I Didn't Seduce the Dark Grand Duke (13)

I must be cursed. There was no other explanation for the string of disasters that kept landing on my head these past few days.

Never in my life did I imagine I'd receive a tea-time invitation from the Emperor—the sun of the empire himself.

"Wh-what do we do! His Majesty is obviously planning to punish you. I mean, why wouldn't he? He adores the Grand Duke more than anyone!"

Laura's frantic voice echoed in my head, a remnant of her panic before I left.

She had a point. Half-brothers or not, the Emperor and Leon were famously close—well, more precisely, the Emperor was famously devoted to the Grand Duke.

And then there was Laura's crowning argument:

"You stole away the innocence of the little brother he cherishes so much, my lady!"

He'd be dumbfounded, wouldn't he? Furious, even. Of course he would.

Not that I was the one who actually did it.

At this point, I'd moved past anger into the serene territory of acceptance. Having finally settled my heart, I slowly raised my head. Yes—grievances and blaming could wait. What mattered right now was…

"I know how busy you are with your duties. Thank you for accepting such a sudden invitation, Marquess."

"It is my honor, Your Majesty."

I gave a small nod and looked at the man before me.

We were inside the dazzlingly opulent reception hall of the Imperial Palace. Among the countless salons in the palace, this one had been built specifically for receiving distinguished guests, and it showed. A glittering crystal chandelier hung from the high coffered ceiling, and soft velvet curtains filtered the light pouring in from three sides, letting it flow gently into the room. One wall bore an exquisitely embroidered imperial banner, along with ornaments crafted of gold and jewels.

And there, at the center of it all, stood the master of this space—a golden-haired man.

Caiel Obsidian.

The young, beautiful Emperor who had ascended the throne at the mere age of twenty after his father's sudden death.

Now that I look at him, he does resemble Leon a bit.

If Leon Obsidian's looks were those of a finely honed sculpture, his brother's had a softer, gentler quality—like a delicate doll.

Not that that was any reason to let my guard down.

"Hmm. Is the tea not to your taste? You've barely touched it."

"Not at all, Your Majesty. It's wonderful."

I nodded quickly and took a sip. But then…

Hm?

I'd been too busy taking stock of the situation to notice before, but this fragrance brushing past my nose, this sharp note lingering on my tongue—it felt oddly familiar.

"This is… the tea our company released recently, isn't it?"

"It is. I knew you'd recognize it, Marquess. I've always favored Roar's products, but this latest blend especially suits my palate. I've been drinking it every day."

"I'm honored that it pleases you, Your Majesty."

I slipped in a subtle plea for his continued patronage and gave him a bright smile. Perhaps it was the familiar ground, but I could feel my tension easing.

I was just raising my cup for a leisurely second sip when—

"So, Marquess."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"May I ask what exactly things are like between you and Leon?"

"Kghk!"

Correction to my earlier remark. The pleasant warmth of the moment vanished in an instant, and I froze at the question that came hurtling out of nowhere.

Clutching my plummeting heart, I hastily lifted my head—and found the Emperor beaming at me.

Of course. As if he'd ever just let it slide!

"You may not realize it, Marquess, but lately I've found myself waiting for the morning to come. With some new scandal breaking nearly every day, my expectations keep mounting. Haha. My tedious life has never been so richly entertaining."

"Ah… yes…"

"I was quite shocked when I heard that Leon had violated temple law and was made to remove his holy garb. I know better than anyone how deep his devotion runs."

Oh, how terrible.

"And for such a brother to be dismissed—not with honor, but in disgrace, no less…! Khm."

The Emperor abruptly turned his head, covering his face with his hand.

I could have sworn his shoulders were trembling faintly, but surely that was just his utter disbelief at the absurdity of it all.

"I beg your pardon, Your Majesty."

Oh, whatever. Best to just apologize.

Denials were useless against the Emperor of the realm itself. Far better to bow my head meekly than to pile on contempt-of-throne charges with some nonsensical excuse.

So there I was, mid-bow, when—

"Now, now, compose yourself, Marquess. It seems there's been some misunderstanding. I didn't summon you today to castigate you."

