# 55
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When I learned his true identity, I was astonished. My jaw dropped open even wider than it had when I was admiring the Sun Palace earlier.
Seventeenth Emperor of the Levant Empire, Eliseo Carlotus Helius Levant.
There was no doubt that the person standing in front of me was none other than the Emperor himf.
He leaned on one leg, put a hand on his thigh, and looked Ian up and down cheerfully.
“I'm still as stiff as ever.”
“Your Majesty, don’t you think you are exaggerating?”
Unlike the two of them, who seemed to be quite accustomed to this situation, I was completely shocked and stared at the Emperor in amazement.
'Did the Emperor… pretend to be a servant?'
It was unreasonable for him to personally come to receive us instead of sending a suitable servant, and even disguise himf and deceive us? At the same time, Ian's expression showed nothing but dissatisfaction.
“Isn't it time to give up these little hobbies, Your Majesty the Emperor?”
“Oh, it's still too early for that, maybe ten years.”
“Please maintain your dignity.”
"You don't understand, do you? Even as men get older, they're still cheerful. Besides, if a little mischief can destroy dignity, don't you think it's worth it?"
Emperor Eliseo laughed and touched Ian's cheek.
“More importantly, don't you think you should work on your stiff behavior? Although I must say, he has his charm.”
At that moment, I couldn't believe my ears.
'Did you just hear that?'
Did he say Ian was a wizard? Ian Cloud, and the word "magician", in the same sentence? But Ian frowned as if this was nothing new, without showing any other reaction. Emperor Eliseo, who seemed to find it cute, playfully scratched Ian's chin as he laughed.
'He really treats him like a puppy!'
I couldn't believe my eyes. What was even more surprising was Ian's expression, which seemed annoyed, as if he was accustomed to this treatment.
“I couldn't sit still when my dear brother and his wife visited the Palace of the Sun for the first time.”
“Your Majesty.”
"Don't scold me too much. I asked the court wizard for a little harmless fun. Didn't you find it amusing?"
“I couldn't find it.”
“Oh my God, I sure did.”
Despite Ian's firm response, the Emperor found the situation amusing and burst into laughter, clutching his stomach. At the same time, I had to make an effort to close my mouth, which had opened for a completely different reason.
'Is this really the Emperor I know?'
In the original story, he is not mentioned much, but whenever he appears, the Emperor is always described as Ian's powerful ally and wise ruler of the empire. I've never heard of him behaving in such a degrading manner.
Ian seemed to share my thoughts as he let out a light sigh.
“I'm used to it, but the Duchess seems to have been quite surprised.”
"Yes."
Only then did the emperor's bright blue eyes turn towards me. When our eyes met, I quickly lowered my head. I had almost forgotten to greet him in my shock. Then she grabbed my skirt with both hands, stepped back with one foot, and made a bow.
“I salute the first sun of the Levant Empire, His Majesty Eliseo Carlotos Helios Levant.”
The Emperor blinked at my formal greeting and waved his hand smilingly.
“There is no need for such strict formalities between us. Keep your head up, Duchess.”
I wanted to say, ‘Aren’t you exaggerating too much?’ But I swallowed the words and straightened my back.
“…Yes, Your Majesty.”
I smiled forcedly, trying hard to keep the corners of my mouth from twitching.
"I did not think about your feelings. Was the joke too much? If it offended you, I apologise, Duchess."
“No, Your Majesty.”
“It was already too much.”
While I quickly denied it, Ian's somewhat sarcastic tone overcame my voice. The Emperor looked back and forth between us before bursting into laughter that he couldn't contain.
"Hahaha! I was suspicious when I heard the rumours, but it seems you two have become really close. I think I'll see Ian standing next to the Duchess!"
...Was this supposed to be a compliment or an insult?
Whether it was a compliment or not, the Emperor looked at us with a strangely satisfied expression.
"I'm curious. What kind of wind blew to bring you so close?"
“…Your Majesty.”
