Unbeknownst to Me, I am Secretly Dating the Emperor - Chapter 88

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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 88
“Me? That’s absurd…….”
Ibeta seemed shocked to learn the identity of the family she’d believed had abandoned her.
After that, combining the button she’d brought as evidence with her scattered memories and the suspicious circumstances, she appeared to have accepted it to some degree.
‘The late Marquis Robertus had such a notorious reputation—no wonder she’s more shaken.’
It was a truth that would have been better left unknown.
I patted Ibeta’s cold hand to comfort her.
The real discussion was only now beginning.
“The reason I’ve brought this up is because it gives us grounds to protect you within the Imperial Palace.”
Though we’d need the consent of those involved and several procedures, if we couldn’t use the contract romance strategy, this method was the most certain.
“How could that possibly provide grounds for protection?”
Ibeta, who seemed worried about being taken to the Grand Temple, quickly composed herself and asked.
“House Robertus has another illegitimate child. She’s close to the Emperor.”
Bes Robertus.
The youngest member of the Blue Hawk.
The Saint’s only sibling.
“Once we return, Recognition will take place.”
Recognition was the process of proving blood relations and becoming family under law, and with a magical artifact to substantiate the connection, it wouldn’t be particularly difficult.
‘It’s certain the two are sisters.’
Kyle would handle the necessary paperwork without issue.
In the original work, Ibeta and Bes met as adults but were close sisters.
Both had been yearning for family in their hearts.
‘A little initial awkwardness will fade with time.’
“After that, she’ll need to receive a title. As the Saint’s only blood relative, an honorary peerage should be customary.”
Between a titled noble and the Emperor, obligations are created both conceptually and in practice.
‘A titled noble serves the Emperor as a subject, and the Emperor protects that subject in return for their loyalty.’
Since Ibeta and Bes are sisters, the Emperor’s protection can extend to Ibeta as well.
“His Majesty will establish a framework where he protects the family of his vassal.”
‘It’s contrived to apply such worldly measures as blood kinship or titles to the Saint, but politics has always been about claims and justifications.’
I’d make up for the flawed logic with appeals to sentiment.
With some guilt, I presented the final piece needed to execute this plan.
“We’ll need to make public the inspection results from Peram Temple.”
I meant revealing Ibeta’s past to build sympathy, yet her expression remained calm.
“That’s fine.”
Ibeta smiled faintly and added her thought.
“It’s the truth.”
There was even a sense that she thought this was for the better.
“What about making public that you’re an illegitimate child of House Robertus?”
This time her answer came more slowly.
“If it helps resolve the current situation, that’s acceptable too.”
But after a moment’s hesitation, the words that emerged were an affirmative answer.
I had Ibeta’s consent.
Now it was time to secure the agreement of the parties involved.
‘First, the Emperor.’
Fortunately, Kyle was there to meet us, so confirming the Emperor’s intentions shouldn’t be difficult.
“Let me help you down.”
I descended from the carriage first and offered my hand to Ibeta, who took it and stepped down.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.”
I answered her shy gratitude while scanning for Kyle with my eyes.
‘There he is.’
Looking around, I spotted Kyle in conversation with Everett some distance away, both wearing serious expressions.
‘What are they discussing so intently?’
Soon enough, their conversation seemed to end, and their gazes diverged.
I waved to call Kyle over.
* * *
Kyle and Edwin walked on, leaving Lina in the carriage—she’d said she had something to discuss with Ibeta privately.
Lina had asked them not to eavesdrop, promising to explain later, but Kyle too had something he needed to discuss away from Lina and Edwin.
Edwin seemed to be walking aimlessly, his mind elsewhere.
Once they’d put sufficient distance between themselves and the carriage, Kyle spoke first.
“Would you like a handkerchief?”
Edwin’s eyes were now parched rather than merely dry, yet Kyle reached into his pocket as if he genuinely meant to offer one.
Edwin was in tatters after hearing Lina suggest a contract romance with another woman, barely holding onto his senses.
Still, he recognized the mockery well enough.
In Edwin’s golden eyes, both sharpness and killing intent flared simultaneously.
He’d recovered his spirit, exactly as Kyle intended.
Edwin had nearly regained enough vigor to drag Kyle straight to the Training Grounds, but he soon sagged again.
“Dust got in my eye.”
His excuse was swift, though his condition seemed marginally better than before.
“Ah, dust got in your eye, I see.”
Kyle drawled the words, trying to provoke him again, but this time Edwin didn’t react.
Instead, he merely sighed deeply, his face troubled.
This was the second time Kyle had seen Edwin wrinkled up like this.
Both times involved Lina.
It would have been better when Edwin had been singing the praises of the Diaz lady.
Kyle was one who, though he occasionally bent the rules and spoke rashly, fundamentally honored the principle of standing beside his lord.
His spirits sank in tandem with Edwin’s.
‘I owe Lina an apology.’
Kyle steeled himself and opened his mouth.
“Let’s just tell her the truth. Hasn’t there been considerable progress on this trip?”
Edwin and Lina, who once adhered to formal titles with each other, now used terms of endearment.
Though affection was evident between them, the awkwardness that remained had eased considerably.
‘This might be enough, don’t you think?’
Kyle calculated probabilities in his head and made his proposal to Edwin.
But Edwin refused without hesitation.
“That won’t work.”
Edwin had entertained such thoughts before.
Even in the carriage, he’d felt the urge to simply blurt it out.
But what sealed his lips was the dread that if he revealed himself now, rejection was certain.
As Kyle said, this trip had brought Edwin and Lina closer.
Yet growing emotionally closer also meant understanding each other more deeply.
And so Edwin had come to realize that Lina was far from the point of loving him regardless of whether he was Emperor.
Lina was far more principled than Edwin had expected.
Like a tree with deep roots.
To shake such a woman required something stronger than these ticklish emotions.
It demanded an intensity that seized the heart and blinded one to all else.
‘This is difficult. Fighting another war would be easier.’
Lina was the first true challenge Edwin had ever faced.
Edwin exhaled another heavy sigh.
Kyle, watching the thought process play across Edwin’s face, swallowed the words he’d been about to speak.
‘He’s still worried she’ll leave him once she finds out…….’
To be fair, Kyle himself was in a precarious position.
His suggestion that Edwin reveal he was Emperor was made with full awareness that Lina might not accept the Emperor Edwin at all.
‘Of course she’d refuse.’
From what Kyle could tell, they were barely in the early stages of romance.
With just that level of affection, there was no way Lina—a woman without ambition, merely some drive—would accept the crown of Empress.
‘She’d want to end things before her feelings deepened.’
But Edwin was an Emperor.
Being rejected by an Emperor could only happen if the Emperor allowed it.
Yet the method to achieve that was complicated, for Edwin was more guileless than Kyle had anticipated.
Kyle carefully folded away the harsher solution he’d devised.
‘If I voice it, I’d be treated like some monster’s byproduct.’
Kyle wasn’t the type of vassal who would act against his master’s wishes.
The same applied to Kyle as a friend.
Kyle, who had been inwardly folded in on himself, straightened and offered an awkward comfort instead.
“Should we arrange another trip?”
If we returned only at night like this time, about two weeks should be manageable.
Kyle posed the question while mentally arranging schedules, ready to push forward immediately if Edwin consented.
“Not right away. Later.”
Edwin answered wistfully, still gazing at the dark night sky above.

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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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