I Married the Terminally Ill Emperor - Chapter 33

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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 33

At that sight, Viviana’s body froze instantly.

“Monet….”

She tried to approach Monet with trembling legs, but Silvia blocked her way.

“Take that child to the Punishment Room immediately.”

A maid grabbed the collapsed Monet’s arm and dragged her away.

“Nanny, you promised you wouldn’t hit Monet anymore if I threw Mother’s Belongings into the lake!”

Viviana grabbed onto Silvia’s skirt and clung to her.

“Hmph. The child we brought in to be beaten thinks she won’t be hit anymore because of that promise and acts insolent? We need to teach her a proper lesson this time!”

Viviana looked up at Silvia blankly with tears welling up in her eyes.

“Nanny… why have you changed like this?”

“I haven’t changed, Princess. You’ve changed by associating with that lowly thing. You used to listen to me so well before, where is our good Princess now?”

Silvia stared at Viviana with venomous eyes.

“I, I won’t go out anymore. I won’t leave, so please don’t hit Monet anymore.”

“Of course you should follow my words, Princess. Oh my, I can see that ugly face. Didn’t I tell you? It’s better to cover your face with glasses.”

Silvia spoke sweetly as she pushed the glasses that had slipped down her nose back up.

“Yes….”

“You just need to listen to my words well. Understood?”

“Then you won’t hit Monet, right?”

“Hurry and go into your room.”

Silvia changed the subject and immediately left. The maids standing around also followed her without saying anything.

Only one maid looked at the Princess intently before moving last.

Viviana stood alone and shed tears drop by drop.

* * *

In the dim night when everyone else would be sleeping, Viviana’s room was lit by soft candlelight.

Viviana stared at the candle while biting her nails.

Did Monet get beaten badly? What should I do? How can I save Monet?

Silvia had always been a nanny who cherished her. But at some point, she had changed.

Or maybe she really had changed like the nanny said?

Then, she heard a tapping sound at the window.

Tap. Tap.

Viviana, who had been lost in thought, looked at the window with a startled face.

A figure dressed entirely in black clothes slipped in through the window.

Viviana hurriedly stood up from her seat as if accustomed to this and greeted him.

“You came? Your Majesty.”

When he lowered his black mask, Emperor Gray’s face was revealed.

“Vivi. Why Your Majesty? Are you upset that Elder Brother came after so long?”

Emperor Gray lowered his body to match the child’s height and asked in a gentle voice.

“No. The title just came out of habit, Elder Brother.”

Viviana bowed her head deeply and avoided his gaze.

“Vivi. How is your body?”

At his caring question, the child hid her overwhelming feelings and answered.

“I’m fine.”

“You went swimming alone at the lake?”

“Yes.”

Viviana’s head kept dropping lower.

“Why did you go alone without the maids?”

“I wanted to play by myself….”

Viviana reluctantly made up lies. She felt like she would spill all her inner thoughts if she made eye contact with Elder Brother.

“I see. But it’s dangerous, so next time make sure to go with the maids.”

“Yes….”

Only after a while did Viviana carefully raise her head. When their eyes met, Emperor Gray’s eyes curved gently.

“Now you’re finally looking at Elder Brother properly.”

At that affectionate whisper, Viviana felt like she might cry and clenched her hands tightly. Elder Brother always smiled gently at her.

She wanted to confess everything to him, but Viviana firmly suppressed those feelings.

I don’t want to disappoint Elder Brother.

It was known to the world that she and Elder Brother had a bad relationship. When she was young, she thought that was true too.

However, Elder Brother who had been secretly visiting her for the past few years to teach her Imperial Studies was as warm as sunshine.

She didn’t want to show her weak side to such an Elder Brother. She wanted to become dignified as a member of the Imperial Family like Elder Brother, someone everyone would look up to.

So she had to pretend everything was fine in front of Elder Brother.

“Vivi. Is something wrong by any chance?”

Emperor Gray gently took the child’s hand and examined it carefully. There was blood on the nails she had bitten earlier.

“No. Nothing’s wrong. Elder Brother, let’s start studying quickly.”

