Unbeknownst to Me, I am Secretly Dating the Emperor - Chapter 156

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 156
Edwin and I spent a considerable amount of time in the Rest Room.
Until someone, impatient from waiting, gave us a not-so-subtle hint with an ostentatious cough.
Edwin pretended not to hear and tried to continue what he was doing.
But I, coming to my senses belatedly, put all my strength into my arm and pushed firmly against Edwin’s chest.
Edwin, looking displeased, yielded a little.
“Why?”
Edwin asked as if he had no idea why I’d pushed him away.
“Why? You should go first. Quickly. If the Emperor suddenly doesn’t show up at Ibeta’s Debutante Ball, what will people think?”
Though I had walked of my own accord all the way to the bed laid out for its intended purpose, I put that past aside and spoke with reason.
Checking the time, the cough I’d heard from outside wasn’t without cause.
Even for an Emperor, it was cutting dangerously close.
If we delayed any longer, rumors of a rift between the Emperor and the Saint would surely take root.
‘That can’t happen.’
Unlike Edwin, who only needed to adjust his appearance slightly, I had to put my disheveled clothes, makeup, and hair back in order.
“I’ll go.”
Yet Edwin showed no intention of leaving whatsoever.
After saying so, he pulled me by the waist and embraced me more forcefully.
“Just a moment more, if we keep going—”
On the bed, Edwin’s “a moment,” “just a little longer,” “one last time”—such words meant precisely the opposite.
Having learned this truth from experience, I remained on guard.
Sure enough, when he tried to kiss my collarbone, I covered his lips with my hand.
At that, Edwin’s eyes widened with amusement and he tried to lick my palm.
It was a tease I might have indulged at any other time, but not now.
“If you keep this up, I’m locking the Terrace door from now on.”
At my firm tone, Edwin finally studied my expression with reluctance and rose slowly, as if utterly unwilling.
“Fine. I’ll be back soon—”
His gaze held the look of someone expecting to pick up where we left off upon his return.
“I’m going out as well.”
I smiled with only my lips, deflecting Edwin’s ploy.
It seemed his compromise was to return quickly and continue what we’d started.
Edwin fixed me with a pitiful look again, launching another assault of eye contact.
I shut my eyes tight and turned away from him.
If I kept looking at him, my resolve would surely crumble.
“Don’t think of coming back early. You need to stay for an hour or two so others can see clearly that the Emperor and the Saint are on good terms.”
Speaking quickly while looking toward the wall, I made Edwin exhale a shallow sigh as he stood.
“Just one hour.”
“Yes.”
Reluctant to let go, Edwin kissed my lips briefly several times before beginning to fasten his Shirt buttons in sequence.
Taking nearly four times as long as it had taken to remove them.
I picked up the Handkerchief that had fallen beside the bed and handed it to him.
Edwin accepted it and wiped around his mouth roughly.
It was a gesture utterly different from the tender touch he used with me.
Though frustration filled his every movement, I maintained my firm smile.
A man’s clothes, particularly summer attire, were not complicated.
Even with his slow movements, his appearance was soon put to rights.
Fortunately, the wrinkles in his Shirt were hidden beneath his outer garment.
Though his eyes held a certain wildness, he looked nearly the same as when he’d first entered the Rest Room.
‘I should tell him to think wholesome thoughts before he leaves.’
Of course, I planned to do the same.
Calling to mind cute and harmless things, I straightened my slipping Dress.
Then Edwin fastened the hook buttons at the back of my Dress in my stead.
Though his fingers moved with lingering desire, this time I did not yield.
Once I was presentable enough for others to see, Edwin spoke toward the door.
“Come in.”
The door opened as if on cue, and an Attendant with notably quick hands entered.
The Attendant bowed deeply in greeting toward me.
In that moment, I whispered to Edwin’s ear.
“Want to think of something wholesome?”
Before leaving the Rest Room, I needed to restore that indecent gaze to something suitable for all audiences.
