Emperor's Alternate - Chapter 24
Both the draft and the final version had disappeared. Initially suspecting the maids, I lifted my head, but they still stood there, holding the jewel box, wearing puzzled expressions. It was as if they were asking, “Why aren’t you happy to receive such precious gifts?”
“Have you seen the papers I left here?”
“Oh… no, Lady Leyesha. Were they important?”
“…No.”
Once I’ve seen something, I don’t forget. Never had I felt as grateful for that fact as in that moment. It was an announcement I couldn’t postpone any longer, so I needed to act swiftly. I sat down and dipped my pen into the ink. Without a single mistake, I meticulously wrote down the complete content of the missing document, recalling it from memory.
The observing maids seemed surprised, their eyes widening, but I didn’t bother to explain. It was better to keep everyone at a distance. I wasn’t inclined to easily build rapport with others. A person with many secrets should remain silent. If you let them know, you might have to cut out their tongue one day.
‘Was it just the papers?’
The curiosity of the palace maids was evident just by their expressions. The Chief Maid is the highest ranking of the maids, so I understand their desire to impress me, but I didn’t have the luxury to engage in casual conversation with them.
‘I don’t create vulnerabilities.’
Perhaps it’s the lack of socialization that comes with growing up in a small, confined tower, but I didn’t want to create someone so precious to me as to be a weakness. Even though I could bestow affection upon others, my adversaries were not to be underestimated to not reciprocate with revenge. I couldn’t afford to give the Empress more ammunition…
“I should inform Her Majesty.”
“To thank her?”
“…Something like that.”
It wasn’t entirely true, but I didn’t feel the need to boast about my influence. The maid glanced at the document I held briefly, but it was already filed away and covered, ensuring that not a single word could be read.
“What about the gifts?”
“Just leave them as they are.”
“Do you not want to wear them?”
“No.”
I was meeting the courtesan for the first time since the day of the Emperor’s coronation. Before I could even present the draft of the “Political Personnel Reform Proposal,” an order to “rewrite it” had been given. It was a directive to craft appointments that would grant more power to the ‘reformist’ faction.
Given my affiliation with the Empress, it was a short distance from my residence to her chambers. Though perhaps due to my racing thoughts, the journey felt a bit longer than usual. The guards announced my arrival, and the Empress soon permitted me inside.
The door swung open. The sight before me… It was a spectacle of splendor that made the cat’s room pale in comparison. The dazzling display around me was enough to strain my eyes. I stepped inside and beheld her, still the astonishing and ageless beauty.
“I greet you, Your Majesty. I sincerely congratulate you on becoming the Empress.”
I bowed to the courtesan. Throughout the Emperor’s coronation, she had seemed remarkably jubilant. Even now, her face was glowing with joy. Although not a drop of blood connected us, an inexplicable emotion arose within me, possibly due to me subconsciously recognizing her as my “protector” during my childhood. She smiled as if reliving a new experience.
“A title of Empress from you and no one else.” She greeted me warmly, approaching as if delighted, clasping both my arms.
While she aspired to rule like a dignified noble, her occasionally sunny disposition was surprisingly disarming. I involuntarily flinched from the overpowering scent of wine emanating from her.
“It’s been over a decade since you claimed that you could make my son Emperor. To have accomplished it so splendidly—it wasn’t an idle boast. Taking you in was the best move of my life.”
Despite all these thoughts, her recognition and praise were not unwelcome. I slowly lifted my head again, meeting her gaze once more. Her eyes were oddly clear. Sometimes, her naked ambition was intriguing to me.
“I will never forget the grace you have bestowed upon us,” she said.
“No, it was all Your Majesty’s grace.”
“Ah, but, Leyesha…”
“…Yes?”
“On the day of His Majesty’s death…”
She smiled warmly, yet her voice was chilling. It felt like the temperature in the room had dropped suddenly. It was like being pushed from the scorching heat of midsummer into the snow-covered fields of winter. Just as on that day when the ‘Imprint of the Heart’ was employed, her neatly trimmed nails dug firmly into my arm.
“I heard you ran into Lecan.”
