Chapter 68

When the selection of people in the capital was completed to some extent, the atmosphere began to regain stability little by little.

First of all, there was a noticeable decrease in the number of nobles who were reckless with Caesar. Everyone felt their life was precious.

“He’s stirring it all will to be an ambiguous line for the empress dowager to pick a fight.”

In the end, Leonard accepted the title of the captain of the imperial bodyguards and kept Caesar’s side all day.

“You see. Anyone can see that he’s going against the dowager’s nerves, but if anyone gets angry about it, the angry side becomes rather ridiculous.”

Well, I think I understand.

It must be in the same context that he called me his swordsmanship teacher again.

“At the same time, his image of pushing ahead with his plan relentlessly and throwing his opposition out coldly has become clear,” Leonard said with his tongue out. “It’s not like he’s being tyrannical. To be honest, I was a little worried, but also sorry.”

“I didn’t except you to compliment him so much, Brother.”

“Rather, I’m reflecting on myself. I might have underestimated him too much,” Leonard said seriously.

Well, thinking of Caesar being praised makes me feel proud for no reason.

“Right. How’s his health?”

“Health?”

“Last time I saw him, he looked like he lost weight.”

Leonard pondered for a moment at my question and then nodded slowly, “Um, yes. He said he was very tired. Because he has a lot of work.”

“Oh, as expected.”

“But now that he’s got some time to rest, he’ll be fine.”

“I see.” I let out a long sigh.

Leonard poked me and smiled. “What is it, Helena? Does it bother you?”

“Huh? Uh, mm. Is it weird if I care about Cae- His Majesty?” Somehow, out of embarrassment, the gibberish words came out unconsciously. My face heated up.

Seeing such me, Leonard’s eyes widened and he laughed. “Helena, you’re blushing.”

“What, really?” Embarrassed, I put my hands on my cheeks. The cold body temperature of my hands slowly cooled my hot cheeks.

Ugh, how embarrassing.

But why should I be embarrassed? It’s not a crime.

“Helena, you’re cute,” Leonard said with a smile. It was the first time I’d seen my angelic brother put on such a mischievous expression.

“No, don’t make fun of me.”

“I’m not making fun of you. It’s nice to see you like this.” Leonard’s eyes bent gently. “I think any girl in love is bound to look cute.”

Oh my. I’m getting goosebumps because it’s not something he would’ve said normally. But he’s good at it. Even that’s so Leonard-like that it impressed me.

On the other hand, I’m doing too many things that aren’t like me.

A girl in love. I never thought that term would point to me.

‘People change so easily.’

I didn’t realize it when I watched myself change.

Human life is unknown.

Even if you live twice.

***

How many months has it been?

On the way to the imperial palace for a swordplay lesson with Caesar.

My steps were lighter than ever. I felt so good that Agoth noticed it.

“You look happy, my lady.”

“Really?”

“Yes!”

“It’s been a while since I haven’t looked at my opponent and it’s fun to think about swinging a sword!”

“Ah… so it’s for that reason.”

“Huh? Why?”

“Oh, nevermind. Ahaha.” Agot laughed awkwardly.

Agoth and I separated up in the lobby. Because she wasn’t a noble, she couldn’t go inside the imperial palace.

I went straight to the place I had promised Caesar.

At the end of the long corridor, the moment I entered the spacious corridor through the arched open door.

“… Huh?”

Even before I got to the place, I ran into them im in the corridor.

Caesar and Yulika.

‘Oh, bad timing.’

I sneaked back through the arched door and hid against the wall. I don’t know why I’m hiding.

… Anyway, those two. I think there’s an atmosphere where it’s hard to approach hastily.

“Ah, y-you see,” Yulika’s trembling voice echoed in the spacious corridor.

Caesar sat in a cheeky position with his chin on the armrests of his couch, staring coldly at Yulika standing in front of him.

“My father says he wants to invite you to dinner tonight if you don’t mind…”

‘Oh my God.’

I looked up at the ceiling and clicked my tongue briefly inwardly.

Yulika’s voice was trembling painfully. She looked like she would burst into tears if she was poked.

Sneakily, I peeped inside the corridor.

Caesar’s cold eyes and cold expression were clearly visible from afar.

It seemed like he would kill her if she said something wrong.

‘It’s terrifying.’

That’s what the people of the imperial palace call the ‘wolf mode’. It’s a rare sight for me, so I’m more surprised than scared.

“Uh, so…” When Caesar didn’t answer, Yulika tightly closed her eyes and opened her mouth again.

The sight of her clasping her hands tightly in front of her chest was truly heartbreaking.

“D-Do you mind, Your Majesty?”

You are so brave, Yulika.

I don’t want to cheer you on.

Caesar changed his posture. He put his interlaced hands on his crossed knees and tilted his head to look at Yulika.

“Why should This Majesty do that?”

I feel so sorry now.

I softly curled my lips at this exciting scene.

“Because I’m Your Majesty’s fiancée…”

“Yulika Brande.” When Caesar called her name, Yulika shuddered and trembled. “At least you have to make eye contact with me and have a conversation so that I can accept the invitation, right?”

How is she supposed to make eye contact when you’re blatantly intimidating her?

Well, Yulika, who’s still stuck with Caesar despite her trembling, is also a problem.

‘She said she would be an empress. Does she think she’s fit to be in this spot?’

