Episode 73

Chapter 73. If He Were Here

“Well… it seems the Empress is quite popular after all.”

What? Popular?

I furrowed my brows slightly.

Is this really the time for jokes?

I heard it clearly with my own ears.

― Empress. How long do I have to watch that woman wander around freely?

The figure mentioned in the conversation outside the closet was none other than me.

Me—the Empress, Helena—being targeted by someone.

It was the first time I’d heard such a thing.

‘Did this happen in the original story?’

I wasn’t sure.

If it were a villain targeting the heroine, maybe.

But someone behind the villain aiming for me?

Nothing immediately came to mind.

I already had enough headaches from the differences with the original story.

Now there were people targeting me… but who?

“…Empress?”

“Excuse me a moment.”

I asked Isaac for permission, then moved closer to the closet door beside him.

I wanted to see who exactly was speaking outside.

I brought my face close to the narrow crack where faint light seeped in.

‘Can’t see well.’

But it was no use.

The gap was too narrow to clearly observe them.

“Something feels off.”

“What do you mean, off?”

“She feels different from before. Like she’s someone else.”

“Must be a passing whim. Nothing to worry about.”

“Are you sure? If you’re too complacent, we could be in big trouble later.”

“Even if she’s changed, it doesn’t matter.”

I frowned and kept squinting through the crack, struggling.

‘Ah, I see something!’

Finally, a shape came into view.

Not fully, but better than nothing.

And the one thing that stood out most clearly was…

A mass of curly red hair.

“Hoo…”

The red-haired woman let out a deep sigh.

“So, what do you plan to do now?”

Had the sigh helped calm her?

Compared to her loud earlier tone, she was much calmer now.

“Do you have a way to deal with her?”

“Of course.”

“Then act quickly. No need to drag this out.”

“No. We must wait longer.”

“Wait? What good will waiting do?”

The woman asked disdainfully.

“Rushing leads to mistakes.”

The man firmly replied that the time was not right yet.

Of course, I was curious who the red-haired woman’s companion was.

But the narrow crack was too small to see the figure opposite.

I couldn’t press any closer to Isaac either.

“You wouldn’t want years of planning to go up in smoke, would you?”

“No, of course not.”

“We need to see the bigger picture, not just short-term gains.”

“…”

Who were they? Who was targeting me?

What should I do? Should I go out now?

Catching these mysterious people now seemed better than letting them slip away.

Yes. I should cut this dangerous root with my own hands.

I reached for the closet door.

But once again, Isaac stopped me.

“Why?”

I whispered.

I needed to leave and catch them.

If I missed this chance, I might never uncover their identities.

Yet Isaac shook his head firmly.

His expression was serious.

“I don’t know what you intend, but going out now is a bad idea.”

“Why is that?”

“There are two voices, but it seems more people are here.”

“…!”

“They’re hiding their presence well. They must be highly skilled.”

“More than two people?”

“Yes. Quite a few.”

Damn.

I bit my lower lip tightly.

It wasn’t just two.

An unexpected variable.

If it were only the man and woman, I could’ve tried something.

But many skilled people made the situation different.

Just as Isaac said, going out now wasn’t wise.

At the same time, I was impressed Isaac noticed the hidden figures.

‘…Where is Leonard?’

I thought of Leonard.

If he were here instead of Isaac, how would things have gone?

He was the strongest person around.

He might have caught them on the spot and punished them.

‘Well, there’s nothing I can do.’

For now, Leonard wasn’t here, and there was no better option.

In the end, we stayed hidden inside the closet, holding our breath.

Meanwhile, the conversation outside continued.

“We will wait.”

The man’s cold voice echoed through the room.

“Wait, wait, and wait some more… then seize the opportunity once they show a weakness.”

“Seems like we just overheard an interesting conversation.”

Isaac stepped out of the room and said.

“Indeed.”

“Though the unexpected guest did spoil the mood a bit.”

An unexpected guest.

Yes, truly an astonishing one.

I nodded.

No, almost nodded—if not for what Isaac said next.

“How about we move to another room and pick up where we left off?”

“?”

I looked puzzled.

Then I realized what he meant.

“Don’t tell me you’re referring to your earlier comment about how the guests at today’s event are more interested elsewhere?”

“Exactly. You remember well.”

As expected of the Empress.

Isaac curled his lips into a satisfied smile.

I understood even less.

Why did the conversation circle back to that?

Earlier he seemed serious, but now he was wearing a light smile again.

Like he had swapped masks, smoothly switching back into a playful demeanor.

“Looks like you still have that kind of luxury.”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“I think you do.”

I gestured toward the left hallway.

“Huh? What on earth…”

Isaac turned his head to follow my gaze, then sealed his lips tight.

Just as I expected.

I said there was no luxury.

Isaac chuckled dryly.

“Unfortunately, I just remembered there’s something urgent.”

“I see.”

“Well then, I shall take my leave, Your Majesty.”

With a brief farewell, Isaac hurried down the hallway.

Almost like he was running.

Though he carried a staff, it didn’t slow him down at all.

And someone was chasing after him.

“Isaac!”

It was Leonard.

Leonard was hot on Isaac’s heels.

At that speed, catching up seemed only a matter of time.

I quickly called out to him.

“Sir Leonard.”

At my voice, Leonard’s footsteps stopped abruptly.

“Don’t go. Come here.”

His eyes fixed on me.

He paused but didn’t fully give up on chasing Isaac yet.

“But he told me to—!”

“I know.”

That he lied.

“I know. So don’t go. Come here.”

“…”

Leonard took quick strides toward me, then placed both hands on my shoulders.

“?”

His sudden action made me look at him with a puzzled expression.

He must have been running fast.

Up close, his breathing was heavier than usual.

His hair was damp with sweat and slightly tousled.

“Is something wrong?”

Leonard asked.

His deep blue eyes scanned me carefully.

“Isaac… Has that man done anything strange?”

Strange?

If I had to say, yes.

Being locked in a closet with him alone was definitely strange.

But I didn’t want to tell Leonard that.

I didn’t want to worry him. Yet…

― Why is that woman still alive and well?

― Wait, wait, and wait some more… then seize the opportunity once they show a weakness.

The deadly voices still echoed in my ears.

Those ruthless words wishing for my death were fresh as ever.

Of course, I didn’t want to die.

I’d never accept being a passive victim.

That’s why I called Leonard over.

I clenched my fist tightly.

“Sir Leonard.”

I called him calmly.

“There’s something important I need to tell you.”