That’s why he arrived so early…

However, Gaizel was right.

When she was in Lacie, her sisters were relatively free to stroll around the city. As such, Tistye didn’t think it was too serious. She was careless, and not to mention, left herself vulnerable in the royal capital.

As of the present, she was the empress.

In the unlikely event something happened to her, not just Tistye, everyone around her would also be held responsible. Gaizel smiled with joy once Tistye finally understood how important she was.

“Well, before, you didn’t even leave a letter. You’ve gotten better.”

“I’m truly, truly sorry…!”

While bowing her head to the praise, Tistye suddenly wondered. Regardless of how quickly Gaizel had left the palace, how did he discover that she was in that hut?

As she looked up, her gaze locked with Gaizel’s. Gaizel looked a little gentler than before. Tistye asked with fear.

“Y, Your Majesty, how did you know where I was?”

“Because of this.”

Tistye was amazed at what he brought out.

It was the earring she thought she had dropped somewhere.

“I picked it up beside the waterway.”

“Tistye, I’m sorry!”

Levi appeared like smoke from the earring in Gaizel’s hand. She fluttered over to Tistye’s shoulder, brimming with tears.

Tistye blinked, “Uh…” and gestured to her left ear. Gradually, the gravity of the situation began to dawn on Tistye.

What do I do… I dropped the earring I received from His Majesty…

She couldn’t even hear the voice of his heart. That incident might result in a divorce. Tisyte felt faint.

Thus, her third apology.

“Your Majesty, it’s not what you think, I just wanted Levi’s help… I didn’t drop it on purpose…”

“I know. Rather, I was saved because you dropped it.”

What?

Towards the confused Tistye, Gaizel continued.

“Through this thing, I can hear your voice. Soon after, the noisy fella told me where to find you.”

“Excuse me!?”

“My voice…?”

Gaizel whispered to the earring he had in his hand.

Then, almost at the same time, Gaizel’s voice reached Tistye’s ear. Tistye blushed and blocked her ears, it was as if she had been called directly.

“Y, Your Majesty’s voice was…!?”

“It’s probably a mechanism that allows for words to be exchanged through the two earrings.”

Is that so?

Levi suddenly laughed.

“It’s my power! If you have one of the earrings, you can reach other! Of course, only people who can hear the voices of the spirits can hear!”

“Wow, that’s awesome, Levi!”

When he saw Tistye’s amazed expression, Gaizel sighed. Then, his fingertips approached her.

Tistye stiffened, thinking that he was angry. Gaizel gently put the earring on her.

Tistye gladly looked up at Gaizel due to the faint sound of metal.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“…”

Gaizel silently stared at the overjoyed Tistye.

Then, he suddenly lifted her and put her on his lap.

“Y, Your Majesty!?”

Although there were no other people, Tistye hurriedly looked at Gaizel. After all, the position was rather embarrassing.

However, Gaizel kept silent. When he encircled his arm around Tistye’s waist, his movement was truly careful. Eventually, the words Gaizel couldn’t say could be heard.

[“I’m so glad nothing happened to her… If something were to happen, I wouldn’t have been able to forgive myself.”]

Your Majesty…

With his forehead pressed against her shoulder, Tistye was confused at Gaizel’s sudden shift of tone. Still, Gaizel didn’t loosen his hug, as if he were confirming her existence.

[“If possible, I don’t want her to leave the house. But, that would deprive Tistye of her freedom. I can’t say that, it’s too selfish…”]

A sigh of loneliness escaped Gaizel’s mouth. Tistye reached for his black hair, feeling the strength of his sturdy arms which were befitting of his build.

Unexpectedly, Gaizel closed his eyes, accepting Tistye’s touch.

---

***T/N: As always, Gaizel sets a new standard to domineering, possessive, but otherwise silky smooth butter of an emperor husband.

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