CESP 14

Chapter – 14

As Seilia woke up from her sleep, she immediately felt a sharp pain in her left arm.

Although it was tightly bandaged, she deliberately avoided calling the imperial physician, fearing that the news might reach Leo.

Thus, it was naturally a very minimal level of treatment.

“Ugh…”

The maidservant and the maids watching her were filled with pity.

However, she couldn’t just sit around forever.

Clenching her teeth to endure the pain, Seilia stood up and asked,

“How much longer until the tailor arrives?”

Marse, trying hard not to reveal the multitude of emotions she was feeling, replied calmly.

“About an hour or two, Your Majesty.”

Seilia got out of bed and slowly rolled up the sleeve of her nightgown to check the bandage.

It was a serious matter.

The wound hadn’t healed as much as she had hoped, leaving an obvious sword cut that looked fresh to anyone who saw it.

Leo might have already realized the attack had occurred yesterday, but if he found out about the injury, Seilia was certain he would kill everyone in the annex, not just the assassins.

“Marse, let the tailor know in advance to choose a design that can cover the wound as much as possible. Also, find something that will help it heal faster.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Seilia sat in front of the mirror to begin her preparations, her face growing increasingly uneasy.

***

In an empty room attached to the annex, the tailor had arrived and was taking Seilia’s measurements.

“I believe the measurements are sufficient, but before we review the designs, would it be alright to try on a few different styles of dresses first?”

Absolutely not!

Seilia wanted to shout this out but held back, forcing herself to respond calmly.

It wasn’t an unreasonable question, and she didn’t want to raise suspicion by overreacting.

“That won’t be necessary. Another time, perhaps…”

“No, proceed as planned.”

Leo, who had been leaning against the door with a deeply displeased expression, interrupted Seilia’s words.

He had been opening and closing the door, pacing back and forth, and generally making a racket.

His demeanor suggested he knew something, and the memory of yesterday’s events caused the faces of the servants and Seilia to grow pale.

“Very well, then. Let’s try on dresses ranging from slightly revealing to modest ones. We’ll find the one that suits Her Majesty the best.”

Apparently, the tailor valued the Emperor’s permission more than the Empress’s.

As soon as Leo gave his approval, the tailor’s lips curled into a grin as if this was the moment they had been eagerly waiting for.

‘I’m doomed.’

Half resigned, Seilia began trying on dresses, starting with the less revealing ones.

But when she wore a dress with a gracefully low neckline that followed the curve of her shoulders, the wound on her left arm became glaringly visible in the mirror.

The faces of those assisting her darkened even further.

After stepping out from behind the screen, Seilia hurriedly clutched her left arm, forcing an awkward smile.

“This dress truly complements your exquisite hair color, Your Majesty. It’s perfect, though your posture could use some adjustment…”

The tailor, unable to touch Seilia’s arm, was at a loss.

At that moment, Leo approached and firmly grabbed the arm that had been hesitating in midair.

“Leave us for a moment.”

His icy expression froze the atmosphere in the room.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The tailor bowed deeply and left the room with the attendants, closing the door behind them.

Now, only Leo and Seilia remained in the room.

Leo, who had been standing at a distance, slowly walked toward her, his cape fluttering over his formal attire.

As the distance between them narrowed, his initially expressionless face twisted into a fierce scowl.

“Did you really think you could hide it from me?”

Leo grabbed Seilia’s delicate chin with one hand and removed her hand from her arm.

A pained groan escaped through Seilia’s clenched teeth.

“Ah!”

Leo’s expression darkened further.

“I don’t recall hearing a single word about the Empress sustaining a sword wound during yesterday’s attack. Or am I mistaken?”

Even though the attackers had been discreet and hidden, the wound should have been noticeable if observed closely.

Leo tightened his grip on her chin and asked in a cold voice,

“What were you thinking, hiding this? This is my Imperial City, where my people are everywhere. Did you not consider that?”

‘Ah, I made a mistake.’

