I’m the Only One Who Can Guide the Tyrant to Sleep - Chapter 10

I bowed and accepted the ball, “I apologize for dropping it earlier….”

“It’s okay,” Caesar replied.

There seemed to be an invisible barrier between Floria and Caesar. Both of them found it hard to speak in this situation.

‘Is this the end? Well, at least we made some progress,’ I thought to myself.

Unexpectedly, Caesar raised his hand and lightly placed it on top of Floria’s head.

‘…Huh?’

This sudden action caught me off guard, and Caesar seemed just as surprised as I was. He quickly withdrew his hand, turned, and swiftly walked away.

Floria looked at me with a puzzled expression,

“He…touched my head.”

Her face transformed from shock to laughter.

“It looks like Caesar wanted to pat my head,” Floria giggled.

I couldn’t help but smile. It seemed like a smooth start, and perhaps this could be a small bridge between the two of them.

***

We continued play ball once a week as planned after that.

By now, the news of our activities must have reached the Empress’s ears, but there were no specific sanctions. It seemed like the chaos we caused by playing ball during Caesar’s non-training hours played a part in that.

Thanks to that, Caesar and Floria were gradually getting used to each other. Floria wasn’t as stiff as before, and Caesar was quite skillful in patting her head.

‘She must like it a lot too. It’s showing on her face so much.’

In addition to that, Floria loved playing ball even when it wasn’t with Caesar. She particularly excelled in paying attention during the Imperial Studies lessons that followed our ball sessions.

‘As expected, people have to exercise.’

The improvement in Floria and Caesar’s relationship, Floria’s physical fitness enhancement, and even the fostering of friendship between Caesar and me – it was a three-in-one deal.

When several peaceful days had passed, I finally had a chance to meet Caesar alone. It happened as I was heading home from work. I spotted Caesar sitting alone in front of the flower bed.

‘What should I do?’

Should I approach him suddenly and start a conversation? I was contemplating this when, surprisingly, Caesar spoke my name.

“Evelyn.”

Intriguingly, my name was the first thing to come out of his mouth. His gaze remained fixed on the garden as he continued speaking.

“What are you looking at?”

“Oh, that… I was just…”

“Come over here.”

“Huh?”

I raised my head and met Caesar’s eyes.

“You said you’d give me an answer next time, so answer now.”

“Answer?”

I looked at him quizzically and complied, taking a seat next to him. Regardless, the fact that Caesar was being cordial was good news.

“Could it be that you don’t remember?”

Caesar’s eyebrows arched in surprise as he spoke.

‘Answer, answer… Ah!’

“Are you pitying me?”

“Next time. I’ll answer next time, Your Highness. I promise.”

“No, I remember.”

When I hurriedly added this, Caesar’s expression relaxed slightly.

It was unexpected. The fact that I remembered what was said back then and even that he was curious about my response.

‘What should I say?’

Since my goal was to become closer to Caesar, I thought it would be best to give an answer that he would want to hear.

‘It’s not so much about feeling pity…’

Caesar stared at me intently.

While I was trying to find the right words to continue my response, it happened.

“Umm.”

Suddenly, Caesar clutched his chest and hunched over.

“Your Highness?”

“Ugh.”

He let out a painful groan. Caesar, who usually didn’t pay any attention to getting dirty, touched the ground and collapsed.

‘What’s happening all of a sudden…?’

I was taken aback, my eyes widened.

‘Is he in pain? Did he get attacked somewhere?’

I cautiously shook Caesar’s body.

“Your Highness, are you alright?”

“Go away.”

“What?”

He continued to hunch over as if trying to protect himself from something.

“Go away… please.”

“Your Highness!”

I looked around, but there was no one in the dark garden. I couldn’t leave Caesar alone, hearing him say to go away.

‘I need to call for help.’

“Go away!”

Caesar forcefully pushed me aside.

Cold sweat was pouring down his face as he lifted his head with great effort. It was clear that something was seriously wrong.

‘What’s going on?’

It didn’t seem like an attack. Caesar appeared to know what was happening to him, as if he had experienced something similar before.

‘Could he have an unknown illness?’

And then, it happened.

A tremor shook the ground.

‘…An earthquake?’

I staggered backward. It was strange. The vibration… it seemed to be emanating from Caesar.

Waves spread out from him on the ground, like ripples in water.

“Ugh…”

Caesar clenched his chest in pain.

“Your Highness…”

Whooooosh! A gust of wind swept in from somewhere, swirling around Caesar. The swirling dust and dirt made it impossible to get close.

‘What is happening…’

Through the hazy dust, I saw Caesar floating in the air. The whirlwind surrounded him in a circular motion.

I stared in disbelief.

All the flowers around Caesar had withered and died, including the vibrant delphiniums that had been blooming just moments ago.