Episode 6

“Ha, so that’s what it was.”

A voice, so low it seemed to echo, shook Russelin to her core. It was only then that she realized she’d been mesmerized by Leonard’s sharp aura. She quickly turned her gaze to Aydin, but he wasn’t looking at her.

“So you decided to obey so willingly, did you?”

“…Aydin.”

At Russelin’s call, Aydin turned his gaze upon her, his eyes smoldering with a fury that threatened to break loose, weighing heavily on her.

“You couldn’t seem to tear your eyes away from that man, could you?”

“…”

“What, were you planning to have a secret tryst with him here?”

Aydin didn’t give her a chance to respond. She knew nothing she said would calm him down now, so she chose to keep her mouth firmly shut. But that silence seemed to provoke him further; his red lips parted as if to speak.

“Are you not going to answer properly? Were you trying to make a move on him—?”

“Well, well, look who we have here.”

At that moment, someone else cut into their tense atmosphere. A voice, brimming with interest, dangerously stirred both of them. Aydin, letting out a low sigh, set Russelin down from his arms and turned around, clearly annoyed. That Aydin, who had been on the verge of lashing out at Russelin, backed down so easily was, in a way, inevitable.

“…It’s been a while, Your Imperial Majesty.”

Aydin Bert, who seemed to fear nothing in this world, bowed his head to only one person—the Emperor of Tristan. Russelin began to follow Aydin’s lead, lowering her head, but then froze, stiffening in place.

‘…Gone.’

Just as the Emperor had appeared, Leonard had vanished. Forgetting Aydin was right beside her, Russelin glanced around awkwardly, but only for a moment. A chilling presence washed over her, making her bite her lip instinctively.

“So, you must be the priestess Duke Bert was so keen on hiding.”

The Emperor’s blunt gaze settled directly on Russelin. Only then did she finally turn her eyes to him. In her past life, she’d lived practically imprisoned in the Bert estate, without a single opportunity to meet the Emperor. So she was caught a bit off guard by his scrutiny.

“Oh, greetings, Your Imperial Majesty. My name is Russelin Lavrenti.”

Perhaps due to the unnerving situation, her voice trembled slightly. Amused by Russelin’s unguarded demeanor, the Emperor let out a hearty laugh.

“Now I see why Duke Bert went to such lengths to keep you hidden.”

“…Pardon?”

“With someone as delicate as you, he must have been afraid to let you step outside.”

Though the Emperor spoke casually, neither Russelin nor Aydin responded. It was clear to everyone what the Emperor was implying. He seemed like someone who could be just as dangerous as Aydin, albeit in a different way. Russelin assessed the Emperor, and in that brief moment, he slipped past her defenses.

“Well then, today is an occasion to welcome a new priestess. So, how are you finding it?”

“…I’m not sure what Your Majesty means by that.”

“Hmm. It could mean a variety of things. For example…”

The Emperor’s piercing gaze began to drift downward, slowly.

“Perhaps the feeling of watching your fiancé monopolize both priestesses?”

“Excuse me?”

“Hm. But sometimes, I think it might be entertaining to watch Duke Bert be cornered.”

“…What do you mean?”

The Emperor’s gaze lingered on Aydin’s hand, which was gripping Russelin tightly. He had already seen through everything, as expected of the Emperor. His ability to precisely jab at the fragility of their relationship was both infuriating and oddly welcome this time. Yet Aydin’s expression hardened visibly, seemingly in opposition to Russelin’s sentiments. She matched his reaction with a deliberately surprised look.

“What do you mean, Your Majesty? Monopolizing both priestesses?”

“Russelin—!”

Aydin raised his voice, a rare occurrence in front of the Emperor, but Russelin didn’t spare him a glance. The Emperor’s expression hinted at something dangerous, yet she couldn’t afford to back down.

“Didn’t you know, Lady? The second priestess is already quite involved with Duke Bert.”

“…!”

“Oh dear. Judging by your reaction, it seems you truly didn’t know. I thought the matter was already settled.”

The Emperor, who claimed he hadn’t known, wore a thoroughly entertained expression.

“I found it curious myself—how Duke Bert requested approval for marriage with Lady Lavrenti, only to bring in a new priestess.”

The voice, murmuring as though he were simply musing aloud, left no room to escape from the harsh truth. Russelin bit her lip, feeling a storm of emotions.

‘If only I had known this back then…’

Regret was a meaningless thing, yet she couldn’t help feeling a pang of it. She had planned to feign betrayal towards Aydin, but her feelings were unmistakably genuine now. Aydin, reading her expression, appeared troubled himself. Observing all this, the Emperor let out a cynical chuckle.

