I Became the Tyrant’s Helper - Chapter 26

They didn’t care who she was, nor did they have any interest in knowing her name.

They would only care that I am a commoner and wonder how I got here.

Like the owner of Ophelia’s had said, it’s only the juicy bits of gossip that people are interested in.

Ahel wasn’t even scared that someone may come after her and hunt her down once the rumors spread that she was Ray’s lover.

Because he needs me.

He wouldn’t leave her for dead, that much she knew, and it was that thought that reassured her enough to say, “I will go along with the plan, Your Majesty.”

“All right. Is there anything else you’re curious about?” he asked, sounding as though he knew she had more questions.

There really was something she wanted to ask Ray.

By the way, why me?

That’s what she had been thinking about the entire time he led her out to the garden.

Because he simply needs me to play the role of his lover?

No. Because if he simply needed someone to play that role, there were plenty of women around to replace Ahel. He would likely answer that she is special, and that he needs a favor.

And it was a fact Ahel knew too well that her tattoo had everything to do with it.

He didn’t just choose me. He decided he needs me after seeing the tattoo on my neck.

Oh, and the rumor. Ray wanted the rumor of his relationship with Ahel to spread far and wide, that much was clear.

Emperors are often at the center of all sorts of rumors.

But perhaps his motivation to spread this particular rumor was because he wanted the news to reach a certain someone’s ears?’

If so…

Ahel recalled what Ray had told her yesterday.

Ahel, that tattoo is connected with someone I know very well.

Another speculation rose in her head at the same time.

She finally responded, “You said that my tattoo is connected with someone you know very well. By chance, Your Majesty, does showing me off as your girlfriend have something to do with that person?”

Ahel studied his face. If her assumption was correct, Ray should show some sort of reaction.

There wasn’t a single shift in his expressionless face, however. He just stood there with his arms crossed and head tilted, staring at her with gentle eyes.

Was she wrong?

It was only an assumption in the first place, but she couldn’t hide her confusion.

Ahel shifted her gaze down.

The whistle of a strong gust of wind whipped across them. Surprised by the sound, she raised her head and a startled sound escaped her throat.

Ray was laughing. Amusement lit up his green eyes.

As she watched his expression, the same one that he had when she impressed him with the right answer, Ahel’s lips parted in disbelief.

Ray, looking at Ahel staring at him, said slowly, “Ahel, you surprise me every time. That’s right. Just like you’re thinking, the reason I have to show you off as my girlfriend has something to do with that person.”

My assumption was right…!?

Ahel’s lips opened even wider. Ray, who kept his eyes on her stunned face, stood up from his chair.

He smiled at her, but his expression was intense, as he said, “Shall I give you the answer to your question?”

“The answer…”

“Are you ready to hear this?”

She had no choice but to stop talking and close her mouth.

He was right. Ahel had been suspicious but hadn’t been sure until now.

Anyway, I got the information with his help.

And although it was somewhat comforting that she had figured out his motives, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she had been beaten by him. She wasn’t sure that she could handle more information right now, and still maintain her composure in front of him.

Ahel, trying to keep the emotions off her face and the trembling out of her voice, said, “Good. As Your Majesty has said, I have the answers about the things I wasn’t sure about, and it’s related to my tattoo.”

She needed time to process, by herself.

“All right. So be it. Stand up.”

“Pardon?”

Stand up?

With his head tilted, he looked into her eyes.

“Have you decided to cooperate? If so, then you’ll join me as we walk back. If I leave you here and return alone, then we’ll have started rumors that we quarreled. And we don’t want that, do we?”

“Oh!” Ahel exclaimed.

He would walk her to Sever’s office. Nodding, Ahel hastily stood up from her chair.

And as soon as she approached him, he extended a hand.

She should reach for his hand, and hold it, right? They had to look like a couple in front of the others.

When Ahel, standing still and deliberating about what to do, didn’t immediately grab his hand, Ray said with a mischievous smile, “You don’t want my hand? You could have told me earlier. There are endless other ways to look like a loving couple in front of others.”

At that, Ahel quickly grabbed Ray’s hand, smiling tightly, unnerved by his forward behavior.

Because at his mention of other ways she recalled the physical contact when they had entered the garden. Holding his hand was nothing compared to how it felt when they had walked so close together with his hand around her waist.

At her anxiousness, Ray smiled and clasped her hand in his.

She’s like a sweet rabbit; small and nervous of predators, but quick and smart.

As they stood side-by-side he looked down at the top of Ahel’s head. She didn’t even reach his shoulders. Forcing his eyes off of her, he led them forward.