I’m the Only One Who Can Put the Tyrant To Sleep Chapter 105

The Empress?

Startled, I tried to sit up in bed—but before I could, the door swung open, and the Empress Dowager entered.

“Her Majesty the Empress—”

“Let her be. And you, leave us.”

She stopped me from rising and waved her hand to dismiss her lady-in-waiting. Caesar stood and offered the chair he had been sitting in, showing her proper respect.

“You’re not feeling well, I hear?”

Seated now, the Empress  looked at me. It was the warmest expression I had ever seen on her face.

Is she… actually worried about me?

Not sure how to respond, I only parted my lips slightly. But she continued speaking before I could say anything.

“I heard you saved Floria.”

“Ah… N-not at all. His Majesty led the knights himself. I only—”

“No need to be humble. I’ve already heard the details.”

I shifted my eyes awkwardly, unable to respond. It felt incredibly uncomfortable to be half-lying in bed with both the Emperor and Empress at my side.

But she didn’t seem to expect an answer. She kept going.

“What do you want?”

“…Pardon?”

“In return. For saving Floria.”

“Oh, no! That wasn’t why I did it!”

I quickly shook my head, and a small furrow appeared between her brows.

“I only ask because I don’t want to owe a debt.”

Her tone was cool, but I could read between the lines. She was clearly grateful I’d saved Floria—but as a lady-in-waiting and, politically, someone from the opposing camp, it would be hard for her to openly thank me.

So this was her way of acknowledging it.

I really didn’t do it expecting anything in return…

But her expression was firm. And maybe she was right—it might be best to clear this up cleanly now. I could ask for something simple, like money or a title, and that would be the end of it.

But I can’t waste this opportunity on something like that.

After thinking it through, I opened my mouth.

“Would it be alright… if I asked later?”

“Later?”

“I don’t need anything right now. But if I do, I’d like to ask then.”

“Doesn’t sound like it’ll be anything ordinary.”

She studied me closely. I gave her an awkward smile and looked away.

She was right. What I wanted wouldn’t be gold or land. It would be something only the Empress Dowager could give.

Even if I don’t know what it is just yet.

But I could feel it—soon, I would need her help.

“Hmph. I came to pay off a debt and ended up making a new promise.”

She clicked her tongue.  But she didn’t seem truly displeased.

“Very well. I was the one who brought it up first.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

The Empress rose to her feet. Then she turned to Caesar, who had remained quietly standing.

“I heard… you also worked very hard.”

“It was nothing.”

Caesar answered calmly. She looked at him for a moment longer, then turned to leave. Just before exiting the room, she said one last thing.

“I apologize… for my disrespect.”

Click. The door shut behind her.

The Empress… apologized?

I stared, wide-eyed with surprise. It was clearly about the way she had treated Caesar when Floria had gone missing.

But something told me she might have been referring to more than just that.

Maybe she meant every offense she’s ever made up to now.

One thing was certain—this whole ordeal had opened her heart, at least a little. Of course, it would take more than a few words to mend everything between us.

I gently took Caesar’s hand and led him to sit in the chair she had left behind. He looked just as stunned as I was.

I thought of how much Caesar had blamed himself for what happened to Floria. Surely, that apology had brought him some peace too.

“I’m glad, Your Majesty.”

Instead of answering, Caesar squeezed my hand tightly.  A quiet warmth flowed through me like a gentle wave.

 

 

 

****

 

 

 

 

Since that day, I remained bedridden for several more days.

The court physician said that although I looked better on the outside, there could be lingering aftereffects from losing so much blood at once.

A number of people came to visit, using “checking in” as an excuse. The most unexpected among them was none other than Arinne.

“What brings you here?”

Surprised by her visit, I asked, and she just shrugged. She held out a box of cookies and said,

“These are from the head lady-in-waiting. She told me to bring them to you.”

“Wow, thank you!”

“She means you should get better soon and come back. Things are crazy at the Imperial Wing without you.”

Her grumbling had a playful tone to it.

“With you there, what’s there to worry about?”

