What Became of the Tyrant After the Pregnant Empress Left - Chapter 40
She knew they would be sharing the same room. She also knew they would share the same bed.
She had thought it was to hold her, but when it seemed he was just going to sleep, she asked out of curiosity. There was no need to know the reason. She wasn’t interested in why Kazhan had been acting strangely lately either.
In fact, every time Kazhan behaved differently, she felt anxious. She had carefully planned her escape, and if Kazhan’s unexpected actions ruined it, what would she do?
Keeping her nerves sharp and maintaining their usual distance was exhausting. She had been so tense that she barely registered Kazhan’s words throughout the journey. She responded almost automatically, as if on autopilot.
Tomorrow, crossing the Hertie Kingdom’s mountains, would be the decisive day. The moment of fate that would determine her life or death was approaching.
She needed to rest well to conserve her strength…
“Because we’re married.”
“Pardon?”
“It’s not strange for us to share a room since you’re my wife and I’m your husband.”
Ysaris blinked as she felt the mattress next to her sink under Kazhan’s weight. Reflecting on his words, she realized they were an answer to her earlier question.
Since when had he answered her so diligently?
Ysaris was incredulous but didn’t show it. The first priority was to refrain from reacting to his nonsensical explanation.
Sharing a room because they were married?
To her, who had never shared a morning after a night in his arms, it was the most unconvincing excuse. He was the man who would hold her until she was exhausted and then leave without a word.
He could have said it was to show a good front in another country or to save costs.
“Right.”
Ysaris swallowed her words and gave a brief reply. She had no desire to converse further with the detestable Kazhan right before departure, so she closed her eyes as if to sleep.
“…I see.”
Because of this, Ysaris missed it.
She never saw Kazhan’s expression as he looked at her. She couldn’t know the feelings with which he watched over her before leaving silently before dawn.
* * *
Crossing the mountain with the carriage was harder than anticipated.
“We’ll have to camp here for the night. Let’s prepare the meal first.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Kazhan looked up at the sky, where a drizzle had begun to fall. It was just time for dinner, but the dark clouds made it seem like night.
They weren’t supposed to stop halfway up the mountain. They should have already reached the village beyond, but Ysaris’s condition had delayed their journey for a few hours.
Not anticipating that the rough road would make Ysaris ill was a mistake. Despite traveling in the most shock-absorbing carriage, she suffered from motion sickness, vomiting several times and needing frequent breaks.
The result was camping in the rain on the mountainside.
“The meal is ready, Your Majesty.”
“How is the Empress?”
“She’s resting in the tent we set up first. She said she had no appetite and opted to sleep instead.”
“Understood. After the meal, Team 1 will prepare the camp, and Teams 2 and 3 will take turns on watch.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The Imperial First Knights, acting as guards, moved with perfect coordination. As they quickly ate their rations, Kazhan’s gaze lingered on the tent where Ysaris was resting.
Is she in much pain?
Torn about whether to visit her, he turned away, shaking off his hesitation. He knew all too well how she would react and chose to let her rest peacefully instead of causing her more stress.
He had no idea what plans she might be hatching.
It’s dark outside.
Ysaris breathed as quietly and slowly as possible. She was sweating, afraid her pounding heart might be heard by others.
She had been lying still for what felt like hours, listening intently.
It could have been just a few minutes. Every second felt excruciatingly long to her.
Can I do it?
I have to.
What if I fail?
I still have to try.
The immense conflict and worry gnawed at her body and mind. The die had been cast, yet hesitation kept creeping in.
The frequent sounds of the knights’ footsteps added to her anxiety. She had put all the sleeping pills into the large pot when she pretended to check on dinner preparations, but many were still awake.
Even though it was a month’s worth of sleeping pills meant for just her, she knew the effect would be diluted in a large quantity, yet she felt disappointed.
“Sigh…”
Still, it was the dead of night; the Emperor should be asleep.
Listening to the rain, Ysaris reviewed her plan one last time.
Making herself nauseous with snacks she claimed were due to morning sickness and delaying their journey was successful. The mountainside, rainy weather, and dark night provided the perfect conditions. Even if the sleeping pills had failed, she needed to escape now.
First, she would pretend to go out for a quick bathroom break and intentionally get lost.
Second, she would fake a fall or an animal attack and hide.
Third, she would head to the mountain village she had memorized on the map. She would hire an escort with jewels and depart for a distant country as far away as possible.
The remaining plans could be summarized in three points, but they didn’t feel simple at all. Her heartbeat grew louder, pounding against her head.
But she had to do it. She needed to. She could do this.
Now was the time to move…
“Ambush!”
“Huh?!”
Ysaris was startled out of her thoughts and jumped to her feet.
There was no hiding it; this was definitely not part of her plan.
