ERTHMB Chapter 162

Hold Me

Eugene stopped where the moonlight streaming through the window pierced through. Natasha could finally make out his expression.

He was truly angry.

Natasha hastily mumbled an excuse.

“I’m truly sorry for not attending the trial. But I couldn’t help it because I lost consciousness on my way to the courtroom.”

“That’s a plausible excuse.”

“No, Your Grace, it’s true. Please understand…cough, cough!“

While scraping out a harsh cough, Natasha bit down hard on the inside of her mouth. She chewed the mucous membrane to squeeze out bloody saliva and spat it out. The ivory dress hem allowed the fresh blood to be distinguished even in the darkness.

Her eyelashes trembling, she raised her head to see Eugene suppressing his anger. Natasha spat out bloody saliva once more.

Eugene reluctantly sighed and left, saying he would send the attending physician and that she should rest.

****

The day after the trial ended, Helena received a letter from the Imperial Palace.

Her heart, which had been startled from the moment she saw the seal stamped on the envelope, couldn’t settle down even after confirming its contents.

It was an invitation to the Crown Prince’s birthday banquet. At the end was a postscript saying there was something to discuss briefly before the ceremony began.

Helena finished dressing at the persistent persuasion of Odyssey and Sakin and headed to the Imperial Palace.

The place promised in the invitation was a small garden located in the backyard of the main palace. The garden, harmoniously arranged with flowers and trees that bloomed despite the cold temperature, was beautiful.

Indeed, perhaps because it bore the Imperial family’s name, despite its small size, it elicited small gasps of admiration.

Helena forgot her original purpose and looked around leisurely. Then a similar gait approached beside her.

“It’s quite pretty, isn’t it?”

At the Empress addressing her familiarly, Helena couldn’t hide her surprise and quickly bowed in greeting. The Empress continued walking unconcernedly and spoke.

“It’s even prettier at night, but since it’s in a remote location, no one comes to see it. Moreover, today everyone will be in the banquet hall enjoying the ball, so it’s the perfect place to enjoy a secret rendezvous.”

The Empress suddenly turned around to Helena, who was following, and asked mischievously.

“Don’t you think?”

“…I am honored.”

“You blush like that, so teasing you was worthwhile.”

It couldn’t be that she wanted to inform her of a good place to enjoy a secret rendezvous at night. As Helena’s expression formed a question mark, not knowing why she had been summoned, the Empress laughed.

“This time it wasn’t me, but he who wanted this.”

As soon as the Empress finished speaking, new footsteps approached.

“Ah, our Lady who sees the future—no, wait. Now I should call you the Lady of the Blessed Hand.”

Helena bowed her head again in courtesy. The Emperor stood beside the Empress and smiled benevolently like her.

“The exchange project with the Kingdom of Usturn last time achieved greater results than expected. It’s thanks to you.”

“It is only Your Majesty the Emperor’s great grace being rewarded.”

“No, it’s merit with a clear reason. I don’t accept favors without compensation, you see. If there’s something you want, tell me one thing. I’ll grant you anything.”

“…!”

“And it would be even better if you could add a new prophecy while you’re at it.”

Helena’s lips parted blankly at the completely unexpected turn. Judging by the Emperor’s relaxed attitude, he was sincere. The shocking condition he offered brought many complex thoughts from worry to anticipation.

But ultimately, the flow of her thoughts converged in one place.

Since it would also be impolite to miss the opportunity given, Helena slowly reeled in the fishing hook.

“Admiral Hex, who currently oversees the Brika waters, is in a state of infrequent activity due to chronic illness. It’s unfortunate, but he won’t be able to rise before long. Taking advantage of that time, pirates will swarm for a while, so I humbly recommend using the trade route through the Domina Sea starting next month.”

The Emperor’s smile deepened. Encouraged by the gentle atmosphere, Helena drove in the wedge.

“What I want is for you to add one more company to that export list.”

When she mentioned specific items and future plans, the Emperor agreed more easily than expected.

After the Emperor left with hearty laughter, the Empress asked quietly.

“Your choices have always been right, so I won’t worry much. But does it seem so this time as well?”

Helena knew this wasn’t about the request she had just made. After all, it was the Empress who had moved Chief Justice Bernhardt in the first place. She was asking about the choice to abandon Evergale.

Helena started to fish for pleasant words in her mind, then honestly blurted out.

“It may be presumptuous to say, but I don’t really know if there’s right and wrong in choices. However, if you ask whether it’s a happier choice…”

Helena naturally savored the person who filled her mind at this moment and smiled.

“Yes. That’s right. I’m happy.”

****

After the Crown Prince’s birthday celebration ended, a masquerade ball began.

Those who received invitations could attend with one companion, and Helena naturally designated Ian. Though she doubted whether he would recognize her immediately.

‘I can’t tell who anyone is.’

Having entered the hall before Ian, Helena unnecessarily adjusted her wig and dress. The silhouette that Aida had enthusiastically devoted her heart to was perfect. Perfectly close to a disguise.

