“...”
“...”
An awkward, heavy silence flowed between me and him.
I couldn't look at Sir Aldor's face straight, so I looked at the base of his neck.
Since that day, I have not had any meaningful conversation with Sir Aldor.
To be exact, whenever Sir Aldor tried to talk to me, I ignored him and deliberately avoided him.
I'm sure he'll tell me he doesn't want to go to the dukedom because he has to escort me.
It was obvious that he would be shaken if he even asked, so the cause was blocked from the beginning.
But when you encounter something like this, it's hard to just ignore it and pass by.
As I was about to say hello, Sir Aldor placed his hand on his left chest and knelt on one knee.
I looked down at him, startled by his sudden action.
Aldor lowered his head and spoke in a low, heavy voice.
“Shin Aldor. I have come to pay my respects before leaving my lord’s side.”
Ah. He's already made up his mind to leave.
I was worried that he would refuse to go, but luckily he did.
At the same time, I felt sorry and felt like an idiot for not knowing and continuing to avoid him.
I was also annoyed.
“Thank you for following my wishes, Sir Aldor.”
I placed a hand on Sir Aldor's shoulder, expressing my sincere gratitude.
Then Sir Aldor raised his head.
There was still doubt and regret in the eyes that reflected my appearance.
“It’s all for the sake of you, so don’t think too badly of it.”
I tapped his shoulder.
“That also means that I think of Sir Aldor.”
“...What do you think of me?”
“Of course, I consider you a trustworthy knight.”
A faint smile appeared on his lips as he heard my answer.
“Then I will go now.”
Sir Aldor stood up from his seat, bowed to me, and disappeared down the hallway.
The sight of his back was somehow unsettling.
I guess you could say I have a feeling something big is going to happen.
“That can’t be true.”
It was impossible for Aldor, of all people, to have an accident.
“...But you never know.”
Just like I didn't know that maid would betray me.
What the Duke of Lucien had said in the hallway earlier also bothered me.
Only after Aldor had completely disappeared from sight did I descend the stairs.
After hearing from the servant that the butler was in the backyard, I went there and found the maid walking diligently carrying a bag.
“I see you, master.”
The maid also noticed me and bowed to me.
“Where are you working?”
“This is the kitchen.”
If it's a kitchen, it won't have any contact with Sir Aldor, so it's perfect.
“I have a special mission for you.”
The maid opened her eyes wide in surprise.
“Oh, please speak, master.”
“It’s not a difficult mission, so don’t be so nervous.”
I spoke as gently as I could to make the maid relax.
“If you see Sir Aldor talking to someone or contacting someone, make a note of it and report it to Jack and May, the servants who work at Duke Leopold’s residence.”
"All right."
I thought one person wouldn't be enough, so I asked the other employees to do the same thing.
When asked out of nowhere to watch over Sir Aldor, everyone was bewildered but obediently agreed.
“I think this is enough safety measures.”
But the reason I wasn't at ease and instead felt anxious was because I didn't trust Sir Aldor, who risked his life for me, and I felt guilty about keeping him under surveillance.
“...It’s not that I don’t trust him.”
Yes, I still believe in Sir Aldor.
What I couldn't believe was the circumstances surrounding me.
The luncheon dinner was held in the garden, not in the Emperor's palace.
The garden where I spoke with the Third Empress.
“Come in.”
The Emperor, sitting in the highest seat, greeted me with a kind smile.
“It’s been a long time, Duke Leopold.”
The Crown Prince sitting next to him also greeted me.
“I see the brilliant sun and the little sun of the empire.”
After giving a brief greeting, I sat down on the chair the attendant had provided.
The waiter filled my glass and then quietly left.
“I didn’t know His Highness the Crown Prince would be here.”
I asked the Crown Prince, and the Emperor answered.
“I heard that the Crown Prince asked to join me for lunch and dinner with the Duke. If it’s inconvenient, I’ll ask him to leave.”
“It’s not that I’m uncomfortable, I’m just a little surprised because it was unexpected.”
The Crown Prince gently joined the conversation.
“Actually, I had the intention of surprising the Duke a little, and I guess I succeeded in doing so.”
“Your jokes are mischievous.”
“Haha, I’m sorry.”
The lunch and dinner began in a seemingly friendly atmosphere, although it was unclear what the inside was like.
The food that the servants brought in order all looked splendid and delicious, but to my eyes they looked like poisonous mushrooms.
A poisonous mushroom that contains a very strong poison and tempts people.
