PG | Chapter 16: Pure Concern

Leda set down her scone and clicked her tongue.

“If Mother hadn’t covered for her and left it all alone, the House of Lords would have banished her from the Imperial Palace. The Margrave was certain that Rosha killed Felix…”

“And if Rosha were gone?”

“What?”

Iphis, who had been silently listening to Leda’s harsh words, asked coldly. She elegantly lifted her teacup and posed a sharp question.

“If Rosha were gone, would you, Leda, create the barrier in her place?”

“W-Well…”

“Or should I do it? Me, the eldest member of the Imperial family, the ruler of the empire? Should I do it myself?”

“…I’m sorry.”

Leda bit her lip, gauging Iphis’s mood. Seeing her daughter’s subdued expression, Iphis let out a faint sigh.

“How long are you going to act childishly jealous of Rosha, Leda?”

“…”

Leda, struck by her mother’s words, averted her gaze.

It was true.

The reason Leda find fault with Aloissia was not because she was suddenly jealous of her abilities, or because Aloissia hadn’t attended to the Empress when she had collapsed first.

It was because of Cassius.

He had kept looking at Aloissia in the audience chamber and at the memorial service. She couldn’t help but notice his blatant stares, his gaze fixated only on Aloissia.

Because Leda, too, had been observing Cassius.

“The ruler of Bedua is discussing a marriage alliance with you, not Rosha. So, don’t concern yourself with trivial matters.”

“But Rosha keeps flirting with him. That sly fox.”

“A marriage alliance between nations is a matter of diplomacy. It’s not something that can be swayed by mere flirtation.”

Iphis said firmly and pursed her lips. She, too, was concerned about Cassius’s lack of interest in Leda.

‘Perhaps the marriage alliance will fall through.’

An ominous premonition gripped Iphis. There was a significant chance that the ruler of Bedua would reject Leda. If he had been truly interested in Leda, he would have accepted the marriage proposal immediately.

The fact that Cassius hadn’t given an immediate answer was unsettling. If Leda were rejected, it would be a huge embarrassment. For the great empire to be rejected by the likes of Bedua… it would be a laughingstock.

‘That must never happen.’

This marriage alliance wasn’t just about Leda’s pride, it was also about the empire’s honor. She couldn’t afford to wait passively.

“Let’s arrange a banquet soon. I need to have a proper conversation with Cassius.”

“Really? Thank you, Mother!”

Leda’s face, which had been sullen the whole time, brightened at Iphis’s suggestion.

She smiled brightly, as if she had never been upset, and gently touched her shoulder.

The place where Cassius had briefly touched her.

* * * 

The hallways of the Imperial Palace, filled with the cool air of dawn.

A woman wrapped in a cloak walked cautiously through the quiet halls. She glanced around, her steps slow and hesitant.

‘Which way is it?’

Aloissia was currently looking for Cassius.

She had heard that the Beduan delegation had been given an entire palace to themselves. However, she had no way of knowing exactly where they were staying.

The servants and maids of the Imperial Palace pretended not to hear her when she spoke to them.

Even if they did respond, there would be problems. First of all, it was uncertain whether they would willingly reveal the location of the distinguished guests. And even if they did, the aftermath would be troublesome.

The news of the Crown Princess seeking out the ruler of Bedua in the middle of the night would reach the Empress’s and Princess’s ears immediately.

So, Aloissia had to find Cassius on her own. Her reason for wanting to see him was a secret from the Empress and the rest of the palace.

She had finally found an opportunity to sneak out because the Empress seemed busy lately. Normally, she had to be on guard day and night, never knowing when she might be summoned. But lately, for some reason, the Empress hadn’t called for her.

‘Should I go back?’

Aloissia felt disheartened. It was disappointing to have come this far, only to return and achieve nothing.

The hallways were empty. Perhaps because it was near the Crown Princess’s Palace, or perhaps because the servants had noticed her presence. There wasn’t a soul in sight.

‘If I had known this would happen, I should have asked where he was staying.’

Aloissia, who had been wandering aimlessly, deeply regret not asking earlier. But what good would it do to dwell on it now?

 In fact, she hadn’t had a chance to have a proper conversation with Cassius whenever they met.

The last time, for example, she had fainted immediately after receiving purification.

‘…How embarrassing.’

Aloissia gently touched her flushed cheeks. To think she had done such indecent things, even if it was for purification…

Just thinking about what she had done with him made her heart pound. Perhaps that was why her heart instinctively raced whenever she thought of Cassius.

“Excuse me…!”

Just then, Aloissia spotted a young man walking down the hallway. With his dark skin and tunic, he looked every bit a member of the Beduan delegation. The young man turned around slightly at Aloissia’s call.

“Your Imperial Highness the Crown Princess. Greetings.”

The young man approached Aloissia with a cheerful smile. With his silver hair and blue eyes, he had a rather likeable and handsome appearance.

“Basan Esger of Bedua, at your service. I’m the commander of Nur.”

“I’m Aloissia Ismene. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lord Esger.”

“Ahahaha!”

Basan threw his head back and laughed heartily at Aloissia’s greeting. He laughed so loudly that it echoed through the hallway, and he shrugged.

“Lord Esger? Oh, please. Don’t call me that. Just Basan is fine.”

“Oh… but…”

“It might be different in the Empire, but ‘Lord’ is an awkward title in Bedua.”

Seeing her hesitation, Basan winked. Only then did Aloissia nodded slightly.

“Then… Basan.”

“Yes, Your Highness?”

Basan placed his hand on his chest and straightened his posture. His stance was upright, as if awaiting an order from his superior.

 

“Could you call Cassius for me?”

“The Chief?”

Basan tilted his head. However, he didn’t ask any more questions and smiled.

“Certainly. Please wait here for a moment.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Basan vanished. There was a faint rustle of wind, and then he was gone.

‘Where did he go?’

Aloissia’s jaw dropped slightly. He had definitely been right there just a moment ago. To disappear in the blink of an eye… it was as if she had seen a ghost.

“Basan?”

Aloissia looked around, flustered. But there was no trace of him.

“Basan…”

“Why are you looking for Basan?”

A large shadow fell over Aloissia’s head and a deep voice echoed above her as she called his name again.

Aloissia looked up to see the owner of the shadow. Cassius was standing behind her, looking down.

“I thought you were looking for me, not Basan. I’m a bit disappointed.”

Cassius snickered and grabbed Alossia’s shoulder, turning her around. He raised an eyebrow as she stood facing him.

“Shall I bring Basan back?”

“No, I was looking for you.”

“Hmm. For Your Highness to seek me out first… that’s unusual. Do you need purification again already?”

Cassius’s fingers grazed the end of her chin. He tilted her face from side to side, observing her carefully.

“Fortunately, you look well.”

Aloissia smiled gently. When Bahadir had said she looked well, it felt like sarcasm, making her uncomfortable.

But she didn’t sense any ulterior motive in Cassius’s words. It felt like genuine, pure concern.

“…I’m fine. Thanks to you.”

“Then why did you come looking for me?”

Cassius’s eyes flickered at Aloissia’s bright smile. When he lowered his hand and asked, Aloissia clasped her hands together and replied,

“To fulfill the contract.”

She continued, trying to calm her racing heart,

“I’m ready to create the barrier for Bedua.”