Chapter 2
Heinz remained completely unfazed by Briand’s imposing presence or the group of Imperial Knights standing behind him.
“What brings you here?”
At Heinz’s dry response, Briand hesitated for a moment before pulling out a sketch of Elthia.
“Have you seen a woman who looks like this?”
Without saying a word, Heinz simply shook his head.
The sight of a boy who looked far younger than himself showing no fear toward people from the Imperial Palace was irritating, but Briand patiently asked once more.
“Her hair is a little longer and messier than in the drawing. She’s about your height and wears gloves. Did she happen to come in here—”
“I’ve never seen anyone like that.”
As Heinz coldly answered and began closing the door, Briand hurriedly blocked it.
“What about that blood?”
His eyes narrowed after noticing bloodstains on the floor.
Just as he stepped forward suspiciously to enter the house, Heinz moved to block his path.
“It’s mine.”
Rolling up his sleeve, Heinz extended his arm.
A long scratch ran across his forearm, still fresh enough that droplets of blood clung to the wound.
“Do you have any other business?”
“…We’ll be leaving.”
Briand turned around and called to the knights behind him.
“It doesn’t look like she’s here. Withdraw.”
The moment the door shut, Elthia released the breath she had been holding.
Climbing out from beneath the bed, she finally got a proper look at Heinz’s face.
He was a young man with pale blue hair so light it was almost silver.
His eyes were beautiful.
Under the moonlight, they shimmered brilliantly, and unlike the light color of his hair, his dark pupils seemed deep enough to draw anyone in.
His nose was sharp as though carved from stone, his lips still moist, and his face was small and delicately shaped.
To think I’d meet someone this captivating…
Since the Emperor, she had never seen anyone so beautiful.
Elthia stared at him absentmindedly.
However, Heinz’s long bangs covered nearly half of his face, making it difficult for anyone who didn’t look closely to appreciate just how handsome he was.
“This has become troublesome.”
Ignoring the burning gaze fixed on him, Heinz quietly murmured while listening to the soldiers departing outside.
***
The Imperial Palace of the Laurel Empire had descended into complete chaos.
“So we lost her in the end?”
“…My apologies. We’ve searched every corner of the surrounding area, but…”
Briand trailed off.
He dreaded whatever insults or threats the Emperor might unleash next.
“Enough. I’ll handle it myself.”
Edwin swept his gaze over the trembling officials kneeling before him with the eyes of a born ruler.
Then, without warning, he laughed.
“I only threw her into prison so she’d reflect on herself, yet she actually dared to run away. She must have lost her mind.”
He knew perfectly well that Elthia was innocent.
From the very beginning, he had intended to pin every crime on her.
After all, she was nothing more than someone wasting food in the Imperial Palace.
Besides, considering the crime she had supposedly committed, one month of imprisonment wasn’t even particularly long.
Edwin von Peter.
Gifted with extraordinary intelligence and strikingly handsome features, he had been adored by countless people even before ascending the throne.
His crimson hair, the symbol of the Imperial Family, together with his sharp nose and chiseled jawline, gave him a cold beauty unmatched anywhere in the palace.
His fiery red eyes, like blazing flames, were mesmerizing enough to captivate anyone who looked into them.
Edwin naturally believed the entire world revolved around him, molding people to suit his every whim.
Yet even with such selfish behavior, countless people still longed to win his favor.
There were innumerable women who threw themselves at him, hoping to possess even the shell of the Emperor along with his power.
Every night he embraced a different woman.
But the one person he sought without fail every single day was the woman he truly loved—
Erika Luise.
As for the Empress, Elthia, she existed solely because the Emperor had use for her.
Nothing more.
Nothing less.
Anyone asked to choose between the gloomy woman who always hid half her face behind her long hair and the breathtakingly beautiful Erika would naturally choose the latter.
Within the Imperial Palace, Elthia may have held the title of Empress, but it was Erika, the Imperial Consort, who received all of the Emperor’s love, affection, and attention.
Watching the man who was legally her husband make love to another woman filled Elthia with humiliation.
