PLQYM | Chapter 30

The moment Heraith entered the Emperor’s office, the first thing that caught his eye was Lucian’s desk.

Though it hadn’t been long since the desk was set up, it was already arranged as if Lucian had been using it from the very beginning—efficient, neat, and perfectly organized.

Seated at his own desk, Heraith’s gaze naturally wandered back to Lucian’s spot.

Positioned to his right, it was a place he could see clearly with just a slight turn of his head. He found the placement quite satisfying.

“Perfect,” he muttered, his voice filled with contentment.

The knowledge that he no longer had to strain his ears to catch Lucian’s voice from outside the office was a welcome relief.

Truthfully, every time he heard Lucian speaking beyond the door, it distracted him. Now, with the cause of his dwindling focus seated within arm’s reach, there would be nothing to worry about.

“The sunlight hits here perfectly. Great spot for napping,” Heraith remarked casually.

“…Pardon?”

Lucian turned to the Emperor with a stunned expression, unsure if he had misheard.

“Are you telling me to nap while working, Your Majesty?”

“I’m saying if you’re tired, you can rest here. Who’s going to barge in unannounced? It’s the perfect place to sneak a break. You wouldn’t be able to relax properly outside, would you?”

Though Heraith sounded like he was being generous, Lucian wasn’t buying it. He had plenty he wanted to say but couldn’t bring himself to voice it. His expression hardened instead.

Heraith noticed and furrowed his brow.

“Luce.”

“Yes, Your Majesty?”

“Not happy with it?”

“….”

“Why the sullen face? If you don’t tell me what’s bothering you, how am I supposed to know?”

Was this man serious? Lucian stared at Heraith, dumbfounded.

‘Surely he can’t mean this… right?’

But the Emperor’s smiling face told him otherwise—it was genuine.

In the end, it was Lucian who couldn’t hold back a sigh and spoke first.

“Is this something I’m supposed to like or dislike, Your Majesty?”

“Why not? Just tell me what you think. Didn’t I say you could?”

“Ah.”

Lucian let out a long, weary sigh.

“I haven’t forgotten, Your Majesty.”

“Then?”

“No matter how freely you allow me to speak, there are limits to what I can do. Surely, you understand this.”

“Hm.”

Heraith folded his arms and tilted his head slightly, as if urging him to continue.

“I know you’ve always been gracious enough to permit me to speak my mind. However, I must still be cautious. Besides…”

“Not everyone is happy about it, are they?”

“….”

“And there’s no shortage of unpleasant things being said, either.”

“….”

“‘Favored by the Emperor,’ ‘given special treatment’—I’m sure the rumors are plenty.”

“…You knew?”

Lucian’s voice caught, unsure how to respond. Of course, it made sense the Emperor would know, but hearing it confirmed brought forth a mix of bitter laughter and bubbling anger.

The heat rising in his chest felt as though it was being met with an icy chill in his head.

“How could I not? It’s happening right under my nose. Especially that son of Marquis Klan, Franz. He’s the worst, isn’t he?”

“….”

He knew. He had known all along.

Lucian clenched his lips tightly.

He had suspected the Emperor might be aware but chose to ignore it. Now that it was confirmed, his mind blanked as frustration churned inside him.

“Then why…”

“Why didn’t I step in?”

Unlike Lucian, whose voice had risen unintentionally, Heraith remained calm.

“And what should I have done, Luce?”

Standing from his seat, Heraith approached Lucian. He stopped just short of touching him, his face serene as ever.

“If I shielded you, would it truly benefit you? If I intervened, would it silence the rumors?”

Lucian knew the answer.

The Emperor was not one to act rashly. Despite his outwardly busy and tireless demeanor, he always kept a close watch on everything around him.

He moved the Empire’s chess pieces as he saw fit, balancing power between nobles warring for influence. When certain factions grew too weak from infighting, he didn’t hesitate to strike, wielding his authority like a blade.

At times, after such conflicts, he would lament his inability to act sooner and mourn the losses. Yet no one believed his grief to be entirely genuine.

People only thanked their luck for surviving another round of his calculated game.

It took many such instances for others to recognize that the Emperor wasn’t someone to be trifled with. His true weapon wasn’t his striking beauty but his unyielding will.

This was the man who ruled the Great Empire of Pranas—Heraith Yorun Kellenhan.

