HSDOE 16

Chapter 16. When the Blue Moon Rises (1)

It was just an excuse.

Rasilia sprang up from the sofa.

Shock? What shock? He looked completely fine.

It was tiresome to say it every time, but once again today, the emperor was dazzling. In that brief time, he had returned looking impeccably dressed, without a single flaw in his appearance. At this point, one might think the emperor lived solely to dress up every day.

“That doesn’t seem necessary.”

“Why not?”

As Rasilia stood, the emperor stood up as well.

“I fell into the water hours ago. Even if I was shocked, I’ve already gotten over it.”

“I don’t think so.”

“Besides, if anyone should be in shock, wouldn’t it be the person who actually fell in? I’d appreciate it if Your Majesty could consider how I feel too.”

“Ah… I suppose you’re right.”

She wasn’t actually in bad shape, but if pretending to be unwell could help shake off the clingy emperor, she was willing to fake it.

“I lacked consideration. You were the one who fell in.”

“Yes, so—”

But he didn’t let her finish.

“You need to rest.”

Without warning, the emperor scooped her up into his arms.

“Your Majesty! …Please put me down. This really isn’t necessary.”

“I’ll put you down—once you’re on the bed.”

“No, really, that’s not—”

“I couldn’t stand properly for a while. You must be worse—you were the one who fell in.”

“…”

Rasilia fell silent. The way he said he couldn’t stand properly somehow felt… truthful.

The emperor pushed the bedroom door open with his shoulder and strode toward the bed.

In the end, Rasilia couldn’t say a word until he laid her down.

“Make yourself comfortable. Until you feel better.”

Honestly, she already felt fine.

But it was another reminder of how careful one had to be with words around the emperor.

He’s unpredictable. You never know what he’ll do next.

That must be why she was always tense around him.

“…Very well.”

It seemed she had no choice but to lie down. It was late anyway, the sun already beginning to set.

Maybe going to bed early was for the best—after all, tonight was the Blue Moon.

When Rasilia nodded, Lescal lifted the blanket. It seemed he intended to cover her once she was settled.

“Wait. I need to take off my shoes.”

“Ah… I forgot the shoes.”

Lescal quickly grabbed her foot before she could move.

“Your Majesty.”

She was used to his strange behavior by now, but this still caught her off guard.

“Stay still. I’m just taking off your shoes.”

“I can do it myself.”

“Can’t I do it?”

Probably not.

“It doesn’t seem like something an emperor should be doing.”

“Really…?”

Lescal tilted his head in thought.

“No, I don’t think that applies to you.”

He looked at her hand awkwardly reaching out, then bowed his head while still holding her foot.

“Was the top of your foot always like this?”

Even after slowly removing her shoe, the emperor continued to hold her foot.

Rasilia, worried he was about to do something ridiculous again, grabbed his wrist.

“Please let go now.”

“Why?”

“It’s uncomfortable.”

“…”

His golden eyes rolled slowly once.

Still, Rasilia expected him to say “Alright, then,” and comply like he usually did.

“…I used to kiss the top of your foot all the time.”

“What…”

He started spouting nonsense again.

“We used to be very close.”

“…”

Rasilia clenched her jaw and swallowed her rising anger.

Is he treating me like a fool? …Haa. I have to hold it in.

It would all be fine once today was over. Once the Blue Moon passed.

“I don’t remember any of that. Sorry.”

Rasilia pushed his hand away as if to end it there—but Lescal was quicker and caught her hand.

“If it makes you uncomfortable, I won’t kiss your foot.”

He said it as if he were making a huge concession.

He could just not do it in the first place.

“Then let me kiss you somewhere else.”

“I just told you it’s uncomfortable.”

“That’s why I said I’ll refrain from the foot.”

“…”

“I even took your shoes off.”

“…”

She had said she’d do it herself. He took over by force anyway.

“If this keeps up, I’m afraid I’ll end up truly resenting you.”

Lescal’s lips twitched at that.

“But avoiding me like this won’t bring your memory back. Have you forgotten that the reason I vowed to stay by your side 24/7 was to help you recover it?”

He gently tightened his grip on her hand, like a desperate caress.

“I swore I’d help you get your memory back as soon as possible. But you don’t seem to be trying at all.”

Hoo…

Rasilia exhaled sharply.

She had felt it before, but the emperor reminded her of a dog in the temple courtyard—once you started petting it, it wouldn’t stop until your arm hurt, regardless of your situation.

