Chapter 10: Something Only You Can Do
“Your Majesty, have you heard the news?”
Early in the morning, Countess Chloe spoke while arranging my hair.
“What news?”
“They say the Imperial Consort’s Palace underwent a major search yesterday to find her lost ring.”
“Is that so?”
“It seems that despite their efforts, they couldn’t find the missing ring.”
“I see.”
I clicked my tongue briefly.
Of course, they couldn’t find it.
That ring? It was under my bed all along.
“Apparently, the Imperial Consort couldn’t stop crying in distress, so His Majesty placed a special reward and ordered the entire palace to be searched.”
“Oh dear, they’d better find it quickly.”
Though my tone was serious, I couldn’t truly focus on her words.
My mind was preoccupied with the ring I found under my bed.
‘What am I supposed to do with that ring?’
In the original story, Fay’s tears prompted Jerome to order a thorough search.
Just as Countess Chloe described, they started with the Imperial Consort’s Palace, moved on to search the rooms of everyone who had visited Fay’s chambers, and finally ended up searching the Empress’ Palace.
‘And that’s when the ring is discovered.’
The ring, casually tossed under the bed.
The culprit? The Empress.
That incident caused an uproar in the palace.
Helena, blinded by jealousy, had stolen the Imperial Consort’s ring—the first gift Jerome had ever given Fay.
The aftermath in the original story was devastating for Helena. Her standing plummeted, and vicious rumors spread like wildfire.
At least, that’s how the story went in the book I read.
‘I had assumed Helena stole it while reading the book…’
In the story, the ring is found under the Empress’ bed, but the process leading to that discovery wasn’t detailed.
Still, there it was.
‘And yet, here it is under my bed.’
I certainly hadn’t taken it.
Unlike in the original, I hadn’t visited the Imperial Consort’s Palace or asked to see Fay’s chambers to steal anything.
I had no intention of interfering with Jerome and Fay’s relationship.
Frowning slightly, I thought to myself, ‘Who could have done something like this?’
Rings don’t grow legs. Someone must have deliberately thrown it under my bed.
I could only think of one suspect.
I turned to Countess Chloe.
“Did one of my maids visit the Imperial Consort’s Palace yesterday?”
“Oh, you mean that matter,” Countess Chloe said, clapping her hands.
“There’s an upcoming banquet at the Imperial Consort’s Palace. They were short-staffed, so I sent one maid to assist.”
Countess Chloe glanced around and pointed.
“There she is.”
The maid she indicated was cleaning a window. A freckled girl with long hair braided down to her waist.
“Her face looks unfamiliar.”
“She arrived here just a month ago. Her name should be Roisen.”
“No one else went to the Imperial Consort’s Palace?”
“There’s plenty of work to be done here, so she was the only one sent. Before coming to the Empress’ Palace, she worked all over the palace, handling beddings and laundry. The tasks they needed help with were similar, so I sent her.”
I stared at the maid named Roisen.
‘It’s you.’
She had to be the one who planted the ring under my bed.
I needed more evidence to confirm it, but I had likely found the culprit.
Since her job involved bedding and cleaning, taking the ring from Fay’s room wouldn’t have been difficult.
‘The question is why.’
It seemed unlikely she stole the ring out of greed.
Fay’s ring wasn’t an especially expensive item.
Fay treasured it because it was the first gift she had received from Jerome.
If money was the motive, there were far more valuable items to steal.
Why take that specific ring?
And why hide it under my bed, a place guaranteed to raise suspicion?
“Oh,” I muttered in frustration.
I suddenly realized what was happening.
‘Why didn’t I think of this earlier?’
If I had loyal followers in the palace, Fay must have them too.
Just as my informants would risk everything for me, it wasn’t unreasonable to assume Fay’s supporters would act similarly.
This incident was a setup.
The mastermind? Likely Fay.
And her accomplice? The maid Roisen, who joined a month ago.
‘Roisen must have been planted by Fay from the beginning.’
She had been observing me and seized the opportunity to create this incident.
Fay probably handed her the ring, then orchestrated its disappearance during the meal.
Jerome ordered a search, and the final act would be the discovery of the ring under my bed.
The rest of the story would play out as written.
Wow.
I couldn’t help but admire my own deductive skills.
‘Fay, you’re scarier than I thought.’
The Fay in the book was portrayed as kind and gentle.
But now, she seemed to have a cunning streak.
Of course, this was still just a theory.
But Fay’s sly actions and the peculiar look she gave when discussing the lost ring felt like more than just a hunch.
I smirked faintly and nodded to myself.
Countess Chloe seemed to ask me something, but I was too preoccupied with the ring to pay attention.
I had found the likely culprit and figured out their motives.
Not a bad plan, protagonist.
But unfortunately for you, I already know the future.
Naturally, I had no intention of going down without a fight.
The ring’s discovery would lead to predictable consequences.
Now, the question was how to handle the ring.
‘I could take a walk in the garden and throw it away somewhere…’
But that wouldn’t satisfy me.
At best, it would clear suspicion.
And even then, would they stop suspecting me just because the ring wasn’t found?
There had to be a better way.
As I was lost in thought, a familiar voice interrupted.
“What are you thinking so intently about?”
Startled, I turned around.
“Leonard?”
Leonard stood there, wearing a languid smile.
But why was he here?
Did I have an appointment with him?
Confused, I glanced at Countess Chloe, who sounded just as surprised as I felt.
“Earlier, Sir Leonard requested an audience, and when I asked if you would permit it, Your Majesty nodded with a smile. I assumed it meant you were granting permission.”
“Oh, I see.”
That must’ve been it.
Unlike the dark persona of Fay from the original story, I’d absentmindedly nodded at the time.
