Chapter 9: The Lost Ring
The imperial palace had numerous rules.
Even the Emperor and Empress were no exception to those rules.
Well, that part was fine.
The rules weren’t overly strict, mostly consisting of advice on maintaining dignity and comportment as royalty.
But among them, one rule in particular was exceptionally troublesome for me…
That rule required the Emperor and Empress to dine together on designated days.
I wondered why such a rule even existed, only to learn it was meant to publicly showcase the harmonious relationship between the Emperor and Empress.
‘Isn’t this basically being a display couple?’
Anyway, today I had another uncomfortable meal with Jerome.
Out of the blue, Jerome asked about my day.
“I heard Leonard visited the Empress’ Palace.”
“…?”
How did he know?
I was so startled I couldn’t answer right away. He repeated his question.
“Or was that not the case?”
“No, it’s true. He seemed concerned about the security of the Empress’ Palace and came by briefly.”
“For that, he shared tea and engaged in conversation with you, I hear.”
…How does he know so much detail?
Feeling a strange unease, I spoke.
“I appreciated his concern. We simply shared a casual cup of tea.”
Honestly, the man had been hit on the head by my book.
So, it wasn’t like I had much choice.
“Hm.”
Jerome furrowed his brow slightly and set down his fork and knife.
Even the act of dabbing his lips with a napkin seemed elegant.
Every small movement exuded the distinct refinement of nobility.
Moments like these reminded me why he was the male lead.
“I’ve heard Leonard is so obsessed with swordsmanship that he rarely interacts with other nobles. Fascinating.”
Jerome stared at me intently before asking.
“Have you known him for a long time?”
“No. I met him for the first time recently, in the garden.”
“The other day?”
“Yes, the day you carried the Imperial Consort back.”
I wasn’t saying this because it upset me.
I was simply explaining the circumstances.
“…Did that bother you?”
“…?”
Bother me? Me?
Not in the slightest.
For a brief moment, I thought I saw the corners of Jerome’s mouth curve into a faint smile.
What’s this? He seems oddly pleased for some reason.
Shaking my head firmly, I replied.
“Not at all. As I’ve said before, I have no intention of interfering in your relationship with the Imperial Consort.”
“Still pretending otherwise, as always.”
He spoke as if he already knew everything.
It was frustrating that he wouldn’t believe me, even though I was telling the truth.
“What must I do to convince you I’m being sincere?”
“Stop tormenting the Imperial Consort first, for starters.”
“I really will from now on.”
“Good. That’s how it should be.”
Despite his words, Jerome didn’t seem to believe me.
This man. He’s back to his usual distrustful self, just like in the original story.
“Why… Why are you like this?”
I was genuinely curious, so I asked.
“What do you mean?”
“When I show the slightest interest in the Imperial Consort, you interfere and get angry. Yet when I try to keep my distance, you tell me to do my duty properly.”
First, it’s this. Then it’s that.
I don’t know what to follow anymore.
“What do you even want?”
These were words I had been holding back for a long time.
Or rather, words I had always wanted to ask but never found the right moment for.
Why are you acting so differently from the original story, dear male lead?
You’re so confusing.
“…”
Jerome’s gaze grew cold.
His eyes briefly swept over the room.
It seemed like he was checking on the guards and servants.
Then, with a frosty voice, he spoke.
“I don’t know what you mean. As I’ve said many times before, all I want is for you to stay away from the Imperial Consort.”
“That’s what I’ve been saying—I’ll do as you wish.”
“You’ve said that before, many times. But what did you end up doing?”
He tilted his head slightly as he asked.
“You claimed to have reflected on your actions, yet you kept tormenting the Imperial Consort. Is it so intolerable that she’s a commoner?”
He smirked coldly and continued.
“Or are you dissatisfied because I’m not giving you attention?”
“Think what you will. I’ll say this for the last time—I won’t bother or torment the Imperial Consort anymore. Just as you wish.”
“…Let’s see if that’s true.”
Jerome’s expression shifted subtly.
His gaze carried a peculiar amusement, one that made me uneasy.
At that moment.
“Your Majesty!”
The dining room door burst open, and a woman hurried inside.
Jerome, looking surprised, spoke.
“The Imperial Consort?”
It was his beloved Fay.
The rule requiring the Emperor and Empress to dine together was an imperial law.
Not even the Imperial Consort could break it.
Fay knew this well.
She had never been the type to stir trouble, which made this situation all the more unusual.
“What’s going on?”
Jerome asked as he caught Fay in his arms.
“Your Majesty, I… I’ve made a terrible mistake.”
“A mistake? What mistake has you so distraught?”
Crying?
Looking closely, I saw Fay’s face streaked with tears.
Even when Jerome asked for an explanation, she could only cry sorrowfully without providing a proper answer.
“Sniff… I made a terrible mistake.”
Jerome gently wiped her tears with his hand.
“What happened to upset you so?”
“I lost the precious gift Your Majesty gave me.”
“The gift I gave you? What are you referring to?”
“The ring you gave me as a token of your sincerity that day…”
“The pearl ring?”
“Yes, the beautiful ring with the unusual pearl…”
An unusual pearl ring.
‘Ah, I see.’
Something came to mind.
I understood what gift she was referring to.
