<Chapter 95>

Perfect score! Five million points out of a hundred!

‘Ah, he nailed it. My husband is absolutely amazing—who could ask for better?’

If there weren’t so many eyes on us, I would’ve grabbed him and showered him with kisses.

Maybe my feelings showed on my face because, for the first time today, the Crown Prince let out a laugh.

“Haha, so you won over the Duchess’s heart with your overwhelming wealth?”

“Oh, no. My husband won me over with his face.”

“……”

A heavy silence fell over the group like a bucket of cold water had been dumped over them.

The Marquis let out an awkward cough, while the Marchioness chuckled as if to say, ‘Ah, young love is a wonderful thing.’

Meanwhile, Temenos lightly bumped my arm with his elbow. His gesture practically screamed, Didn’t I tell you to keep it low-key in public?

“You two seem to have a wonderful relationship. I’m relieved to see that His Majesty didn’t put you through anything too terrible.”

“We are always grateful for His Majesty’s generosity.”

“Good… On that note—”

The Crown Prince paused for a moment, then turned his gaze toward the Marquis and Marchioness.

“I actually have some business with the Duke and Duchess of Winstein. Would you mind giving us a moment?”

“Of course. We’ll take our leave for now, then.”

“Yes, see you next time.”

I watched the two walk away without calling them back.

‘Looks like I’ll have to stand quietly beside Temenos like a shadow from now on.’

I’d spent the last while chatting and having fun with the Marchioness, so now it was his turn.

Taking a step back, I smiled to show that I’d wait patiently no matter how long their conversation took.

But then—

“Duchess. I have a request for you.”

“…Huh? Me? Not my husband, but me?”

I had assumed, without a doubt, that he was looking for Temenos.

Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who thought so, because Temenos, who had been silent all this time, frowned and stepped forward.

“What kind of business would an unmarried prince have with my wife?”

“Ah, I should’ve phrased that differently. It’s not a request—it’s an order. And I’m just the messenger, so don’t bother complaining to me.”

Wait a minute. If someone has the power to use the Crown Prince as a messenger, then—

“You figured it out, didn’t you? That’s right. His Majesty wishes to see you.”

The prince then added one more thing as he looked straight at me: “Without the Duke. Just you, Duchess.”

Ah… So the time has finally come.

I already knew I would be summoned to see the Emperor, thanks to the divine oracle I received in the carriage earlier.

‘But I didn’t expect him to call for me alone.’

The thought of facing the Emperor by myself made me a little nervous.

So, without the Crown Prince noticing, I shot a look at Temenos. You cannot let me go alone.

Thankfully, he understood my silent plea immediately.

“This is perfect timing. Since His Majesty has summoned us, we should go together to properly express our gratitude.”

“Hmm?”

“Escorting my wife is my duty to begin with.”

Temenos spoke firmly, locking eyes with the Crown Prince. His gaze carried a clear message—surely, as an unmarried man, you wouldn’t presume to escort my wife yourself?

Perhaps unwilling to meet Temenos’ eyes for too long, or maybe not particularly eager to separate him from me, the Crown Prince merely shrugged.

“Do as you wish.”

With that, he turned and started walking toward the door, apparently intending to guide the way himself.

‘But… is it really okay for him to leave?’

With the Emperor absent, isn’t the Crown Prince the de facto host of this banquet? This is an imperial event held in the palace—can the only royal present really step away?

As I pondered this, I glanced at Temenos. He, too, wore a complicated expression.

“If anything happens along the way, climb onto my back. I’ll get us out of here immediately.”

“Are you sure that’s okay?”

“If we escape to the North, do you really think they’d chase us all the way there?”

“And if they do? If soldiers and knights come after us in droves?”

“Then…”

After a brief moment of thought, Temenos answered in a calm, steady voice, “A monster will appear.”

That was all he said.

No elaboration, no threats—just a simple statement.

And yet, I was deeply moved.

‘The man who despises being called a monster to the point of wrapping himself from head to toe…’

He hadn’t even joked about abandoning me or leaving me behind. That alone was touching.

