Chapter 98

In the dim light, the servants began to show signs of activity.

Jesuardo, who had just woken up, gently brushed the hair from Lilis's cheek and gazed at her peaceful sleeping face.

To be honest, if he had heard about the "Freyt's Mystery" that Lilis had confided in him last night from someone else, he probably wouldn't have believed it.

He might have been accused of being blinded by love, but it was only because Lilis had told him herself that he could believe it.

It had only been a few months since their marriage.

Of course, he couldn't claim to know everything about Lilis, but he knew she wasn't the type to lie about something like this.

There was no reason for her to.

(But a dream...)

It was only natural that no spies could find it, and if it were ever discovered, many people would target Lilis.

Just thinking about it made Jesuardo's body stiffen, and he exhaled deeply to try to relax.

At that moment, he suddenly thought of Saul.

Could Saul have discovered the secret of Lilis's power?

And if he had orchestrated that bold kidnapping—

Jesuardo calmly considered the possibility.

Spies tend to notice the movements of other spies.

If the Fontae Kingdom's spies in Freyt had uncovered the secret, the Aelar's spies would likely have suspected it as well.

However, there was no report from Allesio yet.

If that was the case, it could be inferred from Lilis's movements in Tuisen, but it seemed too well-prepared for that.

(According to the report, she met that old man who calls himself Frederick once in Tuisen...)

Lilis hadn't told him this, but Frederick was probably there to divert attention from her.

It was simply that Frederick liked Lilis and had offered to be a decoy.

Gregorius, known as a wise man, was also famous for being eccentric and stubborn.

It was hard to imagine Frederick being swayed by money or power.

However, Jesuardo had always been irritated by his smirking when he looked at him.

It was unlikely that Frederick had betrayed Lilis, and he wasn't careless enough to reveal the secret.

The kidnapping was probably a straightforward attempt to target the Empress of Aelar.

(Still, why did King Dreaum let Lilis go?)

The unreasonable condition that his father, the emperor, had imposed on Freyt to make Jesuardo, who had stubbornly refused a new marriage, take a wife could have been met by sending a princess.

In fact, it would have been better for the country's interests to send a princess.

For Jesuardo, it was nothing short of fortunate, but the mystery remained.

(I need to talk more with Lilis...)

Initially, Jesuardo had rejected Lilis, and they hadn't had the necessary conversations.

The "honeymoon" in Tuisen, proposed by Lilis, had brought them much closer—more than that, they had unexpectedly connected on a deeper level, but they still didn't know each other well enough.

Still, if Lilis hadn't overcome the long-standing barriers and broken through them—no, stormed through them—despite Jesuardo's cold attitude, their relationship wouldn't have been possible.

Jesuardo was deeply grateful to Lilis for that.

During the journey, he had enjoyed Lilis's chatter during meals and carriage rides.

Her favorite and least favorite foods, her love for animals, the story of being chased by sheep as a child, having her hair pulled by a pony, and setting traps to catch birds that always managed to escape.

However, they hadn't discussed the crucial matters of the alliance.

If Lilis hadn't been such a wise princess, it would have been enough to discuss it with others.

In fact, he had held detailed talks about the alliance with Prince Eam.

At that time, he hadn't asked why Lilis had been sent, out of disinterest.

How stubborn and foolish he had been back then.

Jesuardo tried to suppress his emotions and reached out to embrace Lilis, who was sleeping peacefully, but stopped.

Lilis might be dreaming.

Since she had once said she didn't want to be woken up from a nightmare, he was worried.

But the other day, when he woke her with a kiss, she was initially groggy but seemed fine.

There were many questions to ask, but the most important one was whether it was safe for them to sleep together.

As Jesuardo was lost in thought, Lilis suddenly opened her eyes.

"Sorry, did I wake you up..."

Lilis, without a word, moved closer to the apologizing Jesuardo, buried her face in his chest, and exhaled deeply, looking relieved.

Soon, her peaceful breathing resumed.

Jesuardo, who had been unable to move, now embraced her without hesitation.

Outside in the corridor, the guards were changing shifts in front of their respective rooms.

It was usually the time when Jesuardo would wake up.

However, today he was reluctant to leave Lilis and focused on the warm presence in his arms for a while.

Since the kidnapping, Lilis's guards had visibly increased, and some of Allesio's men were placed as maids and cleaners around her.

Increasing them further would only raise suspicions, but knowing Lilis's secret, Jesuardo was very worried.

He even wanted to sit with her on his lap while working, not as a joke.

(That would be inappropriate...)

It would make people think the Crown Prince had lost his mind, and it would damage Lilis's reputation.

That should be avoided, but some measures were necessary.

With the pottery from Tuisen gaining popularity, Lilis would attract even more attention.

Frederick wouldn't be able to act as a decoy for much longer.

The spies of other countries weren't that foolish.

Thinking about it, it made sense why King Dreaum had sent Lilis.

As the Empress of Aelar, she would be much safer than as a princess of Freyt.

However, there were invisible enemies within.

He should report Lilis's power to his father, the emperor, and consult with Allesio, though it would be regrettable.

Of course, the spies investigating "Freyt's Mystery" must remain in Freyt.

He needed to talk to Lilis and Frederick as soon as possible.

To the empire, Lilis's power was a "precious treasure," but to Jesuardo, it was a source of unease.

But that mysterious power was part of Lilis, and she had carried that burden for a long time.

(She must have worked very hard...)

From now on, he wouldn't let Lilis bear it alone.

Jesuardo silently vowed and kissed Lilis's lustrous hair.

To take measures to protect Lilis, he decided to have lunch with her again and reluctantly pulled away from her soft body, getting out of bed.