“Yes, there’s nothing more painful than losing something you thought belonged to you.”

“…”

“And there’s nothing more amusing than watching it happen.”

His gaze, inscrutable and dangerous, drifted through the air before fixing somewhere with intense focus.

“Isn’t that so, Lady Lavrenti?”

The Emperor’s provocation was clearly aimed at Aydin, yet his eyes lingered on Russelin, as though he were curious about her reaction.

“Your Imperial Majesty, if so, taking the second priestess is…”

“This is not a matter concerning her. She’s a woman with nothing anyone could claim to possess.”

But before those words could settle, Aydin pulled Russelin into his arms, as if he couldn’t bear anyone else’s gaze upon her. His stance, jealous and protective, was almost that of a man in love.

“Hmm, is that so? If you wished, you could have everything within your grasp.”

“There’s no need to worry, Your Majesty. It won’t be permitted, regardless.”

Aydin squeezed Russelin’s small hand firmly. She let out a low, pained groan, frowning slightly, but he seemed oblivious to her discomfort.

“Only a fool lets go of what he owns.”

Aydin put emphasis on his final words, looking directly at Russelin.

“My, my. The world has a way of punishing those who act rashly. Such men often face ruin.”

The Emperor, observing Aydin’s meaningful expression, finally broke into a hearty laugh.

“Oh dear, Duke, if you’re this guarded, it only makes me want to tease you more.”

“What exactly is Your Majesty trying to say?”

Aydin asked, his guard against the Emperor unbroken. The Emperor stroked his chin thoughtfully, then let one corner of his mouth curl into a sly smirk. That unsettling feeling that crept over them wasn’t merely a trick of the mind.

“I was simply thinking how amusing it might be if the haughty Duke Bert had at least one rival.”

The light tone of the Emperor’s voice was followed by a precarious silence. No one dared to respond to his provocation. The ominous warning in his words was unmistakable. The identity of this “rival” was obvious to everyone.

“It would be wise to stay on guard, Duke Bert.”

“…”

“As you have two priestesses under your care…”

The Emperor’s eyes roamed Russelin’s figure, leaving nothing hidden in his gaze.

“…so, too, could there be more than one protector within their reach.”

The Emperor was simply stating a fact. Yet, why did his words sound so dangerously threatening? Whether he was aware of Russelin’s turmoil or not, he exhaled a long breath, seeming content to take his time. It was almost as if he was signaling the end of their tense encounter.

“Haha. It seems I may have spoken out of turn. Forget it, you two.”

“…Ah, no, Your Majesty.”

“I was simply curious, you see. About the priestess who can endure Duke Bert’s potent magic.”

“…”

“It’s something I find rather desirable myself.”

The Emperor’s open curiosity only served to unsettle Russelin further. Her anxious expression was all the response he needed, though he waited patiently, as if expecting her to speak. Memories of painful sensations stirred in Russelin, and she instinctively furrowed her brow. But just as she forced herself to speak, hoping to divert his attention—

“…Ah!”

She was suddenly pulled back by a firm hand, leaving her defenseless as she stumbled. When she regained her composure, Aydin’s broad back stood protectively in front of her.

“She’s not nearly so extraordinary as to merit Your Majesty’s attention. I apologize.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

“There’s something urgent I wish to discuss. Would you grant me a moment of your time?”

Effortlessly drawing the Emperor’s gaze away, Aydin briefly turned his head toward Russelin. His low voice, meant only for her, was as cold and harsh as ever.

“Withdraw, Russelin.”

“…What?”

“Didn’t you hear me? Leave this place immediately.”

“But the Emperor is waiting.”

“He’s not someone you can face. Leave now. I’ll come find you shortly.”

His usual sharp tone now carried a rare urgency. What could be driving him like this? For once, Russelin couldn’t tear her eyes away from Aydin. But the moment didn’t last.

“Just because you’ve tasted a bit of fresh air, don’t think you’re free to forget your master.”

Aydin hadn’t let her go until the very end.

* * *

Despite Aydin’s warning, Russelin had no intention of waiting quietly for him. After all, hadn’t she been waiting for an opportunity to slip away from his gaze? The moment she broke free, she left the banquet hall and entered the palace gardens. Imagining Aydin’s furious reaction made her feel a sense of dread, but this was just another challenge she had to face. At this moment, something else filled her mind, eclipsing even the thought of Aydin’s anger.