The Tyrant Couldn’t Fall Asleep

"Your Majesty! Why are you in my room all of a sudden…?”

"Is it ready?"

"What?"

“Did you prepare the clothes I will wear to the banquet?”

“I was going to leave it to the imperial seamstress sooner or later…”

“Did you also entrust Izaya to the imperial tailor?”

"No, I heard that hers was left in a new boutique.”

Soon Hans sighed and said.

"I think they aimed for something new because they're rookies who just opened the boutique, but I still don't understand. The imperial seamstress would’ve been better."

It was then.

"I'll leave it up to them too."

It was sudden, but it was the order of the emperor.

Hans nodded with a serious face.

"Okay, then tomorrow..."

"Tomorrow?"

Hans stopped talking and swallowed a dry saliva. That's because Ern's eyes were gradually turning ugly.

"I'll send someone to the boutique right away."

When he looked at Ern again, his face was clearer.

How long has it been?

The seamstress entered the palace after being called by the emperor.

"I see the brilliant sun of the empire! It is an honor to visit this boutique!"

"Raise your head."

The seamstress, who was kneeling down, stared at the emperor and admired him.

‘Is that what he looks like?’

She has dealt with many with excellent appearance and numerous noble young people.

However, the emperor's appearance was unrivaled.

Fluttering clean silver hair, white skin, and faintly blueish purple eyes.

He was sitting crookedly on the throne, but even that was a beautiful boy who looked elegant.

‘With that kind of appearance, it would be worth making clothes. But it feels like…’

Soon she recalled that she had the same experience a while ago.

'Come to think of it, I was just amazed when I met Her Majesty. They definitely match well.’

Thinking that way, the seamstress opened her mouth.

"Please tell me if you have any requests."

Then Ern replied without any hesitation.

"I will be the fanciest at the banquet hall."

Hans, who was listening, intervened with a strange face.

"What? Didn't you say fancy clothes are a nuisance?"

‘Yes, to be honest, it was still cumbersome. But…’

He sensed Izaya's hesitation from earlier.

If he doesn't dress up properly, she might be ashamed of him, and maybe…

'If I'm shabby, she might divert her attention to others.’

Soon Ern replied firmly.

"I'm the emperor, the sun of the empire, so it's natural that I stand out more than anyone else."

The seamstress was embarrassed by the emperor's answer, but nodded.

Soon she replied, strengthening her resolution.

"I will do my best to make Your Majesty shine the most."

At that, Ern nodded slowly.

"Okay."

"Then I'll measure you, so please open your arms and stand upright."

And the seamstress said as she measured.

"Your Majesty, of course, will you partner with the Empress?"

"That's right."

"My sister is making her dress, so I'm going to design it to match Her Majesty's dress."

A smile rose around the emperor's mouth, who had rarely laughed at the words.

"That's a good idea."

However, at the words that soon followed, Ern's smile disappeared.

"But you're about the same height as Her Majesty."

Ernn, who was listening to it, hardened his face.

"Ahem!"

Hans coughed and tried to give a hint, but the seamstress was not aware because she was taking measurements.

"I think it's better to wear high-height shoes..."

"Ahem! Hmm!"

In the continued dry cough, the seamstress stared at Hans with a displeased look. He was shaking his head.

‘What's wrong with him?’

The moment she stared at the emperor, the seamstress couldn't continue talking and took a breath.

Before I knew it, the emperor's beautiful face turned brutal.

‘Did I make a mistake?’

It was a time when the seamstress was terrified.

"Make it slightly larger than my current size."

"What?"

"I'll be bigger in two weeks."

Hans and seamstress were shocked by the absurd emperor's words.

"It can't be that!"

However, the moment they faced the emperor's gaze, no one could tell the truth.

"Hans, start preparing special food from today."

"If it's a special dish..."

When Hans asked out of doubt, Ern replied with cool eyes.

"I want you to choose the ones that grow fast."

* * *

At the order of the empress, Melanie delivered a letter to the special guests.

After that, Melanie headed to the jewelry store.

"Welcome! Nice to meet you!"

Despite the fuss, Melanie calmly handed over the instructions.

"The Empress said she wanted the pearl to be embedded in this area.”

The craftsman who checked the instructions frowned.

"How long will it take to get the necklace?"

"Well, I think it'll take about three weeks even in a hurry. The pearl that Her Majesty wants is in the southernmost part of the South."

Melanie's voice became desperate from the answer.

"Three weeks? Can't you do it faster? It’s for the banquet."

"Rona, come here for a second."

Soon, a woman who appeared to be an assistant approached Melanie.

Soon after she saw Melanie, she flinched and asked a little awkwardly.

"What's the matter?"

Then the craftsman showed the instructions and told the assistant.

"Her Majesty wants to add pearls to her necklace. Speaking of which, it needs to be done as soon as possible.”

Then the assistant sighed and replied.

"Okay. I'll try to get it in two weeks."

After resolving the matter, Melanie immediately left the place.

"Let's go to the imperial palace now."

Gail felt strange about her behavior, which was not suspicious.

‘You didn't notice that you were being watched, did you?’

For a while, Melanie talked to Gail.

"Thank you for protecting us today, Sir Gail."

"I just did what I had to do."

At Gail's words, Melanie smiled and said, blushing.

"I think it would be uncomfortable if the escort changed often, but can you continue to accompany me whenever I go out?"

Gail soon cleared the doubt at the request.

'If you knew I'm a spy, you wouldn't ask me this on purpose.’

"Of course."

Melanie smiled brightly at the answer.

"Thank you."

Gail smiled with a grin.

‘I'm more thankful. I'll be able to monitor you without any doubt.’

Upon arriving at the imperial palace, the two headed straight to the empress.

"Welcome."

"As Her Majesty said, I checked the progress of the craftsmen. However, the jeweler said he wanted to suggest something.”

At that, Izaya glanced at the knights and soon smiled.

"Okay, you did a great job. Let's talk about the details inside."

As the empress and Melanie entered the room, the knights also stood outside to escort them.

Soon, Izaya's voice was heard. Gail listened.

"How long does it take to make accessories for me to wear?"

"It takes about two weeks from the jewelry store."

"Two weeks... That's not bad. I don't have to worry about the design leakage, right?”

"You don't have to worry about the leak."

It was a pointless conversation.

Gail frowned.

'There's nothing to report.’

But that was his illusion.

[Gail graciously accepted to accompany me.]

At the words written in neat handwriting, Izaya grinned.

“Yes, I’m really happy.”

* * *

Meanwhile, Duke Lauchen was reading Gail's report with a puzzled face.

‘The girl went out…and you didn't notice anything?'

It was an unofficial pardon, but it must have reached the ears of Count Walder.

‘I got an investment from him on the condition that I keep watching and imprisoning his nephew…'

If it went on like this, it was clear that there would be an uproar.

‘Still, fortunately… Obviously, the emperor will return when he is healed, so that we can join forces again at this time…'

It was then.

“Duke, Count Walder has arrived.”

Duke Lauchen sighed at the expected visit.

“Let’s hear it.”

Soon a middle-aged man, short of his stature and full of heartaches on his face, stepped in.

“The release! The promise is no different!”

As the intruder spoke in a furious tone, Duke Lauchen looked at him.

“Count Walder, what is this?”

“It's already been four days since my nephew disappeared! How can I stay calm?”

“Did you forget that your niece is with my daughter? Sooner or later the tail will be caught. Just wait.”

To that, the Count answered with a grin.

“Don't forget. If I step out, your business would be disrupted!”