Episode 39

Episode 39. How About Taking a Lover?

Because I’d been unconscious for so long, a mountain of work had piled up. There were stacks of documents to review, not to mention all the appointments that had been pushed back. Today was the day of the tea party I’d arranged for the noble ladies.

It was being held in the Empress’s palace garden, overflowing with the scent of flowers.

“It’s been far too long since we last saw you, Your Majesty.”

“We heard you’d been terribly unwell. Are you feeling better now?”

The noblewomen greeted me with concern.

“Thanks to all of your worries, I’m perfectly fine now.”

I answered with a smile.

“When we heard about the trial being held so suddenly, we were all terribly worried for Your Majesty.”

“Of course, none of us ever doubted for a second that you could not have done something so terrible.”

“Goodness, that’s right. How could someone as angelic as Her Majesty do such a thing?”

“…”

So this is the power of authority, huh?

They showered me with sweet words, desperate to please me.

Angel? Really?

Given all the terrible things Helena had done before, it wasn’t exactly something I could take at face value.

Their flattery was so over-the-top it was almost nauseating.

“Still, it’s such a relief that it all worked out well, Your Majesty.”

“…Indeed.”

I nodded halfheartedly.

Worked out well?

Not for me. My most important plan had gone completely off the rails.

I’d been planning to use that trial as grounds for divorce.

The memory of that day flashed through my mind. Jerome, tearing my divorce petition to shreds without a second thought.

Ugh. Just thinking about it makes me mad again.

Why wouldn’t he let me divorce him? I genuinely couldn’t understand it.

I’d even tried going back to him several more times.

But Jerome’s answer was always the same.

Or more accurately, he showed me exactly how he felt.

Riiip— Riiip—

Honestly. He wasn’t a paper shredder!

Every divorce petition that ended up in his hands was ripped to pieces without hesitation.

He still hadn’t given me a clear reason.

Was he really refusing just because he felt like it?

I couldn’t help but sigh.

“Your Majesty, is something wrong? You don’t look well.”

One of the noblewomen asked, sounding worried when she noticed my dark expression.

I shook my head.

“It’s nothing. I just have a lot on my mind.”

“Um, Your Majesty…”

A cautious voice called for me.

“What is it?”

I looked up and saw one of them hesitantly asking:

“Is Her Highness the Imperial Concubine not joining us today?”

“Ah.”

I glanced at the empty seat across from mine—the second most prominent spot after mine, reserved for Fay.

“She said she’s still not well enough to come.”

“Oh my, so she’s still not fully recovered.”

Honestly, I wasn’t sure myself.

The maids had said she was mostly better.

Maybe she had lingering side effects or something.

After that, the noblewomen chatted about all kinds of things—from the latest salon trends to scandalous rumors about various noble families.

They really were social butterflies.

But my attention was elsewhere.

I lowered my gaze to the desserts spread out on the table.

Today’s selection was extra special.

Strawberry tart, strawberry pudding…

A veritable strawberry paradise.

I’d put in a special order with the palace chef.

This is the one true perk of being Empress.

Of course, I wasn’t about to stay Empress just for this.

I lifted a big bite of strawberry cake with my fork.

Mmm. It just melts in your mouth.

As I savored my dessert, someone’s careful question broke the peace.

“Your Majesty, what about you?”

“Huh?”

What was that about?

I’d been too absorbed in my cake to follow the conversation.

“Please feel free to speak openly, Your Majesty.”

A voice trying to coax me gently.

“This is the kind of thing women can’t discuss anywhere else.”

“We’re all on your side, Your Majesty.”

“That’s right. And strictly speaking, His Majesty was the one who brought in a concubine first—not a lover, but still…”

The lady speaking trailed off, realizing her slip.

“Hohoho, I think you’re very tired today, dear.”

Another lady threw her a sidelong glare for being so tactless.

“I’m so sorry, Your Majesty. I must be exhausted—I didn’t mean to say that.”

“It’s fine.”

Because it’s true.

“Anyway, wouldn’t it be good for Your Majesty to take a lover as well?”

The conversation resumed, trying to recover from the awkward moment.

Of course, there were some who disagreed.

“But wouldn’t there be a lot of gossip if Her Majesty took a lover?”

“Why? What’s wrong with having one?”

“The public would frown upon it.”

“There’s not a single emperor or empress in history without lovers.”

“True, but officially it was always the emperor. Most empresses’ lovers didn’t even get their names in the histories.”

