Episode 31

Episode 31. Who Said I Was Going to Eat You Alive?

“Where exactly has His Majesty gone off to this time?” I asked, and the aide gave me a troubled look.

“I believe he left the palace early this morning for an urgent matter.”

“He wasn’t around yesterday, the day before, or the day before that either.”

Yesterday, he’d supposedly left to inspect drought damage. The day before, he’d gone to observe the stars. And the day before that, he’d met with rising noble families.

That’s right. Every time I tried to find Jerome, he wasn’t there.

“Are you sure you’ve properly conveyed that I’m looking for him?”

“Yes, I delivered the message without fail.”

“And yet he conveniently vanishes every time?”

Meanwhile, Fay always seems to be with him.

“M-my apologies.”

“It’s not your fault. Just make sure to tell him again—clearly. That I sincerely wish to see him.”

“I’ll be sure to do so.”

With that, I left the Emperor’s office. Once I’d put some distance between us, I turned to Countess Chloe, who was following behind me.

“Is it true he hasn’t actually left the capital?”

“Yes,” she replied with a firm nod. “I confirmed it through a reliable source.”

“So he really is avoiding me.”

A sigh escaped me. Ever since my father, the Duke of Hastings, visited, the Emperor had refused to meet with me—blatantly, almost ridiculously so.

At first, it was because the imperial concubine was unwell.

After that, the excuses piled up.

“Why is he avoiding me?”

No matter how I looked at it, I couldn’t figure out why Jerome was doing this. This was the same man who used to pop up uninvited and scare the life out of me.

Whatever the reason, it was clear he didn’t want to see me.

But I’m not the type to back down so easily.

Even if he didn’t want to see me, I had to see him.

“If I can’t meet him in person, I’ll try another way.”

Once back at the Empress’s palace, I sat down and began to write a letter.

Your Majesty, what a lovely day it is. Wouldn’t it be nice to share a cup of tea and some light conversation on such a fine day?

Oh my, look at that handwriting. Even I had to admire it.

Before I became Helena, I couldn’t even read my own scrawl; now, anyone would think I was trained in calligraphy.

“Perfect. This one’ll do.”

From among the drafts I’d written, I chose the most pleasant one and sealed it in an envelope.
I deliberately left out anything about my father. Even though it was unlikely anyone would dare peek at the Empress’s correspondence, there was no harm in being cautious.

After all, Helena’s “allies” were all people her father had placed around her.

If word got out that I’d told Jerome about him…

That would be dangerous.

It was better to talk face-to-face in secret.

After stamping the letter with my seal, I handed it to a nearby maid.

Now I just wait for a reply.

There’s something romantic about waiting like this, isn’t there?

But my dreamy musing didn’t last long. The maid soon returned with an answer.

So quickly? I was honestly a little surprised.

Maybe he wasn’t as rude as the original novel made him out to be?

I unfolded the letter with that tiny hope in mind.

Thank you for the suggestion, but I’m busy.

“…?”

I flipped it over—maybe there was something written on the back?

Nothing.

That one short line was the entire reply.

The height of apathy. His crisp handwriting practically echoed with cold indifference.

It’s fine.

I hadn’t expected him to be delighted by my letter anyway.

I immediately got to work on a second note.

I understand you’re busy. But could you spare just a moment? There’s something I truly need to tell you.

I really did want to talk to him about my father.

Even just a little time is enough. Please let me know when you’re free—I’ll wait for your reply.

I’ll work around your schedule. I promise I won’t be a bother.

His reply came back quickly once again.

I’m busy.

“…Hmph.”

I turned the letter over. Checked the envelope, too. But that was it—just those same three words.

I’m busy.

Okay then! That’s fine!

At least he was still replying, right? I couldn’t let this discourage me. My life was at stake here.

Your schedule must be quite demanding. I hope you’re taking care not to overwork yourself.

Start with empathy and concern, right?

The Empress’s palace recently received a new herbal tea that’s said to relieve fatigue. Would you care to try it with me?

You need to rest too, you know. Work isn’t everything.

“Your Majesty, a response has arrived.”

“Already?”

“Yes.”

His replies sure were prompt.

Honestly… are you really busy?

I opened the letter with suspicion—and then I saw it.

No.

That was all. Just one word. So that’s how it is. You just plain don’t like me.

Ugh. Why did I even look? I crumpled the letter and—wanted to throw it—but held myself back.

“Why is he avoiding me like this? I’m not going to eat you alive!”

He’s the one who used to come find me, remember? But now he won’t even see me?

So it’s fine when he shows up unannounced, but I can’t visit?

This didn’t make any sense.

The usual pattern in stories like this is that I’m the one avoiding the Emperor because I know he’ll eventually kill me. I mean, who’d want to hang around the guy fated to kill them?

Yet here I was, practically chasing him down.

I give up. This is ridiculous.

I’d tried everything. I had reached my limit.

I stood abruptly and called for Countess Chloe.

“Countess Chloe.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Please prepare for an outing. I need to meet with His Majesty.”

“…?”

Huh?

Normally she would’ve agreed at once, but this time she hesitated.

“Countess Chloe?”

“Your Majesty… I think it would be best not to visit His Majesty right now.”

Don’t go see him?

This wasn’t like her. Usually, she was the one trying to push me toward spending more time with him.

“Has something happened?”

“There are unsettling rumors coming from the imperial concubine’s palace.”

That meant Fay’s residence.

“Was there another intruder?”

“It doesn’t appear to be that kind of situation.”

“Then what?”

She leaned in and whispered quietly.

What she said shocked me.

“Poison?”

My eyes widened.

“Are you saying the imperial concubine was poisoned?”

“Yes. Apparently, a deadly toxin was found in the new tea she received. Fortunately, she didn’t drink much, so her life isn’t in danger, but…”

Was that why she’d been sick a few days ago?

Fay was poisoned?

That happened in the original novel, too—
—but it was supposed to occur much later in the story.

And worst of all, the one behind it was—

Me?!

Of course, I never used any poison. I’d been avoiding any “villainous” behavior, and I certainly didn’t want to get involved with Fay.

So who did it?

I had a bad feeling about this.

I have to meet Jerome.

Right now. I had to see the male lead, no matter what.

“Countess Chloe, please get ready for our departure.”

“Your Majesty, but…”

“I understand. He probably won’t have time for me right now. But even so, I must see him.”

“Very well. I’ll make the arrangements.”

The maids moved quickly to prepare.

But before we could leave the palace, a group arrived at the Empress’s residence.

“Your Majesty.”

At the front stood a white-haired knight who bowed respectfully.

“Gabian, at your service.”

It was Gabian, the commander of the Imperial Guard.

“Sir Gabian.” I nodded in greeting and looked over the knights behind him.

All were fully armored and grim-faced.

The atmosphere felt tense—something was definitely wrong.

“You look rather serious. What brings you here?”

At my question, Gabian replied with a somber look.

“Her Highness the imperial concubine has collapsed.”

“I heard the news just now. How is she?”

“She was in poor condition initially, but her condition has stabilized.”

“That’s a relief.”

I meant it. I was genuinely glad Fay was safe. I’d once been a fan of hers, after all—when she was still the main character I knew.

Even if she was different now.

“But what does that have to do with all of you visiting here?”

“I’m afraid there is a connection.”

My heart thudded. Something was wrong.

“May I ask what it is?”

“During our investigation into the source of the poisoning, we discovered a suspicious individual.”

“And who would that be?”

“Roizen.”

The name was familiar.

“A maid from the Empress’s palace.”

“……!”