Emperor's Alternate - Chapter 39
‘Emperor Teiles II summoned me and Lecan at the same time.’
Was it an urgent matter? Lecan didn’t even respond to my greetings; he simply opened the door.
“Your Highness, it’s Lecan. I’m coming in.”
As I lifted my head, for a moment beyond the open door, I caught a glimpse of a maid. It felt like my brain paused for a few seconds. Flushed with shame at her naked body exposed to me, to the two knights guarding the door, and to Lecan once inside, she pulled her clothes together.
“I shall take my leave, Your Highness.”
In her haste, she hobbled away, folding even the heels of her shoes. I gave a small sigh, not bothering to pretend to recognize the maid out of respect for her as she passed me, then turned and walked inside.
Unlike the half-naked maid, Teiles II appeared pristine, except for a slightly crumpled hem of his clothes. However, the meticulous wiping of his fingers with a handkerchief indicated a presumption of what had transpired inside. The two knights discreetly closed the door.
Only Lecan, Teiles II, and I remained in the study. The Emperor lounged arrogantly on the sofa, one leg propped up on the opposite wide armrest.
I could hardly bear to look at him, so I lowered my head as I greeted, “Your Imperial Majesty.”
Even if Lecan had discerned the actual balance of power, Teiles II remained oblivious to that fact. The Emperor first welcomed Lecan.
“So, our beloved Knight Commander finally graces us with his presence.”
My heart sank at his insolent words. When he had come to my quarters the other day, I had told him that if he had any intelligence, he would know his place, but he was not one to listen.
Teiles II laughed as if it were a joke, but not even the Empress would treat Lecan in such a way. Even if it meant being threatened with the Emperor’s sword at that time, I should have taken that chance to properly instruct him. I should have reminded him not to provoke Lecan.
In name, Teiles II was indeed the Emperor of this nation, placing him above Lecan. But considering that even the past ten Emperors didn’t dare to act arrogantly towards even Chancellor Alfred, Teiles II’s could only be attributed to the impetuousness of a young man.
‘His damned pride is ruining everything.’
Furthermore, he was nothing but a figurehead with no real power and it was the Empress Regent who currently holds the crown’s authority.
I was on edge, fearing when Lecan would change his mind and start a rebellion. Despite my attempts to subtly diminish his influence, my nominal master was only hindering my efforts instead of helping.
As Lecan looked at the young Emperor, he fell momentarily silent. The difference in power between the two men was so vast that he didn’t even feel worthy of confrontation. As much as he hated to admit it, it was only because Lecan was willing to look the other way that Teiles II was now on the throne.
No emperor, no matter his age, power, skill, or personality, could rival Lecan. Yes, there exists a strict palace etiquette that even Lecan must feign adherence to. However, from my vigilant position, I could only watch nervously.
“What urgent matter prompts Your Majesty to seek me out?”
“There’s no need to rush. First, take a seat, and then we shall talk.”
“…”
“Leyesha, prepare some tea for us.”
…Upon closer scrutiny, was it his sense of inferiority that made Teiles II do this?
‘He’s trying to show off.’
For what purpose? To whom?
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
I bowed my head in compliance, but I couldn’t stop thinking. I’d never brewed tea in my life, but I knew the process from reading books. I felt Lecan’s gaze follow me for a moment as I made my way to the tea table.
Unless he was planning immediate rebellion, Lecan wouldn’t openly defy the Emperor. But even the obvious role-playing would end when Lecan decided he wasn’t going to put up with it.
“If I catch you trying to seek his help again this time, I will personally tear you apart.”
I remembered the Emperor’s warning to me the day before the proxy exam.
‘…Seek his help.’
Lecan has been a static opponent for me, but one that I must negotiate with to find a mutual compromise. The Abel Empire, while acting like an ally for now, is secretly bent on taking over the country. A real enemy pretending to be an ally and an internal enemy that cannot be an ally.
Perhaps more troubling than the diplomatic issues between nations was my relationship with Lecan. However, if the Emperor were to discover that Lecan and I shared many secrets, it would undoubtedly lead to severe misunderstandings. Would he assume that Lecan’s silence was meant to help me?
My vision blurred as the tea began to boil and the warm steam rose. Seeing both the Emperor and Lecan seated in the study beyond the hazy steam felt surreal. Though Teiles II donned the Emperor’s regalia, and the man wore a knight’s uniform, they seemed oddly mismatched, as if they had swapped clothes awkwardly.
Clang.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the man’s sword cut the Emperor’s throat and he fell to the carpet. The image was so vivid that my fingertips stiffened for a moment.
