Episode 12

Episode 12. A Strange Rumor

For a while, the imperial palace buzzed with the commotion over the imperial concubine’s ring incident.

After all, it had gotten to the point where even the Empress’s quarters had to be searched, all because of Fay’s carelessness in misplacing her belongings.

“What do you think will happen to Her Highness the imperial concubine?”

“Who knows. It doesn’t seem like His Majesty has said anything definitive yet.”

The gathered maids whispered among themselves in hushed tones, voices tinged with unease.

“No way… he’s not just going to let it slide, is he?”

“That can’t be. Because of her, even Her Majesty the Empress was affected!” One maid clenched her fists in frustration.

“Still… there’s a chance it might just be swept under the rug,” Countess Chloe spoke in a calm, composed voice. “It’s hard to pin all the blame solely on Her Highness. There’s that whole business with the crow to remember.”

She was right. Countess Chloe had hit the mark.

Honestly, it was what I expected to happen. Ever since I had suggested the story about the crow, I knew it wouldn’t be easy to pin everything entirely on Fay.

But I didn’t mind.

What I wanted most was to avoid any unnecessary suspicion falling on me. I wasn’t interested in committing any more villainous acts.

Well, even if it was Fay’s fault, she wouldn’t be punished anyway.

She had the strongest supporter of all. As long as the Emperor continued to protect her, getting Fay back for her attempt to get me in trouble would be next to impossible.

Still, that didn’t mean I intended to let things slide. I wasn’t about to sit back and do nothing. Being a proper villainess was harder than expected. I let out a long sigh.

I really just needed to get out of this palace as soon as possible. Isn’t there a saying—if you don’t like someone, it’s you who should leave?

“But what really shocked me the most was something else entirely,” a maid spoke with barely contained excitement. “Who would’ve thought that Sir Leonard would give Her Majesty a ring as a gift?”

“Right? And it was identical to the one the imperial concubine had!”

Their expressions were full of amazement, as if they couldn’t believe such a thing could happen. Then they looked at me and said, “You must’ve been so surprised, Your Majesty.”

“Ah… yes. It certainly was surprising.”

No, actually. It wasn’t surprising at all, because I had asked him to do it. And, what’s more, the box you all saw? It didn’t even contain a ring.

But of course, that was a secret I couldn’t reveal to them.

Unaware of my thoughts, the maids’ imaginations started running wild.

“He’s been visiting Her Majesty’s chambers lately, too,” one maid’s eyes sparkled as she spoke.

“I think Sir Leonard might have feelings for Her Majesty.”

“Oh! So I wasn’t the only one thinking that?”

“I mean, giving someone a ring has to mean something, doesn’t it?”

“Absolutely not,” I cut in firmly. Let’s not entertain such dangerous speculation. “Besides, Sir Leonard isn’t the kind of person to show interest in others, especially not women.”

“But he’s never given a ring to a woman before.”

No, ladies. That ring wasn’t meant to mean anything special! I asked him to do it!

“He just said he wanted to thank me for lending him a book,” I gave a casual laugh and brushed it off.

Honestly, this wasn’t the first time I’d gotten this kind of reaction. It wasn’t just the maids. Ever since Leonard started coming to my chambers, many people in the palace had become suspicious about the nature of our relationship.

Naturally, I told them we weren’t involved in any way. But no matter how firmly I denied it, they refused to believe me. The truth wasn’t as interesting as speculation.

Just then, with impeccable timing—

“Your Majesty!” The door burst open and Mary came rushing in with a bright expression. “Sir Leonard is here to see you!”

Meanwhile…

Fay was in her chambers, showing Jerome a dress she had painstakingly chosen.

“So, Your Majesty, I was thinking of wearing this dress to the upcoming banquet. What do you think?”

Jerome tapped his finger on the table before replying.

“…I don’t like it.”