Viviana acted cheerfully and pretended to be fine today as well.

When Elder Brother’s examining gaze lingered on her face for a long time, she smiled even brighter.

“…Alright.”

Emperor Gray sat facing Viviana, teaching Imperial Studies while observing the child.

Something was definitely wrong, but she wouldn’t honestly confess. Then he had no choice but to find out another way.

Then, Viviana, who had been reading the book diligently, raised her head and glanced at him.

“Elder Brother, I have a question.”

“Is there a part you don’t understand?”

Viviana shook her head and watched his reaction.

Emperor Gray put on a gentle smile so the child could speak easily. Only then did Viviana carefully open her mouth.

“I still don’t understand why I need to learn Imperial Studies. Imperial Studies is what the Crown Prince learns. Shouldn’t Elder Brother get married and teach it to the Crown Prince later?”

Emperor Gray smiled bitterly and patted Viviana’s head.

“Vivi is smart.”

“Thank you.”

Viviana shyly bowed her head in greeting, then soon avoided his gaze and looked down at the book.

Was it because she resembled Mother? The child was fragile and very shy.

It seemed only he had inherited the Former Emperor’s harsh aspects.

Emperor Gray was pretending to have a bad relationship with the child publicly to protect her.

Mother had passed away right after giving birth to Viviana, and the Former Emperor had no interest in the child. The Former Emperor’s only interest was ensuring the Ruusephon bloodline continued for generations.

The curse passed down through the Imperial Family didn’t just refer to the short life of being terminally ill.

From childhood, he had to undergo back inspections in front of the Emperor every day. When what he thought was a black dot gradually grew larger and revealed its form, he was younger than Viviana is now.

After that, his life became like hell.

The fear of not knowing when he would die. Women constantly approaching him. The Previous Emperor’s threats and coaxing to have a child.

He was sick of the Imperial Family’s curse. Even the bloodline ideology that only men should inherit the throne was ridiculous.

But now Viviana would become the first Empress and twist the curse passed down through bloodline.

For that reason alone, he had absolutely no intention of marrying.

However, there was one thing – his pitying gaze rested on Viviana. When their eyes met, the child smiled shyly.

‘Would this child really want the Emperor’s position?’

After his death, the only person who could inherit the throne was Viviana.

If Viviana didn’t want the Emperor’s position, the nobles would surely kill the child. That way, the Emperor’s legitimate bloodline would be completely eliminated.

This child had to become Emperor, if only to protect herself.

“Vivi. Do you like being part of the Imperial Family?”

“…Why are you asking that? Do I not seem like Imperial Family?”

The child’s eyes trembled with anxiety as she pulled up her glasses as if to hide her face.

“That’s not what I meant.”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked something unnecessary….”

“No, Vivi. Since you’re also Imperial Family, it wouldn’t hurt to learn Imperial Studies, so I’m teaching you. Does that answer your question?”

“Yes, Elder Brother. Since I’m Imperial Family like you, I’ll study hard.”

Respect for him could be seen in Viviana’s eyes.

Emperor Gray hid his bitter feelings and smiled warmly.

“Good.”

“By the way, when will you have your imperial wedding, Elder Brother? I think a niece or nephew would be so adorable.”

Viviana’s cheeks turned pink with just the imagination, and she smiled softly.

“Well. I’m not sure yet.”

He answered Viviana kindly so as not to crush the child’s hopes, but marriage had no place in his life.

“Elder Brother, you are sleeping well these days, right? You look pale.”

“Of course. I’m sleeping well.”

Oh no. Was it obvious enough for even the child to notice?

To finish all arrangements for Viviana before death approached, he had been working while sleeping only 2-3 hours a day.

That’s why he hadn’t been able to visit the child for the past few months.

It seemed something had happened to the child while he couldn’t come. He had already used Truth Detection during the State Council meeting during the day, so he couldn’t use it on the child.

“Vivi, if anything happens, don’t hide it from Elder Brother and tell me. Understand?”

Viviana hesitated, her lips trembling, then nodded.

“Yes….”

“Good.”

While smiling affectionately and stroking the child’s head, Emperor Gray’s mind raced quickly.

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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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