***
Liv felt her whole body stiffen at the unfamiliar sight of Edgar for the first time.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing…………?”
Edgar smiled at Liv, who was staring at him with suspicious eyes.
“Of course, Your Majesty wouldn’t want to see me privately unless you were receiving the envoy from the Delta Kingdom.”
Liv avoided looking at him, perhaps because of her confused mind. He only had a dry smile at the sight of her.
Edgar let out a short breath and spoke business.
According to the message, the envoys of the Delta Kingdom this time are people who have a very strong opposition to the Empire.”
Liv ruminated to herself.
“They are the ones who have a strong rebellion against the Empire…………”
‘’It is possible that they will bring up existing issues regarding trade terms. Therefore, you will have to decide after discussing many things with me and the other nobles.”
“Very well.”
Knock. Knock.
With a tap on the door, Jane came in with the tea. Teacups with beautiful roses were placed in front of them.
Edgar brought the cup to his mouth and then set it down. Then he stole a look at Liv savoring her tea.
‘It reminded me of sitting in a dessert café, drinking tea side by side.’
The image of a girl sitting shyly in a mint full dress like today with white gloves on. Edinburgh’s unique red eyes on white skin highlighted Liv’s innocence.
Edgar only smiled dryly at the bitter emotion as the past came back to him.
When Liv put her teacup down, he tried his best to keep a cheerful expression on his face as he imparted the information he suddenly remembered.
“Your Majesty, there is a possibility that the only Princess of the Delta Kingdom, Brianne de Helle, will join this delegation. If she does come, we’ll have to give her a much bigger welcome.”
Liv couldn’t believe her ears for a moment.
“Did you just say…Brianne………..?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Why are you so surprised? Do you know her by any chance?”
Was it only enough to know? In an instant, the words of the past passed through Liv’s mind.
“The reason Edgar chose you is for power. Because you’re stupid.”
She was Edgar’s only queen, a rival and old enemy Liv hated all her life.
The mention of the Delta Kingdom’s delegation coming suddenly reminded her of Brianne, but she never even dreamed of her name being mentioned anymore. This was a distinctly different development from the situation before the regression.
Liv somehow couldn’t shake off her anxious mood.
***
It was a morning with a chilly breeze blowing.
A single leaf fluttered in the wind and flew into the window of the Empress’s bedroom.
Liv, dressed in a white negligee, stood by the window and lifted the leaf. She stared at it blankly. It seemed to empty her complex head of tens of thousands of thoughts.
At that time, Jane entered.
“Your Majesty, the Emperor is looking for you.”
Liv immediately turned her head at Jane’s words, which awakened her from her thoughts.
“All right. Hurry up and get ready.”
Soon after the preparation, Liv rushed to the emperor’s palace.
Upon entering the emperor’s audience chamber, he saw Karius, who had regained consciousness some time ago, and the guard captain, Jack Daemon, sitting in the chair next to him.
Lord Daemon hurriedly rose from his seat and greeted Liv with great courtesy. But Liv’s eyes were more drawn to the naked upper body of Carius.
Broad shoulders, deep collarbones, and solid muscular back.
His broad chest and arms were covered with numerous war scars.
And Carius’ tanned skin made them stand out even more.
Carius unconsciously turned his head back as if sensing her gaze.
Liv was too busy trying to avoid looking at the overwhelming figure. She didn’t know where to direct her eyes, so she just greeted him roughly and hurried to her seat.
Carius sat in his seat and buttoned his shirt one by one, which of course made his jutting muscles stand out even more.
Liv lowered my gaze to the floor and spoke in a low voice.
“Your Majesty, how are you feeling……..?”
He was neatly dressed, and smiled faintly.
“It was only thanks to the Empress’s sincere care at my side during that time that I survived.”
Liv turned her eyes this way and that, as if embarrassed.
A smile escaped from Carius’ mouth when he saw it. He then adjusted his expression as if he was aware of his surroundings and turned to Lord Daemon and asked,
“So the culprit has not been found yet?”
“The gatekeeper testified that he had seen a veiled man on a horse on the outskirts of Luperca. A citywide manhunt order has been issued. He’ll be caught soon, Your Majesty.”
The thought of the assassin and priest Jack crossed Liv’s mind.
Lord Daemon spoke in a more whispered voice.
“According to the gatekeeper, the man had chosen a path on the left side of the castle’s outer wall.”
“If it’s the left….”
Carius recited lowly, and Lord Daemon hastened to add.
