I Married the Terminally Ill Emperor - Chapter 73

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

I Married a Terminally Ill Emperor

Chapter 73

“You have reliable supporters. It’s good to see. Splendid knight.”

Cole’s eyes widened slightly. The deep amber eyes looking at him held a warm light.

“It was an honor to spar with the best knight.”

He remembers.

Roand smiled faintly as he gripped Cole’s hand firmly.

The child full of rebellion and the shaggy-haired child had met like this across the years.

Though he couldn’t acknowledge knowing Cole, he was proud that he had grown into a knight like in that childhood dream.

The two men silently exchanged encouraging looks.

It was then that Dahlia was watching this scene with satisfaction.

“Your guard knight will train with the Imperial Guard starting tomorrow.”

A displeased voice came from beside her.

“Just a moment ago you were saying our Cole did well.”

“Our Cole?”

Emperor Gray’s eyebrow rose.

“Why?”

Dahlia looked at him with bewildered eyes at the Emperor’s sharp demeanor.

“Do you attach ‘our’ to just anyone?”

“Why would Cole be just anyone? He’s my guard knight! If you’re going to demoralize our knight like this, why did you even come?”

Dahlia came on strong as if she couldn’t yield when it came to Cole.

Then he backed down a step, softening his demeanor and showing his characteristic bright smile.

“I came to see someone I love.”

“…What?”

Flustered by his unexpected answer, Dahlia reacted a beat late.

“I missed Dahlia so much I could barely stand it.”

Seeing the Emperor speak sweet words to her, everyone in the open space froze together.

“I-I’m also so happy to be with Your Majesty whom I love. Ho ho ho…”

Dahlia felt cold sweat running down her back as she let out an obviously awkward laugh.

It was the first time. That he had called her by name instead of Princess.

Why does hearing my name from the Emperor feel so ticklish?

That devilish voice of his.

Dahlia tried not to rub her ears in front of the Emperor as her shoulders twitched.

Perhaps finding her expression strange, he asked with a calm face.

“What’s wrong? Dahlia.”

“No. It’s nothing.”

Dahlia watched in real time as goosebumps rose on her arms. When she hurriedly rubbed her forearms, the Emperor smiled affectionately.

“Are you cold?”

“I suppose so.”

Unable to say she got goosebumps from the Emperor’s way of speaking, she mumbled, and the Emperor took off his jacket and placed it on her shoulders.

“Dress warmly.”

“…Yes.”

When Dahlia avoided his gaze, the Emperor leaned toward her and whispered in her ear.

“Didn’t we agree to make an effort with each other?”

“I am making an effort…”

Dahlia unconsciously held her breath at his scent as he drew near. Even his cologne was seductive, resembling him.

“It’s not enough.”

“I’ll try harder.”

Dahlia answered while holding her breath.

His eyes narrowed at her strange voice.

“We’ll see.”

Meanwhile, Roand gripped his sword tightly as he watched the two.

Yesterday too, he had watched the two of them together and couldn’t stand it, so he had approached. He rationalized to himself that they were only together because of their positions as Emperor and Princess, denying their friendly appearance.

But the words that came from the Emperor’s mouth today made it impossible to deny their relationship any longer.

Love? Princess Dahlia and the Emperor love each other?

The Princess who cherished her family wouldn’t make such a choice that would bring crisis to the kingdom.

Roand’s cold gaze turned toward the Emperor.

Could he be threatening the Princess? With what exactly?

Roand glared at the Emperor with burning eyes.

Feeling the gaze, the Emperor raised his head and leisurely met his stare.

* * *

Rumors about Emperor Gray and Princess Dahlia spread like wildfire.

At the tea party hosted by Lady Anasta Yofron, those rumors were undoubtedly the center of attention.

“You’ve all heard, haven’t you? The pink-haired woman His Majesty carried to the Main Palace must be Princess Foevern.”

One lady said firmly as she set down her teacup.

“Exactly. There was a reason she moved her lodging to the Crystal Palace that the Former Empress cherished.”

The lady sitting next to her quickly agreed.

“Moreover, recently they’ve been openly displaying affection within the Imperial Palace. My elder brother was there, and he said the two embraced.”

“Oh my, for His Majesty to do such a thing…”

The lady who first brought up the gossip trailed off as if pitying.

“It’s hard to believe he used to keep his distance from women.”

“I also heard something – you know the path His Majesty takes between his office and the conference hall?”

“That’s the path where orders were given for no one to approach.”

As cases of women camping out to approach the Emperor increased, entry was completely forbidden except for ministers.

“Yes. They say he often met with the Princess there.”

“Oh my!”

“Then what about the Empress…”

All the ladies’ gazes turned to Anasta, who was drinking tea with a haughty expression.

“Lady Yofron, you’ve heard the news too, haven’t you?”

“I only believe what I see with my own eyes. Don’t you know how many useless false rumors there are?”

Anasta replied with an indifferent expression.

“My elder brother saw it directly. It’s not a false rumor.”

Anasta stared straight at the lady who spoke and set down her teacup with a sound.

“Don’t you understand when I say I must see with my own eyes? Lady.”

“N-no.”

The lady quickly backed down.

“I have a headache. Today’s conversation was enjoyable.”

It was a firm dismissal.

“We’re worried that you have a headache. Please rest soon.”

The ladies exchanged glances and hurriedly left.

Anasta’s red eyes, looking at the empty seats, deepened like flames.

She recalled the Princess she had met at the hunting ground.

To think she would seduce His Majesty like a fox with that innocent face.

“His Majesty the Emperor likes women who tend gardens.”

The words the Princess had said to her were boasting disguised as advice. A show of being close enough to the Emperor to share such trivial conversations.

Anger surged up, making the hand holding her teacup tremble violently.

What kind of heart had she waited for the Emperor with all this time.

When the Emperor kept his distance from women, she had watched him from afar, countless times cutting away her desire to approach him. She had been able to endure because he gave women no opening whatsoever.

The Emperor would soon turn 25. He was at an age where the imperial marriage could no longer be delayed. And she believed that she, the only one who had never heard words of rejection from the Emperor, was truly his destined match.

But to have the Emperor stolen by some unheard-of Princess who had barely been in the Empire any time at all.

It was impossible. She absolutely could not let him be taken.

Unable to contain her anger, Anasta hurled the teacup she was holding to the ground.

“I won’t forgive this. How dare she covet His Majesty.”

Just then, a Butler who had entered the Back Garden glanced down at the broken teacup before holding out a golden card.

“Miss. Marchioness Sondo has sent you a letter.”

“Leave it and go.”

The Butler placed the golden card on the table and withdrew.

Anasta looked at the golden card with displeasure.

Since ancient times, gold had been the color of the Imperial Family.

No matter that Marchioness Sondo had once been an Imperial Princess, now that she had become a Marchioness, she should no longer use gold.

However, in an Empire without an Empress, no one pointed out her use of golden cards as she managed the internal affairs of the Imperial Palace.

Once she became Empress, she would firmly tell her never to use gold again.

Anasta slowly picked up the card, read through it, then rose from her seat.

Leaving the Back Garden, she commanded the waiting maid.

“Prepare the carriage.”

“Yes.”

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