What Became of the Tyrant After the Pregnant Empress Left - Chapter 97
“……”
“……”
Ysaris quietly observed the unfamiliar man as he tended to her wounds. As he firmly tied the bandages, his appearance and demeanor unmistakably revealed his identity as a member of the Uzephia Imperial family.
She briefly entertained the idea that his hair might be dyed, but it was impossible. No one could produce the black dye that symbolized Tennilath, let alone use it.
The conclusion was clear: a member of the Imperial family was personally tending to her injuries. But how could that possibly make sense?
While Ysaris furrowed her brow in thought, a husky voice broke through her reverie.
“Kazhan Tennilath.”
“Pardon?”
“You asked who I am.”
As he secured the last knot on the bandage, Kazhan met Ysaris’s gaze. Before she could grasp the unnameable look in his eyes, he spoke words that shocked her to the core.
“I am the Emperor of the Uzephia Empire—and your husband.”
“……What?”
“It’s been over three years since we were wed.”
“Excuse me?”
“Though, excluding the first year, I’ve been apart from you.”
Ysaris no longer had the capacity to reply with another startled “What?” She simply stared at Kazhan, bewildered, unable to process his words.
Him, the Emperor of Uzephia? Her husband? And married for three years?
Though it made no sense to her, she couldn’t outright deny it aloud. After all, she had no memory of how she came to bear a child, and the man’s rare red eyes reminded her of Mikael.
A whirlwind of questions swirled in Ysaris’s mind, but she began organizing her thoughts, step by step. Since Mikael was safe, as Kazhan had claimed, it was imperative to understand the situation she now faced.
“Why have I lost my memory?”
It wasn’t a question about how she had been injured. Kazhan’s calm, matter-of-fact explanations about her lack of memory hinted that he knew a clear reason.
Kazhan recognized the certainty in her question. Though he wished to avoid it, he knew he had to face this moment eventually. With a murmur, he replied.
“It’s because of a terrible curse.”
“A curse?”
“Yes, a curse. You’ve likely forgotten everything related to me.”
Though it was a lie, Kazhan believed it was close enough to the truth. He thought to himself that it was because of a curse he had inflicted upon Ysaris. While it had been done for security, he now bitterly regretted their blood pact.
His mouth twisted with pain before he forced it back into a neutral expression. Avoiding Ysaris’s gaze, he lowered his head. Though he had wronged her, Kazhan couldn’t stop now. If he was to rebuild their relationship, it would have to be on his terms.
Kazhan, as if tidying up the remnants of herbs and bandages, gathered his belongings and prepared to set his long-devised plan into motion.
“Your injuries are also because of the curse. This place is no longer safe. You’ll need a few days to recover before we return to Uzephia.”
“Was I here for safety in the first place?”
“That’s correct. Your body still bears the wounds from the attack—scratches, and even an arrow wound.”
“Ah.”
Unconsciously, Ysaris touched her right shoulder with her left hand, where the scar from the arrow remained.
“So, I was wounded in Uzephia.”
“It’s not completely safe even now, but no one would dare harm you openly there. At the very least, being in the Empire with me is better than staying here alone with the child.”
Ysaris ran her fingers lightly over her aching abdomen, where pain lingered despite the applied salve. If what Kazhan said was true, that this place was no longer safe, then going with him seemed logical.
“…But what if I don’t want to go?”
It wasn’t like her to be so irrational. Perhaps it was because she didn’t fully feel the danger here, or because the idea of Uzephia unsettled her more than she could explain.
Still, those reasons weren’t strong enough to justify staying. So, Ysaris cautiously studied Kazhan, wondering how he might react to her refusal. Would the Emperor, who had come all the way to this remote village, be angered by her defiance?
To her surprise, his reaction was unexpected.
“If you don’t want to, I won’t force you. It’s entirely your choice.”
“Truly?”
“Yes. I have no intention of making you do something you dislike.”
Ysaris looked at Kazhan in disbelief. Not because she doubted his sincerity, but because he didn’t seem like the type to permit such defiance. Could an Emperor’s wife truly stay away from the palace for so long? And someone as stern as him…?
Perhaps she had been prejudiced. Then again, how much did she truly know about this man?
Regardless, the fact that she had a choice was a relief. Grateful for the opportunity to stay, Ysaris opened her mouth to speak.
“In that case…”
“But, Ysa.”
A softer, deeper voice interrupted her. Kazhan called her name—no, her nickname—and lowered himself to her level.
At eye level now, his crimson eyes gazed at her with quiet melancholy.
“I wish for you to return to Uzephia with me. Because you are… my beloved wife.”
“…!”
Ysaris froze in shock, her breath caught. She didn’t even know why she was so startled, yet her wide eyes lingered on Kazhan’s face for a long moment.
