Episode 63

Episode 63. A Foxlike Man (3)

After finishing their meal, Leonard’s group headed to a jewelry store.

Word had it that a single small ring there cost as much as a large estate.

In the distance, Leonard could be seen examining a display case under the guidance of a staff member. His brows were faintly drawn together; he looked to be choosing with great care.

While I focused on Leonard, a low voice brushed past my ear.

“I wonder who the gift is for, that he’s so focused.”

It wasn’t one of the maids.

Startled by the unfamiliar voice, I turned my head—and saw a man wearing a white mask.

“Ce-Cedric?”

Incredibly, it was Cedric.

“When did you get here?”

The man known as the Sage of the Forest—when had he joined us? He was standing casually among the maids and me, as if he’d been part of our party from the beginning.

“I came to buy some materials for an experiment. I happened to see Your Majesty. Ah, and this—please accept it.”

Cedric handed me a small bouquet.

“Where did you even find this?”

“It was blooming beautifully along the way, so…” he murmured softly. “I thought of Your Majesty.”

It might have been my imagination, but I thought his ears turned slightly red as he spoke.

The flowers he handed me carried a warm fragrance, much like his smile.

“Not just a single bloom today. Thank you.”

I took the bouquet almost absentmindedly, then belatedly realized something strange.

“Wait a second. How did you recognize me?”

I was in disguise—ordinary clothes, a wig, and even a robe pulled low over my face. It would’ve been hard to get a clear look at me, even up close.

Yet Cedric had recognized me instantly.

“I could tell from behind.”

He said it as though it were the simplest thing in the world.

Just from the back? Did I have my name pinned above my head or something?

But I didn’t have time to dwell on it. Cedric, still smiling warmly at me, turned his gaze to Leonard.

“Lord Leonard, with a young lady by his side… how curious.”

His expression shifted—he looked as serious as a scholar discovering a rare new specimen.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen him smile like that. What’s their relationship?”

I was grateful he hadn’t asked me why I was disguised and spying on Leonard. That would’ve been hard to explain.

“It hasn’t been confirmed yet,” Countess Chloe said from behind her catalog, using it to cover her face.

Though… wasn’t hiding like that more suspicious?

“You don’t know who she is?” Cedric asked.

Countess Chloe nodded.

“We can usually dig up information on anyone, but strangely, there’s nothing on this woman.”

So they’d already done a background check.

“I don’t know much about jewelry, but nothing here looks ordinary…”

“Exactly. That display over there holds the most expensive items in the entire shop,” Mary added.

“I heard each design is a one-of-a-kind limited edition.”

“If he’s buying a gift from a place like this, they clearly aren’t just casual acquaintances.”

Mary crumpled her catalog in frustration.

Uh, Mary?

I appreciate you being angry on my behalf, but I think you might be getting a little too into this.

She even started muttering things like ‘Giving a gift to someone who isn’t Her Majesty? This is betrayal. Leonard, you can’t do this. If you do, I might…’—which was more than a little concerning.

Then Cedric spoke again.

“Ah, it seems he really is making a purchase.”

Leonard gestured to a product, and the clerk stepped away to package it.

While he waited, Leonard spoke casually with the woman beside him.

…Huh?

Was it my imagination, or did our eyes just meet?

Though he had turned his head as if to glance out the window, his gaze landed squarely on me.

No way. It has to be a coincidence. There’s no way he recognized me in this disguise, right?

“Excuse me for a moment,” Cedric said, raising the bouquet to shield my face.

Then he leaned in close.

“…!”

It happened so suddenly that I didn’t know how to react.

“I thought it might be a problem if you were seen,” he whispered gently.

His breath brushed my skin.

From the outside, it probably looked like a couple about to kiss. We were that close.

“I’m sorry. This must be uncomfortable, but please bear with it.”

Not really uncomfortable—but your face is bright red, Cedric.

Your expression doesn’t exactly match your boldness.

His flushed cheeks were impossible to hide, even behind the white mask.

I worried he might actually overheat.

His golden eyes shimmered with an almost mystical light, like molten gold. Was it because he was always near flowers? A fresh, leafy scent lingered near him, tickling my nose—something like a wild spring bloom I couldn’t quite place.

Thankfully, Countess Chloe’s voice broke the moment.

“He’s coming out.”

Cedric pulled away.

For a second, I thought I saw a trace of disappointment on his face.

