Chapter 41

“Are you Lady Clies?”

 

The sharp gaze made cold sweat run down my back. Well, he was the emperor of an empire.

 

“I greet Your Majesty, the Most Dignified Emperor.”

 

The emperor’s eyes gleamed.

 

“Oh? Yes, I’ve heard much about you. It is fortunate the Academy has a talent like you. I heard my son owed you a debt as well. To think I finally get to meet the bold young lady who refused to accept his repayment.”

 

“I merely did what I could. And I didn’t do it expecting any sort of reward…”

 

Cold sweat gathered again at the emperor’s last remark. It sounded like, ‘How dare you disregard my command?’

 

“Hahaha, I jest.”

 

Fortunately, the emperor didn’t seem to dislike me. If anything, he watched me as though he found me interesting.

 

‘Is it because his favorability balance is preset to be high?’

 

Apparently, saving Fedeshar from the empress’ faction had made quite an impression. I mean, why had he collapsed right in front of me, and why poison, of all things? And why had I just so happened to have an antidote on me?

 

“When the duke told me he gave a trading company to a young lady, I scoffed. But it seems his foresight surpasses even mine.”

 

“You flatter me, Your Majesty.”

 

“Wasn’t handling herbs with your body difficult?”

 

“No. I enjoy the work. I don’t consider it difficult.”

 

“Hm. With such admirable resolve, it’s no wonder Weiss’s complexion has improved.”

 

I thanked him and bowed again. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the emperor moved to the main topic.

 

“But I’ve heard something strange.”

 

There it was.

 

I swallowed hard. The face that had exuded good humor until now twisted slightly.

 

“I heard you entrusted the pirate suppression mission to Bastien. Why Bastien?”

 

I froze. I had expected him to speak indirectly at least a little.

 

‘So direct…’

 

He revealed blatantly that he didn’t like Bastien. There was even a faint killing intent. Remaining calm, I gave the excuse I had rehearsed many times.

 

“His Highness Fedeshar and I are Academy classmates.”

 

“I know that well.”

 

“His Highness also serves as the student council president, so he’s very busy. I didn’t wish to burden him.”

 

If I said Bastien was the most suitable, who knows what fury I’d trigger.

 

It was true the student council was busy. And the next crown prince candidate even more so.

 

But the emperor didn’t seem thrilled; he stroked his chin.

 

“Are you saying Fedeshar’s capacity is that small?”

 

No one said that!

 

I tried to make it clear I was being considerate of Fedeshar, but the emperor twisted my words again.

 

“Suppressing pirates takes a long time. Surely now is when His Highness should be cementing bonds with the nobles for the future.”

 

Evan added supportively. I quickly followed up.

 

“Y-yes, exactly. His Highness is exceptionally capable. He’s said to be the most outstanding student council president in Academy history. Hahaha…”

 

“That is reasonable.”

 

The emperor looked satisfied. So saying nice things is all it takes…

 

“So, are you close with Fedeshar?”

 

“…”

 

I glanced sideways. What was the intention behind that question?

 

“We’re in different departments, so we don’t meet often, but we get along well enough as classmates. His Highness is kind to everyone and looks after me too.”

 

“I see. Keep being close.”

 

A move for the future? If Fedeshar gets along with me, Evan’s fiancée, then he could receive the duke’s protection—such a shallow ploy. A faint click of the tongue came from beside me; the duke’s brows were furrowed.

 

“Duke, you may leave now. You may go as well. I only wished to meet you once.”

 

“It was an honor, Your Majesty.”

 

Once outside the audience chamber, I let out a long breath. The emperor had drained my energy completely. Exhausted, I asked: “Evan, have you met His Majesty often?”

 

“Mm… I’ve come with Father a few times.”

 

“Then how come I’ve never seen you there?”

 

“…Don’t mind His Majesty’s words too much. Father said it too—you just do as you wish.”

 

“But didn’t the duke introduce me because declining the emperor’s summons was impossible for him?”

 

“If the emperor wanted to meet you, he’d meet you no matter what. Father probably decided it was better to handle it himself.”

