No, I hadn’t intended to summon Aslan for cuddles and affection, had I? I had definitely called him today to make the situation official, but how did things turn out like this?
Vanessa quickly beca crestfallen.
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