I Became the Master of the Empress - Chapter 257



257 – 261

“Hmm?”

Soup smeared on Deviant’s lips.

I thought it wasn’t bad for hospital food and said,

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“The soup tastes pretty good.”

A heat rising all over my body.

Could I… be getting addicted to this?

Saying that, I cleared the dishes and the table.

“I’ll take this away.”

As I neatly arranged the dishes on the movable table by the door and set it in the hallway…

He asked, seemingly curious.

“But what time is it now?”

“It’s 10 PM. You’ve slept well, so you’re not sleepy, right?”

Since Deviant had probably slept soundly until now, I thought he wouldn’t be drowsy.

“Yeah. I’m not sleepy.”

Heh… so cute.

It felt like I had a little brother.

Of course, I had already thought about playing with him since I figured he wouldn’t be sleepy and might be bored, so I cautiously suggested,

“Then, should I read you a book?”

“Hmm?”

But he replied in a suspicious tone.

“It’s not a novel written by your sister-in-law, is it?”

W-What? You want me to read that? Joy’s novels are all way too explicit.

It would be even more embarrassing for me to read it out loud.

It’s shameful and humiliating, but… if Deviant wants to hear it… Ah… but I still don’t think I can do it.

My face felt so hot, and the surroundings seemed to be getting warmer.

“Excuse me? You can’t possibly want to hear something like that… That’s a bit embarrassing…”

But Deviant seemed to have no such thoughts and said nonchalantly,

“No… Is there something a little more interesting?”

“Just a moment. There was a book my mother recommended a while ago.”

Saying that, I pretended to pull out a book that I hadn’t prepared in advance.

“What kind of story do you like? A tale of a brave knight? Or perhaps a romance? Or maybe a comedy or a tragedy?”

“Just anything? I don’t really read novels.”

For some reason, there were only erotic novels in my hometown room.

As I took out the book I had set aside, I said,

“Then… how about the Knight of Hope, Job?”

“The Knight of Hope?”

The story of the Knight of Hope, Job, is about enduring great trials but ultimately overcoming them with hope.

It felt somewhat similar to him, and I hoped… even if he lost his sight, he would still hold on to hope as I explained about the book.

“Yes. It’s a true story of a great knight who protected the Babylonian Empire long ago.”

“I don’t really know it.”

“Hehe… then I’ll read it to you. It’s quite interesting.”

With that, I started reading the book.

“Once upon a time…”

As I read, I felt something about Deviant and Job was oddly similar.

Both had endured quite a harsh childhood.

Gradually, the commonalities between Job and Deviant began to emerge.

Job, whose family fell apart, became a mercenary to care for his sisters.

He was constantly threatened by monsters and war.

Deviants, the heir of the Duchy of Francesco, was abused under the pretext of education since childhood.

He lost what could be called his only parent, the Duchess, and was always under threat from Valoran.

Is his life more similar than I thought?

As I fell into such thoughts, he spoke up, curious.

“Hey? Doesn’t the empire appear in that story?”

“No. It seems to be a story from before the establishment of the empire.”

“How long has the empire existed… if it’s before that…”

“Well? I only know it’s a long time ago, but I don’t know exactly when. Anyway, Job, who was in the war, didn’t have to participate in the war since he wasn’t a knight.”

Thus, the war between Babylon and Nicaea began.

And… Job saved a noblewoman.

Deviant also… saved me.

If it weren’t for Deviant, I can’t imagine how the empire would have crumbled under Valoran.

Perhaps… the Demon King could have been resurrected…

And the truth I recently learned.

He unknowingly helped me build my own power.

He devised a plan to stabilize the collapsing Imperial faction and conveyed it through my mother, entrapping their schemes around my neck like a chain.

In a way, the noblewoman and I might have been in similar situations?

In the moments when the noblewoman and I were on the brink of death, Deviant and Job saved us.

Thinking this, I felt that Deviant had intruded upon my loss.

“Is this for real?”

“Yes, it’s real. Anyway, listen more.”

Moreover, they both acted recklessly.

Job returned to the battlefield.

He fearlessly undertook perilous tasks to become a knight.

In contrast, Deviant…

Risked his life to protect me and defeated the demon known as Locust.

Neither of them cared for their own safety.

And in the end, Job was inaugurated as a knight.

Though their achievements were different, Job and Deviant felt similar to me.

Of course, there were differences.

Job often told the noblewoman that he loved her.

But… Deviant…

I only heard those words after I had crossed the threshold.

As I pondered this, we gradually approached the climax.

—I have never lost the light of hope for even a moment in the darkness of despair. I hope that light exists for everyone.

