Chapter 164
Most of what I remembered began with things like “that old geezer” or “the old man”, and none of it was particularly flattering.
“That old geezer must be obsessed with work. Keeps starting new ventures.”
“He said His Majesty was very passionate about his work. Overflowing with brilliant ideas and constantly launching new projects.”
“Maybe the old man’s losing it. He asked me to escort the Byzantian prince.”
“He also said he felt your trust very deeply. That he was grateful for the responsibility of handling the Prince of Byzantian’s reception, and that he’d do his utmost.”
“The old man must’ve gotten stabbed or something, Rienna. I heard he sent auditors to a few noble estates and shook them down hard. Is he trying to stuff his own pockets with all that embezzled money?”
“His Majesty holds justice as a very important value. From what I know, he punishes wrongdoing regardless of status or rank.”
Hmph. The man scoffed through his nose. Worried I’d said something wrong, I glanced at him, but his expression was odd. His nostrils flared slightly and the corners of his mouth twitched with restraint, like he was trying not to laugh.
“Ahem. Yes. Seems you’re seeing him clearly.”
“Please be sure to tell His Majesty that’s what I said.”
The smile vanished from his face. I looked at him with a twinkle in my eyes, expectantly. With visible reluctance, he nodded.
“So… when can I meet His Majesty?”
“Now.”
So much for digging up more on Terman. Time was up.
I couldn’t keep the Emperor waiting — too bad, the conversation with the aide ends here.
“Should I head up now?”
I reached for the box I’d placed on the table, but the man beat me to it.
“That’s a gift for His Majesty. Please give it here.”
He ignored me completely and started untying the ribbon.
“Excuse me! I said it’s for His Majesty!”
“Yes, yes, I heard you. Now hush. How does such a big voice come out of such a skinny little thing?”
I put my hands on my hips and let out a deep sigh. I’d been trying to tolerate his rudeness because he was likely the emperor’s closest aide, but this—this was too much.
Even his handsome face wasn’t enough to forgive this level of disrespect.
“Hey, mister.”
“His Majesty.”
“Yes, yes, His Majesty’s aide mister. That gift has an owner. Hand it over, please.”
If he gave it back now, I might not roast him alive. I glared at him with all the intensity I could muster. But he, utterly unbothered, opened the lid of the box and pulled out the contents.
“What’s this?”
The gift I had prepared was a handmade herbal tonic.
It was a pill carefully crafted to restore strength in weary elders with one powerful boost. I’d painstakingly rolled each one by hand and wrapped them in thin sheets of edible gold leaf. It had been so much work.
“Mister, I said put that down. That’s not your medicine. It’s for His Majesty!”
“Then it’s reached its rightful owner.”
I was so stunned I couldn’t even speak. I just stared at him, slack-jawed, as he casually beckoned with a flick of his fingers.
“Sit down, Rienna. I am Terman. Emperor of this nation.”
I sat. Or rather, my legs gave out and I collapsed into the seat.
One look at his serious expression, and I knew that he wasn’t joking.
“Y-Your Majesty… it is an honor to be in your presence.”
“You already greeted me earlier, didn’t you?”
“I… I didn’t recognize Your Majesty… You look so young…”
Inside, I cursed Helios.
He’d always called the emperor “that old man” or “the wrinkly one,” so I had imagined Terman as some grizzled geezer with white hair and sagging skin.
But standing side by side with Helios, he looked so young that you could mistake them for uncle and nephew without hesitation.
I glanced at Terman again.
He looks so much like you, not in the absolute sense of beauty, but in the noble bearing.
The almond-shaped eyes, the golden hair, the sharp nose…
Though Helios is a bit more handsome…
I figured the other traits must’ve come from his mother.
But there was something else Terman and Helios had in common.
“It’s fine. My looks often cause misunderstandings. I must look too young to be carrying the weight of an empire, like you said. And what else did you say?”
Terman was so self-aware.
“Uh… what did I…?”
“When I walked into the parlor earlier, you said something.”
“Oh! That you’re so handsome…”
He nodded, clearly pleased by my words.
Terman’s demeanor was surprisingly similar to Helios’s.
The realization that the two were father and son made me feel like a fool for not recognizing it earlier. I felt like a complete idiot. I should’ve been more observant, but instead, I was starting with a disadvantage.
At that moment, Terman asked:
“Do you like cake?”
He was holding the gift box tightly, his gaze toward me unexpectedly warm.
So, maybe it wasn’t a minus for me after all… Could it be a plus?
