TFLMLD 47

Chapter 47

Husband’s Change of Heart

Macaron’s sorrowful expression made my heart sink. Even in the darkness, I could see the glimmer of tears at the corners of his eyes.

“Just once… may I hold you?”

He looked like a drenched puppy, drooping miserably. Drawn by that sight, I slowly stepped forward. When I wrapped my arms around him tightly, Macaron’s hands gradually circled around me. At that moment, his breaking voice, fragile and sorrowful, filled the space once more.

“I will never… let something like this happen again.”

He hugged me as if he would never let me go.

He said he was going to meet the demon handler—what happened there? Who, and for what reason…!

That someone had sent monsters to assassinate a prince was nothing short of a tremendous incident. It wasn’t something just anyone could dare attempt. The weight in Macaron’s heavy breaths against my shoulder showed how exhausted he was. He must have uncovered the truth behind the plot through the demon handler. There were so many things I wanted to ask, but for now, comforting him was more important.

“This isn’t Your Highness’s fault. I don’t want you to suffer because of me.”

“…It is my fault. That’s why, from now on, I intend to live a different life.”

The words sounded like a vow. At first, I thought it was just a passing resolution. But… his determination seemed far more resolute than that. Macaron hesitated for a moment, then began speaking—stories he had never told me before. About his younger brother’s tragedy, the Battle of Stace, and now this monster incident… Shocking revelations froze me in place, leaving me speechless.

For the first time, I heard Macaron’s past—and it was nothing but ashes. And that gray past continued into the present, all because of his brother, Reiner Craide’s atrocities.

I had already vaguely suspected who was behind this. There was only one person who would bare such clear hostility toward Macaron. Still, I never expected Reiner would go so far as to try to kill him, especially after Macaron had openly declared his intention to renounce succession to avoid political strife. That would leave a terrible stain on Reiner’s own reputation. For him to take that risk and still attempt Macaron’s life… it could only mean Macaron was a far greater threat than I realized.

Living at his side had dulled me, but opinions about Macaron were sharply divided. Many lamented his fall, praising his brilliance in the past. To anyone, he was unmistakably imperial heir material. Even the Emperor seemed to think so—why else would he keep sending his men into Craide territory?

How heavy must the burdens of being born a prince have been for him? If only I could, I would comfort the child he once was. But all I could do now was pat his back. The thought of how long Macaron had carried these secrets alone was unimaginable. While I searched for words that might soothe him, he brought his long story to an end.

“That is why I intend to become Emperor.”

My heart dropped with a thud. For a moment my mind went blank. In the original story, Macaron never became Emperor… and so I had let my guard down.

From the empire’s perspective, Macaron ascending the throne made far more sense. Reiner had, in truth, become a tyrant, destabilizing the empire throughout his reign. As the saying goes, building takes years, but destruction is but a moment. Reiner beheaded loyal retainers, leaving only dogs that obeyed his word. The palace became overrun with sycophants who pursued profit above all else.

The once-prosperous Romanti Empire declined, and it was the people who bore the suffering. When famine and death spread across the land, rebellion finally became revolution, and a new emperor rose—Kai. Yet even Kai, after seizing the throne, endured immense trials and sacrifices before restoring order.

So Macaron becoming Emperor was, in every way, the better outcome. It was something to rejoice in, something I should support. And yet… I couldn’t easily find the words.

Does this mean I really have to leave his side?

The union of an emperor and the daughter of a mere baron would be the laughingstock of the nobility. The scorn would not fall only on me, but on Macaron too. My low status would inevitably become a stumbling block on his path to the throne.

Until just moments ago, I had wished for him not to become emperor. But now… I couldn’t bear to. If anyone was to end this cleanly, it had to be me. He would never tell me to leave first, so perhaps I had to be the one to do it.

It had always been inevitable, but perhaps I had allowed myself to dream for a little while. The fact that this moment felt so unbearably bitter proved it.

While I hesitated in fearful silence, Macaron’s crimson eyes flickered knowingly.

“If you say no, then all of this means nothing to me.”

“…”

“May I become Emperor?”

