PLQYM | Chapter 43

“I’m back, Your Majesty.”

As Lucian stepped inside and greeted, Heraith looked up. Unlike usual, he was lounging leisurely, reading a book—his relaxed demeanor was enough to make anyone want to smack him.

“Oh, Luce.”

His expression seemed like he had been expecting Lucian, yet the words that came out were quite different.

“Your leave hasn’t ended yet. Why are you back?”

“A bomb dropped in the Imperial Palace and hit me too. How can I rest in peace like this?”

Lucian grumbled as he approached the Emperor’s desk.

Heraith closed the book he had been reading and set it aside, leaning forward slightly. His expression was unusually laid-back as he smiled slyly.

‘Ah…!’

Lucian swallowed a groan. He had suspected it, but now it was clear…

“This is all Your Majesty’s doing, isn’t it?”

“Hmm?”

“Allowing me to take my leave so easily, appointing Franz Clan as the one responsible for this matter, and even planting such a ridiculous incident in the tabloids—all of it was your plan, wasn’t it?”

“How could I, a mere mortal, orchestrate all that?”

Heraith tilted his head innocently and shrugged with exaggerated nonchalance. It was infuriating because Lucian knew it was all an act. A brilliant one, at that—anyone less perceptive than Lucian wouldn’t have noticed a thing.

Lucian lowered his voice, asking sharply, “Did you do this to crush Marquis Clan’s power?”

When his aide looked at him with cold, restrained fury in his eyes, Heraith smirked.
“You catch on quick.”

“Your Majesty.”

“Yeah, yeah. How could I ever hide anything from you? Ah, but that interview incident wasn’t part of my plan.”

“……”

“I mean it, Luce. Do you think I’d make such a stupid move?”

Heraith stood and approached Lucian, his tone unusually soft.

“That particular incident caught even me off guard. When that brat approached me at the palace banquet, I did consider killing him for a moment.”

For a fleeting second, genuine menace flickered in his eyes, but it vanished just as quickly, replaced by a warm hazel glow.

Finishing his words, Heraith reached out and ruffled Lucian’s short black hair. He noticed for the first time how different it looked—Lucian’s luscious black locks made him realize just how pale and washed-out the color of the man who had approached him had been.

“I can’t just kill one of my people so recklessly. After all, I’m a benevolent emperor.”

“Then you shouldn’t have created such a situation in the first place.”

“That’s a different story, Luce. You’ve got to use everything you can.”

Lucian stared at Heraith, who was smiling with a beautifully curved gaze. Despite the smile, he didn’t appear the least bit approachable—instead, his cold, calculating eyes made Lucian’s spine tingle.

Yes, he knew this was the real Heraith.

A man who used everything to his advantage, calculated every move, and manipulated everything in his grasp.

A man quick enough to turn even unforeseen variables into something favorable for himself.

Whatever happened, the Emperor would always find a better solution, even if Lucian wasn’t around. But still…

“Your Majesty.”

Lucian spoke quietly.

“This scandal is no trivial matter. Even among commoners, rumors are spreading that you might be abusing your power recklessly—or worse, engaging in unspeakable acts.”

“Aha.”

“And certain factions are already using this to question Your Majesty’s succession.”

“Weren’t you on leave? How do you know more about this than those who stayed here?”

“Do you even have to ask? If I couldn’t figure this out, why would I be your aide in the first place?”

Lucian looked at him with an expression that screamed, How do you expect me to survive under you if I couldn’t manage something this simple?

Heraith burst into laughter.

“Hahaha! Well, not everyone’s like you.”

“……”

“Ah, now I can finally breathe a bit easier.”

He tousled Lucian’s hair again before plopping back into his chair.

“I’ll deal with Franz. He went too far. If he had just stayed quiet and done his job, he could’ve kept his position.”

“……”

“What? You look like you have something more to say.”

Lucian pressed his lips together, his silence urging Heraith to laugh again, this time with a dazzlingly bright smile. The Emperor’s grin was so captivating that Lucian felt he might succumb to it if he stared any longer.

– Go and tell the Emperor. I have only one demand.

The message Lucian had received before entering the palace resurfaced, bringing a headache with it.

‘These royals, one or the other.’

Lucian ground his teeth before speaking.

“The Princess of Alosa has declared the severance of diplomatic ties.”

Heraith, who had been sitting with his legs stretched out, interlaced fingers resting on his lap, lost all expression at once.

“And what does she want?”

“If Your Majesty allows, I’d like to make her a proposal.”

“A proposal, you say.”

Lucian lowered his gaze, his face impassive.

