TPECIAD 18

Chapter 18. Perhaps Memory Will Return

“Your Majesty, how could I possibly be the imperial consort? Please don’t say such things.”

“Why are you reacting like this, Elise?”

Elise was pleading with Roan. For a moment, she had forgotten everything because she was so desperate to see Demon, but in truth, she was Elise—the supporting character destined to die. If she didn’t want to meet her end in the imperial palace, she had to abandon even the position of concubine and run away.

“And now he’s telling me to become an imperial consort?”

To her, it was no different from being told to die. In the empire, there was only one supreme woman—the empress. However, below the empress, there could be consorts, and beneath them, concubines. The more powerful and capable the emperor, the more wives and children he might have to display his authority. Through this hierarchy, the imperial power was further solidified. Although ranks were established to accommodate more women, both the empress and consorts were ultimately “wives.” Therefore, Roan’s intention to take Elise as a consort meant he was not simply keeping her as a lover—he intended to elevate her above nobles and recognize her as a dignified member of the imperial family.

“Please, take back your decision.”

Elise continued to beg Roan.

“Why are you like this? What exactly do you dislike so much?”

Do you know how insane I felt while you were gone? I couldn’t protect you—how could I ever forgive myself?

“From now on, I will use any means necessary to protect you. Why can’t you understand that I’m trying to give you greater power for that purpose?”

“But I don’t need power… and I’m not worth such a position. Please…”

“Enough! You are my woman. Your worth is determined by me.”

Ah, what do I do…

Roan was unmoved by Elise’s pleas. Becoming a consort didn’t just mean being more deeply bound to the imperial palace. The problem was that Elise already had someone else completely occupying her heart. Roan’s favor, affection, expectations—none of it could squeeze into that space. Demon alone already filled her entirely. She missed him to the point of madness every single day, yet in front of her stood someone she didn’t love, trying to court her and offer her higher status and power. To her, it didn’t feel like power at all—it felt like a restraint, like a leash tightening around her neck. Being elevated to consort was merely a tool to bind her, preventing her from ever leaving Roan’s grasp.

“Your Majesty, please withdraw your order…”

Suddenly, a wave of sorrow overwhelmed her, and tears began to fall. She felt unbearably pitiful, unable to run to the person she longed for, unable even to confess her feelings. She now understood how painful it must be for those who marry someone while loving another. She was in so much agony that it felt like she might die—how did others endure life in such circumstances?

As Elise cried, Roan’s eyes were filled with surprise and hurt.

“You’re crying… Does that mean… you truly don’t want to become my consort?”

Do you have any idea how long I’ve waited for you? And you dare—!

Are you trying to push me away? Roan’s blue eyes darkened with anger. A stubborn defiance rose within him. So she didn’t want it? Then he wanted it even more. No—he must make it happen. No matter what it took, he would keep her by his side and ensure that no one could ever touch her again.

“The day will come when I will make you my consort. Remember that.”

After declaring this, Roan coldly turned away and left Elise’s room, even if it meant earning her hatred for the moment.

“Elise-nim…”

Margaret approached her.

“Huu… sob… waaah…”

Elise finally broke down in Margaret’s arms, releasing all the tears she had been holding back.

Empress Psyche’s chamber.

She was reviewing the requirements for the party being held in Elise’s honor. After scanning the list, Psyche handed the documents to the head servant of the palace and instructed him:

“His Majesty has ordered that everything be prepared grandly, so we must be thorough. Distinguished guests from neighboring countries who are currently visiting the empire will also attend, so pay extra attention.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will carry out your orders.”

After the head servant bowed and left, a maid from the empress’s chamber approached with a letter.

“Your Majesty the Empress, a letter has arrived from the Grand Ducal House of Cremian.”

It seemed the reply Psyche had been waiting for had finally arrived. She immediately opened the letter and read its contents:

“I accept your proposal. However, there are conditions.”

As expected, Demon had sent a response—with three conditions attached.

Conditions?

1. They would only meet; nothing else would be expected or required.
2. The meeting could be ended at any time of his choosing.
3. He wanted an explanation of how she had known in advance about the stockpiling information.

He was willing to meet, but made it clear that he would not comply with anything beyond that—meaning he had no intention of playing along as if they were actually close. He also insisted on retaining the ability to end the arrangement whenever he wished. In short, he had no intention of being controlled by the empress. Lastly, he demanded the information she had promised to reveal later.

Demon was accepting the empress’s proposal—but without giving up anything on his end.

Hah, as expected of Demon Cremian. Just like him.

Psyche was satisfied with his response. He would not accept goodwill without reason, nor would he get involved in political intrigue surrounding the emperor. Rather, that attitude pleased her.

Still as uncompromising as ever.

Psyche immediately began writing a reply:

“I gladly accept. I agree to all three of your conditions. Then I would like to proceed with the first meeting right away. At the party being held for Elise….”

She paused briefly, then finished her sentence:

“Please attend as my partner.”

“Deliver this to the Grand Duke immediately.”

The messenger who received her letter departed at once for the ducal residence. Psyche’s showtime was about to begin.

