Chapter – 16
Ikar’s brow slightly furrowed.
Tension began to build, but Renebe calmly continued walking step by step and spoke casually.
“I heard in rumors that His Majesty the Emperor of Bashker has black hair like obsidian and red eyes.”
“……”
“And I also heard that Sir Dhan has blond hair and green eyes.”
Walking in step with Renebe, Ikar asked:
“Is that all the evidence you used to figure out that I am the Emperor?”
“There’s more.”
Ikar gestured for her to continue.
“According to rumors, Sir Dhan is said to look like a delicate, slender young man. But Your Majesty…”
“Your Majesty what?”
Looking at Ikar’s solid arms, Renebe answered:
“Your build is very strong. Strong enough that most knights wouldn’t even be a match for you.”
“I didn’t realize such detailed rumors had spread all the way to Paradium,” Ikar muttered seriously.
Of course, such detailed rumors did not actually circulate in Paradium. Renebe only knew because she had seen both of them before her regression.
And since saying she had regressed would definitely make people think she was crazy, this was the best explanation she could give.
“And you may already know this, but there are also rumors that both of you are very handsome.”
That part was true.
After his surprise appearance at the founding festival, the Paradium social circle talked about Ikar for quite some time.
“Both of us?”
However, Ikar seemed to focus on an unexpected detail. Renebe quickly adjusted her words.
“Of course. Especially! Everyone says His Majesty’s appearance is overwhelmingly beautiful.”
“Then… which type is your preference?”
“My preference?”
“Yes. The frail young man type, or the strongly built type stronger than knights?”
Renebe became quite troubled.
After spending several days together, she had tried to understand Ikar, but he was the type that was hard to predict.
His actions and words were consistent, but sometimes he showed unexpected reactions.
So she carefully considered what answer would best help her get through this situation.
“Since you can’t answer immediately, it seems your preference is closer to the frail type.”
Renebe bit her lower lip, but the moment their eyes met she flinched.
His eyes were slightly curved, and the corners of his lips were raised.
But he was emitting a very unpleasant aura. It felt like he might draw his sword at any moment.
Renebe quickly spoke:
“My preference may not be that important, but I suppose I prefer the stronger type.”
That was true.
Lucius had trained with a sword, but since he spent much of his time doing paperwork in his office, he couldn’t really be called muscular.
Compared to Ikar, he was closer to the frail type.
And that had helped Renebe realize her preference wasn’t for slim, elegant beauties.
“Despite his pale appearance, Dhan is actually quite strong too,” Ikar said.
“And… I also think sun-tanned, healthy skin is attractive.”
Ikar looked even more interested.
“Oh? Like me?”
“Yes. Like you, Your Majesty.”
Renebe forced the words out one by one.
Finally, a wide smile spread across Ikar’s face. It was exactly like the saying that praise could make even a dragon dance.
Since he didn’t know how hard Renebe had worked to soothe his sudden bad mood, Ikar’s spirits had improved considerably.
“Your Majesty, are you heading to the office?”
Dhan asked as he approached from the opposite side of the corridor.
“Yes.”
“Perfect timing. I had something to report regarding what you mentioned earlier…”
While looking down at documents, Dhan suddenly lifted his head.
Because Ikar was humming.
Even Dhan, who had served him closely for over ten years, had never seen Ikar humming like this.
“…Your Majesty?”
“What is it?”
“Did something good happen?”
“Something good?”
As he walked calmly toward the office, the corner of Ikar’s lips lifted slightly.
Dhan became tense. That expression usually meant trouble followed.
“Now that I think about it, something did.”
“What is it?”
“I wasn’t going to say, but since you seem curious, it would be proper of me to tell you personally.”
Dhan wondered what could possibly require such buildup, but he waited quietly.
“I went for a walk earlier and met Lady Seiren’s daughter in the grand garden.”
“I see.”
“She told me about her preference in men.”
Dhan nodded appropriately.
“Her preference?”
Ikar nodded.
“Dhan, are you curious?”
“Huh? Yes… please tell me.”
At that moment, the smile vanished from Ikar’s face.
At first, he had intended to clearly tell Dhan that there was an unbridgeable wall between him and Renebe.
But he soon changed his mind.
There’s no need to tell him.
