Episode 65

Episode 65. What Have I Gotten Myself Into

Meanwhile—

Cedric was watering the flowers, a faint smile on his lips.

It was because of what had happened yesterday.

“Her Majesty’s startled expression…”

…was adorable.

She’d been thoroughly disguised, but he had recognized her instantly. The way she’d looked at him in surprise, her voice—he could still picture it clearly.

Coincidental meetings were curious things. They had a way of lifting a person’s spirits.

If this was what people called fate, then so be it. No—this felt like something beyond coincidence. A certainty.

That’s how Cedric saw it.

“The flowers. She seemed to like them.”

Even though she’d been flustered, she’d looked genuinely pleased to receive the wildflowers.

Her sincerity had left an impression.

That was why he didn’t mind the long journeys he had to make to find such blooms.

“Still, I never would’ve guessed Leonard had that side to him.”

The knight commander who was always by Her Majesty’s side—his open interest in her had been more than a little troubling.

But that no longer mattered. It seemed Leonard had someone else in his heart.

Cedric recalled the incident on the way to the Kingdom of Calus. The sudden downpour had forced them to take shelter in a cave.

That day, he’d been caught in a strange sort of tension with the man, each standing on opposite sides of her.

“If he was going to end up with someone else, why act like that back then…”

He really was a baffling person.

Still, it had worked out in Cedric’s favor. This was his chance—his golden opportunity to draw closer to her.

He wondered when he should bring flowers again, and what kind would suit her best.

Cedric fell into a happy kind of contemplation.

After much deliberation, he made his decision and set out for the Empress’s Palace, a lightness in his step.

“You’ve arrived.”

A maid greeted him with a warm smile as soon as he reached the palace entrance.

She looked familiar—one of the attendants often seen at Her Majesty’s side.

Was her name Mary? Cedric tilted his head.

Still, why was she smiling at him like that? He couldn’t help but wonder if something good had happened.

“You’re here to see Her Majesty, aren’t you?” Mary said.

“Yes. I wanted to give her these flowers.”

“Unfortunately, Her Majesty isn’t in the palace at the moment. She’s attending a meeting about the Founding Festival.”

“Ah, I see.” Cedric’s expression turned disappointed.

“Do you know when the meeting will end? If it’ll be late, I can come back this evening.”

“We’re not sure when it will finish. But if you like, you’re welcome to wait here at the Empress’s Palace.”

Cedric hesitated.

Waiting indefinitely for Her Majesty, not knowing when she’d return, felt a bit awkward—especially under the curious gazes of the maids.

“I don’t think it’ll take that long…”

At Mary’s comment, Cedric eventually nodded.

“All right. I’ll wait here.”

It struck him as the more efficient option—less time wasted going back and forth.

“Please follow me,” Mary said, turning to lead the way.

To reach the main building, they had to walk through a small garden from the entrance of the palace.

Cedric followed her absentmindedly when suddenly she spoke.

“Thank you for your help in the capital district.”

“The capital district? Ah, you were there too?”

At his words, Mary covered her mouth and laughed.

“Her Majesty recognized you right away, but it seems the others by her side did not.”

“W-well, I’m not the best at recognizing people…”

“Yet you still recognized Her Majesty in disguise?”

In a quiet voice, Mary murmured, “Fitting, indeed.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you.”

“It’s all right. In fact, I found it rather reassuring.”

“Pardon?”

“There’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you, Lord Cedric.”

“What is it?”

“That day in the capital, and even on the journey to the Kingdom of Calus… I couldn’t help but feel that your feelings toward Her Majesty aren’t entirely ordinary…”

At that, Cedric’s cheeks flushed red.

It was the way she’d phrased it—his feelings toward Her Majesty aren’t entirely ordinary.

“Th-that’s…”

“It’s all right. No need to be embarrassed. Falling for Her Majesty is only natural, after all.”

“…What?”

Mary smiled gently at his flustered expression and continued.

“With that in mind, if you don’t mind, I’d like to introduce you to a rather special place.”

Hwang-sa-mo.

The name stood for “The Society of People Who Love Her Majesty the Empress.”

Today was the day of their regular meeting.

After concluding the major agenda items, Countess Chloe adopted a serious expression and spoke.

“As I mentioned earlier, there’s an important matter to discuss today. It concerns the recruitment of a new executive.”

