The Obsessive Male Lead Is Obsessed With Me! - Chapter 167

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

Chapter 167
Last night, I told my Master about the moment my Soul Fragment was destroyed. I included everything—my memories from my past life and how I’d glimpsed the future.
“There is no realm beyond death itself, is there? I see. You experienced death, and through that understanding, you’ve reached the Sage’s Realm.”
“The Sage’s Realm? Me?”
“Yes. If you truly dedicate yourself to learning magic and cultivating your craft, you might become a genuine Sage. Tell me—do you wish to become a Sage?”
A Sage.
It was a distant pinnacle that every mage dreamed of reaching.
When I was young, heralded as a prodigy of the century by countless mages, I too had once harbored such lofty dreams.
If I ever reached that realm, perhaps I could inscribe my name in the history books—not as Empress, but as Cecilia.
But then again…….
“Besides, I can use magic even without a Mana Vessel.”
I smiled as I looked at Lionel.
“If I’m going to leave my mark on the magical world anyway, I’d rather be remembered as a Magical Artifact Creator than as a mage.”
“Why is that?”
“Because making it possible for people without any magic power at all to use magic is far more appealing!”
“Yes, that is a noble pursuit indeed.”
Master nodded lightly, as though he had no intention of persuading me further if my mind was already made up.
Instead, he offered me a different proposal.
“Have you ever thought of writing a thesis?”
“A thesis?”
“Yes. One concerning Spirit Familiar Magic.”
Master added this while running a hand gently over Ruda’s head.
“This one was born in many ways unlike the conventional Spirit Familiar.”
That was certainly true.
If I carefully analyzed the process of Ruda’s Soul Fragment being destroyed once and then recovering safely within Lionel’s ribbon before being revived, I might uncover a way to complete Spirit Familiar Magic more safely.
“I’ll think about it. For now, I’m quite busy with the Empress’s duties.”
“Very well.”
“Oh, that reminds me, Mother! I need your help with something.”
“What is it, dear?”
“What do you mean, what is it! You know I made my debut in the social circle and then left for the Northern Region right away.”
I was still just a fledgling.
With no Former Empress to guide me—or rather, I was grateful there wasn’t one—how on earth was I supposed to navigate this treacherous social world on my own as a newly crowned Empress?
“I humbly beseech you, esteemed Duchess of Roheim. Please, I beg you, help me…….”
“Ha ha, living long enough, you hear all manner of pleas. Very well, rely on your mother.”
“Hurray!”
My mother is a celebrity of high society and an actual powerbroker! We’re saved!
* * *
But it was I who nearly perished…….
“Are you quite alright, Cecilia?”
“I’m not alright…….”
Though somewhat delayed, a grand banquet had been held to commemorate the coronation of the Emperor and Empress.
I’d given a brief coronation speech, danced the opening dance, and received greetings from countless nobles. Yet I was already exhausted.
‘My true nature would have me greet only those necessary and then slip away. But I can’t.’
Because I simply could not escape.
Because I was the Empress.
Though I’d only just ascended the throne, I could finally understand my father’s fondness for singing about wanting to hand everything off to his heir and retire as quickly as possible.
‘How many years will pass before our child is old enough to inherit the throne…….’
Even a conservative estimate brought a dizzying number to mind, and for a moment, vertigo seized me.
“I want to go home…….”
“Strictly speaking, isn’t this your home?”
“Even when I’m at home, I still want to go home. How would you understand that, Lionel?”
A sincere man like Lionel would never grasp that feeling in a lifetime.
I heaved a long sigh and muttered under my breath.
“Maybe I should just run away…….”
“Shall we?”
“What?”
Rather than stopping me, Lionel seemed ready to join in. I looked up at him in surprise.
“We can do that?”
“Why not?”
“Because the Imperial Family is hosting this banquet. The Emperor and Empress are supposed to stay until the end……right?”
“We’ve danced the opening dance and greeted the guests. We’ve fulfilled all the essential duties, and besides…….”
Lionel’s gaze turned toward my mother, who was surrounded by a throng of people, laughing brightly.
“The Duchess will explain matters beautifully on our behalf.”
“……I suppose you’re right?”
The fabled Mother Card, in play!
‘Well then, well then. This is exactly when you should use a capable mother’s help.’
……Though I suppose I’ve already leaned on Mother quite heavily, so borrowing her aid nine times or ten times hardly makes a difference anymore.
