Chapter 21: Deepening Misunderstandings
“What? Did the magician accept the proposal?”
The Imperial Consort’s Palace.
Fay, who was enjoying tea and snacks with Jerome, exclaimed in surprise.
“That’s really great. His Majesty has been trying to recruit him as the Royal Magician for so long.”
Fay smiled brightly and congratulated him. However, Jerome’s expression was not cheerful.
“You don’t look happy. Is something wrong?”
“…….”
“Isn’t this what His Majesty has always wanted?”
“…It’s strange.”
“What’s strange about it?”
Tap, tap.
Jerome drummed his fingers on the table.
It was a habit he showed when he was focused on something.
“He was so adamant about rejecting even when His Majesty promised to grant him anything he desired as a Royal Magician. I don’t understand why he suddenly changed his mind.”
“Wasn’t it because His Majesty persuaded him?”
Fay asked in astonishment, but Jerome shook his head.
“He rejected all my proposals. Said he didn’t want to be tied down. But then, out of nowhere, he came back saying he wanted to do it.”
“Maybe he reconsidered and thought it would be good to accept His Majesty’s proposal?”
“Hmm…”
Jerome slowly stroked his chin.
His eyes gleamed sharply.
“…There must be a reason for someone to change their mind so suddenly.”
“Did the magician ask for anything in return?”
“…….”
“Was it a difficult request?”
“No. On the contrary, he wanted something unusually simple.”
Jerome said firmly.
“A small research lab where he could be alone. And the right to freely come and go to the conservatory.”
“They say the Guardian of Verdure loves flowers and nature… It seems that’s true.”
Fay nodded in agreement and added.
“But why a research lab? Don’t the Royal Magicians already have one?”
“He asked for a new one to be built near the Empress’ Palace.”
Jerome spoke as if biting off the words.
“The Empress’ Palace…?”
Fay’s eyes widened.
There was something suspicious about him specifically mentioning the Empress’ Palace.
“Does the Empress already know the magician?”
“Not at all.”
Jerome had already assigned his secretary to investigate that matter.
But so far, there was no evidence of any connection between the two.
‘Unless they’ve had secret meetings.’
Jerome’s gaze turned cold.
Unaware of his thoughts, Fay spoke as if there was no need to worry.
“It’s probably a coincidence. The conservatory near the Empress’ Palace is famous for its beautiful flowers and trees. That must be why.”
Even with Fay’s reasoning, Jerome’s expression didn’t soften.
Fay found his hardened face unsettling.
“By the way, I was so surprised the other day when Sir Leonard openly declared himself as the Empress’ lover!”
“…….”
“I even heard Sir Leonard volunteered to guard the Empress’ Palace…”
Finally, Jerome, who had been lost in thought, turned his gaze to Fay.
But his eyes were not the warm ones she had hoped for.
“Where did you hear that?”
At his questioning tone, Fay subtly avoided his gaze.
“I just overheard the maids talking. It was such a scandalous incident.”
“…….”
“I heard His Majesty didn’t approve. Is that true?”
Jerome didn’t answer.
Seeing his silence, Fay’s eyes trembled.
“W-Why didn’t you approve?”
“Why should I?”
“I thought it was a great idea.”
“A great idea?”
Jerome raised one eyebrow as he questioned her.
Fay smiled brightly and spoke.
“I’m always well-guarded by the knights, but I’ve heard the Empress’ security is a bit lacking.”
“The maids by your side gossip too much.”
“Is that not true?”
“It’s none of your concern.”
“…Why not?”
Tears welled up in Fay’s eyes as she looked at Jerome.
She didn’t know why she felt so upset.
But she was somehow hurt by Jerome’s sensitive reaction to matters concerning the Empress and Leonard.
“Is there a special reason Sir Leonard shouldn’t guard her?”
“…….”
Jerome gazed at Fay’s face with an expressionless look.
Then, with a steady hand, he wiped away her tears.
“You’re still as prone to tears as ever.”
“…No, I’m not.”
“There’s no need to cry. It’s not what you think.”