It was the scene where Jerome, conflicted about his feelings for Fay, finally confessed to her in a secluded spot.
That special day, Jerome gave Fay a gift.
It was his first present to her, a token of his confession, carrying significant meaning.
And now, she had lost that ring.
Finishing my thoughts, I slowly set down the fork in my hand.
‘…Great.’
This wasn’t the time for a leisurely meal.
“When did it go missing?”
“It hasn’t been seen since this morning. I always wear it after finishing my morning preparations…”
In a trembling voice, Fay answered Jerome’s question.
“I’m sorry. I can’t believe I lost the gift Your Majesty gave me…”
“It’s fine. It’s just a ring. I’ll get you a new one.”
Jerome patted her back, comforting her.
“Don’t cry.”
But the more he comforted her, the more tears streamed down Fay’s face.
Her sobs showed no signs of stopping.
“I told you not to cry.”
“But that ring means so much to me, Your Majesty.”
“I’ll get you a prettier, more expensive one.”
“No matter how pretty or expensive the replacement, that ring is precious to me, Your Majesty. It holds so many memories…”
Feeling my throat tighten, I picked up the glass beside me and sipped water slowly.
The leading couple was painting a beautiful scene, but watching it was far from comforting.
The Imperial Consort’s lost ring.
This incident was a part of the original story.
‘If my memory is correct…’
The missing ring was tied to me.
“Don’t worry. I’ll find it for you.”
“Promise me, Your Majesty. You must find it.”
“I promise.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Please find it. I wonder who could have stolen it…”
As Fay said this, she glanced briefly at me.
It was as if she were accusing me of being the culprit.
Hey. How could she think that?
Of course, with my history of wrongdoings, I couldn’t entirely deny suspicion.
Setting down my glass, I spoke in a calm voice.
“Losing such a precious ring must be very painful. But don’t worry. If anyone can find it, it’s His Majesty.”
My composed words made Fay’s eyes flicker momentarily.
Then, she smiled.
“Yes. I hope so too, Your Majesty.”
***
After finishing my meal, I returned to the Empress’ Palace.
“It seems there was quite the commotion at the Imperial Consort’s Palace,” said Countess Chloe, the head maid.
She already knew about Fay losing the ring.
“That’s right. I’m impressed you already know.”
“There are quite a few people in the Imperial Consort’s Palace who report back to us.”
“Ah, I see.”
Indeed, I had met with my informants hidden around the palace not long ago.
Before that, they’d been communicating with me directly. But since then, they had begun liaising with Countess Chloe instead.
“You’re remarkably quick. I only just heard about it from the Imperial Consort herself.”
“The entire Imperial Consort’s Palace was in chaos from early this morning. From what I hear, she cried all morning.”
“Yes, I saw. She seemed heartbroken.”
Even Jerome couldn’t stop her tears.
“From what I’ve heard, the gift was incredibly special to both of them…” Countess Chloe cautiously remarked.
“Who could have stolen it?”
“…Indeed.”
I wondered too.
Who could have been bold enough to steal that?
“His Majesty seems very upset. Whoever the thief is, they won’t escape severe punishment.”
That’s true. Unlike the last time with the torn dress, this won’t be overlooked.
Sighing deeply, I asked Countess Chloe.
“Just to be sure… it wasn’t one of ours, was it?”
The only people I knew bold enough to do something like this were my informants.
After all, these were the people who had torn Fay’s dress and broken her shoe heel.
If they had their minds set, stealing a ring would be no big deal.
Countess Chloe shook her head firmly.
“No, it wasn’t.”
Her decisive expression suggested she had already conducted her own investigation.
“That’s a relief. If this had been another incident caused by our people, it would have been disastrous.”
“You spoke to each of them personally, Your Majesty. For now, I don’t think anyone will act recklessly without explicit instructions.”
I nodded.
“Good. Considering the tense atmosphere, it’s best to lay low for now.”
I gave Countess Chloe several instructions.
“They may decide to search the Empress’ Palace as part of the investigation. Be cautious and avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings.”
“But surely… searching the Empress’ Palace would be unthinkable. That’s unacceptable,” Countess Chloe said, her expression hardening.
A search of the Empress’ Palace was no trivial matter.
“I just want to avoid unnecessary complications. Please be meticulous.”
After emphasizing my point, I rubbed my temples tiredly.
“By the way, I’d like to be alone for a while…”
“Understood. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call.”
Noticing my mood, Countess Chloe withdrew with the other maids.
Once the surroundings grew quiet, I approached the bed.
‘Surely not.’
It couldn’t be.
The moment I heard the Imperial Consort had lost her ring, a suspicion had gnawed at me.
I pulled back the ornate canopy, lifted the draped covers and the sheets.
Under the bed, hidden in the darkness.
There it was.
A small, shiny object that shouldn’t have been there.
“Ha…”
I let out a deep sigh.
Reaching under the bed, I grabbed the object.
A small band looped around my finger.
A plain band adorned with small and large gemstones.
In the center, a pearl of an unusual hue gleamed.
Inside the ring, there was a faint scratch, as if it had been nicked by something.
Yes. It was the Imperial Consort’s lost ring.
“What do I do with this now?”
Unaware of my internal turmoil, the ring shimmered enigmatically in the light.
—
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