Arinne sat down in the chair beside my bed—one that had become a permanent fixture during my recovery.

“Well, yeah, but… we’re still shorthanded. It’s really hectic.”

“Did something happen?”

She wasn’t just venting—there was something specific bothering her. Only then did I realize how much I’d neglected the palace duties under the excuse of being ill.

“It’s almost the late emperor’s memorial day.”

“…Ah!”

I gasped before I could stop myself.  Of course—it was around this time. I’d completely forgotten.

“It’s a big event. Everyone’s busy getting ready for it.”

Arinne’s face looked unusually somber.  I didn’t know all the details, but I remembered that she had once worked as a spy for the late emperor—so it made sense that his memorial day would affect her deeply.

It had nothing to do with the emperor’s reputation or personal worth; it was simply the death anniversary of someone she’d served closely.

And Caesar…

No matter how complicated their relationship was, the late emperor was still his father. And to make matters worse, the first day of the new year—the Empress’s death anniversary—was also approaching.

He must be thinking a lot about his parents these days. As I was wondering if there was any way I could comfort him, Arinne suddenly misread my expression.

“Kidding, I’m kidding. Honestly, we’re fine without you.”

“What?”

Arinne laughed with a teasing tone.

“You know how competent the head lady-in-waiting is. And if you come back now, you’ll be buried in work and end up blaming me for it.”

We both laughed. We chatted a while longer about the palace and the other ladies-in-waiting, until Arinne eventually stood to leave.

As soon as she stepped out, it was as if the next visitors had been waiting for their turn—Katana and Floria walked in together.

“Your Highness! Katana!”

“Lie down, Evelyn!”

Floria gently stopped me as I tried to sit up, then waved her hand to dismiss her maids.

Surprisingly, the maids left without a fuss. Unlike their usual overly cautious behavior, they didn’t argue. The Empress Dowager must have assured them by now—that I was someone they could trust.

Katana and Floria both took seats near the head of my bed.

“How are you feeling?”

Floria asked, resting her arms on the bed.

“You asked me the same thing yesterday.”

“Still!”

“I’m getting better every day. I could probably get up and walk right now.”

“Thank goodness!”

Floria beamed brightly—no sign of trauma from the kidnapping. Caesar’s ability must have worked well.

He had told me that Floria was aware that her memories had been erased. She knew that she’d been kidnapped and manipulated—but not as vivid, personal memories. Just objective facts she’d been told afterward. That was a relief. They would’ve been horrible memories to carry.

I was smiling, watching her bounce with energy, when Floria suddenly shook her wrist.

“Look, Evelyn! Guess what this is!”

A luxurious bracelet dangled from her slim wrist.

“A bracelet?”

“Not just any bracelet—Katana made it! She put a protection spell on it. Cool, right?”

“Ahem.”

Katana cleared her throat with pride, her expression smug.

“Just in case anything happens again.”

It seemed to work similarly to the magic bracelet Katana had once given me. Though judging by its stylish design, she had probably enchanted a bracelet Floria already owned.

“Wow, that’s great. Really smart idea. Now we don’t have to worry.”

“Right?”

I reached out to ruffle Katana’s hair and suddenly remembered something.

“Oh, right—Katana. Did you bring it?”

“…Ah! Yes, here.”

Katana pulled a small magical device from inside her coat. It was connected to the listening charm secretly placed on Viscount Kraus.

Back when I allowed myself to be “kidnapped” into Ian’s cabin, I had entrusted it to her.

I’d forgotten about it in the chaos following Floria’s abduction, but originally, we’d prepared this device to uncover the truth behind the rumors Krause had been spreading.

And he still doesn’t know he has a magical bug inside him.

He might have already exchanged messages with Ian about what had happened in recent days… But he definitely wouldn’t suspect being spied on this way.

In short, we still had a useful card to play.

“Has anything suspicious come up?”

I asked Katana, not really expecting much.

But surprisingly, she nodded.

“Actually, something happened a few days ago.”

“There was?”

Katana tilted her head slightly as she explained.

“Viscount Krause mentioned attending the memorial ceremony for the late emperor.”