“Then…?”
“The reason I didn’t allow Sir Leonard to guard her was purely because I didn’t want the royal family’s conduct to appear improper. If the Empress desires it, I’ll allow it.”
***
“Hoo.”
Finally, it was over.
After finishing the tea gathering with the noblewomen, I was returning to my room.
It wasn’t easy smiling and drinking tea all day.
As I massaged my tired shoulders and turned a corner, I stopped.
“…Huh?”
A single flower was suddenly held out in front of me.
Looking up with wide eyes, I saw the figure of a man holding the flower.
“Cedric?”
At my call, the man, whose face was half-hidden behind a white mask, gave a soft smile.
A flower enthusiast who once sneaked into the palace just to see flowers.
No, now he was walking around as an official Royal Magician of the Imperial Palace.
The strange thing was that his research lab was near the Empress’ Palace.
When I asked him how such a coincidence could happen, he said he didn’t know either.
Well, that could happen.
“You’re giving me a flower again today.”
“I saw it while passing by.”
“What kind of flower is this?”
I asked, taking the flower.
“…A begonia.”
“Begonia. It has such a beautiful sound.”
Last time, he gave me an orange rose.
Today, it was a deep red flower, so strikingly beautiful.
The crimson petals hung like grape clusters.
The small, dainty petals gathered together like tiny drops, looking so adorable.
“Thank you.”
I expressed my sincere gratitude.
The deep floral fragrance seemed to soothe my weary body and mind.
“The scent is wonderful. Where did you find such flowers?”
I couldn’t recall seeing these flowers anywhere in the garden.
“They are ordinary wildflowers. They are so common that they don’t deserve a place in the royal garden.”
“They’re so beautiful… I really like them. I’ll ask the gardeners to plant them later.”
At my words, Cedric showed an awkward expression.
“This is a rare variety that’s hard to find nearby. Even if you show it to the gardeners, they might not recognize it. I’ll bring some for you from time to time.”
“Really? You don’t have to go out of your way…”
“I sometimes climb the mountains to gather experimental materials. Picking a few flowers on the way is no trouble at all, so there’s no need to worry.”
“Don’t tell me you scaled cliffs to get these flowers?”
“Ah, no, not at all.”
He hurriedly shook his head.
His reaction seemed unusually hasty, but at least he denied it, so I was relieved.
“Would it be possible for me to join you on one of your trips to the mountains? I imagine the scenery with these flowers must be stunning.”
“Ah, that’s…”
“……?”
Cedric looked troubled.
He avoided my gaze and scratched his head.
Does he have a secret spot?
“Is it difficult?”
He nodded, looking dejected.
“It is… rather difficult.”
“I must have made an unreasonable request. Don’t worry about it; I was just speaking offhandedly.”
It was disappointing, but I didn’t want to make him uncomfortable.
Yet Cedric’s expression remained gloomy.
“Really, it was just a casual remark. Don’t feel burdened. It’s fine.”
“…It’s not fine for me.”
Cedric spoke in a sullen tone.
“Well then, let’s do this. You can just introduce me to another flower.”
“Another flower?”
“Would that be too difficult as well?”
When I asked with a smile, Cedric paused for a moment.
Then, he smiled softly.
“Not at all. I’d be happy to.”
We continued chatting about various topics after that.
“But you’re alone today,” Cedric remarked.
It must have been strange to him since I usually had at least five or six maids accompanying me, yet today, there wasn’t a single one.
“They said they had urgent matters and asked for a bit of time. I didn’t really need anything, so I let them go.”
“Is that so? The garden seemed unusually quiet as well. It must be something important.”
“Did it? Come to think of it, even the attendants helping with the tea gathering seemed fewer than usual.”
“Do you have any guesses about what’s going on?”
“Not really…”
I tilted my head.
“The serious expressions on their faces made it seem like something significant…”
***
At that moment.
The personal maids of the Empress’ Palace were holding a meeting with serious expressions.
The topic was clear.
“Why did Her Majesty suddenly tell us to stop everything?”
The abrupt order from their superior to cease all operations.