After crying uncontrollably, Elise sipped the tea Margaret had prepared for her. The warm, fragrant tea soothed her throat and gradually calmed her mind. Sitting on the couch, Elise tried to steady herself.

“Are you feeling better now?”

“Yes. Much better. Thank you, Margaret.”

Her voice was still slightly nasal from crying. Margaret smiled at her.

“Even when you cry like that, Lady Elise is still beautiful.”

“Huh?”

“That’s probably why His Majesty the Emperor is so determined to make you his consort, even if he has to force it.”

Margaret joked lightly to cheer her up.

“True.”

Elise accepted the joke as if it were serious.

“Pardon?”

“No, I mean… I really am that pretty. That’s the problem.”

She was so beautiful it might actually be deadly. Instead of escaping Roan, she felt even more trapped.

“I need to stay sharp.”

“Ha… Lady Elise?”

Margaret was slightly taken aback by Elise’s sudden seriousness, but felt relieved to see her regaining energy.

“Since we’re on the subject, when you were staying at the grand ducal house, the palace was in complete chaos. His Majesty didn’t sleep, destroyed anything in his path, and hunted down anything alive.”

“Really? That much?”

Ah! So that’s why Psyche thanked me for returning.

There was a reason behind that sincere gratitude. Hearing that Roan had turned into a tyrant when Elise was away made her feel suffocated by his intense obsession. Elise steeled herself once more.

I have to find it right away! My survival route! And…

Maybe I should confess to Demon. Elise silently made up her mind.

“Would you like to take a walk to refresh yourself?” Margaret asked.

“Yes, that sounds good. Let’s go to the imperial library today.”

“The library?”

“There’s something I need to look up.”

Elise decided it was time to seriously find a way to escape the palace. She needed to recall and organize the plot of the novel Empress Psyche as much as possible.

And—

I need information about this world!

She intended to escape the imperial palace as far as possible. To do that, she needed knowledge about the world.

Who can help me?

She would also need to build allies step by step.

Ah… will I really be able to survive and escape from here? The future felt uncertain and overwhelming.

Roan returned to his quarters after passing through his office, but he couldn’t focus on anything. Elise’s tears and her request to step down from the consort position left him feeling not just disappointed—but deeply irritated.

Everything changed after she lost her memories.

Roan recalled the day Elise collapsed. At first, she had reacted like a startled rabbit, pushing him away—adorable and endearing. She had only pushed against him with her hands, something he could easily overcome with strength. But even after the curse was lifted, her memories did not return. Worse, she seemed to be keeping even more distance since then. No matter how weak or confused she might be without her memories, the fact that she kept rejecting him irritated and frustrated him. The more she pushed him away, the more he wanted to pull her closer by force.

And now, it wasn’t just rejection—it felt like she was rejecting him from the heart.

“Am I being too sensitive…?”

It had been a long time since he had held her in his arms. They had always been together before, and he had held her every night. Perhaps the lack of that now made him want her even more. But that alone didn’t explain everything.

Her eyes.

Her eyes didn’t want him.

Roan missed the way she used to look at him. In the past, when he met her gaze, it was clear that she desired him. She ignored the opinions of others and the empress’s concerns, openly longing for him and seeking more of his affection. But now, she was rejecting him. He even felt betrayed.

“I must restore Elise’s memories.”

Then she would want him again, just like before. She would gladly accept the position he had prepared for her, shedding tears of gratitude instead of rejection. And then, as before, he would take all of her into himself with heated lips. Just imagining it made his entire body feel tightly fulfilled.

Yes. I’ll use the method the imperial physician suggested to get her back.

“Prepare to go to Elise’s room immediately.”

“I will escort you.”

Roan set out again for Elise’s room, not long after he had left. Servants followed behind him.

“Lady Elise has gone to the study with her maid.”

“The study?”

The guard stationed at Elise’s room answered.

Did she enjoy reading?

Though slightly puzzled, Roan redirected his steps toward the library. As he approached the imperial library, he saw Elise and her maid entering through the entrance.

“Elise!”

“Y-Your Majesty?”

“What are you doing here?”

Elise was startled. She had come to the library to plan how to avoid Roan—but instead, he had come looking for her here. It felt like being caught in the act while trying to sneak away.

“I was feeling a bit down, so I thought I’d read some books.”

“Come back to your room with me.”

“Pardon? Right now?”

“Yes. Right now.”

Roan’s blue eyes burned fiercely.

“Elise, I want to help you recover your memories.”

“That… isn’t something I can just do at will…”

“To recover memories, one must frequently encounter familiar places, activities, and people. Since the curse has been lifted, it’s time for your memories to return.”

Was he seriously implying that the old Elise used to spend all her time being affectionate with him in bed? That was something only the original Elise would know. With no way to verify it, she couldn’t argue against him.

“Your Majesty, please wait—!”

Despite her protest, Roan ignored her completely. She was now being dragged along by the hands. Margaret, who had been watching beside her, also turned pale.

Oh no! If this continues, something terrible is going to happen.