Of course, if poison had come out in such a situation, the Emperor would have been in an awkward position, so it was highly likely that he would have done nothing, but you never know.
Since I couldn't eat, I ate as little as possible and drank a lot of water.
I also took an antidote before coming.
The topic of conversation throughout the dinner was the current hot topic: counterfeit gold coins.
I responded appropriately and observed the Emperor's expression.
The area under his eyes is puffier than before, but I don't think there's any particular sore spot.
It seems that he is not handing over political affairs to the Crown Prince because of his illness.
“Come to think of it, the Crown Prince said that Duke Leopold had a good idea.”
When the Emperor asked as if a memory had suddenly occurred to him, I shook my head.
“No. I just added a little to the opinion His Highness the Crown Prince gave me.”
“No, it’s not that. I gave the wrong opinion, but the Duke corrected it.”
“Haha. I’m glad that you two seem to be getting along so well. It’s really nice to see you.”
The Emperor smiled contentedly and looked at me and the Crown Prince.
Anyone who sees me will think that my fiancé is the Crown Prince and not Perdes.
“We should get along well.”
What was even more absurd was that the Crown Prince looked at me with strange, lewd eyes and smiled.
An unbearable atmosphere weighed heavily on my shoulders.
“I have recently heard that Your Majesty has been feeling unwell.”
To brush it off, I hurriedly changed the subject.
“I was very worried, but I’m glad to hear that you’re healthy.”
I was sincere.
It would be a big problem if the Emperor were to fall ill and die before I could properly seek revenge.
“Haha, I didn’t know the Duke was this worried about me.”
“Of course, I should be worried. Your Majesty is the pillar of this Empire.”
“Hmm.”
The Emperor sighed and stroked his chin.
“Since the Duke thinks of me so much, I will tell you the truth... In fact, my physical condition is not very good right now.”
Are you really sick?
“What’s wrong? Have you been examined by the royal physician?”
“I’ve already been examined, but it’s no use. It’s not a treatable disease. It’s just a natural aging of the body due to old age. My energy isn’t what it used to be.”
The Emperor is 50 years old this year.
He wasn't young, but he wasn't old enough to be senile either.
Well, it would be different if he had been rough on his body or had not taken care of his health, but the Emperor was neither of those.
But you're getting old.
Do you have another illness and are you making excuses to hide it?
Or is it just a faking illness?
“Don’t say such things, Your Majesty.”
The Crown Prince said as if he was very sorry.
“The palace doctor is preparing a potion to replenish your stamina, so you will recover quickly.”
“Yes. Now that the Crown Prince says so, I need to find my strength quickly.”
“I'm sure you'll find it.”
The pairing is a perfect match.
“Of course, Your Majesty. You will surely recover.”
I didn't really want to get involved, but I felt it was rude to just sit there like a sack of barley left lying around, so I had no choice but to talk to him.
“Thank you for saying that, Duke. You must already be having a hard time with the counterfeit gold coin issue and the estate matters, and I’m sorry for making you worry me too.”
“Don’t say that. And thanks to Your Majesty’s help, the matter of the territory has almost been resolved.”
“No. Liam did something for me, but it’s not enough.”
Liam Leopold.
It was my deceased father's name.
I looked at the Emperor in slight surprise, as I had not expected his name to be mentioned here.
Then the Emperor made an awkward expression.
“Oh, dear. I ended up touching the Duke’s sore spot. It wasn’t intentional.”
"...It's okay."
I was a little surprised, but that was it. I wasn't angry or sad or anything.
No, is it a little sad?
When the things that had been weighing on my chest started to spill out without me knowing, I held them back.
These were things that were no longer needed.
“Liam was a great knight and a great helper. He knew a lot and gave me a lot of advice.”
When I said I was fine, the Emperor began to talk seriously about my father.
This was a little uncomfortable, but I didn't show it because I was curious about what the Emperor would say.
The Emperor muttered as he looked into the empty space with hazy eyes.
“If Liam were alive, he would have given me some advice on how to overcome this crisis...”
I don't think he was trying to point out that I'm inferior to my father.
“It’s really a shame. It’s a shame.”
I felt like there was another purpose, but I had no idea what it was.
But we can use this as a stepping stone to see what the Emperor is thinking.
I was already worried about how to seize the opportunity, so it was a good thing.
I smiled faintly and made a subtle suggestion to the Emperor.
“Then would you like to see my father’s diary that is kept in the basement of the Duke’s residence?”
