TTEWD 05

Episode 5. Do not gather it, do not waver.

Michelle’s innocent question pierced Clifford sharply.

*“Is he stressed because of the Empress? Shel looks eerie…”*

To shake off the thought, Clifford shook his head from side to side.

Michelle was different from Stella, who was obsessed with seizing imperial power and elevating her own prestige.

She was also unlike the women in the harem who tried to captivate him with their bodies.

She was so devoid of greed that she even refused the noble status of Empress simply because she felt sorry toward a friend.

That was why he wanted Michelle. Being by her side made him feel like the greatest man in the world.

“Commoners strip cheating women naked and whip them. Some even die from it.”

“That would be illegal.”

“It’s pitiful, but they disgraced their family and husband! The goddess Ahalla punished them.”

“The goddess punishes them…”

“Sometimes there are things more important than the law. That’s why we have ‘customs and morals,’ right?”

Michelle lifted her cute nose proudly as she showed off. Clifford let out a small laugh.

“You’re especially smart today, Shel.”

“I even learned how to read ancient scriptures from a temple priest.”

“What else did you learn?”

“Sewing, flower arranging, and even how to make candles!”

Her bright, clear eyes lifted his mood considerably.

As he stroked her soft pink hair, Clifford asked,

“Aren’t those just things women are expected to learn?”

“Stella probably can’t do any of that.”

“An empress who sews? I can’t even imagine it.”

“Stella acts more like an emperor than an empress. I’m so worried about her these days.”

Even though Clifford had skipped state council meetings for over two months, the empire was running smoothly.

“Except for a few officials, they don’t even know you’ve stepped back from governance, right?”

“That’s thanks to Her Majesty the Empress, who’s perfectly terrifying.”

“Why would someone as kind as Stella treat you like you’re invisible…?”

“Stop defending Stella. It’s annoying.”

Sometimes the prime minister visited Clifford.

Not to seek advice, but to pressure him into producing an heir.

*‘Are they treating me like a breeding stallion? Stella is the one who has the child, not me!’*

Every time he felt powerless and humiliated, his hatred for Stella deepened.

The only one who supported him was Michelle.

“You don’t need ‘star-like eyes’ to rule the empire. You’re a genius, Cliff!”

“As long as Stella is around, I’ll never be acknowledged as the true emperor.”

“Stella is my dear friend, but… even she can’t be forgiven for ignoring you.”

Clifford agreed.

The only solution was to drive Stella out and make obedient Michelle the empress.

But if Stella resisted, divorce would be difficult.

*‘She would have to commit a serious fault the court would recognize… Should I use a slave? Having a lover isn’t illegal for an empress, right?’*

At that moment, Michelle’s earlier words crossed his mind.

At the same time, a rather good plan formed.

A clever scheme that could secure both justification and benefit.

“One should make full use of their talents.”

“What do you mean, Cliff?”

“You don’t need to know.”

“That’s unfair!”

“Say your goodbyes to Stella. You won’t be able to see her soon.”

Clifford twisted his lips into a smile.

Michelle tilted her head, confused.

Her face was innocent like a young girl’s—but her eyes were cold like a snake’s.

—

Joan finished investigating the man with amnesia and reported with a stiff expression.

“He was sold to the arena six months ago. No one knows anything about his past.”

“And he claimed to be fourteen even at the slave market?”

“Yes, he consistently said so.”

“Why did they ignore his amnesia?”

“As long as he could be used as a gladiator slave, they didn’t care about his memory.”

*What is this man’s true identity? Did he fall from the sky, or rise from the earth?*

The unanswered questions filled her mind.

Her work efficiency had dropped sharply—over a mere slave.

“He could be a spy from the Colonatus Empire. Please permit interrogation.”

“What if he truly lost his memory?”

“We’ll find out during interrogation. Even if he’s injured, his body heals on its own, doesn’t it?”

Just because he wouldn’t die didn’t mean torture was acceptable.

Sensing her hesitation, Joan spoke grimly.

“It’s only been two years since we won the war against Colonatus.”

“….”

“They killed Prince Randesta, Your Majesty’s own blood. They cannot be forgiven.”

*If that man is truly a pawn of Colonatus…*

She would regret forever showing mercy to the enemy who killed her brother.

“Interrogate the slave. But torture is forbidden.”

—

Time passed slowly. She couldn’t focus.

