I’m in Trouble Because The Emperor Thinks My Time is Limited - Chapter 58

“Did you hear, Mikel?”

A small boy sat on a chair, swinging his legs. The drowsy afternoon sunlight drenched the window frame. The boy and the young man sitting in the tranquil space gave off the impression of characters in a famous painting. There was a beauty to them that seemed almost inhuman.

“What did you hear?”

“That human. The one who messed with Muros. Lindy? Linbell?”

“You mean Lindel Bodebachne.”

“Yeah! That’s the name!”

When the young man guessed the name, the boy burst into a bright smile.

“I heard from the humans. They say she’s going to die soon.”

“Oh dear. That’s unfortunate, isn’t it?”

The gentle voice expressed sympathy devoid of sincerity, prompting the boy to laugh again at the playfulness.

“It seems it’s not just a rumor this time. They even brought a famous priest from afar, but that priest couldn’t heal her.”

Only then did the young man lift his gaze from the book he was reading. The boy looked satisfied, having finally captured the young man’s attention.

“That priest is staying by her side to take care of her, but it seems to be difficult.”

“…I see.”

“It looks like the human you were interested in ended up being nothing special.”

A faint crack appeared on the young man’s forehead. His displeasure was evident, but he soon relaxed his expression. His thin lips parted, a hint of boredom coloring his words.

“How dull.”

With that, the young man reopened his book. If the human was insignificant, he held no further interest.

“It seems the poison from last time was meant to make her death peaceful, after all.”

“I figured as much, right?”

The boy, who had been laughing, suddenly brightened his eyes and approached the young man. Excitement filled the boy’s face as if he’d found a new toy.

“Hey! Then can I play with her until she dies?”

“Do you intend to do it yourself?”

“I’m tired of staying here. Everyone just sits on their fat butts and doesn’t even play with me!”

The young man smiled faintly at the boy’s complaint. It was a very kind yet somewhat businesslike smile.

Without shifting his gaze, the young man bid him farewell, telling him to go, and the boy’s face broke into a broad smile, unbothered by the indifference.

“I hope she’s an interesting human!”

The boy’s steps were light as he left.

***

“Is this really the right thing to do?”

By now, shouldn’t I just reveal everything? I sighed, having lost count of how many times I’d pondered this unanswered question. I had no clue how to handle this situation.

Due to Hasina, the entire empire was abuzz with stories about me. People, now beyond overprotective, looked only at me, wiping their tears behind my back.

The imperial palace, where I resided, was shrouded in an atmosphere of solemnity as if dark clouds had gathered. Each time, I felt my mind grow distant.

“I guess the only way for this to end is for me to die.”

As I was tearing at my hair in frustration, I heard someone approach the door. It seemed Sionel had arrived. I glanced out the window, and before I knew it, the moon hung alone in the dark night sky.

Even though the person I loved had come to visit me late at night, my face showed no signs of brightening.

“Why are you still awake?”

Sure enough, Sionel opened the door and came in shortly after.

“What about you, Sionel? Are you working this late?”

“The position of emperor isn’t an easy one.”

His fleeting smile was full of exhaustion. His pale face worried everyone, but he remained unresponsive to any words. He clung to his work all day like a man on the run, and at night, he came to find me.

Since Hasina’s declaration, Sionel had come to visit me at the empress’s palace every night. As proof, his hands were now well accustomed to tucking me into bed.

“Sleep. It’s late.”

“…Will you sleep with me?”

This wasn’t seduction. For it to be seductive, there had to be a certain intimate atmosphere, but at the moment, we were just watching each other’s reactions.

As I pulled the blanket up to my nose and watched him, Sionel gently brushed my forehead. “It’s fine. You’ll be uncomfortable if I’m here.”

I had expected that answer, but I couldn’t help feeling bitter.

‘He’s definitely avoiding me.’

Sionel had been avoiding me since that day. Every night, he’d come to see me, yet he behaved like a parent, checking my bed before leaving.

He pulled the blanket up to my chin, stroked my hair, and left a goodnight kiss on my forehead. Though that process was full of affection, his steps as he left were as hurried as if fleeing.

“I’ll be going. Sleep well.”

“Why are you avoiding me?”

My fists tightened around the blanket. Sionel’s expression stiffened as though he’d been caught off guard, just like my own face, tense from anxiety.

“Why would I avoid you?”

“Lately, you refuse to meet me even when I visit, and the only time I get to see you is now.”

I hadn’t intended to whine. But the words that escaped sounded like a complaint. It made me feel like a child whining to a parent.

While I quietly sulked, Sionel didn’t even make the excuse that it wasn’t true.

“Should I stay with you tonight?”