Ian raised one eyebrow in displeasure before quickly letting it drop.
"Okay, okay. You seem ready to walk out if I say one more word. How can I tease you when you're so scary?"
The Emperor, who was not intimidating at all, joked as he turned around with a smile.
“Anyway, enough joking. Let's head straight to the dining room. The Empress is already waiting for us there.”
❖ ❖ ❖
As we were led into the dining room by the Emperor's gracious instructions, bright late spring sunlight streamed through the large windows. The Empress was sitting next to the Emperor, she had arrived earlier and was already in her seat.
“I salute Her Majesty, Empress of the Levant Empire, Radiant Moon, Lily Hermias Geryon Levant.”
“It has been a long time, Duke and Duchess.”
The Empress responded to the greeting with a gentle smile, her eyes soft.
“You must have had a tiring journey. I heard that His Majesty has played a mischievous prank on you.”
“That's nothing, Your Majesty.”
“Although I couldn’t help but think ‘If you knew, why didn’t you stop him?’”
“It seems I'm late in greeting you properly. Thank you both for coming.”
Emperor Eliseo, who was now sitting next to the Empress, looked at us with a happy expression. He stared at us as if he was proud of how well we were doing.
“On the contrary, we should be the ones to express our gratitude for being personally invited by Your Majesty.”
“Is that so? Since Ian left the capital after being granted the dukedom, I have been hesitant to summon him.”
"Yes, that's wise of you. You should be careful."
This time, no response came from me. Ian, who was wearing a stern expression the whole time, was speaking gruffly.
'I must say, he is as bold as ever, even in front of the Emperor.'
I couldn't help but admire that. Even though they were half-brothers, it took a lot of courage to speak out. However, the Emperor did not seem upset at all. In fact, he looked a little disappointed, his eyebrows drawn down in a show of faux sadness.
"Look at this, it draws a clear line between us. There doesn't seem to be any more brotherly affection."
“That time has long passed.”
…The more he joked, the more determined Ian became.
While we were exchanging these rather fruitless pleasantries, the servants began to bring in the food. The Emperor quickly changed his expression to a warm one, and smiled as he spoke.
“Well, anyway, now that I invited you both, that's what's important. There's plenty of food, so have fun.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
With the Emperor picking up his utensils, the meal officially began. In contrast to my previous tension, the meal had a relaxed atmosphere. The conversation mainly revolved around the Emperor and Ian discussing various matters related to the Empire, while I answered briefly whenever the Emperor or Empress asked me a question.
Suddenly, the Emperor looked at me with a malicious smile and asked,
"The Duchess's complexion has improved a lot. Is it because of the power of love, perhaps?"
Cough
“Your Majesty.”
My coughs and Ian's scolding echoed in the dining hall at the same time. With a sigh, Ian immediately handed me a tissue.
“Are you okay? Please wipe your mouth.”
“…Yes, thank you.”
I was completely surprised, so I took the tissue and gently wiped my lips. His quick reaction today was surprising. Maybe he was more attentive because we were in front of the Emperor. Meanwhile, Emperor Eliseo leaned back in his chair, resting his chin on his hand, and watched us with satisfaction.
“You two look really good together.”
“…Your Majesty, I think that’s enough. The Duchess may have indigestion.”
"Oh? So now Ian is showing his concern too. Isn't this really the power of love?"
“Your Majesty.”
For the first time, I was on Ian's side.
Please, do something to stop it.
Perhaps realizing my desperate pleas, Ian let out another sigh and focused his gaze on the Emperor.
“If you keep making things uncomfortable, we'll leave.”
“Okay, okay. I won’t say another word. Honestly, how can anyone joke with you? You’re so scary...”
He kept saying that he was afraid, but the Emperor's expression showed nothing but amusement, as if he was having a good time. His face said “I’m having fun.”
As my face began to turn pale, the Empress, apparently trying to steer the conversation in a different direction, brought up another topic.
“By the way, Duchess, I heard from the princess that you two have become very close.”