TVGS 103

Chapter 103

Feeling my heart pounding, I looked at Etias.

His voice followed.

Soft, but spreading deeply into my heart.

“…I like you, Katrin.”

I looked at Etias with eyes that shook violently.

It wasn’t a secret I couldn’t notice, but I had always shaken my head thinking it couldn’t be true.

The huge truth I had tried so hard to deny now came crashing like a wave, leaving no escape.

With deep eyes, Etias told me his feelings, his cheeks slightly red.

“….”

I couldn’t open my mouth.

After all, a “favorite” means the character I have the most affection for—it’s natural to imagine a little romance in my head.

I liked Etias’s will that did not break even in difficulty, and yes, I was excited by him as a man.

But remembering his original character, he was too mismatched with romance, so even after falling into this novel, I never thought we matched.

‘There’s no way he’d like me.’

Even while supporting him, I always thought that.

In reality, his looks and gestures would have made it obvious, but I clung to the “original story syndrome” and refused to hope.

‘He likes me?’

My heart felt like it would explode.

My face grew hot, my vision shaking.

Etias—my favorite—who became my light in life, even during deadly stress… now confessed to me, looking a hundred times better than in print.

The problem was that I had almost no dating experience.

‘What do I do? How am I supposed to answer?’

While I hesitated, feeling my heart race, Etias continued.

“Of course, I know you don’t see me as a man.”

I flinched, my eyes trembling.

Under the moonlight, he spoke with eyes that seemed slightly bitter.

“Rather than liking me as a man and showing kindness, it must have been for justice in your heart, like your father.”

“….”

“For the people of the empire.”

Huh?

“Because you are that kind of person.”

…Wait a minute?

I blinked, forgetting even my trembling.

Etias was clearly misunderstanding something big.

“Well, that’s…”

No, that’s backwards!

I never cared much for the revolution itself.

My favorite was Etias, and the revolutionaries were just part of his world.

I only helped because it greatly affected his health and safety.

“But I don’t plan to give up.”

With his cheeks still slightly red, he furrowed his brows and said,

“I will win your heart, Katrin.”

…You already have it.

“I’ll make you fall for me.”

…You’re already my favorite.

“No matter what.”

“That’s not…”

I was just about to say something to clear up the misunderstanding.

“My lady.”

Heros’s voice came from behind.

I jumped and turned, seeing him holding a bouquet.

He glanced coolly at Etias, then walked toward me.

“On my way back from investigating Scavengers, I saw your carriage.”

It seemed he guessed I would be here.

“Please take this.”

Heros handed me the bouquet. The white flowers were full and bright, with a rich lilac scent.

“What’s this?”

“I happened to pass a flower shop and thought it would brighten your office.”

“You really know my taste.”

I smiled at him, then looked at Etias.

The redness in Etias’s cheeks was gone, and the burning emotion in his blue eyes had cooled.

He now looked at Heros with a cold gaze.

Heros smirked slightly and stepped closer to me.

“Then, let’s go back. It’s late.”

Etias sighed softly and whispered kindly to me,

“We’ll continue this conversation later, Katrin.”

I looked at Etias for a moment, then nodded.

“Alright, I’ll be going now.”

My heart was still pounding.

“Why did you visit the orphanage?”

“I wanted to see if we could build a school there.”

Children from the orphanage often ended up committing crimes as adults.

With my modern knowledge, I knew education strongly affects public safety, so I wanted to create a school for underprivileged children.

They could learn practical work skills, and the brightest could get scholarships.

“You’re not a villainess anymore.”

At Heros’s meaningful remark, I smirked.

“Why, are you disappointed?”

“Of course not. I saw your true nature from the start.”

“Arrogant, as always.”

He grinned, as if that was his charm. I clicked my tongue and flipped through documents brought by the orphanage staff. Building the school seemed possible.

“Put this in the archive; I’ll attach it to the school construction plan.”

“Yes. By the way, about the duke’s burned library…”

His words made me uneasy.

I had burned it, thinking the duke’s top secret was the revolution’s member list.

“I think it’s time to clear it out. Why not empty the library?”

“Well, I already used what I needed before the fire. It was easy to find the enemies’ weaknesses. You’re right, it’s better to clear it out.”

Looking out at the clean streets of Dobelten, I continued,

“But I’m still curious. What was the real top secret my father was going to send to the Rebel Emperor?”

From the weight of the term “top secret,” it must have been something huge… but I still didn’t know.

“I’ll check carefully while clearing the duke’s library to see if anything is missing.”

I nodded at Heros’s words.

Watching the orphanage carriage leave, Etias ran a hand through his hair.

His brows were set, his blue eyes still holding her image.

—“Well, that’s…”

Her beautiful brow had not shown signs of agreement to his confession.

—“That’s not it…”

Even with his heart sinking, he wanted to hold her wrist and make her look at him a little longer.

Katrin Elemore.

At some point, he had longed to touch her, but had to suppress his feelings.

Now, even as the emperor, she was still a difficult, mysterious woman.

I want her—with all my heart.

As much as he wanted the empire and the throne… maybe even more.

So he wouldn’t give up.

Even if it was selfish, he couldn’t let go.

Watching her disappear with that nuisance, Jeffrey Whistler, he slowly turned away.

The night was deep, and he didn’t think he would sleep.