IBTCETEC 17

~Chapter 17~

This Time Will Be Different (2)

The way back to the Emperor’s palace was longer than Regina expected.

Unlike when they’d used a side path, walking out through the main gate of the temple meant they saw nobles and servants everywhere.

Regina couldn’t just ignore people who greeted her, so she walked with a gentle smile.

Her elegant and dignified steps showed she was a “proper” noble lady.

She carried herself with such restraint that even nobles who used to look down on her had to rethink their opinions.

“Welcome, Your Majesty.”

When Conrad and Regina arrived, the head attendant bowed deeply.

“Everything is ready.”

The door to the bedchamber opened, and Regina and Conrad stepped inside.

Somehow, red light from the sunset was spreading through the window. The color, much like Regina’s hair, washed across the floor in soft waves.

Regina was momentarily mesmerized by the beauty of nature.

Whenever she saw the sunset like this, she would stop fighting and make camp with the mage corps.

The monster-filled forest was always dangerous, but sunsets still had their own charm.

Some people would light a fire with magic, others would set up tents, and some would draw magical barriers.

She could almost hear the people preparing food, the quiet talk, and her aide’s voice reporting on the day.

“Prepare the Empress.”

Conrad’s words pulled her out of her memories.

Maids who’d been waiting outside appeared and bowed.

“This way, Your Majesty the Empress.”

They were already calling her “Your Majesty the Empress” even before the wedding. Conrad must have given instructions.

Hiding her surprise, Regina calmly followed the maids.

The head attendant smiled at Regina’s graceful attitude.

In the bath, Regina was surrounded by the maids’ care.

Maybe it was because she had been tense all day, but the steam from the bath made her feel dizzy.

‘I just want to relax for a moment.’

She knew that if she was with Conrad, she’d get swept up in his pace again. She wanted a little time alone before he returned.

“Could you hurry a little? I’d like to go back to the bedroom soon.”

Thinking of her mage corps brought a rush of longing. The sunset made her even more nostalgic.

The maids hesitated, but Regina was so lost in thought that she didn’t even notice.

She slipped away from the maids trying to dry her hair and quietly returned to the bedroom alone.

“Wow.”

“Oh my goodness.”

Blushing, the maids looked at each other but said nothing. After a moment of silence, one whispered,

“The Empress must really love His Majesty.”

“Yes, and the Emperor told us to prepare quickly for the wedding night.”

But the truth was different.

Conrad only wanted to finish the Empress’s appointment before the Empress Dowager could interfere.
As soon as the wedding contract was signed, he ordered the wedding night preparations.

The head attendant, understanding Conrad’s real intent, pushed the maids and servants to hurry.

The maids, not knowing the truth, just thought Conrad loved Regina so much he couldn’t wait.

“They haven’t even had a proper wedding yet…”

“So what? She’s going to be the Empress anyway.”

“But…”

If gossip reached people who loved to spread rumors, things could get twisted. One maid glanced around anxiously.

Noticing her worry, the others quickly changed the subject.

“They look so happy together.”

“Yes! Both the Empress and the Emperor!”

“Soon we’ll hear the sound of a baby, I bet!”

“Maybe that’s a little fast, but it could happen.”

The issue of an heir was more important than anything else.

With Prince Cain and Empress Dowager Chloe still watching for a chance at the throne, a child between Conrad and Regina would change everything.

For palace staff whose lives depended on their master’s power, who held the imperial crown was the most important thing.

Everyone was excited that the palace finally had an Empress who could bring stability.

“This time, things will be different.”

“Yes, it really will be. His Majesty would never choose someone weak for a wife.”

“Exactly.”

The maids agreed and smiled, going back to their duties.

As servants, it wasn’t their place to worry about those above them.

Their only job was to follow orders.

But the way Conrad, who’d always seemed cold to women, now treated Regina with certainty made them hope—
that the Emperor would never suffer the same misfortune again.

Regina, back in the bedroom, smiled at the beautiful sunset on the floor.

She sat in a chair by the table, gazing at the glowing light.

She remembered sitting around a campfire with her subordinates, laughing and talking.

She hugged her knees up on the chair and rested her face on them.

‘What happened to them, I wonder?’

She’d been so busy surviving that she hadn’t been able to check on those closest to her.

When Heraeis’s plot trapped her, she’d already been in prison by the time it all happened.

‘They were strong mages. It would be one of two things.’

Her subordinates had been the most elite mages in the Permang Empire.

They followed only her, so unless they’d been killed by Heraeis, they would have survived.

Those who survived by betrayal didn’t matter to her, and those who died for loyalty could never speak—so how could she ease that injustice?

“Sigh…”

But how many could there be? If they were alive, they’d cross even the monster zone to find her.

But now, she was alone.

Looking down at the red floor, Regina waved her hand.
A small, faint image appeared and scattered across the floor.

She noticed a wine bottle on the table and poured herself a glass, quietly watching the shapes she had created.

Glug—

Gentle magic flowed, and tiny toy soldiers began to march around.
Regina smiled at the sight.

They looked just like her subordinates at the Permang Empire’s border.

Lost in their movement, Regina didn’t sense someone entering.

Conrad opened the bedroom door and paused at the scene. His gaze, fixed on the floor, slowly lifted to Regina.

Her hair was still damp, and she was hugging her knees, staring at the illusions she’d made.

‘Is she longing for them?’

From the side, he couldn’t read her feelings exactly. Conrad approached silently.

‘How long has it been since we shared magic at the temple, and she’s already casting spells again?’

“Are you worried about your mage corps?”

“…When did you get here?”

Regina’s voice sounded stiff and weak. She looked like someone who’d just had her feelings discovered.

“Just now.”

Conrad took her damp hair and pressed his lips to the ends. The same scent drifted from her hair as from him, making his heart pound.

Regina waved her hand, and the faint images instantly vanished.

Conrad looked up and met Regina’s gaze. He glanced at her wine glass.

“An empress drunk on her wedding night?”

“I’m not drunk.”

She mumbled that she’d only had a little, so Conrad poured wine into his own glass too.

The red wine looked a bit like Regina’s hair, but not exactly.

Blue eyes like the sky, hair darker than wine.

Conrad sat in the chair next to her and took a sip from his glass.

The gentle taste filled his mouth, but it wasn’t enough to satisfy the thirst he felt.

Maybe it was because of their old connection.

He kept being drawn to her—not by her sad look, but by the strength he’d seen before.

‘To see her so down like this…’

Conrad put his hand on her shoulder. Her delicate shoulders fit easily in his large hand, and Regina looked up at him.

He liked that he was the only one reflected in her trembling blue eyes.