Chapter 33

With Sergei's arrival, Eleonora finally decided to return home.

"Your Majesty, the carriage of the Purpureus Duke's family has returned home during the daytime monster disturbance," Sergei reported.

"Sergei, don't give such an unpleasant report in front of Eleonora. I don't want to make her sad at all."

Eleonora, listening to the conversation between Alexei and Sergei, was touched by how much Alexei cared for her, but she also felt he was being overprotective.

"…Your Majesty, I am not sad."

"Eleonora, please call me Alexei, not Your Majesty."

(What? I can't call you so disrespectfully in front of the Chancellor!)

When Eleonora glanced at Sergei, he smiled back at her.

(He means it's okay in front of the Chancellor, I guess.)

"…Alexei-sama, even if the carriage has returned, I don't mind. I can go home by myself."

"Have you ever gone home alone?"

"…No, I haven't."

"Eleonora! It's already dark outside. Don't you understand how dangerous it is? I wish you would stay at the castle, but I'm letting you go because you're worried about the one-horned rat."

With that, Alexei escorted Eleonora to the carriage, which bore the imperial emblem.

(Are my family okay? The herald has been sent, but I'm worried if the Duchess and Sophia can behave properly. Father is the head of the Duke's family, so he should be fine… We have capable house managers and butlers, so they should be okay, I hope.)

Thinking about her family made Eleonora's stomach hurt.

"What's wrong, Eleonora?"

Alexei, sitting next to her, leaned in to look at her face.

"Alexei-sama, you're too close. It's not right to be so close without being engaged."

Embarrassed, Eleonora turned her face toward the window.

"I was just worried because you seemed a bit down."

(No way! I thought he was going to kiss me! I'm being too self-conscious!)

Suppressing her embarrassment, Eleonora started to speak.

"…In this life, I haven't been close to my family. But that doesn't mean I'm unhappy. In my previous life, I valued Ham-chan more than my blood-related family, and the three years with Ham-chan were the happiest of my life."

Then, she looked into Alexei's eyes.

"Ah, those blue eyes are Ham-chan's. …The world without Ham-chan was lonely. Being reborn as Eleonora didn't make me unhappy. I was just lonely. Thanks to Ham-chan, I learned the warmth of people. So, please don't leave me alone again. I don't like being lonely."

Unbeknownst to herself, tears began to fall from Eleonora's eyes.

Seeing this, Alexei felt a tightness in his chest.

"I will never leave you alone, Eleonora."

He took out a handkerchief and wiped away her tears. She smiled as if remembering something.

"Once, I did the same for Ham-chan when he was crying. It wasn't as beautiful a handkerchief as this one. Now, I'm being comforted by Alexei-sama."

"Yes. I've grown up. This time, I'll spoil you."

"I want to spoil Alexei-sama a lot too."

The two held hands and leaned against each other.

After a while, the carriage arrived at the main entrance of the Purpureus Duke's residence. Before getting out, Alexei whispered to Eleonora.

"I won't let anyone neglect you again."

"I wasn't that miserable. I was just lonely."

Seeing Eleonora's slightly troubled expression, Alexei smiled wryly, thinking she was still as kind as ever. However, he couldn't forgive the Purpureus Duke's family for making her feel lonely again, even after she was reborn.

The attendant informed the butler of Alexei's visit. The Duchess then came out.

"I've been waiting for you, Your Majesty! You came to see Sophia, right? She will be ready in a moment. Please wait."

(What are you doing! This is bad! Why are you speaking first? At least greet him properly! And that tone… I understand that you don't often speak to those of higher rank because we are a Duke's family, but he is the Emperor!)

Eleonora was worried about her stepmother Anna's attitude. On the other hand, Alexei ignored Anna completely and communicated his business through his attendant to the butler.

"The reception room is this way."

The message was relayed from the butler to the attendant, and then to Alexei.

"What are you doing? I am the lady of this Duke's household! How dare you, a butler, speak for me. Your Majesty, I will guide you!"

(Please, just be quiet!)

As Eleonora prayed, her half-sister Sophia arrived. The moment she saw Eleonora, she lunged at her with a fierce expression.

"What are you doing here? And wearing such a fine dress! I told you not to come here without permission!"

Before Sophia could get close to Eleonora, Alexei instructed the guard.

"Eleonora is to be my fiancée. Anyone who insults her is insulting me. Execute these women for disrespect."

Sophia, who had been seeing red, finally noticed Alexei's presence.

"No way, why is the Demon Emperor here?"

Eleonora turned pale, realizing the worst had happened.