Of course, Edwin was fully aware of her feelings.
Whether he kissed Erika or shared her bed, Elthia was always nearby.
The faint crease that occasionally appeared on the face of the woman who remained indifferent to everything—
That tiny expression of pain brought him immense satisfaction.
Still, that was all.
She was certainly an amusing woman.
But loving her?
Never.
Love that gloomy, unpleasant woman?
The very thought was laughable.
If it weren’t for that damned ability of hers, I would’ve thrown her out long ago.
Still…
For property that belonged to him to flee without permission—
That was unacceptable.
“When she’s brought back, I’ll make sure she’s learns to obey better this time.”
“…Your Majesty?”
“I’ve used nothing but the whip until now.”
A crooked smile spread across the Emperor’s lips.
“Perhaps it’s time to offer her a carrot as well.”
***
Chirp… Chirp…
When Heinz opened his eyes to the cheerful songs of birds, the rain that had poured relentlessly all night had already stopped.
Morning sunlight streamed through the window.
Frowning slightly, Heinz sat up and noticed Elthia lying on the wooden floor, breathing heavily with painful wheezes.
After glancing at her cold sweat-covered face, he removed his linen shirt.
He had intended to change clothes and head to the butcher shop he ran together with his friend, Hero.
Instead, he carefully lifted Elthia and laid her on the bed.
After soaking a cloth in cold water, he placed it gently on her forehead.
Even then, her condition showed no signs of improving.
Letting out a quiet sigh, Heinz collapsed onto the chair beside the bed.
No matter how unwelcome the guest, abandoning a sick person left a bad taste in his mouth.
Fortunately, Hero would already be at the butcher shop.
Arriving a little late himself wouldn’t be a problem.
Heinz quietly studied Elthia’s small, rounded nose before his gaze drifted to the scar hidden beneath her unruly bangs.
He had no idea when she’d gotten it.
It had healed enough that it wasn’t noticeable unless examined closely, but it was larger than he’d expected.
Her pale skin, lips drained of all color, and long eyelashes gradually caught his attention one after another.
He found himself wondering what kind of person she had been inside the Imperial Palace.
Since she’d fled from there, she clearly wasn’t someone whose position offered any protection.
Living under a ruler like Edwin…
No one could possibly stay sane.
He couldn’t fully understand her circumstances.
Even so, knowing Edwin’s temperament better than most, he could at least imagine what she’d endured.
Watching as the deep crease between her brows slowly relaxed, Heinz quietly left the house.
Not far from the cabin stood a butcher shop where cuts of fresh crimson meat hung neatly on display.
“Business just isn’t the same when you’re not here.”
Hero playfully slapped Heinz on the shoulder.
“Don’t say such nonsense.”
Heinz replied coldly as he picked up a butcher’s knife.
Hero raised both hands in surrender before giving Heinz a suspicious look.
“You’re later than usual today.”
“People from the Imperial Palace came by yesterday.”
“The Imperial Palace?”
Hero blinked in surprise.
“They were searching for someone who escaped from the Imperial prison.”
For the briefest moment, Heinz’s eyes wavered as he separated flesh from bone with practiced movements.
There was every chance those people would show up at his house again this morning.
The woman had nothing to do with him…
Yet he had no desire to help the Imperial Palace get what it wanted.
“Don’t tell me you…”
Hero had apparently guessed what Heinz was thinking.
Before he could finish, however, a customer suddenly interrupted them by placing silver coins on the counter.
“Three silver coins. I’d like one geun of pork.”
Although the Empire had its own official currency, ordinary commoners still commonly used silver and gold coins in everyday trade.
“Right away.”
Hero flashed an easygoing smile as he wrapped the pork Heinz had cut in thick paper.
“They say the Imperial soldiers tore through the entire village yesterday looking for a certain woman. Have you heard?”
Lowering his voice so no one else could overhear, the customer leaned in conspiratorially.
Hero instinctively lowered his head as well.
“A woman?”
Even Heinz stopped working and looked directly at him.
