20. May She Be Safe
Roan rushed to the Empress’s palace, worried about Psyche.
“Please, be safe. Empress!”
When he arrived, fortunately, the fire had already been extinguished. However, seeing the Empress’s room, blackened by soot, made Roan’s heart sink. Psyche was nowhere to be seen. Breathing heavily again, he called out to her.
“Empress!”
From the next room, Psyche’s calm voice was heard.
“I am here, Your Majesty.”
Roan hurried over to where she was. Psyche was sitting on a long couch, being treated by the palace physician. It seemed treatment had just begun, as the physician’s hands held long bandages and Psyche’s slender wrist.
“Are you injured?”
“It’s only a slight scratch.”
There was a reddish scrape on the back of her hand, as if caused by something hard. Still, after confirming her face with his own eyes, Roan finally let out a relieved breath.
“Haa… I’m glad you’re safe.”
Then he glared around menacingly.
“What on earth happened here! A fire in the Empress’s room!”
At the Emperor’s shout, the attendants and maidservants of the Empress’s palace trembled. If a royal family member was injured or placed in danger, it was natural that the servants and nobles who served them would struggle to keep their lives.
“It was my mistake, Your Majesty.”
Psyche spoke.
“The Empress made a mistake?”
“Yes. I sincerely apologize.”
Psyche continued with a dark expression. Because she had always been composed and wise, that expression somehow made Roan feel uneasy.
“I suddenly remembered the candlestick you once gave me as a gift, so I took it out. But I accidentally dropped it, and it set the carpet on fire.”
She explained that she had been flustered and unable to extinguish it immediately, allowing the flames to spread, which caused the commotion. Roan stroked his chest in relief.
“I’m glad it didn’t become worse.”
Why would the usually calm Empress make such a mistake today? Moreover, the candlestick he had given her had been a long time ago. The silver candlestick, lavishly decorated with imperial jewels, had been a gift from Roan when she first began using the Empress’s chamber.
“What possessed you to suddenly take out that candlestick? That was dangerous.”
While he was relieved that Psyche was not seriously injured, Roan was displeased that his time with Elise had been interrupted. And at such a crucial moment—wasn’t it completely ruined?
‘That was such a rare opportunity!’
Roan couldn’t help but feel frustrated. The anticipation built from waiting during Elise’s absence and the excitement from their prolonged hide-and-seek had left him in a heightened state. As he inwardly lamented, Psyche’s expression turned pitiful.
“Perhaps because for the past few days, Your Majesty had summoned me constantly and kept me by your side, so suddenly being alone felt rather lonely.”
“What did you say?”
Roan’s eyes widened at her unexpected words. Unfortunately, what she said was true. While Elise had been at the Grand Duke’s residence, Roan had constantly summoned Psyche, keeping her in his chambers almost continuously. She had barely slept, staying by his side and comforting him. But as soon as Elise returned, Roan had effectively cast Psyche aside. He could understand the loneliness she must have felt.
“I am sorry.”
He felt ashamed, as though he had become an emperor who was so driven by desire for his concubine that he had neglected the Empress’s feelings.
“If that is the case, then please spend today talking with me about old stories.”
“…”
Roan froze in place like a statue. After confirming that Psyche was safe, he had intended to return quickly to Elise—but at that moment, the palace physician, who had just finished bandaging Psyche’s wrist, spoke.
“The treatment is complete, Your Majesty. However, the Empress was greatly startled by the fire and is currently in a delicate state, so she will require someone to care for her.”
‘Perfect timing!’
Psyche looked satisfied at the physician’s timely remark. Then she smiled faintly.
“It would be the greatest honor if Your Majesty would personally take care of me tonight.”
At those words, Roan’s face turned pale. He couldn’t even come up with an excuse. The Empress had been injured because she had felt lonely after he ignored her—and if he left her now to return to his concubine, his coldness would surely spread throughout the entire palace.
Thud.
Roan sat down beside Psyche.
“…Very well.”
Hearing that, the physician bowed in relief and withdrew. Following him, all the attendants left the room.
“Then, Your Majesties, please rest comfortably.”
They all assumed that the Emperor and Empress would spend the night together in that room.
Thus, Psyche’s plan to rescue Elise that day was a complete success.
In fact, before the fire broke out, Psyche had just finished enjoying a bath after a rare moment of free time. While drying her hair and sitting at her vanity, Margaret rushed in, pleading for her to save Elise.
The situation was dire. Elise had lost her memory, suffered under black magic, and even been betrayed by her closest friend. Her mind had not yet recovered. Psyche understood better than anyone how desperate Roan had been these past days. So she knew that simply going to stop him wouldn’t be enough—something stronger and more decisive was needed.
Her eyes fell on a silver candlestick placed in the corner.
She dismissed everyone except Margaret.
“Margaret.”
