Emily's Feelings for Cecilia
“Cecil, you're calling that name again. What could that bastard Ryuclid, who turned you into this, possibly have that’s so good……”
Emily muttered sadly. Her small hand gently stroked Cecilia’s cheek, the very picture of the sub-male lead. Mourning an unrequited love, aching at the sight of the wounded heroine. Even after her gender swap, that vibe lingered strong.
Grind! The sound of teeth gnashing rang out clearly.
“She’s probably not calling the real emperor.”
“What do you mean?”
“Her mental recovery is still dragging. She can speak, but her mind isn’t fully intact yet, so don’t take it to heart.”
“No need to force comfort on me.”
Emily straightened her hunched shoulders.
“Her heart will turn to me in the end anyway.”
Strength entered Emily’s eyes.
“What did that Ryuclid fucker make you do?”
“Nothing happened.”
“He didn’t make you do anything? That pervert?”
“He tried. I refused.”
“That pervert bastard—should rip him apart and it still wouldn’t be enough. An emperor ordering his empress to torture? Drags the empire’s dignity through the mud.”
Emily spat curses harshly. Her face twisted in disgust toward the emperor.
“How’s the new noble faction doing? Making progress?”
“Haa.”
Emily clutched her forehead.
“Progressing well enough. The Solarion raid has solidified ties with the old nobles. Though the noise from it all is annoying.”
“I see.”
“Of course, there’s one problem. The others I can handle, but this one’s a no-go.”
“Lack of heavy hitters?”
“Exactly.”
Emily clapped her hands.
“People strong enough to face Solarion are rare even in the empire. And among those, the only one you can hire with money is the Mercenary King. Even he falls short against Solarion’s swordmaster, though.”
“Even without Solarion, the emperor’s faction has plenty of master-level powerhouses.”
“Sigh, that’s the headache.”
It was natural that the emperor’s faction, victors of the civil war, had many survivors among the strong.
“Many in the noble faction wavering?”
“Can’t say none. If this vacuum drags on, defections are certain.”
Emily shrugged.
“So, when do you join?”
I looked at Cecilia lying on the bed instead of answering.
“Once the empress is fully recovered.”
“Gonna take some time, then.”
“One month.”
“A month…… I can hold things together that long, somehow.”
“Good.”
Emily, who’d been watching me, glanced down at Cecilia and spoke.
“But why wait until Cecil’s fully healed to join? Don’t tell me……”
“To evacuate the empress through you.”
“……Planning a coup?”
“No. It’s for her safety.”
I had no such intentions yet. No legitimacy either. A coup from me would spark backlash for sure. If the empire’s sole legitimate emperor died, the nation would fracture. Rip apart. Couldn’t let that happen. Had to resolve it peacefully. Very peacefully. Even turning the emperor into a puppet could be one form of peace I create.
“How do you plan to get Cecil out?”
Emily took Cecilia’s hand, which stared blankly into space.
“No need to flee the empire. Just hide her until things blow up.”
“Got it.”
Emily rubbed her face against Cecilia’s hand upon hearing that.
I asked such Emily, “What if Cecilia rejects you?”
Even in this state, Cecilia sought Ryuclid. Emily—no, Emir—was right there, yet unnamed.
“Doesn’t matter. If she avoids me, I’ll drag her away by force. Can’t leave her in that mad Ryuclid’s hands. Not while he sits on the throne.”
Emily’s grip on Cecilia’s hand turned her knuckles white. Obsession radiated from her too.
“Understood.”
At least, I agreed on separating Cecilia from Ryuclid. Couldn’t leave her in his hands anymore. If I handed her back now, she might die for real this time. He’d cross the line completely. Couldn’t allow that.
“One month, right?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll prepare a safe spot for Cecil until then.”
“Good.”
Finally, Emily scowled at Cecilia, then whipped her head away and left. Why did the spot she’d been standing sparkle?
I visited the city of indulgence, Race Belkus, after a long time. Precisely, Lilith the succubus’s lair beneath it. I arrived via the portal connected to my mansion’s backyard.
“Still the same here.”
I’d isolated it completely from the other rooms when I left. Lilith’s room held magical tomes that couldn’t be exposed.
I crossed Lilith’s room to the bookshelf against the wall. It brimmed with books. I pulled one out.
Author: Lilith
Succubi excelled at illusions. Especially sex-related ones, top-tier. I’d used lizardman essence before, but it wasn’t enough. Needed a special technique on top. That’s why I came to the succubus’s lair.
The emperor mustn’t notice. Need an illusion to fool countless eyes watching me from afar, all at once.
Hiding the empress was that tough. Had to deceive every eye in the empire. Precisely, the emperor and his knights.
“Hoo.”
I sighed and read the book. One month left. Had to master succubus illusion magic ASAP.
I opened the first page.
—Where the Wind Breathes.
After finding the grimoire in Lilith’s room, I headed to the elves’ establishment.
“W-what? Why’d you come without warning?”
Entering, Remilia spotted me with a startled face. As usual, she was tearing into meat. Seeing me, she hastily hid the hand with the meat.
“I was nearby for business at the succubus dungeon we cleared last time, so I stopped by.”
“R-really? C-could’ve said something first.”
Remilia averted her eyes in fluster. Her scarred face flushed.
“Need prior notice? Here for the succubus dungeon revenue anyway.”
“T-that’s why?”
Disappointment colored Remilia’s voice.
“Yeah. Disappointed I didn’t call ahead?”
“N-no, not that.”
She fidgeted, then sighed.
“So, how’s business?”
“Booming. Rumors of granting true love are spreading well.”
“Good. The money?”
“Haa. One sec.”
Remilia pulled a bundle from the counter and handed it over.
“Total 3500 gold. After our cut.”
“Nice.”
Revenue was better than expected. Remilia pouted.
“Really came after so long just for that?”
“Busy with work.”
As I turned to leave,
“M-Morris!”
Remilia called from behind.
“D-do I look any different?”
I examined Remilia. She’d changed a bit. Previously baggy, activity-focused shirt without frills. Now, one subtly hugging her curves. A style shift, maybe inner change. Biggest difference: her face.
“You look feverish. Face is red. Take care of your health. Elves or not, don’t skimp on food.”
“T-that’s it?”
Remilia stared in disbelief.
“Yeah. I’m off.”
“H-hey! Morris!”
“He’s too much……”
Remilia held back tears. Wanted to bawl, but couldn’t with subordinates around.
Is this heartbreak? Chest ripping apart, they say.No, it’s burning up inside.
Just wanted to cry.
“C-Captain, head home early?”
The manager elf spoke seeing her state.
“C-can I……?”
“Yes, rest up.”
Remilia wiped her eyes and left the building. Then—
“What’s got you crying like that?”
Morris stood before her. Tears blurring vision—hallucination?
“Something hurt? Amazing the woman who didn’t cry with blood pouring down her face in battle. Must hurt bad.”
Definitely Morris’s voice. In his hand, a bag from Race Belkus’s famous steakhouse.
“W-what?”
“Looked sick, so got medicine and your favorite meat.”
“Huh?”
“Thought that’s why you were crying? Eat plenty when sick.”
“……”
“Meant it about health. Want to see my old comrade, who I fought beside so long, for years to come.”
“Idiot. Even if I die early, I’m an elf. Outlive you by multiples.”
“Perfect, then. Can see you till you drop.”
Morris handed her the meat bag and medicine pouch.
“Get well soon. Once work’s done, let’s stroll nearby.”
Remilia watched Morris’s retreating back, wiping tears.