I discreetly sent hand signals and meaningful glances toward my mother, and fortunately, she soon glanced back in my direction.
I grinned and pointed with my index finger toward the exit, then blew her a kiss.
Catching my meaning, Mother let out a soft laugh and nodded. I silently cheered.
“I have her permission. Let’s go now.”
“As you wish.”
Lionel and I quietly slipped out of the banquet hall under cover of the crowd. Perhaps someone noticed us leaving, but no one tried to stop us.
“Yahoo! We’ve escaped!”
“Was the banquet that dull?”
“It wasn’t the banquet itself that was tedious, but sitting there as the Empress certainly was.”
It was the feeling of having to sit up straight as a model for others to emulate—the constant awareness that everyone was watching, wondering if I’d actually eat something or how I’d do it.
“I think it would be far more amusing to leave my body in the bedroom and have Ruda’s wings take me sightseeing instead.”
“That’s unfortunate. Ruda isn’t here.”
Right now, Ruda had gone to Heitensan with Krieg. The plan was to deliver the news that Count Riam, who’d kidnapped the wolf cub years ago, had given a sincere apology, and also to spend some time playing with the other wolves.
“But even if Ruda were here, I wouldn’t go alone. That would leave you bored.”
“Watching over Cecilia is hardly tedious.”
“Really?”
“Yes. It’s enjoyable.”
Since he never makes empty flattery, he wouldn’t be lying just to please me.
“Even so, you prefer it when I’m awake, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
Lionel laughed as though it were obvious, and I couldn’t help but grin back at his face. I extended my hand to him.
“Someone might come looking for the Emperor and Empress, so let’s get somewhere away from people.”
“Certainly.”
Though I’d offered my hand, Lionel immediately scooped me up in his arms and began moving.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and settled into his embrace contentedly. I’d grown accustomed to being carried about like this, and besides, it was far faster than walking.
“Where exactly are we going?”
“Is there somewhere you’d like to go?”
“Well, I don’t have any particular place in mind……. Somewhere just for the two of us?”
“Then might I take you somewhere I wish to go?”
Goodness, this was unusual. Here was someone who normally said “anywhere is fine” and “whatever you prefer,” suddenly making requests.
“Yes! Let’s go there.”
Without hesitation, Lionel began walking. Nestled in his arms, I swung my legs and absently asked,
“Is it a place we can reach on foot?”
“Yes. It’s not far.”
Even within the Imperial Palace, if distances were too great, one needed a carriage. I wondered where he could possibly mean—and then I realized our destination: the former Second Prince’s Palace.
“This was where you wanted to go?”
“Yes. It’s a place where our memories dwell.”
A place where our memories dwell, he said.
‘Everyone, listen! This man has learned to say things like this!’
Compared to when Lionel and I first met, it would hardly be an exaggeration to say he’d become a completely different person.
With a warm heart, I lightly kissed his cheek, then stepped down from his arms, wanting to walk together from here on.
‘It’s completely empty.’
Which made sense, given that no one lived here anymore, but seeing the hallways and walls stripped bare left me with an oddly unsettled feeling.
How to describe it? Like visiting the house where you’d lived as a child, now that you’re grown—though strangely, I’d never actually lived here, yet the nostalgia felt new.
“This is the third floor and beyond, correct? Now that I think about it, I’ve never actually been here in my real body.”
“That’s right. Which is why I wanted to come here with you.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
Lionel led me to the bedroom he’d once used.
“Wow……. This is completely empty too. Just a bed, a desk, and a wardrobe.”
“That was all there ever was.”
“Really? For real?”
“Yes.”
Now that he mentioned it, I suppose that had been the case……?
‘It feels completely different viewing it from Ruda’s perspective versus a human perspective.’
Though I wanted to admire something, there was little to see. As I glanced around, my eyes fell upon a thick notebook resting on the desk. I picked it up.
“What is this?”
“I’ve left it here to show you.”
“For me?”
“Please, sit.”
Lionel sat me on the bed, then settled beside me. And then, if I wasn’t mistaken, he seemed distinctly nervous as he took the notebook from me.
“Before I left for the Northern Region, I once promised that someday I would tell you my feelings were love. Do you remember?”
“Of course I do.”
“I’m late in fulfilling that promise, but I’m ready now to give you my answer.”

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