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CHAPTER 13
Seeing him struggling to breathe again, it was clear that Rekanon was terrified of the Emperor.
At this rate, he might die from shortness of breath before becoming the youngest swordmaster in history. But Rekanon was someone crucial to Roelin’s happy future…
For Roelin’s bright destiny, I quietly stepped closer to Rekanon and bowed alongside him.
After all, we had deceived both the teacher and the Emperor. Asking for forgiveness was only right.
“I dared to touch His Highness’s homework.”
Because both of us were bowing, the previously warm and cheerful atmosphere turned cold and silent in an instant.
“I-I-I’m unworthy… I sincerely apologize, Father.”
Because Rekanon drove the point home again, Sir Kroon turned pale and shook his head at the Emperor in disbelief.
“That can’t be! No, Your Majesty! You can tell just by looking. It’s clearly His Highness’s handwriting.”
Sir Kroon hastily re-checked the homework, then looked at me in shock.
I had tried to copy Rekanon’s handwriting as best I could, so at a glance it might pass. But a closer look would easily reveal it wasn’t his writing.
“Then it’s all the more astonishing. A mere count’s daughter, without even attending class, solved a supposedly impossible problem at the age of eleven.”
The Emperor’s eyebrows twitched slightly. Sir Kroon finally shut his mouth, having realized the situation too late. Rekanon, who had been watching the Emperor nervously, slowly opened his mouth.
“I… I’m sorry to have disappointed you, Father.”
The Emperor gazed at Rekanon silently for a moment, then gestured with his hand. Rekanon stared at me and silently mouthed:
‘You knew that was an impossible problem and solved it on purpose, didn’t you?’
His eyes were full of suspicion and distrust, and I felt wrongfully accused. But with the Emperor’s gaze fixed on me, I couldn’t even defend myself.
“Everyone else may leave. Countess Elufe Inferna will stay.”
Excuse me? Why do I have to stay?
Everyone left in a rush, leaving only the Emperor and me.
Even though this was a place I often visited in the palace, being alone with the Emperor made it feel uncomfortable and suffocating.
It was the Emperor who broke the awful silence.
“The House of Inferna is known for its dark magic.”
Was he implying I used illusion magic to make it seem like I solved those problems?
His tone made it clear he didn’t trust me at all. I was just as troubled as he was, and my lips wouldn’t move easily.
“I don’t quite understand what Your Majesty is suggesting.”
“You used dark magic within the palace to meddle in the Prince’s affairs, and now you pretend otherwise?”
Judging by the tone, I should just be thankful he wasn’t immediately declaring me guilty.
“Although our Inferna family is known for dark magic, we would never use it just to solve the Prince’s homework.”
Exactly! Who in their right mind would waste blood and mana on a math assignment?
But I couldn’t say that outright. I needed to phrase things carefully.
Last time I faced the Emperor, I was clueless and reckless.
Now, things were different.
This was my reality now. I had to survive, no matter what.
“If not with dark magic, then how did you solve the problem?”
“I simply reached the answer through deep thought.”
The Emperor hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
“A wise answer. Had you told an obvious lie about using dark magic, I wouldn’t have believed you.”
Fair enough. If dark magic could’ve solved it, no one would call it a difficult problem.
“Thank you for your trust.”
“However, given the circumstances, I must hear from your own mouth why you did the Prince’s homework.”
“I believed it was my duty as His Highness’s conversation partner.”
At the mention of his son, the Emperor’s expression tightened with displeasure.
“And you did all that merely for that reason?”
“To me, it was a significant reason. His Highness’s honor and pride were at stake. And, he also promised to grant me a wish.”
“So that was your true motive.”
The Emperor smiled cryptically, and I was left speechless. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking, which only added to my anxiety.
“No, it wasn’t my sole reason. I also did it hoping His Highness would get along better with his teacher.”
“Are you certain of that?”
I needed to make it clear that I wanted nothing to do with power or political factions.
“Absolutely.”
