“You said you wanted to see me?”
The man walked into the office and sat down in a chair. The air grew heavy, and a deep, rich woody scent began circling around us.
Hah, I need to breathe. I need to breathe.
The man who made me breathless was William McCurren.
There were countless words to describe William. The absolute ruler of the empire, God’s representative sent down to the human world in His place, a beauty with radiance that outshone gold,
And, a wise ruler.
I let out the breath I’d been holding all at once and stared at the man before me.
His long silver hair gleamed, and his silver-gray eyes were mysterious and enigmatic. His smooth skin was flawless, and his nose bridge and jawline that complemented such skin never failed to make anyone who looked at him dizzy.
I’d been looking at this face for over ten years now. Yet how could it feel so new every time I saw it!
Our William, you’ve grown up so well. I’m so proud.
While I was entranced by William’s appearance, he called my name and stood up from his seat.
“Daniel.”
As William approached me, the scent grew thicker.
Right. Everything was because of this fragrance.
If I could, I would have loved to spend my whole life by our pretty and kind William’s side, just enjoying the sweet life.
However!
I had already done everything I could for him, and for William to gain more powerful imperial authority, it was right for me to step aside.
Seo Ajun, get a grip!
Do you want to do that with a child you raised like your own son?
I clasped my trembling hands together—trembling from the body scent William was emitting. To be less affected even a little, I took a step back from the Emperor.
Seeing me like this, William furrowed his brow sharply. I did my best to avoid his gaze while maintaining my proper role.
“Your Majesty, you’re in front of the head chamberlain. It would be proper to call me Daniel Lambert or Baron Lambert.”
William grabbed my shoulders. I had been avoiding his gaze, but the pheromones that suddenly hit me made me gasp with a “hiek” as I met his eyes. Those gray eyes were boring right through me.
“Cut the nonsense. What’s the problem?”
His low voice reached me, but with every breath, the fragrance entered my nostrils and made my head dizzy. Ah, no. If I lose consciousness…
I bit my lips hard.
“There’s no problem. But…”
“But?”
“If you could grant me one request, there might be even less of a problem.”
At my words about making a request, William’s rigid expression brightened completely.
“What is it? Tell me.”
Oh, the atmosphere seems good. At this rate, he might actually grant my request. My chest swelled with anticipation.
“Why are you taking so long? That’s not like you, Daniel.”
“You must promise to grant it unconditionally.”
“Have I ever refused a request from Daniel?”
Well, that’s true, but… the request I’m about to make has about a 100% chance of being refused, my pretty William.
Hah… I swallowed a sigh internally and slowly opened my mouth.
“Your Majesty, I want to leave the Palace. No, it’s probably impossible, but in my heart, I’d like to leave this country entirely.”
Instantly, the fragrance surrounding us turned threatening. I felt like I might suffocate in the air that even carried murderous intent. Right. I knew this would happen. It wouldn’t be our William if he just let me go gracefully.
My head spun and my legs wobbled. I grabbed onto a bookshelf to keep from falling.
“Are you calling that something you can say right now?”
“Your Majesty, didn’t you say you would grant it?”
“When did I ever?”
“……”
Ha, I thought the stubborn habit ended after age fourteen? You just said you’d grant it, and less than a minute later you’re changing your words? If the people of the empire knew, how much damage would it do to the Emperor’s dignity? No, that’s not what’s important. Even in this situation, I’m worrying about the Emperor’s dignity—I really am problematic. They say parents experience empty nest syndrome when their children leave, and that’s exactly what I am.
I opened my mouth while trying to calm my face that was turning pale.
“B-but you just said that…”
“I, really… I didn’t say I would unconditionally grant it. Daniel, you always said so. That an emperor’s words should carry weight. That’s why I spoke in past tense. I said I hadn’t refused before.”
“That’s the same thing…!”
Uh… no, it’s not.
To be caught like this. I really did raise a tiger cub.
Since it’s come to this, I have no choice but to beg. I knelt at his feet and bowed my head.
“Your Majesty, all this time by Your Majesty’s side, I’ve taken on all manner of difficult tasks, and my heart has grown sick while my body has grown weary. I’m getting ol… no, I’m not getting old, but I’m on the verge of falling ill…”
Before I could finish speaking, William suddenly interrupted.
“Do you want to die?”
“…Pardon?”
Did the Emperor just ask if I want to die?
I was so shocked by those words that I swallowed what I was saying and opened my eyes wide. And for good reason—”Do you want to die?” was something our William hadn’t said even once since he turned sixteen.
But anyway, die? And by the hands of the child I raised? No way. I absolutely have no intention of that. What do you think I’ve survived all the contempt and hardships here for all this time?
I’ve saved up a lot of money during this time. Thanks to you, Emperor, my status has skyrocketed and now I’m a proper noble. That means I can live well anywhere, so why would I die? Really, you’re quite the jokester.
I looked at the Emperor with a bewildered expression while swallowing all the words I could never speak aloud. He let out a deep sigh and continued calmly.
“Daniel, there are two ways you can leave me.”
Huh, there are ways to leave? What are they? Tell me quickly. I’ll do anything!
Without realizing it, my eyes sparkled. Seeing me like this, the Emperor snorted and lowered his noble body. Feeling utterly confused, I tried to stand up, but he pressed down on my shoulders and whispered.
“Leave by dying.”
A chill ran through me.
“Or… leave after bearing my child.”
William’s words made my mind feel distant.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
