What Became of the Tyrant After the Pregnant Empress Left - Chapter 27
Ysaris awoke to a burning thirst. In a faint whisper, she asked for water, and someone supported her upper body, bringing a cup to her lips.
In her dazed state, as she drank like a baby bird, she felt several presences around her.
“Go inform the physician. Her Majesty the Empress has awakened.”
The voice of the head maid.
“I’ll also bring the pre-prescribed medicine.
The voice of the maid, Peony.
There were other hands too, wiping her forehead or propping a pillow behind her as she drank.
Amidst the devoted care she hadn’t felt in a long time, Ysaris mumbled absentmindedly.
“Where is Cain?”
“Yes?”
She was sure she had seen him tenderly taking care of her.
The large hand gently stroking her hair, the low voice calling her pet names, those ruby-red eyes…
“Who is he?”
“Ah.”
Ysaris blinked her unfocused eyes a few times before coming to her senses. It dawned on her a beat too late that she had called out for Cain aloud, and that this was reality, not a dream.
“…It’s nothing.”
What could be more futile than searching for the dead?
Even knowing this, Ysaris closed her eyes. If possible, she wanted to dream once more.
To dream of meeting her old love.
…However, the one who came to her was not Cain from her dreams, but Kazhan from reality.
With Dr. Lafaro.
“The fever has mostly subsided, so if you take your medicine regularly and rest well for a few days, you’ll recover quickly.”
“I see. When can she resume her outdoor activities?”
“She should be able to return to her normal routine by the day after tomorrow.”
“Even after fainting?”
“It would be best if she rested for a full week.”
Ysaris listened to the conversation unfolding without her input, feeling a subtle unease. It was disconcerting that the Emperor was here, speaking as her guardian.
Well, he does care for her body.
Like an expensive trophy.
Ysaris turned her gaze indifferently towards the window. She watched the white and red flowers swaying in the wind absentmindedly, when a heavy voice pierced her thoughts.
“Empress.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The dry reply came automatically. Only then did she turn her head to see red eyes that resembled Cain’s yet were entirely different, staring at her.
“Did you hear? You are not to leave your room for a week.”
The physician had said to rest, so why did it feel like it had been turned into a form of house arrest?
Ysaris sighed but was too weary to complain. Life was too difficult, so instead of arguing, she lowered her eyes and repeated like a parrot.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“…….”
Kazhan frowned at Ysaris’s attitude. His mouth opened as if to say something, but then closed again.
Irritated, he ran a hand through his hair and turned his gaze to Dr. Lafaro without another word.
“The medicine is prepared, right?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I have entrusted a week’s supply to the Empress’s maid.”
“And follow-up measures?”
“I believe she will be fine, but I will visit once a day for a few days to ensure her condition.”
“Very well, continue with your efforts.”
Dr. Lafaro bowed respectfully and left. At Kazhan’s gesture, the other maids also exited the room.
It was the same scene as in the morning, except this time Ysaris was awake.
“…….”
“…….”
A silence hung in the room with just the two of them. Ysaris waited for Kazhan to speak, sensing he had something on his mind. Meanwhile, Kazhan pondered how best to broach the conversation.
There were so many questions he wanted to ask. It was difficult to pick just one from the countless doubts and contradictions that surfaced.
Does she remember Cain? If so, why doesn’t Ysaris remember correctly? Is the alliance truly broken? What is the betrothal with Bariteon about?
The circling thoughts culminated in an indirect question.
“Who is Cain?”
Perhaps it was a case of mistaken identity. Or, perhaps, it was a habit that called out to him instead of memory.
Suspecting as much, Ysaris’s face hardened as Kazhan pressed for clarification. Her voice was as firm as her expression.
“He is someone from my past.”
“Your past?”
“An old acquaintance. Your Majesty, there is no need for you to concern yourself.”
Kazhan scrutinized Ysaris intently. Her deflective response was noticeably defensive.
As if caught in a confession.
“If it’s already a severed relationship, there shouldn’t be a reason not to speak of it.”
Ysaris bit her lip in response to Kazhan’s demand.
When she had just woken up, it hadn’t been appropriate to mention Cain. The consequence of carelessly uttering a cherished name in the Emperor’s presence was this.
Surely, she wouldn’t dare unearth the grave of someone with whom she had once associated.
Ysaris wrestled with inner conflict. She wanted to fabricate a falsehood, yet she couldn’t bear the thought of Kazhan discovering the truth through investigation and facing his anger.
Maybe it would be alright to speak about their superficial relationship. She could selectively disclose some external facts without revealing everything.
“Cain Jenut. He is a fallen noble of the Pyrein Kingdom. We were classmates at the same academy, and I employed him as my personal guard after graduation.”
“…….”
“We were once close, but he passed away five years ago. Finding him this morning was simply… he used to be a source of strength for me when I was weak. I must have thought of him inadvertently in pain.”
Ysaris cast her eyes down. She was prepared to accept whatever suspicion or accusation Kazhan might throw at her with his restless demeanor.
He had shown anger whenever Bariteon was mentioned, so she had anticipated a similar reaction regarding Cain.
Yet, contrary to her expectations, Kazhan neither got angry nor pressed further about Cain.
Stunned into silence.
“…Your Majesty?”
“Yes, uh, yes.”
Ysaris looked up quizzically after a prolonged silence, calling out to Kazhan, only to receive a hesitant response. His hurried turn away before she could inquire what was wrong was also peculiar.
