CHAPTER 013
Just moments ago, the flames had obscured the path, but now the downpour made it difficult to keep her eyes open.
As if in a struggle for dominance, the torrential rain and the raging flames clashed and intertwined. Soon, the blackened smoke that had soared high into the sky disappeared, leaving only the sound of heavy rain in the charred forest.
The Emperor stood still, breathing heavily after climbing up the cliff. His hands still firmly held Arabelle’s head and waist, leaving no space between them.
Even amidst the sounds of the heavy rain and the cries of the animals... the pounding of a heart echoed vividly in Arabelle’s ears, so loud it was hard to tell if it was hers or the Emperor’s. Their hearts, pressed against each other, first beat out of sync and then started beating together.
A warm weight rested briefly on the top of Arabelle’s head before it was lifted. Soon, the Emperor’s large hands gently but firmly grasped her slender shoulders and pushed her away from his chest.
As she lifted her gaze to meet the Emperor’s crimson eyes, Arabelle’s slender shoulders trembled. The Emperor’s eyes darkened deeply, reflecting nothing, and his handsome face held a cold, scornful smile.
It was the face of the Emperor she had never seen before. Like the calm before a volcanic eruption.
She felt afraid but sensed she shouldn’t avoid his gaze. Suppressing the urge to lower her head, Arabelle looked up at the Emperor through her trembling eyelashes.
His red lips parted, and a chilly voice emerged into the rain.
“Didn’t I command you to wait in the camp?”
“...”
Arabelle opened her mouth to answer, but only white breath came out, no words.
“Do you realize how dangerous the situation was?”
“...”
His emotionless, calm voice was colder than the rain falling on her face. For some reason, it made her chest ache. She tried to answer, but her lips wouldn’t part.
As the grip on her rigid shoulders tightened, Arabelle’s eyes widened, looking into the Emperor’s. The cold, red eyes were now swirling with countless emotions, overwhelming her brown eyes.
His loud outcry silenced the noisy forest in an instant.
“You could have died! Do you understand? It was dangerous!”
“...Hic, hic, hic…”
Tears that Arabelle had been holding back all night flowed down, and sobs escaped her lips.
“I'm sorry... hic... I now realize how much danger I put Your Majesty in because of my mistake... hic... Please forgive my foolishness... hic... I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”
Arabelle’s eyes were filled with the sight of the Emperor’s tattered clothes, burned by the fire and cut by branches. Tears mixed with raindrops flowed down her cheeks.
The Emperor had risked great danger to save her when she fell from the broken bridge. It was a situation where he could have lost his life...
Arabelle’s entire body trembled with guilt for having put the esteemed Emperor of the empire in danger.
[How are you never of any help? Always causing us trouble. It’s unbearable.]
[Your bad luck affects us all. How unlucky must you be to be born without the healing ability we all have? Stay away!]
[How much must your mother have hated you to abandon the family and run away? If you couldn’t receive your mother’s love, who else would love you? No one.]
Her father, sisters, and aunt’s family had been right. Arabelle chastised herself as she tried desperately to stop crying.
The Emperor had only shown her kindness... Yet, she had caused him great harm. She had followed to help, but instead, she had endangered his life.
Arabelle, who had grown up being scolded for crying, bit her lower lip until it bled, trying to stifle her sobs.
“Haa…”
Maxwell let out a long sigh as if he couldn’t believe her repeated apologies. The strength in his hands holding her slender shoulders slackened.
“Do you think I’m angry because I almost died? Do you think I’m so upset because you put me in danger?”
Arabelle dropped her gaze and nodded to the quiet voice coming through his teeth.
“Look up and meet my eyes. Didn’t I tell you? When you’re with me, don’t avoid my gaze.”
Tears blurring her vision, Arabelle lifted her head to meet the Emperor’s eyes.
His red eyes now showed only calm dignity once more.
“Look into my eyes and tell me. Do you really think that’s why I’m angry?”
Arabelle, not understanding his meaning, stared blankly at him.
Then… Her round eyes widened as if realizing something and more tears streamed down her cheeks.
“Is it… because I… almost died… that you’re angry?”
Her tearful voice quivered pitifully.
“Do you understand now? Why I’m angry?”
The Emperor’s voice was gruff but with a hint of playfulness, she was familiar with.
It was unbelievable. That someone had risked their life to save her… That someone had worried about her dying and got angry about it was a first.
Trying to swallow the sobs that burst out even louder, Arabelle covered her mouth with both hands, but the Emperor’s hand drew her back into his embrace.
“If you’re moved, don’t hold back your tears. Cry loudly so I know how deeply you’re touched.”
Despite his teasing words, the Emperor’s hand stroking her hair and patting her back was incredibly gentle.
“Hic, hic, uh… Uwaaa, waaah…”
Burying her face in the Emperor’s broad chest, Arabelle began to cry out loud for the first time.
***
“Your Majesty!”
