Emperor’s Alternate - Chapter 88

“You summoned me, Your Majesty Empress Dowager?”

I entered the Courtesan’s bedchamber and greeted her formally. She was seated on a luxurious sofa, receiving a manicure from five maids. Without saying anything more, I waited quietly. She gestured to the maids and commanded:

“I have something to discuss alone with Leyesha. You may all leave now.”

“Yes, Your Majesty Empress Dowager.”

The maids stopped their work, tidied up their tools, and left, occasionally glancing at me as if acknowledging I was favored by the Empress. Once the door closed behind them and I was alone facing her, my tension eased slightly.

“…You know, Leyesha, usually when a maidservant is favored by the royal family, the Empress Dowager herself steps in to arrange a good marriage for her.”

“…I’ve heard of such cases like that, yes.”

“I’ve always thought that I must find a good match for you.”

For some reason, the Courtesan looked unusually cheerful.

‘Did she call me here just to have this conversation all of a sudden?’

Not long ago, She had summoned me in irritation, telling me to resolve the emperor’s birth scandal quickly.

‘Marriage.’

I already considered myself married to the state in all but name. At twenty-four, I was already considered old for marriage among noblewomen. Whoever I married, my true identity would have to remain hidden forever, and I did not want such a marriage.

Yet if my identity became targeted by enemies trying to uncover it, especially since they had pinpointed me as the “Unknown,” I might be forced to enter into a sham marriage to maintain my disguise of normalcy…

The Courtesan poured wine into the glass on the table. Her long, ornate nails, too delicate to even firmly hold the glass, sparkled with jewels. After taking a few sips of the wine, she spoke in an elegant voice.

“There was a time when His Majesty repeatedly said you had some kind of relationship with Lecan, so I, too, had my suspicions about you.”

“…I understand your caution, Your Majesty.”

I kept my expression calm, giving away no clue.

She smiled as she looked at me.

“When I heard that the volcano where Lecan was located had erupted, I realized my suspicions were unfounded. If there had been any relationship, you wouldn’t have deliberately pushed Lecan into a deadly situation. Well, His Majesty is always like that. Leyesha, you have never once betrayed me.”

“…Thank you for acknowledging that.”

“I was so grateful when Lecan stepped down with just a dukedom. Even if he had asked for the title of archduke, I couldn’t have argued. But do you really think there will be no rebellion?”

For a moment, tension filled the room. I carefully chose my words.

“My parents never intended to start a rebellion, but they were unjustly accused and sacrificed simply because they possessed a power that made rebellion seem plausible.”

“You mean the situation with the House Rotea? Didn’t I promise you I would one day restore your family’s honor? If it’s because of the scandal…”

“It’s not to rush you…”

I lifted my head.

“I thought maybe what I did to Lecan wasn’t much different. So… I want to try trusting him, just this once.”

“…Trust? Lecan?”

“If we look at the facts alone, Lecan has had countless opportunities to rebel. Especially when His Majesty ascended the throne, he had ample chance to intervene, yet he remained silent. Even now, it seems he’s quietly sweeping everything under the rug with just his dukedom.”

I couldn’t reveal the conversation I had with Lecan on the bed, nor could I mention the brief date at the temple where he celebrated my fake birthday. But I wanted to believe in Lecan’s attitude. I wanted to trust him…

“So maybe Lecan might be wronged too, and that’s why I want to give him a chance — just this once.”

Not knowing how she would react, I lowered my head. But this time, instead of irritation, I received a resigned response.

“…If you believe, then I must believe as well.”

“……?”

“You are such a prudent and wise child. Surely you have made the decision to trust Lecan after long and careful thought. It’s not that I trust Lecan, but I do trust your decision.”

Honestly, I might have felt more at ease when the Courtesan was wary and suspicious of me. Standing there speechless, unable to respond to such firm trust, she set down her wine glass and came over to grasp my hand.

Even this woman, always so young and dazzling in my eyes, bore faint traces of time on her hands. When I first met her, she was as beautiful as a freshly blossomed flower. But now, as I was coming of age, I truly felt the years had passed on her.

“You’ve always had a hard time because of that foolish emperor.”

“That’s not true.”

“…I have always been grateful to you. Once our imperial authority is stabilized, what could I possibly refuse to grant you? I would even allow your revenge.”

“……”

“You must have a lot of work, so you may take your leave. When the gossip dies down, I should hold a grand ball in your honor. If I can arrange a suitable husband for you there, it would bring me great joy.”

Seeing the Courtesan smile so brightly, I suddenly found myself at a loss for words but managed to bow my head. Despite knowing her nature well, I had long seen my mother reflected in her.

“…Thank you for your kind words.”

“Go on now.”

She released my hand. Suddenly, an inexplicable sense of unease stirred within me, but I deliberately ignored it.

‘It will be fine. Whatever happens.’

The hand that had just held mine was certainly the Courtesan’s, yet somehow I found myself recalling the warmth I’d felt when Lecan handed me the Tenekvan banner — the strangely hot touch, and the intense, unyielding crimson gaze. I remembered how he had looked over the banner’s emblem.

‘He is not one to be satisfied with a mere duke’s title…’

Though I thought this, I respectfully excused myself and left the Empress’s chambers.