Judith was somehow familiar with Theo’s absurd logic, just like her father and brothers who were probably waiting anxiously for her at home.

“How can there be a tree stump on the road that Judith passed and hurt her? Bring the gardener right now!”

One day when Judith was just starting to walk while playing in the garden. Judith tripped over a tree stump and was seriously injured. That day, the Duke of Peregrine and his two sons were furious with the gardener.

“Dad, hug me~”

In order to appease her father and older brothers, Judith performed her cuteness.

As usual for children of her age, Judith didn’t like being held by anyone after she started walking. Judith, who had memories of her previous life, was waiting for the day she could walk, even more so. Her father and brothers were glad she was able to walk, but they were very sad that she no longer wanted to hug them.

However, when Judith injured her leg and was unable to walk, she was carried by her father and brothers. It took only three days, as Judith’s condition improved rapidly, the three of them had their feelings for the gardener undone. This was how Judith saved the gardener. Of course, he was only one of many who survived because of her.

It was time for her to go again.

“But I think it will be sad if the chef gets jailed. This bread is really good.”

Judith lowered the corners of her lips with a very sad and regretful expression. Then, Theo’s expression softened a little.

“……ask the chef to be more careful with the menu in the future, and give him a reward.”

“……I will obey your orders, Your Majesty.”

The servant responded with a bewildered expression, one beat late.

Theo was staring at Judith. Then, when he made eye contact with her, he smiled brightly.

‘I did a good job, right?’ The curved eyes seemed to ask so.

My heart sank at that sight.

‘It is against the law to smile like that with that face after almost ruining the life of an innocent person……’

Meanwhile, the servant left the room. Judith made up her mind and started eating again. Theo, who was watching Judith chewing roasted cherry tomatoes and bacon in her mouth, asked again, “Then shall we finish what we were talking about? About our marriage.”

“Marriage……?”

Ah, the bread I managed to swallow is likely to get caught again.

“Isn’t that what taking responsibility means?”

No, what kind of old-fashioned male lead are you?

It’s kind of ‘You’re the first woman to slap me on the cheek, so I like you.’

However, it is impossible to say no openly face to face.

‘If I decline the marriage proposal, I wonder if my father and brothers will also be accused of being a traitor……?’

Just thinking about putting the head chef in jail a while ago, there was a possibility. However, if I accept the proposal, I am more likely to die as in the original novel.

“I……”

Then, another knock was heard. Theo’s brow twitched.

“What’s going on?”

“I am sorry, Your Majesty. It’s urgent.”

“Come in……”

As soon as he entered the room, the servant, who was about to talk, stopped when he saw Judith.

“Your Majesty, may I come closer?”

Theo nodded instead of answering. The servant quickly approached and whispered something to him. Theo’s expression when he heard the story was sour.

“Tell him I’ll be there soon.”

After finishing the story, the servant withdrew. Contrary to Theo’s sullen expression, it looked like something he had to go to.

“Take a good rest. I’ll be back soon. Let me know if you are not feeling well or need anything.”

Theo left the room with a soft kiss on Judith’s forehead. As soon as the door closed, Judith closed her eyes and put down the fork.

‘Now is my chance to escape.’

***

“Your Majesty the Emperor!”

The audience side door opened and Theo entered. He was wearing a white robe embroidered with gold thread and sandals, but no one found him strange. No one dared to blame him, but above all, his handsome face and well-groomed body were enough to intimidate everyone.

Theo crossed his legs on the throne and put his hand on his chin. Through the slightly flowing shirt, solid chest and thigh muscles were revealed. It was a body that made many women feel excited and men feel scared.

‘Your Majesty is feeling very upset today.’

Alpen, an aide who has been serving Theo for nearly 10 years, can understand how he is feeling just by looking at his posture. Theo has a habit of sitting cross-legged when he’s annoyed.

Theo looked at Alpen and shook his hand from the inside to the outside once. Alpen quickly sent out the servants and knights. Theo looked down at the man standing under the stairs.

The man with ebony black hair and ruby ​​red eyes like Judith looked to be in his late 30s or early 40s at best. However, he has an appearance that is second to none compared to other young men, and rumors that he was a handsome man who once dominated the social scene proved unfounded.

Genovese Peregrine, a close associate of Theo, the head of the Peregrine family, the only duke of the Empire, and Judith’s father. He was also one of the few people in this empire who could face Theo calmly.

“What’s wrong, Duke Peregrine?”

Theo asked in an indifferent voice. The duke requested an audience since morning. He wouldn’t dare to do that unless there was a big deal.

“I apologize. I have an earnest request to Your Majesty, so I came to see you.”

Only then did Alpen see Genovese’s face properly, and he was surprised, because Genovese’s eyes, known for having no blood or tears, were bloodshot. Now that he heard it, his voice somehow seemed different from usual.

Genovese, the head of the noble association. Is he crying?

It was something anyone never imagined.

Alpen wondered what made him cry.

“Please, I beg you, release the soldiers and allow them to search the Imperial Palace.”

“The reason is?”

“My daughter is missing.”

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