Chapter 106
Why had she assumed Kazhan would have scars? How many opportunities could there have been for the Emperor to be wounded?
Shaking her head at her idle thoughts, Ysaris flopped onto the bed. Looking up at the ceiling, she was greeted by a stunning sight: a black expanse adorned with tiny gems, arranged like stars in the night sky.
One side seemed to shimmer with a spray of pearl dust, resembling the Milky Way, while the opposite side depicted falling meteors. Despite being a stationary ceiling, it exuded an incredible sense of dynamism.
“How beautiful.”
‘Was this something I had designed? It must have cost a fortune.’
‘Or maybe Kazhan had it done for me.’
Ysaris hoped it was the latter as her gaze wandered around the room. The layout and furnishings felt both unfamiliar and oddly familiar, stirring an unsettling mix of emotions.
“This is where I used to live….”
She had no memories of her time in Uzephia. The place, the people, and even the culture were all foreign to her.
Fear of making a mistake kept her from exploring freely. If she were alone, it might be different, but she couldn’t risk bringing harm to her homeland, her husband, or her son.
“I should have kept Mikael with me….”
Ysaris was already regretting their separation, even though only a few hours had passed. Though Mikael, the Emperor’s sole child, had yet to undergo his official investiture, he had been granted the palace traditionally reserved for Imperial Crown Princes. As it symbolized power, Ysaris had allowed it for Mikael’s sake. Yet being left alone filled her with unease.
‘Should I go visit him? Or should I hold back, for the sake of fostering his independence? But is it even the right time to think about that? I should personally verify the people who’ll be caring for my son—’
Knock, knock.
“Ysaa, are you inside?”
“Come in, Kazhan.”
Rising from the bed, Ysaris invited in the familiar voice. The door opened, and Kazhan entered, clad in his imperial regalia. His stride was confident, each step deliberate.
“Viscount Lafero told me he’ll be examining you every other day after lunch.”
“That’s right. It’s nothing serious, just a routine check to monitor my recovery. I think he’ll adjust my medication based on the wound’s progress.”
Kazhan nodded, already aware, and seated himself beside Ysaris.
“Would you join me for lunch each day? Truthfully, I’d like to share every meal with you, but the backlog of my duties is overwhelming.”
“Are you skipping meals to work?”
“I eat while I work. I do have two hands, after all.”
Ysaris glanced at Kazhan, unsure if he was joking or not. She hoped it was meant to lighten the mood, but his face was utterly serious.
“I’m worried that Mikael and I might be taking up too much of your time.”
“It’s the opposite. It’s my work that takes time away from being with you. Though the Chancellor has helped lessen my burden, there are still far too many documents requiring the imperial seal. Sometimes, I wish I could burn them all.”
“Please don’t. I don’t want my husband, the Emperor, to gain a reputation for insanity.”
Ysaris’s playful tone was meant to cheer him up. She didn’t expect Kazhan’s crimson eyes to grow so cold in an instant.
“Who said such a thing?”
“What?”
“Who dared to say that I’m mad?”
“About you…? Who would dare? It was just a joke, darling.”
Startled, Ysaris waved her hands dismissively. After a moment of silence, Kazhan slowly nodded.
“I see. My apologies for not taking the joke well.”
“You don’t need to apologize….”
“Even so, should anyone speak ill of me—or say anything strange—tell me at once. They’re nothing but rebels-in-waiting.”
“…Excuse me?”
Ysaris blinked, thrown off by his unexpected choice of words. She hadn’t anticipated hearing something so foreboding in Uzephia, which had been described as relatively secure.
“Are there signs of rebellion?”
“To be precise, there are many dissatisfied with me. But no one will dare lay a finger on you. You’re safer than I am.”
‘How is that not also concerning?’
Before Ysaris could process his remark, Kazhan tilted his lips into a faint smirk and continued.
“One can hide a blade, but words are lighter than air and prone to slip. Should anyone attempt to drive a wedge between us, let me know. It might prove useful in tracking down those who stand against me.”
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