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But he was right about one thing. They were in a luxurious and romantic bathhouse. The place was filled with warm steam and the two of them were naked.

And on top of that, they liked and were interested in each other! Of course, the emperor’s interest in her was definitely different than that of Poliana, but still, he felt optimistic.

When Lucius the First approached her, Poliana apologized again, “I, I’m so sorry, your highness.”

“Are you feeling better now? Or are you still feeling drunk?”

“I’m perfectly fine, Sir.”

Poliana still looked mortified, so Lucius the First consoled her. “Don’t feel so bad. There is no need for you to blame yourself. Others have done much worse things in the past. For example, Inno broke my father, the former emperor’s sword, once.”

Breaking his dead father’s keepsake was clearly much worse than vomiting in front of him, but Poliana reddened even more. She wanted to disappear from this situation.

Lucius the First left her clothes and towel on a table and entered the tub. He sat down close to her, but Poliana didn’t move away. The water level rose slightly, creating a gentle wave against Poliana, and Lucius the First blushed as he watched her.

The emperor quickly put on a serious yet calm face and began to work his magic. He knew he looked seductive with his wet golden hair and shiny eyes. It was enough to excite even an elderly woman.

Or at least, that was what he thought.

“Are you feeling better, Sir Pol?”

“Yes, your highness. Much better, thank you. And again, I apologize for inconveniencing you. It will never happen again.”

Poliana looked determined, but all Lucius the First could focus on was a droplet of water rolling down her not-so-slim neck. The emperor held her hands. They were rough and covered in scars. Her fingernails were misshaped from being broken over and over again.

“You aren’t shivering anymore.”

“I think I vomited all the wine out, so I feel fine now.”

“Don’t ever do something like this again. Drinking while taking a hot bath… It is such a dangerous thing. And if you ever feel dizzy, make sure to call someone. We aren’t in a war anymore, so there is no need for you to be so tense. Your biggest problem is that you never take care of yourself. You get drunk and sleep anywhere. I even saw you sleeping in the same room as other men! I understand that you trust them since you have known them for a long time, but still… Sir Pol, you can never trust a man when it comes to something like this. All men are animals.”

“HAHAHA!” Poliana burst into a peal of loud laughter, making Lucius the First flinch in surprise. The water swayed gently, just like his heart.

“Why are you laughing?”

“I apologize, your highness. I was just very happy that you are so worried about me.”

“Don’t laugh, Sir Pol! It’s very true that all men are animals!”

“I am not worried about things like that because I am no beauty, your highness.”

“You are adorable! If anyone makes fun of your looks, you better bring them to me!”

She was in a bathtub with a naked man, who was holding her hand, but Poliana didn’t think much of it. She took his words as kindness and nothing more.

It was true that unattractive women were in just as much danger as attractive women when it came to sexual crimes. Often, rapes didn’t occur purely from sexual needs. It could originate from various causes such as anger, revenge, sadness, and misinformation. In truth, her noble status provided her better protection against rape than her looks.

Poliana knew this perfectly well. After all, she was a woman, and she lived as one all her life. She experienced this firsthand, but she still felt confident, especially in this situation.

“Your highness, even if every man in this world is like that, I know one person who isn’t. You would never act like that.”

She knew she could trust the emperor. Of course, what she didn’t know was how Lucius the First’s feelings have changed. She didn’t know what he was thinking when he saw her naked just a moment ago.

The emperor insisted, “I am telling you. You are very cute.”

“Alright, alright.”

‘She doesn’t believe me…’

Normally, Poliana’s reaction to the emperor’s comments was much more exciting. If Lucius the First pointed at a dog and called it cute, she would have responded more positively.

“Yes, your highness! You are right! That is indeed a very cute dog! You have very good taste!”

But when it came to a compliment for her, she didn’t believe it.

What was the point of all this if Poliana didn’t see him as a man?

Before he made his confession, the emperor decided to see how she felt about him.

“So, Sir Pol, what do you think of me?”

“You are very beautiful!”

Lucius the First nodded slowly. He knew very well how all of his knights were proud of his beauty. Poliana especially seemed excited about his looks. Although she didn’t like to get dolled up herself, she loved seeing others get dressed in fineries. She continued excitedly, “You are my emperor and the ruler of the entire continent. You are the greatest there ever was and will be. The one and only!”

If she was dressed right now, she would have kneeled in front of him. Even if she was naked, if they were outside the tub, she would have still kneeled anyway. She was that kind of person.

“As long as you allow me, I will remain your knight forever, your highness!”

Poliana looked at him with great admiration. She looked like she needed a sword.

Just like that winter day when she needed a sword to pledge her loyalty to him. No one answered her call, so Lucius the First himself handed her his own sword.

‘That’s right… This is who she is… A knightess…’

He gave her a sword.

Lucius the First looked at her hands that were covered in calluses. She patted them and whispered to her, “You are my treasure, Sir Pol.”

Only

Poliana smiled gently and the emperor remembered that winter day. Poliana looked so devastating at the time. She was naked, dirty, and bleeding, yet she still looked for a sword so she could swear her service to him.

She was the greatest treasure he gained during this war. She was his knight

So… What would he gain by confessing his love to her?

Lucius the First finally gave up his hopeless dream. His friend Sir Ainno was right. Until now, the emperor only concentrated on his own feelings and didn’t consider how Poliana might feel. Until now, he assumed that she would be grateful, that she would love him back.

But even if she accepted his love, would she be truly happy? For a woman, becoming an emperor’s concubine was a huge promotion. It could be the greatest honor for anyone.

Lucius First assumed she would be happy to hear his confession, but now, he knew better. Poliana as a concubine? It didn’t make sense. It wouldn’t work, she would never be able to find her true happiness as his woman.

How stupid of him to think this could work? He was worried about how the others and the elders would take the news of her becoming his concubine, but he never considered her own feelings.

It was a good thing that he realized this before he confessed to her.