How to Tame That Gentle Male Lead - Chapter 5.7
“What’s wrong, sister? Are you very nervous?”
When Renard asked, seeing Resena’s expression, she quickly erased it.
“No, it’s nothing. Just… It’s my first time having an audience with His Majesty the Emperor, so I feel a bit dazed.”
“Hmm… That’s understandable. I was very nervous too when I first had an audience with His Majesty.”
However, Renard continued.
“But His Majesty is a better person than you might think. You’ll feel it when you meet him, sister. He’s not as bad as other nobles say, so there’s no need to be nervous during the audience.”
“I see, Renard.”
When Resena smiled slightly, Renard also smiled as if relieved. When the knight outside the audience chamber announced their arrival, a voice was heard from inside.
“Let them enter.”
“You may enter now.”
As the knight opened the door, Resena stepped inside with Renard.
And she was surprised.
Indeed, it was befitting of an Emperor called the king of luxury. The corridors, pillars, and statues she had seen so far were splendid, but it was the first time she had seen murals made by attaching whole diamonds and jewels to the walls like in this audience chamber.
Moreover, sitting on the throne above the bright red carpet that could captivate the viewer’s mind was a handsome middle-aged man. The scepter he held was decorated with gold and diamonds, making it impossible to even guess its value.
“Welcome. You must be tired from coming straight to the palace from your territory. Please raise your heads comfortably.”
“We are honored.”
“We are honored.”
Resena raised her lowered head. This made the jeweled murals decorating the Emperor’s surroundings even more visible, almost making her lose her senses. Paying attention to her expression, Resena looked at the Emperor.
He was smiling broadly as he looked at Resena and Renard. Whatever he had to say that he called them for… Resena tensed up, anticipating that it would be about how she had uncovered the identity of the dark mages.
“I heard from Duke Arnasus. It seems that traitors among the priests have turned into dark mages, and you made a conjecture and caught the dark mages.”
I knew that topic would come up. Resena brought up the answer she had prepared in advance.
“I am deeply honored. It was just a guess that came to my mind, so I immediately deployed the knights, and fortunately it turned out to be correct. It’s not really anything extraordinary.”
“Not extraordinary? That’s not true. Until now, there have only been rampant speculations about where the dark mages come from. Moreover, those speculations were vague assumptions that they might be self-taught among magicians. Compared to that, your estimation was based on facts… It wouldn’t be wrong to say that you’ve done a great service for the peace of the Crevasta Empire.”
“I am simply honored.”
The Emperor smiled and then turned to look at Renard.
“Renard, you’ve been following Eldis and achieving merits for a while now, and this time you’ve done it again. I heard you caught the dark mage in an ambush. If it weren’t for you, we couldn’t have arrested them so quickly.”
“I am honored, Your Majesty.”
Soon, the Emperor let out a hearty laugh and took in both of them in his sight.
“Ha… Really, you two from Arnasus, I’m pondering what kind of reward to give to those who have contributed to the empire. Especially Resena’s conjecture will be of great help in arresting dark mages in the future. Resena. Tell me what reward you want. Whatever it is, I will try my best to grant it.”
Resena felt at a loss for words at that.
She had expected the Emperor to give her a reward, but she never imagined he would ask what reward she wanted. But if she really asked for something grand, the Emperor would think Resena was arrogant. So she had to ask for something appropriate, but that wasn’t included in what Resena had thought about.
‘It’s not like I can ask for the Arnasus family to be pardoned once no matter what treason they commit. If I say that, the Emperor will misunderstand that Arnasus is planning to commit treason.’
She needs to give an answer that will satisfy the Emperor somehow.
But only cold sweat ran down Resena’s back, and no good ideas came to mind.
‘Sister?’
It was around this time that Renard, watching his sister like this, decided to step in.
“If I may, Your Majesty, I would like to say a word.”
As the Emperor turned his gaze towards Renard, Resena finally felt at ease. He really is a good brother. Renard smiled faintly as he received Resena’s gaze.
“Although my sister has contributed to the empire, she didn’t do it expecting a reward from anyone. She did it simply because it was necessary, because it had to be done. Therefore, I believe there’s no need to give a reward even if it turns out to be true.”
“Hmm.”
“However, if you really want to give a reward… I would like you to give as much gold coins as Your Majesty wishes to give. For the merchant group operated by Arnasus, there can never be too much gold coin.”
The Emperor chuckled at those words.
A clever sister and a wise brother. It was a well-matched combination. And knowing their place, it seemed quite alright to let them be close to Eldis.
“Alright. Then I’ll give gold coins within what I can give. Gold coins would be more convenient for trading than gold bullion, so would 10 million gold be enough?”
“We are deeply honored!”
“We are deeply honored.”
At Renard’s words, Resena inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.
If it was a reward that poured funds into the operation of the Arnasus merchant group, it would be useful to her and also serve as an example to show her ambition to the Emperor.
‘Renard. Thank you.’
When she sent a look, Renard smiled brightly.
“By the way, there’s one thing I’m curious about.”
At the Emperor’s words, Resena focused on him again. Aware that attention was focused on him, he opened his mouth gently.
“What do you think about Eldis?”
Resena was momentarily flustered. No matter how much the Emperor cherishes Eldis, she and he were still just in a relationship of advisor and executor. But for the Emperor to put pressure on her already. Because of that, she became at a loss for how to answer.
“I…”
“Yes?”
“Just… I am merely His Highness the Crown Prince’s advisor. I give simple advice about relationships with people, and His Highness the Crown Prince…”
“Hmm… Eldis seems to like you.”
The Emperor said smoothly while curling the corners of his mouth. Feeling increasingly at a loss for words, Resena slowly searched for what to say. But lying while knowing there was someone else in her heart wasn’t a very good solution.
“…At least for now, there is someone else my heart is drawn to.”
The Emperor would find out what she does through his own reports. Then it’s obvious he would find out who she has feelings for. Besides, Resena had no intention of hiding her feelings from others.
She didn’t want a political marriage. And she disliked marrying someone else she didn’t have feelings for even more. If her feelings changed naturally, that would be different, but forcibly exchanging hearts under someone’s pressure was not a method she liked.
“Hmm. I see. Understood.”
The Emperor chuckled but soon erased his smile. Then he gestured to the attendant standing beside him.
“Give them 10 million gold. And make sure it’s delivered to Arnasus.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor turned his head back towards Resena and Renard and twirled the scepter in his hand.
“Now, you may go. Thank you for giving to the empire. Continue to be loyal like this in the future.”
“Understood, Your Majesty.”
“We are deeply honored.”
Resena withdrew from the audience chamber along with Renard.
The still dazzling corridor was a spectacle, but the question the Emperor had thrown at the end sank deep inside her. Resena suddenly unconsciously imagined a future where she and Eldis were connected. But in that future, she was only wearing an awkward smile and sweating coldly.
