WTSP - 15

From head to toe, I was drenched.

I sighed heavily as I shook off the cold rainwater that had soaked my clothes. Pompoo, too, had shriveled up like cotton candy dissolving in water.

So you were all about the fluff, huh? You look just like a bathed puppy now. Despite being a snow spirit, Pompoo trembled from the cold as I held him close, muttering to myself.

Thankfully, there was a glass greenhouse nearby. If it hadn’t been there, we would’ve had to sprint all the way back to the entrance of the garden.

Inside the greenhouse, various crops and flowers sensitive to weather changes were planted.

I turned my head to check on Serdelius. Watching him slick his soaking wet hair back with his fingers—honestly, he looked… sexy.

‘His personality and face don’t match at all. No matter how I think about it, he’s excessively handsome. People need some flaws to feel human.’

His jet-black hair seemed to absorb no light, his sorrowful eyes, and his perfectly chiseled features left nothing to be desired. His face was so flawless it felt like it had been carved by the gods themselves.

What must it feel like to live with such a face? Staring at Serdelius, I couldn’t help but marvel.

“Isn’t it a bit cold, Serdel?”

“Serdel?”

Oops, I said it out loud. I mentally kicked myself and rubbed my forehead. Why did I keep blurting things without thinking?

In my past life, I used to shorten Serdelius’ name to “Serdel.” Most noble-sounding names were unnecessarily long, so as the author, I’d grown tired of repeatedly writing out “Serdelius.”

He probably never imagined anyone would dare abbreviate his name into three syllables.

“Ah… um, sorry. I was just wondering what your nickname might be. Not that we’re close enough for nicknames or anything.”

My heart pounded wildly. Surely, he wouldn’t chop off my neck after this sudden downpour, right?

But contrary to my expectation that he’d say something biting, Serdelius simply stared at me. His expression suggested he’d never encountered someone who dared address him so casually.

‘Why are you staring at me like that? Ugh, this is driving me crazy.’

I wanted to rewind time by a minute and stop myself. Even if I decided to act bold, I should’ve gauged the situation better before charging ahead.

Meanwhile, completely oblivious to my inner turmoil, Pompoo was fast asleep in my arms, making soft purring noises, clearly enjoying the warmth. After a prolonged silence, Serdelius—or rather, Serdel—finally spoke.

“I’ll allow it.”

“What? Allow what…?”

“To call me that. Didn’t you just refer to me as ‘Serdel’?”

“You’re not being sarcastic, are you?”

Serdel raised an eyebrow slightly, as if dismissing any notion of sarcasm. His expression didn’t suggest he was joking.

He wasn’t the type to play mind games. His unexpectedly positive reaction left me flustered. What had he been pondering during that brief silence?

Though curious, I nodded nonchalantly and tested the name on my lips. The sound rolled smoothly, almost tenderly.

“Well then… Serdel.”

Drip, drip. I stared at the raindrops cascading violently onto the ground. Why did saying his name make my chest tingle so strangely?

At that moment, Serdel glanced down at Pompoo, who had somehow dried off again, and asked curiously:

“Where did you pick up that fluffy thing? I’ve never seen such a creature inside the palace.”

“Oh, um… It was a few days ago. I found him sneaking into my room. Since we can’t communicate, I have no idea where he came from.”

“So, you plan to keep him?”

Do people usually say they’re “raising” spirits? I rolled my big eyes exaggeratedly.

After spending a few days together, I knew Pompoo wasn’t dangerous, but was it okay for spirits to live with humans? Maybe he’d been separated from his group?

“Does this empire have any spirit tamers, Your Majesty?”

“I’m not sure. As far as I know, there aren’t any within the palace. They’re likely similar to magicians.”

“They might not be too different… I’ll have to look into it.”

“So, you really intend to try talking to him.”

Serdel nodded thoughtfully, still gazing at the cloudy sky.

Pompoo, meanwhile, was sleeping soundly in my arms as if my embrace were a five-star hotel.

Though I knew next to nothing about spirits since A Common Girl Becomes Empress never covered them, one thing was certain: they were undeniably adorable.

Serdel, pretending to ignore the weather, casually reached out to stroke Pompoo’s ear.