A sharp point, but it didn’t stop the chatter.

“Your Majesty could be the first to do it openly.”

“Yes, that’s what I think too.”

“Shall we help shortlist some candidates? We’re on your side, after all.”

“Interesting idea.”

With or without my input, the conversation naturally shifted to picking my lover.

“He should come from a good family. Ideally one with a long lineage and an impeccable title.”

“Family is important, sure, but looks matter most in a lover, don’t they?”

“Of course. A lover is really like a jewel or ornament. Some even take beautiful slaves as lovers.”

“But looks aren’t everything, are they?”

“Oh? Then what is?”

They chattered on candidly.

“Fufufu, ladies, you’re forgetting something.”

One of them spoke in a delighted tone.

“We already have a perfect candidate, don’t we? Family, looks, personality—he has it all.”

“Ah, you mean him.”

“Yes, if it’s him…”

They all nodded in agreement.

Hm? Who are they talking about?

I tilted my head.

“Didn’t he even propose once to Her Majesty? If I recall correctly…”

Ah. That person.

The one who’d boldly offered to be my lover at Jerome’s birthday banquet in front of everyone.

He did have the perfect pedigree and stunning looks.

Though… I’m not so sure about the personality part.

Don’t be fooled, everyone! He turns into a total nightmare later on!

Normally I would have thought that.

But now… I wasn’t sure.

He’d shown me such a different side lately that my old assumptions were starting to waver.

Still. A lover? That’s completely off the table for me.

Because…

I’m planning to give up the Empress’s position.

I’d just tried to hand in divorce papers a few days ago!

It was about time I put my foot down.

Thanks for worrying about me, everyone, but I’m not interested.

I opened my mouth to say so.

“Your Majesty.”

A deep, smooth voice cut in suddenly.

Everyone turned to look—and their eyes went wide.

Black hair as dark as night, impossibly handsome features that could steal any woman’s heart.

“So this is where you were.”

“…Sir Leonard?”

He smiled at me.

A smile so beautiful it felt dangerous to my heart.

I was speechless for a moment.

What… are you doing here?

As if reading my mind, someone asked him.

“Sir Leonard, what brings you here?”

It wasn’t just her. The whole group, except for me, was brimming with curiosity.

Leonard approached my side, gathering all their attention.

He gave an elegant bow.

“Allow me to introduce myself properly.”

He spoke in a smooth, formal voice.

“As of today, I will be serving as Her Majesty’s personal guard. I am Leonard Hilbert.”

Meanwhile, in the Imperial Concubine’s Palace.

“By now… the tea party must be in full swing, right?”

Fay murmured as she gazed out the window.

One of her maids watched her with concern.

“Your Highness. It’s not too late. Why don’t you hurry and get ready?”

“No.”

Fay shook her head firmly.

“Even if I went, there wouldn’t be many people happy to see me. I’d just ruin the mood.”

Her shoulders slumped as she said it.

With her long lashes lowered in resignation, she looked heartbreakingly forlorn.

Our poor Imperial Concubine.

The maid sent her a sympathetic look.

Just then, another maid rushed in with urgent steps.

“Your Highness! His Majesty is here!”

“His Majesty?”

At those words, Fay’s expression lit up.

“Quickly, tell him to come in.”

She hastily checked herself in the mirror, smoothing her hair and straightening her dress.

Jerome soon entered the room and asked after her.

“How are you feeling?”

“I think I’m all better now.”

She answered with a gentle smile.

“If you feel any discomfort, call the physician immediately.”

“I will.”

She nodded, then looked at him with worry.

“How is Her Majesty…?”

“The Empress?”

Jerome raised an eyebrow as if the question surprised him.

“Why do you ask about her?”

“Because I’m worried, of course.”

Fay clasped her hands tightly.

“I heard she woke up a few days after I did. And she’s even hosting a tea party today. I just hope she’s not overexerting herself.”

“…”

“I was so shocked when I heard she’d been poisoned with the same toxin as me.”

Her voice trembled.

“I’m still terrified. Who could do something so horrible…”

Her eyes filled with tears, threatening to spill over at any moment.

Jerome spoke calmly.

“There’s no need to worry. We’re investigating, and we’ll find out soon enough.”

“Yes. Please make sure you do, Your Majesty. But don’t overdo it.”

“I won’t.”

He gave her a small nod.

But the moment his gaze left her—

The sweet smile faded completely from Fay’s face.

Just how… did the Empress get her hands on that poison?