Chapter 67: Caught Before Dawn

At one point, Judith had been disappointed by how indifferent Fria seemed toward the Emperor. His Majesty ignored all the other consorts and sought only Fria’s company, so she had hoped that, eventually, Fria’s heart would open to him as well.

She had even wondered whether the Emperor’s thoughtful gift of a new residence had softened Fria’s feelings a little.

But it wasn’t that his heart had moved a little.

It was already wide open.

When had Fria become so interested in the Emperor? What on earth had happened over the past two weeks?

“He likes clothing in muted colors. He prefers light food over rich dishes. And apparently he enjoys reading academic and philosophical works. Honestly, none of that really helps us choose a gift.”

To make matters worse, the Emperor already possessed everything he could possibly want. Whatever they prepared would inevitably be less valuable than something he already owned.

“Don’t worry about it too much, Judith. Let’s just see what the other palaces prepare and do enough to keep up appearances.”

“The other palaces started preparing over six months ago. Hmph. As if His Majesty would even glance at their gifts.”

“You shouldn’t say that. Let’s just focus on what we can do.”

“It’s my fault for not preparing earlier.”

Six months ago, no one had expected the Emperor to visit. After he did, they had been so busy responding to one crisis after another that there had barely been time to breathe.

New maids had joined them, they had traveled to the imperial villa, and immediately afterward came their leave of absence. They simply hadn’t had time to monitor what the other palaces were doing.

“Wouldn’t a portrait of you be the best gift after all?”

Judith glanced at Fria cautiously. Olga had agreed to draw a charcoal sketch, but a miniature enamel portrait for a locket or an oil painting suitable for hanging on a wall would require the skill of a court painter.

“There isn’t enough time. Besides, I don’t like having my portrait painted.”

“I really don’t understand why you dislike portraits so much. Of course they can’t compare to seeing you in person, but it would be wonderful to preserve your beauty in a painting.”

Judith spoke wistfully.

“Rather than looking at a portrait, you can just look at the real thing. You’ll always be by my side, won’t you, Judith?”

Fria answered gently, as though comforting her.

Even if the day came when they had to part, Fria would rather Judith remember their happy days together with a smile than cry while staring at a portrait.

“Of course. I’m never leaving your side.”

“You’re not going to get married?”

“Oh, honestly! Are you my father? Why do you keep bringing up marriage? And even if I do get married, I’m not giving my position as your chief maid to anyone. Just so you know, I’ll stick to you like a barnacle.”

Pressing herself close to Fria, Judith made her declaration.

Fria laughed as if he didn’t believe her and quickened his pace.

“I mean it! Why do you keep laughing? I’m serious!”

****

The difference between day and night temperatures was growing more pronounced.

Standing before the fireplace, warming himself after walking through the corridors, Owen surveyed the consort’s bedchamber once more.

The walls were painted in calm colors, and elegant furniture had been placed with careful consideration. When the chamberlain had asked about the room’s color scheme, Owen had given a few casual suggestions, and the result had turned out quite pleasing.

The bedroom in Swallow Palace, lavishly decorated to advertise its purpose as a place of pleasure, had always made him uncomfortable.

Outside, it was still dark enough that the song of a nightingale could be heard clearly.

Beyond the large window stretched a view of the lake.

A crescent moon drifted peacefully upon the water.

Like a secret lover who arrived deep in the night and departed before dawn, Owen visited the consort’s bedchamber without anyone’s knowledge.

He gazed silently at the sleeping figure in his arms.

The yellow glow of the candles cast flickering shadows beneath golden eyelashes and across pale cheeks.

Fria rarely woke.

He was probably still wandering through the labyrinth of dreams.

The imperial palace appeared secure, surrounded by moats and accessible only by a single bridge. Yet beneath it lay a maze of tunnels and hidden passages leading to the outside world.

‘Trust no one.’

They were traces of the fear and anxiety of previous emperors, who had repeatedly built and sealed secret escape routes known only to themselves.