He must have decided this to protect his people. To reach such a conclusion, he must have agonized over it hundreds—no, thousands—of times. And even now, he left the final decision to me. How could I possibly deny him?

“…Do it.”

Noticing my brief hesitation, the corner of Macaron’s brow lifted slightly.

“I’ll take care of everything else.”

“…”

“All I ask is that you stay by my side.”

The tremor in his fingertips sent a shiver through me. Perhaps, just as he said, everything really would be alright. Perhaps I only had to remain here. I didn’t want to hinder him, but if he wanted me, I wanted to stay with him forever. And so, selfishly, I said nothing more.

Time flowed on as if nothing had happened. For several peaceful days, the mansion was calm. As always, Macaron began his mornings with Momont’s briefings.

“What should we do about Pagan?”

“Keep him under strict watch. I still have use for him.”

Just as Momont was about to leave after his report, Macaron called him back.

“The glass greenhouse—Calypse hasn’t discovered it, has she?”

“I cast a transparency spell on it. She’ll never notice.”

Macaron nodded, then returned to scribbling notes into the pharmaceutical formula he had been working on for days.

“It must be finished before her birthday.”

Her birthday was only days away. Ever since he learned no one had ever properly celebrated it, Macaron had been uneasy. He wanted to give her the best birthday. But the recent unexpected events had left him pressed for time.

Sleepless nights had hollowed his eyes, leaving his face pale. Without a changer, he couldn’t even appear before Calypse now. If she saw him in such a state, she would surely worry until he confessed everything.

Is this what it feels like, to be so excited and anxious while preparing a surprise for someone?

Smiling faintly at this unfamiliar feeling, Macaron realized Calypse had become an undeniable part of him. On her birthday, more than on any other day, he wanted to celebrate her grandly.

It wasn’t only Macaron who looked worn from the preparations. Momont, too, showed fatigue, not just from work but from being dragged into experiments.

“Momont, your skin looks rough these days. Come here.”

Macaron’s medicines were renowned for their perfect effectiveness and their rarity. But that was only true of the final products. During clinical trials, results varied. Still, up until recently, everyone had clamored to be his test subjects, so great was their trust in him. That changed after one failed experiment left Momont with trembling hands. Though Macaron quickly cured him, now everyone avoided volunteering.

“No, Your Highness! My skin is radiant. But Sir Aint’s skin seems troubled these days…”

Sensing Aint’s murderous aura, Momont slumped and sat before Macaron.

“Wouldn’t it be better to try it on Your Highness’s face instead?”

“Momont, you’re talkative today. Do you not trust me, even when I offer this free of charge?”

“No, it’s not that… Could I have a changer in exchange, then?”

Momont had been eyeing changers lately at his wife’s insistence. Among noblewomen, changers were all the rage.

“…It’s difficult, but I’ll ask my wife for permission.”

“You promise?”

Blushing, Momont smeared the ointment onto his face. Macaron watched him seriously. Once again, two men fought for their lady’s affection in their own ridiculous way.

Even after ten minutes passed with no visible results, Momont panicked, fearing his face was ruined. Macaron calmly reassured him, listing off successful animal trials as if speaking to a patient.

An hour later, Momont burst back into the office, his skin glowing. He gushed with joy. Watching him, Macaron thought of Calypse, then hurried to the glass greenhouse.

The grand surprise was nearly complete. Having mastered the use of the dyed flowers, he gave Momont one last order.

“Send invitations to all the nobles for the birthday party.”

“Stamped with Your Highness’s seal? That seems… excessive…”

“No one will be able to belittle her once it is formally announced.”

A royal seal on the invitations—no noble could mistake its meaning. It would publicly declare Calypse’s status and grant her undeniable authority. None could ignore a crown prince’s beloved consort. At the same time, Macaron would use the gathering of nobles to reveal his own power, and to send a warning. To Reiner Craide, who had caused all this.

Passing through blooming sunflowers and entering the grand hall, my eyes widened at the sight of lavishly decorated walls and a three-tiered cake adorned with beautiful flowers.

And atop the cake stood a figure in a dress—crafted to look exactly like me.

What is all this?