The Tyrant's Last Doll

It was already getting dark, way past time to head home. I set the book down on the table and turned up the brightness of the lamp, flooding the room with light.

“Mm.” Ridrian’s features contorted into a scowl at the sudden brightness.

“Time to wake up, your Majesty,” I said.

“I’m still…sleepy.”

I fought back a wave of impatience. “I have to leave this place.”

Considering he hadn’t gotten any sleep in the past couple of days, it seemed a bit too sudden, but I couldn’t afford to stay here all night. I had to wake him up. He remained as he was for a moment, his face buried into the cushion I’d placed under his head, then stirred gently, tousle-haired and bleary-eyed.

“Since it’s already late,” he mumbled, “why don’t you stay for dinner?”

I shook my head. “I’ll go home and eat. I’m an aide now—I can’t be the only one eating at the palace.”

“Right.” He gave a languid nod of his head, fondling his crevette. “You’re an aide now. How’s the food at your home?”

I recalled the chef the emperor had sent. “Everyone likes the food, thanks to you. From what I heard, it was you who sent that chef.”

“He used to make the sandwich you like. That maid told me it was your favorite thing.”

He wasn’t wrong about that. Of all the meals the chef prepared, his sandwiches were the best.

“That’s true, but…you asked about that?”

A shy look flickered across his face and he took off his crevette, like he was finding it difficult to wear it properly. Taking it from him, I wrapped it around his neck again. He flinched at my touch, but quickly relaxed.

“If I could,” he said, “I would have given the Lesprey family a detached palace, but they said that can’t be done.”

“That’s not leaving the palace.”

“Well, that’s why I filled up your place with useful people.” A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I’m okay as long as you’re comfortable.”

I frowned. “Come to think of it, they all used to work in the palace.”

I was starting to realize just how attentive he’d been. For a second, I found myself wondering if he might have feelings for me, but then the memory of the room filled with Lilianna’s belongings seeped into my mind. I remembered the way he’d handled Eris’s stuff in the original book. The original book’s Ridrian had a way of showing affection that was obsessive to the point of extreme. Which meant that whatever this was couldn’t simply boil down to feelings.

“Well, if he felt that, I would’ve found it a bit troubling.”

Having wrapped the crevette around his neck, I took a step backward.

“Your Majesty, please approve the document.”

“Please, let us leave!”

“Aide Lesprey! If you can hear us, please help us!”

That sounded like the other aides. Ah, it definitely was past time to head home.  The cries of the relatively old men rang out in the room.

“Ah, I’m coming out.”

My cheeks burned with embarrassment. It was my first day at work, and I’d spent a few hours of alone time with the emperor. Biting my lip, I spun around and made a beeline for the door. Just before I turned the handle, the sound of footsteps reached my ears and Ridrian sidled up right behind me, placing his hand on mine.

“Y-Your Majesty?” I stammered, almost frozen in shock.

My hand seemed to burn at his touch.

“Do you think I could get you to stay?” he asked softly.

Between the setting sun and the lamplight, the room looked almost scarlet. Ridriain’s shadow filled my vision, and his arm slid around my waist. This time, I did freeze.

He’s always so touchy, I thought. But why? He’s like a teddy bear, a panther doll—a puppy doll.

It was becoming increasingly difficult to arrange my thoughts. My heart pounded aggressively against my ribcage. We’d touched each other countless times in the past, but this time…something was different. We’d only been apart for a couple of days, but this felt strange. Unfamiliar. I lowered my head, my face growing hotter at the sudden lewdness.

Just then, the hairs on the back of my neck stood straight, and a chill traveled down my spine.

“Huh?”

I whirled about, my hand flying to my neck in surprise. Ridrian stood smiling at me, his expression slightly fatigued. Looking at him, I felt my throat constrict, and I gave him a small shove.

“G-go away!” I said.

My voice came out a pitch higher than it should have, like a whiny child. No doubt, my face resembled a ripe tomato. Ridrian was still grinning. It took me a moment to realize he was still holding my hand.

Without warning, he kissed my knuckles, like he had the first time we met. Another chill raced through my body.

His gaze burned into mind. “You’re really going to leave?”