I Married the Terminally Ill Emperor - Chapter 77

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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 77

“Y-you just let such false rumors spread?”

Dahlia’s lips trembled in disbelief.

“I even encouraged them to spread more. For our marriage.”

“Ah…”

The anger she had felt over the false rumors quickly cooled.

Because of those rumors, everywhere she went people only talked about the Emperor and herself, and more people began pairing them together.

The false rumors Oreon had created were ultimately the right choice.

As the Emperor began walking again, Dahlia let her shoulders droop weakly and followed him.

After all, the reason they came here was also to fan the flames of those rumors.

When they reached the end of the long corridor, a spacious area soon appeared.

Transparent cases were placed on tall pedestals made of crystal, with gorgeous jewelry displayed inside.

And at a glance, there had to be thousands of such pieces.

Dahlia looked at the transparent cases with slightly weary eyes.

“You really named this room well. It really is like a jewelry box.”

“If there’s anything you like, you can take whatever you want.”

“It’s fine. It’s not mine anyway.”

“You’ll soon become Empress, so why wouldn’t it be yours?”

“I’m just a 3-month Empress.”

“Even for 3 months, you’re still an Empress.”

His low voice, looking straight into her eyes, carried a hint of displeasure.

“Didn’t we come here to find symbolic jewelry to show the nobles?”

Dahlia looked at him with puzzled eyes.

“That’s right. And you can also take whatever you want. It’s not like I’m returning all the Former Empress’s jewelry here, like the necklace Bibi has from her mother.”

“I see.”

Dahlia looked around starting from the nearest pieces with an indifferent expression.

Having lived only in the Star Palace, she had no occasion to wear jewelry, so even beautiful gems didn’t move her heart. That was also why she had refused Lady Yofron’s gift.

Of course, there was also the reason of not wanting to be accused of accepting bribes.

Seeing Dahlia’s lukewarm reaction, the Emperor led her to the transparent case in the very center.

A gorgeous necklace was visible, with a large, brilliant purple amethyst in a teardrop shape surrounded by small diamonds.

“Let’s go with this one.”

“If I wear this around, won’t my neck break someday?”

It looked heavy at first glance. Dahlia looked down at the amethyst necklace with frightened eyes.

“Don’t worry. It has weight reduction magic on it, so that won’t happen.”

He opened the transparent case and took out the amethyst necklace, placing it around her neck.

Amazingly, just as he said, she couldn’t feel any weight at all.

“This was the 5th Empress’s most treasured necklace. She also had purple eyes like you. She always wore this necklace, so it’s the most well-known among the Empress’s necklaces.”

“I see.”

At her nonchalant reaction, he chuckled softly.

“When the Princess goes out wearing this necklace, all the nobles will accept you as the future Empress.”

“Then we won’t even need to pretend to be in love, and it’ll be solved at once.”

Dahlia nodded as if she understood and turned around.

“Where are you going?”

“I’m wearing the symbolic necklace, so there’s no need to stay here longer.”

“You really have no interest in jewelry. Didn’t you say you liked many things?”

“I do. Warm sunlight, cool breeze, trees that provide shade, pretty flowers, cute animals, delicious food, and also…”

“If you like so many things, why is only jewelry the exception?”

Interest was evident in his voice.

“Since I only stay in the Star Palace, accessories like jewelry aren’t necessary for me. They’re just heavy for no reason.”

Gray started to take out a box from his pocket but put it back in and nodded.

She watched his actions intently.

“What did you just hide?”

“Your gift.”

“Then why aren’t you giving it to me?”

“You said you don’t like jewelry.”

Dahlia approached with curious eyes and politely held out both hands.

“Give it to me first. If I don’t like it, I’ll return it.”

At her bold request, Gray raised the corners of his mouth. He liked her attitude of treating him without reserve.

Gray took out the small box and placed it on her palm.

When she opened the black lid, a light green emerald hairpin shaped like a leaf was visible.

For the first time, her eyes, which had shown no interest in jewelry throughout, sparkled and shone.

“Do you like it?”

“Yes! It’s so pretty! It’s shaped like a leaf, which I love.”

Dahlia tried the hairpin in various places in her hair.

Gray watched her with a smiling face. It was a pin specially custom-made by the most famous jeweler in the Empire.

“There.”

“Here?”

She placed the hairpin exactly where he indicated.

“A pink flower field.”

Since there came a time when she no longer rolled on the ground(?), and he could no longer find green leaves in her hair, he had prepared this himself.

“What?”

When she opened her eyes wide as if asking what he meant, Gray smiled deeply.

“I’m saying it’s perfect.”

Why was it so satisfying to watch her prefer the small jeweled pin he had given over thousands of expensive gems? Gray buried his inexplicable feelings for now.

* * *

Dahlia and the Emperor deliberately headed to the walking path so others could see the amethyst necklace.

Nobles who were greeting the Emperor gasped when they saw the necklace around her neck.

“Th-that! That’s the Violet’s Joy!”

“The necklace the 5th Empress treasured most!”

“Did she just receive as a gift the jewelry that can only be inherited by becoming Empress?”

“My goodness! Emperor Gray has completely fallen for that Princess.”

The nobles whispered continuously and hurriedly disappeared.

To inform others of what they had witnessed faster than anyone else.

* * *

“Kyah.”

The maid who was suddenly slapped sat down on the ground and covered her face.

“How noisy.”

Anastasia frowned with an expressionless face while drinking tea.

“I-I’m sorry.”

The maid, who had suppressed her tears, hurriedly got up from her spot.

“Why are you covering your face?”

“I’m, I’m sorry.”

The maid endured the pain and removed her hands from her face. Red blood seeped from her cheek where long nail marks remained.

“Tsk, you’re hurt. And on your face, no less.”

At Anastasia’s strange voice, the maid quickly bowed her head to hide her startled expression. The young lady acted as if she had forgotten her own actions, despite having struck her just moments ago.

In the span of two weeks, the young lady had changed like a different person.

The young lady, who had been a model of nobility, would rather dismiss a maid for mistakes than resort to physical violence.

But at some point, she began using violence against the maids and called jewelers daily to collect jewelry.

The more rumors about His Majesty the Emperor spread, the more tyrannical she became, making each day of serving her a living hell.

“Call the jeweler who was supposed to come tomorrow right now. Tell him to bring mainly amethyst jewelry.”

“Yes, my lady.”

The maid kept her head bowed, hiding her fearful gaze as she quickly left the room.

Left alone in the room, Anastasia went to the window and looked up at the dark night sky. It looked just like the Emperor’s eyes.

Without realizing it, she reached out and grasped at the night sky.

“Your Majesty…”

Just thinking of him made her chest ache as if it would tear apart. Her thirst for him only grew stronger. Every night she fell asleep thinking of him and woke up the same way.

“You’ll return that amethyst necklace to me soon, won’t you?”

Just then, the communication device placed on the vanity glowed.

Anastasia quickly approached it.

As the communication device connected, she could see black curtains fluttering.

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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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