Upon hearing this, Deviant gaped in astonishment before speaking.

“Ah? So that’s why you’re the Knight of Hope?”

“Yes, that’s right. No matter how difficult and despairing the situation may be, the lesson is that if you don’t lose hope and do your best, it will come to fruition.”

“Indeed, despair without hope is truly akin to hell.”

I resonate with Deviant’s words.

Soon, Deviant wore a contemplative expression.

Although I can’t see his eyes, it feels like he’s lost in thought as he stays still.

But soon he shakes his head vigorously and says to me,

“But what time is it now? Isn’t it too late?”

“Huh? It’s already 3 o’clock. Aren’t you sleepy yet?”

“I’m not extremely sleepy, but you shouldn’t worry about me. You should sleep! You have work tomorrow.”

“Hehe… then I’ll sleep next to you.”

These days, falling asleep in Debian’s arms feels so good.

His warm embrace and his scent make my heart feel at ease.

I moved closer to him.

And as I hugged him and enjoyed his warmth to my heart’s content, Debian responded as if he was ticklish.

“Hmm…”

“What are you doing?”

“When I smell you, it makes me feel calm.”

Debian’s voice was perplexed.

Although I couldn’t see his expression clearly, I found his flustered state to be cute.

If it were up to me, I would want to do this again today, just like yesterday, but Debian is still a patient.

There will be plenty of opportunities in the future, so I’ll hold back today.

Whether he knows my feelings or not, Debian asked again.

“Really?”

He lifted his shoulder to sniff.

With a voice full of curiosity, he said,

“I don’t smell anything?”

He must not realize how warm and comforting his scent is.

“Really? I think I smell very cozy.”

As I said this, I enjoyed his scent coming from the nape of his neck.

– Sniff sniff.

This scent.

It reminds me of a warm spring breeze and a soft grassy field, perhaps?

It’s sweet enough that I feel sorry for him not being able to smell it.

“See? It’s a really nice scent. Like this…”

– Lick.

“Ugh…”

Debian’s face turns red at my light touch.

He feels so cute today.

“Hehe… But you had a tough time with the surgery today, so let’s just get through today.”

– Kiss!

And just like that, I fell asleep in his arms.

The next morning.

As soon as I woke up, I looked at Debian.

His face illuminated by the blue light of dawn.

“Hehe…”

I was so anxious about what would happen before the surgery.

Just seeing him makes me feel better.

Now that I think about it, I should probably wash up later, right?

I probably won’t be able to see, so I’ll have to help him wash, won’t I?

It’s our first bath together…

I could feel my heart fluttering.

Since Debian won’t be able to see me… then I’ll be the only one visible to him?

As I entertained those thoughts, savoring his warmth.

– Tweet tweet.

He flinches.

I wondered if he had woken up and decided to speak.

“Did you sleep well?”

“Hmm… How did you know I was awake?”

“You were moving around a lot.”

I pressed my lips against his cheek.

– Kiss.

“Hehe… Since it’s morning, I guess we should wash up?”

Debian twitches slightly.

Is he feeling shy?

But why? His shy demeanor ignites a fire in my heart.

Yeah… maybe that’s why Deviant playfully torments me every night.

Hehe, I’m looking forward to you.

“Um… can I wash even with the bandage on?”

I had already heard from Sena that I could gently unwrap the bandage while washing.

So…

“You don’t have to worry. Just make sure it doesn’t get in your eyes.”

Since he could refuse, I said it all at once.

“Alright, give me your hand.”

As he slowly extended his hand, I took hold of it and said,

“I need to wash too… is it okay if we wash together?”

“Uh…? Uh… yeah…”

Deviant’s face turned bright red.

What’s this? Why did he become so cute?

It’s just that his eyes are hidden… why does he look so adorable?

As I was thinking that, I heard Deviant swallow loudly.

“Gulp…”

“Pfft… Did you just swallow? Pervert…”

“Ah… no I didn’t? I can’t see, so what?”

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I gently began to take off his clothes one by one.

“Okay. Now let’s get into the tub.”

-Creeeak… Splash…

Just to check if the temperature was right, I sprinkled a little water on his chest.

“How’s the water?”

“It feels just right, I think?”

“Really?”

“Hmmm… it’s just perfect.”

With that warm water, we both stepped into the bathtub side by side.

Deviant was stiff, as if his whole body had frozen.

Is this what a rookie looks like going to war for the first time?

Smiling inwardly, I spoke.

“Hehe… I didn’t expect to be taking a bath with you like this.”

“Well… but I feel like I’m the only one embarrassed.”

“Pfft… then let’s take a bath together again after I unwrap the bandages.”