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Chapter 23

“Derek, do you think I had Rosaline investigated because she was suspicious? Do you think she’s suspicious? You’ve been working with her for five years and you still don’t know her personality? Rosaline is crazy about me. She’s so loyal that she doesn’t do anything if it’s not for me. Do you understand?”

Derek smiled awkwardly. Rosaline, crazy for Cahir? It seemed unlikely, but he wisely opted not to reply.

“Any little thing about Rosaline is fine. Report to me about things that might change her mind, or something. Go ahead.”

He scratched his nape. There really was nothing to say because her routine was so monotonous that there was nothing that didn’t revolve around her work for Cahir. But that glare… Derek had to say something.

‘What else is there…?’

“Ah!” He suddenly remembered something that Cahir might be interested in, considering how Rosaline and Hui had reacted to it.

“What is it?”

“I’ve been informed of a Verite marriage proposal.”

“Marriage proposal? Did Roy get divorced? That’s impossible.”

Divorce was difficult to obtain in the Aetheus Empire, where marriage was considered a sacred vow. It was only granted when a serious crime was committed by at least one of the parties. Especially in aristocratic families, divorce was a stain on one’s honor. Of course, there was a provision that allowed for separation as long as both consented, but it was rarely used. Marriage between noble families had a lot at stake, so it was nearly impossible to have an amicable separation.

What if Roy got divorced? Society would be in an uproar. And with Rosaline being a Verite… It wouldn’t be good for her reputation either.

Meanwhile, Derek was wondering if the proposal really was such important information.

“Roy’s divorce led to Rosaline’s resignation.” Cahir wrote down the reason.

Obviously, she valued the image of the imperial administration more than anyone else. She always told new employees to avoid being embroiled in controversy and preserve the purity of the empire.

How painful it must have been for Rosaline’s family to be embroiled in a divorce scandal.

‘Rosaline, as expected. Thinking about leaving me for my own good.’

The sense of betrayal morphed into deep affection. Cahir knew he was fond of Rosaline, but his mind was filled with even more thoughts of her as he appreciated how she always sacrificed herself.

He could imagine her face, eyes filled with awe…

“Your Majesty, I’m sorry, but the proposal is for Rosaline, not her brother.”

Cahir’s smile cracked, and Derek could feel an unfamiliar sadness in the emperor’s face.

When Rosaline said she wanted to quit, Cahir felt like the ground was swallowing him. And now it seemed like there was also a thunderstorm above him.

A dizzying flood of bad news came rushing toward him.

“Your Majesty? Are you alright?” Derek asked seriously.

Cahir pushed his hair away from his face, repeating the sweeping motions until he had regained composure.

Derek held his breath.

“Which family sent the proposal?”

“The Speedo Family, Your Majesty.”

“Look into them. Everything they own, any speck of dirt related to them.”

“What?”

“Don’t let anyone know. Just report to me immediately.”

“Well, there must be a justification before I can start the investigation…”

“The emperor’s words are justification enough, Derek. Who do you think I am?:

Cahir’s tone silenced Derek. He bowed his head, apologizing for his momentary insanity.

After Derek left, Cahir stared out the window holding a glass of wine. Dark clouds covered the sky, concealing both the moon and the stars. His heart felt just as gloomy and overcast.

“Rosaline… Rosaline is getting married?”

It felt like a dream. No wonder, because nightmares were also dreams.

***

For the next few days, Rosaline and Cahir calmly acted as if nothing had happened. He did not even acknowledge her resignation. Words starting with ‘re-’ were banned from being spoken.

Inwardly, though, their minds were in turmoil.

Rosaline was trying to come up with a new plan for her future, while Cahir was considering the results of the investigation on the Speedo Family and how to punish the bastard who dared to aim for a woman way out of his league.

“Your Majesty, why don’t we use the site on Pretzel Street?” Rosaline handed him a report on the construction of the Temple of Berlios.

Cahir accepted the report and carefully read through it, although outwardly his page-turning was so fast that it seemed doubtful that he understood its contents.

“Rosaline, both Axel and Pretzel Street are highly suitable sites for construction. Why do you think Pretzel Street is better?” He snapped the report shut. Cahir was excellent at reading quickly and accurately picking out the most important information. As expected, the author really made him perfect.

