Erdene nodded, and Sophia stepped aside. Arkan, like someone embarrassed, hesitated to approach, and only then did he sneak up next to Erdene and sit down when the door closed.
Of course, Erdene found this very funny.
'What are you talking about out of the blue? You're not a new bride, and you're shy?'
Of course, Arkan had no idea what Erdene was thinking.
She was looking at him with mischievous eyes...
"How is your body...?"
When Arkan asked cautiously, Erdene furrowed her eyebrows and pretended to rub her shoulders and arms.
"Well, I don't have any strength. I've been lying down for a few days, so it's hard for me to walk. It's hard to get sunlight. My shoulders are sore, and my arms hurt."
Arkan's expression darkened in an instant.
“Where does it hurt? Wait, tell me again. Your leg? Does your leg hurt? How about walking?”
When he lifted the sheet to examine her leg, Erdene let out a small laugh. Arkan, who had been flustered, blankly looked up at her face.
“Why are you suddenly like this? It doesn’t suit you.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You acted like you were impatient because you couldn’t turn my stomach upside down until I collapsed.”
Arkan’s face turned red at the words that hit the nail on the head, even though he was laughing.
He looked around as if he was looking for something to say, then rubbed his forehead with a complicated expression.
“That... I’m sorry. It was my fault.”
“Do you really think so?”
Arkan nodded with a firm expression.
“I really do.”
Erdene said.
“Hearing those words made my whole body feel light all of a sudden. It’s so refreshing, I feel like I could run from here to the end of the capital city border and back.”
Arkan momentarily lost his senses at the sight of her expression and voice that had suddenly brightened.
He stared at Erdene with blank eyes and furrowed his brows.
“You’re teasing me again.”
“No? No. It’s just that I felt relieved when I heard Your Majesty apologize honestly.”
“Does anything really hurt? Anything uncomfortable?”
“Well, I’m fine. I’m not that weak.”
“How can someone who isn’t weak be unable to come to their senses for more than five days?”
Erdene furrowed her brows and pretended to cover her ears.
“Oh, nagging. It was nice not having to hear that nagging when I was down.”
Arkan immediately retorted.
“You didn’t hear it, I didn’t nag you. Try to remember it carefully. It might still be somewhere in your head.”
He muttered discontentedly and gently grabbed Erdene’s hand that was outside the sheet.
Even his movements were so cautious as if he thought Erdene would immediately shake him off if he grabbed her hand.
“...Don’t even think about moving for the time being.”
“What are you talking about? I need to move my body to get some energy. I haven’t been able to move for five days, what the...”
“Oh, why aren’t you listening? Is this because you want to see me collapse this time?”
Arkan, who couldn’t control his temper, lost his temper again.
However, Erdene slowly rolled her eyes with her characteristically mean expression as if it didn’t hurt her at all, and said.
“Well, if Your Majesty collapses, I can take care of you. Isn’t that right? I’ll sit next to you all night, whisper to you, touch your hand, stroke your hair, and give you a herbal bath or something.”
Arkan’s face turned red and he pursed his lips.
“No, that’s... how was that...”
“How did I know?”
For a moment, Arkan, who had pursed his lips as if indignant, grumbled.
“I didn’t see it that way, but Miss Sophia’s mouth is lighter than I thought.”
“What kind of secret is that?”
Erdene, who had been responding nonchalantly, suddenly nodded, saying, “Oh,” and then nodded.
“I understand why you’re doing that. You want to pretend you weren’t interested in me, right?”
It’s not much different in the empire, Erdene thought.
The reason the father had chosen her as the next Emperor early on was because Erdene’s skills were strong enough to overwhelm everyone else, not because his daughter would receive a fair succession.
Rather, if Erdene had been chosen as the Emperor regardless of his ability, it would have been a great insult to Tenek.
After all, he was born before Erdene.
Arkan continued.
“The Duchy of Stradhog has decided to join us.”
