Chapter 8

“That’s impossible!”

Unable to contain her anger, Erika trembled all over as she turned away.

Her beautifully braided golden hair swayed wildly.

Her face was flawlessly beautiful, with not a single imperfection.

Yet the malice written across it was impossible to hide.

“It’ll only be for a little while, Erika.”

“You haven’t already forgotten that you’re the one I love, have you?”

Although irritation was beginning to build inside him, Edwin forced a smile and pulled her into his arms.

Whenever Erika became clingy, Edwin sometimes sought out other women because he grew tired of her.

Even so…

There was no woman in the Imperial Palace who satisfied him, both physically and emotionally, as much as Erika did.

“…How am I supposed to believe that?”

Speaking pitifully, Erika pulled herself away from him.

“Was your promise to trust me nothing but a lie?”

Edwin embraced her once again.

“You already know I never wanted Elthia to become Empress in the first place.”

“So stop worrying over pointless things.”

“…Your Majesty.”

Though she still looked unconvinced, Erika’s expression softened somewhat.

She wrapped her arms around Edwin’s neck.

Edwin tightly pulled her slender waist against him.

Knock. Knock.

Just as he was about to kiss the back of her neck, someone knocked on the door.

A woman entered the room.

“…Forgive me for interrupting.”

“But I have something I need to tell you.”

The moment Edwin heard Elthia’s lifeless voice and saw her downcast face, an inexplicable irritation welled up inside him.

Her gloomy appearance…

Her quiet voice…

Her timid expression…

Everything about her irritated him.

Her long hair already hid most of her face.

And she always walked with her head lowered.

He disliked everything about her.

“…”

Erika frowned deeply before leaning even closer against Edwin.

Her intentions were painfully obvious.

Seeing that, Elthia shrank back even more.

With an annoyed expression, Edwin pulled Erika closer around the waist.

“I’ll hear what you have to say.”

His tone toward his lawful wife was blunt.

But the next moment, he gently kissed Erika as though she were the most precious woman in the world.

“I’ll be back soon.”

Right in front of Elthia…

He deliberately left another mark on Erika’s neck, making it clear she belonged to him.

Then he looked at Erika with even greater affection than usual.

Elthia squeezed her eyes shut.

If she didn’t…

She felt as though she would collapse before him.

As though the tears she had held back before running away would finally spill.

She barely managed to endure the sight.

Straightening his clothes with an expression of displeasure, Edwin left the room.

“Come with me, Empress.”

Once he was gone, Erika slowly lowered the delicate arm she had stretched toward him.

Everything about this situation displeased her.

“…Please don’t go.”

Naturally…

There was no reply.

She hated the thought of even the smallest amount of Edwin’s affection being directed toward Elthia.

Until now…

She had believed she possessed all of his love.

She couldn’t understand why her heart kept growing more anxious.

Erika knew perfectly well why Edwin was obsessed with Elthia.

In fact…

It would have been strange if she didn’t.

Elthia possessed the bizarre ability to heal anyone she touched.

Yet within the Imperial Palace, she had no one she could rely on except Beth.

Even so…

She still walked around as though she belonged there.

If it weren’t for that cursed ability…

Erika bit down hard on her lip.

It was true that Elthia was different from ordinary people.

But that was all.

There is only one person in this world who receives His Majesty’s love.

Me.

So don’t even think about trying to take my place.

The first time she met Edwin…

She had been dragged into the palace as a prisoner.

She wore nothing but tattered rags.

Her hair was tangled and disheveled.

Her wrists were bound with thick ropes.

Back then…

He had seemed like someone forever beyond her reach.

Now…

He desired her.

He told her not to be anxious anymore.

She could never give Edwin up.

The position of Empress included.

She alone was enough to possess his heart.

Although Edwin had told her to trust him…

She still couldn’t completely believe him.

Even so…

One thing reassured her.

Edwin would never love Elthia.

Of that…

She was absolutely certain.

For the first time in a long while, Heinz stepped into bright sunlight.

He instinctively narrowed his eyes.

The fresh air felt completely different from the stale odor of the underground prison.

The metallic taste of blood that had lingered in his mouth because of the wounds around his lips had finally faded, leaving behind only a faint trace.

However…

The pain in his arms, legs, and stomach showed no signs of easing.

Covered in bruises that had almost become familiar, he approached the city gate.

Just then…

Someone stopped him from behind.

“…What is it?”

A young woman cautiously looked around before signaling him to come closer.

“My name is Beth.”

“I’m one of Her Majesty the Empress’s attendants.”

“Her Majesty asked me to bring you to her.”

“She wishes to see you immediately, so please come with—”

“No.”

He didn’t want to hear another word.

Now that he knew Elthia belonged to the Imperial Family…

He wanted nothing more to do with her.

He brushed Beth’s hand away.

Beth hurried in front of him, blocking his path.

“Please, hurry.”

“Someone might see us.”

She whispered urgently.

But Heinz didn’t move.

“I said no.”

His cold, unwavering answer made Beth lose her temper.

“Do you even know what Her Majesty did because of you yesterday?”

Everyone else believed Elthia had returned because she loved Edwin too much.

But Beth knew better.

This time…

Something was different.

And when she realized the reason was the rude man standing before her…

She couldn’t hide her shock.

The Elthia Beth knew had spent years without interacting with any men except her brother, Petra, and her husband, Edwin.

She had remained faithful under every circumstance…

Yet had received nothing but contempt and ridicule in return.

Heinz gave a bitter laugh before glaring coldly at Beth.

“Tell the Empress something for me.”

“…”

“Just being in the same place as someone from the Imperial Family disgusted me.”

“So let’s never cross paths again.”

Beth stood there speechless, stunned by his harsh words.

Meanwhile…

Heinz calmly walked away.

If he had known Elthia belonged to the Imperial Family…

He would never have taken her in.

The fact that he had personally fed and sheltered someone connected to the people responsible for his parents’ deaths filled him with unbearable anguish.

Beth wanted nothing more than to curse him from behind.

Instead…

She swallowed her anger and chased after him again.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

Without warning…

Beth kicked Heinz hard in the shin.

A bright red mark immediately appeared over the skin that was already dark with bruises.

“Ugh…”

A groan escaped Heinz’s lips as pain shot through his body.

Beth had a rough idea how much he must be suffering.

But she couldn’t afford to waste this opportunity.

Elthia’s palace wasn’t far away.