He remembered the way Renebe had once looked steadily at Dhan at the Zuilbern estate.
“Bain, you’re working late again.”
Bain looked up from his documents.
“It’s nothing unusual. Rather, it felt strange that Your Majesty didn’t come to the office after dinner.”
Rubbing his sleepy eyes, Bain spoke while Ikar sat and began working.
“Your Majesty?”
Dhan tilted his head.
Only then did Ikar look at him.
“What is it?”
“You didn’t finish what you were saying…”
At that moment—
“Bain, it would be better to review this document again.”
Bain quickly approached.
“Ah, there seems to be an error in the numbers. My apologies, Your Majesty. I’ll correct it immediately.”
Ikar looked back down at the documents, then glanced at Dhan who was still standing there.
“Dhan. If you’re not going to bed, perhaps you should catch up on your pending work.”
“…Yes, Your Majesty.”
Dhan opened his mouth helplessly before going to sit beside Bain.
And as usual, the Emperor’s office remained brightly lit until dawn.
Renebe’s eyes widened when she came out of the bath.
“What… is all this?”
“These are gifts His Majesty has bestowed upon you, my lady.”
The bedroom was filled with dresses she had never seen before. It seemed he intended to keep his promise to spare no support for a distinguished guest.
Renebe looked at the dresses with a complicated expression when Kieren cheerfully asked:
“My lady, which dress would you like today?”
She seemed happy that her mistress was being treated so well.
“This one seems nice.”
Renebe chose a light blue dress with cream lace and puff sleeves.
Once she chose, the maids moved efficiently. They moved the dress racks to the next room and helped her change.
“It suits you so well!”
After Renebe stood before the mirror, Kieren clenched her fists near her face and shook them excitedly.
“Thank you, Kieren. Please take care of me from now on.”
When Renebe smiled slightly, Kieren blushed.
“It’s an honor to serve someone like you. I look forward to working with you too.”
Renebe nodded and walked toward the door.
“Kieren, where do the others usually eat?”
“Some eat in the dining room, and some eat in their private rooms.”
“Then today I’ll eat in the dining room.”
Kieren quickly opened the door.
“I’ll guide you, my lady.”
As she entered the dining room, she saw someone who had just arrived.
It was Rachel, the princess of Laina.
Rachel had once visited Paradium when Renebe was Empress.
At that time, Rachel had boldly spoken harsh truths directly to Esika, who acted as if she herself were the Empress.
Rachel had only spoken obvious truths.
But at that time, no one in Paradium dared say such things aloud.
As Lucius aged, he had gradually become more tyrannical.
Perhaps because of that, Renebe had always felt close to Rachel. They were also similar in age and had talked well together.
Seeing her again naturally brought a smile to Renebe’s face.
“If you haven’t started eating yet, may I join you?”
Rachel’s maid quickly whispered something to her.
“Of course. Please sit here.”
Despite the sudden meeting, Rachel’s friendly personality made the meal pleasant.
They mainly talked about their accommodations and Bashker’s culture.
After eating, they moved to the imperial garden for tea.
While talking, Rachel suddenly said something that startled Renebe.
“Have we perhaps met before?”
Renebe lowered her gaze to her teacup.
Why would she ask that? Could it be…
For a moment, she wondered if Rachel might also be a regressor, but she dismissed the thought.
“I believe this is our first meeting. May I ask why you ask?”
“It’s hard to explain… but you feel strangely familiar.”
“I feel the same. I think we get along well.”
“Oh! So it wasn’t just me. That makes me happy.”
Rachel’s already large eyes widened further as she smiled.
Just then, her maid approached and whispered:
“…Understood. Tell them I’ll be there soon.”
“Yes, Princess.”
Rachel looked apologetic.
“What should I do? It seems a guest from Laina has arrived.”
“Please don’t worry about me. You should go.”
“I’m sorry, my lady. Let’s meet again.”
Rachel stood first.
Renebe also stood, looking at her now empty teacup.
The sunlight was warm. It felt like a good time to walk through the imperial garden.
As she walked slowly, her thoughts eventually focused on one question.
The original story had ended with Lucius and Esika overcoming hardships and confirming their love.
But because of Renebe’s different actions both before and after her regression, events had begun to change.
In the original story, Ikar was only a minor extra character who died at a young age.
