Chapter 10: A Cage Made of Care
Being emperor…
Was exactly as terrible as I imagined.
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"No, worse."
I stared blankly at the mountain of reports in front of me.
Taxes.
Border conflicts.
Noble disputes.
Endless problems that never seemed to end.
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"…Why does any of this matter to me?"
I muttered quietly.
I never wanted this.
Never asked for this.
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And yet—
Here I was.
Sitting on the throne.
Deciding the fate of an entire kingdom.
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Or at least…
That's how it looked.
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"Your Majesty, these require your approval."
"…Leave them."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
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The moment the minister left—
The room felt lighter.
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Because I knew the truth.
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"…She'll handle it anyway."
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As if on cue—
The doors opened.
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She walked in.
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No announcement.
No permission.
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She never needed it.
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"You didn't sign them."
Her eyes moved to the documents.
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"…I was thinking."
"…About what?"
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I leaned back slightly.
"…Running away."
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Silence.
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For a moment—
Everything stopped.
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Then—
She walked closer.
Slowly.
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"…Don't joke about that."
Her voice was calm.
Too calm.
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"I'm not joking."
I smiled faintly.
"…I never wanted this."
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She stopped right in front of me.
Looking down.
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"…You're safer here."
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"There it is again."
I let out a quiet sigh.
"…'Safe.'"
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"That's all you ever say."
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"…Because it matters."
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"It matters to you."
I corrected.
"…Not to me."
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A small pause.
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"…It should."
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"…Why?"
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She didn't answer immediately.
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Instead—
Her hand reached out.
Resting lightly on the arm of the throne.
Close to mine.
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"…Because if you're not safe—"
She said softly.
"…you'll disappear."
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I froze.
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"…Disappear?"
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"…Like everything else."
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Her eyes—
For just a moment—
Looked… different.
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Not cold.
Not sharp.
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But afraid.
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"…I'm not going anywhere."
I said quietly.
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"…You don't know that."
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"…I do."
I forced a small smile.
"…I'm still here, aren't I?"
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She stared at me.
Long.
Silent.
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As if trying to confirm something.
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Then—
"…Stay."
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"…I am staying."
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"…No."
She shook her head slightly.
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"…Stay here."
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The difference was small.
But clear.
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I didn't respond.
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Because I understood what she meant.
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Stay in this place.
Stay in this role.
Stay where she can see me.
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Stay where I can't leave.
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"…You're overthinking again."
I said lightly, trying to break the tension.
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"…Maybe."
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But her eyes didn't change.
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Later that day—
I walked through the palace gardens alone.
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Or at least—
That's what I thought.
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"…You're being watched."
A voice whispered behind me.
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I stopped.
Slowly turning.
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A shadow slipped away before I could see clearly.
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"…Of course I am."
I let out a dry laugh.
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I was the emperor.
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Or rather—
The center of her world.
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Of course I was being watched.
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Protected.
Observed.
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"…This really is a cage."
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Not made of iron.
Not made of walls.
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But made of something far more complicated.
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Care.
Control.
Possession.
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Far away—
In another land—
A different scene unfolded.
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"You're strong."
A woman stood across from him.
Sword in hand.
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"…Not enough."
He replied calmly.
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Steel clashed.
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And in a single strike—
He won.
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"…You've grown."
She smiled.
"…I'll follow you."
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Another one.
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Another ally.
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Another piece falling into place.
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The group around him was growing.
Slowly.
Steadily.
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Not a kingdom.
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But something else.
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A force.
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"…We'll return."
He said quietly.
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"…And take everything back."
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Back in the palace—
Night fell.
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I sat alone in my room.
Looking at the city lights.
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"…How did it turn into this?"
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I had everything I needed to survive.
Power.
Protection.
Stability.
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And yet—
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"…Why do I feel trapped?"
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A soft knock echoed.
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Before I could respond—
She entered.
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"…You're here."
I said.
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"…Of course."
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She walked closer.
Stopping beside me.
Looking out at the same view.
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"…It's peaceful."
She murmured.
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"…Is it?"
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"…Yes."
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Silence.
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"…As long as you're here."
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I didn't reply.
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Because I didn't know what to say anymore.
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I wanted freedom.
She gave me safety instead.
And somewhere along the way…
I lost the difference between the two.