What Became of the Tyrant After the Pregnant Empress Left - Chapter 4
“What’s this?”
Ting, ting…
Ysaris immediately recognized the item placed in front of her by Kazhan. It was the ring she had received as a memento from Bariteon a few hours ago.
Why does the Emperor have this?
She looked at Kazhan incredulously. Why would an item deliberately wrapped in cloth and hidden deep in the cabinet end up in his hands?
She had considered the possibility that the maids might have mentioned the ring, but this was going too far.
Not only had they meticulously searched her personal belongings, but now they were seizing them without a word?
It felt like she couldn’t breathe. The vague sense of imprisonment became tangible, causing dizziness.
But Kazhan didn’t wait for her to regain her composure. Stepping forward, he sharply demanded, stomping on the ring.
“I asked you, what is this, Empress.”
“…As you can see, it’s a memento, Your Majesty. From Bariteon Kelloden… Ah!”
Ysaris was cut off as Kazhan grabbed her chin. His red eyes, glaring at her face, were as intense as fire.
“You still miss him, don’t you?”
“It’s a misunderstanding. I merely received it as a keepsake.”
“Why would you choose to keep a ring, of all things? What a feeble excuse.”
“That’s…!”
Ysaris couldn’t get another word out. Kazhan grabbed her roughly and pulled her onto the bed.
Ugh, a short groan escaped her lips as her body stiffened. His face looming close was threatening as he growled.
“It seems you still don’t understand.”
“Really, it’s just a misunderstanding. I only received one thing, and it was the ring.”
“You still don’t understand who you belong to.”
Ysaris closed her mouth and did not answer.
From the beginning until now, she had never held feelings for Bariteon as a lover. But she had never thought of betraying him, her ex-fiancé.
Still, however, she loved Bariteon enough. Even if he was no longer in this mortal plane, the memory of him had not left her heart. Though she couldn’t say it directly, whenever Kazhan asked such questions, she maintained silence.
That was the utmost respect she could show for her childhood friend who had died because of her.
To ensure he didn’t become a more miserable man than he already was, she held onto the honor she could protect until the end.
“…Then.”
After a long silence, Kazhan spoke. Ysaris couldn’t understand the various emotions that passed through his eyes. She couldn’t even fathom why he was acting like this in the first place.
It was clear that Kazhan did not love her. If he did, he wouldn’t treat her so harshly. He wouldn’t act as if her feelings didn’t matter at all.
Obsession, anger, possessiveness…
Ysaris knew these words fit Kazhan. Yet still, she couldn’t understand why it had to be her.
It’s just that he’s a desperate object of love and hatred, and he’s terribly distressed.
“Just to be fair, I suppose I should embrace other women, shouldn’t I?”
Ysaris disliked this aspect of Kazhan as well. Blaming her for everything and justifying his actions.
She suppressed her frustration. To avoid getting caught off guard, she took a deep breath and replied.
“That’s right, who would block your Majesty’s will?”
“Even if that means I’ll bring in a consort and spend more time with her? Wouldn’t your position be in peril?”
“When have you ever cared about my position?”
This time, Kazhan fell silent. When had he ever cared? There were many things she wanted to say, but she couldn’t bring herself to utter a word.
How dare he.
And how dare she.
Kazhan’s mind was instantly twisted. He felt the impulse to choke Ysaris, to claim her as his own and not his own.
No, in truth, he wanted to strangle her. He wanted to tear out the crawling, gnawing heart and scratch it.
Ysaris brought color to his life, and then destroyed it again. He hated her to the point of death for abandoning their pact, yet she remained precious to him, causing him pain. The contradiction drove Kazhan mad.
My beloved and resented betrayer.
I wanted you to hold onto me, for your own sake.
Kazhan gritted his teeth and spit out each word as if he were chewing them out.
“You really don’t care?”
“Yes. Please do as you please, as much as you desire, Your Majesty.”
“Even knowing what impact it will have on you?”
“As I just mentioned, Your Majesty.”
Ysaris paused for a moment and looked quietly at Kazhan. She tried to discern the emotions hidden in his red eyes but gave up.
Instead, she calmly stated a fact.
“No matter what happens to me, it will not affect Your Majesty.”
