PPCTD 13

‘What if Leto hadn’t appeared in that situation?’
It wasn’t that I had nothing to say. I had a plan.

“I intended to publicize the truth about the ‘Goddess’s Snowflake.’ By now, Your Majesty would have found proof that it’s fake. Just like today.”
“Your plan was clever, but you knew… that would put you in danger.”
“That’s something I have to accept. Life doesn’t always resolve peacefully and safely.”
“That’s not right.”
Leto spoke firmly.
“No matter what, the most important thing is safety. Especially in front of the Grand Minister. On that point, I won’t compromise.”

I thought over his words carefully. The conclusion was inevitable. I asked cautiously,
“Were you worried?”

“…Why would I worry here if I wasn’t going to intervene?”
“Really? A reproach?”
Leto seemed momentarily lost for words. He let out a shallow sigh and muttered,
“I suppose I am a little unfair.”

Even if he feels that way, what can I do? He usually has an icy expression.
Perhaps aware of my observation, he spoke more gently,
“I hope nothing like that happens again. I don’t want to see you in danger.”

I could feel it. He was genuinely worried about me. Somehow, I felt apologetic.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you.”
“That’s good. At least it’s over now. But… was the wall really that high?”

It’s not that it’s small. But the reason I could do what I did today was…
“I trusted Your Majesty.”
“…What?”
“I thought that even if I became the Grand Minister’s target, you would protect me.”

He asked to confirm,
“You trusted me and did that?”
“You called me your ‘wife.’”

He might scoff. Just words, nothing serious, he might think. But I wanted him to know—I wasn’t acting recklessly.
“So I trusted you. Even if only in name, we’re married.”

Leto’s eyes widened. As wide as they could, staring through me.
Had I overstepped? Using the word ‘wife’ for us… was it too much?
“Are you angry?”
“No.”
“You seem angry, though.”
“Do you want me to be angry?”
“No, just… your expression seems angry.”

The way his eyes trembled, his lips slightly parted. If it’s not anger, then what?
Leto seemed to realize something and quickly softened his expression, avoiding my gaze.
“I was just a little surprised.”
He ran his palm over his face.
“…Try fixing your expression.”
‘Fix it? Then…’
I lightly touched the wrinkle between his brows.
“The crease here makes you look angry.”
“……!”
“You said you’d fix it.”

For a moment, he froze like a statue. Had I done something wrong? I cautiously withdrew my hand. He grabbed it and pulled me down.
Perhaps it was my imagination, but his face seemed slightly flushed. His hand felt warmer than before.
Feeling awkward, I spoke first,
“I’ll be more cautious from now on.”
“No. Do as you wish.”
“…….”
“You said you trusted me. Do it, trusting me.”

‘Huh?’
Suddenly, a strange feeling rose in me. As if I’d become someone special to him. An absurd kind of illusion.

Leto suddenly asked,
“Have you ever heard of the ‘Empress’s Garden’?”
“Never.”
“You’ve been working all this time, so no wonder. It’s a rose garden between the Emperor’s Palace and the Empress’s Palace.”
“Is that so?”
“Want to see it?”
“Now?”
“Mm.”
“Is it an order?”
“No. A suggestion.”

It meant I could refuse. But my curiosity piqued just by the name.
“All right, let’s go.”

The ‘Empress’s Garden’ was indeed along the path to the Empress’s Palace. The gates, once firmly closed, opened.
Creeeak—
“Wow…”
I gasped. Red roses bloomed everywhere, their intoxicating scent enveloping us.
‘It’s like stepping into a bouquet.’

It was just the two of us in the garden. Clearly reserved for royalty. Seeing this view, I almost regretted letting anyone else witness it.
“Why is it called the ‘Empress’s Garden’?”
“My father created it for my mother.”
I understood. The bond between the previous emperor and empress must have been strong. He never remarried after her early death.
“So the late Empress liked red roses?”
“More of a symbol. My mother’s appearance was… unique.”
“Unique?”
“Red hair, violet eyes.”
“Oh.”

Everything suddenly made sense. In the Set Empire, red hair was rare, violet eyes too. Someone with both was considered extraordinary. A representative example… was Meril Este.
No wonder Leto was taken with her. He must have seen how the previous emperor cherished the empress. Leto would make a good husband—just seeing him worry about me earlier confirmed that.

“Why are you smiling?”
“I think you’ll be a good husband. To the woman who becomes empress after me.”
“What?”

He stopped abruptly, as if he’d heard something he shouldn’t. Swallowing hard, he asked,
“I’m curious. You’re doing well as empress, can’t return home, and there’s no man—yet you want this divorce so badly. Why?”
“Does the reason matter?”
“It does.”