“...”
An awkward, heavy silence flowed between me and him.
I couldn't look at Sir Aldor's face straight, so I looked at the base of his neck.
Since that day, I have not had any meaningful conversation with Sir Aldor.
To be exact, whenever Sir Aldor tried to talk to me, I ignored him and deliberately avoided him.
I'm sure he'll tell me he doesn't want to go to the dukedom because he has to escort me.
It was obvious that he would be shaken if he even asked, so the cause was blocked from the beginning.
But when you encounter something like this, it's hard to just ignore it and pass by.
As I was about to say hello, Sir Aldor placed his hand on his left chest and knelt on one knee.
I looked down at him, startled by his sudden action.
Aldor lowered his head and spoke in a low, heavy voice.
“Shin Aldor. I have come to pay my respects before leaving my lord’s side.”
Ah. He's already made up his mind to leave.
I was worried that he would refuse to go, but luckily he did.
At the same time, I felt sorry and felt like an idiot for not knowing and continuing to avoid him.
I was also annoyed.
“Thank you for following my wishes, Sir Aldor.”
I placed a hand on Sir Aldor's shoulder, expressing my sincere gratitude.
Then Sir Aldor raised his head.
There was still doubt and regret in the eyes that reflected my appearance.
“It’s all for the sake of you, so don’t think too badly of it.”
I tapped his shoulder.
“That also means that I think of Sir Aldor.”
“...What do you think of me?”
“Of course, I consider you a trustworthy knight.”
A faint smile appeared on his lips as he heard my answer.
“Then I will go now.”
Sir Aldor stood up from his seat, bowed to me, and disappeared down the hallway.
The sight of his back was somehow unsettling.
I guess you could say I have a feeling something big is going to happen.
“That can’t be true.”
It was impossible for Aldor, of all people, to have an accident.
“...But you never know.”
Just like I didn't know that maid would betray me.
What the Duke of Lucien had said in the hallway earlier also bothered me.
Only after Aldor had completely disappeared from sight did I descend the stairs.
After hearing from the servant that the butler was in the backyard, I went there and found the maid walking diligently carrying a bag.
“I see you, master.”
The maid also noticed me and bowed to me.
“Where are you working?”
“This is the kitchen.”
If it's a kitchen, it won't have any contact with Sir Aldor, so it's perfect.
“I have a special mission for you.”
The maid opened her eyes wide in surprise.
“Oh, please speak, master.”
“It’s not a difficult mission, so don’t be so nervous.”
I spoke as gently as I could to make the maid relax.
“If you see Sir Aldor talking to someone or contacting someone, make a note of it and report it to Jack and May, the servants who work at Duke Leopold’s residence.”
"All right."
I thought one person wouldn't be enough, so I asked the other employees to do the same thing.
When asked out of nowhere to watch over Sir Aldor, everyone was bewildered but obediently agreed.
“I think this is enough safety measures.”
But the reason I wasn't at ease and instead felt anxious was because I didn't trust Sir Aldor, who risked his life for me, and I felt guilty about keeping him under surveillance.
“...It’s not that I don’t trust him.”
Yes, I still believe in Sir Aldor.
What I couldn't believe was the circumstances surrounding me.
***
The luncheon dinner was held in the garden, not in the Emperor's palace.
The garden where I spoke with the Third Empress.
“Come in.”
The Emperor, sitting in the highest seat, greeted me with a kind smile.
“It’s been a long time, Duke Leopold.”
The Crown Prince sitting next to him also greeted me.
“I see the brilliant sun and the little sun of the empire.”
After giving a brief greeting, I sat down on the chair the attendant had provided.
The waiter filled my glass and then quietly left.
“I didn’t know His Highness the Crown Prince would be here.”
I asked the Crown Prince, and the Emperor answered.
“I heard that the Crown Prince asked to join me for lunch and dinner with the Duke. If it’s inconvenient, I’ll ask him to leave.”
“It’s not that I’m uncomfortable, I’m just a little surprised because it was unexpected.”
The Crown Prince gently joined the conversation.
“Actually, I had the intention of surprising the Duke a little, and I guess I succeeded in doing so.”
“Your jokes are mischievous.”
“Haha, I’m sorry.”
The lunch and dinner began in a seemingly friendly atmosphere, although it was unclear what the inside was like.
The food that the servants brought in order all looked splendid and delicious, but to my eyes they looked like poisonous mushrooms.
A poisonous mushroom that contains a very strong poison and tempts people.