“Oh… You don’t like it, Your Majesty?” Fay’s shoulders drooped as she fiddled with the hem of her dress. She had summoned numerous tailors and had it altered several times to get it just right, so his lukewarm reaction stung. “Then… would you come with me to pick one out?”

“…Were we always that close?”

His strange muttering made Fay call to him again.

“Your Majesty?”

Jerome finally turned his head.

“My apologies. My mind was elsewhere. What did you say again?”

Fay answered with measured clarity.

“I said I need a dress.”

“Buy whatever you like.”

His curt response made Fay lean in closer.

“Together.”

“Excuse me?”

“Would you come with me?”

Her voice was full of hope, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. Her pitiful expression was enough to tug at anyone’s heart.

“Alright. Fine.”

But Fay pressed her lips tightly together, clearly dissatisfied with his answer. Jerome didn’t volunteer anything else.

“Is it that…” She spoke hesitantly. “Are you still angry about the ring incident?”

Jerome became more taciturn, if it were possible.

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I should have been more careful with my belongings.”

When he still didn’t respond, Fay’s voice started to tremble.

“But—but you know, don’t you? You know it was the crow who took it!”

“Pfft.” Jerome suddenly laughed. “Do you really believe it was the crow?”

“Huh?” Fay blinked, startled and confused.

“No. Never mind,” He smiled faintly. “As if I could be angry with you.” With that, he reached out and gently tucked her hair behind her ear.

“Do you still love me?”

“Of course,” He nodded lightly, then turned to look out the window.

At that exact moment, Fay’s expression became as cold as ice.

Jerome never saw it.

Why is he in my chambers again?

I stared across the table at Leonard. At some point, he had become a regular presence here. He always had the same excuse: the tea in the Empress’s palace tasted the best.

I narrowed my eyes at him.

“How much longer are you going to keep showing up just to drink tea?”

“Who knows? I think I’ve become the kind of man who needs tea from your rooms to survive,” Leonard replied smoothly. “Ah, but did you try the gift I gave you before?”

He wasn’t talking about the ring. He meant the real gift.

The real gift had been perfume.

“Yes. It has a truly wonderful scent.”

It wasn’t just flattery. I genuinely liked it.

Even the maids had asked where I’d gotten such a thing.

“I’m glad you liked it.”

“Between the ring and the perfume, your family really is full of talented people. They must make excellent products.”

At that, Leonard responded with a firm voice:

“Actually, no.”

“What?”

“It wasn’t made by anyone in my family. That perfume…” He gave a charming smile and added, “I made it myself.”

What?

“It’s the only one of its kind in the world.”

The only one?

“A fragrance made solely for Your Majesty. There’s not another like it in existence.”

I was stunned.

A one-of-a-kind perfume?

“Only you will ever have that scent. No one else will share it.”

His voice was honeyed, the words seductive in their exclusivity and intimacy.

Dangerous.

This was getting dangerous.

It was time to draw a line.

“…Perhaps it’s time you stopped visiting me like this.”

“And why is that?”

“There are strange rumors going around.”

“Strange rumors?” Leonard raised a brow.

“People are saying… things about our relationship,” I barely managed to mumble the rest. “…That it’s… suspicious.”

Everyone was convinced we were involved! I had been bombarded with questions just this morning.

I let out a deep sigh.

“I doubt you want to be caught up in rumors with someone like me. So I’d appreciate it if you’d refrain from visiting so often.”

“Do you really think I’d mind?”

“Being associated with someone known for terrible deeds? Of course you would.”

“Hmm…”

Leonard tilted his head slightly, his jet-black hair slipping over his shoulder.

Then he looked at me intently and spoke.

“I don’t mind at all.”

“…!”

My eyes widened in shock.

His deep blue eyes locked onto mine, studying every nuance of my expression.

His lips curved into an enticing smile.

“In fact, I wouldn’t mind turning those rumors… into reality.”

Back then, I had no idea—

—what kind of storm his words would bring.