FLBE Chapter 4 Part 11

Muttering to himself, Rhetrik gently lifted her head to make his arm a pillow and pulled her small form close to him. Inhaling deeply, he savored her pheromones. His body was in torment, but his mind felt at ease. Tonight, he felt like he could sleep deeply.

 

 

 

Closing his tired eyes, he whispered quietly.

 

 

 

“You have my permission. Do as you wish.”

 

 

 

Granting Liena the right to treat the servants, Rhetrik fell into a deep sleep, so profound that he wouldn’t have noticed if someone came to slit his throat. It was the deepest sleep he had had since becoming Emperor.

 

 

 

The expressions on the faces of Rhetrik and Liena curled up together in sleep, were more peaceful than ever.

 

* * *

 

 

 

Waking up to good news, Liena hurriedly finished her meal and got dressed. Her joyful hopping around the room brought a broad smile to Emma’s face.

 

 

 

Initially, Liena was startled to hear that the Emperor had spent the night with her, assuming he had returned to his room. She even checked the bed and sheets for anything unusual but found nothing. Surprised and bemused by the fact that he had only slept, and even more by Emma’s revelation that he had allowed her to treat the servants, Liena couldn’t help but smile continuously. It seemed the Emperor wasn’t entirely bad after all.

 

 

 

“Are you that happy?”

 

 

 

“Yes!”

 

 

 

Her sparkling pink eyes shone with delight. The simple joy of being allowed to treat the servants seemed to bring her immense happiness.

 

 

 

Emma, who had been standing guard outside the door all yesterday, was anxious as she kept a close eye on the situation inside, wondering if anything might happen. But fortunately, not only did nothing happen, but the two of them even slept peacefully.

 

 

 

At this rate, she began to have expectations that Liena might become the empress. A smile spread across Emma’s face as she thought that if it’s Liena, she would definitely become a good empress.

 

 

 

“Emma!”

 

 

 

“Yes, Saintess?”

 

 

 

“When are the servants usually the least busy?”

 

 

 

“They’re always busy, but there’s a bit of free time after lunch. They need rest, too.”

 

 

 

“Then can I see them after lunchtime? I don’t want to intrude on their rest.”

 

 

 

Liena’s concern for others was touching. Emma briefly wondered if Liena might be an angel in disguise. Somehow, she felt Liena could even warm the cold-hearted Emperor.

 

 

 

“I’ll tell only those who want to come. I don’t want to overwhelm you.”

 

 

 

“I don’t mind…”

 

 

 

“I’ll call those who need urgent treatment first. Otherwise, some might even injure themselves just to see you.”

 

 

 

“Why would they do that?”

 

 

 

“Everyone wants to see you, Saintess.”

 

 

 

Liena blushed at Emma’s words. She wasn’t sure why they wanted to see her, but it didn’t seem it was something bad. Because Emma said it with a bright smile.

 

 

 

“Then please arrange it, Emma.”

 

 

 

“Of course, Saintess.”

 

 

 

“And Emma, if you get hurt, you must tell me. I’ll treat you first before anyone else.”

 

 

 

“That’s an honor, Saintess.”

 

 

 

Despite Rhetrik’s whims, Liena’s mood had been uplifted since morning. She wanted to gather herbs, but knowing the palace likely had none, she resigned herself to the situation.

 

 

 

“By the way, where might the Emperor be now?”

 

 

 

“Why do you ask?”

 

 

 

“I should thank him. He bent his pride to grant my wish. I should appease him, so he might listen again in the future.”

 

 

 

“Huh?”

 

 

 

Emma’s eyes widened at Liena’s bold words, then she laughed along with Liena’s cheerful expression.

 

 

 

“He should be in his office. I’ll take you there.”

 

 

 

“I’ll go with you.”

 

 

 

“Ah…?”

 

 

 

Roan, who had entered unnoticed, smiled warmly. Seeing the ever-pure and holy-looking man, Liena smiled back without realizing it. She felt a growing familiarity with him, calling him by name.

 

 

 

“Roan?”

 

 

 

“Saintess, how have you been?”

 

 

 

“Good.”

 

 

 

“I’m also heading to see His Majesty. Let’s go together.”

 

 

 

“Do you have business with him…?”

 

 

 

“Yes, I am to escort you to the temple today.”

 

 

 

“Huh…?”

 

 

 

Liena was startled by Roan’s abrupt announcement about going to the temple.

 

 

 

During their walk to Rhetrik’s office, Roan remained silent, causing Liena to observe him cautiously, wondering if something was wrong.

 

 

 

What’s he thinking? Roan’s steps were faster than usual, making Liena quicken her pace to keep up. Thankfully, she was wearing a simple dress, not a cumbersome one, which made it easier to follow him.

 

 

 

The walk from Liena’s room to the Emperor’s office was quite long. The brisk pace left her breathless, and she was almost sweating by the time they traversed several stairs and long corridors. Roan, still lost in thought, maintained his quick pace.

 

 

 

“Haa, Haa, Rhe-, I mean Roan, could we slow down a bit?”

 

 

 

“…Ah, my apologies.”

 

 

 

It was only then that Roan stopped and turned to Liena, furrowing his brow as he noticed her state. He handed her a clean handkerchief, apologizing for being too absorbed in his thoughts.

 

 

 

“I was too absorbed in my thoughts to notice, sorry”

 

 

 

“It’s…alright. It’s just that you’re so tall, it’s hard for me to keep up.”

 

 

 

“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

 

 

 

“I didn’t realize it would be this far. Haha… It’s my first time going to Your Majesty’s office.”

 

 

 

Liena, smiling awkwardly, dabbed her forehead with the handkerchief Roan offered. She then reassured the still-apologetic Roan with another bright smile.

 

 

 

“You don’t need to feel that sorry. But is everything alright? You looked troubled.”

 

 

 

“Ah… Did I?”

 

 

 

“Yes.”

 

 

 

“Well, it’s just that…”

 

 

 

Roan hesitated, his gaze intensifying as he looked at Liena, who tilted her head, feeling a bit odd.

 

 

 

“If it’s difficult to talk about, you don’t have to.”

 

 

 

“You’re very considerate, Saintess.”

 

 

 

“Yes…?”

 

 

 

“It seems you naturally possess the qualities of a Saintess. But…”

 

 

 

But…?

 

 

 

Liena’s eyes widened in alarm at Roan’s unexpected question about the man from the banquet. She feared there might be something lacking in her, causing his concern.

 

 

 

“Saintess.”

 

 

 

“Yes…”

 

 

 

“Do you remember the man you saw at the banquet?”

 

 

 

Ah… So, Roan knew about it too. Does he think of me as strange? What if, like Rhetrik, he believes I was the one who attracted that man?

 

 

 

Fidgeting nervously, Liena looked at Roan with anxious eyes. Roan had also been at the banquet and, like Rhetrik, could sense her pheromones. Thus, there was a possibility that Roan, too, might misunderstand her actions as Rhetrik did.

 

 

 

“Saintess?”

 

 

 

“I-It’s a misunderstanding! I didn’t attract that man on purpose. I don’t even know who he is.”

 

 

 

“I know. I wasn’t accusing you.”