"...You knew about it too?"
Not understanding those words, Liv continued speaking haltingly. She had certainly not said anything about her physical condition, and neither her court physician nor the imperial palace had examined Liv regarding her infertility, so how did he know? As Liv had a stupid expression on her face, Emmett opened his mouth with a pained look.
"I heard... from August."
"What?"
Liv couldn't understand this situation at all. How did August know that Liv was infertile? And how did Emmett hear about it? At that moment, one thought suddenly crossed Liv's mind.
"Don't tell me... my physical condition is because of August?"
"Yes."
Emmett nodded with his eyes lowered.
"When I captured August before you arrived at the imperial palace... he said. That he had fed you poison to make you infertile."
"But if it was poison, it should have been cured when I went to the sanctuary... Ah, I see. If the effect had already appeared and my body was damaged, that poison might not have been detoxified..."
Liv became dazed and couldn't continue speaking for a while. So this was ultimately August's fault too? Just how much had August taken away?
The first emotion that arose was anger towards August. Liv thought she had completely defeated him, but even now that he had lost his life, he was still leaving traces to torment Liv. She felt her hatred for him burning at his persistent torment of her.
And then, one question began to slowly raise its head inside Liv.
"Why didn't you tell me about this until now?"
"...To be honest, it's all my fault. I was too weak and cowardly."
Emmett clenched his fist and continued speaking.
"I was afraid you would resent me if you found out that the court physician I trusted had turned to August and harmed you. And I didn't want to unnecessarily make you waver when killing August by knowing this fact."
It wasn't wrong. If Liv had known the truth, she might not have been able to kill August and could have been swayed. After all, Liv had the burden of continuing the line as the last descendant of Gracia.
But Liv couldn't understand his choice.
"I didn't want to make you worry unnecessarily. I was afraid of hurting your feelings..."
"You... hide too many things from me."
Emmett tried to hide the fact that he had killed the late Viscount Wolfe until the end. If August hadn't spread the rumor, Liv probably wouldn't have known. Although she understood that he was afraid she would resent him, it would have been better if he had been more honest with Liv.
Perhaps the feeling Liv was having towards Emmett now had started from when she learned about the late Viscount Wolfe. Liv thought he had too many secrets. Could she be sure that this was all Emmett was hiding from her? Liv couldn't be certain.
So, maybe Liv's trust in him had collapsed.
"You should have... told me."
"...I have nothing to say to you. I'm truly sorry."
Although Emmett's face was full of guilt as he said that, Liv just looked at him with her mouth closed. After a long silence, Liv staggered and sat down on the bed.
"Liv, are you alright?"
"I'm fine. I just..."
After heaving a sigh, Liv tried to put on an indifferent face and said:
"So what happened with that poison?"
"I'm doing my best to find out. I've sent people as far as the Eastern Continent. ...But I haven't found anything yet."
"I see. It wouldn't be good for rumors to spread about my condition now, so I'll leave it to you without getting involved."
Although Liv felt greatly betrayed by him, her mind had cooled down so much that her head was working quickly. She thinks about what she should and shouldn't do at this moment. It was a habit she had developed since becoming Emperor.
"You don't mind that I'm infertile?"
"...No, I'm just sorry to you. I will love you unchanged, and the presence or absence of children is not an important issue."
"I've never desperately wanted children either. I'm different from others after all, so it would be difficult for me to be a good mother. But..."
Liv's empty eyes turned to Emmett again.
"I wish you had told me sooner."
"Liv..."
"You should have told me sooner... You should have told me first that August used poison..."
Somehow she felt something hot rising inside, but Liv suppressed it. Fortunately, her eyes didn't become moist.
Child, what makes you sad?
My child, it's alright even if you can't continue the Gracia line.
If that man has made you sad, we can remove him.
The gods were making Liv's mind noisy as if they had caught an opportunity. Disliking it, she frowned and closed her eyes, and she felt Emmett's hand on her shoulder.
"Liv, are the voices of the gods tormenting you?"
"...It's fine."
