We spent a few more days in the President's nation, ensuring all negotiations were concluded before departing. His Majesty was meticulous in making sure that the agreement was a success, leaving no room for doubt. The Empire could not afford to linger; every additional day or week wasted was a step closer to disaster. A swift resolution was imperative to save us from the crisis threatening to engulf our nation.

At sunrise, we finally arrived at the Imperial Palace. The palace staff warmly greeted us, their faces lit with relief at our return. I, however, was too drained to appreciate their welcome. Without sparing a word, I made my way directly to my chamber, my body weighed down by the exhaustion of our duties. It was almost laughable-here we were, pinakamakapangyarihang tao sa buong imperyo, yet we were more exhausted than the lowest servant. Where is the justice in that?

I collapsed onto my bed, groaning as the weight of the past days pressed down on me. My lady-in-waiting, Sarah, gently removed my shoes, her quiet presence a comfort. "Sarah, I don't want to be disturbed until lunch," I murmured, my voice thick with weariness.

"Masusunod, Your Majesty," she responded, her voice soft and obedient. I heard the faint rustle of her gown as she exited the room, leaving me in blessed silence. My eyes fluttered shut almost immediately, and within moments, I was fast asleep.

The next morning, His Majesty made an unexpected announcement. The palace would be hosting a grand banquet, and to everyone's surprise, commoners were invited alongside the nobles. It was a bold statement meant to show that, no matter the challenges or crises we faced, the Empire would stand strong and unyielding, its people united.

The banquet was to be held in the grand field just in front of the palace, a spacious area capable of accommodating a large crowd. As preparations went underway, I found myself standing by the window of my chamber, watching the activity below. I wasn't in the mood to venture out, especially with the palace staff so preoccupied. From my vantage point, I could see them bustling about, setting up decorations, tables, and preparing for the evening's festivities.

When night fell, the long-anticipated banquet began. The grand field, which had been empty hours earlier, was now packed with people. The sheer number of attendees was astounding-nobles, commoners, and everyone in between, all gathered to celebrate. The atmosphere was vibrant, filled with laughter, music, and the clinking of glasses. It should have been a joyous occasion, but as I looked around, I felt nothing. No excitement, no pleasure. It was as if the merriment around me was happening in a different world.

I attended the banquet's introduction alongside the Emperor, standing by his side as we greeted the crowd. But as soon as my presence was no longer required, I excused myself. The lively event held no appeal for me. I would much rather return to the quiet of my chamber and sleep than remain amidst the noise. And so, without a second thought, I left the festivities behind.

Habang sinusuklay ko ang aking buhok, I suddenly stopped when I heard a soft, feminine groan. My brow furrowed, and I glanced around, scanning the room for the source. My eyes then caught a figure standing on the balcony.

I clenched my fists, fury building within me. How dare they invade my privacy! Without hesitation, I marched toward the balcony, pushing aside the thin curtain that shielded it. But when I stepped out, I was taken aback by what I saw. There, standing before me, was a startled woman. She looked frail, her complexion pale as if she hadn't rested in days. Her hair was jet black, but her eyelashes and even her eyebrows shimmered in a striking silver, and her eyes glowed a deep red. She was undeniably beautiful, though alarmingly out of place. I blinked as she suddenly appeared anxious.

"Who are you?" she asked, her voice hoarse and laced with exhaustion. I narrowed my eyes, assessing her. She seemed lost, but how could she have ended up on my balcony in her condition? There was no way she could have climbed up here, not looking like that.

"I should be the one asking you that," I replied, my tone firm. "You're in my quarters," I scrutinized her closely, trying to understand her presence. "Are you perhaps one of the guests at the banquet?" I asked, briefly glancing toward the grand field where the banquet was in full swing. She followed my gaze but quickly looked back at me, her panic rising.

"No, no, no," she stammered, suddenly becoming frantic. Before I could react, she shoved me, and I hit the balcony railing with a grunt.

I clenched my jaw, fury igniting within me. I turned to face her, but she was already inside my chamber, sprinting toward the door. "Damn it," I muttered, standing up quickly and chasing after her. She was insane-running like that could get her killed!

I rushed out of my chamber, catching a glimpse of her turning down the left wing of the corridor. I bolted after her, my steps echoing through the hallways. As I reached the palace grounds, I spotted her in the distance, but my heart sank when I saw that the knights had blocked her path. She was cornered, and they were already restraining her.

"Stop!" I shouted, my voice ringing out across the courtyard. Everyone froze, and the knights immediately turned their attention toward me. I slowed my pace, walking toward them with an air of authority. "She is harmless. Let her go," I commanded, my voice steady and firm. The knights bowed their heads and quickly released her.

"Leave us," I ordered once more, and they obediently dispersed. I let out a deep breath and turned my gaze back to the mysterious woman. "You seem lost. Do you even know where you're going?" I asked, crossing my arms over my chest, one eyebrow raised in curiosity.

She glanced around nervously before shaking her head. I studied her for a moment. Despite her odd appearance, she didn't seem like a real threat. She was more like a cornered animal, wild and scared. In a strange way, I saw a reflection of myself in her-a memory of the time when I first stepped foot in this foreign world. That recognition sparked a hint of sympathy in me, but I still couldn't fully trust her. Maaari siyang kalaban na nagpapanggap lang.

I sighed, weighing my options. "I will help you, but you have to tell me your name first," I proposed, my voice leaving no room for negotiation. She stared at me, as if trying to decide whether to trust me.