…Right. It’s the Blue Moon. Just for today.

“Fine. I’ll do it myself. Will that be alright?”

She chose a spot she’d feel the least embarrassed about.

Though honestly, there was no such place. Everywhere the emperor’s lips had touched retained a faint heat that made her feel odd. It was better to just do it herself.

His golden eyes gleamed.

“You’ll do it? A kiss?”

“Yes.”

Before she could react, his face suddenly leaned in close.

“Great. Go ahead.”

His already dazzling golden eyes were even more intense today.

“…Ahem. Where would you prefer it?”

Rasilia turned her head slightly, coughing awkwardly. The emperor stared at her without blinking.

“Anywhere is fine, if it’s from you.”

“Then… please close your eyes.”

“As you wish.”

The emperor shut his eyes.

Rasilia tried to find the most neutral spot possible.

I feel like I’ve made a mistake.

Unintentionally, she found herself closely studying his face.

His forehead might’ve been okay.

But up close, that didn’t seem true.

His forehead, eyebrows, nose bridge, symmetrical cheekbones, narrow nostrils, and defined lips—everything about him was too sculpted.

Maybe it’s because his eyes are closed.

Without the overwhelming gold of his eyes, the emperor no longer felt so alien.

He was just… unrealistically handsome.

“You’re taking too long.”

He murmured lowly, eyes still closed.

“Changed your mind?”

“Still choosing.”

“Then just kiss my lips.”

What kind of nonsense was that now?

“I’ll do your cheek.”

“Right or left?”

Did she really have to say that too…?

“Right.”

“Okay.”

Having said it, she now felt more nervous.

Rasilia swallowed dryly and looked at his right cheek.

Haa. Whatever. Just get it over with.

With that resolve, she leaned in and pressed her lips to his cheek.

But at that moment, the emperor abruptly turned his head.

“…?”

By the time she realized what had happened, it was too late.

His lips met hers—not her intended target—and the unintended kiss began.

What… is this?

The moment their lips touched, she felt a sensation she’d never imagined. The soft, moist skin and intermingling breath surpassed every feeling she’d known.

When she regained her senses, she was lying on the bed, tightly embraced by the emperor.

“…Ugh!”

Thud!

Rasilia pushed him away.

“Ah…”

Surprisingly, he let her. Not like usual, when he wouldn’t budge.

“I mean… that was…”

The emperor blinked, his face dazed.

“That was a really underhanded thing to do.”

Rasilia forced down her ragged breath and said,

“It’s not like I did it on purpose…”

“Oh? Did someone else turn your head for you, then?”

“It just… happened on its own. My body moved without thinking.”

“That sounds like a ridiculous excuse. Please leave.”

“It’s an excuse, yes—but it’s also true. I swear, I didn’t mean to…”

His flustered expression only made her angrier.

“Leave.”

“…Are you angry?”

“Wouldn’t it be strange if I wasn’t? I’ll say it again. Please leave.”

Her voice was so cold, it startled even herself.

Shoulders slumping, the emperor slowly rose from the bed.

“I’m sorry… I really am.”

“Yes. You are.”

“Can’t you tell me what to do to make it right?”

“The one who caused the anger shouldn’t be asking that. Figure it out yourself. And staying here longer will only make me angrier.”

“Understood.”

He moved a bit faster this time.

“I’ll go, so please don’t be angry.”

“I already am.”

“I… really am sorry.”

His drooped shoulders slumped even more as he turned and left the room.

“Haa…”

Only after he was gone did Rasilia finally feel like she could breathe. She couldn’t even remember how she’d managed to breathe before.

“This is insane. That he’d actually do something like that…”

She scrubbed her lips hard with the back of her hand.

“And the worst part… is that it made me feel this way.”

That was the real issue.

She hadn’t even realized something was wrong at first. Just like the emperor said—it all felt… natural.

“I must be losing my mind.”

Right before the kiss, she’d been thinking about how handsome he was.

That made no sense. If he discovered her true identity, he would kill her. And yet, despite witnessing everything, she had the nerve to think about how good-looking he was?

I love you. I’m your destiny.

That’s what she shouted in the dream. At a man whose dazzling eyes never showed a trace of emotion.

Rasilia was terrified it might truly become her future.

“Even two months is too long.”

She had planned to endure until she could learn more about Delarta’s circumstances, but now, getting away from the emperor had become far more urgent.