Chapter 36

My heart thumped furiously, aligning with my quick breaths .

‘How should the female protagonist act at times like these?’

Usually, they would go to the male protagonists using their buffs* and say things like, ‘I’ll help you solve your problems!’

*T/N: Buffs here refers to giving support, similar to how the same term is used in MMORPG games .

The female protagonists would then use their knowledge of the original story’s future as a stepping stone to gain the male protagonist’s trust and make rapid advancement to a contract marriage .

But as for me…

“… What?”

No, this was not right .

Just looking at the Emperor’s relaxed yet vicious expression made even delusions of a contract marriage disappear .

It would be better to just die instead .

Moreover, I was not a ‘poor but smart female protagonist,’ but rather, a ‘widow with three daughters who don’t even know her husband’s face . ’

“Your Majesty, I…”

What did they want from me?

Their eyes gleamed dangerously as they closed in as if waiting for me to give some important prophecy .

‘Why are they acting like this?’

Even the Fourth Prince Tenon was staring at my hair the entire time .

I subconsciously glanced at his hand that approached and almost touched my hair .

“Ehem . ”

When the Emperor also looked over, Tenon quickly withdrew his arm and let out an awkward cough .

Rashid shifted his fierce eyes from Tenon to me .

I could feel the tension in the surrounding air as his patience thinned .

‘I’m going crazy . ’

I knew that he would draw his sword if I did not give him an answer soon .

As time passed, the savage king’s aura suppressed us further as he became more aloof .

“May I remind you what you said that day: ‘There are things that shouldn’t be seen by others in this vast world . ’”

“Someone might be after Your Majesty!”

“…”

“That’s what I wanted to tell you . ”

The three brothers did not change their stance, but their eyes had widened .

The Emperor’s expression, in particular, was cold as he laid on his back like a satiated beast .

“And how do you know?”

“Pardon?”

Why bother asking?

Reflect on your actions and behavior, you tyrant .

After being on the battlefield for so long, did you expect to not have any vengeful enemies?

Although it was a different claim from other female protagonists’ “I know your future!”, It was not entirely false .

As a result, from now on, they will probably pressure me to provide evidence of the problem .

“…”

What else can I say?

Now that I had mentioned the Emperor’s life, the three bloodsucking brothers would never let me go…

“True!”

“…”

Huh?

My eyes narrowed at Tenon’s sudden exclamation .

What?

Though I was grateful that there weren’t any other questions, it devastated me to see how they were taking it so seriously .

“Duchess . ” The top predator clung onto my consciousness that was trying to escape .

However .

“Your Majesty, that was all I wanted to tell you . ”

If they were dangerous predators, then I would be a herbivore with maxed out survival skills .

I’ve already survived in similar situations twice before, so I can’t not die here .

Yeah, let’s go all the way .

With my eyes lowered, my face turned sorrowful .

“Honestly, there are things that I can understand just by observing this vast world, without anyone telling me . So to answer your question, I know it through the energy felt from the rain, wind, and ripples on the lake . ”

“…”

As ambiguous as possible .

My lips are no longer mine .

If I could extend my life by 10 seconds for every answer, I would say anything for our princess and me to stay together for a hundred years .

I need to be more serious in front of the three serious men if I want to survive .

“Of course, my words may sound ridiculous to you, but looking at the lake’s energy flow, I felt…”

“Stop . ”

The Emperor raised a hand and interrupted me mid-sentence .

That pair of mysterious and indifferent crimson eyes scrutinized me– from head to toe and back up .

They were akin to rubies that were so clear that I could even see my reflection in them .