Erdene furrowed his eyebrows slightly and remained silent for a moment as if assessing the weight of those words. The duchy had decided to join Vetor, which meant that there were also places that had decided to side with Vetor.
“I heard that Kensilom, Etonhorn, and... Vinotin were in league.”
She knew it. It was somewhat unexpected that Vinotin was involved.
She thought that they would be abandoned as a weak country.
Erdene said in a calm voice.
“Then it’s only a matter of time before the alliance in the inland breaks down and each kingdom splits.”
“That’s right. So, I’m really sorry to you...”
“No, that’s enough.”
When his apology was interrupted, various expressions flashed across Arkan’s face.
He stared blankly at Erdene with complex eyes that were a mixture of confusion.
Why are you stopping me?
What has happened? Does she not want to talk to me about this, or does she want to give up on me...?
Erdene cut off Arkan’s endless thoughts.
“That’s enough talk. No, let’s not just say it like this and end it. Let’s end it here.”
“End?”
Erdene’s blue eyes stared straight at Arkan.
It was a sharp gaze that seemed to pierce through his pupils, deep into his heart.
“Your Majesty incited Tenek to prolong the war between Vinotin and our army. Is that right?”
This time, it had finally come.
Arkan, who had been keeping his lips pursed in silence, nodded.
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Did you also discontinue sending spies to let Vinotin know of our operation?”
“No, that was...not me. That was your brother...”
“Good. That was Teneck’s doing, so this is it. Then let me ask you another question. Did you also discontinue providing a foundation for Tenek to seize the throne while I was playing around with that joint operation and wasting time against Vinotin’s army?”
Of course, Erdene found this very funny.
'What are you talking about out of the blue? You're not a new bride, and you're shy?'
Of course, Arkan had no idea what Erdene was thinking.
She was looking at him with mischievous eyes...
"How is your body...?"
When Arkan asked cautiously, Erdene furrowed her eyebrows and pretended to rub her shoulders and arms.
"Well, I don't have any strength. I've been lying down for a few days, so it's hard for me to walk. It's hard to get sunlight. My shoulders are sore, and my arms hurt."
Arkan's expression darkened in an instant.
“Where does it hurt? Wait, tell me again. Your leg? Does your leg hurt? How about walking?”
When he lifted the sheet to examine her leg, Erdene let out a small laugh. Arkan, who had been flustered, blankly looked up at her face.
“Why are you suddenly like this? It doesn’t suit you.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You acted like you were impatient because you couldn’t turn my stomach upside down until I collapsed.”
Arkan’s face turned red at the words that hit the nail on the head, even though he was laughing.
He looked around as if he was looking for something to say, then rubbed his forehead with a complicated expression.
“That... I’m sorry. It was my fault.”
“Do you really think so?”
Arkan nodded with a firm expression.
“I really do.”
Erdene said.
“Hearing those words made my whole body feel light all of a sudden. It’s so refreshing, I feel like I could run from here to the end of the capital city border and back.”
Arkan momentarily lost his senses at the sight of her expression and voice that had suddenly brightened.
He stared at Erdene with blank eyes and furrowed his brows.
“You’re teasing me again.”
“No? No. It’s just that I felt relieved when I heard Your Majesty apologize honestly.”
“Does anything really hurt? Anything uncomfortable?”
“Well, I’m fine. I’m not that weak.”
“How can someone who isn’t weak be unable to come to their senses for more than five days?”
Erdene furrowed her brows and pretended to cover her ears.
“Oh, nagging. It was nice not having to hear that nagging when I was down.”
Arkan immediately retorted.
“You didn’t hear it, I didn’t nag you. Try to remember it carefully. It might still be somewhere in your head.”
He muttered discontentedly and gently grabbed Erdene’s hand that was outside the sheet.
Even his movements were so cautious as if he thought Erdene would immediately shake him off if he grabbed her hand.
“...Don’t even think about moving for the time being.”
“What are you talking about? I need to move my body to get some energy. I haven’t been able to move for five days, what the...”