I could understand why the Emperor was keeping his cards so close to his chest.
The Empire was divided between the Emperor’s faction and the noble faction, constantly vying for power.
As someone aiming for neutrality, it was only natural that the Emperor found me suspicious.
“This incident cannot be quietly buried.”
“…Understood.”
“It weighs heavily on my mind.”
“Not at all, Your Majesty. I only regret having caused unintended concern.”
The Emperor’s fierce expression softened considerably. If things continued this way, I might be able to successfully erase my villainess reputation.
“Ahem. Now, why did you only write the answers to these problems?”
“Because the solutions were obvious to me.”
“I would like to see the full process.”
How cunning. If I couldn’t demonstrate the solution, he would surely assume someone else had helped me.
But if I could prove I was just an average girl uninterested in the crown prince or political games, I might avoid getting executed like in the game’s storyline.
“Then… would Your Majesty grant me my little wish?”
Perhaps caught off guard by my boldness, the Emperor blinked at me, then let out a slow, amused chuckle.
“A wish? You’re asking me for a wish?”
Crisis was just opportunity in disguise. Rekanon didn’t want me as his companion, and the Emperor couldn’t afford to bring me in as the prince’s fiancée.
All I wanted was to show the imperial family that I wasn’t a villainess.
“It’s not a grand wish. But I was taught in my family that when something is received, something must be given in return.”
The Count of Inferna was known to be obsessed with gold. He never gave anything without getting something first, so the Emperor wouldn’t doubt my reasoning.
I purposely widened my eyes and gave him an innocent look.
The Emperor stared at me for a moment, then suddenly burst into hearty laughter.
He seemed to believe it was the purity of a child.
“Very amusing. Fine. Since this matter can’t be ignored, do your best to provide a thorough explanation.”
I gave him a small nod. I had solved the problem myself, so I had nothing to fear.
“Then I shall begin.”
A short while later, the Emperor secretly summoned the greatest mathematicians in the Empire.
I handed out my written solution and stood at the front alone. But as I began explaining, my legs started to tremble—maybe because I was still in a child’s body.
“Looks like she’s not confident.”
“No child that young could have solved such a problem.”
I didn’t know how they sensed my nervousness, but the scholars were already doubting me.
Though I wasn’t confident in public speaking, I had complete faith in my math skills. I replied plainly:
“Ahem… I’m just a bit nervous.”
The Emperor raised his hand authoritatively, quieting the room.
“Begin.”
My heart pounded louder than ever. I never imagined I’d end up solving math problems in front of imperial scholars.
‘You can do this, Yoon Soobin!’
Speaking into a magical device that served as a mic, I began as clearly as I could:
“Please take a look at Sheet 1. The problem here involves multiplying mixed numbers, which can be solved in two ways. I’ve labeled them as Method 1 and Method 2.”
As I scanned the room, the Emperor met my eyes as if urging me to continue.
“After checking, go ahead and proceed.”
“Yes, first: convert all mixed numbers into improper fractions and multiply them.”
My voice had trembled at first, but soon I regained my confidence and began speaking with more strength.
Fortunately, it seemed everyone understood my explanation. Even the Emperor and the scholars nodded in concentration.
“I see.”
“Second: you can split the mixed number into a whole number and a proper fraction, then multiply each part and add the results.”
After my second explanation, the scholars began whispering excitedly to each other.
It felt oddly surreal—like Sir Kroon had multiplied and become a whole group of overly excited fans.
The Emperor turned to Sir Kroon, the scholar he was most familiar with.
“Sir Kroon, what is your opinion of this solution?”
“It was excellent. I would like to document this method in a book with Lady Inferna’s help, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor, now studying the equation, chuckled with satisfaction.
“Then Lady Inferna will be credited with the solution. The book will be donated to the Imperial Academy, and she shall be awarded in her name.”
I blinked in surprise at the sudden declaration. The Emperor gave me a sly smile and added:
“What, did you think I was going to steal credit for your work?”