"You… didn't? Then why…?"

"Simple curiosity. I want to know when exactly things began between you and the Grand Duke. And no wonder I ask—I truly knew nothing at all."

The Emperor's eyes gleamed as he spoke.

I, on the other hand, only grew more baffled. What was this? He said not to worry since no punishment was coming, and he seemed to mean it.

After a moment of warily gauging his mood, I swallowed dryly.

"If you're asking when the Grand Duke and I became… that sort of couple…"

"Yes. Go on. Last month? No, the Grand Duke was away suppressing mana beasts all of last month. Then last year? Ah, no, that can't be right either. If I recall, you were absent from last year's Festival of Holy Light due to work. Hm. Then when on earth was it…"

Last week.

…Though saying that out loud would probably be strange.

But what am I supposed to do when it happens to be the truth?

"It's truly baffling, you know. When the first article broke, I made my own guesses—and you weren't among them."

"I see…"

"Don't misunderstand—I don't think poorly of you or anything of the sort. It's simply that I couldn't find a single point of contact between you and him. As far as I knew, the two of you had never even held a proper conversation…"

"That's not quite true. I have actually met His Highness before."

Having listened quietly until now, I carefully offered the correction. The truth was, Leon Obsidian and I weren't complete strangers who'd never exchanged a single word.

"We crossed paths a few times at the Academy. His Highness and I were both top of our classes, so we'd exchange greetings now and then at the scholarship students' socials. Ah, and on the day of His Highness's graduation ceremony, I definitely…"

…Hm?

I faltered mid-sentence, caught off guard by my own words. What? Why am I only remembering this now?

Come to think of it, beyond those chance encounters, we had actually spoken once.

On the day of his graduation, to be exact. As the current student representative, I had been waiting with him—the graduating class representative—in a small room beside the stage, preparing for the farewell address. We had definitely exchanged some words then…

But… what did we talk about?

Strangely, I couldn't remember at all.

"The Academy? Top of the class? Hold on—the Academy. Hm… Ah, don't tell me!"

The Emperor, who'd been mulling over the word Academy, snapped his fingers.

"Ah, I remember now! Erna Zacherete! That name was certainly all over the school during my time. I'd completely forgotten—there's a two-year gap between us!"

Looking oddly delighted, the Emperor clapped his hands again and again.

"The legendary valedictorian who held first place in the entire Academy, term after term! The name that sat squarely at the top of the exam rankings board every single testing season! And that was you all along!"

"Yes, that's me. Two years below you, Your Majesty—and one year below His Highness the Grand Duke."

"I see! Of course. Haha!"

The Emperor slapped his knee and laughed with evident satisfaction, like a man who had finally arrived at the answer to some great riddle.

"Right. That explains everything. The puzzle pieces are all falling into place at last—why he's been acting so recklessly."

"I beg your pardon? What do you mean by that?"

Leon Obsidian, acting recklessly? I couldn't have ignored that remark if I'd tried; my ears perked right up.

But the Emperor, who clearly had no intention of elaborating, simply kept clapping and laughing to himself.

After some time had passed—

"Be careful, Marquess."

"…"

"He is by no means as gentle as he appears."

The Emperor, finally recovering from his laughter, delivered the words like a warning.

Be careful? I'm fairly certain it's too late for that.

And yet the man delivering such a warning wore such a cheerful expression that it only made him look more suspicious—as if he were gleefully teasing someone who had already fallen into a trap beyond all escape.

"Well, though I suppose it's a bit late for caution. Haha!"

…Now that I looked at him properly, apparently that wasn't a warning at all. He was just mocking me.

I was on the verge of abandoning all courtly decorum and demanding what on earth he meant by that when—

SLAM!

The reception hall doors burst open with a tremendous clamor, and a man strode in, a hapless attendant dangling off his arm.

Startled by the sudden intruder, I turned toward the entrance—and then was startled a second time when I recognized who it was.

"H-His Highness the Grand Duke?"

Leon Obsidian?

What on earth was he doing here?

No, wait. More importantly—

Gazing up at his blazing blue eyes, I swallowed hard.

Something tells me he is absolutely furious!