As she said, Leonard stepped out of the shop carrying a gift box. Something must have happened in the store—his expression was stiff and cold.

Maybe the price was higher than he expected?

It was a dumb thought, but my eyes still followed his every move.

At the carriage in front of the store, Leonard handed the gift to the woman.

“Ah!”

“No…”

Countess Chloe and Mary exhaled at the same time.

“We were hoping he’d asked her for help choosing a gift…”

They’d truly believed he was buying the present for Her Majesty, and had simply enlisted a beautiful woman for assistance.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t that kind of romantic setup.

“I didn’t expect this side of Lord Leonard,” Cedric said, sounding surprised—and oddly cheerful.

More than that…

I turned my eyes back to Leonard.

I didn’t know what to think of him anymore.

Was it really all a lie?

That request to be my lover… all the things he said… had it all been part of some larger plan?

I thought I was starting to understand him, even just a little.

Now, I wasn’t sure I knew him at all.

“Is something wrong?”

“Pardon?”

“Your expression. It suddenly turned serious. Don’t tell me this gift is making you uncomfortable?”

“Of course not.”

At his aunt’s words, Leonard finally relaxed his stiff expression.

“You were a great help today. Thank you, Aunt.”

“It’s not like I did anything grand.”

“No—it really was a big help.”

Leonard reached into his coat and pulled out a small box.

“This is a gift for you.”

“So that’s what the small purchase was for. Do you really think I’m the type who enjoys this kind of showy gratitude?”

“I slipped in a bit of private money too.”

Just don’t tell Uncle.

Leonard added with a smile.

“Well… that’s something I do appreciate.”

At her approval, Leonard chuckled lightly.

“I’ll be heading back now.”

“I’ll come visit again soon—with good news, I hope.”

“No need. No news is good news. Oh—and maybe try stopping by your family’s estate once in a while?”

Before stepping into the carriage, the woman offered him a final piece of advice.

“Isaac’s been worrying about you a lot.”

“He told you that?”

“He did. Honestly, you should’ve been nicer to Isaac from the start. The poor boy was so upset he even came to me about it.”

“…Understood.”

With that, Leonard parted ways with her and immediately began walking. His stride was purposeful—he had a clear destination in mind.

“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forget what happened today.”

Inside the carriage on the way back to the palace, Mary let out a deep sigh.

Just moments ago, she had witnessed Leonard handing a gift to another woman. Since then, she had remained in the same dazed state.

Countess Chloe, seated across from her, wasn’t much different—though unlike Mary, she wasn’t flustered.

“Don’t worry, Your Majesty,” she said, her voice calm to the point of chilling stillness. “I’ll take care of it quietly.”

It was always the quiet ones who were the most frightening. And this wasn’t just an empty threat—she genuinely seemed capable of doing something, silently and thoroughly.

Both of them were the type to spare no effort when it came to matters involving me. It was oddly reassuring—like having fierce, loyal guards at my side. Perhaps a little excessive, but I knew their intentions were never malicious.

Thank goodness Cedric wasn’t here.

He hadn’t joined us on the way back, saying he had some business at a magic supplies shop.

Before we parted ways, he’d made a rather meaningful request.

—If it’s not too much trouble… could I ask for a bit of your time sometime soon?

When I asked what it was about, he had briefly lowered his eyes and said:

—I’d like to go to a jeweler’s with you, Your Majesty… if that’s alright?

It must have been because of what happened with Leonard. He probably wanted to comfort me in some way.

Still, perhaps because the people around me had already fumed on my behalf, I felt strangely calm—almost detached.

“There’s no need to dwell on Leonard. We had a nice stroll through the shopping district; let’s just be content with that.”

Neither Countess Chloe nor Mary looked any less upset, but at least they no longer voiced their complaints.

“We’re almost there.”

The Empress’s Palace wasn’t far now.

I idly turned my gaze toward the window.

The night passed slowly outside, the sound of hooves echoing clearly through the stillness.

“Oh my!”

With the coachman’s startled voice, the carriage jolted to a sudden stop.

Countess Chloe leaned out the window.

“What on earth is going on? Stopping the horses like that is dangerous—oh my, Lord Leonard?”

What?

Startled by her words, I turned my head.

Standing in front of the carriage was a man, deliberately blocking the way.

It was Leonard.

What is he doing here?

He walked slowly toward the carriage and looked directly at me.

“Your Majesty,” he said, his voice polite but firm. “May I have a moment with you… just the two of us?”