The Tyrant's Last Doll

As I bantered with Ravis and tended to the injured, the time flew by and soon it was noon.

We shared a light meal with the soldiers to gauge their spirits, and as I made my way back to my room, I was greeted by an enthusiastic crowd.

“Thank you for all your hard work, Saintess!”

“It’s an honor to have eaten with a Saintess!”

“Please protect our emperor!”

I smiled mercifully at them and the moment I turned I basically ran back to the castle. Ravis and Krama quickly caught up in surprise.

These changes are evidence that my speech was becoming truth rather than fake. That meant that it was time that the group does something.

‘Why are they so slow? I would’ve been here by now!’

It was better to deal with this earlier than later. I felt anxious. This was something that had to be done, but I had to face the higher ups of the Theres group with thousands of followers. It would be best if I don’t faint to begin with in front of them.

It was when I was resting in the guest room in the Vanmon castle. Lina came running in and finally delivered the news I wanted to hear.

“Miss, someone came from the group!”

I stood up instantly.

***

Thankfully, not too many priests came from the group. We are at a place where it’s pretty far from Ebaron City and the priests also had tendency to not wanting to come to the battlefield.

“Welcome to the Vanmon castle.”

Ridrian was the owner of this castle now, but he was too lazy to take care of this so he made the previous owner of the castle to greet them.

To have a general who surrender greet the emperor’s guests, the previous owner was very nervous when heard about this.

“Ah, thank you for the welcome.”

The priests, or rather, the cardinals of the Theres group, were quick to dismiss the Vanmon castle’s owner. They hastened to the drawing room, their eyes scanning the surroundings with a mixture of disbelief and suspicion. How could a tyrant enter the castle without a fight?

It was a question that echoed in their minds as they took in the grand surroundings of the castle.

The cardinals’ skepticism was palpable, but they pushed it aside as they prepared for their meeting.

I stood on the stairs, watching the cardinals with a heavy sigh.

“Iona,” a voice called out, breaking me from my thoughts. I turned to see Ridrian standing there.

“Rian! Are you done with your work?” I asked, relief washing over me.

“Ah, I’m done with the urgent stuff,” he replied with a nod. I felt a glimmer of hope that with Ridrian by my side, we could handle the meeting with the cardinals.

Despite taking the castle without a fight, there was much work to be done, and Ridrian had been working tirelessly, even through the night. Despite his accustomed to working in the dark, he seemed a bit weary. I reached up and rubbed his eyes, concerned.

“Aren’t you tired?” I asked.

He leaned in, kissing my forehead and pulling me into a comforting embrace. “I’m okay now that I see you. I could fight the finest soldiers of the Lucretian army all by myself,” he declared with a small smile.

But his words were unlike him, and I could tell that he was indeed exhausted. I tried to steady my racing heart. “You’re tired, Rian,” I said softly.

He chuckled, amused by my reaction. “Maybe a little,” he admitted, his grin still in place. I couldn’t help but smile, grateful for his unwavering spirit even in the face of fatigue.

“Mhm, I am. I was in the dark office without you for 10 hours looking at document.”

Then he rubbed his cheek against my hair. He looked like a puppy. I smiled as it feels like he was complaining about me not doing my secretary job.

“… I’m sorry.”

“It’s ok. I know it was necessary. My complaint will be solved by those who dared to turn an Emperor against themselves.”

I squinted. You can’t kill them. They’re cardinals. If he kills them, he may have to fight to the death against the group.

“I won’t kill them don’t worry.”’

My eyes widened. Can he now even read my mind?

“How can I not know when you look at me so adorably?”

He giggled again and kissed my cheek this time. I turned away this time.

“Y-you really need some sleep.”

“I have been up past couple nights. Since there’s some time left, shall we sleep?”

I shook my head at his suggestion.

“I’m wearing corset so I can’t. My intestine will burst if I lie now.”

“Why are you wearing something so uncomfortable? Do you want me to take it off for you?”

I squinted again. He really needed some sleep. I hit his hand.

“You can’t joke like that!”

Of course I was blushing. He giggled again and kissed my cheek again.

“See you at the meeting.”

I stared at Ridrian as he went to wash himself.

‘Why is he like this today?’

He does use touch to show his affection, but today was a bit more. What pushed his button? D-did I do something?

The threat of death by being in the hands of the tyrant emperor may have subsided, but I felt threatened in a different way. Now that all the pressing matters had been taken care of, I would be sleeping beside him tonight.

A memory flashed through my mind – the first time I saw him walk into the room with his hair wet. His eyes were heavy with exhaustion, but they had never looked so sensual. I could still recall the water droplets trickling down his chest, and I couldn’t help but swallow nervously at the thought.

‘I, it’ll be ok right? Nothing will happen right?’

As I was in chaotic state with anxiety and weird craving, Lina called me.

“Iona, we have to get ready.”

“Ah ok! Coming!”

“You surprised me. You don’t have to yell like that. What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing! Mhm! Nothing at all. Let’s wash up.”

Was my voice that loud? It seemed like I answered a bit louder than I thought. As I started to stumble towards the washroom, Lina looked flustered.

“… You already did your make up.”

Right.