The Empress decided that the next time she visited Moonveil Palace for their badminton match, she would bring a gift for Elyas.
She did not need a reason.
Nor did she need to explain the sudden gift to him.
So, as planned, she carried a wooden box containing a necklace.
She went to Moonveil Palace anticipating a good match with Elias.
A small part of her even expected him to be pleased when she handed him the gift.
But as she approached the front yard, familiar laughter reached her ears.
She stopped in her tracks.
Princess Lynera was playing badminton with Elias.
The same game she played with him.
The difference was that he looked more alive and free.
Elias laughed without restraint.
His dimpled smile—the one she had seen for the first time while watching him play badminton—had returned.
While playing with Lynera.
Yet if felt different
He was laughing at her, teasing her, taunting her.
Almost like a child.
She felt as though she had swallowed hot liquid that burned from her throat down to her chest.
Her fist tightened.
Before Elias could notice her, she took a step back.
Then she returned to her carriage.
The guards hurried after her, surprised.
They had expected to wait there for a while.
She climbed into the carriage.
Her fingers tightened around the wooden box.
“Take me to my study,” she ordered.
The carriage rolled toward her palace.
Meanwhile, Princess Lynera noticed the Empress watching them before leaving in her carriage.
Elias remained completely unaware of both her arrival and departure.
Inside the carriage, the Empress leaned against a cushion.
Images of Lynera and Elias laughing flashed through her mind.
She clutched the cushion tightly.
Why did it feel as though someone had invaded her privacy…
and Elias had allowed it to happen?
Two days later, in the bedchamber of Second Consort Leorin.
Consort Leorin was reviewing palace reports and the harem schedule.
He had noticed the Empress’s changed routine.
Her visits to Fourth Concubine Neron’s residence had increased significantly, enough to make him worry about instability within the harem.
One thing, however, remained the same.
The Empress’s indifference toward Noble Consort Elyas.
His name brought a bitter taste to Leorin’s mouth.
He still remembered what he had done to him, but the Empress’s affection had made him lower his guard around the Noble Consort.
Leorin possessed everything a Noble Consort should have except the title itself.
It did not matter.
Because what truly mattered was the favor of the Empress.
His eyes landed on the gift Elyas had given him on his longevity day.
He had kept it untouched upon the table.
The gift was beautiful and thoughtful.
Surprisingly, it had come from the person who once hated his guts.
After Elyas’s accident, he had changed.
That intrigued Leorin.
His appearance had changed.
His behavior had changed as well.
He had stolen the spotlight at Leorin’s own banquet without doing anything at all.
That deserved attention.
Leorin decided to invite Elyas for tea.
Partly to thank him for the gift.
Partly to see him once more.
So an invitation was sent to the Noble Consort, especially on a day when Leorin was scheduled to spend the night with the Empress.
Elias accepted the invitation.
He was excited at the prospect of meeting his first male model for men’s clothing.
He did not have to do anything.
He had been invited.
Elias and Keiro walked toward the residence of Second Consort Leorin.
Consort Leorin’s residence stood within the Imperial Residence itself, only a short walk from the Empress’s private quarters.
Elegant rather than extravagant, the residence featured cream-colored pavilions, flowering courtyards, and a tranquil lotus pond.
Unlike many noble residences, it carried a warm family atmosphere.
Elias was guided to the main hall by a guard.
Everything in the hall screamed wealth.
Elias felt underdressed compared to the luxury around him.
Soon, Consort Leorin entered the main hall and greeted him.
He gave Elias a brief glance.
A simple but elegant peach-colored robe.
No makeup.
No ornaments.
“My apologies for the wait, Noble Consort,” Leorin said with a smile.
“It’s alright.
You must be busy,” Elias assured him.
“Please be seated.”
Leorin gestured toward the seat beside him.
“I wanted to thank you for the gift in person.
You truly gave me a beautiful and thoughtful present this time.”
His voice faltered slightly at the end.
“You are welcome.
I’m glad you liked it,” Elias replied happily.
“I see the Noble Consort has been very busy lately.
We rarely see you these days,” Leorin remarked.
“Ah, yes.
These days are very hectic.
My field needs a lot of attention,” Elias replied.
“Field?” Leorin asked, surprised.
“Yes.