The Emperor’s knights, who had been waiting outside the Duke of Laurel’s castle, rushed out upon spotting the approaching white horse.
At the cold dawn, as the guards who had scattered to find the Emperor and Arabelle began to regroup, the Emperor had returned.
"I'm so relieved that you're safe, Your Majesty."
Sir Jacob, whose large frame belied his gentle manner, placed a hand over his heart and welcomed the Emperor with a loud voice. Immediately, the Emperor pressed his index finger urgently to his lips.
"Shh."
The Emperor's signal for silence caused Sir Jacob and the guards to close their mouths and focus their attention on the small bundle in the Emperor's arms.
Arabelle was wrapped snugly in the Emperor's cloak from head to toe, with only half of her face peeking out as she slept.
"I will take her."
"It's fine."
When Kyle, the aide, reached out his arms to take Arabelle, the Emperor responded curtly.
For a moment, a chilling glance flashed across the Emperor's eyes, causing Kyle to shiver inexplicably.
The Emperor dismounted gracefully, holding Arabelle in one arm and the reins in the other, using his long legs with ease.
"Take Cassius to rest. You have all done well."
At the Emperor's command, two soldiers quickly took the white horse to the lord's stables.
"Is the room prepared?"
"Yes, the maids and the head maid have everything ready in the guest room on the third floor."
Kyle thought to offer again to carry Arabelle but changed his mind, seeing the weariness in the Emperor's face.
The way the Emperor held Arabelle, shielding her in his arms as if he wouldn't allow anyone even to look at his precious treasure, was telling.
Kyle tried to push away the thought that had crossed his mind—‘treasure’ seemed more like ‘prey’—and decided it was safer for his wellbeing not to dwell on it.
Kyle was not alone in this thought. Sir Jacob, Sir Peter, and the other knights, who had just returned from the mountain, hurriedly dispersed.
As Maxwell climbed the spiral staircase, his large hand spread out, shielding Arabelle’s closed eyes from the chandelier’s bright light.
Arabelle, comfortably nestled and deeply asleep, nuzzled her small head against his chest, making his Adam's apple bob heavily.
When Maxwell carried Arabelle into the bedroom, warm steam with a fragrant lavender scent rose from a pristine white porcelain bathtub by the fireplace.
"If she continues to sleep like this, she might catch a cold. We've prepared a warm bath."
The head maid and two maids greeted the Emperor as he entered, their voices trembling, unable to look at the Emperor who had wreaked havoc here hours earlier.
The Emperor had taken the lives of the Earl of Laurel and his sons, to the relief of all in the domain.
But witnessing the Emperor wield his sword with such unhesitating, merciless precision was something they hoped never to see again, even in their dreams.
Maxwell nodded and carefully laid Arabelle on the bed.
As the Emperor stood there, casting a long shadow, the women’s faces reflected their confusion. They couldn't undress the young lady with the Emperor present, but he showed no sign of leaving.
The head maid exchanged a meaningful glance with the maids, now understanding.
‘Ah, so they have that kind of relationship. No wonder the Emperor carried her himself. We prepared separate rooms, not knowing.’
Approaching Arabelle, they began to unbutton her soot-stained dress, only to be stopped by a cold, low voice.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"We were just about to undress her for the bath…."
The head maid replied with a bowed head, startled.
‘What does he mean, “what do you think you're doing”…?’
To help with the bath, they had to undress her. It felt like being caught touching something precious without permission.
The head maid, who had bathed the countess and her three daughters for over twenty years, didn’t know where to direct her eyes.
‘Perhaps His Majesty wishes to bathe with her?’
‘Then should we leave?’
‘We might get in trouble for staying here cluelessly.’
The three women exchanged silent glances, panicking, as the Emperor spoke again, resignedly.
“Fine, help her with the bath, but be careful.”
“Yes? Yes, we will serve her faithfully.”
Hearing the response, the Emperor turned toward the door, but then his eyes widened in surprise.
His legs froze as he looked down at the tiny hand that clutched his index and middle fingers firmly. The owner of the hand smiled happily in her sleep.
Without realizing it, the Emperor brought his other hand to Arabelle’s sleeping face.
When his palm cupped her soft cheek, her small head turned, nuzzling against his hand. He felt her soft eyelashes and moist lips against his palm.
‘Haa.’
Feeling warmth spread throughout his body, the Emperor bit down hard on his molars.
Arabelle was undoubtedly a spy sent by the enemy to test his self-control.
She had infuriated him by leaping into the flames to save the wild animals, and now she was driving his entire being into a state of excitement, stimulating every cell in his body.
The incredible part was that the one responsible for his throbbing body was peacefully asleep, unaware of anything.
As the Emperor stood there, not moving his hand away, it was the maids who grew anxious.
They were unsure whether to leave the two alone or to undress Arabelle under his watchful eye. Not knowing the Emperor’s intentions, the maids stood exchanging glances for quite a while.
Comments
Post a Comment