/
TMLP Ch. 67 — Malice is Quiet
Leonard became the captain of the imperial bodyguards.
Despite many people’s reluctance, it resulted from Caesar’s decisive push.
Leonard himself was at first hesitant about the sudden appointment. But he, too, had to agree with my persuasion that Caesar needed someone to stop him.
Many who were unaware of the circumstances were skeptical of Caesar’s decision. The empress was even displeased.
Even among those who thought they were on the same side, there were opposing opinions.
“This is nonsense.” For example, Dalton.
When I visited the Red Knight’s commander’s office after a long time, he looked emaciated.
It was partly due to a lot of work recently, but no one didn’t know that it was not the only reason.
“Aren’t people not supposed to do this? Where’s the business ethics? Isn’t that right, Instructor?” Dalton complained to me. “He’s a talent that I’ve seduced and nurtured. And he just took him like this? No matter how great His Majesty is, I don’t think this is right.”
“I know, right? His Majesty was too much.” I casually agreed with Dalton’s words. Never say that I was the one who’d persuaded Leonard.
“Why didn’t you ask His Majesty?”
“Of course I did! Then he said only one thing.”
“What did he say?”
“This Majesty wanted him first.” Dalton mimicked Caesar’s tone, and I burst out laughing. You’re pretty good at mimicking.
“It’s not wrong, though…”
He is probably the second person to know Leonard’s skills well after me.
Because he was someone who learned the sword from me and faced Leonard the most often.
“I wanted to argue more strongly but quit because I was nervous.”
“Why are you nervous?”
“His Majesty is so cruel these days that I can’t even put it into words,” said Dalton, sticking his tongue out. “I’m saying this because it’s between us. Should I say it’s a battle of wits? Anyway, he’s almost pressing Valer’s opinion.”
“Is that all right?”
“It’s close to not. There is already talk of a tyrant or something,” Dalton sighed and stroked his beard. One of his habits came out unconsciously when he was troubled. “This is really a thin ice sheet. Not something I can be curious about for no reason.”
That’s an unavoidable problem… I think.
If he’s pushed by the empress now, he will continue to be swayed like the emperor.
To me, his tyranny seemed like a struggle to survive. It felt like nothing but struggle.
Then Hamilton came in with a knock. My eyes widened in surprise at the face I hadn’t seen in a long time.
“Viscount Noct?”
“Excuse me. Fortunately, you are still there, Princess.”
“Mm? Are you here to see me?”
“Yes, if you don’t mind, would you like to meet His Majesty for a moment?”
“His Majesty?” I tilted my head and asked.
Sitting next to me, Dalton jumped up from his seat and yelled at Hamilton. “What is it?! Don’t tell me you want to take my instructor too, after my cute deputy commander!”
“… I will buy you a drink.” Hamilton came up with a positive remark after much consideration. Dalton tore his hair out with a shriek.
“Then, would you like to go?”
How can I disobey the emperor’s orders?
I nodded and got up from my seat.
***
The office was filled with orange in the late afternoon sunlight.
Two cups of tea were still on the table as if a guest had just left. The sweet scent of Mariajue wine and the smell of paper made me feel nostalgic.
“Your Majesty,” moving forward, I quietly called out to Caesar.
Caesar, who had been sitting with his head bowed, whether he was sleeping or reading a document, slowly raised his head.
Her red eyes gleamed like pomegranates as if they had just regained their light under her long eyelashes.
Caesar.
… I’d like to call your name.
“Come closer.”
His eyes, sharp as if he was going to kill his opponent, changed gently as soon as he realized it was me.
The cold air, entangled in silence, became warm in an instant.
I turned around the desk, walked to Caesar’s side, and knelt next to him.
‘Why does it feel like you lost more weight?’
I was surprised when I looked at his face up close.
I think he lost more weight than I did. I can guess the cause. It’s probably because of stress.
Still, the imperial palace should’ve fed him with the best. Why does he look so dry? It’s upsetting.
“I had a meeting with the commanders of the Knights yesterday. Everyone praised you for your achievements as an instructor.”
“I’m flattered.”
“It’s not that I don’t know your skills, so it’s a natural result,” Caesar grinned. “So, I want you to come back.”
Come back, where?
“Teach me swordsmanship again.”
I, too, want to face him with a sword in hand again.
It is the most enjoyable when fighting Caesar. Most tense, exciting, blood boiling.
Because he’s the only person who can compete on an equal footing with me. Maybe because he’s the only one who can beat me.
However…
“Can I go back to your side again?”
“Otherwise, it wouldn’t be worthwhile to become an emperor.” Caesar burst into laughter, and I smiled a little.
“There should be at least one thing I can do as I please.”
“Soon, everything in this world will be moved by your will,” I held Caesar’s hand tightly and spoke as if vowing. “This Helena Peresca will bring you this world.”
I will defeat the empress dowager.
I will defeat Valer.
I will protect you from everything that bothers you.
“… After the coronation, I received a military oath from numerous nobles and knights,” Caesar said faintly as if recalling.
When a new emperor is born, the nobles and knights of the empire make an oath to the emperor, promising loyalty and service.
