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Chapter : 17 Don’t Tell Me… Is He Serious?
“Increase the security at the Empress’s Palace?”
“Yes.”
It was late at night. Leonard, who had come to Gaviaan’s office, spoke calmly.
“You’re well aware that the security at the Empress’s Palace is lax, Commander.”
“……”
Gaviaan didn’t respond.
After thinking for a long while, he slowly opened his mouth.
“Sir Leonard.”
“Yes.”
“Are you truly saying this only because you’re worried about the Empress’s Palace?”
“…I’m not sure what you mean.”
“This isn’t like you.”
“In what way?”
“You’re a cold, rational man. Someone who clearly separates duty from personal matters. A knight others should look up to.”
“Do you think I’m making an unreasonable demand?”
Gaviaan shook his head.
“Your demand itself is reasonable. But this issue has nothing to do with reasonableness. Everyone already knows how deeply His Majesty cherishes Her Highness the Imperial Consort.”
“I’m not saying the Consort’s Palace should be neglected. I’m saying the Empress’s Palace should be shown at least the bare minimum of consideration.”
“In the end, it’s the same thing. One wrong step, and the blame could fall on us.”
“Then I’ll volunteer myself. I’ll serve as Her Majesty the Empress’s personal guard.”
“Sir Leonard!”
Gaviaan barked.
“I don’t know what’s driving this stubbornness of yours, but you’re the commander of the knight order. And you wish to guard the Empress personally? What do you think the knights under you would think?”
Leonard looked at Gaviaan in silence.
“Does it make sense that dozens of knights are stationed at the Consort’s Palace, while the Empress’s Palace doesn’t even have a minimal escort?”
“……”
“If even this request is rejected, then I’ll step down as commander.”
“Don’t tell me…”
Gaviaan frowned deeply.
“I knew you’d been visiting the Empress’s Palace frequently lately, but don’t tell me… are you serious?”
“Does that matter?”
“She is the Empress.”
“I know that.”
Leonard replied evenly and turned away.
From behind him came Gaviaan’s sigh-laced voice.
“His Majesty the Emperor will never approve it. No matter how fair the request may be.”
* * *
Leonard stepped out of the meeting room.
Despite it being spring, the wind cut sharply against his skin.
At first, it had been nothing more than curiosity.
The idea that she knew about the part of himself he’d carefully hidden intrigued him, if only a little.
How did she know?
How much did she know?
That alone was the reason he’d approached her.
But then…
Brilliant golden hair and shimmering violet eyes.
A face that couldn’t hide its emotions, every thought written plainly across it.
Being with her was pleasant; laughter slipped out of him before he even realized it.
And that woman was supposed to be a notorious villainess?
Impossible.
Before he knew it, his doubts had turned into curiosity.
Small, lovely, warm.
He wanted to keep watching her—like a startled little rabbit.
And then, today—
They discovered traces of an intruder in the Empress’s Palace.
Those traces led all the way to the Empress’s bedroom.
The moment he confirmed the room was empty—
His heart dropped.
His body moved on instinct.
He ran through every corner of the palace where Helena might have gone.
He didn’t even know what he’d been thinking as he ran.
And when he finally found her—
Don’t worry. Just like you said, I’m not such a bad person.
She was standing with an unknown man.
At the sight, his stomach churned.
It felt as though his head had gone ice-cold.
Just remembering it made him feel sick.
That was probably why—
Even though he knew better than anyone that it was wrong, he still forced the issue.
“Commander!”
A young knight hurried over to him.
It was Conrad.
“What happened? I could hear Commander Gaviaan shouting all the way outside.”
Carefully watching Leonard’s expression, Conrad asked quietly,
“Don’t tell me—you got scolded for being late to the meeting again?”
“It’s nothing.”
“It didn’t sound like nothing. Did Commander Gaviaan make some unreasonable demand or something? Just say the word. You know how much the knights respect you.”
“It’s not Commander Gaviaan’s fault. I said I wanted to guard Her Majesty the Empress.”
“…!”
Conrad’s eyes went wide.
“Y-You said you want to be the Empress’s personal guard?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s necessary.”
“That’s impossible. Even if Commander Gaviaan approved, His Majesty the Emperor would never allow it.”
“…So it seems.”
“His Majesty is extremely sensitive when it comes to the Empress. No ordinary method would ever work.”
“No ordinary method?”
“Of course.”
