#53. Elizabeth — plotting something again?
“The crowd is dangerous. Do you want to get stabbed again?”
Nikolai, who was seated in the provisional VIP box, said coldly.
He glanced down at the empty stands and muttered.
“If they’d sold viewing tickets only to people whose identities are verified, it would’ve been a jackpot.”
“You really do have the Amster blood in you.”
“Because I can see ways to make money.”
“If you need money, say the word. I’ll give you as much as you want.”
“You don’t even know how much to ask for, do you?”
“I have that capacity.”
Nikolai snorted a little.
No wonder — the emperor’s chair, the table with wine and snacks, even the vase adding an air of elegance; everything looked like national treasures.
This VIP box must’ve been put together in a hurry, so when did they find the time to prepare all this?
A halo seemed to surround Nikolai.
If it’s money, I have more than enough to last a lifetime.
“I’ll pass. I prefer earning to receiving.”
“Even though you don’t buy dresses or jewelry?”
“I value mobility and efficiency.”
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you dressed up.”
Nikolai’s gaze landed on the ruby earring dangling from my earlobe.
His look traveled slowly down my neckline.
He just looked; I couldn’t raise my head.
“That ruby necklace suits you very well.”
The ruby necklace that had been glittering at my collarbone felt suddenly hot, as if it were heating up.
Heat gathered.
Enough that I bit my lip to hold back.
‘The dress Nisa picked shows too much of the chestline.’
I had followed Nisa’s advice to put effort into my appearance for a day like today.
A purple dress that revealed the body’s silhouette; a design that made my pale skin stand out. It was the kind of outfit a femme fatale could wear with ease.
“I think a red dress like your hair would look good on you too. Shall I have one made?”
Were there sparks in his eyes? Or had fireworks gone off in my chest?
My heart pounded painfully hard.
I turned away from the spreading blaze around me and managed to answer.
“Whatever I wear usually suits me. Beauties like this aren’t common.”
“I largely agree.”
“And it’s a prejudice to say women only spend money on dressing up.”
“Where do you spend your money then?”
Nikolai asked with interest. Without a moment’s hesitation I replied.
“On prolonging life and building a just society.”
“You say interesting things.”
“My dream is to live long and healthy in a good world. For that, a great deal of gold is required.”
I thought he’d tell me to stop boasting, but Nikolai narrowed his eyes.
“So that’s why you buy up bonds?”
“…You knew?”
“It would be problematic if I didn’t. All the money released by the Amster trade group is flowing straight to Marquis Brenden’s side.”
“I was going to tell you.”
“After the matter is wrapped up?”
He really was quick to pick up on things.
‘So what are you going to do about it?’
I looked at Nikolai challengingly.
Our gazes met hotly in the air.
He spoke with eyes that seemed to pierce through everything about me.
“What are you plotting, Elizabeth?”
“I’m rescuing the poor souls trapped in the swamp of usury.”
“You’re building a faction that will protect you, then.”
“I found limits to relying on money alone. Don’t worry — I have no intention of getting involved in the power struggle among nobles.”
“I’d like you to get involved.”
Nikolai muttered under his breath, barely audible.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
He took a sip of wine instead of answering.
Afternoon sunlight hit his teal eyes that resembled the sea and forest.
Lips redder than the well-aged wine. A languid expression like a full beast. All of it shook my heart.
“Whatever you undertake, I will support you. Remember that.”
A grin slowly lifted at the corner of Nikolai’s mouth.
It was the kind of smile he only showed when he was in a very good mood.
Would anyone else notice it?
A possessive itch tickled my stomach — I wanted to be the only one who knew that smile, and I was proud that Nikolai never smiled in front of others.
“Your Majesty. Sir Simon asks to postpone the duel.”
Cares reported after visiting Simon’s barracks.
Nikolai glanced up to check the sun’s position and scoffed.
“He’s afraid of the sun, then. Foolish.”
“What does that mean, Your Majesty?”
“Simon’s barracks are to the east. Sir Claudia’s are to the west.”
The emperor’s VIP seats were set in the center of the great square.
Beneath them the witnesses’ tents were erected, and white canopies spread to both sides.
On the right, the rose banner representing Marquis Brenden’s household fluttered.
On the left, the Claudia Order’s flag waved strongly.
Nikolai pointed back and forth with a finger.
“Simon will start from the right, Claudia from the left.”
“Is he asking to delay because the sunlight will blind him?”
“Probably.”
“Who fights on a set schedule like that? What if a war breaks out?”
“Simon has made a name for himself as a swordsman in the academy. Claudia has proven herself in real combat. Thanks to you, I’ll be able to see that difference with my own eyes.”
Marquis Brenden stepped into the witnesses’ tent.
He glared in turn at Duke Riemann, Marquis Pipe, and Count Blackfold.
“The air is foul! Is it because traitors have gathered?”
Marquis Brenden picked a quarrel for no reason.
He had noticeably grown haggard over the past few days; Duke Riemann handed him a glass of wine.
“Control your temper. Lady Rose’s affair is regrettable.”
“Regrettable that my innocent daughter is dying in the Ice Tower?”
“If she’s innocent, she’ll be released.”
“If Lady Freya were imprisoned, would you still speak like a milksop?!”
Marquis Brenden shoved Duke Riemann with his protruding belly.
Perhaps thinking words wouldn’t reach him, Riemann retreated with a bitter look.
