Chapter 39 (2/2)

“I was on my way back anyway, and I couldn’t stand not doing anything about that man.”

It was hard to guess how he was really feeling because he always spoke calmly.

‘If you say such things casually while fluttering documents, I don’t know if it’s a joke or the truth.’

I couldn’t look at his back here, but why did he always sit so far away like that? So stubborn.

We were immersed in our own thoughts and worked without conversation in the carriage bound for the palace.

Back at the palace, I reported today’s events to my predecessor, who gave me a brief summary of what I needed to know about the royal family, including the resignation of the chief of staff.

“He resigned?”

“Yes, he’s older than I am because he’s been serving the former emperor. He did a great job, too.”

“…He was a good man.”

“You should go home and rest. That would be great.”

“Haha…”

“And let’s see, it’s pruning season, so the gardeners will be busy taking care of the trees…”

My heart thumped at the news of the chief, sandwiched between the other news as if it were nothing.

Did he really go home quietly to rest? No, I didn’t think so. It was such a sudden resignation.

I didn’t blame myself for what I said, since I was certain it was him. He turned his back on someone he shouldn’t have had.

He might be tortured in a dungeon, and even if he was at home, he’d be under surveillance. The Emperor would have told me if he had found a connection with Xenon, or if he had a useful income, but if he hadn’t… was he alive?

“…Are you listening?”

When I came to my senses, the secretary was staring at me, frowning.

“I think you’re busy thinking about something else.”

“No, I was listening.”

“What did I say?”

I was glad for my memory in times like these. I recited the story that I heard in one ear while thinking about it. “Because it’s time to hire a large number of gardeners to renovate the garden, if you have a schedule for a garden event, you need to coordinate it in advance.”

His expression relaxed gently. “Whoa, all right, I must have misunderstood. You can go now.”

“Yes.”

“And…”

“What?”

“Maybe I won’t be able to hold on very long here either. My knees, waist… I can’t get away with my age as easily anymore.”

“Secretary…”

“Early graduation or whatever, I look forward to seeing how you’ll do.”

I smiled awkwardly and nodded. I didn’t think I’d get my own way just because I wanted to, but the reasons for doing it were increasing.

After greeting the secretary, I stopped by my room and took a proper bath, so I went to the emperor’s room in a refreshed mood. He had taken off his top and was lying on the bed reading documents. The emperor must have washed up after a long trip, seeing how his hair, which had been covered with dust, was damp and clean now.

Having to take the time to read documents that required final approval like that while traveling must have been a difficult job, even for the emperor.

I approached him, who was lying on his stomach, and sat on the bed, putting a hand on his back. He had just washed up, so the skin was soft, but it looked terrible to my eyes. His back, which at first had only scars that looked like unrecognizable bruises, was now covered with scars with more and more distinct shapes. I knew in my head that a new wound that bled was much healthier than an old, unhealed wound, but it was not very good to see.

And even if it was a side effect, it was usually just a bruise, not like this, where his back was covered with sharp cuts… I didn’t know how much power he had used to end up like this.

Was it because of my presence that he thought he could take worse wounds? Or was it because he got a little freedom from constant pain now? He kept using more and more powerful magic regardless of how it hurt him.

There were many things I wanted to ask, but I kept my mouth shut and made use of my hands. He came from such a stupid situation where the people of a country depended on a single emperor. I didn’t want to say anything that would sound like blaming.

I couldn’t help but be astonished inside as I sensed magic from the outermost place I could reach, one layer at a time, as if untangling threads. How could there be such complicated magic?

When my hand touched the dark blue triangle pattern, the emperor took a short breath. Then he made a small click and shoved his nose into the document again.

Time flew by as I took care of the remaining wounds as I traced the muscles from his neck to his firm back and then to his shoulders. It wasn’t until darkness fully fell that his back became something worth looking at.

I got up, trying not to show my distress. My head was spinning. I did the best I could, and I couldn’t do any more either.