Emperor's Alternate - Chapter 55
Benedict, laughing brightly, was shooed away by Lecan. Lecan stood for a moment at a loss for words. But wait, why was he annoyed?
“…My Lord, are you angry?”
“No…?”
He couldn’t be.
Although, Lecan didn’t finish his sentence because he wasn’t really certain. It wasn’t like him not to speak in clear, full sentences—everything neat and crisp. However, Lecan also had doubts. Was he annoyed because he knew that the white elephants were actually a gift from Leyesha? Even though he could clearly see the hidden intention behind her kind smile, the jealousy…
‘Jealousy?’
“…”
Lecan was shocked and paused for a moment. Even in the middle of the woods, it felt awkward to have these sudden reactions and his heart pounded uncontrollably even in that moment. Maybe his body was simply overstimulated and reacting honestly.
Leyesha’s eyes, wary yet an epitome of beauty, suddenly came to mind. Lecan’s expression softened.
Cute.
Wait.
‘Cute?’
“Why the sudden change in expression?”
Lecan looked at the librarian who was watching his lord’s face like a live broadcast.
“I’ve got an acquisition I’d like to make.”
“My Lord? Yes, what about?”
“I don’t know how to make them my subordinate.”
“Do they refuse to serve you, my Lord?”
Lecan nodded.
The librarian stroked his chin in thought and asked, “Is there a reason why he doesn’t serve you, my Lord?”
“Well…they already serve another lord.”
“Ah, another lord. But I didn’t see you as someone greedy for talent. That’s strange. Wasn’t it easy for you to concede when there was already another master?”
“That’s true, but this one is different.”
The librarian’s expression changed strangely.
“…Are they better than me?”
The librarian asked, sounding almost jealous. Lecan patted him on the shoulder to calm him down.
“They do a lot of work, and I can’t comprehend why sometimes. It’s nauseating.”
“A lot of work…you didn’t say they’re better.”
“You can’t think of anyone at the top of your head?” asked Lecan, casually dismissing the librarian’s feelings.
The librarian snorted and answered vaguely, “Well, even if I don’t know who that person is, if you sincerely devote yourself to them, won’t there come a day when they’ll acknowledge you?”
He was being sincere.
“I seem to be already doing that.”
“After all, it’s easier to obtain the heart of a woman than to steal the heart of a person devoted to their lord. They have to overcome the stigma of being a traitor who has abandoned loyalty, and you also need to give them a good reason to.”
“A reason…”
Lecan slowly mulled over the word.
‘Come to think of it, have I ever given her a reason?’
Leyesha had said that she could not serve a lord who wasn’t the best.
Lecan thought quietly and then said, “… It’s difficult to present a reason right now.”
“Why?”
“I shouldn’t speak publicly about it yet.”
“Well, then, could you at least give me a hint?”
“You look like you already know.”
Feeling frustrated with the few clues leading the conversation, the librarian straightened up.
“My lord, who on earth is this person that you’re so concerned about?”
“Ah, forget it.”
Lecan shook his head and sat down on the sofa. He reached for a cigar, then paused.
His mind flashed back to the image of Leyesha in the cave, casually snatching his cigar away from him and grinding it relentlessly on the floor.
The librarian, who had been preparing to light Lecan’s cigarette out of habit, looked puzzled. Lecan ended up not removing the cigar from his pocket, opting instead to adjust his clothes with his empty hands.
“By the way,” said the librarian. “Why does the Emperor just let the Empress Regent’s misdeeds slide? Contrary to appearances, is he actually a dutiful son? Given that he even bestows gifts upon Lord Benedict, it seems like the Emperor is quite magnanimous. Wasn’t it a significant incident this time? I was quite worried about it.”
“You should know that there’s no need to worry.”
“Why did you decide to join the hunting competition on such short notice? Was it, by any chance, influenced by your relationship with the Princess…?”
At those words, Lecan reached for his b****t pocket again—this time to search for the princess’s handkerchief, but it was nowhere to be found. Even when he changed clothes, the servants had always put his things back in their original place. That meant it was gone. His last memory of it was wiping it on Leyesha’s forehead because he was concerned about her fever.
‘Where could that handkerchief be?’
“As for my relationship with the Princess…we only shared a meal.”
“Now that gap has been exposed, perhaps we can weaken His Majesty the Emperor’s power.”
“Life is full of accidents. No need to exploit other weaknesses too.”
“My Lord, the reformists’ movements have been rather alarming as of late. If we stand idly by, our faction may be overwhelmed. We should take the initiative while the opponent is still weak. This is our opportunity to strike.”
“…”
Lecan thought of Leyesha, who continued to work tirelessly despite her exhaustion. She was probably overwhelmed with accumulated tasks, struggling to get proper sleep.
“We’ll let it pass this time.”
“Really? My Lord.”
“You heard me, so there’s no need for me to say it twice.”
“No, my Lord. Even if the Empress personally came to apologize and inquire about any injuries you sustained during her disastrous event, it wouldn’t be enough. According to official correspondence, there are reports of the appearance of a formidable Drakeshine monster in the northern region. Drakeshines are dangerous creatures that can pose a threat even to accomplished Sword Masters. Sending you to the unstable northern region without proper recovery time is a clear attempt to endanger your life.”
“…”
“If you stay at the outskirts and not return for several weeks, it’ll give them the opportunity to chip away at your army. They are eagerly waiting for the moment you leave the Capital, so that the reformists can plot something against you. My lord, are you listening? Naturally, you will refuse, won’t you?”
Lecan thought of his compromise with Leyesha.
“I’ll step back a bit on the matter regarding Benedict. Therefore, Your Excellency, please… make a slight concession.”
As soon as the official letter arrived, Lecan realized that this was the concession Leyesha mentioned at the time. She only asked for a slight concession and then forced him into a desperate situation—it was an unfair deal. All she had to do was give Benedict an honorary title without a salary or any meaningful influence.
Lecan didn’t think she’d be so eager to send him to the outskirts of the country for that. Although he had no intentions of making a big deal out of it, didn’t he just protect her from beasts in the woods? He even roasted some meat and fed her by hand.
“…I won’t refuse.”