After a moment, I saw her fists clench. "Arthemice," she said quietly, her voice clearer now than before.

I held her gaze for a few seconds before standing straighter. "Very well. Lady Arthemice, follow me." I turned and began walking, sensing her hesitantly follow behind me. I led her to one of the vacant chambers within the palace, a place where she could stay temporarily. I wasn't entirely sure why I was helping her, but something told me that I had to.

Pinaasikaso ko siya sa mga maidservant; kailangan niyang makakain upang makabawi ng lakas. "Just inform me if you need something," I reminded Arthemice. She only stared at me, and sensing that she had nothing more to say, I decided to leave the room.

"Your Majesty," a voice interrupted, startling me. Instinctively, I placed a hand on my chest in surprise. It was Edward. "Edward," I muttered, quickly gathering my composure.

He bowed his head respectfully. "My apologies, Your Majesty," he said sincerely, his tone full of regret. I took a deep breath, calming myself.

"What is it, Edward?" I asked as I began to walk down the corridor. "I was looking for you, Your Majesty," he replied, his voice trailing behind me. I raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "And why is that, Edward?" I probed further.

"It is my duty to ensure your well-being, Your Majesty," he explained earnestly, his eyes fixed ahead. A mischievous thought crossed my mind, and I couldn't help but smirk. "Does that mean you watch over me even when I'm asleep, Edward?" I teased, testing his loyalty.

His eyes widened in shock, and he immediately looked down. He even stopped walking for a moment. "No, Your Majesty," he defended himself quickly, his face flushed. I giggled at his reaction. He looked like someone caught harboring feelings for a woman.

"How disappointing, Edward," I remarked, still teasing him. I wanted to see how far his sense of duty would go. He bowed his head even lower. "I never want to disappoint you, Your Majesty," he responded so seriously that I nearly burst out laughing. Was he really not catching on? How unfortunate!

We finally reached my chamber, and I stepped inside. Letting out a deep sigh, I walked over to the window, gazing at the banquet still ongoing outside. My thoughts wandered to the Emperor. Had he left the banquet already? He was still there when I departed. I sighed once more. Why was I even thinking about him? He was probably gone by now.

I lazily sat on my bed, only to glance at the door when it creaked open. My brow furrowed in confusion as Edward's head peeked through, but he said nothing before quickly closing the door again.

My mind was puzzled. What was that about?

Moments later, the door opened once more, and again, Edward's head appeared before he swiftly shut it. My mouth fell open, my face scrunched in disbelief as I stared at the door. He repeated this two more times, and I could no longer hold back.

"What are you doing, Edward?" I asked, my voice serious, my gaze piercing through him.

"Checking on you so you wouldn't be sad, Your Majesty," he revealed, his tone completely sincere. My jaw dropped. I was utterly stunned.

I covered my face with my hands, shaking my head as laughter bubbled up uncontrollably. Was he serious? Oh my goodness! He was truly innocent!

My laughter grew louder, and I clutched my stomach. I glanced at him again, his brow furrowed in confusion, still standing halfway behind the door. He seemed so lost.

"Seriously? Goodness, Edward, you're going to make my stomach hurt!" I said, biting my lip to try and suppress another wave of laughter. His eyes widened in concern. "Your Majesty!" he exclaimed, clearly flustered, and rushed into the room fully. "Your Majesty, I should call the physician!" he said in a panic, about to turn away.

I widened my eyes and quickly shook my head, pressing my lips tightly together to stop from laughing.

"Your Majesty?" he asked, his voice full of concern, as if he was trying to understand what was happening. I couldn't help but laugh again. Oh goodness! I didn't realize he was this innocent.

In the midst of my laughter, I froze when someone called for Edward from outside. My brow furrowed in confusion. I stood from the bed and approached the door, only to gasp in shock when someone unexpected walked in.

"Your Majesty!" I exclaimed, my voice filled with surprise. The Emperor stood before me, his brow furrowed, his expression dark as if he were angry. "Did you just laugh, wife?" he asked, his voice low and serious.

I pressed my lips together, instinctively knowing that telling the truth wouldn't be wise. So, I shook my head. His eyebrow raised skeptically. "I heard you, wife," he stated flatly. I blinked in disbelief. "Then why did you ask me if you already knew?" I retorted, irritation creeping into my voice. What was he even doing here?

I noticed his expression soften as he began to approach me. "How unfortunate that I wasn't the one to witness your laughter," he murmured, his voice carrying a hint of sorrow. I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

He stopped just inches from me. I swallowed hard when he gently rested his head on my shoulder. "Those two concubines made me sick. Why did you leave so soon, wife?" he muttered, his breath warm against my skin. I stiffened, pressing my lips together. He resembled a child complaining to his mother.

Unbelievable. He was the one who chose to take concubines, and now he was acting like this? Damn. He was truly insane.

"You should go to sleep now, Your Majesty," I said calmly, trying to regain some control over the situation.

He didn't move right away, but before I could react, he suddenly lifted me into his arms. "Alright, let's sleep, wife," he said, and my eyes widened in shock.

"Your Majesty, I meant you should sleep in your chamber," I protested quickly, but it was too late. He had already laid me down on the bed and settled in beside me.

I blinked, my mind racing at how fast everything was happening. "Sweet dreams, wife," he murmured softly before I felt his lips press against my forehead, and then he lay down next to me.

I swallowed hard, pressing my lips together tightly. Damn it, my heart was in danger now. This was dangerous... for my heart!

A/N: Manifesting magkaroon ng manhwa version!