Chapter 12: Strange Rumors
For a while, the Imperial Palace was abuzz with the Pearl Ring incident involving the Imperial Consort.
It was because of the Consort’s failure to properly keep track of her belongings that even the Empress’ chambers had to be searched.
“What will happen to the Imperial Consort now?”
“I don’t know. It seems the Emperor hasn’t said anything about it yet.”
The maids gathered and chatted.
Then, one of them voiced a concerned question.
“Surely this won’t just be swept under the rug, will it?”
“There’s no way! Her carelessness even caused harm to Her Majesty the Empress!”
One maid clenched her fists in frustration.
“Well… it’s not entirely impossible for this to be overlooked.”
Countess Chloe spoke calmly.
“It’s hard to completely blame the Imperial Consort since the story about the crow complicates things.”
Yes.
Countess Chloe was right.
I had anticipated this outcome from the moment the crow explanation was proposed.
It would be difficult to pin all the blame solely on Fay.
But that was fine.
What I wanted was to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings directed at me.
I had no desire to commit any more villainous deeds.
Ugh, giving up being a villain is harder than I thought.
I sighed deeply.
I just needed to leave this palace as soon as possible.
After all, there’s a saying: If you don’t like someone, it’s better for you to leave.
“But the most surprising thing wasn’t that, was it?”
One maid spoke with an excited tone.
“Who would’ve thought Sir Leonard would gift a ring to Her Majesty the Empress!”
“Oh my, exactly! And it looked exactly the same as the Imperial Consort’s ring!”
Their expressions were filled with astonishment, as if such a coincidence was beyond belief.
Then, they looked at me and commented,
“Your Majesty, you must have been so surprised!”
“Ah… yes. It truly was surprising.”
Not really, though.
I had planned the whole thing.
And the gift box they saw didn’t even contain a ring.
Hohoho.
But, of course, this was a trade secret I couldn’t share.
Unaware of my thoughts, the maids let their imaginations run wild.
“Given how Sir Leonard has been visiting Her Majesty’s chambers lately…”
One maid’s eyes sparkled as she spoke.
“It seems Sir Leonard has feelings for Her Majesty!”
“Oh my, I thought the same thing!”
“Gifting a ring surely has some meaning, doesn’t it?”
“That can’t be.”
I firmly dismissed their assumptions.
Such dangerous speculations needed to be squashed immediately.
“But Sir Leonard is known for not showing interest in anyone, Your Majesty.”
“And he’s never gifted a ring to a woman before.”
You’re wrong, everyone.
That ring wasn’t a significant gift.
I specifically asked him to do it!
“Haha, he simply wanted to thank me for lending him books.”
I laughed lightly, offering an excuse.
In truth, this wasn’t the first time such rumors had surfaced.
And it wasn’t just the maids.
Ever since Leonard started visiting my chambers, many people in the palace began to speculate about our relationship.
Of course, I explained that there was nothing between us.
But no matter how many times I denied it, they didn’t believe me.
Just then—
“Your Majesty!”
The door burst open, and Marie entered.
With a bright expression, she announced,
“Sir Leonard is here to see you!”
***
At that moment, Fay sat in her chambers, showing Jerome the dress she had carefully chosen.
“So, Your Majesty, I was thinking of wearing this dress to the upcoming banquet. What do you think?”
Jerome tapped the table lightly with his index finger as he replied,
“…I don’t like it.”
“Oh. You don’t like it, Your Majesty?”
Disheartened, Fay fiddled with the hem of the dress.
She had called in numerous tailors and made countless alterations to select this one dress.
Jerome’s lackluster reaction upset her.
“Then would you come with me to pick out a new one?”
“…Did they know each other before?”
Jerome’s cryptic mumbling confused Fay, prompting her to call out to him again.
“Your Majesty?”
Jerome finally turned his gaze to her.
“My apologies. I was lost in thought for a moment. What were you saying?”
“……”
Fay spoke again, her voice calm and deliberate.
“I said I needed a dress.”
“Buy whatever you like.”
Jerome answered curtly, but Fay leaned closer toward him.
“Together.”
“…?”
“Won’t you come with me?”
Fay pleaded with an earnest expression.
Her eyes glistened with tears, evoking a heartbreaking image that could move anyone.
“Fine. I will.”
Despite the answer, Fay pursed her lips, unsatisfied.
But Jerome said nothing further.
“Are you…”
Fay cautiously spoke.
“…still angry with me over the ring?”
“……”
“I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I should have been more careful with my belongings.”
When Jerome remained silent, Fay’s voice trembled as she continued.
“But… but you know, don’t you? That it was the crow who took it!”
“Pfft.”
Jerome chuckled.
“Do you really believe it was a crow?”
“What?”
A confused Fay blinked her wide eyes.
“No, it’s nothing.”
Jerome smirked as he spoke.
“How could I possibly be angry at you?”
With that, Jerome extended a hand.
He gently tucked Fay’s hair behind her ear with a kind touch.
“Do you still love me?”
“Of course.”
Jerome nodded lightly before turning to look out the window.
In that moment—
Fay’s expression turned cold, but Jerome didn’t notice.
***
How did this person end up in my room again?
I stared at Leonard, who was seated across from me.
At some point, he had begun to frequent my chambers as if it were the most natural thing.
He claimed it was because the tea at the Empress’ Palace was the best.
I squinted and asked, “How long are you going to keep using tea as an excuse to visit?”
“Who knows? I might have become dependent on the tea here.”
Leonard replied nonchalantly.
“Ah, by the way, have you used the gift I gave you?”
He must have been referring to the real gift—not the ring.
The real gift was a bottle of perfume.
“Yes. It has a wonderful scent.”
I wasn’t lying; the perfume truly was lovely.
Even the maids had been in a frenzy, asking where I had obtained such a thing.
“I’m glad you liked it.”
“Between the ring and the perfume, your family truly has talented people. Such well-crafted items.”
At that, Leonard corrected me firmly.
“No.”
“Pardon?”
“It wasn’t made by my family.”
“Then who…?”
“I made it.”
With a charming smile, he added,
“It’s the only one of its kind in the world.”
The only one?
“The perfume was made exclusively for Your Majesty. It’s one of a kind.”
I was stunned by his words.
A unique perfume, just for me?
“That fragrance belongs solely to Your Majesty. No one else in the world can have the same scent.”
Leonard’s alluring smile deepened as he delivered this sweet, exclusive declaration.
It was dangerous.
I felt the need to draw a line here.
“…Perhaps it’s time you stopped visiting me so frequently?”
“Why?”
“There are strange rumors spreading.”
“Strange rumors?”
Leonard raised an eyebrow in curiosity.
“About our… relationship.”
I muttered awkwardly, barely managing to get the words out.
“…They say it’s unusual.”
People were making a big deal out of the idea that there might be something between us!
Just this morning, I’d been bombarded with questions.
I let out a deep sigh.
“Surely you don’t want these rumors about us either. So I’d appreciate it if you could refrain from visiting.”
“Do you think I’d dislike it?”
“Of course. You wouldn’t want to be associated with someone like me, a person known for their misdeeds.”
“Hmm…”
Leonard tilted his head slightly, his silky black hair falling gracefully.
He looked at me, his blue eyes steady, and finally spoke.
“I don’t mind.”
“…!”
Surprised, my eyes widened.
Leonard’s captivating gaze lingered on me, and his lips curled into a charming smile.
“If anything, I’d prefer to make the rumors true.”
At the time, I had no idea what kind of ripple effects his words would cause.
—
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