Feeling pleased, I abandoned any pretense of a formal escort and hugged Temenos’ arm tightly.

“Didn’t I tell you to behave yourself in public?”

“My shoes are uncomfortable, so bear with me.”

Of course, that was a lie. The shoes, custom-made to fit me perfectly, were incredibly comfortable. They had high heels, but thanks to the divine power infused in them, my feet didn’t hurt at all.

Judging by the way Temenos let out a soft scoff, he clearly saw through my excuse.

“Lame excuse.”

Still, as if concerned that my shoes might actually be uncomfortable, he subtly adjusted his arm so I could hold onto him more easily.

Ahh… How does he know that I like men who are cold to everyone but warm only to me?

“Hehe.”

“What’s so amusing? You have no idea what might happen later.”

“No matter what happens, I have a husband who will carry me and run away. So what’s there to worry about? I’m not scared at all.”

Besides, I have God on my side.

I have been entrusted with the grand mission of saving the world—would God really just sit back and let the Emperor mess with me here?

‘Right, my Lord?’

It is reassuring to have someone to trust and rely on.

Emperor? Demon King? Bring them all on!

…Or so I thought, feeling confident as I entered the imperial audience chamber.

— “Formalities are unnecessary. You may leave with the Crown Prince, Duke. I have business with the Duchess alone.”

No sooner had we entered and offered our greetings than the Emperor made it clear—he wanted Temenos gone.

Naturally, Temenos did not comply.

“There is no female member of the imperial family present, yet Your Majesty wishes to have a private audience with my wife? That is highly improper.”

— “Improper? Do you dare lecture me on propriety, here in my own court? Duke Winstein, leave at once!”

“However…”

— “Must I summon the knights to drag you out?”

Though Temenos’ reasoning was flawless, the Emperor—hidden behind a white curtain—suddenly flared up in anger.

Even the Crown Prince, who had entered with us, looked visibly taken aback. Temenos’ expression, on the other hand, became unreadable.

Sensing that things could escalate, I quickly grabbed Temenos’ arm.

“You should wait outside.”

“But…”

“I’ll be fine. What could possibly happen?”

I whispered softly, tapping his back lightly with my palm. It was a silent message—if anything went wrong, he should charge in, grab me, and run.

Temenos held my gaze, his lips pressed into a tight line, before eventually nodding.

“If anything happens, call for me. I’ll come immediately.”

Though I had spoken in a hushed voice, I worried that the Crown Prince might have overheard.

I stole a glance at him, but thankfully, he seemed more focused on the Emperor. He gave a formal bow and then exited with Temenos.

Now, only the Emperor and I remained.

No attendants. No knights. Just the two of us.

‘Wow… this is nerve-wracking…’

Swallowing dryly, I clenched my fists.

— “Duchess, I have heard much about your achievements in the North.”

“Achievements, Your Majesty…?”

— “They say you opened the eyes of the blind, restored hearing to the deaf, and even regenerated lost limbs.”

What thorough intelligence gathering.

‘If I deny it, he won’t believe me, will he?’

Still, I have to try.

“That was not my doing. It was merely God grace bestowed through me.”

— “Even better. If you could grant such mercy to mere commoners, surely you will not withhold it from me.”

The Emperor suddenly broke into a violent coughing fit behind the curtain.

It wasn’t the light coughing of a minor cold—it was deep, guttural, almost as if he might cough up blood at any moment.

So severe that I found myself genuinely worried he might die right then and there.

‘If the Emperor drops dead now, with only me present, I’ll be blamed for everything.’

“Your Majesty, are you alright? Shall I summon a physician?”

“Why call a physician when you are right here?”

Still struggling to breathe, the Emperor let out a wheezing chuckle.

“Duchess. Come inside.”

“Inside the curtain…?”

“Yes.”

So, he finally said it.

I took a small breath.

“Understood, Your Majesty.”

If anything happened, I was fully prepared to yank off my shoe and smash him with the heel.

Steeling myself, I cautiously stepped beyond the curtain.

And what I saw—

—was nothing more than a shriveled-up old man.
 

<To be continued>

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