I Kidnapped the Hero’s Women

"Have you calmed down a little, Your Majesty?"@@novelbin@@

"When the culprit who made me unable to calm down says that, it really pisses me off... But I have already calmed my agitation."

The Emperor's sister glared at me with a sharp, cold look, speaking bluntly. Though her eyes were still filled with anger, they were much calmer than before. It was nothing like the fiery gaze from earlier that made it seem like she was about to kill me.

At least, I avoided the death sentence.

For now, I could breathe a little easier.

'Could it be... that this wasn’t a disguise...?’

My deductions had been perfect, yet the unexpected variables threw me off track.

I hadn’t imagined that the workaholic Emperor’s sister would skip work for no particular reason, greet me in an extremely revealing, airy nightgown, and speak in an infuriatingly evasive manner.

It would be odd not to suspect her, considering the bizarre state she was in today.

"You're acting quite different than usual... May I ask why?"

"Are you trying to get me to say that out loud? You wretched fool..."

"..."

She clenched her teeth with a soft "tsk," glaring at me again. As soon as I caught sight of her, it felt like I was choking.

What’s going on? Why does she seem kinda cute today?

The person who normally acts so stoic and charismatic is looking so awkward today.

Perhaps it’s because I’m witnessing a side of her that I didn’t expect.

She’s always been pretty—undeniably stunning—but this might be the first time I’m seeing her as cute...

'Wait a minute. Get a hold of yourself. Is this some kind of trap...?'

As soon as that thought crossed my mind, I snapped my eyes open, trying to collect my scattered thoughts. For a brief moment, I had been distracted by the Emperor’s sister and couldn't think straight.

Could it be that she was deliberately trying to lure me in?

Since her gift offensive didn’t work, maybe she decided to try another tactic—using charm. Perhaps she wanted to make me her fool and get me to work for her forever, sacrificing her pride if necessary...

The pure, malicious intent in her eyes sent a chill down my spine.

"Did you intend to tempt me...?"

"You're quick to figure it out. You’re completely clueless at times, but when it matters, you actually pick things up fast."

"Next time, please let me know in advance if you're going to try to tempt me. I was so worried, wondering if you had been kidnapped by someone."

"I appreciate your concern, but I will never do that again."

"Why not?"

"Seeing the response I got, why would I ever want to do it again!?"

"..."

I was at a loss for words. That was a fair point.

"Still, wouldn't this be much more cost-effective than gift offensives? Shouldn’t you try it more often?"

"Gift offensives? Are you talking about the treasures I sent to the mansion last time? If you think I sent those with some ulterior motive, you're mistaken. They were simply a token of my gratitude, nothing more."

"How does that make sense? The compensation for the small advice I gave you when you were younger turned out to be treasures worth more than the entire fortune of a noble family."

"Why wouldn’t it make sense? Your advice helped me, a monster who couldn’t even understand the minds of others, understand what people were truly thinking. Without your advice, I wouldn't have become such a wise emperor, and the Empire wouldn’t have prospered. You, in fact, should be the one demanding more as compensation."

"..."

I couldn’t respond to that.

At that time, I didn’t believe my advice would change the future much.

I thought the Emperor's sister would have become a great ruler with or without my counsel. That’s why I hid my identity and offered my advice cautiously...

I never imagined my small piece of advice would have such significance for her.

"Damned fool. You might not have thought much of it, but I spent ten years looking for you..."

"..."

[The Evil God, 'Kali,' strongly advises that you take an interest in our Empress as well.]

The Emperor’s sister mumbled in a barely audible voice, as if feeling embarrassed.

At that moment, my hand moved instinctively, rising above her head without any resistance.

The Emperor’s sister accepted my touch as if she were used to it, without hesitation.

"Is that why you kept the button I gave you? You probably helped every random child you met without thinking, but because of you, my life changed completely..."

