Episode 6

Episode 6. “You’re All Being Deceived Right Now!”

Everything was dyed in a chilling crimson hue. Even the fountain that had once dazzled with gold and marble, and the beautiful garden filled with floral fragrance.

None of it registered anymore.

All because of one man. He stood far away, yet his presence was overwhelming.

Just moments ago, a life had vanished without fanfare. And yet, no one who witnessed it uttered so much as a whimper. Everyone stared blankly at the violence of the scene, as if under a spell.

The man at the center of all those gazes wore an expression of indifference.

He calmly pulled his sword from the chest of his enemy and shook off the blood.

As if brushing away an insect.

Gasp! The maids nearby inhaled sharply as one, bodies frozen.

Then, the man’s icy blue eyes—once looking down at his fallen foe—slowly shifted and connected to mine with what felt like an electric shock.

His eyes were both sorrowful and beautiful.

In that instant, a tremor ran through his gaze.

After a moment of looking at me, he sheathed his sword and began walking in my direction.

No—wait. He’s walking this way?!

Snapping back to my senses—

“Your Majesty the Empress,” no time, he was already standing before me. “I apologize for the delayed greeting.” His rich baritone rang out as he bowed. “Commander of the Imperial Knights, Leonard Hilbert, at your service.”

At the sound of that name, my eyes widened.

Leonard?

That Leonard Hilbert?

His name immediately flashed through my mind.

Why had I forgotten him?

Jerome wasn’t the only male lead in the novel. There were several others—and among them, Leonard was a name as prominent as, if not more than, the emperor himself.

— “He’s the one who subdued the Empire with swordsmanship alone. And his personality? So loyal, so polite…”

The friend who’d recommended the novel would rave every time Leonard appeared.

But it wasn’t just because he was handsome or a knight of extraordinary skill.

He’s…

Yes—Leonard Hilbert’s true identity was—

“Your Majesty?”

His voice snapped me from my thoughts. Leonard was looking at me with a puzzled expression. I must’ve been unconsciously frowning.

“Do you have something to say to me?”

“Ah—no, nothing at all. More importantly…” Avoiding his eyes, I changed the subject. “What exactly was that situation just now?”

Two people had seemingly dropped from the sky. I’d ended up with front-row seats to a fierce battle.

Well—more like a one-sided beatdown.

“We caught suspicious individuals trying to infiltrate the Imperial Concubine’s Palace.”

“Infiltrators? There?”

That was where the heroine, Fay, resided. Had anything like this happened in the original story? I thought hard, but nothing came to mind.

“That’s serious. Was anyone hurt?”

“Fortunately, there were no casualties.”

Following his words, my gaze drifted to the fountain. Shattered beyond repair, the invader’s limp body was sprawled across it. Leonard followed my gaze and sighed softly.

“Ah, that…” he said with a troubled tone.

“It would’ve been preferable if he’d surrendered quietly, but his resistance was… intense. I had no choice but to use force.”

Use force? That was more than force. It looked like he’d permanently neutralized the threat.

“Forgive me for exposing Your Majesty to such an unpleasant sight.” His voice was calm, solemn.

At another time, I might’ve just thought him a dutiful knight. But I knew. From the novel, I knew his true nature.

Then—

“Commander!” A desperate shout rang out.

At the entrance to the garden, knights caked in dust stood with hands on their hilts. Their expressions made it clear—something was wrong.

Leonard turned back to me and asked respectfully,

“Your Majesty. With your permission, may I take my leave?”

“Of course. Urgent matters come first.”

“Thank you.”

He gave a short nod of gratitude, then strode off, leading the knights. I watched him go with some trepidation.

I never expected to meet him here.

It had been a startling first encounter.

While I tried to collect myself, the maids came over.

“Your Majesty? Is something wrong?”

“Ah—no, it’s nothing.” I shook my head. “Let’s go back.”

But despite my words, I couldn’t take my eyes off his retreating figure.

“…Leonard.” I whispered his name, making a silent vow to myself.

Never.

I must never cross paths with that man again.

The next day—

“I heard good news on my way back!” Mary returned after stepping out to fetch tea. One maid tilted her head.

“Good news?”

