Emperor's Alternate - Chapter 41
It was expected that the tea would fail to satisfy Lecan, someone who had only tasted the finest delicacies in the world. As the Chief Maid, I was a political aide, not a domestic servant. Nevertheless, I bowed apologetically, recognizing that my skills didn’t exactly match my public persona.
“I apologize, Your Excellency. I will brew it again,” I said.
“No, there’s no need for that,” replied Lecan firmly.
Teiles II quickly redirected the conversation. “I heard you rescued a maid in distress at the ball. Do you remember that young lady?”
Was that the reason why he summoned me and Lecan at the same time? I could only vaguely guess at Teiles II’s thoughts.
Fortunately, Lecan didn’t bat an eyelid and promptly responded, “I see no reason why I should remember.”
“Oh dear. What if the maid harbors a secret crush on you?”
Lecan’s face hardened at the absurdity of the Emperor’s joke.
Seemingly noticing the tension, the Emperor said, “You’ve heard the rumors, I presume. The Princess is going to die.”
‘Is this about the Princess’s unrequited love?’
“It’s been nearly a week since she stopped eating. It pains my heart as a brother. If this continues and a real melancholy sets in, won’t the courtiers gossip about the Teiles lineage falling into ruin? So, even though I know you are busy, I wanted to ask you a favor.”
The Emperor does not use formal language with his subjects. However, whether due to an unintentional slip of habit, pressure from the protocol, or incomplete training in royal etiquette, Teiles II occasionally mixed polite speech while addressing Lecan.
A faint furrow appeared on Lecan’s brow. “…Is this the business at hand?”
“If you would allow my sister the grace of your presence and dine with her just once, I would be grateful.”
“It is a favor for Your Majesty, so I shall comply,”
“Haha, what a favor.”
Lecan’s face twitched uncomfortably, a subtle change that lasted for just a moment.
“If we have no further business, I shall take my leave,” he stated, the announcement colder than one could dare to contest.
The last time the Emperor was in my quarters, he didn’t mention Lecan, so I thought he’d moved on.
‘Was this his way of testing me, of gauging my reaction?’
My head ached to think of what the Emperor would have done if Lecan had mentioned remembering me and what Teiles II would do to me after he was gone. The Empress didn’t say much, and even in the whispers among the maids, my name hadn’t surfaced.
‘He most likely didn’t overhear my conversation with Lecan.’
Perhaps Lecan had set up a mana barrier to prevent eavesdropping, which is why the Emperor had set up this unannounced meeting to see how he would react.
“….”
As Lecan passed by, I politely stepped back. Even without exchanging a single word, it was a conversation in itself. Just as we exchanged glances, it was clear that silence was also a response. Pretending not to know was also a form of communication.
‘So it’s all a secret.’
While Lecan might be surmising my identity, he didn’t reveal his hand to the Emperor. If I were to point this out, all control would immediately shift to Lecan. Was he waiting for the right moment? Is it a long-term strategy, akin to a military adage of sometimes retreating to advance two steps forward?
Even though I was drunk, I remember my conversation with Lecan vividly. Since the memory of the encounter lingered vividly through my senses alone, the non-verbal expressions left a deeper imprint. The touch, searing as if scorched by flames, the intense contact, his solid body against the wall. Subtle breaths, softer than whispers. Laughter without a sound. His reassuring touch. The alluring crimson gaze. Every fleeting sensation remained.
Not waiting for the Emperor’s permission, Lecan simply rose and left the room. It blatantly defied palace protocol, but no one dared to intervene. I suppose we’ve reached the limit of the amount of courtesy he could show the Emperor.
As the door closed, leaving only the Emperor and me, my suppressed emotions suddenly twisted and churned.
“…Then, I’ll take my leave too, Your Majesty,” I stated.
Staying longer might have entangled me in some strange misunderstanding, like that maid hastily collecting her clothes and hurrying away.
But the Emperor, who hadn’t said a word to Lecan, suddenly shouted at the top of his lungs. “How dare you disrespect me, let alone a maid like you!”
His anger burst seemingly out of nowhere.
Though the Emperor seemed upset, it felt like I should have been the one expressing anger. I wanted to caution him against rudely summoning Lecan again… but…
‘It’s possible that due to the subject at hand being the Princess’s infatuation that the Emperor may not be thinking straight.’
Teiles II seemed unconsciously aware of a relationship between Lecan and me, perceiving us in a romantic light. This inference came from his jest earlier, questioning if I might have an unrequited crush on Lecan. Yes, I was betrothed to Lecan before, but that was a long time ago.
I wanted to let it go, but my patience with the Emperor was wearing thin.
“I have shown enough respect to Your Majesty.”
Clang!
The teacup he threw narrowly missed my cheek and hit the wall. It brought back memories of the incident eleven years ago when a knight let me escape and was pierced by a lance. The boy, then only ten years old, seemed as violent as ever.
I’d guessed he’d grow up to be a tyrant, and looking at this person now seated on the throne only confirmed those suspicions. I clenched my fists.
I had no desire to further appease him. With a composed face, I left the enraged Emperor behind in his chambers, walking away.
