Episode 26

Episode 26. I Fell for Her. At First Sight.

“Aaaaaaah!”

With a panicked scream, the bandit wearing an eye patch collapsed backward—it was Coleman.

He was also the last surviving member of the Coleman bandit gang.

Just moments ago, the bandits had charged forward with confidence, but now all of them lay defeated, leaving only one behind.

They were never a match to begin with.

“W-With skills like that, why would you…”

“Why would I work with the likes of you?”

The man in the golden mask spoke in a chilling voice.

“Just as every job calls for the right tools, dirty work calls for dirty blades.”

“I did everything you asked!”

“Yes. But you also did something you were told not to.”

“The woman? She just got a little rope burn! If she’s that precious, you should’ve kept her from meeting other men in the first place!”

“That woman?”

The killing intent emanating from the golden mask grew thicker.

Overwhelmed by the pressure, Coleman shouted in desperation.

“Alright! I take it back, I take it back! The lady! That lovely noble lady! The most precious person in the world!”

To his shock, the overwhelming bloodlust actually receded.

What kind of lunatic is this…? Coleman swallowed hard.

“You’re right. I should do the math properly. Let’s see… you’re the last one, which makes twenty-three. It’s not enough, but I suppose it’ll have to do.”

“P-Please! Spare me!” Coleman fell to his knees and begged. “I’ll do anything you want! Just let me live!”

“Why should I?”

The golden-masked man raised his sword again. It gleamed blue, still wet with blood.

“N-Noooo!”

Just then—

“That’s enough.”

A deep, alluring voice rang out, and a striking man stepped into view.

It was Leonard.

The masked man’s killing intent wavered the moment he saw him. The two men in black masks who stood beside him quickly moved to block Leonard’s path, adopting a defensive stance.

“Stand down,” said the man in the golden mask calmly. “I have something to say to him. You two, leave us.”

“But…”

“Sir…”

“I said, stand down.”

He was firm.

The masked subordinates hesitated, but eventually turned away and vanished.

At some point, Coleman had also slipped away.

Left alone with the golden-masked man, Leonard turned his gaze to the burned-out cabin behind them.

The flames that had devoured every memory tied to his brother now spat nothing but dark ash.

After a moment, Leonard turned toward the golden mask.

“Was it because I was with Her Majesty?”

“…”

“Or was there another reason?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Even after seeing this?”

With that, Leonard tossed something to the man’s feet.

A long rod rolled across the ground.

“Not just an ordinary poison dart, is it? My body’s resistant to most toxins, yet…”

It was the weapon that had been used to launch a poisoned needle at him.

“If you went so far as to use something like this, surely there was something important you wanted to say.”

“Who knows…”

The masked man gave a cold smirk.

“I just wanted to give you a warning.”

He tilted his head slightly.

“Stop disrupting the order of the imperial court.”

“There seems to be a misunderstanding. I’ve never disrupted anything.”

“Tch.” The golden mask clicked his tongue. “Shameless. I overlooked your joke about becoming the Empress’s lover, and now this? Sneaking around behind the scenes?”

“I never meant to keep it secret.” Leonard shrugged. “In fact, I wish our relationship were more open.”

“…What did you say?”

“Of course, I don’t want to put Her Majesty in a difficult position. That’s why I’ve been holding back.”

“And this is what you call holding back? Do you think the imperial court is a playground?”

“If you care about her that much, why have you done nothing until now?”

“I’ve never left her unattended. On the contrary…”

He paused for a breath.

“On the contrary, aren’t you the one trying to use her?”

“…!”

“Don’t think I haven’t seen through your black heart.”

“I’m not using her.”

“No need to deny it. I already know everything.”

He spoke definitively, but Leonard didn’t back down.

“I’m serious.”

His eyes curved into a faint smile.

“I fell for her. At first sight.”

There wasn’t a trace of hesitation in his voice.

“You may not believe me, but it’s true—I fell for her.”

“You bastard…”

The golden eyes behind the mask blazed violently, an unfiltered killing intent radiating from his body. If Leonard said even one more word, he might really be cut down.

And yet—

“Frankly, I’m the one who’s confused.”

Leonard didn’t stop.

“You already have another woman at your side… so why are you so concerned about Her Majesty?”

His red lips curved in a sly arc.

“Your Majesty.”

At that final word, the golden eyes behind the mask burned with savage fury.

After returning from my outing with Leonard, I was immediately surrounded by my ladies-in-waiting.

“Oh my, so this ring really is a gift from Sir Leonard?!”

The maids stared at the ring with sparkling eyes.

“How can something be so extravagant and elegant at the same time…? I’ve never seen such a luminous jewel.”

“As expected of the Hilbert family.”

“Even this navy-blue gemstone… it has a hint of violet depending on the angle…”

Then their eyes shifted to me all at once.

“It resembles Your Majesty’s eyes.”

“Wait, could he have chosen it on purpose?”

“No way,” I said flatly.

True, the subtle violet glow from certain angles was mesmerizing. But it couldn’t possibly be intentional.

No way. Not from Leonard.

He was someone who rarely opened up, who only acted based on logic and reason.

No way he’d choose something with such sentiment behind it…

Would he…?

If this were the original story, sure. But the Leonard I’ve gotten to know…

Ugh, I don’t know anymore.

“So, how was the date?”

“Did Sir Leonard show you something amazing?”

Something amazing…

“Yes. It was wonderful. A place I could’ve never imagined.”

Yes—it truly was.

A cabin filled with memories of his brother. At first I was thrown off, but it turned out to be a strangely meaningful experience.

I was glad I’d followed him.

Just then, Mary spoke as if she’d just remembered something.

“Ah! While you were out, His Majesty the Emperor came to visit.”

Jerome?

“Why?”

“He didn’t say… but…”

“We explained things well, so you don’t need to worry.”

“That’s right! We handled it perfectly!”

Mary and the others exchanged knowing looks.

“…?”

Was it just me, or were they acting suspicious?

But the thought didn’t last long.

They’re capable attendants—I’m sure they handled it just fine.

“Treatment is finished.”

Right on time, Countess Chloe announced the news.

She had been tending to the abrasion on my wrist—left by the rope when Leonard and I were tied to that tree.

She spoke gently, concern in her voice.

“How did you come by such a wound?”

“Oh, I must’ve scratched myself somewhere.”

I smiled like it was no big deal. No point worrying the maids with talk of bandits.

“Should I throw this away?”

Countess Chloe held up a piece of cloth.

“Ah.”

The blood-stained fabric.

To be precise, a piece torn from Leonard’s clothing—used to stop my bleeding.

“No, don’t throw it away. I’d like to keep it.”

“Understood. Here you are.”

“Thank you.”

I took the fabric from her hand.

The last time I saw him was in front of the carriage…

Leonard came to mind.

Was he okay?

Of course he was. It was Leonard, after all.

One of the most powerful men in the empire.

Still, I couldn’t help feeling uneasy ever since I’d left him alone.

The maids had told me he returned safely—but even so, I should visit him.

I had to thank him for the ring, too.

Ah! And there was someone else I needed to thank.

The one in the robe, who had appeared at such a dangerous moment.

I almost forgot about him.

“I should really go see him.”

Just as I stood up—

“Your Majesty!”

Mary beamed at me brightly.

“The mage is here!”