What Became of the Tyrant After the Pregnant Empress Left - Chapter 113
“Oh my, then are we the Empress’s first guests?”
“Yes, Duchess. Please take good care of me.”
Ysaris concealed her nerves as she observed the couple before her. This was her first proper conversation with anyone other than Kazhan since arriving in Uzephia, and she worried about the possibility of making a mistake.
Her anxiety only grew considering the reputation of Duke and Duchess Blake. The documents Kazhan had given her made it clear that they were not people to be taken lightly. Not even the Empress herself could treat them casually.
Temisian Blake, the head of a ducal house that had served as the Emperor’s sword for generations and a Swordmaster in his own right.
Phnesir Mukeon, the eldest daughter of a marquisate infamous for handling the Empire’s unsavory tasks.
Though married for over two decades, the image Ysaris had conjured of this couple was dark and intimidating. Yet…
“We should be the ones asking for care. Instead of standing around, why not try these? I baked these especially for Your Majesty, the Empress.”
“Not that I’m biased, but her cooking skills are on par with the palace chefs. I’ll stake my family’s name on it.”
“Please stop staking your family name on everything, darling.”
“How could I not when I’m that confident?”
“You’re not the one who did the cooking, so what are you confident about?”
“After years of eating your cooking, how could I not be?”
Ysaris listened to the exchange, unsure if it was affection or light bickering. Regaining her composure, she opened her mouth to speak.
“You two seem to have a wonderful relationship.”
“Haha, of course. We’re married.”
“We were enemies—bitter ones at that—but we’ve ended up like this somehow.”
“Enemies? When were we ever enemies? I only remember being smitten with you from the very beginning.”
“And don’t you think that’s the problem? I even served you poisoned food to drive you away, but you just clung tighter…”
“It was delicious! Easily the best cookies I’d ever had at the time. I almost didn’t realize they were laced with poison.”
Ysaris glanced down at the basket Phnesir had handed her. Was it her imagination, or did the warm cookies suddenly seem far less inviting?
Phnesir noticed Ysaris’s wary gaze and swiftly pinched her husband’s thigh, silencing him. Then she turned back to Ysaris, her smile as gentle as ever.
“Please don’t worry, Your Majesty. I’ve had more than my fill of poison experiments on my husband. Those days are long behind me.”
“…I see.”
“And how could I ever dream of harming Your Majesty? These are purely gifts, so please enjoy them without concern.”
“Well, in that case, thank you. I’ll try one.”
With a polite smile, Ysaris picked up a cookie and took a daring bite. It crumbled with a satisfying crispness, and as Temisian had boasted, it was delightful. The rich sweetness of the chocolate lingered on her tongue.
“It’s truly delicious. I think Mikael will love these.”
“I’m so glad you like them! I baked extra with His Highness the Imperial Crown Prince in mind. Please help yourselves.”
“And my share?”
“You already snuck a few in the carriage earlier.”
The Blakes’ lively conversation and easy chemistry quickly eased Ysaris’s tension. Topics ranging from food to hobbies to child-rearing were discussed with warmth and humor.
“But the Imperial Crown Prince isn’t with you?”
“He’s napping right now. Since this is my first time receiving guests, I wanted to meet the two of you alone.”
“Haha, caution is a commendable virtue in the Imperial Palace. Your Majesty’s prudence is reassuring.”
“Next time you visit, I’ll make sure to properly introduce you to Mikael.”
“An invitation from the Empress is one we will always gladly accept. Please call upon us at your leisure, and I’ll bring along something His Highness might enjoy.”
The Duke, despite his stern and rugged appearance, smiled warmly. It was hard to believe that this man, said to have single-handedly cut down hundreds or thousands on the battlefield, could exude such a wholesome charm.
Their chat carried on for a while longer but ended before dinnertime. Though Ysaris invited them to join her for the evening meal, the Blakes politely declined, insisting they wouldn’t intrude on time meant for the Emperor and Empress to enjoy together.
* * *
“I really wish they had stayed for dinner,” Ysaris mused, a hint of disappointment in her voice.
“You seem to have taken a liking to them.”
“Yes. I wish all Uzephia’s nobles were like the Blakes.”
“Don’t like them too much,” Kazhan said, a teasing edge in his tone. “I’d get jealous.”