‘What could be going through that small head of his now?’

Heraith, knowing Lucian’s outward indifference only concealed bold thoughts, smirked crookedly and began piecing together his aide’s intentions.

Soon, he reached his conclusion. It seemed their thoughts were not so far apart.

“Lucian.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The immediate response brought another amused chuckle from Heraith.

“Go to Princess Eloine and clean this up.”

“How should I handle it?”

“Do as you see fit.”

“Can you afford to be so careless with imperial negotiations?”

“Hmm. Something tells me you won’t let it fall apart, will you?”

Lucian closed his mouth again. It was clear Heraith had already guessed his plan.

“Handle it however you want. The result must be the same.”

“Understood, Your Majesty.”

Lucian bowed deeply. A sense of foreboding told him this task was going to be a headache.

“Greetings to the Princess. I am Lucian Astro.”

“Hmm.”

Eloine opened her fan with a graceful flick of her wrist, hiding her face behind it.

A moment later, as if struck by a thought, she let out a soft exclamation.

“Oh! So you’re the infamous aide, Lucian Astro.”

Lucian bowed again.

“I’m sorry you’ve heard of me.”

“Hmm, aren’t you curious about what I’ve heard?”

“I can only hope it was something good.”

Eloine twirled her fan lightly, her gaze scanning Lucian. Despite his slender frame, his upright posture gave him a sturdy presence. Even in front of royalty, his composed smile was captivating—projecting strength tempered with gentleness, like someone who couldn’t and wouldn’t be broken.

“So, Lucian, why would a mere aide seek an audience with me?”

“I heard you plan to sever diplomatic ties.”

“Oh?”

Her eyebrows rose in surprise, clearly not expecting him to bring up the matter so directly.

“I thought you were on leave. How did you know?”

“That’s my job, to notice such things.” Lucian smiled softly.

“Hmm. So you claim. But if your absence led to things going awry, one must question whether this empire is truly as stable as it claims to be.”

A scoff laced with disdain escaped her lips from behind her fan.

Lucian’s smile deepened. He had known she wouldn’t welcome him warmly, but backing down wasn’t an option. He had worked too hard for this, sacrificing sleep to secure peaceful negotiations with Alosa.

‘No way am I letting this fall apart now.’

He bowed slightly, his tone respectful yet resolute.

“I apologize for any discomfort caused. Rest assured, it won’t happen again.”

“Because you’ve returned?”

“Yes, Princess.”

“Oh my.”

Eloine’s eyes widened, and she chuckled audibly. His unapologetic confidence seemed to have struck a chord with her.

“Well, I do like that boldness. Let’s hear it, then.”

“Thank you.”

Lucian straightened and began, “I understand you plan to sever ties. I hope you’ll reconsider.”

“Why should I? A mere princess like me has no power to reconsider.”

Eloine tilted her head, her long hair cascading gracefully, enhancing her beauty. She was someone who knew how to use her appearance to her advantage, fully aware of its impact.

Unfortunately, such tactics had no effect on someone who served an emperor far sharper than her.

“Even so, why would we continue trade with an empire embroiled in baseless scandals? How could we trust you?”

“You’re absolutely right. I would feel the same.”

Eloine’s eyebrows twitched slightly at his unexpected agreement.

“Then why are you here? If we’re in agreement, there’s no need for further discussion.”

“Precisely why I came. To show you how this situation could benefit you greatly, Princess.”

Lucian’s lips curved into a soft smile.

“……”

Eloine frowned slightly, as if trying to gauge his intentions.

“Fine. Speak, then. Convince me.”

Her words finally granting him permission, Lucian began carefully.

“I propose an engagement between you and His Majesty.”

“Engagement?”

Her voice carried disbelief.

“You’re suggesting I marry the Emperor?”

“Yes, Princess.”

“Ha!”

Eloine let out a sharp laugh, her gaze turning icy.

“How pathetic. Is this the best the great Empire of Pranas can offer? I thought more of your emperor, but perhaps he’s just a man scrambling to fix what’s right in front of him.”

Despite her mocking tone, Lucian remained unshaken. His calm, steady gaze carried a glint of frost.

He tilted his head slightly and said, “This is not His Majesty’s idea.”

“What?”

“This proposal comes from me, Princess.”

At his words, Eloine slammed her fan shut and rose from her seat.

“Are you mocking me? Is this how Pranas treats foreign dignitaries?”

“……”

“Guards! Is there no one outside?”

At her shout, royal guards rushed in.

“Take this man and imprison him immediately!”

Pointing straight at Lucian, Eloine issued her order.