Emperor's Alternate - Chapter 43
“Her main activity time always seems to be at night. Miss Leyesha always wakes up in the late afternoon to begin her activities.”
Lecan recalled the report about Leyesha. Somehow, her skin was described as so fair that it almost seemed translucent, and it was evident that she rarely engaged in activities during the daytime.
‘Perhaps that’s why she seemed particularly tired at the ball.’
Although he had witnessed Empress Regent continuously offering her alcohol, Leyesha, despite her embarrassment, couldn’t bring herself to refuse. He had attended the ball for her in the first place, but hadn’t had a chance to approach her. While Leyesha might not have noticed because she was drunk, she was the center of everyone’s attention.
She was a striking presence, even in the midst of the dignified and gorgeously dressed nobles. Clad in a simple maid’s attire, her appearance alone radiated brilliance. Occasionally, as the attendants of the royal family were known to engage in secret unions with the nobility, there were more than a few nobles discreetly observing Leyesha with an interest that went beyond mere curiosity.
She remained at the Empress’s side, never daring to approach. If Lecan had not known Leyesha’s true identity as the mastermind behind the throne, he would have never considered that the delicate-looking figure was, in fact, the entity orchestrating powers that shook the empire. The distance between them was the most intriguing aspect. How could a servant be so loyal to forsake all the glory and honor for the sake of their master.
Although she claimed to be a relative of the Empress Regent, Leyesha bore no resemblance to her.
‘Where does such talent come from?’
Lecan hadn’t forgotten that the answer sheets for the proxy exam were revealed to have been written by a noblewoman. Even from first-hand observation, the cold stare and demeanor that Leyesha casually adopted were more characteristic of a noble accustomed to ruling than a commoner.
However, as he took a step closer, he found himself surrounded by young maidens whose faces he didn’t recognize, and as he took another step, he was once again buried in the midst of the crowd. Social etiquette dictated that he simply couldn’t ignore and push them away. Maybe it was because he rarely attended balls, but the people always tended to crowd around him like they were experiencing rain after a long drought.
““Brother, I’m disappointed. You didn’t even listen when I begged you to attend just once.”
“I’m tired, so please shut your mouth.”
“Seneca. Say hello while you still can.”
Benedict replied with a somewhat resentful tone, pushing his younger sister forward to greet Lecan. Regardless of rational affections, she was Alfred’s daughter, the leader of the ‘elitist’ faction. However, hearing the same social circle greetings from dozens of people over and over again made it difficult to respond.
After meeting so many and making polite statements, it reached a point where he couldn’t distinguish who was who. Seeing young ladies shyly bring up some forgotten moment from the past that he himself couldn’t recall, it only strengthened his aversion to social events.
The women desperately trying to reach him were brides-to-be who were not going anywhere anytime soon. Lecan was thoroughly indifferent, but he found Benedict’s straightforwardness rather refreshing, so he decided to entertain this particular lady—regardless of whether she was her father’s daughter or her brother’s little sister.
‘If I just seized her and married her, will all this agony finally end?’
He had entered the ball when the sun was up but introduction only ceased after the moon rose.
Lecan wasn’t this drained when he defeated an enemy on the battlefield. His head throbbed, and he took a sip of alcohol, something he rarely indulged in. Observing Leyesha from a distance, he found it easy to locate her as long as he looked beside the Empress Regent.
Then suddenly, the Empress stood up, and it seemed like the long-awaited opportunity had finally arrived. Apparently, he wasn’t the only one who thought so.
‘What a strange way to treat someone who, by all accounts, was the first to help the current emperor ascend to the throne.’
A group of aged envoys, likely having daughters older than Leyesha, were mocking her. Observing from a distance, Lecan pondered silently why he felt offended.
Perhaps because it wasn’t the courtesy shown towards ladies in knightly circles? He had never consciously lived by the customs of chivalry. Lecan rather respected knights more.
Or maybe because he was simply displeased that they treated talent that way?
While Lecan calmly contemplated his emotions, Leyesha seemed to be in quite a predicament with the envoys. Was it anger? Before the thought could be fully articulated, Lecan was already supporting Leyesha, lifting her to her feet. He paid little attention to the protesting diplomats.
‘What is this sensation?’
Leyesha never once refused the Empress’s offer of alcohol, and Leyesha’s body felt unusually warm. That was the memory. More than their, it was the gaze in her eyes that left a lasting impression. The sensation was etched vividly like it was branded onto his skin.
When she grabbed his collar, their lips seemed like they might meet at any moment. Leyesha’s daring to talk to him informally and her cheeky remarks, with a face that seemed barely matured, felt simultaneously unpleasant and oddly refreshing.
Her hot breath was so fragile that one snap of her neck would kill her, and her skin was so pale and white that he feared he might bruise her with the slightest effort. He could take a woman like this many times if he wanted to, so it was no wonder he was confused by this new s****l attraction.
“What must I do to become your lord?”
“…It’s too late.”
Too late for what? What did she mean by that?