“Tell me, Luce. What should I do?”

Heraith gently lifted Lucian’s chin, forcing him to meet his gaze.

Though his lips curved into a soft smile, his eyes remained cold, cutting through Lucian like a blade.

Under that piercing gaze, Lucian felt utterly exposed, as if his very thoughts had been laid bare.

The Emperor waited patiently, his expression calm, as if promising to listen if Lucian could find the right words.

“…Nothing.”

At last, Lucian spoke.

His voice, though delayed, was steady and composed.

“There’s nothing you need to do, Your Majesty.”

With those words, he stepped back from the Emperor’s grasp.

It must have been the right answer, as Heraith released him without resistance, as though he’d never held him in the first place.

“There’s plenty of gossip, plenty of envy, and no shortage of strange accusations,” Heraith mused, his sharp eyes glinting as if testing Lucian further.

Now Lucian began to understand what the Emperor wanted from him.

Heraith knew the weight of his status, his power, and his beauty—and he wielded them skillfully.

But he shared nothing of himself with anyone. He allowed others to approach the boundary of his carefully drawn lines, but crossing it was unforgivable.

Those lured too close by his allure found themselves permanently shut out, unable to ever return.

This boundary was a trap, and Lucian knew better than to fall into it.

He slowly lifted his lips into a smile, mirroring the Emperor’s.

“Yes, there’s a lot of it. Envious people flock wherever the Emperor’s favor shines. I’ve experienced it firsthand.”

Heraith raised a brow, intrigued.

“But do I look foolish enough to fall prey to them?”

“What?”

Lucian’s confident smile deepened, and a spark flickered in Heraith’s gaze.

“Don’t worry, Your Majesty. I’m not stupid enough to let myself be caught. I can handle myself just fine.”

“Hah!”

Heraith’s quiet chuckle quickly turned into a full-blown laugh.

Lucian watched silently as the Emperor laughed, his expression unchanged.

Maintaining his smile, Lucian swallowed the thoughts swirling within.

He couldn’t deny it any longer—he didn’t dislike this Emperor.

Though the man was stubborn, demanding, and relentless, Lucian didn’t hate him.

In fact, it might even be closer to admiration.

But Lucian decided to leave it at that—for today, at least.

When Heraith’s laughter finally subsided, he remarked with a smirk,

“This is why I like you, Luce.”

“Thank you for the compliment, Your Majesty.”

Lucian’s polite reply only drew more laughter from Heraith, who seemed genuinely pleased.

“You can rest for today,” Heraith said suddenly.

“…Pardon?”

Lucian stared at him, utterly dumbfounded.

“Rest. I’m serious.”

“Are you really… serious?”

“You talk as if I’m some sort of tyrant who overworks you.”

“Aren’t you?”

“Wow, Luce. I didn’t think you had such a knack for slander.”

Lucian scoffed.

“Let me rest before you tell me to rest.”

“You make it sound like I’m a terrible boss.”

“Well…”

Heraith chuckled, shrugging nonchalantly.

“So, you don’t like me?”

“I’ll let you know once I figure that out.”

Lucian knew even these playful exchanges were dangerous. Allowing himself to find them enjoyable was akin to stepping dangerously close to the Emperor’s line.

But he couldn’t deny it—it was fun.

Turning away from his swirling emotions, Lucian spoke firmly,

“We’ll see if Your Majesty proves himself worthy of my respect.”

“You know that’s borderline treason, right?”

“Considering I was granted freedom of speech as a reward on my first day, I’d say I’m within my rights.”

Lucian’s smile sharpened.

“You did promise, Your Majesty. A fair exchange—freedom to speak in exchange for my grueling work. I intend to use it wisely.”

“Unbelievable.”

“Thank you for the privilege, Your Majesty.”

Lucian bowed and turned to leave.

“Luce.”

Heraith’s voice stopped him.

When Lucian turned back, Heraith wore a dazzling smile, but his words were a quiet warning.

“Don’t fall for me.”

It sounded like a joke, but Lucian knew better—it was a command. A reminder to maintain the distance Heraith required.

Lucian met his gaze, a crooked grin forming on his lips.

“Have I lost my mind, Your Majesty?”

Ignoring the feelings beginning to overflow within him, Lucian smirked and laughed it off as if it were nothing.