I had many reasons. I was still wary of Leto. In the original story, he changes after meeting Meril. Until then, I couldn’t relax.
‘So living with him as a good companion? Impossible.’
If Meril Este appears, everything changes. I have no place in their love.
Even if I concede a thousand times, and Leto came to like me, it still brings big problems. Meril wouldn’t participate in the ‘Goddess War.’

Then the imperial family, and more importantly, my life, would be in danger. I didn’t even want to be on the battlefield.
But I couldn’t tell him all that. I’d have to give a vague answer.
“I have to live my own life, too.”
“Your life?”
“Yes. I never dreamed of a life like an empress. It doesn’t suit me.”
“You don’t know yourself well.”
“Thank you for acknowledging me as empress, but I don’t want a glamorous, intense life.”
“Then what life suits you?”
“Stable and peaceful, for starters.”
“And?”
“Huh?”
“Tell me more. Specifically. How do you want it peaceful?”

I’d never imagined it, but I tried.
“Um… I’d have a small tea house on a quiet seaside. I’d welcome guests, read books, or do research. Oh, studying herbs would help the empire, too.”

Just imagining it felt pleasant. Peaceful, simple life. Helping the world through research. Nothing more needed.
Leto was silent after hearing my dream. I smiled, understanding why.
“It sounds absurd, unrealistic. If not many guests come, the business won’t succeed.”
But Leto asked a completely different question.
“Will you be alone there?”
“Well… I don’t know. Maybe someone will be there if lucky. If not, it doesn’t matter.”

Leto dug through the flowerbed. There were many thorns, but he didn’t care.
Somehow, he found a white rose. He plucked it and offered it to me.
“Thank you.”
“Is that all? Seaside, tea house, herb research?”
“…For now.”
“All right.”

What did he mean by that? Perhaps Leto was uneasy. He still didn’t know about Meril. He just didn’t want the empress position left vacant.

We continued walking in the garden. The scent of the white rose, subtle and gentle, filled the air. Feeling good, I smiled at him.
“Soon, a good woman will appear for Your Majesty, too.”
“……”
“Trust me.”

After a few more steps, he suddenly disappeared from beside me. I turned and froze.
His face was frozen in shock.

The Grand Minister remained alone in the dark room. A shadow entered.
“Baron Oran has been taken away, right?”
Just from the voice, I knew who it was.
“Dante.”
“Unfortunate, Your Highness. Baron Oran could have been a good source of funds.”
“Watch your words!”

Dante raised his hands in surrender. The Grand Minister jumped up, pointing a finger.
“You were supposed to deliver the letter only to Livia! How did it come to this, with the Emperor present?!”

He stepped close, under Dante’s chin.
“Dante, did you deliver the letter properly?”
“I swear on the Goddess. I delivered it privately, to the Empress alone.”
“And the secret about the ‘Goddess’s Snowflake’ hasn’t leaked?”
“Impossible. Very few priests even know, and none could speak of it. If discovered, Your Highness would have their tongue cut off.”

All true. The Grand Minister sank onto the sofa.
“That woman—”
“The Empress?”
“Yes. She’s completely different from the old Livia.”

Dante laughed wryly.
“Isn’t that because Your Highness proclaimed her resurrection?”
“At the time, I thought the Empress’s resurrection was a ‘true’ miracle. Miracles do sometimes happen, after all.”
“Rarely, but they do.”
“Still… she’s changed so much. Almost unrecognizable. What do you think, Dante? Does she feel like the real Livia?”

Dante had a special way of perceiving. He could feel divine power directly, surpassing even the Grand Minister.
Dante smiled meaningfully.
“Yes. I feel the ‘Goddess’s power’ from her.”
“That’s not false, then?”
“Absolutely.”

“I see. Go ahead, then.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”

Dante bowed and turned to leave. Just before exiting, he paused.
“Your Highness. What if she isn’t the truly resurrected Empress?”

The Grand Minister gave a bitter smile.
“What does resurrection matter? Whether to kill or spare… that’s something one decides when the time comes.”
“…Understood.”

Simple logic. If she blocks his path, he won’t tolerate it—even if she resurrected with the Goddess’s power.
Dante left quietly, thinking,
‘I didn’t lie to the Grand Minister. I can feel the ‘Goddess’s power’ from her. Stronger than before.’
Such power had never been felt in the empire—not from the former Livia, nor anyone else.

A curious smile spread across Dante’s lips.
‘Empress Livia, huh. Perhaps I’ll investigate further.’