Chapter 45 (2/2)

He laughed a little.

“While you’re here, could you lace up my dress too?”

“Well, is it time for a secretary to order an emperor around?”

“If you don’t like it, I’ll go with another partner.”

“That’s ridiculous.” He held the back of my dress unwillingly.

“Done?”

I felt rustling and heard frustrated murmuring. It was likely a haphazard result, but it seemed to be holding up, so I put down my hand.

“Ugh.”

Fortunately, I was able to hold on to my clothes when half of my chest was exposed.

I saw him every day to a sickening degree, but I had no idea that he could not tie one of these properly. I didn’t know why he couldn’t do this when he had a hair drying technique that no one else had.

‘I guess God is a little fair.’

When I turned around and glared, the emperor looked dumbfounded as he let go of the ribbon.

“You’re making a fuss about nothing.”

What do you mean “nothing”?”

“Isn’t it your fault that you tried to boss around a man with no talent for tying dresses in the first place?”

“Ha…”

If Luana hadn’t come just in time, we would probably have had another argument.

***

Having barely dressed up with Luana’s help, I got on the carriage that I usually rode when I went to the academy.

Sitting in a fluffy chair, fiddling with the hem of the dress, I felt strange. Being a secretary, dressing up like this, and having the emperor as my partner…

Of course, it was just a cover…

As the wagon rattled on for quite a long time, I wondered absentmindedly how the emperor would sneak in.

While thinking about it, a sound startled me from above my head.

Before I could even check if it actually came from above, the unmistakable sound rang out again.

When I looked up and looked at the carriage ceiling, I saw a door that could be opened to let in some air. I fumbled around and found its handle, still unaccustomed to the features of a luxurious carriage’s interior.

Voila! The emperor was there. He grinned playfully, then his hands waved me away as if warning me to back off.

“Your Majesty!”

Obviously, I didn’t know that he would be joining from the top of the carriage. I had a lot to say about how quickly he arrived, but I shut my mouth tightly and retreated to one side.

He jumped into the carriage. Even though it was custom-made for him, he was so tall that he crouched down uncomfortably and sat down.

“It’s nice to see you again.”

What a normal thing to say, considering the circumstances.

Confused, I sat down next to him.

He did say he’d join me without anyone’s notice, but I never thought he’d come in through the roof.

“So this is what you call sneaking in?”

“Who cares?”

“Isn’t it illegal to use magic in the Imperial City?”

The emperor shrugged. “The reason why we can’t use magic in the Imperial City is to lessen the risks against the emperor, so wouldn’t it be okay since I’m the one using it?”

Again, he could have given me a heads up.

‘Why, why didn’t you tell me about this? Seriously, as the emperor, you’re bound to have no concept of hesitation, but sometimes it’s too much.’

I sighed deeply and turned my head.

As I got off the carriage, I saw guards strewn from the entrance to the campus. Five times as many as usual, they patrolled in pairs and observed the guests with sharp eyes.

Even though the serious atmosphere exceeded my expectations, I was a bit relieved. It seemed that they paid special attention to the security as it was the only time in the year that the academy was open to everyone. More than half of the imperial nobles went to the academy, so it would have been especially necessary to deploy more security forces.

I had a hard time standing still, holding on to the emperor, who was looking for another way to see the long line. I was sorry that I had to do this to this man who had never had to wait for anything since he was born, but I figured he was the one who insisted on coming.

I repeatedly smiled comfortingly in response to his impatient scowls, and in time, it was finally our turn.

“Please show me your ticket.”

“Here you are.” I hoped it would be peaceful, but I was constantly nervous that something might happen.

Fortunately, the cheerful music being played inside eased my anxiety. The emperor, who was lightly touching my shoulders, laughed quietly as he felt me relax.

Experiencing the entrance like a common person would, he looked around the hall with interested eyes to see if more prominent guests were afforded better treatment.

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