“Oh, why aren’t you listening? Is this because you want to see me collapse this time?”
Arkan, who couldn’t control his temper, lost his temper again.
However, Erdene slowly rolled her eyes with her characteristically mean expression as if it didn’t hurt her at all, and said.
“Well, if Your Majesty collapses, I can take care of you. Isn’t that right? I’ll sit next to you all night, whisper to you, touch your hand, stroke your hair, and give you a herbal bath or something.”
Arkan’s face turned red and he pursed his lips.
“No, that’s... how was that...”
“How did I know?”
For a moment, Arkan, who had pursed his lips as if indignant, grumbled.
“I didn’t see it that way, but Miss Sophia’s mouth is lighter than I thought.”
“What kind of secret is that?”
Erdene, who had been responding nonchalantly, suddenly nodded, saying, “Oh,” and then nodded.
“I understand why you’re doing that. You want to pretend you weren’t interested in me, right?”
What is that?
Arkan thought. You wanted to pretend you weren’t interested, that was a ridiculous misunderstanding. That’s not it...
“Why do you think that? Why would I do something like that?”
Erdene shrugged and responded.
“Of course, if I found out, Your Majesty would think it would hurt your pride. Don’t you think so?”
Arkan’s lips slowly moved.
In a very short time, countless thoughts passed through his head.
One by one, the things he had to say to Erdene, the things he wanted to say, the things he didn’t know if he could say, lined up...
However, there was still an unfilled gap between them that was too big to say all of them.
Although he couldn’t see it, Arkan could feel it. Maybe Erdene felt it too.
Arkan, who had been hesitating silently, opened his mouth.
“Pride... It’s not that kind of problem.”
His voice was low and his pronunciation was awkward, so it was hard to hear.
When Erdene asked him what he had said, Arkan coughed in vain and covered his reddened face as he spoke again.
“It’s not because of pride. It’s just... I felt cowardly because I couldn’t do anything else, and I was embarrassed by that. I would feel bad if you found out... It’s not that.”
This time, Erdene remained silent.
Arkan bit his dry lips as if he was going to say something else, and then looked at her.
“Anyway, let’s refrain from making any violent movements for the time being. The doctor said that even if you look fine on the outside, you might be hurt inside.”
“I understand.”
Erdene nodded more obediently than expected and looked up at Arkan with mischievous eyes.
“You came because you were worried about me.”
Arkan’s ears turned red again.
“...Is that what you call talking? Otherwise, why would you come? You...”
“Why is your face red? Don’t you have a fever, Your Majesty? Look.”
Erdene, with a smile on her face, reached out her hand as if to touch his forehead, but Arkan covered her hand with a sullen expression.
“Don’t joke around.”
“What can I do? I live for the fun of joking around Your Majesty.”
“You live for the fun of teasing me.”
“That’s it, isn’t it?”
I should stop talking.
Arkhan let out a short sigh, playing with her fingers, then suddenly changed the subject.
“I have something to tell you. The Princess of the Stradhog Duchy is staying at the castle. Now that you’re awake, she’ll probably come to greet you soon.”
“A Princess?”
Arkan nodded.
“She’s the daughter that Grand Duke Joelvi cherishes very much.”
“Then she must be the successor.”
Arkan shook his head, looking slightly embarrassed at Erdene’s words that showed no doubt.
“No, that’s not true. The position of the little Duke is held by her younger brother. Inland... it’s rare for a daughter to be the successor.”
Arkan thought. You wanted to pretend you weren’t interested, that was a ridiculous misunderstanding. That’s not it...
“Why do you think that? Why would I do something like that?”
Erdene shrugged and responded.
“Of course, if I found out, Your Majesty would think it would hurt your pride. Don’t you think so?”
Arkan’s lips slowly moved.
In a very short time, countless thoughts passed through his head.
One by one, the things he had to say to Erdene, the things he wanted to say, the things he didn’t know if he could say, lined up...
However, there was still an unfilled gap between them that was too big to say all of them.
