Chapter 43

Rosaline’s stare was about to bore a hole into his face. “Your Majesty! We work together really well, but that’s all! Don’t forget that the negative first impression you had about me almost made you doubt the love of the goddess Eteusis!” She clasped her hands together.

Cahir’s eyes were somewhat glazed in reminiscence. “That’s why it’s better. You’ll shine even on your own. Perhaps when the two of us stand side by side, the brilliance will double. No, I’m certain of it. Even the imperial painters will not be able to capture such magnificence.”

He imagined standing next to Rosaline, not the one who always wore simple dresses to work, but the one who wore gowns adorned with lace and jewels. It was a blinding vision, indeed.

She’d failed. Spectacularly so. The conversation started with her wanting to probe what he wanted in an empress, but evolved into her needing to explain why she wasn’t a good fit for it.

“Your Majesty, the empress traditionally isn’t involved in politics and administration…”

“Rosaline, you know better than anyone that I hate stupidity the most. You’re smart, and also one of the prettiest people I’ve ever seen. One might even say that you’re impossibly perfect.”

“I’m a bit older than marriageable age…”

“And I’m even older than you, so it doesn’t matter. I even heard that it was disgusting if an older bachelor wanted to marry someone who just debuted in society.”

‘Oh… Was I the one who said that?’

Rosaline wanted to go back in time and pinch her mouth shut.

“Are my reasons for marrying you sufficiently clear?” Cahir stepped closer.

“There is still…!”

“Are you going to write a hundred reports on why you shouldn’t be empress? Or will I write them on why you should? Why do you hate it so much?”

“I already told you before. I want to date first before getting married, act all lovey-dovey and have children.”

“You want to have a relationship?”

“Yes, of course! Love…”

“Fine. I’ll date you.”

‘What nonsense is this? Dating isn’t a game! Do we just start now? There should be a grace period for this…! And more importantly, the empress selection begins tomorrow.’

“We can’t do that.”

“Why not?”

“The selection starts tomorrow, so I won’t have time to meet with Your Majesty. Do you even know what dating is? Do you think we can start right now and be done with it?”

“Rosaline, what do you take me for? Why did I ask that the selection take place in the First Star Palace, which is closest to the main palace? Of course, it’s to see you often and take you on dates.”

“Your Majesty, don’t say you chose it with that in mind. I know that’s not it.”

Cahir groaned.

“Are you teasing me?” Rosaline crossed her arms and closed the distance between them, so much that it would be hard for a person to pass through.

He bowed, her breaths tickling his chin all the way to his heart, making it jolt. It was annoying how he could hear the pounding in his ears, distracting him.

His eyes turned fierce. “Me? Making fun of the empress-to-be?”

“Definitely teasing me,” she muttered, pouting and blushing.

‘Oh, she is adorable.’

Cahir smirked. “I don’t like jokes, though? I’m always so serious.” His hand hovered over her waist. “And Rosaline, if I were to teach you another thing you don’t know… It’s that I’m a devoted gentleman when it comes to my lady.”

She knew that. She had read the novel, her heart had fluttered then.

‘But that’s only for the woman you love, right?’

“Rosaline, shall we kiss to seal the acceptance of our marriage?”

“I didn’t say yes!” She moved away abruptly, almost stumbling.

Cahir laughed, looking at his hands. “Then, how about dating?”

“Your Majesty! Please don’t joke around!”

“Ah, I’ll remember that my prospective empress hates jokes.”

It was quite fun, doing this. Rosaline had always been rational and unperturbed, and yet she was showing him such a flustered face now. She was undeniably fun to be around. He wanted to be with her, just like this.

“I’m honestly thinking about dating. Rosaline, can you teach me how to do it?”

‘Those lips… that little furrow in her forehead, whether in anger or irritation, those trembling eyes…’

His smile was calm even as she puffed her cheeks.

“Your Majesty, I’ve never been in a relationship either. Since I can’t teach you, why don’t you try meeting a woman who has more experience?”

It was a bit of a stretch to say all that, but it was true. Even before her possession, Rosaline had never been in a relationship. She got along well with people regardless of their age or gender, and she had many male friends among the staff, but she had never developed romantic feelings for any of them.

“Then, let’s learn together.”

Her tactics didn’t work on Cahir. Rather, he even seemed pleased.

His mouth twitched. “Should we shake hands first? Shall we cooperate?”

Rosaline was irritated. She knew of his past from the novel. He didn’t date, but he was acquainted with a lot of women. However, the Cahir she knew after her possession wasn’t like that at all…

‘But it’s still unfair!’

“Why aren’t you saying anything?” He let his hand rest on her waist despite her frown. “I don’t think this was too overwhelming or surprising.”

A sigh burst out of her lips. Did he not even notice that she was angry? She wanted to be with someone who understood her and supported her even if she didn’t explicitly say anything!

‘This is why I can’t be with him!’

Rosaline resolved to reject him properly for that reason. It was the only valid one she could think of at the moment, and she was proud of herself for thinking of it.

“Hmm? Rosaline, are you mad? Was I being too selfish again?”

Her knees weakened in shock. Cahir caught her smoothly, his familiar scent enveloping her and softening her heart.

This man, who had only ever cared for himself, noticed her anger and the reason for it. Despite his arrogance…!

“If so, I’m sorry.”

And he even apologized!

Rosaline’s legs had lost all strength at this point. Cahir, on the other hand, maintained a firm grip as he supported her weight, tucking stray strands of hair behind her ear.

“Too much fun, hm? My empress said she doesn’t want to work, so I’ll have to work even harder in her place.” He smiled, making sure she was stable before going to her desk and picking up the documents there.

‘He’s not Cahir… someone replaced him with this… charming, considerate…’

She couldn’t take her eyes off the picturesque figure arranging reports.

***

Derek ran into the office, his forehead sweaty.

“Your Majesty! The wizards aren’t prepared to shoot the fireworks yet! I’m really sorry, but…”

“It’s fine. I already proposed.”

“Yes? Wait, when? Where?”

So far, Derek had been struggling to prepare the best proposal that Aetheus—no, the world—would ever see. Imperial wizards had been summoned on short notice, maids filled the palace with flowers, a three-tiered cake was ordered…

He had been running around like a fire was under his butt! The only thing left was for the fireworks display and the proposal that would lead Rosaline into the golden carriage.

“Please pack up the things outside.”

Derek’s body was sapped of its strength, mourning the proposal that would have been inscribed into history books.

‘I can’t even do this for Hui either.’

“Since we’ve prepared all this, the fireworks at least…”

“I already told you not to. Do I need to repeat myself?”

Derek swallowed his dissatisfaction.

“Also, please lend me a book about love studies from the library.”

“Love studies?”

What kind of absurd request was this?

“I’ve decided to date Rosaline in earnest, so I need to know what to do.”

Annoyed, Derek only stared at Cahir, who had gone back to reading whatever document he had in his hands. Granted, it was probably resentment due to the unfulfilled proposal.

“Are you waiting for anything?”

Derek sighed. Love was something one had to experience firsthand, not read in books. It was frustrating, but… he would only do as he was told.

‘Even His Majesty needs to learn that not everything in the world can go his way.’

Yes, this was absolutely not because he was holding a grudge. This was only because Cahir needed to have a glimpse of reality.

He smiled with great determination.