Episode 44
The emperor asked in a gentle tone, as if worried that his question might hurt Ephelia. She knew this question would come. Lifting her confinement had only been a light prelude; the real purpose of this meeting was that question.
“You know why I’m asking this.”
“Because of Hailen’s words.”
“Yes. Hailen said you don’t want to marry the crown prince. He may seem frivolous, but he’s not someone who speaks without thinking.”
He might have seemed carefree, but he never crossed the line. That was why even the imperial family tolerated his occasionally bold attitude. He always behaved just enough not to become gossip among nobles.
Unlike the serious crown prince, Hailen was cheerful and lively. And he had said something that could stain him politically, harm his honor, and bring disgrace to the imperial family.
From the emperor’s perspective, it would’ve been easier to dismiss it as the crown prince’s younger brother making a thoughtless joke. He could have simply scolded him for being immature. But now, the emperor was asking Ephelia directly, in private, with no one else around.
What would happen if she answered honestly? She wondered for a moment. But in the end, there was only one answer she could give.
“I used to like Regios.”
“That’s past tense, isn’t it.”
The emperor didn’t miss that she spoke in the past tense. Ephelia unconsciously touched her lips.
“Yes. You used to like him. To the point where it made me wonder how someone could like another person that much. So much that I didn’t realize something before Hailen mentioned it.”
“…Your Majesty.”
“That your feelings might have changed.”
It felt like someone was pounding on her chest. Her breath caught uncomfortably. The emperor let out a quiet sigh.
“Be honest with me. Even if Regios wants you, you have the right to refuse.”
“But we’re destined—”
“Because you were destined, I believed Regios would eventually come around.”
Not everyone accepted the idea of a destined partner as something joyful. Some rejected it—like Regios once did. But people destined to be together always ended up loving each other sooner or later.
Even if it came after deep regret, or after a very long time.
So everyone believed that, although he was denying it now, Regios would change. And after Ephelia disappeared, he did.
Everyone thought she was dead, but he never gave up. People believed that was love—believed he had finally realized it, just as Ephelia once had.
“Regios seems to have changed his mind now.”
No. That wasn’t love. Whatever Regios felt for her—it wasn’t love.
“But even if he has changed, that doesn’t mean you have to accept him. I don’t want to burden you again. That’s why I’m asking.”
This might be her last chance. She wanted to say it—that she didn’t want to return, that she didn’t want to be the crown princess or stay by Regios’s side. No, she wanted to say she hated being here. That this world was too unfamiliar and terrifying for her. Ephelia had always been afraid here.
She learned how cruel and frightening this world could be after she lost her family. She learned that the uncle who had been so kind wore a mask. That her cousin—the one who had called her “sister” and followed her around—had secretly despised her. Regios, who promised to stay by her side, had turned cold overnight.
The world she knew crumbled. Everything she believed in was overturned. How could she not be afraid?
She didn’t want to live in this world anymore.
In this cruel world where not a single person loved her.
“No, Your Majesty.”
“No?”
“I was just… confused and complained to Hailen. I said becoming crown princess scared me… Hailen was being kind, and he misunderstood.”
“Is that truly so?”
“Yes.”
The emperor stared at Ephelia with a heavy gaze, filled with many emotions.
“Ephelia. I will ask just once more. Was it really just Hailen’s misunderstanding? Are you… truly all right?”
“Yes. I’m fine.”
Hearing her firm response, the emperor let out a relieved chuckle.
“I see. Then that boy caused trouble for nothing. And judging by your reaction, he did all that without even speaking to you first. I’ll have to call him in and scold him.”
“He did it for my sake. Please don’t be too harsh on him. He did it for me.”
“You should be angry at him for causing trouble.”
She felt sorry toward Hailen, but there was nothing she could do.
“I wanted to hear your own feelings. I will arrange another meeting later.”
The banquet ended like that, and the matter remained unresolved. Until a final decision was made, she would stay in the palace.
“I’m sorry for troubling Your Majesty. And… thank you for your concern.”
“It’s all right. I enjoyed talking with you over tea.”
“So did I.”
“Ephelia.”
“Yes, Your Majesty?”
“Thank you… for coming back alive.”
She never expected those words. Her heart jolted painfully. She felt grateful… and guilty.
“Thank you for welcoming me back.”
“Then, I should rest now.”
“I will take my leave.”
“Yes. Rest well. We will speak again.”
Their short tea time ended.
When Ephelia stepped outside, she saw Gina craning her neck curiously, taking in everything around her.
“Is it interesting?”
“Oh—milady, you’re out!”
Gina rushed over.
“It just feels unreal that I’m here. Did you really meet His Majesty?”
“Yes.”
“That’s amazing. A noble lady having a private audience with the emperor is almost unheard of.”
“How do you know that?”
“Well, before you returned, Lady Seluna had an audience with the emperor too. The whole manor was buzzing—I overheard it.”
Everyone had said it was a tremendous honor. But Ephelia—who had just returned—was granted the same. It made Gina realize just how extraordinary her lady truly was.
Ephelia was the lost young lady spoken of only in rumors. The crown prince’s destined partner. The palace even held a banquet for her.
Seluna had returned to the duke’s mansion after the banquet, but Ephelia remained in the palace.
“How long are we staying here?”
“Why? Do you dislike it?”
Gina seemed to enjoy the palace, so the question puzzled Ephelia.
“No!”
Gina shook her head vigorously.
“Then?”
“I really like it.”
“Mm. Go on.”
“Do you… dislike it here, milady?”
Gina asked cautiously. Ephelia was the crown prince’s unofficial fiancée, and Gina was the only maid she brought. Because of that, the palace maids treated Gina with extreme politeness.
Her lady didn’t eat much and often let Gina have most of the luxurious meals. She never raised her voice, always spoke kindly. The maids who had served Seluna were paid well, but they struggled with the noble’s temper—and often took it out on other maids.
Gina, who had been mistreated in the duke’s residence, now enjoyed respect. It felt wonderful.
“Do I look like I dislike it?”
Gina hesitated.
“Be honest.”
“You… don’t look happy.”
Even Seluna had been delighted to stay in the palace. But Ephelia, even in this beautiful place, dressed in luxury and surrounded by comfort, did not look happy.
Sometimes, Ephelia sighed without realizing it. The first time, Gina thought she had done something wrong and fell to her knees, begging frantically. Ephelia, startled, asked why. Gina explained she’d heard the sigh and thought she was at fault.
Only then did Ephelia realize she had sighed. After that, she stopped sighing. But Gina still felt her lady didn’t seem happy—neither at the duke’s residence nor here.
Ephelia gave a faint smile. A smile that looked like it would disappear at any moment.
She was beautiful, noble, chosen by the crown prince, even summoned by the emperor. She could have anything she wanted. So why didn’t she look happy?
Seluna didn’t always look happy either—she had everything, yet never seemed satisfied. But Ephelia looked… different.
“I…”
Just as Ephelia was about to answer, a large shadow fell over them.
