What Became of the Tyrant After the Pregnant Empress Left - Chapter 109
“Didn’t I tell you? There are impure factions everywhere harboring great discontent toward me. Ysaa, you and Mikael are my only weaknesses. It’s obvious who they would target first, so I can’t afford to let my guard down.”
“What does that have to do with completely cutting off communication?”
“To protect you, I issued an extensive decree. No one is to approach you recklessly or speak carelessly about you. Physical contact is easy to block, but silencing tongues is far more difficult. Identifying those who defy me becomes simpler this way, and dealing with them is just as straightforward.”
“…Are you using me as bait?”
“No. The primary purpose is to meticulously filter out any threats directed at you. Additionally, it prevents confusion or misunderstandings from arising, removes seeds of rebellion, and fulfills several objectives in one action.”
Ysaris slightly furrowed her brow. It made sense on the surface, but the reasoning still felt forced. She tilted her head in doubt as Kazhan continued.
“The ambush where you were struck by an arrow—that was their doing.”
“The reason I ended up in Lena’s village, you mean.”
“Exactly. At the time, we captured everyone we could from the faction, but I suspect remnants still linger. You were hurt back then too.”
Ysaris nodded in understanding.
‘So that’s why he’s being so overprotective. After getting hurt several times, it’s only natural he’d develop a kind of fixation.’
As Ysaris came to a vague acceptance, Kazhan lowered his head—a rare sight for someone as proud as the Emperor. His usually imposing presence seemed diminished.
“I’m sorry. If I hadn’t brought you in as Empress during such unstable times in Uzephia, you could have lived freely, untangled from all of this… But even knowing that, I couldn’t let you go. I wanted to see you every day. You know I can’t live without you.”
Kazhan’s vulnerable confession felt as strange as it was slightly embarrassing to Ysaris. For the Emperor of Uzephia to openly profess his feelings before the servants was a situation more awkward than anything else.
Still, she couldn’t ignore it. After hesitating, she placed her hand over his, offering him a faint smile to reassure him as she softly whispered.
“Don’t worry, Cain. Didn’t I tell you I loved you too? There’s nothing for you to apologize for, so don’t lower your head.”
“…Ysaa.”
“It’s a little suffocating and uncomfortable, but since you’re doing it for my sake, I’ll try to understand. Once Uzephia stabilizes, I’ll be able to talk freely with others, right?”
“I promise. Thank you for understanding.”
Kazhan stood abruptly and pulled her into a tight embrace. Ysaris, smiling helplessly, patted his back. Meanwhile, the servants, who found themselves face-to-face with Kazhan’s cold red eyes, felt chills run down their spines.
It was a declaration of war—a blatant threat.
In essence, anyone who dared to address the Empress improperly would be summarily accused of treason and executed. The message was clear: conduct yourself accordingly.
From the start, the conversation had been deliberately staged for all to hear. He had publicly declared that this woman was truly YsarisTennilath, that she had lost her memories, and that he loved her.
However, since it wasn’t officially announced, anyone who acted as if they knew would be courting death. Shut your eyes and ears and act mute in the Empress’s presence.
The Emperor’s message spread flawlessly through the noble circles via their networks of spies and informants.
* * *
“This is outrageous! Absolutely outrageous! How could His Majesty do this to me?!”
With a loud bang, Runellia slammed her hands on the desk, interrupting the quill mid-signature. The dry gaze of the person whose office she had invaded landed squarely on the raging Imperial Consort.
“And why are you telling me this, Your Highness?”
“Do something about it, Duke Barilio!”
“I wasn’t aware I owed Your Highness any favors.”
“You’re the one who arranged that meeting!”
“I merely presented suitable candidates to His Majesty. Entering into an agreement with him was your own decision, was it not?”