During restoration projects, bleached skeletons, likely those of the architects and laborers who had built them, were discovered hidden within the walls.

The villa Owen had given Fria had once been one such escape route.

At first, he had simply thought it would be amusing.

‘How can he be this oblivious?’

He had slipped out of the imperial residence and into Fria’s room countless times.

Days had passed.

Yet Fria still had not realized he was coming.

The cold he had accumulated while carrying a lantern through the long corridors melted away beneath the warmth of Fria’s bedding.

When he pulled the sleeping man into his embrace, Fria shivered at the chill and burrowed even deeper into his arms.

Sometimes, with his eyes still closed, he would answer a few questions in his sleep.

“Do you like your new residence?”

Fria nodded without waking.

“Who is the person you miss?”

Owen whispered against his ear.

Fria curled up tighter, apparently ticklish.

Owen became stubborn.

He needed an answer.

His lips traced the pale skin beneath Fria’s ear as he repeated the question.

“…”

At last, Fria’s lips parted.

The answer was so faint that even the insects outside could not have heard it.

Owen leaned closer, afraid of missing a single word.

All he heard was steady breathing.

There was only one option left.

He would have to wake him.

A gentle pressure bloomed against white skin, leaving pale pink marks like flower petals.

They would fade by morning, leaving only the faintest traces.

Yet Owen showed no intention of stopping.

****

“Are you absolutely sure His Majesty didn’t come?”

An uncomfortable silence spread among the maids of Swan Palace.

How many days had it been now?

Every morning, their master asked the same question.

“His Majesty has not visited, my lord.”

Isabel answered with obvious exasperation.

Had the consort lost his senses?

Why did he keep insisting he had seen someone who had never come?

At this point, it almost seemed as though Fria was the one hopelessly obsessed with the Emperor.

He looked at the Emperor’s portrait countless times a day.

Every morning he searched for a man who had never visited.

Had two weeks of longing driven him mad? Had the Emperor abandoned him?

Just yesterday afternoon, the maids had been gossiping among themselves.

Isabel had remarked that former emperors often granted castles and estates to discarded lovers as farewell gifts.

Judith had nearly exploded.

“How dare you say such things! If Lord Fria hears that, I won’t forgive you!”

“His Majesty will come soon. Please don’t worry, Lord Fria.”

“I’m not worried… I really saw him. Last night too…”

He even slept here.

Not only slept.

He had kissed and nibbled at him all night.

Of course, Fria couldn’t exactly strip off his clothes and show them the evidence.

Even more maddening was the fact that the marks vanished every morning.

At first he had assumed it was a dream.

But each night the experience grew more vivid.

Now he could feel not only the Emperor’s voice but his touch as well.

Even if it was a dream, it made no sense.

Why was he dreaming about the Emperor?

And why such embarrassingly intimate dreams?

He wasn’t some adolescent boy experiencing his first nocturnal fantasies.

The whole thing was driving him insane.

“Lord Fria…”

The chamberlain had been right.

He had said Fria hated being separated from the Emperor.

And now, after only a few days apart, he was seeing things that weren’t there.

“How did it come to this, Lord Fria?”

“Yes, His Majesty is young, handsome, broad-shouldered, well-built, powerful beyond measure, and richer than anyone alive…”

“But I still think you’re too good for him!”

“I wanted the two of you to end up together, but I wanted His Majesty to love you more than you loved him!”

What was this contradictory feeling?

Tears welled in Judith’s eyes as she clasped Fria’s hands.

****

At some point, Owen fell deeply asleep.

Birdsong announcing the morning echoed loudly around him.

Normally, he left the consort’s room before dawn.

But today sunlight already flooded the world outside.

While they had lived together in the attic, he had always received reports whenever Fria woke.

Even though morning had come, it was still earlier than Fria usually rose.

Carefully, Owen lifted the blankets and prepared to leave the bed.

Slowly, he lowered one leg toward the floor.

At that moment…

An arm reached out from behind him.

A hand wrapped around his waist.

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