It was all because of that man.

*What if he says nothing? What if he resists violently and gets beaten? His mental age is fourteen…*

His voice calling her “master.” The way he licked his lips remembering the taste of meat. His fresh, boyish smile.

Useless thoughts kept interfering with her work.

As she bit her thumbnail, she realized—

It was the first time she’d shown such a bad habit since becoming empress.

*It’s better to interrogate him myself.*

She pushed her wheelchair down to the underground palace.

Then—

“Uaaagh!”

A loud scream echoed from afar.

A chill ran down her spine.

A terrible premonition—just like when her family had been slaughtered.

She hurried forward, her hands slipping on the wheels.

She told herself to stay calm—but couldn’t.

It was frustrating that she couldn’t run on her own legs.

“Your Majesty! What brings you here?”

The guards were startled.

“What is happening?”

“It seems there was an issue during interrogation.”

“Open the door.”

“We fear it may offend Your Majesty’s eyes!”

“Do not make me repeat myself.”

The door opened.

Three royal knights—and a man far larger than them.

“Master!”

The man spotted her first and raised his arm happily.

Bright red blood streamed down his bronze muscular arm.

Without the blood, he would’ve looked like a large dog wagging its tail at its owner.

“We greet Your Majesty!”

The knights stood quickly.

One held a blood-stained dagger.

“I said torture was forbidden.”

Her voice cut through like a winter wind.

She was furious—at both the disobedient knights and the man who greeted her brightly despite bleeding.

“There was no torture!”

“Are you lying while holding a bloodied knife?”

“He wouldn’t speak, so we tried to scare him! He claimed wounds heal on their own!”

“Who screamed?”

“…I did. I was shocked seeing his wound heal…”

The knights lowered their heads in embarrassment.

The man spoke up casually.

“It’s true. I told them to test it.”

He acted as if unaware of the tension—or the blood soaking the floor.

Like a reckless fourteen-year-old.

“How dare a slave speak like that to Her Majesty!”

A knight slapped him.

Smack.

His head turned, blood forming at his lips—but he remained calm.

“Too annoying.”

“What did you say?”

“I don’t like formal speech. It’s annoying.”

“You’ve got a death wish!”

The knight drew his sword.

Even with a blade at his neck, the man smirked.

A mocking smile that said: *You think you can kill me?*

“Die!”

The knight swung—

“Stop.”

Her command cut through.

“What?! He insulted Your Majesty! He deserves execution!”

“Then what punishment for someone who harmed what is mine?”

“…What?”

“My property was stabbed. My property bled. My property was struck—and its owner insulted.”

“Th-that…!”

“Should I hang your head at the gates too?”

The knights froze in shock.

*She’s defending a slave?*

*So the rumors were true…*

If this spread, she’d be known as a “depraved empress bewitched by a slave.”

*I shouldn’t have gotten involved. I should have left him alone.*

Regret welled up.

“I want to speak with him alone. Leave.”

The knights withdrew.

—

Drip. Drip.

Red blood fell like safflower petals.

She handed him a silk handkerchief embroidered with the imperial crest.

“Wipe it.”

He stood—and approached her without permission.

“Master.”

He didn’t kneel or bow.

She had to look up at him.

“Did I hurt you?”

His tone was shameless.

“You cannot hurt me.”

“Why?”

“A bookshelf or pen cannot hurt its owner.”

Despite the harsh words, he remained unfazed.

“Then why do you look like that?”

Clifford’s words echoed in her mind.

*“Whenever you make that face, I feel suffocated.”*

Before she could react—

He touched her cheek.

The first man since childhood to do so.

“You look very sad. Like a child abandoned by their parents.”

She froze.

Something hot surged within her.

“Why are you so sad? You’re the empress.”

His hand was warm.

The warmth spread through her body instantly.

“Is that why you touched my face?”

“Is it not allowed?”

“The imperial body is a treasure. No one may touch it without permission.”

“Where I’m from, subjects couldn’t even raise their heads before royalty.”

“…You’re not from this country?”

“I don’t know where—but not here.”

“How are you sure?”

“It wasn’t this cold there. Even in winter.”

Anghel was a land of snowstorms.

A warmer winter meant the southern continent.

The enemy empire—Colonatus—was also in the south.

*If he is from Colonatus…*

*If he is a spy…*

Would she be able to order his execution without hesitation?