What Became of the Tyrant After the Pregnant Empress Left - Chapter 12
“You look quite hurt. Go back and rest. We should move forward quickly, shouldn’t we?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
In response to the stark contrast between his demeanor and words, Runellia hesitantly answered, then embraced Kazhan tightly. She indulged in the intimacy permitted only in front of others and then stepped back, smiling brightly.
“I’ll wait in Your Majesty’s chambers.”
“Very well.”
As Runellia began to turn to leave at Kazhan’s response, she paused midway, turned her head, and gave Ysaris a mocking glance. From her expression to the slight smirk, it was the epitome of perfect impudence.
“Take care, Your Majesty the Empress.”
“Hmph.”
Ysaris wanted to point out Runellia’s attitude right away, but she couldn’t. The situation demanded that she address the consequences of her actions. She wasn’t foolish enough to escalate matters by succumbing to provocation recklessly.
Therefore, without any retort or response, Ysaris remained silent. Runellia shrugged her shoulders and left without further ado. There was a hint of satisfaction on her face as she departed.
Thunk.
“…”
“…”
With a soft sound, the door closed, leaving only the two of them in the parlor. A brief silence settled between them.
Ysaris, gazing out the window, and Kazhan, observing her.
It was Kazhan who broke the silence first.
“I didn’t know you were capable of laying a hand on someone directly.”
“Isn’t there a moment in life when it’s necessary? It just happened to be now.”
Ysaris noticeably calmed down as Runellia disappeared from her sight. She didn’t regret striking her, but thinking about the impending consequences left her feeling bleak.
What will he do next? Will he retaliate against Ysaris in the same way, urging others to lay a hand on her? Will he inflict pain, insult, or meddle with her people?
Hiding her anxiety, Ysaris glanced sideways at Kazhan.
Expecting him to be furious for striking the woman he loved, Ysaris was surprised by his calm demeanor. He seemed lost in thought as he tapped the table with his index finger.
Tap.
After a moment, his finger halted, and his low voice filled the room.
“What was the reason for hitting Runellia?”
“I’ve already explained. I simply responded to her provocation.”
“More precisely.”
Ysaris couldn’t quite grasp what Kazhan wanted. He didn’t seem to be asking for a justification of whether hitting Runellia was right or wrong, so why ask for a reason?
But sometimes, she could understand him.
Ysaris gave up on deciphering Kazhan’s intentions. She calmly spoke the truth rather than fabricating lies to cover up, even though she didn’t know how much he already knew.
“I struck Runellia because she provoked me. She insulted me and insulted my former fiancé. She refused to listen to me and made judgments arbitrarily, so I had no choice but to raise my hand.”
Having finished speaking, Ysaris closed her eyes.
Talks about Bariteon always irked Kazhan. Just looking at the recent fuss over the relic, one could understand how much he disliked Bariteon.
So naturally, she expected him to be annoyed this time too…
“Is that all?”
Ysaris blinked in surprise at the unexpected response. She scrutinized him, wondering if he was trying to lull her into complacency, but she couldn’t detect any signs from his expressionless face.
Today, Kazhan was acting strangely. It seemed like his mind was preoccupied with something else, as if he couldn’t fully focus on their conversation.
Or perhaps there was a different answer he wanted to hear. She might have thrown the question hoping for that specific response.
However, not knowing what exactly he was referring to, Ysaris stuck with her prepared response.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Well then… No, it’s fine. That’s how it is.”
What’s going on?
Despite Ysaris’s suspicious gaze, Kazhan didn’t offer any explanation. Instead, he brushed his hair back as if to clear his complex thoughts.
<Shall we keep it between us? The fact that Empress Ysaris secretly loves Kazhan.>
As soon as they arrived in the parlor, Runellia’s voice echoed in Ysaris’s ears. Before she could even grasp the meaning behind it, Ysaris slapped her cheek, and amidst the rising voices, Kazhan burst into the room.
Realistically speaking, it was an absurd statement. He knew better than anyone that Ysaris didn’t secretly love Kazhan.
He understood her attitude towards the one she truly loved.
<Cain, take a look at this. Isn’t it beautiful?>
The second spring they welcomed together with Ysaris.
The platinum blonde strands of silk swayed in the breeze. Ysaris, with her hair swept behind one ear, delicately held the flower that had fallen from the branch, looking at him with a precious expression.
Under the dazzling sunlight, her clear smile shone brightly. The fragrant scent of the flowers tickled the nose.
The soft and gentle voice, the delicate warmth guiding his hand, the endlessly warm gaze…
Those were things he would never see again.
The Ysaris of now, she hates him.