Although he couldn’t see it, Arkan could feel it. Maybe Erdene felt it too.
Arkan, who had been hesitating silently, opened his mouth.
“Pride... It’s not that kind of problem.”
His voice was low and his pronunciation was awkward, so it was hard to hear.
When Erdene asked him what he had said, Arkan coughed in vain and covered his reddened face as he spoke again.
“It’s not because of pride. It’s just... I felt cowardly because I couldn’t do anything else, and I was embarrassed by that. I would feel bad if you found out... It’s not that.”
This time, Erdene remained silent.
Arkan bit his dry lips as if he was going to say something else, and then looked at her.
“Anyway, let’s refrain from making any violent movements for the time being. The doctor said that even if you look fine on the outside, you might be hurt inside.”
“I understand.”
Erdene nodded more obediently than expected and looked up at Arkan with mischievous eyes.
“You came because you were worried about me.”
Arkan’s ears turned red again.
“...Is that what you call talking? Otherwise, why would you come? You...”
“Why is your face red? Don’t you have a fever, Your Majesty? Look.”
Erdene, with a smile on her face, reached out her hand as if to touch his forehead, but Arkan covered her hand with a sullen expression.
“Don’t joke around.”
“What can I do? I live for the fun of joking around Your Majesty.”
“You live for the fun of teasing me.”
“That’s it, isn’t it?”
I should stop talking.
Arkhan let out a short sigh, playing with her fingers, then suddenly changed the subject.
“I have something to tell you. The Princess of the Stradhog Duchy is staying at the castle. Now that you’re awake, she’ll probably come to greet you soon.”
“A Princess?”
Arkan nodded.
“She’s the daughter that Grand Duke Joelvi cherishes very much.”
“Then she must be the successor.”
Arkan shook his head, looking slightly embarrassed at Erdene’s words that showed no doubt.
“No, that’s not true. The position of the little Duke is held by her younger brother. Inland... it’s rare for a daughter to be the successor.”
It’s not much different in the empire, Erdene thought.
The reason the father had chosen her as the next Emperor early on was because Erdene’s skills were strong enough to overwhelm everyone else, not because his daughter would receive a fair succession.
Rather, if Erdene had been chosen as the Emperor regardless of his ability, it would have been a great insult to Tenek.
After all, he was born before Erdene.
Arkan continued.
“The Duchy of Stradhog has decided to join us.”
Erdene furrowed his eyebrows slightly and remained silent for a moment as if assessing the weight of those words. The duchy had decided to join Vetor, which meant that there were also places that had decided to side with Vetor.
“I heard that Kensilom, Etonhorn, and... Vinotin were in league.”
She knew it. It was somewhat unexpected that Vinotin was involved.
She thought that they would be abandoned as a weak country.
Erdene said in a calm voice.
“Then it’s only a matter of time before the alliance in the inland breaks down and each kingdom splits.”
“That’s right. So, I’m really sorry to you...”
“No, that’s enough.”
When his apology was interrupted, various expressions flashed across Arkan’s face.
He stared blankly at Erdene with complex eyes that were a mixture of confusion.
Why are you stopping me?
What has happened? Does she not want to talk to me about this, or does she want to give up on me...?
Erdene cut off Arkan’s endless thoughts.
“That’s enough talk. No, let’s not just say it like this and end it. Let’s end it here.”
“End?”
Erdene’s blue eyes stared straight at Arkan.
It was a sharp gaze that seemed to pierce through his pupils, deep into his heart.
“Your Majesty incited Tenek to prolong the war between Vinotin and our army. Is that right?”
This time, it had finally come.
Arkan, who had been keeping his lips pursed in silence, nodded.
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Did you also discontinue sending spies to let Vinotin know of our operation?”
“No, that was...not me. That was your brother...”
“Good. That was Teneck’s doing, so this is it. Then let me ask you another question. Did you also discontinue providing a foundation for Tenek to seize the throne while I was playing around with that joint operation and wasting time against Vinotin’s army?”
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