“I knew something like this would happen. He acts without thought — he’s just like my father.” Marquis Pipe sneered.
Brenden was not one to let the remark pass.
“Are you trying to start a war with my house, Pipe?”
“A war with a house in decline? I’ll bear it out of old ties, then.”
“What did you say?!”
“Nine out of ten gamblers have bet on Claudia. If Simon wins, a tiny few will sit on chests of money. Even if heaven falls it won’t happen otherwise.”
“Daring to gamble using my son!” Marquis Brenden grabbed Pipe by the collar.
Count Blackfold separated the two.
“What a disgrace. Let’s keep the honor of noble houses.”
“If there’s honor, you should be helping save my daughter!”
“This time Lady Rose was clearly at fault.”
“You mean bow down to some low-born wench?”
“It’s one thing to strike her, but leaving a witness is worse. What were you doing in front of the emperor at such a sensitive time? Tsk, tsk.”
Count Blackfold clicked his tongue while stroking his mustache.
Marquis Brenden’s face flushed red and purple.
“You think we don’t know your scheme? You’re trying to remove a strong candidate for empress!”
“Sorry, but Lady Rose is no rival to our Lady Sinshia. Not by learning or wisdom.”
Blackfold answered sulkily.
Marquis Pipe twirled rings on his fingers and nodded.
“It’s common knowledge that Lady Rose is lacking in many ways.”
“What cowards are you, whispering such things?”
“Watch your words. You’re the sort to cook up a kidnapping behind someone’s back.”
Pipe glanced at Duke Riemann before speaking.
Count Blackfold chimed in.
“Don’t be comforted by lack of proof. His Majesty’s hounds are on the trail.”
“Who kidnapped who?!”
“If not Marquis Brenden, who else? Everyone knows you’re after Elizabeth’s fortune.”
“You’re conspiring to frame me!”
“We’ll see if you’re still cocky when the evidence comes out.”
“Would you really manufacture fake evidence to slander me?!”
Pipe and Blackfold fell silent.
Duke Riemann, with a dark expression, posed a question.
“Who would be happiest to see us fighting amongst ourselves?”
“……”
“Don’t make yourselves clowns on a stage by your own feet. It seems too late already.”
A heavy silence pressed down on the tent.
Marquis Brenden, unable to control his anger, stormed out.
He didn’t forget to leave a parting curse.
“Do you think I’ll die alone? If I fall, none of you will be safe!”
From the witnesses’ tent one could see Marquis Brenden bursting out.
His face was flushed as if he’d been in a fight.
“Seems something’s happened.”
“You’d be disappointed if there wasn’t.”
“Huh?”
“They went after you. They’ll burn you to the soul.”
“Although it hasn’t been announced yet, rumors say testimony has linked Pipe and Blackfold to the kidnapping?”
“Brenden insulted you with his three-inch tongue. He’ll regret it in hell.”
A sinister sound scraped from Nikolai’s jaw.
Because I kept emphasizing lawful procedure, he had been swallowing his anger, but it seemed he had reached his limit.
“It’s hard to punish on a criminal’s testimony alone. You decided to wait until they dig their own graves, remember?”
“I know. It’s not harvest season yet.”
“The time for ripeness will come soon.”
I imagined a golden field of plump rice swaying in the breeze.
But Nikolai’s harvest wasn’t that.
“He’ll lop off the necks of all those fat bastards.”
“Your Majesty!”
“They must pay. They touched what’s mine.”
“Why would I be yours?”
I shook my shoulder and asked back.
Nikolai tilted his head as if asking why I would even ask such an obvious thing.
“Everyone in the world knows you belong to me.”
“It’s just a manufactured rumor.”
“Does the title ‘the emperor’s lover’ displease you?”
A large hand moved closer.
Was he going to stroke my cheek? Or my lips?
Startled, I squeezed my eyes shut.
“Your reaction is like a cute lover’s.”
Nikolai’s laugh faded quietly.
My face heated.
Not because I was being teased, but because it was embarrassing to have my inner thoughts seen through.
“Focus! Sir Simon and Lady Claudia are entering.”
Claudia’s imposing figure drew my eyes.
She wore armor that protected only her shoulders, rather than full plate.
Her proud, haughty, expressionless face was absolutely beautiful.
The bright red ribbon tied at her neck stood out like a drop of blood.
‘That red ribbon suits her so well. Like a silver Persian cat!’
If this were my previous life I’d have waved a glow stick.
A headband, a slogan — I’d have made them all!
Even though I knew Claudia’s sword could aim at me at any moment, I wasn’t as afraid as before.
For whatever reason, she stepped into the duel for my sake.
Just being able to see my favorite style of swordsmanship in person made my heart pound.
‘To think I’d ever cheer for Claudia. Has the original story completely twisted?’
That day — when I had given up my life — Claudia had said to me:
“I don’t know what miracle it is, but you are not the real Elizabeth. You haven’t clearly committed any crime yet.”
‘She’s right. I’m not the Elizabeth you knew.’
I wanted to say it.
I wanted to confess everything, whether she believed me or not.
Just for a moment I wanted to cry in her arms, and beg forgiveness for the evil the former Elizabeth had committed.
Since that day I stopped having nightmares.
Whenever I thought of Claudia, the anxiety and fear that used to plague me eased.
But I still couldn’t let my guard down completely.
Claudia, who had been staring at me, parted her lips.
‘I wonder what she’s going to say?’
