I Married the Terminally Ill Emperor - Chapter 23

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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I Married a Terminally Ill Emperor

Chapter 23

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Tree branches hung down long, their green leaves embracing the quiet lake.

In the distance, a flag planted at the highest point of the Imperial Palace could be seen fluttering.

The sunlight slowly tilted, and golden ripples sparkled on the blue surface of the lake.

Splash, splash. The sound of someone splashing water as if playing in it could be heard.

Then, a small white hand suddenly popped up above the blue surface.

As the small hand frantically beat the surface, the face of a terrified child appeared above the water.

“Help me…”

The pale face of the unfamiliar child sank beneath the water in the blink of an eye.

Splash, splash. Whether exhausted, the child’s struggling movements gradually became slower.

“No!”

Dahlia opened her eyes wide with her hand stretched forward.

Looking around with a dazed face still heavy with sleep, she saw an outdoor scene.

She had fallen asleep leaning against a tree.

Dahlia bolted upright and looked up at the sky to gauge the time.

She had seen golden ripples sparkling in her dream. Then it must surely be late afternoon.

It was still early.

Dahlia closed her eyes tightly, clasped her hands together, and tried to calm her trembling heart.

She hadn’t been able to save Mother. Although she hadn’t directly seen Mother’s death in the dream, if she had been just a little faster, she might have been able to save her.

The regret and guilt she had buried in her heart quietly raised their heads.

Dahlia shook her head and pushed away the emotions that kept trying to drag her down.

The past wasn’t important now. She had to save the child.

Dahlia raised her gaze and looked around.

That’s it! In the distance, she could see the flag from her dream. She needed to ask Lemon to go in that direction.

Dahlia shouted toward the sky.

“Lemon! Lemon!”

She looked up at the sky until her neck ached while walking forward blindly.

Then, a familiar voice came from right in front of her.

“My lady. You should watch where you’re going.”

Startled, she looked straight ahead to find the Emperor’s broad chest right in front of her nose.

“You almost collided with him.”

Oreon’s worried voice came from behind the Emperor.

She must have slept for quite a while, as the Emperor seemed to be returning after finishing his meeting.

Dahlia urgently shouted to the Emperor.

“Your Majesty! The lake! Please send someone to the lake!”

The Emperor looked down at her with eyes that seemed to ask what on earth she was talking about.

“How many lakes are there in the Imperial Palace? It has to be a very large lake. It was a secluded lake as if it were inside a forest.”

“Lady Hudran.”

As Dahlia spoke frantically without order, the Emperor called her name as if to calm her down.

“There’s no time now. How many lakes are there in the Imperial Palace?”

“There’s only one lake that large.”

Oreon answered on behalf of the Emperor from behind him.

“Oh, thank goodness…”

Dahlia let out a deep sigh of relief.

She had been worried there might be multiple lakes.

The Emperor, who had been quietly watching her, spoke up.

“What on earth is going on?”

“Please, don’t ask anything and just guide me to that lake, would you? You can deduct the third meeting. Or could you assign me a servant? I tend to get lost easily.”

Dahlia pleaded with a desperate voice.

Gray frowned and looked down at her quietly.

She had always maintained an attitude full of composure. But what could have happened to make her act like this?

“Oreon.”

“There’s about an hour of free time until the next meeting.”

Reading his thoughts, Oreon quickly reported.

Gray met eyes with her as she looked at him earnestly.

He could have assigned her a servant as she suggested.

However, the investigation about her was incomplete, and he felt like he didn’t clearly know anything about her. Nothing had been resolved.

He was curious about why the Pink Flower Field Lady was clinging to him this desperately. This time, he should directly confirm the reason.

“Let’s make it the third deduction.”

“Thank you.”

Gray carefully watched her as she visibly relaxed and kept glancing at the sky.

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Following the Emperor into the deep forest, Lemon had somehow tagged along.

Tweet tweet.

Lemon, whose eyes met hers, chirped as if telling her not to worry.

Feeling reassured just by having a familiar presence nearby, Dahlia followed diligently while looking at the Emperor’s broad back.

When Ethan and Oreon each grabbed the tree branches that hung down to the ground, a beautiful scene was soon revealed before their eyes.

A blue lake embraced by green leaves. Sparkling ripples on the lake’s surface.

Fortunately, they weren’t golden yet. She wasn’t too late.

Where could it be? It would be best to prevent the child from falling into the water in the first place.

Dahlia looked around and then glanced sideways at the lake. Even though she tried not to, just seeing the gentle waves on the lake made her palms sweat.

Dahlia tried her best not to look at the lake while moving her feet busily and scanning the surroundings.

“My lady, what are you doing?”

“Just a moment. I need to find something.”

She could feel the Emperor looking at her with disapproving eyes, his arms crossed.

Dahlia pretended not to notice the Emperor’s piercing gaze and forced herself to turn her eyes toward the lake.

Then, the lake’s surface began to gradually turn golden. This was bad.

As Dahlia looked around with anxious eyes, the Emperor’s low voice pierced her ears.

“Well then, I hope you find it well.”

Dahlia looked at the Emperor with a desperate face.

“Wait, couldn’t you stay with me just a little longer?”

“Why?”

Dahlia’s purple eyes took on a fearful light and darkened gloomily.

“…Because I’m afraid of water.”

“If you’re afraid of water, why did you suggest coming to this place?”

Like a hunter setting a trap, the Emperor’s voice lowered.

“That’s…”

Dahlia trailed off and hesitated.

How much should she tell him? A child will fall into the lake? I saw the future in a dream? But maybe it’s not today? Maybe tomorrow, or a year from now?

“Your Majesty, time is up.”

Oreon glanced apologetically at Dahlia before interjecting into the conversation.

Despite Oreon’s urging, the Emperor’s gaze lingered on her face for a long time.

Dahlia lowered her trembling gaze and bowed her head.

“Thank you for taking the time until now. You may deduct the third meeting.”

She could feel the Emperor’s persistent gaze at her head, but Dahlia didn’t lift her face. Soon she saw the Emperor’s feet turn in a different direction.

Only then did Dahlia raise her face and follow the Emperor’s broad back with her eyes as it grew distant.

Only after the Emperor’s party had completely disappeared from sight did she settle down in a spot away from the lake.

The tranquil lakeside was so peaceful, as if saying such an accident would never happen.

Dahlia tried to squint her eyes to avoid looking at the lake as much as possible, but she felt chills and goosebumps running down her spine.

When she was young, she loved water. Swimming was her greatest joy.

However, after hearing that Mother had drowned, water became an object of fear for her. If only Mother hadn’t drowned in the water, water activities would still be her favorite hobby.

She had pestered the Emperor to come to the lake because of the dream, but she didn’t think she could save the child herself. She hoped she could save that child when the Emperor’s party was conveniently nearby.

At that moment, as the lake’s ripples sparkled golden, Dahlia’s face gradually brightened with hope.

In the dream, it was exactly this time. Not today. If it were tomorrow or the distant future, she could have come more thoroughly prepared.

Then she could save the child.

Dahlia resolutely dusted herself off and stood up.

This lake was too vast for her to survey at a glance. Tomorrow she would come with Cole, who was good at swimming, and search thoroughly.

But then, Lemon circled around and around in the distance.

Chirp chirp chirp chirp!

Lemon’s chirping sounded different from usual.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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