The Tyrant Won’t Let Me Go Chapter 59

 

A hand suddenly rested on my shoulder, startling me out of my reverie.

 

I clamped my mouth shut to keep from screaming, and when I turned around, Kashuel was staring back with a startled expression.

 

“Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to freak you out.”

 

Seeing his apologetic face, I lower my hand and breathe a sigh of relief.

 

“I thought my heart was going to fall out of my chest.”

 

“I’m sorry. But I thought you were hardly ever surprised.”

 

“I’m human, you know.”

 

“You are,” Kashuel chuckled then added, “I guess I thought you still were because I have strong memories of you not being startled when I was younger, and not getting angry when I tried to make you angry.”

 

“That’s because you were acting so childish then, and nothing you said seemed threatening.”

 

“Really? Well, I was much younger then.”

 

Kashuel smirked.

 

It was so different from the little devil smile he’d had as a child.

 

Now it was a mature smile, the kind that made you realize you weren’t a kid anymore.

 

“Anyway, that’s why it’s nice to see your quite colorful expressions lately, unlike back then.”

 

“Uh…is that so?”

 

“Yeah. I’ve always wondered.”

 

Hearing Kashuel’s words, I realized that something was wrong.

 

“Why would you…”

 

“Just.”

 

Kashuel was taken aback by the word.

 

‘No way.’

 

Shaking his head, she tried to clear the thoughts that flashed through his mind.

 

‘It can’t be.’

 

With that thought, Kashuel locked eyes with Ciel.

 

“I’m kind of jealous of Cedric, to be honest.”

 

His emerald eyes softened as he looked at me.

 

“He’s seen all of this side of you while I’ve been away from the Empire.”

 

“What? Uh…”

 

Kashuel smiled broadly and waved his hand in the air as I stammered, unsure of what to say.

 

“Just kidding.”

 

Then he took a step toward me, his blue robes swishing with golden embroidery.

 

“What have you been doing here, anyway, without anyone knowing?”

 

I took an unconscious step backward as the shimmering blond came within inches of me.

 

For some reason, I felt my heart tighten momentarily.

 

“You looked so surprised earlier, for someone who acts like such a prude.”

 

“Oh… I was doing something sneaky.”

 

What’s the point of hiding it if they found out anyway?

 

“I was just wondering if His Majesty was having tea with Princess Persephine, and how it was going.”

 

“Oh, really?”

 

Kashuel frowned slightly, then did what I had done and looked through the window at Persephine and Cedric in the hall.

 

“They don’t seem to be in any trouble, but is it really necessary to spy on them? I’m sure Cedric will tell you all about it if you ask him.”

 

Cedric would tell me, but I thought there was a chance he might not tell me exactly, so I came to see.

 

So I ask if the conversation with Persephine went well, and in fact, it didn’t, in case he’s embarrassed to say so.

 

“Yeah, well, it’s one thing to hear about it, but it’s another to see it.”

 

“Well, that’s true.”

 

Kashuel nodded in agreement.

 

“But you…”

 

“What?”

 

“You mean you want those two to be together?”

 

Kashuel’s voice was filled with disbelief, and I replied calmly.

 

“I just hope they don’t end up hating each other.”

 

⚔️

 

Sunlight poured into the immaculate white hall.

 

The subtle aroma of White moon tea wafted pleasantly, and the clinking of teacups sounded like a beautiful melody.

 

Sitting in the center of this harmonious space, the pair looked as if they had stepped out of a masterpiece.

 

“What do you think of the Empire?”

 

Cedric asked, and Persephine’s hand, lifting her teacup, stopped in midair.

 

After a moment’s pause, she set the teacup back down and opened her mouth.

 

“…. it looks good.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Yes.”

 

After a pause, Persephine spoke again and added, “Everyone is very friendly, and I like the accommodations His Majesty has given me.”

 

“I’m glad to hear it.”

 

Cedric smiled contentedly and sipped his tea.

 

The scent of the blossoming white moon was delightful.

 

At first, he’d started drinking it because Ciel liked it, but now he’d fallen in love with it, drinking it at least every other day.

 

Since then, White Moon tea has become an almost constant fixture at imperial events.

 

“I have to look good for the princess.”

 

“What?”

 

Persephine asked in surprise, looking at the smiling Cedric.

 

“What do you mean, that someone as great as Your Majesty should look good to someone like me?”

