Chapter 48: <Chapter 48>

Lisbeth.

I had forgotten about her because of the emperor’s unexpected move.

The embarrassment and confusion I felt suddenly disappeared because I knew now why he was acting this way.

I put my arms around his neck and whispered to him, “Good idea! Although I think you’ve gone a bit too far.”

“…” He sighed deeply in frustration.

I didn’t know why he seemed irritated, but it didn’t matter. He let me down slowly, and the maids came to me.

Lisbeth was one of them, and she looked very pale. The emperor lowered his head and whispered to my ear, “I will visit you tonight too, so be ready for me.” He said it loudly enough for everyone to hear.

Ready? Ready for what?

I looked up at him in confusion. He grinned at me and left with the black horse.

I remained motionless while the maids surrounded me.

‘That man! What the hell is wrong with him?’

I wanted to scream, but I had enough senses to remain quiet.

The rest of the day went by fast. The night came quickly, and I ate my dinner nervously.

Afterward, Agnes politely asked me, “My lady, it’s time for your bath…”

I jerked up and shook my head.

“Nope! I don’t need it!”

Agnes seemed unconvinced.

“But your highness, you went riding this morning, right? Wouldn’t it feel better to wash with warm water before going to bed?”

“No! No! I don’t need it! I didn’t even sweat that much today!”

I was desperate. When I insisted on not bathing, Agnes, Samantha, and other maids looked at me strangely. Samantha especially seemed confused.

It made sense she didn’t understand because, ever since I came here, I had loved taking hot baths. Now, I was refusing it adamantly.

It was true I loved to take baths. Here in the castle, it was a luxurious experience. The water was brought from a hot spring and I was free to enjoy copious amounts of expensive essential oils and bath salts. It was nothing like I experienced in Korea.

The water was always covered in red rose petals, and I never had to wash myself. I was washed and massaged by the maids and the servants in a large tub big enough for five people.

Thanks to them, my skin was impossibly smooth and shiny. My hair also was incredibly silky. My nails were maintained perfectly. I felt like this would be one of the things I would miss if I returned home.

It must have been odd when I refused to take a bath.

Samantha asked me cautiously, “There was a message that the emperor will be visiting tonight, so it would be best if…”

I shook my head again.

That’s why I don’t want to do it! I don’t want a bath!

“Nope! I’m fine!”

The maids looked troubled. I supposed that refusing to wash up when my husband was planning to visit me must have looked strange. I was desperate though.

Samantha whispered to me anxiously.

“Your highness, what’s wrong? Did you have a fight with the emperor?”

I looked at their worried faces. Suddenly, I noticed Lisbeth.

She was looking at me expectantly like she was searching for something wrong. I realized this wouldn’t do. I was so worried about what she might think, I yelled out the first thing that came to my mind.

“H, his highness likes me this way!”

An awkward silence fell.

***

I knew this would start a strange rumor, but at least I managed to avoid a bath. I also refused to use any perfume or oil.

He was a clean freak, so, perhaps, he would leave me if he didn’t like the smell of me! I really hoped so.

I kept remembering his knowing smile. He asked me to be ready for him.

Ready? Ready for what?

No matter how much I had thought, there was only one thing I could think of. I remembered the feel of his lips on my neck.

The deep kiss too.

I wanted to forget it. I wanted to deny it.

However, I couldn’t.

Did he really mean to do it tonight?

No, it couldn’t be.

I bit my lips.

If he meant to, I would stop him.

I waited for a long time. I had hoped I was wrong about this whole thing.

He took the morning off today. I knew he had a lot of work to do, so I thought maybe he would be too busy to come to my room tonight.

Please make it so!

Suddenly, the door opened, and his familiar face walked in. It always annoyed me at how good looking he was.

“I’m here as I promised.”

… How come my wishes never came true?

He asked me in a low voice and walked towards me, “What’s wrong, my wife?”

I smiled brightly and answered as I backed away quickly, “Nothing.”

The silence was unbearable. I couldn’t help cringing my shoulders.

He looked at me with a frown and stepped back. I felt relieved and my body relaxed a little.

He took this as his chance and launched at me like a cobra.

“Gyaa!”

He hugged my waist and lifted me up. My feet hung in the air.

I screamed, “Let me go!”

“Alright.”

Huh? To my surprise, he let me go easily, but instead of putting me down on the floor, he placed me on the bed.

I thought about how I could escape this situation, but he was standing right over me.

I glared at him.

“What do you think you’re doing?!”

I couldn’t tell anything from his expression, which made me even more nervous.

He looked calm. He leaned towards me until his face was right in front of mine. He touched a strand of my hair and whispered sweetly.

“… Do you really not know why I’m doing this?”

“…”

I couldn’t speak. He smiled at my discomfort. I glared at him angrily.

This annoying man!

Unfortunately, I knew exactly what he was doing.

When in public, he always treated me lovingly and affectionately. However, when we were alone, he treated me like a toy or a pet.

Tonight, he was looking at me differently.

I replied.

“I don’t want to know.”

He looked unhappy, but I couldn’t understand why he was acting this way.

He knew I wanted to and will try to go back home. I hoped desperately to return to my parents and my older sister.

My family may have assumed I’m dead by now since it had been over a year. If I did go back, I would have to study for my SAT all over again. Unfortunately, I forgot everything I learned.

I didn’t care. If I could go back, I would do anything.

I tried my best to stop from crying. I didn’t want to show weakness to this awful man.

I always felt like a mouse in front of a predator when I was with him. He had the power to kill me with a flicker of a finger. He was the ruler of this kingdom.

He was as cold and cruel as ice.

I was afraid of what he would do if he fell in love.

If this man became in love with me or already loved me, then I knew he would never let me go. I was worried and fearful.

I repeated myself again.

“I don’t want to know.”

He didn’t reply. He just studied me with his deep green eyes. I didn’t like the way he looked at me. I felt goosebumps travelling all over my body.

I could never love him. I couldn’t even trust him.

After a long silence, I couldn’t take it anymore and said to him, “… Your highness.”

He shook his head.

“Wrong.”

“… Pardon?”

His face came close to mine again. His lips touched my ear as he whispered.

“Call me by my name.”