Chapter 10

"Hey, everyone. Have you read Eristra's new work?"

Countess Wolfmea, a big fan of romance novelist Eristra, called out to her fellow Eristra enthusiasts at the evening party.

"Of course! That arrogant tyrant emperor...! The way he aggressively pursues the heroine is so stimulating and passionate... I was completely captivated."

"Despite his arrogance, he remains devoted, constantly thinking of an ordinary young lady... and then, he occasionally shows a cute side. The contrast is irresistible."

"I was feeling a bit sad that 'The Cold-Blooded Knight and the Princess's Secret Dance Lessons' had finally concluded, but thanks to the new work, I have a whole new source of enjoyment!"

Eristra's works have become a natural pastime for the empire's ladies. Nodding in agreement with her companions, the countess suddenly lowered her voice.

"What if our emperor, who is also called a tyrant, had a passionate side like the emperor in Eristra's new work?"

"Oh, that emperor?!"

"I can hardly imagine it... but if the emperor, who was feared as heartless, were to be devoted to someone, it would be a wonderful thing."

Comparing the characters in Eristra's novels to reality and indulging in fantasies is one of the ladies' favorite pastimes.

Since Eristra's new work features a tyrant emperor, the ladies, who usually look at the emperor with fear, were less apprehensive on this day.

As the emperor's arrival was announced, the ladies directed more favorable glances at him than usual.

However, when the ladies saw the emperor enter the venue, their eyes, filled with curiosity and fear, widened in shock.

"Oh! How beautiful...!"

"Who is that...?"

"What a well-matched pair!"

"Your Majesty, please don't let go of me."

In the glittering evening party at the palace, which remained bright even as the night deepened, Elise clung firmly to the emperor's arm in the center of the bustling hall, drawing all the attention.

Despite the noisy surroundings, Elise, without her glasses, found everything blurry and was even afraid to walk. She was so focused on her footing that she barely heard the conversation.

The only thing she could rely on was the emperor, who was escorting her. It was only natural for her to cling tightly to his strong arm.

The emperor, pleased by Elise's dependence, smiled at her with a tenderness that left everyone speechless.

"You can rely on me as much as you want. I won't let you go no matter what."

At the emperor's words, which were so out of character for the tyrant, gasps of surprise rose from the crowd.

"His Majesty...! Bringing a partner to the evening party! And he's even speaking kindly and smiling at her...!"

"Who is that young lady? I've never seen such a beautiful young lady! Which family does she come from?"

"More importantly, what is her relationship with His Majesty? They seem so close... Oh! Could it be...!"

Ignoring the commotion around him, the emperor was thoroughly satisfied with Elise's appearance in the dress he had prepared, her beautiful face exposed.

"Your Majesty... you will really let me go after one dance, right? I don't want to stay in this glittering place for too long."

"Yes. Just a little longer. After this, you can stay in your room and write as much as you want."

Dragged along by the smiling emperor, Elise stood in the center of the venue and began to dance to the music, unable to help but think:

—Why did this happen?

---

Going back to when the emperor had finished his audience with Elise's father, the Duke of Tranchester.

"Did you really convince my father?"

Elise looked at the emperor in disbelief.

"Yes. That you don't have to return. In fact, he said it's fine to keep you here forever."

"That stubborn father of mine? I can't believe it... What did you do?"

"I didn't do anything special. I just told him sincerely that I need Elise."

"…You didn't mention the novels, did you?"

"Of course not. I wouldn't break my promise to you."

Seeing the emperor nod confidently, Elise was finally convinced.

"Truly, Your Majesty. Honestly, I thought the worst-case scenario might be that the persuasion would fail, and I would be taken back to the Tranchester family."

"Hmph. I wouldn't make such a mistake. If it came to it, I would cut off the duke's head to keep you by my side."

"Ahem, ahem. Miss Elise, I told you, His Majesty is the emperor. He can do anything."

Jeffrey, who had no idea what really transpired between the emperor and the Duke of Tranchester, or the duke's mistaken assumptions, tried to defuse the situation by praising the emperor.

Elise nodded in agreement.

"Truly. I apologize for doubting you. Thanks to Your Majesty, I can still write the novels I love! Your Majesty, as a token of gratitude for everything you've done for me, please let me do something for you."

"Gratitude...? Just having you by my side and writing novels is enough for me. But since you insist... There's one thing I want to do. Will you do it for me?"

The emperor, fidgeting and glancing at Elise, seemed hesitant. Finding him endearing, Elise nodded.

"Anything! Please tell me!"

Encouraged by Elise's good mood, the emperor, blushing, finally spoke of what he had long wanted to do.

"Then... I want to dance with you at the next evening party... Is that okay?"

---

And so, it came to this.

"If you don't want your identity to be known, why don't you take off your glasses? No one will recognize you without your glasses."

Jeffrey, who had been watching the exchange, suggested this to Elise, who was reluctant to be the emperor's partner.

The emperor, who had previously forbidden Elise from showing her face, accepted Jeffrey's suggestion with a mysterious logic: "If people can see that this woman is mine, it's fine." As a result, Elise attended the evening party without her glasses.

"What a romantic couple... I can't help but sigh."

The emperor and his partner, trusting each other and dancing more closely than usual, moved to the music, leaving the onlookers in awe.

"His Majesty has never brought a partner to an evening party, let alone danced... I never imagined he could dance so gracefully."

"His Majesty's first partner at an evening party. Does anyone know who that beautiful young lady is?"

The mysterious beauty, who was the center of attention, was completely unaware of the rumors swirling around her. With poor eyesight, Elise clung to the emperor's hand.