After a brief silence, Sionel asked in an unexpectedly light tone. It was clear he was trying to change the subject, but I couldn’t bring myself to complain further, so I nodded. Grabbing hold of him had already been a form of complaint, but I couldn’t help it.

Right now, I desperately needed him. I snuggled into his arms as he slowly lay beside me. I felt the firm chest suppress a small breath.

“I’m sorry. But could you please not avoid me?”

“…Why are you apologizing?”

Once again, heavy silence settled between us. We watched each other’s reactions, the room filled only with the sound of our breathing. It was the first time things had been this way since our hearts had connected.

“Because I lied.”

After some time, I added quietly.

“Silence is also a kind of lie. In the end, you didn’t tell the truth, Lindel.”

Hasina had lied to Sionel about my condition, telling him my curse and broken soul were all real. When I confronted her about why she’d lied, she’d smiled and answered like that.

I was the one who’d lied first, after all. In the end, she was right. The reason I felt so guilty was because I knew I was deceiving everyone.

Not knowing the truth, Sionel misunderstood my apology.

“You kept saying you were fine for my sake. Don’t apologize.”

The conscience I didn’t know I had stung. Burying my face in his chest to hide my twisted expression, the guilt only grew stronger.

“…Sionel, I have something to ask you.”

In the end, guilt moved my lips. It felt wrong to spit out the excuse that hovered in my mouth, so I chose to ask first.

Why do you hate dragons so much?

“Why do you hate dragons, Sionel?”

“……”

That was the start of my first lie. Sionel hated dragons. Despite being born with a small amount of dragon’s blood as a member of the imperial family, he despised dragons to the point of hatred.

I couldn’t tell him that I’d made a pact with a dragon when he hated them so much. And as things grew more complicated, I found it even harder to tell him, which brought us to where we were now.

I could feel Sionel staring at me, bewildered by the sudden question. For a moment, his expression stiffened, but soon it returned to normal. At least for now, there was no trace of the deep hostility or hatred from before

‘Maybe it’s different now.’

It had been a long time since Sionel said he hated dragons. He’d spoken so vehemently back then that it had left a deep impression, but he hadn’t mentioned it since.

Maybe now, he felt differently. More than anything, Melaine’s presence was proof of that. Although Sionel wasn’t exactly close with Melaine, he seemed to coexist with him without issue. Perhaps all of this stemmed from my own unfounded worries.

Besides, no matter how much he hated dragons, wasn’t it better than the curse? Though Sionel would be disappointed in me for lying all this time, I didn’t want to lie anymore. A baseless courage welled up from deep within me.

‘Tell him. Just tell him. No more lies. Just confirm this one thing, and then tell him everything, Lindel!’

Then Sionel spoke in a flat voice, as if stating the obvious, “They’re repulsive hypocrites.”

That was it. My hopes were swiftly crushed.

“Hy-hypocrites?”

“Their nature is wicked. They’re selfish and greedy.”

Even without seeing it, I knew. My face had likely turned pale.

“Melaine isn’t like that.”

“He tried to strangle you at first. He’s just as selfish.”

Sionel’s hatred for dragons was deeply ingrained. He was frowning intensely, as if even thinking about it disgusted him.

“The only reason I’m tolerating him is because he’s useful for protecting you. That’s all.”

“But, Sionel, you have dragon blood too, as part of the imperial family…!”

“Oh, it’s awful. If I could, I’d get rid of all of it.”

“Th-that much?!”

I was desperate to change Sionel’s mind somehow.

“But not all dragons are evil. Have you heard of dragon contracts? They grant humans’ wishes. There must be good dragons—”

To change his mind, I brought up the idea of a ‘contract.’ But the moment I did, I saw his smile grow colder than the harshest winter.

In other words, my choice had been foolish.

“All contracts are ultimately for the dragons’ benefit. Any human who falls for it is just foolish.”

“…Maybe they had a wish they desperately wanted to come true.”

“It’s a worthless wish. Anyone who wishes for that is the same. Pathetic… repulsive.”

I was stunned by his words. How could I possibly tell the truth now?

‘Oh, God in heaven. What should I do now?’

I closed my eyes. And realized—

This darkness was my future.

***

Lindel’s back looked pitiful as she sniffled in her sleep. Sionel knew this but couldn’t easily reach out to her.

“Do you even know what you’re asking?”

The softly muttered words were filled with the sorrow he had struggled to hide. He couldn’t sleep at all, the image of her hurt expression from his words still vivid in his mind.

Unaware of his turmoil, the one lying beside him slept peacefully, leaving him burdened with deep sorrow. But even so, Sionel felt he had no right to resent her.

“I’m sorry.”

I’m sorry, Lindel. He quietly whispered the words he couldn’t bring himself to say to her face.

He prayed that she would never know the sorrow contained within those words. Throughout the long night, he prayed fervently.