Stop monitoring the Emperor.
Stop harassing the Imperial Consort.
They had obeyed for now, but the situation was riddled with oddities.
It was as if someone had completely changed overnight.
The maids were in utter confusion.
No, it wasn’t just the maids.
The nearby cooks, designers, guards… all wore heavy expressions as they remained in their places.
A maid broke the silence.
“Has anyone heard anything else?”
No one answered readily.
But in such serious situations, there’s always one person who remains oblivious.
“Maybe Her Majesty is just no longer interested in the Emperor?”
“Carl!”
The naïve answer from the young gardener prompted a scolding from the white-haired gardener.
“Carl, you don’t understand. Do you know how deep Her Majesty’s love for His Majesty the Emperor is? It’s not a love that can fade overnight.”
His words were met with nods of agreement from everyone.
They all knew well how fervent and intense the Empress’ love for the Emperor had been.
It was only natural.
They were the ones who had cheered on and actively supported the Empress’ love for the Emperor until now.
It was then.
“Everyone, have you still not realized?”
Countess Chloe, who had been observing the situation, spoke with a tone of frustration.
“Countess Chloe, do you understand Her Majesty’s intentions?”
“Of course I do. I’ve served her for years.”
“What are her intentions?”
“It’s obviously reverse psychology!”
Reverse psychology?!
The room erupted in murmurs.
“Then, are you saying she still loves him but is pretending not to?”
A middle-aged guard raised an eyebrow and asked.
Marie, who had been silently listening, stepped forward.
“I once read something similar in a book I gave to Her Majesty, titled ‘101 Ways to Win a Lover’s Heart.’”
Her tone was serious.
“It said that in love, the push-and-pull dynamic is crucial.”
“Ahem. What is this… push-and-pull?”
The white-haired gardener asked.
“Think about it. If someone constantly expresses their affection, the other person is bound to lose interest.”
“And so?”
“What happens when someone who was once passionately in love suddenly becomes indifferent?”
“You’d find it strange, wouldn’t you?”
“Exactly. At first, you’d wonder what’s going on. But that curiosity turns into interest, and if that interest continues…”
“It becomes love?”
“Exactly.”
Oh, my!
The crowd was visibly shaken.
Gasps of astonishment echoed throughout the room.
“As expected…”
“Her Majesty hasn’t given up after all.”
“Rather, she’s devising a highly strategic plan.”
“Feigning indifference to draw attention… How ingenious.”
Amid the commotion, someone raised their hand.
“Could Sir Leonard’s sudden actions also be a part of this?”
“Yes.”
Marie nodded.
“It’s clear that Her Majesty recruited him to capture His Majesty’s attention.”
“Incredible. To think she even recruited Sir Leonard.”
People were awestruck.
“Through this, I’ve come to see Her Majesty’s true self.”
Marie spoke with a reverent expression.
“I don’t know how she swayed Sir Leonard, but this time, she even sent him a letter. Surely, it’s to provoke His Majesty’s jealousy.”
“A letter, you say? What did it contain?”
“I don’t know the details. But judging by Her Majesty’s reaction…”
“It must have been a love letter.”
“By now, His Majesty must have heard of it and is feeling quite unsettled.”
“Indeed. Truly Her Majesty’s doing.”
“I feel ashamed for not understanding Her Majesty’s grand intentions until now.”
The people, who had been surprised, one by one turned their attention to Marie.
“So, what should we do now?”
“Should we just pretend not to know, as Her Majesty instructed?”
Marie shook her head.
“If we only follow her instructions, how can we call ourselves loyal servants of Her Majesty?”
“Then?”
Marie answered with a resolute expression.
“We must anticipate what she wants and act ahead of time. That is the duty of a true loyal servant.”
Oh, how brilliant!
Eyes sparkled in agreement.
Some even clapped in admiration of the idea.
Near the basement of the Empress’ Palace.
That day, the people gathered there made a significant decision.
“We must…!”
“Anticipate Her Majesty’s desires and act ahead of time!”
“For Her Majesty!”
—
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