Chapter 109
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Even though Calix knew that Luna was actually Lea, he did not send her back to the palace. In the now-empty palace that used to be hers, Rose, Zion, and Derek were gathered, holding a strategy meeting.
“…I’ll go.”
Rose could not wait any longer. She knew where Lea was, and as her exclusive lady-in-waiting, it was only natural that she should go.
Zion and Derek were silent. The two of them still hadn’t fully recovered from the overwhelming sense of powerlessness they experienced that day.
They already knew, even among Espers, there could be differences in rank, but this went beyond just a matter of rank.
Derek, lost in thought, was the first to speak.
“In your opinion, do you really think the Empress is pregnant?”
“To be honest, it’s hard to believe. Isn’t the timing just too coincidental?”
“When I passed by the Empress’s palace, I tried to read the thoughts of those around, but it was difficult to find anyone who actually knew the truth behind the rumors. It seems only a very few people are aware.”
“It’s most likely only the head lady-in-waiting knows. The Empress has always communicated important matters only to her.”
“Ha…”
What they had planned was to hold a splendid debut for Lea as a Guide. They intended to bring her to a banquet to display their bonds and attract other supporters.
With the Grayson ducal house and the Felitier marquisate already on their side, they thought it would be easy to form a faction…
“Could His Highness the Imperial Crown Prince have done it on purpose?”
Not many nobles knew yet, but there was a widely spread rumor in the palace.
It was about the secret night between the Imperial Crown Prince and Lady Haisley. There were two kinds of reactions among people regarding it.
Some felt it was inappropriate since they had lived almost like family, while others said it was bound to happen, having an unrelated man and woman in such close quarters with no blood ties.
Of course, even as they spoke, no one took it very seriously. After all, Lea was not a noble but a commoner.
The nobles simply saw it as entertaining gossip, convinced that a royal would never be sincere toward a commoner.
Having seen the filthy minds of people himself, Derek was even more sensitive about it than Zion. He spoke with a voice full of discontent.
“Why did His Majesty the Emperor not grant Lady Haisley a title?”
He shouldn’t have, but it felt like all of this was the Emperor’s fault. In truth, the Empress was not the only one who neglected Lea despite knowing she was a Guide, so he wasn’t entirely wrong.
Normally, Zion would have objected to Derek’s words, but this time, he was quiet. He, too, had once wondered the same thing.
And now, as if finally understanding the Emperor’s true intentions, cold sweat ran down his back.
“…Is it all right if I read your thoughts?”
Derek was getting frustrated as Zion just sat there with a strange expression, so he asked directly. If he was just going to think to himself, he might as well let Derek read his mind.
“You… you’ve gotten rather shameless.”
“Indeed. They say position makes the man, and it’s true, Young Lord.”
“It would’ve been better if you’d become a bit more positive.”
“This is plenty good enough. What could I do, growing up watching nothing but trash?”
At his blunt words, Rose watched the two of them with wavering eyes, then quietly slipped away. She figured there was nothing to gain by hearing any more.
Zion felt he should give Rose high marks for always acting this way. Sometimes, knowing too much is no good.
“What were you thinking, making such a strange face? Please tell me, or I’ll just read your mind anyway.”
“…Ha, I think I understand now why His Majesty the Emperor didn’t grant Lady Lea a title.”
“Then tell me what it is.”
Frustrated, Derek was ready to just peer into his mind if he didn’t answer this time. But at last, Zion gave a proper reply.
“…He left the opportunity for His Highness the Imperial Crown Prince.”
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