Episode 14

"Uhhh? Your Majesty, what are you doing here?" I inquired, attempting to shield myself with my hands. Not that he hadn't seen it all last night, but it still felt slightly awkward.

"Is there any place in this world I'm not allowed to enter? Moreover, this is my castle. Doesn't make much sense, right?" Icarus pointed out. For a moment, I had forgotten that he was the emperor.

"N-no." I definitely don't know how to handle this man, but setting that aside, where's the towel? I scanned the room until I finally located it. I was just reaching out for it when the Emperor spoke up.

"Alicia, you shouldn't cover yourself in my presence," the emperor cautioned, grasping my arm that was about to take the towel.

I instantly recalled what the maids had mentioned while preparing me for the bath. I wondered why all my undergarments were transparent. They explained it was a precautionary measure, making it easier to prevent me from acting against the emperor. The transparent clothes prevented me from concealing anything under them that could be used to strike at him. The emperor surely lived in constant danger to be suspicious that I might pose a threat.

"I apologize. I didn't think it through." It will take a while for me to get accustomed to this life, for sure.

"There's no need to worry." The emperor was more understanding than I had anticipated, but I don't want him to harbor any suspicions about me.

"I'm not hiding anything, look!" I exclaimed, spreading my arms and legs wide. Icarus's face was a picture of utter astonishment.

"Okay. Okay. I get it. Please cover up," the emperor said awkwardly. His reaction was endearing. I now knew how to tease him.

Since I was beginning to feel cold, I took the towel and wrapped it around myself. I'd save the teasing for later. For now, I wondered what had brought him here. Surely he hadn't come just to watch me bathe, or had he? Well, I wouldn't mind watching a man like him take a bath either. As I was immersed in my lustful thoughts, I felt a gentle touch on my face. Surprised, I looked up. It was Icarus. He was very close. Because of the thoughts I was having, I involuntarily drew back.

"You're never still. Just wait a second quietly. Don't be so nervous. I just wanted to check if you were all right," the Emperor said upon seeing me pull away. I wonder how shocked he would be to learn that my startle wasn't because of him, but because of my indecent thoughts.

"What? Does that mean..." Wait! Am I truly going crazy, which wouldn't be a surprise, or is the tyrannical emperor concerned about me? Thinking about it, he has never been tyrannical towards me, quite the contrary, he has been very kind and caring.

"I am relieved to see you're fine. I was worried I might have hurt you. Last night was a bit hard to contain myself. I'll try to be more careful next time," the emperor said, touching my face with such gentleness that for the first time in my life I felt fragile and precious.

"Ehhh? Next time? Are you talking about..." I felt somewhat relieved to know he thought this way. I'm not the only one with a tarnished mind, at least. He must've spent the day reminiscing about last night, just like me. We are passionate lovers, craving for pleasure. Like in the romance novels I've always read. Unable to spend a single second without desiring each other's bodies.

"Isn't it obvious what I'm referring to? Our plan. As we discussed last night," the emperor said as he withdrew his hand from my face. It’s all but obvious. I just don't understand this man. I wish I could sink into the ground. While my mind dallied with mischief, he was fully focused on his strategies to defeat his foes. I indeed have much to learn.