Chapter 2

My name came up again, and I glanced down at my hair. Indeed, my hair sparkled with silver strands.

“But it seemed like Evelyn didn’t notice at all. I don’t know if she has no interest in furniture or if she’s just oblivious.”

Both are true… I bit my lip in embarrassment.

“This time, she doesn’t have to notice. In fact, she shouldn’t.”

“What are you planning to change them to?”

“Furniture without sharp edges.”

“…I beg your pardon?”

Chandeliers were typically made of sharp-cut glass for the purpose of reflecting light. But furniture without sharp edges?

Alvin’s face contorted strangely, which was only natural.

“Yes, everything from the bed to the chandeliers. Make sure a three-year-old child can touch it without getting hurt.”

I nodded, trying to rationalize it. But his beautiful lips continued to utter words I couldn’t comprehend.

“Because a certain someone is even more fragile than a child.”

‘Someone more fragile?’

I began to realize. It was undoubtedly Caesar he was talking about.

Caesar was incredibly fragile. Collapsing, clutching his chest, was a daily occurrence, and sometimes, he even vomited blood.

Furthermore, on occasion, his uncontrolled abilities would unintentionally manifest, causing a whirlwind and making furniture fly. That’s why non-sharp-edged furniture was a good choice.

“Who are you talking about exactly?”

But unlike me, Alvin, still clueless, seemed not to have caught on.

“You fool.”

Yeah, he seemed like a fool.

“Don’t you even see it? I’m talking about Evelyn.”

Yes, it was Evelyn… Wait, what?

“Today, her beautiful cheek got injured. How vexing. I wanted to shatter the vase that caused the injury.”

“…But Your Majesty, wasn’t it you who shattered that vase? Lady Evelyn got injured because of it.”

“Yeah, I should have ground it to dust instead. I made a mistake.”

I lightly touched the cheek where the injury had been. The wound was so shallow now that I couldn’t even feel where it had been.

“So, fetch me one. Something very gentle.”

“Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.”

“But don’t make it obvious. She’ll be uncomfortable if she notices.”

“Yes, I will prepare a chandelier that looks extremely sharp on the outside but is actually soft.”

Alvin responded with a subtle teasing tone.

“Now you’re finally starting to understand.”

A satisfied smile spread across Caesar’s face. This was the Caesar I knew. His face filled with laughter, and his expression relaxed.

“There must be some misunderstanding. There must be reasons for the words I couldn’t understand.”

I nodded, rationalizing it that way.

“And I also need poison. Something that can make someone faint instantly.”

“Poison? Why?”

Alvin’s expression was completely crushed. My own expression probably mirrored his.

“Poison? Why on earth would you need something so dangerous?”

“No, it’s just that if I faint immediately, it might look strange… So, it’s better to vomit some blood and then faint.”

“Poison that makes you vomit blood and faint? Why in the world would you need that?”

Alvin shared my bewilderment.

“What are you thinking? What do you intend to use poison for?”

“Nothing much.”

Caesar slowly got up from the bed and leaned against the window. His expression was one I had never seen before, something I couldn’t even have imagined.

“I will drink the poison myself.”

‘Right now… What did he just say?’

I was left speechless. What in the world was Caesar saying right now?

Alvin, with a frustrated expression, asked.

“Your Majesty, why would you go to such lengths?”

“Why?”

Caesar took a step closer to Alvin.

“That way…”

He lowered his gaze languidly and whispered,

“Evelyn won’t be able to leave me.”

“Wait… why would you say that? Why would you vomit blood in front of me? What’s the purpose?”

Creak— Rattle.

At that moment, the door I had been waiting for opened. The shock drained my strength, leaving me paralyzed.

“Who’s there?”

Alvin pointed his sword at me, then hesitated and withdrew it.

“…Lady?”

“What?”

I pushed Alvin aside forcefully and stepped forward, mirroring the posture I had been crouching in. I raised my head dazedly, unable to regain my composure after hearing the shocking revelations.

“Wait… Were you deceiving me all this time? The ongoing rampages, the occasional collapses… Were they all lies?”

Caesar stepped forward, and our eyes met.

“Eve, since when…”

His sky-blue eyes, sharp as well-forged blades, were filled with bewilderment.

Looking into those eyes, I recalled a day four years ago.

The day I first met him, the day I thought he was someone condemned to the same fate as me.