I’ve started farming in my backyard and front yard.
It takes up most of my time.”
“Oh, I see.
That explains both your absence and your current appearance.”
Leorin smiled in amusement.
So he had resorted to farming after his grocery allowance had been reduced.
“You gifted me a rather unique robe.
Where did you buy it?” Leorin asked.
“I know someone.
He’s quite good at it.”
Elias was pleased that the conversation had finally reached the topic he wanted.
“Do you want more?”
“I would like to, but I don’t really need any right now.”
Leorin was taken aback by the Noble Consort’s sudden enthusiasm.
“No!
You absolutely should.
As a consort and the father of the Crown Prince, you should stand out more than everyone else.”
Elias leaned forward excitedly.
“Huh?”
Leorin blinked.
“I mean, look at you!
You’re handsome and elegant.
Your clothes should do justice to your appearance.
The Empress should keep falling in love with you over and over again.”
“Huh?”
“Yes!
You already have a son.
After a child is born, one partner often loses interest, so you need to maintain your appearance.”
Elias leaned even closer.
“Huh?”
Leorin frowned.
What was he talking about?
“See?
You already have plenty of competition for the Empress’s attention.
Two consorts and four concubines.”
“Huh?”
“You know, it’s very difficult to keep a woman’s attention focused on one man forever.”
Elias pretended to look sadly into the distance.
“Huh?”
“So you need to stay alert.
I’ll get you more robes and ornaments.
Wear them.
It’ll keep your lover’s interest alive.”
Satisfied, Elias finally leaned back.
“Okay…”
Leorin replied slowly, still uncertain how to respond. Visit g.com for the full chapter.
“Great.
Then give me one thousand gold coins, and I’ll buy you ten robes in different styles.”
Elias extended his hand.
“What?”
Leorin nearly choked.
What was happening?
The Noble Consort was helping him impress the Empress…
and charging him for it?
Leorin glanced out the window.
The sun had risen from the east today, right?
“Don’t be stingy, Consort Leorin.
One should never worry about money when it comes to matters of the heart.”
Elias attempted to persuade him.
He was just about to begin bargaining when a cold voice froze him in place.
“How do you know so much about matters of the heart?”
The Empress stood behind him with a cold expression.
Leorin and Elias jumped to their feet.
Both immediately bowed.
The Empress had apparently been standing there for quite some time and had overheard everything.
“Will you not answer, Noble Consort?”
The coldness in her voice sent chills down Elias’s spine.
“I was merely telling Consort Leorin to wear nice clothes.”
His gaze remained fixed upon the floor.
“You are advising MY consort to wear expensive robes and ornaments to impress me?”
“Yes.”
He nodded so quickly he nearly gave himself whiplash.
“Then why are you dressed in plain clothes with no ornaments?
Are you not also a consort?”
The Empress looked at his simple attire through gritted teeth.
“I am, Your Highness, but—”
“But what?
Are you not interested in fine clothes and ornaments?
Or is your interest elsewhere?”
Her tone caused his heartbeat to speed up.
“N-No.
Nothing else.”
“Nothing?
Then how do you know so much about impressing a loved one and matters of the heart?”
The Empress tightened her fist.
An image of Elias laughing with Princess Lynera crossed her mind.
Elias’s chest tightened.
What does she think of herself?
I’m just trying to help her consort keep their relationship alive.
Then understanding dawned on him.
Annoyance surged through him.
“Your Highness, I was merely encouraging Consort Leorin to wear nice clothes.
I don’t understand why such an innocent suggestion offended you.”
He swallowed hard.
His throat felt strangely tight.
“I don’t know how to impress a loved one because I failed countless times.”
He met the Empress’s cold gaze.
Her jaw tightened.
“But now…”
A small smile appeared on his lips.
“I certainly know what not to do.”
Selene’s eyes widened.
Leorin looked between the two of them.
“I apologize.
I have spoken too much.”
Elias lowered his head.
“I do not wish to intrude, so I shall take my leave.”
Without waiting for permission, he turned and walked toward the exit.
Once again, the Empress was left speechless.
The Noble Consort had unknowingly struck a nerve he never should have touched.
Author’s Note: Elias finally found his first customer.
The Empress immediately ruined the deal.
Then started asking unrelated questions.
What should our poor businessman do now?