“Yes, Empress.”
“After our conversation ends, leave this room and wait at the door until you see smoke rising.”
Smoke? Was she planning to start a fire?
“Yes? But…”
“Don’t worry about me. If the situation allows, I will keep His Majesty occupied tonight.”
Roan would likely return to Elise once things calmed down.
“When the smoke begins, run immediately to Elise’s room and wait there. If His Majesty comes out, take Elise, who will be alone in the room, and hide somewhere he will not find her.”
Margaret was shocked but had no time to question further.
“Do you understand? Go now. Time is of the essence.”
“Yes, Empress.”
After sending Margaret away, Psyche lit the long-unused silver candlestick herself. Then she struck it with her hand, knocking it to the floor. As the jewel-adorned candlestick fell, it quickly began to burn the expensive carpet beneath it.
Soon, as she had predicted, smoke began to seep through the door. Almost simultaneously, a voice rang out.
“Is anyone there!”
“My goodness! Empress!”
The attendants guarding the door hurriedly opened it. Through the thick smoke, Psyche could be seen waving cloth to extinguish the fire. Margaret ran toward Elise’s room as instructed, while another attendant rushed to inform Roan.
After hearing Margaret’s explanation, Elise was shocked.
Which Empress would go so far as to risk herself just to save her husband’s concubine? It seemed the “female lead” role wasn’t something just anyone could fulfill. Both Elise and Margaret felt that Psyche’s generosity was extraordinary.
“I must properly thank her.”
“Yes. I was truly moved as well.”
“By the way, we’re allowed to stay here, right?”
They had already been in the imperial library for quite some time.
“I overheard that His Majesty will likely stay overnight caring for the Empress. You may remain as long as you wish.”
Relieved, Elise brightened.
“Really? Then shall we begin?”
Rolling up her sleeves, Elise began exploring the library.
“Found it!”
She was searching for books about maps, history, and neighboring countries’ legends.
‘If I’m going to escape, leaving the empire would be the safest option.’
She didn’t want to lose Demon, but escaping beyond the Emperor and Empress’s reach would increase her chances of survival. As she gathered books, a stack soon formed up to her waist. Elise smiled at the surprisingly interesting collection.
“Oh! Ancient legends I like, this is about mages and holy knights—and wow! There are dragon stories too?”
She happily picked up children’s books. Margaret felt a bit disheartened, thinking those books were far below Elise’s level, assuming she had read them long ago.
“Ah! My favorite fairy story!”
Elise picked up a blue-covered book with an illustration of a winged spirit.
‘This is totally my style.’
Excited, she picked several more books. After arranging for the books and maps to be moved to her room, she returned with Margaret. There, Margaret brought cookies and milk. Time flew by as Elise read and snacked.
She planned to decide where to escape using the maps, but for now, she wanted to relax and forget she was in the palace.
“Spirits prevent magical overflow… huh? What does that mean?”
The content was not what she expected at all.
“Next!”
She quickly grabbed another book.
“Why Did the Knight Go to the Library on a Sleepless Night?”
Both Elise and Margaret’s eyes widened.
“Uh… why is this here?”
They laughed awkwardly.
“Countess’s 66 Ways of Skinship.”
“…!”
“Flowers of Moans Blooming at Night.”
“Uh… Elise?”
Clearly, Margaret’s concern that Elise would only pick mild books was unfounded. The ones she had excitedly chosen were all strictly for adults.
Deep into the night, the imperial palace lay silent.
Elise had fallen asleep among piles of books. Moonlight bathed her cheeks, forehead, and silver hair, turning them golden and shimmering.
A faint click.
A window leading to the balcony opened from the outside. A figure silently entered the room without making a sound.
It was Demon.
He had already heard from Margaret about what had happened that day. Upon receiving her message from the Grand Duke’s residence, he had lost all composure and ridden straight to the palace. He needed to confirm with his own eyes that she was safe.
Seeing her asleep before him, he felt relief.
He clenched his fists tightly, holding back his breath.
She had made it through today safely—but would that always be the case?
His gaze naturally fell upon her peaceful sleeping face. His entire body urged him to take her away from this place immediately, to the Grand Duke’s residence, just as she wished.
Then, a sleepy voice escaped her lips.
“…mm…”
She stirred in her sleep.
“De…mon…”
“!”
What had he just heard?
Demon doubted his own ears. His heart dropped, and his crimson eyes widened and trembled.
She was calling for him—even in her sleep.
As if enchanted by that call, he slowly approached her.
In the darkness, his glowing red eyes looked down at her sleeping form.
Drawn by her scent and peaceful appearance, his hand unconsciously reached toward her.
At the edge of what he could do.
It felt like he was hanging off a cliff.
Kneeling silently beside her, he lifted her long silver hair and pressed a kiss to its ends.