“They say they caught all the culprits,” Mary continued.

“Oh, that’s a relief!” One maid exclaimed.

“How did they get in?” Someone else asked. 

“Apparently, they disguised themselves as food delivery merchants,” Mary answered obligingly.

“Good heavens!” The maids gasped.

“I don’t understand; the palace is heavily guarded. Even disguised, how did they slip in?” Countess Chloe asked calmly.

“There’s been a lot of traffic with the upcoming banquet. I guess they slipped through in the chaos.”

“Unbelievable. Who were they?”

“Well… that’s the strange part…”

“Why? What happened?” Another maid prodded.

“They tried to interrogate them—but shockingly, none of them had tongues.”

“What?!” This news seemed even scarier; they had been prepared ahead of the attack to keep them from talking. It seemed cold, calculated. “How is that even possible!”

“Since they can’t talk, it’s hard to figure out who sent them or why.” Mary scratched her head.

“I’m still scared. What if they’d gone to the Empress’s Palace instead of the Imperial Concubine’s?”

“Oh, no kidding. Thank goodness they didn’t.”

Like many other novels, it seemed someone jealous of the heroine had sent them. 

I used to feel sorry for the heroine always getting caught in dangerous situations. But not anymore. Not after seeing Fay’s two-faced behavior.

What was her deal?

The maids’ disjointed assessments of Fay—which didn’t match the original—also bothered me.

“Still…” Mary lowered her voice. “Wasn’t Sir Leonard amazing?”

“Oh, absolutely. I thought my heart would stop.”

“He’s even more impressive than the rumors. How did he defeat them so fast?”

The maids’ eyes sparkled as they gossiped.

“No wonder he’s so popular. Even among the noble ladies—no, the married women too!”

They started listing off his fanbase. Apparently, he received heaps of letters and gifts. Some even tried to scale the palace walls just to see him.

“But he never gives anyone the time of day.”

“He’s just so devoted to swordsmanship—so pure!”

“That’s what makes him so charming. He’s the ideal knight!”

Yes… his battle earlier had been undeniably impressive.

But—

Pure? Devoted to swordsmanship only?

Having read the original story, that was laughably naive. If they only knew the real Leonard, they’d be shocked. I wondered what kind of expressions the maids would make if they found out.

‘You’re all being deceived right now!’

I wanted to shout it at them. I’d been so fixated on Jerome and Fay that I’d forgotten about him.

From Helena’s perspective, the one person she must avoid upsetting was Jerome. But in the grand scope of the novel? Leonard might be the most dangerous of them all.

Oblivious to that, the maids continued excitedly.

“I finally saw the legendary Sir Leonard in person!”

“Me too! He hardly ever appears at official events.”

“Right? Some people make it their life’s dream to see him at least once!”

What was he—some kind of imperial unicorn? Was he really that rare a sight?

Well, maybe if I’d seen him at some function or other before this, I’d have remembered him—and the danger he poses—sooner.

Not that it matters. As long as we don’t get involved, it’s fine.

Sipping the tea Mary brought, I maintained a composed expression. He may be dangerous—but if we never cross paths again, I’ll be fine.

I swore to myself once more:

I will never be in the same room as that man again.

Fortunately, at this point in the story, Helena and Leonard had no real connection. Jerome and Fay were already enough trouble. Adding Leonard into the mix?

Ugh. The thought alone made my head hurt.

It’s not like Leonard and Helena never crossed paths in the novel. Near the very end, they did work together briefly, but that was in the far-off final chapters.

So, no need to worry about that yet.

Hopefully, I’ll never get involved with him at all. I’ll be sure to escape this palace before that happens.

That’s when—

“Your Majesty the Empress,” Countess Chloe called for me.

I tilted my head and asked,

“Yes? What is it?”

“You have a visitor.”

“A visitor?”

No one had scheduled a visit. Who could it be?

As I calmly sipped my tea—

“Sir Leonard has requested an audience with Your Majesty.”

“Cough, cough!”

Who did you just say?! My composure shattered. Leonard? Why him?

While I was still hesitating, Countess Chloe smiled gently—and made a terrifying offer:

“Shall I show him in?”