Nightmare Came to The Place I Escaped - Chapter 90

“I don’t want Your Majesty getting hurt or suffering. It’s all in the past, and I’m fine now. I think it will be dangerous seeing as the Prophet is trying to stop you too.”

“Rachel.”

 

Rachel, who’s gaze was lowered down, looked up at Ian’s call and looked at him.

 

“When you say you’re fine now, do you really mean you’re okay now? Or are you just going to put up with it?”

“If you just hold on to me…”

 

Rachel nodded at Ian’s question.

 

She rarely ran into Diana, and now that she couldn’t harm her, it should be easy to put up with her. So, it was fine.

 

But Ian let out a small sigh as if he didn’t like something.

 

“Rachel, I hate your patience. You were the one who suffered, so why are you saying you have to endure it?”

 

Rachel shut her mouth at Ian’s question.

 

It was a question of whether or not it was unfair.

 

“…I feel bad about it too.”

 

Of course, it was unfair and unjust. Even so, if she just endured it, won’t the day come when nothing happened?

 

“Then don’t hold it in.”

“…What?”

“The reason why I wanted power and became Emperor was because I wanted you to not be treated unfairly or to suffer.”

“….”

“At least I want to make sure that you and Diana Avery never run into each other.”

 

Ian carefully ran a hand through Rachel’s hair.

 

“Rachel, you don’t have to worry about me. I won’t let anything happen that you’re afraid of.”

 

Ian held Rachel in his arms as if he felt badly for her, as she just tried to endure it. Rachel stayed still for a moment, then nodded.

 

“…Actually, I hate Lady Avery.”

 

In reality, if she could give Diana back a little bit of what she’d suffered, she wanted to do so. If only she could feel a little comfortable doing so.

 

“I don’t want to run into her again if I can.”

 

She didn’t want to see Diana again, who’d made her miserable until the moment she’d died.

 

“Yes, let’s do that.”

 

***

 

The evening after Ian came to the Duke of Oates’ residence.

 

Everyone in the dukedom came out of the mansion to see Ian off, as he was ready to return to the Imperial palace.

 

“Your Majesty, it’s too bad you’re leaving already.”

“Thank you for your consideration even though it was a sudden visit, Duke Oates. I can’t leave the palace empty for long, so I could only stay for a short time, but I really enjoyed myself. I’m always grateful to you.”

“Then please invite me to the Imperial palace. I’ll bring Rachel with me.”

“Just tell me the time you want.”

 

The Duke smiled brightly, then moved out of the way for Rachel and Ian.

 

“Rachel, it’s a shame I have to separate from you again.”

 

Ian frowned slightly as if he was annoyed that he had to leave Rachel behind.

 

“What if I miss you?”

“…I’ll write you a letter.”

“Okay.”

 

Ian smiled pleasantly at the idea of Rachel’s letter, and lightly kissed her on the forehead.

 

“Your Majesty, if you ever get sick, you must tell me. Promise me.”

 

Rachel whispered softly so that no one could hear. Ian tried not to smile at Rachel’s whispered words while they stood together, so he just nodded at Rachel’s voice that was full of worries.

 

“Oh, Rachel. There might be rumors about me. Even if rumors spread that I’m in danger, you don’t have to worry because I planned everything. Understand?”

“…Rumors?”

 

Ian lightly stroked Rachel’s hair as if there was nothing to worry about.

 

“You should be fine with the Duke and Mike here.”

“…I see.”

 

Only then did Rachel nod to Ian, whose face looked completely carefree.

 

“Okay.”

 

Ian held Rachel’s hand for a while as if he was sorry to let go.

 

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty, but we really have to leave now.”

 

At that time, the 2nd Commander of the Knights, who’d been waiting patiently for Ian, opened his mouth.

 

Only then did Ian let out a small sigh, and carefully let go of Rachel’s hand.

 

“I really have to go now.”

“Travel carefully.”

“Yes, I’ll send a letter as soon as we arrive.”

“Okay, I’ll be waiting.”

 

At Rachel’s reply that she would wait, Ian smiled brightly. Then he went up to Rachel, and took her into his arms.

 

“I love you, Rachel.”

“…Me too.”

 

***

 

Knock Knock

 

“Come in.”

“Your Majesty, Lady Avery is here.”

“Alright, I’ll be right there.”

 

Ian moved his head around tiredly at Harmond’s words.

 

“We have the lady waiting in the second drawing room.”

“Okay.”

 

Ian gave a brief answer, straightened his posture again, and put on his jacket.

 

“I’ve prepared everything as Your Majesty said. So far, everything is as Your Majesty ordered.”

 

Harmond reported as he walked behind Ian.

 

In his heart, Harmond admired Ian again. So far, Diana has moved as he said without a single error.

