Chapter 77 — An Opportunity from an Insult
Chapter 77 — An Opportunity from an Insult
Translation: Godtl
While the two were seeing the illusion, Lelia stood still in an upright posture, not even loosening her cravat or trousers.
This should be enough.
"Has it been proven now?"
Lelia spoke boldly and sat back down.
She didn't know what illusion the Emperor had seen, but she had to face this with confidence.
"...."
Perseus was silent.
He acknowledged his own mistake.
But the features and atmosphere of 'Sir Raymond' before him resembled his wife too much....
Upon setting aside the thought he had impulsively harbored, it didn't actually make sense.
The woman's eyes he had seen that day were green, just like his wife's. But Sir Raymond's eyes were light brown.
Mages capable of changing eye color or hair color were uncommon.
If Sir Raymond before him was a mage, there was no way he wouldn't have received reports about it by now.
Even if Prince Romeo, an outstanding mage, had helped with magic, it would have been strange. They had been building friendship with the Roseberry Empire for a long time.
Prince Romeo had also returned from the subjugation campaign not long ago, so it was difficult to think he held any grudge against him.
Moreover, he couldn't be an alchemist either.
Alchemists possessed an aura similar to magical power, but that wasn't felt from Sir Raymond at all.
Because of that aura, alchemists usually either disguised themselves as mages, or if that was difficult, hid themselves away entirely.
Therefore... all of this was suspicion born from his own delusion, or perhaps a victim mentality.
Recently, his mind had been complicated with various problems, so it seemed he had misjudged.
Emperor Perseus apologized honestly.
"I apologize for the insult. It seems I was mistaken about something."
Lelia inwardly breathed a sigh of relief, while speaking as if this situation was deeply regrettable and unjust.
"...I've often received similar suspicions. It's a deeply humiliating suspicion."
"I won't say more. Speak what you desire."
"...."
Lelia's eyes gleamed.
Perhaps this was an opportunity.
'An opportunity to obtain Lute's holy relic.'
Lelia slowly opened her mouth.
Exiting the Emperor's chambers with Kalix, Lelia saw Lute standing with his back leaning against the nearby corridor wall.
It seemed he had been waiting for Lelia all this time.
Lelia spoke to Kalix who was following behind her.
"Lord Kalix, thank you for coming with me. Please go to your quarters first. I'll follow shortly."
"Huh? Oh. Ohhh..."
Kalix had a dazed expression. Why was he like that?
Lelia recalled that when she had used the item on the Emperor just moments ago, Kalix had been sitting on the sofa in the reception room.
So she never imagined he might have heard or seen what happened inside.
No matter how simple-minded Kalix was, she didn't think he would lack basic etiquette to the point of eavesdropping on the Emperor's conversation.
At the foundation of that thought was the influence of Kalix's sensible appearance, having neatly tied his cravat to meet the Emperor.
"What's wrong? Brother Kalix? You don't look well."
'Surely not...'
But it was possible.
Wondering if perhaps he too was affected by the item, she asked, and Kalix shook his head.
"...No, I just suddenly felt dizzy."
At those words, Lelia was startled. She grew anxious, wondering if his seizure symptoms had appeared again.
"If you're feeling unwell, please make sure to take the medicine I gave you. I'll come soon."
"Oh..."
With those final words, Kalix rushed away.
Like someone in a desperate hurry.
'Is it really seizure symptoms again?'
Seeing Kalix's pale complexion, worry washed over her.
The scenes she had witnessed just last night came to mind, making her feel uneasy. He must have always endured such pain alone...
Lelia decided to quickly deal with Lute and return to Kalix.
With that in mind, she walked briskly toward Lute.
"......"
Lute was still glaring at Lelia as if looking at a mortal enemy. If eyes alone could kill, she would already be dead.
Lelia sighed deeply.
"Sir Lute, I have something to discuss with you."
"...Of course you would."
Lute sneered, twisting one corner of his mouth.
When Lelia gestured with her chin for him to follow and walked ahead, Lute followed her with blazing eyes.
The two headed to a garden connected to the main castle's corridor.
When people became scarce, Lelia turned to look at Lute.
Lute's eyes told her to speak if she had something to say.
Lelia let out another deep sigh before speaking.
"...His Imperial Majesty insulted me, asking if I was actually a woman."
"...What did you say?"
Lute blinked. He had a blank face, as if he couldn't comprehend what he had just heard.
How could His Majesty give such an insult!?
Lelia continued.
"So I proudly proved before His Majesty that I was a man, and His Majesty apologized. As an apology for the insult, he agreed to grant me one request."
"......"
"So I brought up the matter regarding you, Sir."
"......!"
"Sir Lute, I told His Majesty how sincere and good a man you are, and recommended you as a fiancé for Princess Julianna. My request was for him to arrange a formal meeting between the two of you."
"...Sir Raymond!"
Lute blinked in disbelief, then wiped his mouth with his hand.
And just as expected.
Lute began to look at Lelia with eyes that said there was no greater benefactor in all the world.
'This annoying bastard.'
Lelia inwardly criticized Lute's attitude, praying only that he would confess to Julianna as soon as possible.
With her heart boiling with frustration, she looked at the quest window tucked in the corner of her vision.
[Sub Quest~]
∙ Help the lovesick young man confess his love
The fact that the quest had not yet been completed, glowing gray, was nothing but resentment.