Edwin answered reluctantly.
“Can’t think of anything.”
Anticipating his lack of cooperation, I offered plan B.
“Then something cute!”
Edwin smiled slightly.
“You?”
From the Attendant, who had been standing quiet as a ghost, came a soft intake of breath.
* * *
Edwin lightly kissed Lina’s flushed cheeks before departing the Rest Room.
His shy lover was embarrassed to display affection in front of others.
When he said Lina was cute, he meant it sincerely—but saying it loud enough for the Attendant to hear had been a touch of mischief.
Knowing full well that if she caught on to his deliberate tease, she might refuse to hold his hand for days, he fled the scene.
Edwin walked down the Corridor with the boyish smile of one teasing a girl he adored.
His initially slow pace began to quicken as amusement took hold.
As he approached the entrance to the Grand Ballroom, a waiting attendant, startled, straightened his posture and called out a lengthy introduction.
He let the words—”Guardian of the Continent,” “the grandest fragment of Minos the Divine,” and so forth—pass through one ear as he entered the Grand Ballroom, and the orchestra’s music cut off the moment they saw him.
Those dancing, those gathered in small groups conversing—all ceased and paid their respects to Edwin.
Edwin surveyed them with indifferent eyes before turning toward Ibeta, the only one still standing.
With each step he took, the face of “Ed,” who had melted like marshmallow in his lover’s arms, transformed into the arrogant, frigid countenance of an Emperor.
Ibeta, who had only seen Edwin in Lina’s presence, flinched at the sight of him now.
But encouraged by Count Renkels at her side, she quickly composed herself and performed a graceful curtsy.
“Your Majesty, it is an honor.”
“I congratulate you on your Debutante Ball. This is the guest of honor’s occasion, so let us dispense with further formalities.”
After exchanging a properly courteous but perfunctory greeting, Edwin gestured, and the orchestra resumed their performance.
As Kyle led Ibeta onto the Dance Floor, the nobility, watching for their cue, began dancing again.
Already tired of the Ball, Edwin settled onto the Imperial Throne with an air of ennui.
Young ladies who hadn’t seen him at a social gathering in ages circled subtly around the throne.
Word had apparently spread, following several bold attempts at the last gathering, that Edwin was not the cruel person rumor made him out to be.
It threatened to become troublesome.
Edwin was quite gentle with younger girls, perhaps because of his sister Bliss.
He had even taken in Bes, a bastard though she was and of Marquis Robertus’s blood, largely because she was Bliss’s age.
But tonight he had no intention of being indulgent toward these young ladies.
Edwin’s mood had soured from the moment Lina pushed against his chest.
Though the small teasing had improved his spirits somewhat, he lacked the magnanimity to tolerate a situation that still displeased him.
‘Time crawls like a dying thing.’
He didn’t even have enough time with Lina, and yet he was forced to waste these precious hours at a Saint’s Debutante Ball. Edwin’s spirits continued to plummet.
The young ladies hovering around the Imperial Throne, watching for an opening to speak, gradually withdrew as they sensed the change in atmosphere.
‘They have better sense than parents sitting in a state council meeting.’
The space around him grew quieter.
Edwin’s frigid mood only began to thaw when Lina, having finished arranging herself, entered the Grand Ballroom some time later.
She slipped in quietly, unwilling to be caught having been away for long.
Then she immediately joined the Saint’s attendants.
Though the space was quite loud with music and conversation, and the distance between them was considerable, Edwin’s hearing was exceptionally acute.
Focusing his senses to track his lover’s soft voice, he caught her saying she’d stepped out to the Garden for a moment because she felt restless.
The Saint’s attendants showed concern for Lina, who, embarrassed, hurried to change the subject.
Edwin watched this exchange with quiet enjoyment, his eyes following Lina’s every movement.
Time, which had been nothing but tedious with only one person’s presence, became pleasurable again.
Until men with oily faces began approaching Lina.

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