Episode 44

Chapter 44. His Majesty’s Interest Lies Only with Her

“You wish to learn horseback riding?” Leonard asked, sounding slightly surprised. I nodded.

“Yes. The imperial hunt is coming up, and there will probably be other occasions I’ll need to ride…”

I leaned in a little closer. He stiffened, startled by my unexpected approach. I lowered my voice to a whisper in his ear.

“Truth is… I’m not very good at it.”

“If Your Majesty the Empress wishes to learn, it’s an honor for me, of course. Still, you collapsed not long ago. Isn’t this too much?”

“I’ll be fine. It’s important enough to justify it.”

Leonard met my eyes for a moment before nodding.

It was good that I arranged to learn from Leonard—but actually riding a horse turned out to be another matter entirely.

‘This is way harder than I thought.’

A few days later, once I was on horseback, a pang of regret hit me.

“You need to balance more, Your Majesty.”

Leonard’s voice carried over calmly.

“Keep your back straighter and try to match the horse’s breathing.”

“L-Like this?”

“Don’t try to force the horse to obey you; think of matching yourself to its rhythm.”

I understood the explanation, but my body refused to cooperate. Sitting on a horse was anything but comfortable. My legs ached as if the muscles were tearing, and even my hips hurt from being in the saddle so long.

Leonard watched me in silence before speaking with mild exasperation.

“It seems there’s a limit to what words can convey.”

Exactly!

I felt the same frustration. Maybe if he demonstrated on another horse next to me, I could watch and copy him? That seemed more doable. I was about to suggest it when—

“Excuse me for a moment.”

“…!”

Without waiting for permission, Leonard climbed up behind me.

“It’s faster to show you directly.”

“Wha—?”

Leonard tilted his head, puzzled by my reaction.

“Is this approach not acceptable?”

His deep blue eyes were so clear, so devoid of ulterior motive that they looked almost innocent.

‘That’s not the problem!’

I had a thousand retorts ready but couldn’t speak any of them, shaking my head silently instead.

“Are you uncomfortable anywhere?”

Uncomfortable?

His question made me painfully aware of how close we were. I could feel the hard planes of his torso against my back, and his warmth seeped through my clothes.

‘Stop thinking about it.’

This was supposed to be a riding lesson. Leonard’s expression was serious; he clearly intended nothing improper. I gripped the reins tighter.

“No. I’m perfectly comfortable.”

“Then allow me to hold the reins with you.”

He drew even closer, his arm brushing against mine as his hand settled on the reins beside my own—thankfully not on top of it. Yet the moment he took hold, his strong arms closed around me completely.

As he guided the horse, I tried to stare rigidly ahead, willing myself to clear my mind of any wandering thoughts.

Time passed like that, and I felt I was finally getting used to riding. I managed a few cautious laps at a slightly faster pace, even reaching out to stroke the horse’s mane with satisfaction.

I turned to Leonard with a proud smile.

“I think I’m actually getting good at this now, don’t you?”

At that moment, the horse, startled by something like an insect, reared sharply. My body pitched backwards, balance lost.

“…!”

Oh no—I’m going to fall!

I squeezed my eyes shut in terror—only to feel strong arms catch me before I could hit the ground. His solid warmth enveloped me.

Leonard’s calm, resonant voice sounded at my ear.

“You let your guard down, Your Majesty.”

Helena was about to fall from the horse. Meanwhile, Fay walked at a slightly hurried pace.

‘How long has it been?’

She was excited at the prospect of finally spending time alone with Jerome again. Sensing her mood, the ladies-in-waiting commented.

“Your Highness the Imperial Concubine, you seem happy today.”

“His Majesty has been so busy lately that you’ve hardly seen him. How could you not be happy?”

Fay’s face lit with a bright smile.

The attendants all nodded, adding in agreement.

“Indeed. He’s been exceptionally busy.”

“They say the drought is quite serious.”

While they talked, one maid clapped as if remembering something.

“Your Highness, have you heard the rumors?”

“What?”

She lowered her voice after checking no one else was nearby.

“About Her Majesty the Empress.”

“Ah… yes, I’ve heard them, though not in detail.”

“I understand the gossip is very unkind—really quite nasty.”

“Yes. Isn’t it better for us, though?”

They were unambiguously on Fay’s side.

“Is it really that serious?” Fay asked, her voice tinged with doubt.

“You don’t know the half of it. The mood is worse than you’d think.”

“Still, I heard His Majesty ordered anyone spreading rumors to be severely punished…”

At that, Fay’s steps abruptly halted.

‘Jerome did that?’

She kept her face carefully neutral.

“So His Majesty defended Her Majesty the Empress?”

Her voice trembled slightly despite her effort to control it.

The maids waved their hands dismissively.

“No, not exactly. He’s just stopping the rumors themselves.”

“It’s all about appearances. Everyone knows His Majesty has no interest in anyone but you, Your Highness.”

Fay’s gaze dropped.

“I see…”

At that moment—

“Ah, His Majesty is over there!”

One of the maids spoke in an excited whisper. The others urged Fay forward with their eyes.

She turned toward the direction they indicated. Just the sight of him set her heart racing. Almost running, she hurried toward Jerome, her voice filled with longing.

“Your Majesty!”

Yet contrary to her hopes, Jerome didn’t answer. He didn’t even glance at her, his lips pressed into a hard line.

‘Didn’t he hear me?’

She’d called loud enough. Looking closer, she noticed his brow furrowed as if displeased.

‘What’s he looking at?’

Her gaze followed his.

‘Ah… so that’s it.’

It was obvious what held his attention.

Across the grounds, two people shared a horse. The woman in front looked tense and awkward, while the man behind her guided the animal with an easy smile.

A bitter feeling twisted in Fay’s chest. Her radiant smile stiffened into something brittle.

She reached for Jerome’s arm, gripping it with sudden urgency.

“Your Majesty.”

Jerome finally turned to look at her.

“Ah, I didn’t see you coming. When did you arrive?”

“Just now. What were you watching so intently?”

She knew perfectly well what it was, but asked anyway.

Jerome’s expression soured as he recalled the sight.

He shook his head.

“…It’s nothing.”

Liar.

She could tell instantly he wasn’t being honest.

How could she not recognize the look in his eyes? She knew exactly what that gaze meant, even without hearing it.

His cold voice betrayed it as well.

Pushing her complicated emotions aside, Fay forced another topic.

“I heard you’ve had many headaches lately. Do you know how long it’s been since we last saw each other? How could you be so busy you didn’t even look for me once?”

She let her frustration show openly.

“Do you have any idea how much I missed you?”

“…I’m sorry.”

He answered shortly, then brushed past her with heavy steps.

“Come on. If you had any plans for today, tell me.”

“…”

Fay felt rooted to the spot, her feet leaden.

When she didn’t follow, Jerome turned back to call her.

“Imperial Concubine.”

“…Ah, yes.”

She snapped out of it at his voice and turned to go to him.

At that moment, the sharp neigh of a horse rang out behind them. Fay instinctively turned.

She saw a woman who had nearly fallen from a horse, now cradled securely in a man’s arms.

Fay’s eyes widened.

‘Did Jerome see that too?’

She glanced hurriedly at him.

Fortunately or unfortunately, Jerome was facing away, oblivious to the commotion.

He hadn’t heard it at all.

Fay bit her lip hard. Standing beside him again, she grabbed his arm once more.

“Your Majesty. Look over there.”

Now he would see it too: Helena nestled in Leonard’s strong arms after nearly falling from her horse.

Jerome turned his head, his eyes narrowing as he took in the sight.