Throughout the entire journey to Erebna Palace, Erich thought and thought again.
What on earth should he say first when he faced Elisha?
"It seems you have a serious misunderstanding, but that is not what I meant. Therefore, there is no reason for you to leave this place."
"I do not dislike you. Everything I said when we were young was not my true heart. As for that promise, I never once wished for you to keep it."
However, the moment he faced her—or more precisely, the moment his eyes captured her figure—Erich could not help but stop all his thoughts.
"Lucy Forte."
Erich, who had finally stood before Elisha, summoned his last bit of strength to barely utter her alias.
His heart longed to call out Elisha’s real name, but he had to restrain himself.
"Your Majesty!"
At the same time, the guards who had been blocking Elisha’s path hurriedly saluted Erich. Only then did Erich turn his head slightly to glance at the spears aimed at Elisha.
To think they would aim their spears at an Archmage.
"Spears."
"Y-yes?"
"Lower those spears."
Erich’s cold gaze landed on the guards. The soldiers gasped, their breath hitching, and they hurriedly withdrew the spears they had pointed at Elisha.
Elisha watched the scene with her usual expressionless face, then shifted her gaze to stare at Erich.
Erich smiled at her, his eyes crinkling slightly, before turning his gaze back to the wide-eyed soldiers and opening his mouth once more.
"I will vouch for Lucy Forte’s identity."
"Y-yes?"
"As it happens, I have business at the magic research department as well, so we shall go in together."
Leaving the bewildered soldiers standing there, Erich channeled his mana into the artifact placed at the center of the barrier.
Elisha looked at the barrier, which had crumbled just enough for one person to pass through, and only after seeing Erich’s gesture did she slowly begin to walk.
Even then, the soldiers remained in a state of shock, staring blankly into the air.
"His Majesty..."
As Erich and Elisha disappeared into the palace, one of the guards spoke as if possessed.
"His Majesty smiled."
Through the allied nations’ conference, the people of the Cardion imperial palace had realized a few things. One of them concerned the Emperor’s smile.
Whenever His Majesty wore a smile on his lips, it wasn't long before someone’s wailing would echo through the halls.
Of course, Erich himself never intended for that to happen.
"If I were not the real Lucy Forte, what would you have done to vouch for my identity so recklessly?"
Once they entered Erebna Palace, Elisha asked in a sharp, clear voice.
So she was staring at the barrier because she was thinking about that.
His heart wanted to say, "That’s right, you truly are not 'Lucy Forte'."
Erich closed his eyes, opened them, and began to walk slowly.
If he revealed everything here, she would return to being 'Elisha' again. She would return to the position of his fiancée, the most important role, yet one where she could not choose her own life.
He did not want to repeat that experience again.
Even if that was what Elisha wanted, it would only be a choice made without seeing the many other paths available to her.
"I heard from Dante Renard. You couldn't pass through the barrier this morning, either. On your way back, make sure to register your mana within the research department."
Instead, he naturally changed the subject. Elisha answered immediately, looking puzzled.
"I am aware that if there is a problem with the barrier, a report is filed immediately. In fact, a warning message was displayed in front of Sir Renard at the time."
In short, she was saying she already knew about it before hearing it from Dante.
Only then did Erich stop walking and turn to look at Elisha. They had already reached the hallway in front of the laboratory.
Erich opened his mouth with a soft smile on his lips.
"I wasn't feeling well, so I woke up a bit later than usual. I believe you are already well aware of my physical condition."
"That is..."
"I am not trying to scold you."
I am just a little curious.
The eyes that held Elisha’s image crinkled like half-moons.
Ever since he found out she had been to his bedroom, he had wanted to face Elisha. This remained true even after he realized there was a misunderstanding between them.
"Lucy Forte."
You always make me confused.
I want to show you many paths. Because the path I have is too limited.
At the same time, there are days when I want to force you to stay by my side. I have thoughts that I myself consider utterly ugly.
With what heart did you return to my side?
What did you mean when you said you could not leave my side?
Is it a sense of duty, as always, that you must protect me? Or is it based on an affection I never dared to imagine?
'Elisha.'
Sometimes, one’s true heart only emerges when one hides their true self.
Erich planned to use this opportunity to discover Elisha’s true intentions. To face her complete emotions, which he could only encounter when Elisha was no longer 'Elisha'.
To know her thoughts, to realize what she wants, and to watch the direction she chooses. Once he confirmed that he was at the end of that path, he intended never to let her go again.
Though he would have to clear up the misunderstanding first.
'To think I said you were an existence that shouldn't be in the imperial palace.'
Why is it that no matter how much he grows, he always twists his words in front of Elisha and chooses the thorny path?
An Emperor must be as skilled in speech as he is in politics.
It was impossible for a man who couldn't even convey his own heart properly and caused misunderstandings to be a great Emperor.
Therefore, he had to choose his words carefully, in a direction that could convey his sincerity.
"As you must have heard from Dante Renard."
"..."
"I suffer from a fever every year."
Erich then opened his mouth, gazing quietly at Elisha. As always, Elisha looked back at Erich without a word.
He loved those eyes that seemed indifferent yet listened to his voice more attentively than anyone else’s. He loved her attitude of remembering and caring for even the smallest details, even while she seemed to be scolding him.
"There was someone who always stayed by my side during those times."
He lowered his eyelashes and continued.
Unless Elisha was a fool, she would be able to recognize who that person was immediately.
"There were times when I treated her harshly because I hated being taken care of by someone my own age."
To be precise, he hated the sense of duty that person of his age possessed.
Erich continued to speak, watching her expression without taking his eyes off her.
"But I never once disliked her."
Even if there were times when I hated her, or times when I was annoyed.
A fleeting emotion cannot destroy my heart. Because larger and more violent ripples had piled up, pushing away the momentary resentment.
That is how precious this heart is. It is a connection too valuable to lose because of the thorns on the tip of his tongue.
"...Let's go in now."
But if he said any more, he would end up revealing that he knew her true identity.
Erich pulled open the door to the laboratory and spoke.
Elisha, who had been staring at Erich until that moment, bowed her head in greeting.
"Thank you for escorting me here yourself."
"In any case, I also..."
"I am aware that Your Majesty has no business here."
Erich already had a private laboratory in the main palace. Besides, wasn't the Emperor someone who summoned others to his space rather than visiting them himself?
Yet, the reason he came here in person was likely because of the barrier.
"Since there is nothing wrong with Your Majesty's barrier, please do not worry. I intend to proceed with my own research regarding my mana."
"Lucy Forte."
"No matter how unreliable the knights under your command may seem, I believe it would be best to have an escort by your side from now on. I say this because it seems Sir Renard is unable to serve Your Majesty properly."
Elisha continued in a calm, quiet voice without meeting Erich’s eyes. Erich was momentarily speechless, looking down at Elisha.
Is that all she has to say after hearing what he said?
Of course, he hadn't intended to elicit any particular reaction from the start, but...
"I will go in now."
While Erich blinked with a dazed expression, Elisha greeted him and quickly stepped inside the laboratory.
Erich looked at the empty space where Elisha had been and let out a short, hollow laugh.
Is that really the end? Truly?
* * *
Meanwhile, Elisha, who had entered the laboratory, could not take another step and stood in place, exhaling.
It was that strange ripple again.
An emotion she had yet to define, one that reminded her of a fever.
Elisha carefully raised her arm and placed the back of her hand against her cheek.
Her cheeks, which were a little hotter than usual, and her faintly pulsing heartbeat.
She was simply confused.
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