Long light purple hair and an extremely glamorous violet dress. It was too completely different from her usual appearance, and she even wore a mask.

Saying she mustn’t spoil the fun, Aida and the knights maintained ironclad security and even departed separately from the hotel. Ian clearly wouldn’t have even a clue about her current appearance.

‘It would be stranger if he found me like this.’

Helena sipped wine and looked around. She saw several people engaged in intimate conversations while hiding their identities. Each was fully utilizing the boldness amplified by their masks.

The same was true for Helena. A short man wearing a peacock mask approached and struck up a conversation.

He relaxed the atmosphere while gradually closing the physical distance. Helena responded appropriately but quickly withdrew when it became uncomfortable.

However, the peacock mask clung persistently. Helena was spun around by his outstretched hand. But being dragged away didn’t happen.

A man wearing a snow leopard mask cut between them and broke the connection. He leaned toward Helena’s ear and whispered.

“Have you been waiting long?”

Cold air emanated from his shoulders. Helena could tell he had just entered the hall. Yet it was amazing that he had found her right away and approached.

“How do you find me so well?”

Recognizing Ian wasn’t difficult. He had only added a mask; his hair color and overwhelming physique remained the same.

“I don’t know either. I just see you.”

The peacock mask, having realized who he was dealing with, disappeared as quickly as his previous persistence seemed laughable.

Helena chuckled at Ian’s simple answer and grabbed his sleeve to lead him.

“I was recommended a secret and quiet space today.”

“So why are we going there now?”

“Because it’s a good place for lovers to have secret rendezvous, and we happen to be lovers?”

The lips beneath the snow leopard mask curved beautifully.

Helena released Ian when they reached the garden. As the Empress said, the garden was even more beautiful dressed in night. Fireflies settling between the trees brightened the lighting, making it look like pretty decorative sculptures sold in antique shops.

Helena hooked her arms around Ian’s neck and untied the knot at the back of his head to remove his mask. His clearly revealed face was enough to steal her breath for a moment, ignoring the garden scenery.

Was it the same for Ian? He too wrapped one arm around Helena’s waist while the other climbed up her waistline like a snake and removed Helena’s mask.

The two embraced each other and locked lips as if no further waiting could exist.

And there was someone watching those two from the terrace.

Lifting the peacock mask, thin blonde hair was revealed beneath the short wig.

Natasha let out a hollow laugh.

“So it’s you, the one who’s kept that woman alive all this time.”

The long-standing nemesis of my love.

*’Ian Kamel Aksen Fevernheim.’*

****

Helena and Ian left the hall as they were and returned to the hotel.

A noisy space wasn’t needed for time they could spend together alone.

What they needed was a night to celebrate winning the trial, and to spend that night, a bottle of wine and a few bite-sized pieces of cheese were enough.

Helena first removed the cumbersome wig while Ian went to choose wine. She also took off the beautiful but heavy dress and changed into a comfortable nightdress.

Then, when she flopped onto the bed, the room felt a bit chilly. Helena rummaged through the drawer looking for matches to light the fireplace. Then something caught her fingertips along with the matchbox.

It was the candy she had found at Natasha’s villa before.

‘…Star candy?’

The colorful pink wrapper was identical to what was sold on the streets. When she sniffed the contents, it smelled like tart berries. Even licking the surface slightly, the taste was no different from the smell.

Helena first lit the fire and threw the candy into it. The sound of star candy popping when scorched by fire was pleasant to hear. There was a crackling sound of something burning.

At the same time, a strange scent began to spread. An unfamiliar sense of dissonance also enveloped Helena.

‘Where have I smelled this scent before…?’

Which confectionery in the city sells this? Helena diligently searched her memories to pull out the identity of the dissonance. Strangely, it wasn’t easy. Her mind became hazy as if a foggy mist had spread through her brain, and her body grew hot.

‘Have I been overworking lately…?’

The oncoming dizziness resembled a terrible cold. Her head was dazed, but her physical senses were becoming extremely sensitive. Even the feeling of the dress hem rubbing against her skin was vivid.

Helena staggered and collapsed onto the bed. The wave of the bouncing bed springs sent another unbelievable dizziness throughout her entire body.

Whether unfortunate or fortunate, at that moment Ian returned.

“I’m not excellent at judging alcohol, but if it’s this much… Helena? Are you okay?”

Ian set down the wine and platter on the table and approached Helena. When his hand touched her forehead, Helena gasped loudly. The cool sensation of his calloused, firm touch felt maddeningly good.

Everything about Ian was a stimulus. His body scent, which she had always liked, seemed to speak to her. His low, soft voice sent shivers through her.

“Ian…”

The fine hairs all over her body stood on end. They craved more of him. She wanted him to touch her.

She wanted him to caress her roughly, bite her lips, and embrace her as he pleased. She wanted to feel everything about him endlessly close.

Helena clung to him blindly.

“Ian, hold me, please.”