I’m in Trouble Because The Emperor Thinks My Time is Limited - Chapter 37

Julia, finally calm, left with the help of Cassius. It was a brief yet intense departure. I sat half-dazed, wondering why Julia had reacted that way and why I had been likened to flour dough and a broomstick.

“Lindel, what did you say to her?”

Now that the storm had passed, only Sionel and I remained.

“I didn’t say anything unusual.”

I explained to him what had happened. When I got to the part where I complimented Julia on her beautiful smile, Sionel frowned instantly.

“Why are you making that face?”

“Lindel.”

Sionel looked thoroughly displeased.

“You need to be more mindful of those around you.”

“What do you mean?”

“Why do you think Julia Areta reacted that way?”

“Oh…”

My face darkened as I thought about Julia.

“Could she be seriously ill? Perhaps she’s been hiding an illness all along.”

I, after all, was just pretending to be sick because of the contract. But Julia… she looked genuinely unwell. She couldn’t even breathe properly!

Seeing someone as strong and confident as her in such a state made my heart ache. Imagining her coming all this way despite her condition—and even going through the trouble of making me a gift—made my chest throb with guilt.

“I didn’t know anything…!”

Feeling like a fool for being so happy about receiving her gift, I now felt ashamed. I resolved to be kinder to her the next time we met. That was when I heard a deep sigh from Sionel.

“Sionel?”

“I don’t know who to blame for this.” Sionel still looked troubled. “Julia Areta is a unique case, but you should be more careful in the future.”

“Careful about what?”

I hadn’t done anything wrong today. Well, perhaps I hadn’t reacted quickly enough when Julia had her strange episode.

“I mean don’t go around charming anyone when I’m not around.”

“What? Who did I charm?”

I heard my own voice, sounding particularly stupid. His words had caught me completely off guard. Charm? Sionel’s way of speaking was as difficult to understand as ever.

When I stared at him with wide eyes, Sionel reached out to ruffle my hair. I felt like a silly child.

“More importantly, it seems you’ve received a pretty impressive gift. Cassius wouldn’t stop boasting about his sister’s talents.”

“He should boast. Look at this.” I proudly showed him Julia’s gift. “I’ve decided to wear this to the banquet. It might need a little alteration to fit perfectly, but I think it suits me.”

“It does suit you. You’ll look great in it.”

“Right?”

“But I’m still disappointed.” Sionel gave a playful smile, tilting his eyes. “Since it’s our first banquet together, I wanted to give you something myself.”

My heart skipped a beat.

Even though he was smiling playfully, there was a genuine hint of regret in Sionel’s expression, and it made my heart race more than when I had unrequited feelings for him.

“So, why are you here all of a sudden?”

“I was too slow, and Julia beat me to it, so I had to rush.”

“Oh, too bad. You’re a little late.”

I laughed and teased him, waving my finger.

“True. So, I brought this in a hurry.”

Sionel took a small velvet case from his coat. Without a word, he opened it, showing me the contents inside. It was a brooch set with a blue gemstone.

“I thought about using the color of your eyes, but I’m a bit greedy.”

The sapphire, the same color as Sionel’s eyes, glittered brightly.

“It’s also a warning to others that you belong to me.”

Damn it! Why does this greedy man have to be so cute?

My heart pounded as I clenched my fist instead of reaching for the brooch. I felt like I might start screaming because the man in front of me was too adorable.

“One day, I’ll return the favor.”

“Return the favor? Did I do something wrong?”

“You’ll see. Next time, I’ll win!”

“Lindel, this isn’t a competition.”

Sionel smiled, slightly taken aback, but I was serious.

It wasn’t fair that I was the only one feeling so giddy and on the verge of exploding from excitement. One day, I would definitely make Sionel feel the same.

With a confident gesture, I reached out and declared, “I’ll make you feel like your heart is about to burst. Just wait and see!”

Sionel burst out laughing. “You haven’t changed at all.”

He must have come just to give me the brooch because he soon stood up to leave. I knew he was busy, so it was natural for him to go, but I couldn’t help feeling a little disappointed.

I never thought there would come a day when I’d feel sad about Sionel leaving. I used to believe it was only natural for him to come and go while I stayed behind, but moments like this made me realize how much I loved him.

“I’ll be back.”

It was such a simple thing to say. But hearing that he’d come back made me feel so happy.

Once Sionel left, I placed my hand over my still-racing heart. I could hear it beating loudly, making its presence known. But that wasn’t all I felt.

