Chapter 3

Josiah's POV

When I first arrived in this world, my one and only task was to prevent Harry from becoming the empress consort.

Back then, I didn't understand why, but after spending time with him, the truth became clear.

The man played the part of a saint, but underneath, he was utterly ruthless.

Had I not witnessed him taking a dislike to a handsome attendant, fabricating an excuse, and having the poor soul dragged off to be sold into a brothel, I probably would have been fooled by him too.

If a man like that ever became the empress consort, it would be an absolute disaster for the empire.

I wasted the best years of my youth here, finally climbing to the one position every man under heaven coveted.

Bella had proclaimed to the entire world that I would be her only empress consort, and should I pass away, the throne beside her would remain forever vacant.

At the time, I genuinely believed I was the happiest man alive, which was why I ignored the system's prompt when it offered to let me leave this world.

But I had forgotten how fickle the human heart could be. I hadn't even been the empress consort for six months before Bella's entire heart was captured by Harry.

And thanks to Harry's relentless scheming, I became the ultimate thorn in her side.

Today was January 15th. According to ancestral tradition, she was supposed to have dinner with me.

Yet, she hadn't even been seated for 30 minutes before she started fidgeting.

Today was also Harry's birthday. Though her body was here, her mind had long since flown to his side.

Seeing how desperately she was pining for him, I considerately set down my cutlery.

She froze, assuming I was about to use this as an excuse to pick a fight. Frowning with irritation, she snapped, "What are you throwing a tantrum—"

"I recall today is also Harry's birthday. Your Majesty, you've already spent plenty of time with me. It is only right that you go and see him."

The rest of Bella's scolding died in her throat. She stared at me, checking me up and down in utter disbelief. "A-are you really Josiah?"

She had never seen me act so reasonable. For a moment, she looked as though she thought I was possessed.

Some people were just pathetic. When I used to scream and shout at her, she took it as a matter of course. Now that I no longer cared to fight, she didn't know what to do with herself.

I raised a hand and rubbed my brow. "Your Majesty, I am quite tired today, so I won't be joining you to celebrate with him."

I then signaled Collin to bring forward a few boxes of exquisite jewelry. "Consider this my birthday gift to him."

I thought this would finally satisfy her, but she merely cast a fleeting glance over the pieces. She didn't even try to hide her contempt. "How could Harry ever wear something so mediocre?"

My hand froze awkwardly in midair.

What she didn't know was that these "mediocre" items were treasures I had searched my entire treasury to uncover.

Bella had actually visited me once while I was in the treasury carefully picking out the treasures I would take home.

Back then, Collin asked out of pure curiosity, "Your Majesty, what are you doing?"

I smiled and explained, "I'm packing things to use when I go home."

Just as the words left my mouth, Bella froze in her tracks. "Aren't you an orphan? What home do you have to go back to?"

Startled, I scrambled for an explanation. "I see Harry as my own brother. His home is my home."

Only then did she let it drop.

"I am a man of meager means. Naturally, my humble belongings are unworthy of his gaze," I said now, my voice entirely flat.

Yet, it was precisely this calm demeanor that infuriated Bella. She slammed her hand down and stood up abruptly.

"Do you think I can't hear the sarcasm dripping from your voice? How dare you even compare yourself to Harry? I actually thought you had changed for the better, but now I see this is just some twisted new tactic you've come up with to win me back."

I turned my face away, unable to suppress a weary sigh.

Whatever. I would just let it be. There was no point in arguing with a lunatic.

My silence only gave her the perfect excuse to storm out.

She could have just left, but she insisted on blowing things out of proportion and fabricating a fight.

It was all just a setup to give herself a justifiable reason to walk away.

Otherwise, spending this day with Harry would have branded him with the reputation of a homewrecker who bewitched the empress.

Shifting the blame onto me was her safest play.

I just hadn't expected the drama to have a sequel.

Late that night, just as I was drifting off to sleep, heavy footsteps echoed outside my doors.

"Your Majesty! Mr. Johnston broke out in a terrible rash after wearing the jewelry you sent! Please come with us immediately!"