"I think there’s some misunderstanding. Just because I helped a child on the street doesn’t mean I helped just anyone. If it had been a child I didn’t recognize, our relationship would have ended there when I hid you from the guards. The advice I gave you that day was a small favor because I knew who you were, Your Majesty."

"You speak so smoothly..."

She blushed again, avoiding my gaze. Seeing the Emperor's sister act this way, it made me wonder where the usual imposing, stoic figure had gone. In this moment, she almost seemed like the same child I helped all those years ago.

I hadn't intended to, but I had changed her life, made her wait for me for ten years. It would be strange not to feel some responsibility for that.

"So... where was I? You were asking why I was acting differently than usual, weren’t you?"

"No, it’s fine now. Let’s just relax and pass the time."

"Hmm..."

"It’s clear that you’re exhausted. You can rest now, take a break, and recharge before starting again."

"That sounds right..."

For some reason, she had become as gentle as a lamb, resting her head against my chest. I continued to gently stroke her head and wrapped her up in a soft embrace.

What’s this? She’s acting different today?

A workaholic taking a break?

Speaking in circles and avoiding direct answers?

So what?

If she’s tired and worn out, that’s just how it is.

Remembering the way she used to be as a child, I found myself forgiving and accepting everything. After waiting for ten years, there’s no way I wouldn’t indulge her a little.

'But... how long do we have to keep doing this...?'

I suddenly thought about that but decided not to dwell on it.

After all, the Emperor’s sister's break would surely end soon.

...Or so I thought.

I never imagined the sun would set, and the night would come. I didn’t expect that I’d have to stay in the same position until my arm went numb from the weight of her resting on it.

...

"Let’s begin the meeting. All ministers, please present the agenda."

"Yes, Your Majesty..."

Vanessa entered the meeting room. The ministers were all tense, looking at her nervously.

Perhaps because she had been overworking lately, she seemed especially on edge.

The ministers, bracing themselves for some minor criticism, were caught off guard by her suddenly bright expression.

"Why are you standing there? Hurry up and present the agenda."

"Ah, sorry."

"There’s no need to apologize. If you're feeling unwell, go drink some water and rest. Many of you must have worked through the night, so you must be exhausted."

"Yes, Your Majesty... thank you for your consideration..."

Her unusually lenient attitude left the ministers frozen in place, unsure if the person in front of them was really the Emperor.

Had she been kidnapped, and someone else was posing as her?

It was a valid thought considering how drastically she had changed.

Meanwhile, while the ministers trembled in fear, Vanessa struggled to suppress a smile, recalling the events from earlier in her bedroom.

'How happy I was to find that man again, Aslan has no idea. But today... finally...'

It seemed that Aslan still didn’t realize how much that small piece of advice had changed the course of the Empire’s history.

At that time, I wasn’t exactly human. I was more like a monster, neither human nor spirit. I had been born in a human body, but with the eyes of the Spirit King, I could easily read people’s minds. I couldn’t trust anyone, and I had lost the ability to empathize with people at a young age. I had become a ticking time bomb.

What fixed me was a disgusting man.

A man who was filled with hypocritical ideals.

But it was unclear whether those ideals were truly hypocritical.

He continuously lied to himself for his own benefit, preaching his hypocritical morals to the world.

His words were something I couldn’t ignore.

Not everyone’s inner world is entirely dark.

If there is darkness, there must be light as well.

Perhaps that light was hidden somewhere deep within, beyond the reach of the Spirit King's eyes.

That was the decisive turning point for me, when I stopped relying too much on the Spirit King’s eyes.

'Heh heh... next time, I’ll summon Aslan Vermont again and indulge in his arms, acting all spoiled... Ah!? This isn’t it!'

In that moment, Vanessa’s eyes widened as she recalled what she had almost forgotten.

No, I hadn’t intended to summon Aslan for cuddles and affection, had I? I had definitely called him today to make the situation official, but how did things turn out like this?

Vanessa quickly became crestfallen.