BJ Villainess Chapter 342

Since that day, Euges visited the empress’s chambers every day. He had only one reason.

 

“The liquor here tastes exceptionally special. Would you care for a drink, Empress?”

 

Euges would lightly tease Theresa, who was seated at a long table cluttered with herbs, books, and stacks of documents, deeply engrossed in research. Without even glancing his way, Theresa busily moved her quill.

 

“It’s a fine drink, so please help yourself, Your Majesty.”

 

The first time he had barged in with alcohol, she’d looked startled but oddly pleased. Now, she didn’t even spare him a glance.

 

“You’re quite cold to me. Was the reward for winning the bet the right to mistreat me?”

 

At that, Theresa scoffed cheekily. “No. But if I had known it would be like this, I might’ve preferred such a reward.”

 

“Don’t you think it’s time you stopped teasing me and told me what your reward actually is?”

 

“Just keep doing what I’m doing. That’s my reward.”

 

“You’re being cheeky again.”

 

That comment finally made her look up for the first time today.

 

“Don’t treat me like a child.”

 

How could he not when she was being so adorably stubborn? Still, Euges decided not to tease her any further out of respect for her pride. Instead, his attention shifted to her pale face, which had grown gaunt in recent days. He frowned and set down his glass, stepping closer.

 

“You don’t look well. Are you sick?”

 

“It’s nothing.” Startled by his sudden concern, Theresa pushed away the hand cupping her cheek.

 

“You look thinner than when I first met you.”

 

At that moment, a maid who had been quietly standing nearby quickly spoke up. “Her Majesty hasn’t properly rested in over a week. She only takes short naps here and barely eats. Just yesterday—”

 

“That’s enough, Eloise.”

 

Theresa tried to hush the maid, but it was too late. Euges had heard it all. He took her hand, still holding the quill, and noticed her fingers were calloused and raw. He hadn’t realized how much she had overworked herself because he had always kept his distance before.

 

“Keep talking.”

 

“Yesterday, she collapsed from anemia and couldn’t get up for a while. The palace doctor said it was due to overwork.”

 

As the painful secret came to light, Euges scooped Theresa into his arms.

 

“Your Majesty…!”

 

“I let it slide even though I knew you were tampering with my drinks.”

 

At some point, Euges had started noticing that the drinks she offered had a scent similar to that of this room. They were likely herbal teas brewed from magical plants. He had allowed it until now because the aroma was pleasant, and his chronic anxiety had eased.

 

“They must have been teas to help recover my memory.”

 

“…”

 

Her silence confirmed it.

 

Holding her in his arms, Euges spoke a harsh truth. “Isn’t it time you realized it’s useless?”

 

His memory hadn’t returned in the slightest. Moreover, he didn’t even want it to return. He wasn’t unhappy in his current state, nor did he find it inconvenient.

 

Theresa looked down, her expression crumbling. “Then… what should I do?”

 

Laying her gently on the bed, Euges looked baffled. “Am I dead or something? Just a wandering soul left behind?”

 

“No…”

 

“Then why are you so desperate? Even if I’ve lost my memory, you’re still the empress.”

 

But her expression said that wasn’t the point, and she bit her lip in frustration.

 

Euges clicked his tongue, annoyed by the sight, but his hand gently brushed her lips to stop her from biting them. “From tomorrow, let’s try something different.”

 

Her plump lips, pinned under his hand, pouted in protest. She clearly thought he wouldn’t go along with it anyway.

 

Euges, without meaning to, pressed down on her lips like a playful duckbill. “Let’s try what the palace doctor suggested—visiting places we used to go together.”

 

This time, her lips curved into a lovely smile.

 

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

 

As his fingers followed her smile, Euges suddenly felt a strange impulse and paused. “…Get some rest.”

 

For the first time, he wanted to kiss this woman.

 

* * *

Spring was arriving in the capital, bringing with it a fresh and lively energy. Euges especially disliked days like this. He hated seeing people get pointlessly cheerful, hated the beginning of the social season, and hated the festivals.

 

Well, there was one thing Euges did enjoy. Watching nobles get drunk and make fools of themselves at parties. That alone was amusing enough. So he frequently held banquets, enjoying the moments when nobles slipped up and gave him leverage. But this spring was different.

 

“So this is the most famous dessert shop in the capital? What a poor excuse for talent.”

 

He was on an outdoor date with Theresa.

 

Theresa hurriedly cast a spell to block the sound from reaching others. “Someone might hear you!”

 

“What’s the problem? I’m not wrong.”

 

“You’re not supposed to speak like an emperor outside.”

 

They had disguised themselves to avoid revealing their identities. Euges wore a traveler’s robe, and Theresa wore a large hat that hid her face.

 

Still, surrounded by giggling ladies and sweets, Euges looked utterly displeased. This was not his idea of a good time. Even if his wife was much younger, they were both adults—playing like this was childish.

 

He squinted suspiciously at her. “I doubt I came here often.”

 

“Not alone. I used to visit often with friends, and you came along sometimes.”

 

It was another story he didn’t remember. Every time she spoke of their past, it annoyed him.

 

“Did I? I remember nothing.”

 

“…Would you like to try this?” Trying not to show disappointment, Theresa offered him a dessert. “You once said this one wasn’t bad.”

 

He didn’t want to eat a dessert praised by his former self. It irritated his pride. However, he opened his mouth. “Ah.”

 

“…What are you doing?”

 

“Feed me. Like a proper wife.”

 

“A wife isn’t someone who hand-feeds her husband.”

 

“Are you really going to reject a request from your beloved husband?”

 

With a laugh, Theresa brought the cream-covered mille-feuille to his lips. He had only been acting childish, but when she complied, he reluctantly took a bite.

 

“Not bad.”

 

“Right?”

 

But it wasn’t the dessert that tasted good. It was the time spent with her on the sunny terrace, watching her face light up.

 

When sunlight hit Theresa’s fair skin, she looked as tempting as the dessert itself. If he licked her, she’d taste sweeter and softer than the mille-feuille.

 

Euges stared at her as he crushed the bite between his molars. Seeing her so happy, he didn’t want to disappoint her.

 

“Shall we go to the next place? There’s a bookstore nearby that we used to visit…”

 

“No. I have another place in mind today.”

 

He didn’t feel like visiting another memory spot only she remembered. Instead, he thought of a place he would’ve never gone to.

 

“There’s a magical botanical garden run by the temple nearby. Let’s go there.”

 

“What? Are you serious?”

 

Euges was known for avoiding all temple-related places. So when he suggested that, Theresa looked completely baffled but soon nodded.

 

“Trying something new might be nice.”

 

Just as he expected—she had never been there before either. Feeling pleased, Euges courteously escorted her toward the garden.

 

Naturally, the unexpected arrival of the imperial couple threw the place into chaos.

 

“Your Majesties! It is an honor to have you grace this humble place!”

 

“No need for greetings. We’re here to enjoy a private moment. So don’t disturb us.”

 

Shooing away the priests, Euges leisurely walked the garden path with Theresa.

 

“Have you been here before?”

 

“No. This is my first time too. There’s never really been a reason to come.”

 

She looked around curiously. “There are magical creatures here. They must like it here.”

 

“What about you? Do you like it too?”

 

“Yes. I should’ve come here sooner.”

 

Watching her reaction, the corners of his mouth lifted up. I’m glad we came here. This was a date to a place neither of them had visited before. Though it was a spontaneous idea, that decision was a very satisfying one.