 

“Because the person I hold most dear to my heart seems to want me to become acquainted with you.”

 

In truth, even without Ciel’s words, Cedric would have given Persephine the treatment befitting a foreign royalty.

 

The custom of pressuring the kingdom of Ackeletta to honor its obligations as a vassal had long since faded into history.

 

Treating royalty poorly, even as a vassal, would not reflect well on the rest of the continent.

 

‘And someone like that…’

 

His red eyes narrowed as he looked at Persephine.

 

She was a princess, with only a knight and a maid to escort her.

 

They had dressed her in a fancy dress, but the fabric was fragile enough to tear and offered no protection for her body.

 

Most of the goods in the carriage were tributes, which the empire said could wait, but Ackeletta insisted on sending them.

 

The princess’s personal belongings were few and far between. 

 

‘’You said her brother had just been crowned.’

 

The current King of Ackeletta must have always resented her as the only threat to his throne. 

 

‘It’s obvious what kind of life she’s had.’

 

She must have grown up being treated like a burden by her own family, who wanted to bring her down.

 

Just like Cedric’s mother had treated him. 

 

‘Besides, she’s got it worse than I do.’

 

It seemed unnecessary to make someone who’d already had a hard life even tougher. 

 

Ciel wouldn’t like it, either. 

 

‘Though I was a little jealous when she kept getting all her attention.’

 

Still, Cedric cared enough to treat the princess well. 

 

It was the right thing to do, and she had asked him to do it for her. 

 

“The person you care about most…?” 

 

“Yes.” 

 

“I heard you don’t have a fiancé yet…” 

 

“No, she’s someone I still have feelings for, but only in my heart.”

 

“Oh, I see….” Persephine stuttered awkwardly. 

 

‘Ackeletta must have put some subtle pressure on you.’

 

What better way to solidify protection from the empire than through marriage, while at the same time removing an heir to the throne that might threaten the current king.

 

But Cedric had no intention of giving in to Ackeletta’s wishes. 

 

So, unfortunately, he had already made it clear that marriage was out of the question. 

 

‘Ciel told me to be nice, so I’ll just have to be really nice.’

 

He thought it was out of his power to show favor by deceiving his heart. 

 

‘It’s more cruel to make them get their hopes up.’

 

As Cedric stirred his teacup of White Moon tea, he thought to himself. 

 

“You seem to like her a lot,” Persephine said, then smiled. 

 

The corners of her lips twitched up for the first time in her otherwise somber face. 

 

It was odd, she thought, but Cedric didn’t seem to notice. 

 

“Yes, a bit.”

 

⚔️

 

‘Is it over now.’ 

 

The tea party didn’t last long.

 

It wasn’t long after Kashuel and I had parted ways, him having to go to work, that the two of us rose from our seats. 

 

As they parted, I could see through the window that they were both smiling. 

 

I couldn’t tell if they were genuine or not. I hid behind a pillar and waited for them to exit the hall. 

 

Cedric was the first to exit the room. 

 

For some reason, his farewell smile faded as he walked away, leaving the hall without a second glance. 

 

As Cedric exited the hall, Felix, who had been waiting at the entrance, entered the room and supported Persephine.

 

‘I see now that you are in worse shape than I thought.’

 

It’s a mystery to me that they thought of sending the princess out of the country in such a state. 

 

As she walked, leaning on Felix, she let out a cough she had been holding in at the entrance to the hall. 

 

Given how quickly her expression deteriorated, it was a wonder she’d been smiling just moments before. 

 

“Princess… do you need to rest a bit?” Felix asked, and Persephine shook her head. 

 

“No. I’m fine.” 

 

She gritted her teeth as she walked away from Felix’s worried gaze, but eventually came to a halt. 

 

With her head bowed low, she brought her hands to the corners of her eyes. 

 

‘Huh?’

 

Even as she raised her head, she was wiping at the corners of her eyes with her hand. 

 

As if she was crying. 

 

At that moment, everything clicked together like a puzzle piece. 

 

Cedric had turned expressionless as soon as he left the hall. Persephine in tears after being separated from Cedric. 

 

Now, if you ask me what kind of bastard made Persephine cry, there’s only one answer.

 

‘Oh, my bastard…’

 

Seeing Persephine wiping away her tears with her head down, I felt a pang of sadness and walked toward her with a grimace.