I’m in Trouble Because The Emperor Thinks My Time is Limited - Chapter 9

Sionel closed his mouth, his face flushed, and suddenly, I felt embarrassed too. It was as if we were truly engaging in a romantic moment.

“Ahem!”

One of the ministers cleared his throat awkwardly. They all wore bashful expressions, as if they were uncles peeking at their nephew’s love life. Realizing their gazes were on me, I instinctively shrank into myself. But Sionel still showed no signs of letting me go.

“From now on, I’ll visit more often, so there’s no need to come out.”

His voice had softened considerably, but it still carried the implication that he intended to keep me confined in the palace. That, however, was not something I could accept.

“I want to go outside,” I spoke urgently, and his brow furrowed.

“That’s not possible.”

“Why not?”

“It’s dangerous for you out there.”

That statement left me stunned. It wasn’t that I might run away or that I was too sick—he simply declared that the outside world was dangerous. I couldn’t understand why. I had lived my whole life out in the world without issue. What was so dangerous now?

“You’re not the same as you were before.”

This time, I couldn’t help but frown.

“I haven’t changed. I’m still the same.”

“You know exactly what I mean.”

I wanted to argue further, but I recalled the resolution I’d made the night before and pressed my lips together. I didn’t want to cause another misunderstanding by saying something that could be misinterpreted, though I still didn’t understand what caused those misunderstandings in the first place.

“So let’s return quietly,” he said, his hand gently stroking my cheek. Though his touch was delicate, like handling a precious jewel, his other arm still held me tightly, as if to ensure there was no escape. His stance was firm—there would be no running away.

“I feel trapped in that place. If I stay locked up, I’ll only get sicker.”

“Then, when I visit, we can walk in the garden together.”

He wasn’t listening.

My anxiety began to grow. With the heightened security, if I let this moment slip by, I might truly end up never leaving the palace, forever confined. I needed a different approach.

“If I’m left alone in that room, I start to overthink.”

I hung my head, doing my best to look despondent. I wasn’t great at acting, so hiding my face seemed like a safer bet. I trembled my shoulders and spoke in the most pitiful voice I could muster.

“When there’s no one around, I feel like I’ve been abandoned by the world.”

I did my best to appear tragic, and I could feel the people around me growing unsettled. Thankfully, my subpar acting was having the desired effect.

“It’s my fault,” said Sionel in a subdued voice. “I didn’t realize you were feeling that way.”

‘It worked!’

I could feel it—the shift in Sionel’s demeanor. He was softening. If I kept this up, he might finally release me from my confinement.

“I shouldn’t have left you there alone. Don’t worry, it won’t happen again.”

“Sionel!” I looked up, my voice filled with anticipation.

“I’ll move you to my palace. You’ll be my empress soon anyway, so it won’t be an issue even if it breaks tradition.”

“That’s not what I meant!”

“Don’t worry, Lindel. I won’t leave you alone anymore.”

He whispered tenderly, but to me, his words were like a bolt of lightning. Moving to the emperor’s palace would make things even worse. I’d be walking into the most heavily guarded place in the entire empire by my own will.

I had just dug my own grave.

“If I become empress, the ministers will surely oppose it. Everyone knows I’m not suited for that position,” I protested urgently, but he only shook his head firmly.

“I’ve already told you, no one would dare oppose you.”

“I’m an illegitimate child, a knight. I don’t have the dignity to be the empress. That position is meant for the most noble woman in the empire.”

Normally, an empress was chosen from among the daughters of dukes or marquesses. There were currently three noblewomen in the empire who were considered prime candidates for the role. It was absurd to think that someone like me, an illegitimate count who hadn’t even received proper lady’s training, could take that spot.

I hoped that the gathered ministers would step in and back me up, but to my dismay, their opinions were quite different.

“How could you say such a thing?”

“General?”

“Miss Lindel, you’re more than qualified to be the empress. Who in the empire doesn’t know of your loyalty and love for His Majesty? Don’t belittle yourself.”

The general not only addressed me with exaggerated politeness but was also saying things that made no sense. While we were friendly, our relationship had always been shallow. I never expected him to say something like this.

His bushy beard quivered as he spoke passionately.

‘What’s gotten into that old man?!’

To my horror, the other nobles also stepped forward.

“That’s right! Miss Lindel is perfectly suited to be empress.”

“We’re all on your side.”

I was suddenly surrounded by people who claimed to support me. Their sincerity was unnerving.

These were the same people who used to click their tongues and shake their heads whenever they saw me trailing after Sionel. Now, they were elevating my unrequited love to a noble, almost sacred cause. According to their words, I was some kind of paragon of virtue who would go down in history for my devotion.

“I’m not good enough for His Majesty.”

“We know you don’t want to burden him, but there isn’t a woman in the empire who could match your dedication.”

The general, his once fierce expression now softened, smiled kindly, like a friendly neighbor.

“So, don’t worry about it.”

“No, General. I—”

“Miss Lindel, don’t overthink it. Being empress is nothing more than a formality. What matters is the love you and His Majesty share.”

“……”

Love? Love?! Marriage is a reality, not some fantasy about mutual affection!

