EOSL CH 24

Chapter 24

He must have supported his chin the wrong way. Or maybe he was shocked by my harsh review. But I meant it. Stories like that always fail.

“The male lead isn’t very cool. If he likes the heroine, wouldn’t it be better to accept her feelings and fight off the beasts together?”

“What?”

“Or the heroine could turn the tables and take revenge on him. Or the male lead could stare at her, shove both fists into his mouth, and cry. Or grab her skirt and say, ‘Could you… steam me some potatoes?’”

What am I even saying?

I glanced at His Majesty’s face.

Oh no. That expression. He looked like someone who had just stepped out of a magically powered deep freezer. Frozen stiff from head to toe.

“It lacked impact. It feels literary, but it’s not my taste. I prefer dramatic chaos. And I guarantee you, my taste is mainstream. I recommend revising the storyline.”

“…”

He blinked at me like someone who couldn’t believe what had just happened.

There probably wasn’t a more honest review than that. Anything beyond this would be outright criticism.

Anyway, I should focus on getting home.

I decided to ignore his expression, put on a cheerful smile, and clasp my hands politely in front of him.

“I honestly used all my expert knowledge to counsel you. So does that mean a reduced sentence? Can I go home?”

“…Ha.”

Strange. The more I asked, the darker his expression became. He looked hurt and exhausted, slowly rubbing his face with one hand.

“Don’t be too discouraged. Stories improve with practice. If you wrote it yourself—”

“Lady Wildenbiston.”

He cut me off.

And he used my formal title.

His tone was sharp, like the time in the Great Forest.

Ah. I get it. So he really did write the story.

Tilting my head slightly, I asked carefully,

“…Should I be quiet?”

“…Please.”

He answered in a low, strained voice.

***

After some time, he slowly lifted his head. The atmosphere had turned icy.

I sat stiffly, waiting for him to speak. Honestly, it felt a bit unfair. Your Majesty, shouldn’t a great writer learn to endure harsh criticism?

It’s not like I said anything that terrible.

While I sat there wide-eyed, our eyes met.

He looked at me for a long moment with an unreadable expression.

What does he want to say?

I blinked slowly, trying to stay calm. At least his face had softened compared to earlier.

“Aira.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“…”

But he only moved his lips without speaking.

If you’re going to say something, say it already.

He was probably about to decide my fate. Whether I could go home or not depended on what he said next.

But he still didn’t speak.

Then—

“I’m sorry.”

“…What?”

“I should have said that first.”

He let out a long sigh and tossed the fallen dolls back to where they belonged.

“I was too impatient and did something ridiculous. This should have come first.”

Then he looked at me gently again. His violet eyes softened.

“What you pointed out this morning was justified.”

What?

“I sincerely apologize for interfering with Lady Wildenbiston’s blind date.”

He spoke slowly, firmly.

“I also regret breaking that Shoden heir’s shoulder. And calling you my fiancée without your consent. And damaging your reputation because of it.”

An apology? Now?

Of course what he did was terrible. That’s why I stormed into the palace like a madwoman.

“But Aira, believe this much. It was not to ruin your life. Rather…”

He trailed off and slowly closed his eyes.

I blinked.

What am I supposed to say? The timing of this apology is strange, Your Majesty. No, that sounds petty.

Still, seeing him look so drained made me want to comfort him.

“I never intended to—”

“It’s alright.”

We spoke at the same time.

“Hm?”

“Ah, sorry. I interrupted Your Majesty…”

“No, it’s fine. You go first.”

He smiled.

Sweet. Just like back then—when we walked through the Great Forest holding hands.

Ah… My cheeks feel warm.

He’s still so handsome. Maybe it’s still too much for me to be alone with him like this.

“No… I just meant it’s alright. You don’t need to apologize. Maybe you didn’t like the match and wanted to interfere. The Shoden heir’s shoulder isn’t mine, so… it’s not really my concern.”

Wait. That sounds selfish.

I fidgeted with my fingers.

“And I caused quite a scene in the palace too. Jumping around in front of the ministers…”

“Pfft. You did. That’s fine. No need to worry about that at all.”

He laughed softly.

My heart jumped.

I lowered my gaze shyly.

“Anyway, it’s fine. I can just go on another blind date. After what happened, marrying into a capital noble family might be difficult, but if that doesn’t work, I can return to Father’s estate and marry into a decent vassal family…”

“What?”

His face twisted suddenly.

“A vassal family? What did you say?”

His voice sharpened.

Did I say something wrong?

“Or… I could study abroad and build connections with foreign nobles…”

“What? Study abroad?”

“So I can get married.”

“Married?”

Just ten seconds ago his face was dripping sweetness. Now it was completely distorted.

What did I touch?

“Yes. Married…”

As I cautiously continued, the light in his eyes flickered out like a switch being turned off.

He bit down hard on his lower lip. So hard it turned white.

“Your Majesty, you’ll bleed if you bite it like that!”

“Aira.”

“Yes?”

Suddenly—

He grabbed my hand.

It happened so fast.

He was holding my hand.

There was no mistake. His large, firm hand was gripping mine tightly.

Startled, I instinctively pulled my hand away.

Not because I disliked it—

I was just shocked.

When had he ever held my hand?

Not since I was four years old.

As I stared at him, clutching my hand—

The light returned to his eyes.

His tense shoulders settled. His twisted expression calmed.

He glanced at the hand that had been holding mine and sighed.

“…I took a lady’s hand without permission. Lady Wildenbiston, I apologize again.”

His voice was composed.

I nodded silently, still covering my hand.

I must be the only person in the empire who has received three apologies from the Emperor.

He sighed again.

“And… if it’s alright, may I continue speaking?”

He stared at me intensely.

His violet eyes sparkled strangely.

My heart pounded violently.

Is that my heartbeat? It sounds like a drum.

At this rate, he’ll hear it too.

Calm down, heart. Please.

“P-please go ahead.”

Calm down, tongue. When did I start stuttering like this?

I clenched my hands again. The warmth where he touched me still felt like it was burning.

He continued looking straight at me.

“Before any further misunderstandings deepen, I want to make this clear.”

A misunderstanding?

“I apologized because I know my method was flawed. Not because the content was wrong. I did not act to destroy your reputation. Nor as a joke. Nor because I looked down on you.”

He spoke slowly and clearly.

Every word was easy to hear.

But what he meant—

I couldn’t quite process it yet.