What Became of the Tyrant After the Pregnant Empress Left - Chapter 19
“…What brings Your Majesty here?”
“I believe I was the one asking questions.”
Ysaris hesitated for a moment, caught off guard by the unexpected situation. She had only intended to humble the arrogant marquis’s daughter a little, but the appearance of the Emperor had disrupted her plans.
Unlike the naive noble offspring, Kazhan knew her well. At the very least, he knew she wouldn’t jump off the terrace just because she was insulted.
Confessing to herself, Ysaris admitted that the stance she had taken with Bellane was pure bravado. She had anticipated that if she did indeed take the leap, she would be the one scolded.
<If the Princess of Pyrein skips a meal, how can her subjects be well-fed? I’ll make them all starve by force.>
<No, Your Majesty! I simply had no appetite. I’ll eat twice as much to make up for it, so please leave them be.>
This was the man who had come to threaten her with hostages just because she had skipped a few meals. The thought of what he might do if she willingly jumped off the terrace was unbearable.
It was a simple truth. No one, except Kazhan, could treat her body with such disregard.
And that included Ysaris herself.
Therefore, she had to erase the recent conversation as if it had never happened.
“It’s nothing serious. I just felt a bit warm and wanted to get some fresh air.”
“On the railing?”
“Yes, it makes me feel freer this way.”
Ysaris swiftly changed the subject, saying whatever came to mind. As if to assist her, a gentle night breeze blew, softly tousling her platinum hair.
It was a beautiful sight, but unfortunately, it did little to divert Kazhan’s attention.
“How amusing.”
From the beginning, he had a rough idea of the situation. Just recalling how the nobles had pleaded with Ysaris made it clear that something else was at play.
In his heart, he wanted to grab her immediately and scold her for her reckless behavior, but…
Kazhan’s eyes fell on Ysaris’s precarious stance. She looked as if she might be blown off by the slightest breeze, and his heart pounded loudly.
The reason his blood ran cold was likely due to his anger.
Not out of anxiety.
“What are you all huddling and staring at? Have you come to watch something?”
“Oh, no! Please enjoy your time, Your Majesty!”
First dismissing the nobles, Kazhan took a deep breath. He eyed Ysaris in the secluded space, then approached her slowly, step by deliberate step.
“Quite fearless. Brave enough to be reckless.”
“I was just…”
“Empress.”
Kazhan arrived at the railing and forcefully pulled Ysaris’s arm. He swallowed a short breath and held her chin firmly in his palm, bringing his face close to hers.
“Who dares to jeopardize your safety without your consent?”
His low voice rumbled like a growl. As expected, Ysaris, swallowing her pride, calmly replied to his intimidating demeanor.
“I merely sat on the railing, Your Majesty.”
“That’s quite enough. So, did the nobles apologize to you?”
“That’s……!”
“I’ve told you before. You belong to me, so don’t handle yourself recklessly.”
Kazhan sincerely didn’t wish for Ysaris to get hurt. He knew he was the only one who could truly protect her.
How much had been done for that purpose.
Leaving Ysaris to the gossip of the nobles, yet ensuring no one laid a hand on her. Even appointing her as Empress this time was partly to keep her close by his side.
There were many who were dissatisfied with her, and Kazhan’s covenant magic was not completely enough to protect her.
It was an additional cost to pay for betrayal.
“I didn’t know that you were still foolish enough to be provoked by nobles.”
“…….”
Kazhan observed Ysaris biting her lower lip tightly. He naturally noticed the anger simmering in her eyes.
But it didn’t matter.
If he could further subdue Ysaris, make her yield more, if that meant he could keep her entirely preserved by his side, he was prepared to pull her down again and again.
Then, Ysaris will be by his side forever…
Well, perhaps they’ll live resenting each other.
“I never had any intention of jumping.”
Kazhan deliberately cut off his thoughts at Ysaris’s words. It didn’t matter what she did beside him.
He was committed to honoring the old oath to be together for life.
“Indeed. If you continue like this, it could lead to irreparable consequences.”
“Even if I fell, I wouldn’t have been seriously injured.”
“If you’re so confident, shall we test it next time with an envoy from Pyrein? Let’s see how unscathed you’ll be when you lose your balance and fall from that railing.
Ysaris clenched her fist at the blatant mention of hostage-taking. Kazhan’s stifling desire to control her body and mind was thoroughly repulsive to her.
Having brought in a new wife, Ysaris had hoped things might change somewhat, but they didn’t change at all. His behavior, fixated on her body while whispering love to the Empress, was absurd.
What is wrong with this man?
The old question resurfaced once more, unanswered. It remained an enigma, with no proper explanation forthcoming.
Kazhan doesn’t love her. In fact, he’s closer to hating her.