Turning her head toward the door, she added:

“Please come in.”

Moments later, Mary entered—accompanied by a silver-haired man wearing a white mask.

Even though half his face was hidden, his delicate features still radiated an air of graceful beauty. His silvery hair shimmered with a faint glow even in the dim light, lending him an ethereal quality.

Cedric.

He was known as the Archmage and Guardian of the Greenwoods.

“Ah!”

“That’s really him…”

“I thought so!”

Gasps of recognition rippled through the group. Judging from their reactions alone, the outcome of the vote was already a foregone conclusion.

“I believe you all recognize him. This is Sir Cedric.”

Guided forward by Mary, Cedric wore a confused expression. He’d cautiously followed after hearing there was a “small gathering” of people interested in the Empress—but the atmosphere here was nothing like what he’d imagined.

A hidden space beneath the palace, cloaked in secrecy.

The mysterious lights scattered across the underground chamber gave off an almost sacred ambiance.

Who would’ve thought something like this existed beneath the Empress’s residence? More than that, what stunned him even further was the sheer scale of the meeting.

Curious eyes fixated on him from every direction.

This is no small gathering at all…

“Go on, introduce yourself. Our newest member.”

“Please, say a few words.”

Prompted by Countess Chloe, Cedric reflexively bowed.

“Welcome!”

“We’re so glad you’re here.”

“You have my full support, of course.”

“There’s no better candidate for the executive board than Sir Cedric.”

Support? Executive board? Cedric was still utterly bewildered.

Where am I? Who even am I right now?

“No need to look so overwhelmed,” Countess Chloe said soothingly. “You care about Her Majesty the Empress, don’t you?”

“Th-that is…”

“That’s more than enough.”

Cedric’s face turned red with embarrassment, but the Countess smiled, clearly pleased.

“Now then, I’d like to open the floor. Does anyone oppose accepting Sir Cedric as a new executive member of our group?”

There was silence.

Not a single objection. As if it had all been prearranged.

Cedric’s confusion deepened.

What exactly is going on here?

But regardless of how lost he felt, the process of installing Cedric as a new executive was carried out with stunning speed.

“Then, by unanimous vote, we welcome Sir Cedric as our newest executive in Hwang-sa-mo. Please give him a round of applause!”

Applause and cheers rang out all around him.

“We believe in you!”

“We’ll be counting on you!”

Voices showered him with congratulatory—if bewildering—remarks.

Then Countess Chloe raised her voice again, her tone grave.

“One final, most important question remains.”

“Do you love Her Majesty the Empress?”

“Pardon?”

Caught completely off guard, Cedric repeated the question in disbelief. His ears had turned bright red—something even his half-mask couldn’t hide.

“Oh dear, you must still be shy, being new and all,” Countess Chloe chuckled softly. “But there’s no need to be embarrassed.”

Her smile widened as she continued.

“All of us love Her Majesty the Empress.”

“Woooah―!”

The others clapped and cheered, echoing her sentiment.

“Now then, let’s conclude today’s meeting by reciting the oath together.”

Oath? Cedric blinked, still dazed.

The person beside him leaned in reassuringly.

“You’re new, so just watch what everyone else does and follow along.”

“…Alright.”

Swallowing nervously, Cedric looked toward the podium.

At the very front, a maid raised her voice with solemn determination.

“Her Majesty the Empress is—”

“Her Majesty the Empress is—” the crowd repeated loudly.

Cedric stared blankly at the scene unfolding before him.

What in the world is happening right now…?

Then his eyes met the person beside him, who frowned as if to say “Why aren’t you joining in?”

He flinched.

Stiffly, Cedric echoed the chant.

“…Her—Her Majesty the Empress is?!”

The maid cried out again, louder this time:

“The most beautiful in the Empire!”

“The most beautiful in the Empire!” the group roared in unison.

“The most beautiful in the—wait. What is this…?”

Still baffled, Cedric turned to ask.

“It’s the oath. Repeat it.”

The person beside him now wore a firm expression. It was hard to believe this was the same person who’d offered him such a kind smile moments ago.

Where on earth have I ended up…? Cedric wondered, regret setting in far too late.

But regardless of his confusion, the cheers of Hwang-sa-mo and the voice of its newest executive echoed into the night.