Sweetheart Substitute: I never gave up loving you

Nero presented several doses of elixirs to the Emperor and their effects were remarkable. They not only restored the Emperor’s hair to its youthful black but also resulted in the Consort conceiving a dragon embryo.

The palace had not seen a child born for several years, so this unexpected joy made the Emperor feel as vigorous as in his youth.

Nero gained even more favor from this and there were signs he might surpass Zephyr in importance.

The Consort was even more pleased. She strolled through the imperial garden, gently caressing her still-flat abdomen, followed by a grand entourage of over twenty people.

Coincidentally, Concubine Sophia and several young palace ladies were having tea and chatting in the garden. Displeased with the Consort's behavior, they subtly criticized her.

“Our palace's cat recently became pregnant and is constantly demanding food and drink. It doesn’t realize it’s just a little animal and is acting all high and mighty.”

The Concubine Milea responded, “This little thing is inexperienced and naïve, thinking that coming to the palace means it can be arrogant and powerful.”

Everyone laughed together. The Consort, used to being domineering, immediately became angry upon seeing this scene. She snapped back, “Sophia, you don’t have any children and don't know that being pregnant is also an accomplishment. If you can’t have children yourself, no wonder you’re envious even of a cat.”

Concubine Sophia, coming from a prominent family, could not tolerate such remarks. She walked over quickly and slapped the Consort hard across the face.

“You, a lowly maid who only climbed into bed with someone, dare to speak rudely to me! Do you think I don’t know about your role in the Kingswell Family’s downfall? You’re nothing but a treacherous betrayer of your former master.”

The Consort was hit where it hurt the most, her porcelain-white face turning beet red. “Concubine Sophia, are you sympathizing with the Kingswell Family? The Kingswell Family committed the grave crime of treason. I’ll report this to His Majesty right away and have you accompany them!”

Concubine Sophia’s attending maid, a formidable character, saw the situation worsening and slapped the Consort again, interrupting her words. “Accusing Concubine Sophia is a great disrespect to her. This slap is on her behalf.”

With a red handprint on each of her cheeks, the Consort had never suffered such humiliation since entering the palace. Forgetting her lower rank, she screamed in anguish, “Are you all dead? Can’t you see your master being slapped? Stand there and do nothing! Hit back, tear her mouth apart!”

No one dared to move, so the Consort pointed at me. “Mara, you lowly maid, do you wish for me to be beaten? Go and hit back for me right now!”

I had no intention of doing such a risky thing and refused to move even an inch. I knelt down and repeatedly begged for forgiveness, pouring oil on the fire, “Your Highness, Concubine Sophia is personally appointed by His Majesty and oversees the affairs of the palace. She has the authority to discipline the palace ladies. You shouldn’t defy her.”

Enraged, the Consort immediately struck me, her long nails scratching my face and drawing blood. “The Emperor fears her family's power, so you people all kowtow and step on the lowly. You’re all a bunch of useless scum!”

“Are you insulting me?”

A voice, carrying authority without anger, came from the archway. The Consort was startled and immediately knelt, explaining in a delicate voice, “Your Majesty, Concubine Sophia has unjustly punished me, disregarding that I am pregnant with the dragon’s child. She struck me. I was worried about the child's safety and, in a moment of anger, I spoke thoughtlessly. I did not intend any disrespect towards you.”

I knelt on the ground and couldn’t see the Emperor’s expression, but I heard him call out to Nero, “Didn’t you say that the Consort’s child is the reincarnation of a general?”

Nero responded, “Yes, indeed. The Consort has the appearance of a favored one.”

“Since that is the case, I will show leniency towards the Consort. She will be punished with a reduction in salary for three months, a small punishment to make a big lesson. You will stay in the Elysian Palace, take good care of your pregnancy and avoid causing trouble.”

"Concubine Sophia, the heir to the throne, is very important. No matter how angry you are, you should control yourself. Haven't you learned how to manage the Inner Palace after being in the palace for so many years? The deposed empress handled it well before. So, you are also punished. Write down 'The Lessons for Women' a hundred times to calm yourself."