I pounded my chest in frustration, but the elderly nobles mistook my action for something else and looked at me with pleased expressions.

“There’s no need to be so moved. We all understand your feelings.”

If that old man said one more word, I might actually reward him with a punch in the face. Grinding my teeth, I forced out a “Thank you,” and they, clueless, smiled warmly.

“Haha, hahaha!”

I couldn’t even be mad anymore—it was too absurd. I laughed dryly, and they all joined in, laughing along as if nothing strange was happening. The palace attendants, watching us from the side, smiled at us with fondness.

One thing was certain: everyone here had lost their minds.

“So, is this why you’ve all gathered here today?”

“The noble council has already approved your appointment as empress. There’s no need for further arguments.”

Sionel’s soothing voice washed over me, and I finally noticed the noble behind him holding a scroll—a formal decree. These people weren’t here for no reason; the empress appointment was already official. The emperor’s direct involvement in such matters was rare, so I hadn’t even considered it.

Once again, I burst out laughing like a madwoman.

My future was growing darker with each passing second, and all I could do was laugh.

“The wind is still cold. We’ve been out here too long. Let’s issue the formal decree from my palace. Come, Lindel, let’s go.”

Sionel gently guided me, still smiling, as if my earlier words had filled him with joy. But I couldn’t share his happiness—I was the only one here who felt utterly miserable.

I pushed his arm off my shoulder and stepped out of his embrace. His face stiffened slightly, and I took another step back.

As I looked at his hardened expression, my own smile faded as well. I couldn’t keep up this pretense any longer.

Marriage is a reality, and I had to face an even more urgent, harsh reality in my own life.

“Lindel.”

His voice was laced with a soft warning.

“I can’t.”

Becoming empress! Sure, if I had to, I could play that role. It wouldn’t be the first time I’d sacrificed for the man I loved, and I could do it again.

But the contract was a different matter. This wasn’t something I could walk away from—it was an unbreakable bond.

If I broke the contract or failed to fulfill its terms, I would die.

And I wasn’t about to die before I had a chance to experience true love.

My face contorted with frustration.

“I have to leave.”

“Lindel!”

“I can’t stay here.”

Even if Sionel grew angry, I had no choice. I wasn’t ready to die yet.

“I…”

But I couldn’t explain why.

Even if they asked for a reason, I had nothing to say.

“I mean, I…”

I trailed off, and all eyes were on me. Sionel’s gaze, in particular, was overwhelming.

“I can’t. It’s impossible. I can’t do it.”

I grabbed my spinning head, struggling to form coherent words.

How could I explain this so they would understand? The stern faces staring at me only made it harder to think, and no excuse came to mind.

Heat rushed to my face, and I felt breathless. My mouth was dry, and I swallowed, but the taste in my mouth was strange.

‘Wait. A strange taste?’

I licked my lips, and sure enough, there was a familiar metallic tang.

Recently, I had become used to this sensation, but it wasn’t the usual feeling of blood rising in my throat. My stomach felt fine.

‘What’s going on?’

I lifted my head and noticed the horrified expressions on everyone’s faces.

“Huh?”

They were all staring at me in shock. Sionel’s face was especially grim, just like when he had seen me coughing up blood.

“What—”

Drip.

Something fell to the floor—a red drop of blood.

“Huh?”

I wiped my upper lip with the back of my hand, and when I looked down, my hand was covered in blood.

Of all times, I had a nosebleed.

I looked between the blood on my hand and the stunned faces of the people around me.

Then, realization struck.

‘Of all the rotten timing!’

“Blood! Miss Lindel is bleeding!”

The general stammered as he pointed at my nose, where blood was now freely flowing.

In an effort to defuse the situation, I forced a smile.

But I hadn’t thought it through. Smiling while blood streamed from my nose only made things worse, giving me a horrifying appearance.

“This isn’t what you think. I just didn’t sleep well last night—it’s nothing serious.”

“Blood! So much blood…!”

“Right, where were we? Ah, yes, the empress. Haha! Let’s forget about the nosebleed for a moment and—”

I widened my eyes and silently sent desperate telepathic messages to the general: Don’t! Don’t do it!

Of course, it was all in vain.

“Call a priest!!!”

The general’s booming voice echoed through the palace halls. Chaos erupted as everyone rushed to fetch a priest. The once quiet corridor now felt like a bustling marketplace. Seeing no point in further explanations, I gave up and let out a hollow laugh.

Though I was laughing, for some reason, my eyes felt like they were sweating.

“Sionel?”

At that moment, Sionel pulled me toward him with a firm grip. Before I knew it, I was in his arms, cradled in the so-called “princess carry” position.

It felt different from being tossed over someone’s shoulder in the heat of battle. This was gentle, delicate.

“Wait!”

“Stop.”

Sionel silenced me and began walking, his expression grim.

“Just lean into me. Nothing’s going to happen.”

His voice was cold. While his hands held me securely, his steps were hurried.

“It’s fine. Nothing’s going to happen.”

He repeated those words to himself like a mantra. But of the two of us, Sionel looked far less fine than I did.