They had seemed ready to tear each other apart earlier, but even the mighty Emperor of Carlot wasn’t immune to the charm of a spirit.

“You’re a strange person.”

“That’s the third time you’ve said that.”

“It means I find you hard to understand.”

It didn’t seem like he thought I was completely otherworldly, but I still couldn’t quite grasp what went on in his mind.

Still, compared to when I first inhabited Ophelia and nearly died, this was progress.

Lost in these thoughts, I noticed the relentless downpour gradually easing. The clouds that had painted the sky began to part slowly.

“Ah, a rainbow…”

As if the rainstorm had never happened, the sky cleared, and a vibrant rainbow replaced the dark clouds. Seeing such a sight, rare in Seoul, I stepped outside the greenhouse with my mouth slightly agape.

The rainbow, harmonizing with the gentle sunlight, was breathtakingly beautiful. Serdel followed behind me, stepping onto the still-wet ground.

“You seem thrilled, like someone seeing a rainbow for the first time, Empress.”

“It’s not my first time, but it’s been a while. I used to hang pictures of rainbows on my bedroom wall… uh, I mean, drawings.”

“I heard you weren’t in good health during your maiden years. Is that why?”

“Well, yeah, I guess so.”

Thanks to Serdel adding context on his own, I shrugged and nodded. Explaining Seo Yeon-hee’s past would only raise more questions.

Pompoo, awakened by the warm sunlight, tilted his head sleepily to survey his surroundings. His groggy face radiated happiness, spreading joy like a virus.

Realizing the rain had stopped, Pompoo sprang into the air as usual, spinning a full circle mid-flight. His antics were irresistibly cute.

“Pom! Poooh! Po!”

“Yes, yes. Isn’t the rainbow beautiful, Pompoo? Did you sleep well?”

I smiled warmly, watching Pompoo. He seemed delighted by the rainbow gracefully arcing across the sky.

That’s when the atmosphere around us shifted noticeably.

“Your Imperial Majesty!”

“We’ve found His Majesty and Her Highness! Everyone, hurry over!”

Dozens of knights rushed toward us from afar, their faces pale with panic.

Serdel showed no surprise. He simply wore a calm expression, as if expecting this.

I quickly grabbed Pompoo and hid him in my hair. Though startled, Pompoo eventually quieted down.

Within a minute, the knights arrived, kneeling before Serdel and me. Realizing we were soaked, their faces turned ashen.

“For failing to protect Your Majesty, I, Harpin, accept whatever punishment you deem fit.”

“Enough of this nonsense, Sir Harpin.”

“As the leader of the knightly order protecting His Majesty, this is the punishment I deserve.”

The man who appeared to be the captain unsheathed his sword and offered it to Serdel with both hands.

Surely, he wasn’t asking to be killed? This wasn’t Joseon-era Korea, where officials begged for death at every turn. Unfamiliar with Carlotian etiquette, I discreetly observed the situation.

Serdel silently stared at the proffered blade. Just as I thought his arm might tire and drop it, he grasped the hilt.

With an impassive face, he pointed the tip of the sword at the knight captain and tilted his head slightly.

“What do I gain by taking your life?”

“Your Majesty…”

“Enough. It was my order to withdraw. Did you intend to disobey my command to protect me?”

With a languid voice, Serdel drove the sword’s tip into the rain-soaked earth. There was no hesitation in his actions.

Captain Harpin’s face was a mixture of conflicting emotions. At Serdel’s command to rise, he stood and retrieved his sword.

Being a royal guard isn’t easy, is it? Pompoo, restless from waiting so long, started rummaging through my hair. He’d soon pop out if I didn’t calm him down.

“Let’s return to the palace, Your Majesty. We’ll catch colds if we stay out here.”

“Escort the Empress.”

“Yes. We shall accompany you, Your Highness.”

It felt like I suddenly had twenty bodyguards. As we walked from the garden back to the palace, the sunlight grew warmer.

Lena would surely scold me when she saw how soaked I was. She was such a caring girl; she’d worry endlessly.

Upon arriving at the empress’s quarters, I resolved to take a bath to avoid catching a cold. Drinking hot tea and getting plenty of rest would surely banish any cold symptoms.

But there was one thing I overlooked today—

I wasn’t a national athlete anymore. I was Ophelia Meredith.