Apparently, Countess Chloe had asked me about Sir Leonard’s visit, but I hadn’t paid attention.
“It seems there was a misunderstanding.”
Quick-witted as ever, Leonard immediately grasped the situation.
I nodded.
“Yes. Truthfully, I’m quite preoccupied at the moment and don’t think I can spare the time to meet you.”
I had put it mildly, but my words clearly implied that he should leave.
However, Leonard made no move to leave.
“That’s fine. I only came to return the book I borrowed last time.”
He placed a single book on the table.
101 Ways to Capture the Heart of Your Beloved
“Hm?” I raised an eyebrow.
“I believe you borrowed four books, though…?”
“I haven’t had a chance to read the others yet.”
His response was brazen beyond belief.
I stared at Leonard in disbelief, my mouth slightly agape.
Meanwhile, he casually sat down across from me.
He even politely requested a cup of tea from Countess Chloe.
“I heard the Knight Commander has many responsibilities. But you seem quite leisurely, Sir Leonard.”
“How could that be? Of course, I’m busy.”
“And yet you have time to drink tea here?”
His blue eyes curved into a beautiful smile.
“No matter how busy I am, I can always make time to share tea with someone I care about.”
“…It seems I greatly misunderstood you.”
“Misunderstood?”
“I heard that you’re so devoted to swordsmanship that you have no interest in socializing, let alone in women.”
“Ah, that’s a terrible misunderstanding.”
Leonard spoke with an air of regret.
“It’s true that I’m not interested in the social scene, but that doesn’t mean I lack interest in women.”
He continued with a peculiar expression.
“I just haven’t met anyone who caught my attention until now.”
“How many women have you deceived with that line?”
“Believe it or not, this is the first time.”
“Of course, I don’t believe you.”
For a supposed first, he was disturbingly skilled at this.
Or perhaps he was simply born with it.
He exuded the sly charm of a nine-tailed fox.
“This kind of cold reception is also a first for me.”
His playful smile turned unexpectedly serious.
“Come to think of it… I heard the Imperial Consort’s Palace has been in quite a commotion lately.”
“I’m aware. Are you suspecting me as well?”
“No.”
Leonard answered firmly.
“No?”
“Yes.”
“That’s unexpected.”
“Why do you find it surprising?”
“Well, considering my history…”
Even Jerome had little faith in me because of Helena’s past misdeeds.
In truth, most people would suspect me first as the one harassing Fay.
“Hmm. Just a feeling.”
But Leonard was different.
He echoed the words I’d once said to him, then added:
“I haven’t known you long, Your Majesty, but I can’t shake the feeling that it couldn’t be you.”
His lips curved into a smile.
His gaze, steady and sincere, was fixed on me.
His blue eyes gleamed faintly, making me avert my gaze.
“Ever since you showed interest in those romance books, I’ve thought you had peculiar tastes.”
“Even I didn’t know my tastes were like this.”
“…”
My mind went blank.
I barely managed to reign in my runaway thoughts.
…He’s a tough opponent.
No matter what I say, he has a counter.
As the awkward atmosphere settled, Leonard rose from his seat.
“I’ve returned the book, so I’ll take my leave.”
“Safe travels.”
“When I finish the other books, I’ll bring them back as well.”
No, you don’t have to!
I quickly shook my head.
“You don’t need to trouble yourself to return them in person.”
“Now that you’ve said that, I feel even more inclined to come personally.”
Leonard smiled slyly.
“Oh, and this is a token of gratitude for introducing me to such excellent books.”
He pulled out something from his coat and placed it atop the book.
A small black box tied with a white ribbon.
I tilted my head.
“What’s this?”
“It’s a new product from our family. I hope it pleases you, Your Majesty.”
With that, Leonard handed me the gift, bowed politely, and turned to leave.
As soon as he disappeared, the maids erupted into excitement.
“My goodness! Sir Leonard’s family is the Hilbert Marquessate, isn’t it?”
“If it’s a product from there, it must be something rare and valuable.”
“What could it be? I’m so envious, Your Majesty.”
Their exaggerated reactions made me tilt my head in curiosity.
“Is the Hilbert Marquessate famous?”
“Of course. It’s the most talked-about family in high society these days.”
“They recently opened a new trade route, didn’t they?”
“They’ve introduced all sorts of rare and unique items, most of them limited editions. Every noble in the Empire wants to own at least one.”
“There are even people lining up early in the morning to buy them.”
What is this, some sort of luxury brand frenzy?
I hadn’t realized the family was this influential.
In the original story, they were mentioned as prestigious, but I hadn’t known it was to this extent.
Well, Leonard does go on to dominate the Empire’s nightlife later on.
‘Wait a minute.’
Seeing the white ribbon-tied box, an idea sparked in my mind.
“Countess Chloe.”
“Yes, Your Majesty?”
“Could you call Sir Leonard back for me?”
Shortly after, Countess Chloe returned with Leonard.
“I heard you summoned me, Your Majesty.”
Leonard looked at me curiously.
I nodded.
“Sir Leonard, I have a favor to ask of you.”
“A favor… from me?”
“Yes. Because it’s something only you can do.”
“…”
Perhaps it was the surprise of hearing such words from me, who had always been distant.
A flicker of astonishment crossed Leonard’s eyes.
He lowered himself gracefully and asked:
“What would you have me do, Your Majesty?”
—
Read More at – GENZNOVEL.COM!!
PLEASE JOIN OUR DISCORD AND SUBSCRIBE THE ROLE TO RECEIVE LATEST NOTIFICATIONS!!
Click here -> https://discord.gg/S8c2kGVr2g
Comment