“No.”

A wave of intense heat suddenly surged through my heart. Though there was no pain, the heat building up inside me made me uneasy.

“Calm down.”

I had promised myself that I would reassure Sionel and the others, so I needed to ignore this heat. I couldn’t afford to make things worse by using aura and coughing up blood again. Peace had finally returned, and I wanted to remain quiet and calm until I left the Imperial Palace.

“I have to ignore it.”

I tried to calm myself again, but the heat in my chest only grew stronger, as if it were taunting me.

‘Should I take it now?’

I pulled out the small vial that Laroche had left with me before she disappeared. Originally, I had hidden it carefully to avoid being caught, but now I carried it in my pocket for times like this, when the heat was unbearable.

The small amount of red powder inside hadn’t changed since the day I received it. It was supposed to help me, but just looking at it made me feel anxious, and I couldn’t bring myself to drink it.

‘Later. I’ll take it later, once things change. For now, I’m still fine.’

After much hesitation, I carefully put the vial back in my pocket.

“Where did you go, Laroche?”

I found myself thinking of the reckless woman who had left without a word.

“Who’s Laroche?”

“Ahh! You scared me!”

Whack!

“Ow!”

Startled by the sudden voice, I instinctively threw a punch. Considering how relaxed I had been, I had been completely caught off guard.

The person I hit was now sitting on the floor, holding their forehead.

“Mel… Melaine?!”

The owner of the black hair was the dragon I knew well.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m… fine.”

He didn’t sound fine at all.

Feeling guilty, I knelt in front of him and checked the spot where I had hit him. I gently moved his hand aside to reveal a forehead that was already turning red. It looked like it might bruise.

“I’m really sorry.”

“No, it’s my fault for scaring you. Is your hand okay?”

Despite the fact that his forehead was clearly injured, he was worrying about my hand. Melaine rubbed his red forehead and smiled so kindly that it made me feel even worse.

As I stared worriedly at his swelling forehead, Melaine spoke, “I heard you’ve been feeling much better. On the way here, I overheard people saying you’re much healthier now.”

Melaine smiled happily, as if he were truly relieved.

“That crazy guy—no, the emperor—never tells me anything, so I didn’t know. I’m glad to hear it.”

Melaine told me how much he had worried about me after seeing how sick I looked in the greenhouse. The more I got to know him, the less he seemed like the crazy dragon I once thought he was.

“Yes, I’m fine now. Thank you for worrying about me.”

“……!”

Melaine’s eyes sparkled. “You’re so kind.”

His gaze softened, and his eyes filled with emotion. “You’ve forgiven me even though I nearly killed you.”

Melaine sniffled, trying to hold back tears. Though I hadn’t actually forgiven him yet, I swallowed my words as I looked at his bruising forehead.

‘He feels so guilty whenever he sees me.’

That’s why I wasn’t really angry about it anymore.

“Hmph! Anyway, I’m glad you’re feeling better. But you still don’t smell quite right.”

“I mean your dragon scent. I guess it’s because you can’t use mana.”

Once again, worry clouded Melaine’s face as he looked at me. Though I appreciated his concern, I couldn’t help but frown.

It was nice that he cared, but since his assumption about me being a dragon was wrong, I debated whether I should correct him. Other than that, Melaine was actually a decent guy.

“Melaine.”

“Yeah?”

“As I’ve told you many times before, I’m human. I was born human, I’ve lived as a human, and I’ll die a human. Do you understand?” I spoke calmly, trying to explain it as one would to a child, my voice full of hope that he would finally understand.

Melaine stared at me with wide eyes.

Had he finally grasped it?

“Yes, you’re right. I’m sorry. You’re human, Lindel.”

Melaine nodded quickly, but I was certain he still hadn’t understood.

“I’ll be more careful from now on!”

His eyes were practically shouting with sincerity: How much must she have suffered to want to be human so badly!

‘Sigh. I should just give up.’

Anyone could tell from my face that I was utterly exasperated.

At that moment, Melaine spoke in a serious tone. “Not being able to use mana doesn’t matter. You understand what I’m saying, right, Lindel?”

“Right. It doesn’t matter to me.”

“Exactly! The most important thing is that you’re Lindel!”

I finally gave up trying to convince Melaine that I was human. Sometimes, you just have to know when to give up.

“So, why did you come to see me today?”

“Huh?”

“And without Sionel noticing.”

Melaine’s expression froze at my words. I crossed my arms and gave him a suspicious look.