Of course, if poison had come out in such a situation, the Emperor would have been in an awkward position, so it was highly likely that he would have done nothing, but you never know.
Since I couldn't eat, I ate as little as possible and drank a lot of water.
I also took an antidote before coming.
The topic of conversation throughout the dinner was the current hot topic: counterfeit gold coins.
I responded appropriately and observed the Emperor's expression.
The area under his eyes is puffier than before, but I don't think there's any particular sore spot.
It seems that he is not handing over political affairs to the Crown Prince because of his illness.
“Come to think of it, the Crown Prince said that Duke Leopold had a good idea.”
When the Emperor asked as if a memory had suddenly occurred to him, I shook my head.
“No. I just added a little to the opinion His Highness the Crown Prince gave me.”
“No, it’s not that. I gave the wrong opinion, but the Duke corrected it.”
“Haha. I’m glad that you two seem to be getting along so well. It’s really nice to see you.”
The Emperor smiled contentedly and looked at me and the Crown Prince.
Anyone who sees me will think that my fiancé is the Crown Prince and not Perdes.
“We should get along well.”
What was even more absurd was that the Crown Prince looked at me with strange, lewd eyes and smiled.
An unbearable atmosphere weighed heavily on my shoulders.
“I have recently heard that Your Majesty has been feeling unwell.”
To brush it off, I hurriedly changed the subject.
“I was very worried, but I’m glad to hear that you’re healthy.”
I was sincere.
It would be a big problem if the Emperor were to fall ill and die before I could properly seek revenge.
“Haha, I didn’t know the Duke was this worried about me.”
“Of course, I should be worried. Your Majesty is the pillar of this Empire.”
“Hmm.”
The Emperor sighed and stroked his chin.
“Since the Duke thinks of me so much, I will tell you the truth... In fact, my physical condition is not very good right now.”
Are you really sick?
“What’s wrong? Have you been examined by the royal physician?”
“I’ve already been examined, but it’s no use. It’s not a treatable disease. It’s just a natural aging of the body due to old age. My energy isn’t what it used to be.”
The Emperor is 50 years old this year.
He wasn't young, but he wasn't old enough to be senile either.
Well, it would be different if he had been rough on his body or had not taken care of his health, but the Emperor was neither of those.
But you're getting old.
Do you have another illness and are you making excuses to hide it?
Or is it just a faking illness?
“Don’t say such things, Your Majesty.”
The Crown Prince said as if he was very sorry.
“The palace doctor is preparing a potion to replenish your stamina, so you will recover quickly.”
“Yes. Now that the Crown Prince says so, I need to find my strength quickly.”
“I'm sure you'll find it.”
The pairing is a perfect match.
“Of course, Your Majesty. You will surely recover.”
I didn't really want to get involved, but I felt it was rude to just sit there like a sack of barley left lying around, so I had no choice but to talk to him.
“Thank you for saying that, Duke. You must already be having a hard time with the counterfeit gold coin issue and the estate matters, and I’m sorry for making you worry me too.”
“Don’t say that. And thanks to Your Majesty’s help, the matter of the territory has almost been resolved.”
“No. Liam did something for me, but it’s not enough.”
Liam Leopold.
It was my deceased father's name.
I looked at the Emperor in slight surprise, as I had not expected his name to be mentioned here.
Then the Emperor made an awkward expression.
“Oh, dear. I ended up touching the Duke’s sore spot. It wasn’t intentional.”
"...It's okay."
I was a little surprised, but that was it. I wasn't angry or sad or anything.
No, is it a little sad?
When the things that had been weighing on my chest started to spill out without me knowing, I held them back.
These were things that were no longer needed.
“Liam was a great knight and a great helper. He knew a lot and gave me a lot of advice.”
When I said I was fine, the Emperor began to talk seriously about my father.
This was a little uncomfortable, but I didn't show it because I was curious about what the Emperor would say.
The Emperor muttered as he looked into the empty space with hazy eyes.
“If Liam were alive, he would have given me some advice on how to overcome this crisis...”
I don't think he was trying to point out that I'm inferior to my father.
“It’s really a shame. It’s a shame.”
I felt like there was another purpose, but I had no idea what it was.
But we can use this as a stepping stone to see what the Emperor is thinking.
I was already worried about how to seize the opportunity, so it was a good thing.
I smiled faintly and made a subtle suggestion to the Emperor.
“Then would you like to see my father’s diary that is kept in the basement of the Duke’s residence?”
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