“Peresca, Garmal, and Valer, all knelt before me and vowed to be loyal and faithful.”
A family that did not make the oath was considered to be disobedient to the emperor and would be thrown out, so it was a kind of show that everyone had to go through no matter what they really felt inside.
Caesar smiled brightly at me and said, “More than all those oaths, your oath is the most reliable now.”
“Your Majesty.”
“So, come back to me now. By my side, keep the oath.”
I grabbed Caesar’s hands and placed my forehead on the back of his hand.
“All I have is yours.”
My hands, my feet, my life, my heart.
All of my swords.
“Everything will be done as you will.”
My king.
Mine.
Even if I can’t become your woman in the end, I will be your sword until the moment I die.
I promised myself that and closed my eyes.
***
Rowena saw me off on my way back.
The sun had already set, and the hallway was dark. I wished that the cold season would pass sooner rather than later.
“… Rowena.”
“Yes, Princess.”
“Is His Majesty in good health?” I stopped walking and asked.
Rowena walked past me a couple of steps before she stopped and looked back at me.
“I know it’s a difficult time. But I think he lost too much weight.”
“Because we always see each other, I don’t notice any big changes. Maybe it’s because of the heavy burden after suddenly becoming the emperor.”
Is that so?
Well, the war of nerves with Valer is probably getting on his nerves. It’s weird to say that he’s gaining weight in this situation.
What worries me is that this old woman can’t stand by him as much as before.
“Is he eating well?”
“Yes. He’s doing great with no problems. The viscount and I are taking care of him as much as possible.”
“What about sleep? Does he sleep well?”
“As far as I know, there’s no major problem.”
As I let out a shallow sigh, Rowena added, comforting me, “Once the chaotic situation is settled to some extent, your concerns will surely improve.”
“I suppose so…”
It wouldn’t be nice to look too nosy. I swallowed my worries and started walking again.
“I think I should give him some health food.”
“… Pfft.”
“Rowena?”
“Oh, I’m sorry. Something suddenly came to mind.”
“What?” I asked with a frown.
Rowena was embarrassed and fixed her glasses, “I thought the two of you were very similar. His Majesty said the same thing before.”
“He did?”
“She said that the princess has lost a lot of weight and wants to send her food.”
“I haven’t lost weight,” I said, blushing as if making excuses. I’ve lost some weight, but no one should be able to tell.
Caesar, what the hell were you talking about?
“Yes, I didn’t notice either. It’s just that the two of you care so deeply for each other that you notice subtle changes that others don’t know.”
“Is that so?” I felt a little dazed, but I couldn’t help but laugh. Since when did I become someone who looked after and cared about others like this? Concerned and anxious about the change of others they don’t even notice. Anxious to do something for them.
‘It’s probably because I like them.’
I am becoming a more colorful person.
It must have been because of Caesar.
“Please take good care of His Majesty.”
“As you said, I will pay more attention.”
“Thank you, Rowena,” I smiled bitterly and looked at Rowena.
“Wait a minute. Now that I think about it, shouldn’t that Young Lady Brande take care of this instead of me?” When I grumbled to myself in a grumpy manner, Rowena tilted her head slightly.
“Well, Young Lady Brande is trying her best in her way.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Yes. Even though she cries just by making eye contact with His Majesty, somehow she stays with him every day for tea time.”
“Oh… that’s commendable.”
It’s a delicate feeling.
Thank you for caring for him, but I don’t feel so good. It’s supposed to be my job.
‘By the way, it’s quite a shame that she cries just by making eye contact with Caesar.’
She’s so afraid of Caesar yet covets the empress position. Power is indeed everything.
As we talked for a long time, we suddenly came out of the hallway and stood in front of the stairs. Agoth, waiting for me in advance, found me and approached me warmly.
“My lady!”
“Sorry, it’s a little late, isn’t it?”
“No! It’s cold after the sun has fallen, so hurry up and wear this.” Agoth said as she unfolded the coat she was holding. After tucking my arms into my coat, I turned to Rowena standing next to me.
“Thank you for coming.”
“It’s a matter of course.”
“Then now- Oh, there’s one more thing.”
I was about to leave, but when I saw Agoth’s face, something came to mind, so I turned to Rowena again. “How’s the progress on the investigation of Dracoism?”
Caesar had decided to find Dracoism’s stronghold in search of the missing body of Dante.
But in such a devastating situation, there is no way things are going well.
Even I delayed sending Agoth to investigate Noe for a while.
Rowena answered me, raising her glasses, “I have sent scouts in secret. There are no results yet.”
“I see. I expected it.”
“However…”
“…?”
Rowena hesitated for a moment, and then she lifted her head as if she had made up her mind and looked at me. “I am a little concerned that the recent Dracoism gatherings have significantly decreased.”
“… Really?”
“Yes. It would be better if it were dismantled, but if that’s not the case…”
If not.
For example, if Noe has achieved a particular purpose, there is no longer any reason to incite people.
“… Nothing is certain yet,” Rowena boldly added more words as if trying to reassure me.
It was probably not just my illusion that the words seemed to incite more anxiety.