🦋M.o.m.m.y V.i.l.l.a.i.n.e.s.s🦋

Chapter 35

"NIA, did you ask the reporters to omit the fact that Lady Belington and the other ladies bullied Lady Prescott?"

"I did," Nia answered while lighting up a candle with a matchstick. "I know that Lady Prescott is upset but if the fact that she got bullied gets leaked out, the noblewomen will be criticized heavily. I can't let that happen." She turned to her brother who was standing beside her. "I know that you treat Captain Kiho as your little brother, Aku. But I hope you understand why I needed to do what I did. The most important thing is that Lady Prescott's innocent was proven anyway. Am I wrong?"

"You're the queen of social circle so I'll trust your judgment," Aku said. Then, he caressed her face with the back of his hand. "Nia, Lady Prescott is your friend, right?"

"Yes, she's one of my closest friends," she said. "Why do you ask?"

"I was just wondering about what Lady Belington said a while ago," he said, his red eyes glowing. "You didn't spread the rumor about Lady Prescott and Captain Denver, did you?"

[I hate how perspective you are, brother.]

There was only one way to stop the emperor from doubting her. To be honest, she hated using this "tactic" but she was left with no choice. After all, her mind control would never work on her powerful brother.

So she just acted like she was hurt and let her tears fall silently.

Aku's red eyes immediately stopped glowing. "Nia," he said in a voice laced with worry. "Why are you crying?"

"Because I'm upset with you," she said while glaring at him. She hated herself for acting that way but she needed to stop Aku from doubting her. If using her tears as a weapon would do the trick, so be it. "I didn't mind when Lady Belington tried to shift the blame on me because I know that she's desperate. But to be accused by my brother… by my beloved…" She covered her face with her hands while sobbing loudly. "I didn't know that you think so lowly of me."

"That's not true, Nia," he denied in a panicky voice. "I didn't mean it that way. I'm sorry."

If the emperor's advisors heard him apologize to her, they would probably faint.

[Thankfully, my brother is weak against my tears.]

"Hey, stop crying," he said gently while wrapping his arms around her. Then, he kissed the top of her head. "Please forgive me, hmm?"

She pulled her hands away from his face to look up at him with a pout. "Brother."

"Call me by my name, Nia."

"Aku," she corrected herself. "Do you like Lady Prescott?"

He raised an eyebrow at her question. "Are you jealous?"

Of course not.

But she would be at disadvantage if her brother became fond of Lady Prescott.

"I can't blame you if you like her," she said while trying to make her face look as pitiful as possible. "Lady Prescott is beautiful, smart, and–"

Aku shut her up with a kiss on the lips.

"Nia," Aku said seriously when he broke the kiss. "You're the only one I love. Never question that again, okay?"

"Okay," she said. "I'm sorry for doubting your feelings."

The emperor smiled and kissed her on the lips again. "Can I stay overnight?"

"You can't," she said. "The High Priest is yet to decide the date of our wedding. That means we're forbidden from spending the night together."

As per tradition, the High Priest would wait for the oracle that would tell them when they should get married. Only on their first night as a wedded couple could they sleep together. That was because for two Moonchesters to conceive a child, it required a meticulous preparation.