I stood with the back of my head against the wall and took a slow, deep breath.

‘But it’s not like I’m going to say something when I got stabbed in the back by such a fool.’

I remembered it again. The past days when I was humiliated in front of the empress dowager. Cough.

“… I don’t know why you look like that.”

“Uwa, what a surprise!”

Wow, I was really surprised.

The voice came right in my ear. Caesar had approached me without me knowing.

When our eyes met, Caesar smiled. “You came early.”

“Ah… yes. Good morning, Your Majesty.” I hurriedly bowed my head to Caesar.

“Did you eavesdrop on me?” Caesar’s eyes narrowed.

Yulika, who was still standing in the corridor, was seen shivering and hiccuping at Caesar’s words.

Is she so scared even though he’s not talking to her?

“Rather than eavesdropping, I heard it,” I tilted my head and answered Caesar.

“Oh. You heard it. That’s a good excuse.”

“It’s funny you’re accusing me of eavesdropping when you’re speaking in such a loud voice in an open place.”

“But didn’t you hide here?”

“I didn’t hide, I read the atmosphere and left for a while.”

“Well.”

“It’s not like I can intervene without notice when Your Majesty and ‘Your Majesty’s Fiancee’ are having an important conversation.” I deliberately gave strength to the ‘fiancee’ and said it as if arguing. Then Caesar groaned and bit his body a little.

“Oh… I see. It’s my fault.” Caesar smiled sadly as if he had lost.

And I saw.

Yulika Brande’s resentful eyes staring at me.

For her, Caesar is cold, but when he talks to me, he laughs, jokes, and softens.

She must hate me so much that she wants to kill me.

‘Look carefully. This man is mine.’

I glared at Yulika with that feeling.

“Yulika Brande.”

“Huh?! Ah, yes, Y-Your Majesty!”

“I have an appointment with my teacher today, so I cannot accept your father’s invitation.”

“B-But-”

“Or will you be my sword opponent?” Caesar raised one corner of his mouth and pressed Yulika.

‘Wow, you villain.’

How could this man be so mean? I’m so happy.

“… I see. I will tell him that.”

Eventually, Yulika clenched her fists and lowered her head.

***

The match with Caesar was really good.

I was able to stick with all my might more than ever before. Caesar and I exchanged clashes with each other as if freed from something.

There were many eyes, so we didn’t converse a lot.

However, when the tip of the sword got entangled, when the gazes were exchanged, when the body lightly bumped into each other.

I felt like we’d delivered everything we had to say and heard everything we had to hear.

“I’m relieved…!”

On the way back after a two-hour battle.

I was able to enjoy the feeling of freshness for a long time.

Leonard, who was walking next to me, looked at me happily.

“Is it that good?”

“I’ve been feeling very awkward dealing with only the trainees this whole time. So yes, I’m relieved now.”

“Haha. As expected, you look the happiest when you hold the sword.”

“Is that so?”

I thought I would never hold a sword again.

Because I had terrible memories of learning the sword through all kinds of abuse in my previous life.

But, I guess I do like swords… or is it the feeling of knocking my opponent down?

“I’ll walk you up here. I have to protect His Majesty,” Leonard stopped in the middle of the hallway and said to me.

“Yes. don’t worry. Thanks for taking me here.” So I separate with Leonard in the middle of the hallway.

But it wasn’t long before I had to stop walking again.

“You stupid thing!” A piercing scream rang out from behind a tightly closed door.

“Oh, that’s a surprise. What was that?”

Which noble is holding on to a palace maid?

It’s best to pretend I don’t know, but I’m really concerned.

Eventually I made my way towards the door where I heard the sound. Then I carefully opened the door and peered into the room with a gap about a span.

“What the hell can you do? Do you think I put you in that position just to show off?”

“I-I’m sorry…! I’m sorry!”

‘… Yulika Brande?’

Surprisingly, the woman being scolded was not a maid. She was the fiancee of the emperor.

It was her father, Margrave Brande, who was pushing her.

He screamed as he hit the floor with the stick he was holding. Every time the wand made a thump, Yulika’s shoulder jumped in surprise.

“How long are you going to be ignorant?! Can’t you grab a man’s heart?!”

“B-But His Majesty is in love with someone else…”

“You fool! Do you know what people say about you? A wood! You’re like a wood!”

Yulika burst into tears. She even hiccuped.

“Why do you learn magic? You’d rather learn swordsmanship! What the hell do you know to do?!”

Still, as if she had no courage at all, Yulika closed her eyes tightly and started talking while shaking.

“… You did.”

“What?”

“You were the one who said a girl shouldn’t hold a sword!”

At Yulkca’s exasperation, Margrave Brande’s expression changed like a demon.

He no longer spoke. He just raised his hand and slammed Yulika’s cheek hard.

It sounded like it was going to break. Yulika fell to the floor without even screaming. Her lips burst open and blood gushed.

‘… I have to go.’

I thought, biting my lower lip.

Yulika is my enemy. She’s the one who stabbed me from the back. There’s no need for me to step forward and save her from her predicament.

She deserves it.

Think of it that way and just pass by.

I let go of the door handle I was holding.

“How dare you talk back to me?!” Margrave Brande held his cane high this time.

Yulika lay on her floor, clutching her head.

And I…

“Do it in moderation, Count.”

… in the end, got stuck between the two of them.

Aah…

What a sad life.