 

“That makes sense.”

 

The emperor of an empire. Meeting a random young lady wouldn’t be difficult for him.

 

And Duke Weiss had been indifferent even in the emperor’s presence. It didn’t feel like he had been forced to introduce me.

 

The ducal house truly had tremendous authority. Well, it was the only remaining ducal house.

 

There was even a rumor that when the emperor once tried to suppress the duke’s power, he ended up being overwhelmed instead. Their wealth was overwhelming, and with the military power of the Empire’s Sword, no one could stop them. It would be a disaster even if he defected to another nation.

 

As expected of a male lead in an otome game—perfectly balanced with all the cool traits.

 

“Shall we go to Bastien?”

 

“Yeah…”

 

I wanted to finish the business quickly and leave the capital.

 

A servant led us to the room Bastien was in. When the door opened, tea and refreshments were already prepared. Bastien greeted us with a smile.

 

“Evan, you’re here too. Lady Clies, I heard you just came from speaking with His Majesty. I was wondering if I should go look for you.”

 

He seemed apologetic, perhaps warned beforehand. I waved my hand, saying it was nothing.

 

“Did he ask anything troublesome?”

 

“Nothing particular. More importantly—”

 

“His Majesty brought up His Highness Fedeshar.”

 

The impact of that name was immense. Bastien’s expression tightened; he understood immediately what the emperor must have said.

 

“…I expected as much. When I paid my respects earlier, he mentioned it to me too.”

 

“Evan…!”

 

I scolded him quietly. Evan looked unfairly accused, but I didn’t let him off. Sometimes Evan became cold and gave off the scent of the original storyline.

 

“You should be considerate of His Highness. How could you say it so plainly?”

 

“It’s fine, Lady. Everyone knows the story anyway.”

 

“Still…”

 

He pretended not to care, but I could tell the wound was festering inside him. If it were me, I would’ve quit everything long ago. Evan was my absolute favorite, but Bastien was also one of the male leads I had cared about.

 

“You two seem close. Evan, were you worried about Lady Clies? Coming all the way here—you’re as overprotective as ever. Then and now. As if I’m going to do something to her.”

 

“You never know.”

 

“Truly, one lives long enough to see strange things. The Evan beside you is very different from the Evan I know.”

 

When I looked at Evan, he was glaring at Bastien for a split second. But the moment our eyes met, he smiled as if nothing had happened. I tilted my head.

 

“Before Evan gets mad from hearing too much, shall we get to the point?”

 

I nodded. Obviously, Bastien had summoned me for the pirate suppression mission. I was about to bring it up when he spoke first—refusing.

 

“Lady Clies. I must decline the pirate suppression request.”

 

“…What?”

 

I stared at him, stunned. Bastien refusing? That hadn’t been in any of my predictions. Why? Wasn’t this supposed to be beneficial to him?

 

“The dukedom alone is more than capable of handling the pirates. They might even be more suited than I am.”

 

“No… that’s…”

 

“Isn’t that right, Evan?”

 

Bastien looked at him. I glanced at Evan. He looked at me and nodded silently.

 

He wasn’t wrong. The ducal house could indeed handle it.

 

“Y-yes, but I was considering efficiency when I suggested it.”

 

The dukedom certainly had the wealth and military power to eliminate the pirates. But who knew how long it would take? And I had planned to follow the original storyline. That was why I had chosen Bastien in the first place; he really was the most suitable.

 

But Bastien only shook his head.

 

“You brought it up at the ball because of my mother, didn’t you? I don’t know why, but she dislikes you.”

 

His face darkened as he spoke. I blinked slowly and listened.

 

“To be exact, she’s wary of the Weiss ducal house. The duke spends a great deal of time with His Majesty. And you’re Evan’s fiancée.”

 

“A fact everyone already knows,” Evan said proudly.

 

Meanwhile, I avoided Bastien’s gaze. The reason the empress hated me was because I’d interfered with her attempt to kill Fedeshar…

 

But he wouldn’t learn that until much later—far into the second half. And Elena would never meet him now. There was no way for him to find out anymore.