Both sides were scolded and punished, like defeated roosters returning to their nests.

I found a chance to go to the deserted palace and Nero was indeed waiting for me.

"Why did you speak like that today?" I had expected the Consort to be severely punished for insulting the Emperor, but instead, he spoke up for her.

Though I was puzzled and somewhat resentful, since I needed his help, I asked gently.

Nero wiped the blood from my face with a wet handkerchief and said, "The higher the expectations are, the greater the disappointment will be in the end. The Consort is shallow and makes many mistakes when she's pleased with herself. The Emperor’s dissatisfaction will build up and eventually explode. When he is enraged, we'll take advantage of the situation and she will suffer terribly."

He spoke of such vicious schemes, yet he was carefully fixing my disheveled hair and tying it up into a beautiful hairstyle. "Right now, the worst punishment she will face is house arrest or demotion, which is nothing serious. To get rid of evil completely, we must cut it out by the root."

I was almost certain that he and Caius were not related. Caius, being so straightforward and proper, couldn’t come up with such devious plans.

I felt a twinge of disappointment, but I couldn't help but want to be close to him. I reached out to take the handkerchief from him. "This is dirty. I’ll wash it and return it to you."

Nero paused and said, "Do you know that this handkerchief is a token of our bond and shouldn’t be given away casually?"

I naturally knew this. I had once embroidered a handkerchief with magnolia flowers and given it to Caius. He liked it very much and always carried it with him and it was lost in the fire with him.

Thinking that he didn’t want to, I pretended to be sadly resigned. "Then forget it. I know I’m not worthy of you."

Nero sighed and pulled me onto his lap. "You don’t need to be insincere with me. I said I would help you and I won’t abandon you halfway."

But I didn’t believe in kindness without a reason; a relationship based on mutual use and needs was more reliable.

As a woman, I could sense that he felt differently about me, but I didn’t understand why he always seemed so distant and aloof.

He was indeed a very useful tool and I needed to hold onto him tightly.

Thanks to his support in those days, I was no longer constantly hungry and had stopped looking pale and weak as I had when we first met. I had regained some of my former charm and allure.

I wrapped my arms around Nero's neck and rested my face against his neck, adopting a very dependent posture. "Young Master, I’m very afraid."

He seemed to enjoy this, his hand moving to stroke my back. "Afraid of what?"

"You have His Majesty’s favor and I’m just a lowly maid. There are many beautiful women outside and I don’t know when you might stop wanting to see me."

Nero lifted my chin and carefully traced my features. "None of the beautiful women outside are as lovely as you, Yelena."

I tried my best to put on an angry look and said, “It's a lie.”

"How can I not be honest with you?" He leaned closer, his lips almost touching mine. "Do you need a physical touch to feel reassured?"

I thought I was ready for anything whether it meant using my appearance or my body, as long as it helped me get revenge.

But at that moment, I couldn't help but think of Caius and the tender, cherished kiss he gave me beneath the blazing fireworks. Especially with those same eyes looking at me, as if he was watching me in person, it felt like a betrayal of our steadfast vow.

I struggled to hide my tears. "Could you close your eyes?"

Nero raised an eyebrow but complied. I clung to his shoulders and kissed his closed eyes.

He clearly shivered and I kissed him gently, whispering, "This is enough."

Nero remained silent for a long while before opening his clear eyes. "You’re treating me as a substitute for the deposed prince, Yelena."

I had already prepared my response and tried to appear as sincere as possible while meeting his gaze. "The way I admired the prince before is how I will admire you in the future."

His expression was a mix of emotions, neither clearly happy nor angry, but a complicated blend. "It’s my honor."

Sitting on his lap felt uncomfortable and I straightened my back stiffly. Nero, sensing my discomfort, let me go. "Go back and rest well. the Consort won't have much strength to torment you in the future."

"Why?"

"Just plant the cnidium seeds in the flowerbed and don't worry about anything else."