Proofreader: somnium

Lysia suddenly woke up around midnight that night. She had a terrible nightmare, which she couldnt remember exactly.

However, as her chest burned, Lawrences face came to mind.

Lysia sat up.

Seeing Lawrence in her dream was probably because during the day Amalie and Artizea talked about him.

But that wasnt the only reason. She didnt tell anyone, but Lysia thought of Lawrence in the West as well.

She knew Artizea was worried, so she tried to pretend she didnt, but she woke up several times from Lawrences dream like a fever.

It wasnt that she wasnt conscious of him at all when they returned. Its just that Artizea doesnt want it, so shes just trying to pretend she doesnt know.

Lysia got out of bed. Then she changed her clothes and went out quietly.

Grand Duke Evrons residence was engulfed in silence.

Lysia came out with a lamp.

The guards let her go without much concern at the words that she was going out for a walk.

It was because they knew that although Lysia was not a battlefield knight, she had enough skill to defend herself.

Lysia got on her horse and headed for Sabelin Street.

She made an impulsive decision.

When Lawrence told her that his house is on Sabelin Street, she had no intention of visiting him.

But now she wanted to. She couldnt explain exactly why.

She stopped her horse where she could see the front door of Lawrences mansion.

Even after she left, Lysia was worried. Will she go in or not? She didnt really know what to say to him just because she met him.

It was a time of agony.

Then when she started to move, Lawrences carriage came running back. Lysia quickly moved out of the way.

She thought it was rather good. Because it felt as if the carriage had swung past her like she was a ghost.

But the carriage stopped before Lysia swallowed the bitter water rising from her stomach.

Before the servant could open the door, Lawrence opened and exited the carriage himself.

Lysia flinched her body.

Lawrence came over to her and held out his hand. His hands were white, his fingers were smooth, and his palm was soft. No man in Evron would have had such a hand.

Lysia couldnt tell if it was the right thing for her to hold his hand or not.

Objectively, she deserved to be escorted from a high-ranking man.

But can she really hold this hand? Is it a betrayal?

With manners and emotions jumbled, Lysia placed her hand on Lawrences hand.

Then Lawrence pulled her to him and pulled her off the horse.

Youre here.

Lawrence had an expressionless face. However, his cheeks were hot, as if a porcelain doll was breathed to life.

I didnt come with that in mind.

Then?

Lysia took in her breath. She couldnt come up with a word.

Lysia.

Did she ever give him her name? She cant remember it well.

Lawrences hand clasped Lycias hair lightly. Pulling and approaching happened at the same time, and his breath came close enough to touch.

It was a feeling very familiar to Lysia. She was ecstatic enough to lose her soul, but scared enough to chill her spine.

Lysia took a step away from him before their lips touched.

She then clasped her hands together in front of her chest. Not knowing whats on her mind, she felt like praying.

Would you like to go to the West with me?

The West?

Lawrence asked. And it soon turned into a face of absurdity.

Yes. To the west. No, it doesnt matter if its East or South.

Lysia shook her hand.

Leave everything and come with me. Then I will give up everything and be with you for the rest of my life.

They only met a few times, and this conversation was not something to say to the person he met twice.

Lysia knew it too.

But it was the answer to the problem she was looking for. What Lysia was about to answer, she couldnt answer with certainty.

In fact, she didnt even know exactly what the problem was.

But it feels like everything will go in the right direction. It was so clear that it felt like her eyes were wide open.

The saint must have felt this way a long time ago when they saw directly in the direction God was pointing.

Lawrence grinned. He laughed as if it were ridiculous.

Everything? What are you talking about when you dont have anything anyway?

Sir Lawrence.

Dont do that, instead come to me.

He pulled Lysia and wrapped around her waist.

Lysia saw the shadow from by the lamp cast red over Lawrences white cheeks. His long eyelashes were gleaming, making it look golden.

I will let you enjoy all the wealth and the greatest pleasures in the world that you could not have imagined in Evron or anywhere else.

I dont need that.

Then, present you with a crown under the starry night?

It was a term referring to the Empress seat.

Lawrence lowered his head. Lysia turned her face away again this time to avoid him kissing her.

Let me go.

Dont think about it. You just need to come to me. I will make you the happiest woman.

Then he whispered that he would do everything for her, and he pulled Lysia closer to him, trying to embrace her deeply.

But before he could kiss her, a short arrowhead came out of Lysias sleeve. Lawrence let her go as he was startled and backed off.

