TLDOWN 80

Chapter 80……………………………………………

– Would It Be Enough If I Became Emperor?

As always, he found himself at the park. Perhaps because of the cooler weather, there were more people than usual. Akkia strolled along the path before coming to a stop.

The sky was an unbroken blue today, without a single cloud. As he gazed upward, voices drifted through his mind.

[The Duke of Belarus has come to the capital.]
[And I heard something even more shocking—he brought along a very young woman.]

Akkia recalled the gossip he had overheard at the palace earlier: the mysterious young woman who had appeared with the Duke of Belarus.

Rumors were already spreading—that the Duke had taken a late concubine.

“…It must be Lea.”

But the moment he heard it, Akkia thought of her. Who else could it be?

Lea had been living in the Duke’s estate and sending him letters regularly. But he had never opened a single one.

Because if he did, he feared the fragile resolve he had finally managed to hold onto would collapse.

And so, for more than two months, Lea’s unopened letters had piled up in his room. Whenever he longed for her, he threw himself desperately into work.

“Damn it.”

He cursed under his breath, overwhelmed. Knowing she was breathing the same air in the same city—he couldn’t endure it.

Since hearing the news, his head had felt ready to burst.

Part of him wanted to run straight to the Duke’s residence. But he couldn’t bring himself to take that step.

Not like this. Not yet.

Every time his resolve wavered, he remembered the Duke of Belarus’s words: As you are now, you cannot protect her.

Once again, Akkia steeled his heart. He would finish what he had started—only then would he face Lea.

Just then, a sweet floral fragrance brushed past his nose.

“…”

He followed the scent until he saw a cart selling flowers by the park’s fountain.

Almost as if entranced, Akkia approached.

Was the fragrance so strong just because the cart was here?

His eyes drifted slowly over the blooms—until they landed on a bouquet of lilies of the valley. The sight of the delicate white blossoms sent a sharp ache through his chest.

A summer night, filled with their fresh scent. Lea, in the annex, talking about making new medicine. The memory washed over him.

The flower seller spoke up.

“These lilies of the valley just came in today. Their fragrance is truly lovely.”

“I see.”

“They also carry a beautiful meaning. Do you know what it is? Hope, delicacy, and above all—”

“Happiness.”

The seller stopped, surprised by Akkia’s quiet reply.

Happiness.

A fanciful word, far removed from him. And yet… if only the flowers’ meaning could become real.

“I’ll take them,” Akkia said.

Yes. This much was harmless. To breathe in the fragrance and think of her—just that much.

As he paid and waited for the bouquet to be wrapped, a voice brushed against his ear.

“I’ll take the same, please.”

The sound of it froze him. That voice—he knew it instantly.

It was the voice he had longed for more than anything.

Akkia slowly turned.

There she was: hair like a cascade of flame-red silk, eyes the fresh green of spring leaves, smiling radiantly.

“…It’s been a while, my lord.”

The voice from his dreams struck him like a blow.

…Lea.

His fist clenched hard.

The woman before him—so changed, so beautiful—almost didn’t seem real. Was she truly the girl he had known? He could hardly believe his eyes.

The lavender dress tailored for her fit so perfectly, he couldn’t look away.

“My lord.”

Lea stepped closer, gazing at him with clear eyes. A faint fragrance drifted from her as she neared, and Akkia found himself holding his breath, as if even that was too much to bear.

“Why won’t you say anything? I came here just to see you.”

“…”

“Didn’t you miss me?”

She asked it directly, looking into his eyes. But Akkia could not speak.

Didn’t I miss her?

Of course he had. He wanted to crush her in his arms this very moment.

“…Why are you here?”

“Honestly! After all those letters I sent, and not a single reply. Were you really that busy?”

She cut him off before he could finish. She tried to sound playful, but inside, she was hurt.

She had told herself he must be too busy. She had even resented him. She had planned to scold him when they met.

But the moment she saw him at the flower cart, staring at lilies of the valley… all her resentment melted away like snow.

She had stood there, simply watching his back—the back she had missed so much. He was no longer the fragile man she once worried over. He looked strong, steady.

She had wanted to run to him, bury herself in his arms. But she held back. Not yet.

Still, when she saw the flowers in his hand, she couldn’t contain herself. The lilies of the valley reminded her too vividly of their shared summer.

You could have written at least once.

For over two months, no reply. Dozens of letters, but not one word back.

It was as if he had forgotten her existence entirely.

Her heart pounded uneasily as she searched his expression.

“Why won’t you answer me? You look just like you did the first time we met—”

“I’m busy right now. We’ll talk later.”

He cut her off coldly, then turned his back.

“My lord?”

Her call didn’t reach him. He vanished from her sight, leaving her frozen in place by the flower cart.

❀ ❀ ❀

He didn’t know how he had made it back to his estate. All he knew was the screaming alarm inside his head: Get away from her.

“Damn it.”

He had nearly lost control—nearly pulled her into his arms right there.

He wanted to hold her until they both broke. To silence her lips with kisses. To lock her away in his chambers where no one else could reach her.

Even in those few fleeting moments, desire had surged like fire in his veins.

He unclenched his fists—his nails had cut into his palms, blood dripping. He stared at his ruined hands and let out a heavy sigh.

How long I’ve endured…

Lea had always been like this. Appearing without warning, turning his world upside down.

His quiet, controlled life had never been the same after meeting her. He was not a man swayed by emotions. Not until Lea.

But her wounded eyes… they haunted him.

And yet, he could not give in.

“Not yet.”

No. Not now. As he was, he had nothing worthy of protecting her.

When he reached his mansion, a carriage he didn’t recognize was waiting. Richel hurried out to greet him.

Before Akkia could even ask, Richel spoke.

“My lord, the Duke of Belarus is here.”

. . .

In the drawing room, Dmitri sat by the window, sipping tea with dignified composure. He looked up as Akkia entered.

“It’s been a while.”

Akkia took the seat across from him. Dmitri poured him a cup of tea.

“I hear you’ve been busy making a name for yourself in the capital.”

The scent of dark tea wafted between them.

But gone was the courteous man who had once pleaded with him two months ago. Here sat the arrogant Duke of Belarus of old.

“You know who I came here with, don’t you?”

“Yes, I do.”

The capital was awash in rumors of the young woman he had brought. In truth, she had come as the formally acknowledged daughter of the house.

“Good. Then… did you see her?”

“…”

Akkia’s silence was answer enough. Dmitri studied him, then spoke again.

“I suppose she must have gone to you first.”

Akkia recalled their meeting at the park.

They say position shapes a person—perhaps it was true. In just a short time, Lea carried herself with the poise of any noble lady. Her bearing, her speech—it was all different.

Dmitri’s sharp gaze pierced him. Whenever Lea’s name came up, Akkia’s eyes betrayed him.

At least Akkia had kept his promise. He had cut her off completely—ignored every letter.

If only he weren’t royal blood…

Had Akkia been just another noble’s son, Dmitri might have relented, might have let Lea’s devotion carry the day.

But Akkia was not just a duke. He was a deposed prince, once threatened by the emperor himself.

Unless he takes the throne himself…

Dmitri had told Lea otherwise, but in truth, he could not entrust his only granddaughter to Akkia as things stood.

His voice fell like a final hammer-blow.

“You may be a prince and a duke, but everyone knows it’s only in name. I won’t give my granddaughter to a man who could die any day.”

“…”

“I trust you understand. I’ll take my leave now.”

Dmitri rose, gathering his things, preparing to depart.