"Is there something else?"
"You know I don't want you to put yourself in danger like this. Why can't you just stay at the palace? You know I can give you anything you want."
"…There is nothing I want."
"Nephthys… you know there isn't much time left."
"I know. Which is why I want to finish everything before it's too late."
"Nephthys, I am the Emperor. You know I can solve everything without difficulty. Why can't you just enjoy life? Why do you insist on putting yourself in danger?"
"Life? I've never had one—and you know that."
"Which is exactly why I'm telling you to leave everything to me and live for yourself. Find something that makes you happy."
"I need to do this myself, or I will never find peace."
"You can always find peace in people."
"My peace died right in front of my eyes. The only good thing that ever happened to me died."
"..."
"I know you already know how I lived before I met you."
The Emperor was the Emperor for a reason. He was one of the strongest men alive—perhaps the strongest. Her story got to his ears
He had never told Nephthys that he knew her past.
But she understood anyway.
She knew that he had seen fragments of her pain. And despite knowing everything, he had never interfered with her plans. That restraint was something she respected deeply—and something she was grateful for.
Nephthys took a sip of her tea.
"I will try to visit more often."
She placed the cup down and left the room.
***
"So… what do you think I should do?"
"Hm… it's not easy, knowing her."
"Do you think she would like flowers?"
"I'm not sure…"
While Nephthys and Miyeon worked tirelessly, Avner and Amabilis were doing their best to come up with a foolproof plan to make Nephthys fall in love with Avner.
"AH! I've got it!"
Amabilis suddenly shouted.
"What? What is it?"
Avner's eyes lit up, hope rushing in.
"Well… have you ever heard of the pull-and-push situation?"
"…Don't you think you skipped a few steps?"
Amabilis smacked his own head.
"Ow! What was that for?"
"You pervert-minded idiot."
"Me?! You're the one who said it! You're the pervert here!"
Avner was genuinely offended.
Amabilis sighed, questioning his life choices.
"What I mean is… playing hard to get."
"Hard to get?"
"Yes. You do something sweet, then ignore her for a while. Then you repeat it until she confesses."
"Why would I do that? I don't want to ignore her."
Amabilis placed a hand on his cousin's shoulder.
"Ah, my dear cousin. You are far too naïve. Allow me to explain."
"People crave attention—and desire what they can't have. First, you make her feel loved. You show her how it feels when that love comes from you. Then you pull away."
He leaned in, clearly enjoying himself.
"She'll start to miss you. She'll feel uncertain. You'll become unavailable. Something forbidden."
He grinned.
"You'll become like the apple from the Garden of Eden—something she isn't allowed to touch. And bam—she's yours."
"…Am I the apple?"
Avner had completely missed the point.
"Yes, cousin. You are an apple. But not just any apple."
He pointed dramatically.
"You are THE apple."
"So… how do I do that?"
"The ball is coming up soon. Make her feel your love. Make her feel like she's the only woman in the world. Make her feel like she is the—"
"Alright, buddy. Sit down."
Avner cut him off.
"I think you're getting a little too passionate."
Amabilis cleared his throat and sat back down.
"Do you really think this will work?"
Avner hesitated.
"Of course. It works every time."
"I don't know…"
"Hey, hey—trust your best buddy. You'll thank me when you see her in a wedding dress."
The thought alone made Avner's face heat up.
"Oh look at this big baby—getting all shy."
Amabilis laughed.
"Did the idea of seeing her in a wedding dress excite you?"