 

As Ian said, Diana would meet with one of the Imperial maids. Within a few days of Ian sending the invitation letter, she contacted one of the women she’d planted in the Imperial palace.

 

Very late at night, with no lights, on a deserted street.

 

“Good, well done.”

“…Well done.”

 

Harmond rolled the compliment in his mouth again, as if pleased with Ian’s praise, then he hurriedly spoke up again.

 

“So, Your Majesty. What happens next?”

“Well?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m not sure what Diana would have prepared.”

 

As Ian tilted his head slightly, Harmond opened his eyes wide.

 

“You don’t even know Your Majesty?”

“Since you said she met with a maid, she must’ve given her some liquid.”

 

Harmond nodded in agreement with Ian’s words.

 

“But I don’t know if it’s poison or a potion.”

 

It was probably a potion because this was Diana, and she wouldn’t benefit from killing him. Ian felt tired, and roughly finished his explanation.

 

“… Your Majesty? What if it’s poisonous? You aren’t going to ingest it, are you?”

“Why wouldn’t I? I need to punish her.”

 

Harmond looked shocked at Ian’s words.

 

“Your Majesty, are you resistant to poisons?”

 

Why was he so relaxed when he said he might be ingesting poison?

 

“A little bit.”

“What if Lady Avery uses a deadly poison on Your Majesty?”

“That’s possible. Then what?”

“…Your Majesty!”

 

Only then did Harmond stop, and called out to Ian in a loud voice.

 

“How can you be so reckless? You have to be careful!”

 

Harmond looked at Ian incomprehensibly.

 

“You can never go in. No.”

 

Harmond ran quickly, and blocked Ian’s path.

 

His expression while he blocked Ian’s way was quite serious.

 

“Hahaha.”

 

Ian burst into a quiet laugh at Harmond, who was sincerely trying to block him. Harmond frowned at Ian’s sudden laughter.

 

“Don’t worry. Maybe it’s not poison.”

“Maybe? You aren’t sure. Maybe?”

“How can I be sure when I’m not Diana? It’s just a probability. Just like it’s always been.”

 

At this, Harmond blinked for a moment as if he was thinking of something.

 

Ian was right that he couldn’t be sure of anything, but shouldn’t he be more careful in case of a dangerous situation?

 

However, the Emperor seemed to be thinking about drinking the tea prepared by Diana.

 

“So don’t worry too much. I think Diana Avery would have prepared a potion or something like a stimulant.”

“…Your Majesty, even if it’s only a stimulant or potion, these things are dangerous.”

 

Harmond sighed quietly as if he was worried.

 

“You’ll be fine on your own, but always be careful.”

“Yes, I understand.”

 

Ian nodded his head as if he wanted Harmond to stop now, so Harmond had no choice but to continue walking.

 

Knock Knock

 

“His Majesty is entering.”

 

Harmond knocked on the drawing room door and announced Ian’s entry.

 

The door opened, and Diana rose to greet Ian.

 

Harmond looked back at Ian as if to ask him to be careful again, but Ian didn’t even look at him and went straight into the drawing room.

 

Harmond’s gaze, that was following Ian’s back, lingered on Diana Avery.

 

At Diana, with her coveted blonde hair hanging down in curls with a shiny hairpin, Harmond stared blankly at her.

 

Seeing Diana lowering her head with a gentle smile on her face, could she possibly intend to harm Ian? That was the question that arose then.

 

Harmond stared at Diana for a while, as if trying to figure out why she seemed more lovable than usual, before closing the drawing room door when he met Ian’s eyes as he looked back.

 

Click

 

“Ha, His Majesty should be careful.”

 

As if he didn’t like the fact that he’d stared at Diana’s appearance, Harmond hurriedly changed the subject to Ian’s safety as he walked down the hallway.

 

Then, before opening the door to his office.

 

“You were really smiling.”

 

Only then did he realize that today’s Diana was different from usual.

 

***

 

“Diana Avery, I see Your Majesty of the Eternal Empire.”

“Nice to meet you, Lady Avery”

 

Ian indicated with his chin as if he was telling her to sit comfortably, then sat on the sofa opposite Diana.

 

Ian leaned his back against the sofa, and looked at Diana for a moment.

 

“Didn’t you say you’d give me tea as a gift?”

“Yes, I had prepared the finest tea leaves for you.”

 

But there was nothing in Diana’s hand.

 

“But my maid took care of the tea leaves incorrectly, and the aroma and taste were ruined. I’m really sorry, but I came empty-handed today.”

“Today?”

“I’m really sorry that Your Majesty made time for me with difficulty. While it’s not the best thing, can I bring it to Your Majesty later?”

 

Diana lowered her eyes with a slight frown as if she was really sorry.

 

It was as if she was sincerely apologizing for this inevitable variable.

 

But Ian knew better.

 

The Diana he knew would not forget to bring tea leaves.

 

***