Liv pulled his hand down and went under the covers, and Emmett's face darkened even more. Normally, Liv would say she loved Emmett no matter what he did, but well. Strangely, she couldn't say it was okay now. Even now, Liv was madly in love with him, but perhaps because of that, her heart felt even more painful.
As Liv closed her eyes as if she wouldn't speak anymore, Emmett didn't say anything either. She could feel Emmett's gaze looking down at her, but Liv pretended not to notice.
* * *
The moment he saw Liv's hurt eyes, Emmett regretted it.
'I was stupid.'
He should have told Liv first before anyone else. Even if she was shocked, Liv would have preferred to be told the truth then. Because his past self was so foolish and cowardly, he had made another stupid choice.
However, what troubled Emmett the most was the look in Liv's eyes that seemed to still not hate him despite being hurt. Liv still loved him. That fact was clearly evident in her eyes.
It would be better if she resented and hated him, but Liv always loves him. Ordinary people might gain confidence and become elated by this fact, but Emmett wasn't like that. He always felt tormented by not being able to fully repay Liv's love.
Emmett also felt himself to be terribly incompetent and pathetic. He had been so focused on returning Liv to her original place that he hadn't thought about how Liv might feel. What Liv needed might not have been this country, but perhaps Emmett himself.
How could he make Liv's heart feel even a little better? Since Liv was openly showing an attitude of not wanting to talk to Emmett, he had no intention of bothering her. For now, he should quietly stay by her side until she opens her heart.
And... he should express his love. Let her know that he cherishes and respects her, and promise that this will never happen again...
Emmett suddenly thought about what Liv might want. Think about it in reverse. If it were Emmett himself, how would he want Liv to act? He would have wanted Liv to tell Emmett instead of embracing secrets alone, and to overcome crises together.
"..."
Only then did Emmett realize. For the sake of Liv, he had made the wrong choice. Liv had the right to know, and she would have wanted to choose her own future even if it hurt. And above all, she would have wanted Emmett to share his heart with her, telling her the truth without hiding anything.
But Emmett always chose the most foolish path, so it's not strange that Liv distrusts him now... Even if Liv continues to create secrets from Emmett in the future, Emmett wouldn't be able to say anything.
"...Hah."
Of course, Emmett couldn't just stay still until Liv's heart softened. Looking at the sleeping Liv beside him, Emmett's eyes sharpened.
* * *
Even if there's a rift between the two, their positions don't change.
"The absolute light of the Holy Hilysid Empire and the great monarch, Her Majesty Emperor Liv Gracia and Grand Duke Emmett Lartman are entering!"
Liv walked into the banquet hall with her hand on Emmett's arm. Despite what had happened yesterday, they appeared outwardly unaffected. It would be troublesome if they showed signs of discord and the nobles latched onto it.
The dazzling white dress Liv wore had elaborate gold embroidery, truly embodying the color of the Emperor. The golden crown on her head seemed to prove the weight of Liv's position.
As soon as Liv entered, the banquet hall momentarily fell silent, but Liv didn't mind. The current atmosphere was different from when nobles used to criticize Liv as a fake saintess in the past. The nobles' silence was due to respect and fear of her. That fact made Liv feel strange.
While moving to her seat, Liv glanced around the banquet hall. As it was the first banquet held in the imperial palace, Emmett had used a huge budget to decorate the banquet lavishly. It was especially impressive that there were Gracia family emblems everywhere, as if emphasizing the new imperial family.
After sitting in her seat, Liv gestured casually towards the nobles looking at her.
"Enjoy yourselves."
At that signal, the orchestra began playing music again, and people returned to their original conversations while watching their surroundings. As she quietly scanned the nobles, Liv could spot a group wearing green dresses. When their eyes met, Greta, one of them, quickly approached Liv.
"Your Majesty, are you pleased with the banquet?"
The Emperor's maids were supposed to wear green dresses at official events. Greta, who revealed her position by wearing a green dress, had a triumphant look on her face.
"Yes, there's no problem."
"Then, how about Your Majesty coming to enjoy yourself in the main hall?"