MHC 38

Chapter 38

“Ugh…” Helena frowned as she woke up. Through the curtains that hadn’t been closed, she saw the full moon. It seemed she had fainted from the shock and slept until night.

Though part of her wanted to continue sleeping, her brain, having rested enough, seemed eager to start working. As she rubbed her tired eyes and looked around, she noticed light spilling through the door gap.

“Is Kalis still awake?”

Come to think of it, there was no sign of Calis beside the bed. The sky beyond the window was pitch black, yet her lover wasn’t sleeping. What could he be doing at this hour?

Unable to resist her curiosity, Helena finally got up. Holding a lantern, she went out and found Calis resting his chin on the table, his lonely gaze making him look decades older in just one day.

Seeing her lover like this was heartbreaking, but also terrifying.

“Kal…?” Helena called softly. Only then did a flicker of emotion appear in his otherwise empty eyes. Yet she couldn’t tell if that emotion was directed at her—it seemed overwhelmingly negative.

Was the person staring at her with such resentment really the same Calis Arjen who had lovingly touched her lips and skin? Helena couldn’t believe it. Among all the harsh realities she had faced that day, this one was the most shocking and devastating.

“Kal…” Trembling, Helena called her lover, trying to emphasize her own fear. But he still didn’t soften his harsh gaze.

“Why did you do it, Helena?”

In the quiet room, Helena’s sobs echoed.

“Wh-what? Why… Ka-al…?”

“I don’t think you’re asking because you truly don’t know.”

“W-was it because I made a mistake?”

“A mistake?” Calis murmured, his flat tone revealing his inner feelings. Helena’s shoulders flinched. She almost dropped the lantern.

“You dare call what you did a mere mistake? Stealing Chloe’s work and claiming it as your own—do you really want to call that a mistake?”

“I-I…”

“Why did you commit such a reckless act? Was it to get praise? Why now, of all times, when it really matters, and you usually stay quiet!”

Calis had risen and now gripped Helena’s shoulders. Feeling his approach, she quickly set the lantern down, thankful she hadn’t dropped it.

Praise? She did want recognition from others, and she hated being belittled by those around her while Chloe got ahead. She wanted to put Chloe in her place. But the greatest reason…

“Marriage…”

“What?”

“I wanted to get married… I really wanted to marry you, Kal… I thought if I did something right, maybe it would help… Hic…”

Helena longed for a wedding: a white dress, a bouquet of her favorite flowers, and a ceremony filled with blessings where she could vow her love. Like any woman, she wanted to marry the man she loved.

She remembered the first time she spoke to Chloe, who had spat harsh words at her. Chloe had said Helena would never stand proudly next to Kalis. Though Helena had his heart, she couldn’t compete with Chloe’s position.

Yet the one Kalis truly loved—then and now—was Helena. So why was it Chloe standing by his side?

“She already has everything… Kal, money, fame, everything! And you get so upset over one idea I borrowed?!”

“Helena…”

“She already has it all, so what more does she need? I didn’t even know it was hers! It’s unfair! Unfair!”

Helena’s tears finally fell, streaming down her face and running from her nose as she whimpered.

Seeing the woman he loved cry so helplessly, Calis suddenly realized what he had done. His strong, almost bone-crushing grip softened. He waved his hands as if embarrassed and gently patted Helena’s back.

“I’m sorry.”

His voice, once harsh, was now gentle. Helena relaxed, letting more tears fall.

“Sniff… I was just trying to do something for us… but you got mad without knowing… hic…”

“I’ll make sure we get married.”

By the time Helena’s swollen, tear-stained eyes regained their sparkle, Calis had promised her. Her cheeks, still wet with tears, lit up with hope.

“Really?”

“Yes. Once I ease the Emperor’s anger, I’ll carefully handle everything else.”

“Right? You’re close to the Emperor, and…”

“And I’m the hero who brought peace between two countries.”

“Yes! Kal, you’re a hero! You can do it!”

Helena closed her eyes, clutching him tightly.

“Of course. You’ve gifted peace to the Emperor; that makes you a noble person.”

Hearing her call him a hero, Calis felt his remaining doubts melt like spring snow.

It was an ordinary breakfast hour.

“Your Majesty, I apologize for the intrusion.”

If it weren’t for one unwelcome guest, the morning would have passed quietly. Calis had stormed into the dining room, ignoring the objections of the knights and the steward. Two knights flanked him, ready to intervene if Kun ordered it.

When Kun waved them off, they hesitated but let go of Calis’s arms.

“What urgent matter could disturb breakfast?”

“I must return to the kingdom earlier than scheduled. Something urgent has come up at the duchy, and I must go immediately.”

“Urgent? Not because of your government’s misbehavior?”

Chloe, who had been caught up in this, gritted her teeth. She held back her expression, quietly wiping her mouth.

Even Calis was tense. Kneeling on one knee in respect, his leg trembled. Biting his lip to conceal his unease, he replied:

“…I apologize again for that matter. Please forgive Helena’s ignorance.”

“Of course, if the Duke wishes.”

Kun seemed unusually calm for someone who had been subtly tormented by Helena yesterday.

“Anything else?” Kun’s attention seemed elsewhere.

“One more request, Your Majesty.”

“After forgiving your government’s misstep, you still want more? Dukes are never satisfied, are they?”

“…Your Majesty, Helena is not my government.”

Kun’s mischievous smile stiffened. Yet he misread the silence as consent and kept talking.

“I wish to officially take Helena as my wife. I came to ask your permission before leaving.”

Kun thoughtlessly tightened his grip on the knife. He looked at the man who bowed, utterly shameless.

Helena’s request for divorce, and Calis’s plea for marriage—both stood before him. Seeing it this way, Kun found the man in front of him pitiable and ridiculous.

Taking things from Chloe to adorn a ‘government’—he would inevitably be divorced before he even noticed.

“Very well. I shall grant permission for personal reasons. Marrying a government is not completely impossible.”

Though selfish, it was a relief. Calis had made mistakes, but this gave him an opportunity.

“…! Your Majesty! I shall never forget your kindness!”