* * *
A servant entered and relayed the Emperor’s command to come in.
As the ornate double doors swung open, Ashard stepped in front of Eren protectively.
Eren’s eyes, which had been eagerly scanning the grandeur of the imperial palace, froze.
All he could see now was the broad back in front of him.
“Stay behind me.”
Ashard’s grip tightened around Eren’s wrist like he’d never allow him to stray even an inch.
Hidden behind his back and pressed so close, Eren couldn’t even see Ashard’s expression.
Seated arrogantly upon the golden throne with his legs crossed, Emperor Cidrein propped his chin on his hand and looked at Ashard with visible amusement.
There was a peculiar glint in the Emperor’s violet eyes, his ashen hair tied low behind him.
The monocle added to his intellectual appearance—a different kind of handsomeness compared to the chiseled, striking Ashard.
“So, the one behind you… is Eren Nefendis?”
“…Yes, Your Majesty.”
Even with Eren hidden behind him, Ashard made no move to reveal him.
The Emperor’s expression began to sour with irritation.
Peeking out cautiously, Eren caught the Emperor’s mood—and quickly stepped forward.
‘Dumbass! I knew I shouldn’t have listened to that guy.’
Thinking it best not to provoke the Emperor further, Eren lowered his hood.
Silvery hair tumbled out, revealing his soft, round features.
His full face was now laid bare before the Emperor.
“Oho…”
The Emperor let out an intrigued noise, his eyes scanning Eren up and down.
Then, rising from the throne, he began to approach.
Eren’s face, though fully revealed against Ashard’s wishes, was held high with confidence.
He thought he’d done the right thing—despite not knowing much about the Emperor of Trovien.
He had no idea what a simple act like removing his hood would set into motion.
“To think you had such a face.”
With long strides, the Emperor closed the distance, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
Then, he lifted Eren’s face by both cheeks.
Startled, Eren looked up, suddenly caught in the Emperor’s grasp.
When those wide, gentle eyes locked on him, a thin smirk curved the Emperor’s lips.
His tongue traced over them like a snake discovering a delicious prey.
Noticing the Emperor’s expression, Ashard quickly stepped between them.
“No matter your position, Majesty, laying hands on someone so carelessly is beneath you.”
Freed from the Emperor’s touch thanks to Ashard, Eren hurriedly slipped behind him.
Only now did he begin to understand why Ashard had warned him earlier.
‘Shit… That Emperor bastard’s completely lost it.’
Eren had only planned to be wary of the main characters from the original story.
He never expected to flee to another country, only to be ogled like this.
Regret welled up inside him as he quietly clutched Ashard’s sleeve.
Even though he was already hiding behind him, it felt a bit safer holding onto something.
“You’re lecturing me now, Duke Preeditt?”
“Not lecturing, Your Majesty. I’m simply advising you to act with the dignity befitting an Emperor.”
Neither man’s voice betrayed emotion.
The tension was palpable in their low, stern tones.
Eren watched anxiously, unsure why even Ashard was so worked up.
Sure, the Emperor had reason to be angry, but why was the Duke reacting this way too?
The two men faced off, unmoving, as if locked in a silent battle of nerves.
‘Someone break this awkward mood already…’
Emperor Cidrein, seeing Ashard unusually flustered—someone normally cold and composed in his presence—found himself oddly unwilling to stop.
That small man hiding behind him had piqued his interest.
“I understand now why you tried to hide him from me… Turns out, he’s quite my type.”
What the hell was that supposed to mean?
Just barely escaping from Epentel, now he had to deal with some lunatic eyeing him like a piece of meat.
And it had to be this empire’s Emperor, of all people—someone he couldn’t even easily run from.
‘I’m not going down without a fight.’
“It’s an honor to meet you, Your Majesty. I’m Eren Nefendis.”
“You—”
Eren stepped out from behind Ashard and gave the Emperor a polite bow.
Ashard had signaled him to stay put, but of course…
But he had already stepped in once to block the Emperor.
Doing it a second time would cross a line. Ashard bit down on his lower lip, unsure of what to do.
“You’re bolder than you look. I like that. Ever considered entering the palace?”
“The palace…?”
“Come now, don’t play dumb. I’m asking if you’d like to become my consort.”
Ashard’s brow furrowed visibly, and Eren was equally stunned.
From what he knew, the Emperor of Trovien already had an Empress.
Which meant—he already had a spouse.
‘And yet… he’s asking me to be his consort?’
The absurdity of it all flashed across Eren’s face.
Everyone in this damn world seemed unhinged.
How long would he have to keep dealing with these lunatics?
As he stole a glance at the Emperor, Eren found himself bitterly regretting ever pushing to meet him in the first place.
“As I understand it, Your Majesty commanded the Duke to bring me here.”
“And?”
“And the war with Epentel isn’t even over yet. If Your Majesty were to take me as your consort now, they’d dig into my identity for sure.”
The Emperor nodded, gesturing for him to go on.
“If Epentel discovers I’m here, it’s only a matter of time before it turns into an international incident. I’m a noble from another empire—practically kidnapped. This won’t go unnoticed.”
“So what you’re saying is… this could reignite the war with Epentel?”
Eren fell silent.
Noticing that the silence was a sign of agreement, the Emperor smiled broadly and leaned in close.
“After all, we were the ones who invaded Epentel first. Besides, I don’t believe Epentel could win without you anyway.”
“And why is Your Majesty so sure I would have only one strategy prepared?”
At the unexpected question, the Emperor’s lips stiffened.
He wasn’t the only one caught off guard—Ashard looked surprised as well.
The Emperor’s gaze turned colder.
As if that kind of look would intimidate him.
Eren stared right back into the Emperor’s eyes.
“I’ll tell you the strategy I gave to Epentel. Including the one for when we were the ones being invaded.”
“And what do you want in return?”
“I’d like to stay with the Fridit family, not the Imperial household. Naturally, I have no intention of becoming Your Majesty’s consort. I don’t need a title. Just grant me citizenship so I can reside in Trovien.”
“How bold.”
Eren made his demand confidently, then glanced at Ashard out of the corner of his eye.
He wasn’t going to object… right?
The idea of staying with the Fridit family hadn’t been something they discussed beforehand.
As Eren looked over, worried about his reaction—
“A letter from Her Highness, the Princess.”
Ashard pulled something from his inner coat and handed it to the Emperor.
When he opened the envelope and pulled out the letter inside, the Emperor chuckled like he’d just lost a round.
“When did the princess get swayed over to your side?”
“She wasn’t swayed—Her Highness requested it herself.”
“Very well. Eren Nefendis shall be granted citizenship and may reside with the Fridit family. Also—”
Also…?
The Emperor looked at Eren with a mischievous glint in his eye before continuing.
“He is hereby appointed as the private tutor to the First Princess.”
‘What the…?! A tutor? For the princess…?!’
* * *