Rosaline grinned. “In the case of Axel Street, the atmosphere would be ideal as it is a neighborhood with good security and cleanliness, given that the residents are mostly from the nobility. That’s also why it’s a little closed off, as is often the case with aristocrats. It won’t be a problem at first, but as the worshippers come and go, there can be some issues. Conservative nobles will show signs of discomfort, and so will the Holy State of Berlos. On the other hand, Pretzel Street is mostly inhabited by commoners, but it has a refreshing atmosphere and is receptive to foreigners. The surveys show that the rejection of the Temple of Berlios is significantly lower there compared to the other sites. When choosing a location, we should make it our top priority to find where cultural differences won’t cause problems.”

“Well.” Cahir rested his chin on his hand, looking back at the report. “Submit those two as the final choices. Of course, tell them that I prefer Pretzel Street.” He lowered his head to the papers again to make sure there was nothing missing.

Rosaline smiled, pleased. Before, Cahir would have said, “Let’s go with Pretzel Street, push ahead immediately.” without even meeting with the other aristocrats. Now, he was even trying to show consideration for others. His adherence to due process was admirable.

‘You’re going to be an excellent ruler.’

She could imagine him standing tall on the balcony of the palace, wearing his crown while the people below cheered for him. No one would call him a tyrant.

‘This is largely due to my efforts over the past five years.’

Cahir put down his quill. The jewel pendant on the feather sparkled in the light. He glanced at Rosaline. She looked immersed in his own world at her desk, which was next to Derek’s.

What was she thinking about? Marriage? Was that proposal from Speedo the reason why she wanted to quit?

Rosaline finished her work early and stood up. Cahir did the same, his chair screeching against the floor. She looked up in his direction, and before she could ask what was going on, he was already striding toward her.

She looked up at him, exposing her graceful neck.

‘I want to put a gold necklace on her, one with the most precious pink diamond in the world.’

He slammed a hand against her desk. “Rosaline.”

Her eyes widened and she lowered her head slightly.

“Look for a pink diamond necklace.”

“Can you tell me any details? Are you giving it as a gift?”

“Gift? Does this qualify as a gift? It’s more like a bonus.”

“A bonus? For whom? We should also consider the recipient’s preferences.” Rosaline picked up her quill and notepad. “Who are you going to give it to? How much is the budget for it and when do you need it ready?”

Every time she opened her lush, red lips, a honeyed voice soothed Cahir’s ears.

‘Why is your voice so sweet? There’s no dessert as sweet as this. The chefs in charge of desserts at the palace should reflect on themselves.’

“I don’t care about the price. Please have it ready as soon as possible.” He purposely left out who the recipient was.

Rosaline stopped writing. “Your Majesty? Who are you going to give this gift to?” she urged. She needed to know so that she could choose the design based on the person’s taste/

Cahir leaned down slowly until he was close enough for their breaths to tickle each other’s faces. “It’s not a gift, it’s a bonus. Rosaline, it’s yours.”

The hand holding her quill drew idle circles on the notepad, creating a large ink blot and obscuring the word ‘pink’.

“Your Majesty, I don’t need it.” Rosaline came to her senses a beat too late.

A pink diamond! Pink diamonds were rare, only three or four of them were found per year throughout the continent. The price of one is equivalent to the annual operating cost of a small country. Of course, it wasn’t impossible to buy it using the deep pockets of the royal family, but Rosaline couldn’t fathom owning one herself.

“I’m not giving it to you because you need it. I’m giving it to you because I want to. Bring the pink diamond necklace to me as soon as possible.”

He wasn’t joking.

Rosaline pictured giving Cahir a box containing the necklace, and then he would hold the box for a while before giving it back to her.

It felt weird to even think of it. It would be better if he used all that money to buy a good commercial establishment near the palace.

“Your Majesty, I really don’t need it.”

“Don’t make me repeat myself, Rosaline. Do you want a specific date? I just told you to get it ready as soon as possible because I was worried that you would be busy. Can you prepare it by tomorrow?”

She was speechless. He’d end up getting his way anyway, so what use was it to resist?

A hand came up to hold her jaw. It was a rough move, but Cahir’s touch was gentle. Their eyes met.

Hesitant, Cahir tried to say something but quickly shut up. It was a rare sight.

“Rosaline, don’t you like the necklace?”

She nodded slowly, her chin still in his hand.

“Well, what do you want?”