Chapter 23: “Attitude”

To match Alexia, Simon took off his armor and changed into a fitted Black Tailcoat, then put on a Gentleman’s Top Hat.

“Wow~”

Alexia gazed at Simon in his new outfit, let out a few light laughs, and commented, “…This look really doesn’t suit you. I still prefer you in armor.”

Simon spread his hands helplessly.

“I don’t think I suit this kind of clothing either.”

The body shaped by years of wearing armor clearly didn’t match formal wear like this.

The tight design of the tailcoat made Simon look a bit uncomfortable.

It made him look somewhat like a suit-wearing thug.

“But I don’t dislike it.”

Alexia waved her hand in front of Simon.

“Now, let me cast a small spell on you. Don’t worry, it won’t hurt at all.”

From her actions, Simon realized she intended to cast a spell to blur his appearance.

For both of them, walking freely in the streets was impossible without disguising their true faces.

Alexia had lived in the imperial capital for so long that most citizens might know her name but not her appearance.

But he was different.

He often left the imperial capital, and every outing was a storm.

Simon always led from the front, easily recognizable to anyone who passed by.

Especially now, with so few people in the empire with red hair like his.

After Alexia finished her spell, she nodded at Simon in satisfaction.

Then she took his hand.

“Then… let’s go!”

—

As soon as she stepped off the carriage, Alexia was captivated by the lively street.

She hadn’t left the imperial capital in years.

Ever since becoming Empress, it was as if she’d been bound to the high Throne, sitting day after day.

She faced endless official documents, listened to ministers’ ever-changing but ultimately identical words, and issued one cold, ruthless decree after another…

Sometimes, she truly doubted the meaning of the Right to Rule.

Just as Simon was paying the Coachman, the latter suddenly spoke.

“Sir, regarding your lady… perhaps it’s better to separate?”

Simon’s hand paused as he handed over the money.

What kind of words were these? Was this still business?!

Even if they weren’t a real couple, in the Coachman’s eyes, they were a pair.

In this situation, for the Coachman to say such a thing…

Perhaps sensing Simon’s surprise and confusion, the Coachman asked bluntly,

“Sir, don’t you think she looks… terrible?”

“Terrible?”

Simon echoed.

“She seems restless. Once you’re gone, she might squander your fortune or even seduce other men…”

“Simon!”

Hearing Alexia’s call, Simon quickly handed the Copper Coins to the Coachman.

He turned and walked toward Alexia.

After the carriage left, she asked Simon,

“What did you talk about with him?”

“I was asking about fun places nearby.”

Simon replied.

The Coachman’s words made Simon uneasy.

Not suspicious of the Coachman himself, but rather the oddity of his attitude.

For Simon, everything was normal, but not for Alexia.

Besides, who would say to a husband that his wife would squander the family fortune or seduce others, especially between strangers?

Usually, a Coachman would either chat idly or stay silent—never say such things.

Alexia pulled Simon into a shop, speaking casually,”Fun or not, it doesn’t matter! Let’s just go in first.”

She had no interest in so-called attractions and only wanted to stroll through the empire.

“Welcome…”

The Shop Attendant at the entrance paused upon seeing Alexia, their voice turning cold.

“…Welcome.”

This detail didn’t escape Simon’s notice.

He immediately looked up at the other people inside the shop.

Those who hadn’t yet noticed Alexia seemed normal, but once they saw her, their expressions became strange.

Their eyes carried disgust and aversion as they looked at Alexia, but upon seeing Simon beside her, they quickly averted their gaze.

Simon didn’t think it was because Alexia’s magic had failed or been used incorrectly.

“Hello, I’d like to buy this kind of dessert.”

Alexia pointed at the Cake in the display case.

The Shopkeeper glanced coldly at Alexia, the smile fading from their face.

They mechanically took out the Cake from the counter.

“Two Silver Coins.”

At this point, even if Alexia were slow to react, she realized something was off inside the shop.

The lively chatter gradually quieted down.

As Simon stepped forward to pay, he suddenly sensed something odd coming from beside Alexia.

His body instinctively moved to her right side.

Just as he crouched down, a small Cake was crushed in his hand.

Across from them, a young girl who had thrown the Cake wore a shocked expression, as if frightened, and hid behind her mother.

Simon stood up, glancing at Alexia behind him, just hoping she wouldn’t lose her temper.

Unexpectedly, Alexia wasn’t angry.

Instead, she placed the dessert from the counter onto the girl’s table.

“This Cake is for you.”

The girl’s mother forced a “Thank you,” and handed over a stack of napkins.

Alexia took the napkins, turned, and walked toward the door, the smile on her face completely gone.

“Simon, let’s go.”

After paying, Simon quickly followed Alexia.

Leaving the shop, Alexia didn’t continue toward the bustling Commercial Street but turned in the opposite direction, where there were fewer people.

Standing on a bridge, Alexia leaned against the railing, gazing up at the bright moon.

“Ah~ What a mess!”

Her voice carried a hint of resignation, as if she’d expected this outcome, along with an undeniable sense of loss.

“My first date in life ended like this, over before it even began—how ironic.”

She knew well that she wasn’t popular, and if her true identity was revealed, it would cause unnecessary trouble.

So she didn’t show her face directly, but even with magic to blur her features, she was still shunned.

“Alexia…”

“Don’t comfort me, Simon. I’m not as fragile as you think.”

Though Alexia said this, Simon could hear the frustration in her voice.

She wasn’t as strong as she seemed.

In reality, anyone would feel bad in such a situation.

Even though she’d tried hard to make the empire better and give people happier lives, all she received in return were cold glares and mocking words.

Especially since she hadn’t even appeared as the Empress.

She still couldn’t understand what she’d done wrong.

Was it her way of communicating?

But they hadn’t even given her a chance to speak—not even a shred of explanation.

“I never expected them to understand me, nor do I need their understanding…”

Simon slowly embraced her from behind.

“Alexia, no matter what, I’ll always support you.”

“Mm…”

Alexia turned her head and gently kissed Simon.

A single tear slipped from the corner of her eye, tracing her cheek and lips before falling onto Simon’s cheek.

Always support her?

Perhaps it was only because of the contract that Simon treated her this way.

For someone like her, maybe loneliness was destined.