‘Alan is no good for my life!’


  Sovieshu had seen the lock of hair and left, and Rashta fought to suppress her mounting anger. It was fortunate that the baby’s hair was the same color as her own, otherwise Sovieshu would have asked why she was keeping it.

  Rashta immediately flung the hair into a wastebasket. She had wanted to keep it as a recollection of her baby, but once again her firstborn had almost caught her ankle. She and her child were at odds with each other.

  Throwing the hair away did not make her feel any better, and so she shut herself in her bedroom all day. Various problems pressed in on her at all sides—something had happened to Viscount Roteschu, Sovieshu had discovered the baby hair, and several people were investigating her past. Everything was so difficult and tiring.

  In the meanwhile, her lover, Sovieshu, hadn’t shown his face to her since that night. Rashta was scared that he might have belatedly realized that the hair wasn’t hairs, or that Viscount Roteschu was playing a trick on her.

  It was then she realized that everything she clung to was an illusion. How perilous it was to find comfort in one person’s kindness. At this point, she could only tremble in fear. If Sovieshu’s love and affection cooled, she would lose everything that she had without being able to put up a resistance.

  “Miss Rashta, His Majesty the Emperor is here.”


  Rashta blinked and pulled herself up from the armchair. She was so lost in thought that she hadn’t even realized the maid was there.

  “His Majesty is here?”


  “Yes.”


  “Why didn’t he come into the bedroom?”


  “He wanted a drink. Please come to the parlor room.”


  Rashta hurriedly put up her hair and left the bedroom. Sovieshu was a picturesque image as he sat poised on a chair, and the new maid Delise, was setting the table for drinks. When Rashta saw Delise, her heart started to tremble. Her movements were paced as slowly as a snail’s. The maid placed down drinking glasses and a bottle of champagne.

  ‘Why is she like that?’


  When one saw that another person looked anxious, one couldn’t help but feel anxious as well. Rashta approached Sovieshu, and spoke with more affection in her voice than usual.

  “Your Majesty.”


  Delise set down the food at a normal pace and then left. Fortunately, Sovieshu seemed to have no interest in Delise. Rather, he didn’t look interested in anything at all. He was leaned back against his chair in thought, but he came to his senses when Rashta repeatedly called his name. She stood in front of Sovieshu and spoke lovingly at him.

  “Rashta waited all day for His Majesty!”


  Sovieshu gave her an endearing smile. Despite her day of anxious worrying, Sovieshu did not seem mad at her. Rashta was genuinely relieved, and she sat across the table from Sovieshu with a small chuckle.

  “Would you like a drink from Rashta?”


  When Sovieshu nodded, she quickly poured a clear golden liquid in a champagne glass. He accepted the glass from her, but he did not drink from it, only rolling the stem of the glass between his fingers.

  “Your Majesty?”


  He didn’t look angry, but what if he was? A wave of fear swept over Rashta again, and she called his name.

  “Your Majesty.”


  “Rashta.”


  “Yes, Your Majesty. Rashta is listening to you.”


  “.……”


  “?”


  “Become the empress for a year.”


  Rashta thought she had heard wrong. The words that left Sovieshu’s mouth was a total reversal of Rashta’s expectations. Perhaps Sovieshu had been listening to what Duke Elgy had said. Instead of feeling joy at the news, terror gripped Rashta’s heart. As she froze, Sovieshu looked at her and sighed.

  “Well, it might be too burdensome to you.”


  Rashta could barely open her lips.

  “What……what do you mean? What about the Empress?”


  “I intend to divorce her.”


  Divorce!

  Rashta was overwhelmed by a variety of emotions—relief, happiness, trepidation. Her mouth fell open. Sovieshu thought Rashta was extremely uncomfortable, and thought she had no great desire for the Empress’ seat. Rashta covered her cheeks with both hands.

  “It’s only for one year, so you won’t be too burdened.”


  “Why……one year……for such an important position.”


  “In one year, your baby can officially be a prince or princess.”


  “Ah!”


  Sovieshu gazed at Rashta gently and reached out and covered her hand.

  “If you can bear the position for one year, I will never leave you for the rest of my life.”


  Rashta’s eyes widened. She didn’t know the purpose of the one year, but this was an extraordinary opportunity. While Duke Elgy had told Rashta to prepare to face the Empress, she wasn’t ready yet, and he knew it. She had just started her education, and although she had a lot of sympathy from the common people, garnering support for laws was a different matter. Rashta knew that even those who disliked the Empress would be dismissive of Rashta in the position.

  But the candy offered to her smelled temptingly sweet. Even with the schooling Duke Elgy advised her to take, it was no use if Sovieshu didn’t divorce the current empress.

  Would such an opportunity come back again? Why prepare to face the Empress, when she could become the empress herself? Sovieshu had said it would be only for a year, but she hadn’t the first clue about laws and state affairs.

  But if the baby to be born would receive Sovieshu’s love……

  If she studied hard and played the role of the Empress well……

  “But Your Majesty……divorce? Wouldn’t the Empress’ family object to it?”


  “Of course they would.”


  “What are you going to do?”


  “I will take care of it, so there will be no need to worry.”


  Rashta firmly held Sovieshu’s hand and closed her eyes. She was scared, but her excitement was greater. She could barely breathe as her heart seemed to stop.

  For her to be able to rise from slavery into the empress’ seat.

  “Rashta.”


  “Yes, Your Majesty.”


  “You only need to study hard and keep your body healthy.”


  “Yes……”


  Sovieshu tightly squeezed Rashta’s scarred hands.

  “And don’t tell this to anyone. Do you understand?”


  “Rashta understands.”


  He rubbed her back comfortingly.

  “Is there anything you want to eat?”


  “Hmm……nothing.”


  “You can be greedy.”


  “Rashta only needs His Majesty.”


  As Rashta whispered in a gentle voice, she leaned her head gently against Sovieshu’s shoulder, and he wrapped his arm around her.