I dont mean to hurt you. sorry.

Lysia.

I have to go back to Her Grace.

Turning around, Lawrence spit it out in a cold voice against Lysias back.

Is your heart just that much?

You dont even love me.

Lysia stopped her steps and said.

Lawrence exhaled.

Does anything change when I say I love you? Is the love you are talking about can only be achieved by being a poor person?

Its not like that!

Then, are you doing this for Evron Grand Duchy?

Lysia looked at Lawrence with a painful mood.

Leaving doesnt mean that Lawrence loses everything.

All he has to do is leave behind the fact that he is the son of the Emperor. Yet, he still holds the title and is a wealthy aristocrat.

He doesnt have to be more greedy. Lawrence is tormenting himself with that greed and dissatisfaction.

If he gives up his greed and leaves with her, they can try to love each other and live a simple and cute life.

Then he can live without bothering anyone. He himself could probably try to forgive himself with all his might.

But Lawrence refused. There was nothing more Lysia could say otherwise.

Lysia turned around. She did not look back this time.

Lysia!

Lawrence shouted again.

Still, Lysia did not look back.

What Lawrence knows about love is only to give his partner something bigger and better.

She wasnt saying to throw it away.

If someone had to give up something and let it go, he deserved to be by Lysias side. If only he really had pushed his hand out to her.

Lawrence twisted his lips and smiled.

For some time thereafter, the Empire was ostensibly very quiet.

The government has been busier than ever before.

Chancellor Lin said Cedrics promises would not be anything more than short-term measures at best.

But even that alone puts an unusually heavy burden on the officials.

Lawrences preparations for the southern conquest were much more complicated and serious than that.

The subjugation of pirates in the South has been a problem that has been regularly called for for a long time.

Even the Emperor always had in his mind the seriousness of it.

He didnt just give Lawrence an achievement, he had to get the most out of it at once if he was going to move the army as the center of the operation.

On the other hand, there was clearly a reason for why he had been neglecting it until now. So, Gayan and his military officers wrapped their heads every day.

Such things became the main topic of discussion in social circles, salons and coffeehouses.

On the other hand, there was no place for scandals and conspiracies to intervene.

Artizea would wait until the time came. She told Amalie the same thing.

[Well, even if I say this, it must be true that Dame is hesitant.]

[Im sorry.]

[I do not intend to form a conquest and compete with His Majesty for power. I dont even think it will be of any benefit.]

[Your Grace.]

[Rather, I think it is right to win the favor of His Majesty. So dont worry and wait.]

Amalie looked at Artizea with a face that wondered if that would be possible. It was because it felt like a contradiction to seek the Emperors favor from the position of pushing Lawrence away.

Artizea said the Emperors heart would not last long, and Amalie even admitted that her words were plausible.

But she has not yet fully agreed and was not convinced.

Knowing this, Artizea was also saying this.

[If you follow His Majestys will and wait, Dame will come out knowing that I was right.]

Artizea didnt expect loyalty from them right now. Even if she forcibly puts the pressure, it will only solidify a transactional relationship.

And true loyalty did not come from a faction united for profit.

Cedrics reign should not have started like that.

So her job is to change the situation. Not forcing them to make a decision.

Amalie again apologized, but she nodded her head at Artizeas words.

Gayan, who had heard the story from Amalie, also agreed. He sighed.

His heart was complicated, but he could not disobey the Emperors orders. If the time Artizea spoke of did not come, he would eventually have no choice but to remain loyal to the Emperor.

[Its not as comfortable as it is, mentally. If His Grace Grand Duke Evron becomes the next emperor, wouldnt his position be that he noticed the trend late?]

In essence, the person who was with you in difficult times is the best. No one welcomes a person who joined after it is clear they will be advantageous after looking at both sides.

Even Amalie understood Gayans feelings a hundred times. She herself had such anxiety.

Nevertheless, Amalie had no choice but to say this.

[But the other person is Grand Duke Evron. After all, the vassals of Evron Grand Duchy will be the best when it comes to those who have been with him in difficult times, and His Grace will decide whether or not to use such a person for that reason.]

[Is that so?]

[Faith does not only come from sharing in hardships or opening your heart, but also from whether you can do it with certainty when you are entrusted with it.]

[I think it would be more comfortable that way. These days.]

Gayan said so in a tired voice.

Then he assembled an army for Lawrence and set out for the South.