“Then…”
A dangerous smile suddenly bloomed at the corner of Leonard’s lips.
“That means an extraordinary method might work.”
“Huh?”
No—how did it come to that?
Conrad stared at Leonard in disbelief.
Leonard was smiling silently.
The sight sent a chill down Conrad’s spine.
“…You just had a very bad idea, didn’t you?”
“Of course not.”
“No, you definitely did.”
“……”
“Commander!”
* * *
The day of the banquet.
“Her Majesty the Empress will outshine everyone tonight.”
The maids spoke with confidence.
“This is the finest preparation we’ve ever done.”
“The dress isn’t the reason—Her Majesty herself is beautiful.”
“Exactly! With just the right clothes and jewelry, she’s become a perfect work of art!”
A dress of soft blue fabric adorned with white lace.
Jewelry of platinum that emphasized elegance.
Yes—if nothing else, the maids had excellent taste.
Just as they’d hoped, I instantly became the center of the banquet.
“Oh my, Your Majesty!”
“You’re absolutely radiant.”
“That mysterious necklace—where on earth is it from? It suits your fair skin perfectly.”
The moment I entered the hall, everyone’s eyes were on me.
I was so busy exchanging greetings with people crowding around that my head spun.
“I greet Her Majesty the Empress. I am Emmett of House Selvintz.”
“I am Louis of House Mophrang. It’s an honor to meet you.”
People greeted me endlessly.
Meeting everyone’s gaze and returning polite nods alone was exhausting.
And whenever men kissed the back of my hand, goosebumps ran up my arms.
Ugh. I’m really not used to this kind of greeting!
I’d seen it countless times in movies and novels, but experiencing it firsthand wasn’t nearly as pleasant.
Maybe it was just something I’d have to get used to.
Just when I thought the greetings were finally over, several noble ladies settled in beside me.
As if competing to see who knew more about high society, they eagerly spilled gossip after gossip.
Listening to them was more fun than I’d expected.
This family invested in that merchant guild and made a fortune.
That house struck gold in some clever deal.
But the most interesting stories, of course, were always about romance.
Oh my—what did you say?
Someone who was supposed to be at a meeting was seen coming out of the neighbor’s house?
Who’s cheating on whom?
You thought she was a maid, but she was actually his lover?
Good heavens! Who kept who as a mistress?!
Is this what real-life scandal stories are like?
Before I knew it, I was listening with sparkling eyes.
Hmm. High-society rumors are pretty entertaining.
That was when—
“Come to think of it, I heard he was invited to this banquet as well.”
“Who?”
“The newly crowned king of the Kingdom of Callus.”
At one lady’s words, another clapped her hands.
“Oh! The King of Callus—isn’t he the rising star these days? I heard he has blood-red hair.”
…Blood-red hair?
Suddenly, the dark crimson-haired man I’d seen yesterday flashed through my mind.
He’d said he came from Callus, too.
‘No way.’
There are so many hair colors in this world.
Blond, pink, silver… practically a rainbow.
So red hair might be fairly common, right…?
“Well, red hair isn’t exactly common. Someone like that would stand out wherever he went.”
“Exactly. But since we don’t see him yet, he must not have arrived.”
So red hair is rarer than I thought.
An uneasy chill crept over me.
I swallowed hard.
Just who did I meet yesterday?
“By the way, I heard something very interesting about the King of Callus.”
“Interesting?”
“Apparently, he’s still unmarried.”
“Oh my! Is that even possible?”
“Which is why it’s so intriguing.”
“I’ve heard Callus values martial strength, and that the strongest among the royal family becomes king. Maybe he looks too intimidating?”
“Not at all. They say his martial prowess is incredible—but his looks are even more so. Those who’ve seen him say he’s unforgettable.”
“Then why on earth…?”
“Rumor has it he’s single simply because he finds it bothersome. No matter how much people push for a political marriage, he flatly refuses.”
“My… But doesn’t our empire have someone just like that?”
“Now that you mention it, yes. Someone so captivating you’d never forget him.”
“And equally uninterested in women.”
At that moment—
The noisy hall fell silent in an instant.
At the same time, everyone’s attention turned toward the entrance.
‘Did Jerome arrive?’
Given the reaction, I naturally assumed the original novel’s protagonist had made his entrance and lifted my head.
But unfortunately, my expectation missed the mark completely.
The man who appeared, parting the crowd like waves, was a handsome man with calm black hair—already streaked with gray