Seilia swallowed dryly, realizing her error.

“I can guess how you found out about this. Whoever told you, they’re not at fault. They were merely following my orders.”

Without showing any sign of panic, Seilia desperately defended them.

If she didn’t, Leo might order executions or worse.

Leo scoffed at Seilia, who was shielding the knights who hadn’t reported anything to him.

“Who are these loyal subjects of yours? Their loyalty is truly admirable.”

His mind was filled with dark thoughts, and it seemed he was barely holding himself back from acting on them.

Seilia’s pupils trembled as she watched him.

Now that he knew about the injury, there was no telling what he might do.

The wound on her left arm wasn’t severe enough to be considered life-threatening.

Leo seemed to think so as well.

However, seeing such a dreadful sword wound on Seilia, who had grown up without so much as a scratch, made it impossible for Leo to maintain his composure.

“Hand over that damned rat to me, Empress.”

Leo, who had remained calm even in anger, now seemed to have completely lost his temper.

“…Will you kill them?”

Her voice trembled despite her attempt to sound bold.

“Do you think I’ll just kill them?”

Even his faint laugh sent chills down her spine.

“Of course, I won’t kill them right away. I’ll keep them alive to extract information. As for the rest, I don’t think you need to know.”

“How do you plan to find them without my permission? If you’re thinking of borrowing my help, give up early. I have no intention of telling you anything—not even a speck.”

Seilia’s defiance shattered Leo’s expectations with a single sentence.

“Then I’ll find them myself.”

Leo’s words easily demolished the wall of resistance Seilia had put up.

The menacing look in Leo’s eyes as he looked down at her made it clear he was determined to find it, even if it meant mobilizing the entire empire. At this rate, he might actually find it before the day was over.

She couldn’t understand why he was acting like this.

“You’re being uncharacteristically emotional. Why are you overreacting? The wound isn’t even that bad…”

“Oh, the wound isn’t that bad?”

Leo grabbed the injured spot tightly, causing Seilia’s carefully maintained composure to crumble.

“You’re talking nonsense. What exactly are you trying to achieve by being so reckless?”

Leo’s voice, strained with anger, rose and fell unpredictably.

“I’m not entirely sure yet, but I think I know who the mastermind behind this is. That’s why I’m searching for evidence now. You haven’t forgotten what you promised me before we got married, have you?”

“…”

“You said you’d let me handle my duties as Empress properly. That includes granting me the authority to act when necessary.”

This was Seilia’s trump card, leaving Leo speechless.

Sighing, Leo released his grip on her arm, ruffling his partially disheveled hair.

“So, you’re asking me to stand by and do nothing?”

“Yes. Until I catch the culprit, at least.”

Seilia’s firm expression as she looked up at him made Leo glare at her, but this time, she didn’t back down.

Leo sighed deeply and turned away.

“Fine.”

By now, he should have enough information about the culprits’ identities and whereabouts.

Leo decided he would discard the documents he had left on his desk.

Why was he so willing to listen to Seilia?

The emotions swirling inside him were complicated and unfamiliar.

Seilia silently watched Leo’s retreating figure before calling out to him again.

“Go. If you’ve said everything you needed to.”

Although she dismissed him, Seilia quickly called him back to resolve her lingering doubts.

Leo, who had been striding away, turned back reluctantly.

“What’s the meaning of calling me back after telling me to leave?”

“You should experience this kind of situation at least once. Anyway, why are you angry?”

Leo paused at her unexpected question.

“Could you be more specific? There are too many reasons for me to be angry because of you.”

“Why are you angry about me being injured? It doesn’t matter anymore, does it? Whether I get cut or stabbed to death.”

At her dramatic example, Leo’s gaze, which had been wandering, returned to her.

“It might not matter to you, but it does to me. And don’t pretend you wouldn’t care if I got hurt.”

His calm yet piercing words left Seilia speechless.

“…Leave.”

That was enough acknowledgment.