“I’m guessing he was headed for Bosporo.”
“D*mn it, so he’s already on a ship headed for another country?”
Carius, unable to contain his anger, hit his chair with his hand.
Speaking of Bosporo, it looked like he was headed for the port of Burundium, south of Emporium.
But for a moment, Liv had a different thought.
It was a small city that could be seen on the way down to the southern part of Emporium. It was Viafyl, the hometown of Dowager Empress Patricia.
Although it was a small city, it was also a city of priests where the second magic tower of Emporium was located.
Liv’s eyes became different. She spoke to Lord Daemon in as low a voice as possible.
“Send a chase party with Viafyl right now.”
Liv’s unexpected words caused Lord Daemon’s and even Carius’ pupils to expand. Carius knew exactly what Viafyl was. He rested his chin on his hand and became pensive.
Then he smiled.
“It’s possible. Do as the Empress commands.”
Lord Daemon hurriedly replied to Carius’ order.
“I’ll send a chase team to Viafyl, Your Majesty!”
“Then leave us.”
Lord Daemon was about to go out, then he turned to Liv and said in a low tone,
“His Majesty is in need of your help, Empress.”
Liv’s eyes widened instantly at Lord Daemon’s words.
“What……?”
“Lord Daemon.”
Carius called in a low tone. It was a signal to Lord Daemon to stop talking.
When Lord Daemon hesitated, Liv hastened to ask.
“Say it.”
Eventually he took in Carius’s expression and opened his mouth discreetly.
“Since the Empress’s nursing, no doctor has been able to look at his wounds again. He said that he would treat himself…………..”
Liv had a worried look in her eyes as she looked at Carius.
“Lord Daemon.”
Carius hurriedly beckoned towards Lord Daemon as if urging him to leave.
When Lord Demon stepped outside, Liv hurriedly said to Carius,
“Your Majesty, the wound is quite deep. I’m going to call a doctor now……..”
But Carius looked cumbersome and leaned back in his chair with only the top of his black uniform draped over him. Then he gently closed his eyes.
Liv had no choice but to stare at him like that.
His complexion was very pale as he took care of the political affairs that had accumulated for a while. His jawline, which had been slender due to his weight loss, became sharp as if it could cut through something.
”You can’t get better if you work like that…”
Liv, who was glancing sideways next to him, hurriedly avoided his gaze as Carius suddenly opened his eyes.
Carius broke the momentary silence and spoke in a low voice.
“Liv.”
He asked, staring at her.
“If you’re not too busy, can you stay here for a while?”
Liv turned to face his sorrowful gaze and gave an involuntary nod. Carius smiled helplessly and leaned his upper body back against the chair again.
At that moment, a groan escaped his teeth as the unhealed wound touched the chair. Startled, Liv stood up. Then Carius said hurriedly.
“Don’t worry, I’ll feel better once I take the antibiotics.”
A vacant smile naturally appeared on Liv’s face. Eventually her voice became increasingly raspy.
“Is that what antibiotics are for? We need to treat the wound directly!”
Even with her voice raised high, Carius mumbled without even opening his eyes.
“Don’t worry, I’ll apply the medicine before I go to bed.”
“I know you’re lying.”
At her words, Carius opened his eyes softly and smiled.
“Are you worried about me?”
As Carius smiled to the fullest, Liv stepped away to get the treatment box, perhaps embarrassed.
“I’ll apply it for you. How do you plan to apply it by yourself……..”
Liv hurriedly took out the medicine, and spoke softly.
“Your uniform………”
At her incomplete sentence, Carius realized why she meant and slowly took off the jacket that was draped over his shoulders.
When Liv saw his solid body again, her hands began to tremble, but she decided to focus only on applying medicine.
Soon Liv’s mouth opened spontaneously as she turned to face the unhealed wound that had formed on the stiff shoulder in her vision.
“How bad the pain must be because of me………”
Liv tried hard to suppress her sorry heart and hurriedly applied the medicine. Carius began to flinch whenever the tip of Liv’s fingers touched his back. Just like the first night.
“Be patient, your Majesty, if you don’t heal quickly, the pain will get much worse.”
Liv applied the medicine as carefully as she could before finally taking her eyes off his back. Carius had his eyes closed as if he had fallen asleep at some point.
Liv stared at him gently and quietly as she stepped away. Then she put his uniform jacket over his upper body.
At that moment, Carius grabbed her slender wrist.
That caused Liv to lose her balance and fell into his arms.