#37. So, It’s You? Caught You Well!
The Knight Commander furrowed his brow in confusion.
“What do you mean by clearing things away, Your Majesty?”
“The weapons scattered all over and the broken wood pieces. If someone trips on them, they could be injured.”
“Ah? Yes, Your Majesty…”
The Knight Commander replied awkwardly.
Just as Nikolai said, the training yard was littered with hazards.
Of course, they were all things the Emperor himself had smashed or tossed aside moments ago.
Still not reassured by his own order, Nikolai personally directed the attendants.
“Hurry it up. Your movements are far too sluggish.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
“How shameful that the training ground should be in such a disgraceful state.”
“We only stayed back because you ordered us not to get in the way of your training, sire…”
“Enough excuses. Get on with it.”
Nikolai clapped his hands sharply, urging them on.
The attendants bowed low, unable to even show how unjust they felt.
“Where is my guest?”
“They’re waiting outside, Your Majesty.”
“Show them in. No, I shall go greet them myself.”
As if the guest might vanish in an instant, Nikolai strode toward the entrance of the training yard.
He felt almost ridiculous, like a boy hurrying in excitement.
If he had known, he would have washed the sweat off or at least changed clothes—he regretted not doing so.
‘Why can’t I sense Elizabet’s fragrance? Is it masked by the stink of sweat and iron?’
That faint unease turned into dread as he opened the door.
The guest who had requested audience revealed himself.
“I am honored by such a warm welcome, Your Majesty!”
Marquis Brendan stroked his long white beard and let out a booming laugh.
Behind him stood the heads of the most prestigious families who had each given daughters as imperial consorts—Duke Riemann, Marquis Pipe, Count Blackfold—and even their sons trailing along.
Not Elizabet, but a dozen-odd unwanted visitors.
Nikolai’s beautiful face twisted in utter dismay.
“…What business brings you all here?”
“We came prepared to be cast out, so this honor is overwhelming, Your Majesty.”
“You came without my permission, and you do not even think to ask why?”
Unrestrained killing intent poured out in waves.
The nobles flinched back under the force of it.
Unaware of the true circumstances, they couldn’t understand why the Emperor who had granted them audience was so furious.
“Have you come in a pack to stage some sort of protest?”
“Haha, how could we dare such insolence, sire?”
Despite the suffocating tension and menace, the family heads forced hearty laughter.
As lords of noble houses, they would not let themselves appear cowed by a young emperor’s spirit.
Their sons, however, kept their heads bowed, desperately trying to read the mood.
“Speak quickly. You disturb me during training. Do not waste my time.”
Contrary to their attempt to ease the atmosphere, Nikolai’s eyes only grew sharper.
With a tense expression, Marquis Brendan finally spoke.
“The reason we sought sudden audience was to offer sincere counsel for the sake of the Great Empire and the Imperial Family.”
“Marquis Brendan. Spare me the nonsense and state your business.”
“Ahem…”
“If your business is trivial, you may leave at once.”
Nikolai waved his hand dismissively, as though shooing away a fly.
The nobles bit their lips, exchanging uneasy glances.
They knew their sovereign had no regard for his vassals’ pride, but never had he cut them so sharply before.
‘Not even requesting audience in the throne hall, but barging into the training yard—obvious what they’ve come to say.’
As expected, Marquis Brendan’s words fell exactly in line with Nikolai’s guess.
“Rumors about Your Majesty are spreading wildly among the people.”
“Such as?”
“Forgive me, but it is said a lowborn woman flaunts herself under Your Majesty’s favor.”
“Oh? Is that so?”
The Emperor’s calm reply, when they expected a fiery outburst, left the nobles momentarily at a loss.
“The Crown Prince’s fencing instructor, once so trusted, was suddenly dismissed. Loyal servants of the throne tremble in fear.”
“To tremble over something so small—what kind of loyalty is that?”
“Even so, all things should follow proper procedure, sire.”
“You aren’t saying that dismissed instructor was your son, are you?”
“N-no, of course not, Your Majesty.”
Marquis Brendan forced a servile smile.
The other patriarchs quickly joined in.
“They say Your Majesty broke custom and personally nursed the woman.”
“That a commoner—perhaps stricken with plague—was permitted to instruct the Crown Prince. It is unthinkable.”
“Rumors abound that she seduces and divides the palace staff, setting supporters against the loyal.”
Duke Riemann alone stood quietly behind, watching.
Nikolai twisted his lips in a cold smile.
“So, in short, a single lowborn woman is said to be disrupting the entire Imperial Family?”
The nobles swallowed hard.
Emboldened by the Emperor’s unreadable face, they began to openly denounce Elizabet.
“Forgive us, but even the Empress Consorts fear for Your Majesty and the Empire.”
“A maiden without title striding freely in the palace defies law and order.”
“Her reputation has long been stained with scandal. She must be cast out at once.”
Nikolai raised one hand.
The movement was graceful, befitting an emperor.
But his words were not.
“Enough with this drivel.”
“Y-Your Majesty!”
“Do you even know what you are blathering about?”
“We speak only out of loyalty—”
“Are you not calling me a fool of a monarch, ruined by a woman’s charms?”
“P-preposterous, sire!”
Every noble but Duke Riemann turned pale.
But none could meet Nikolai’s frostbitten gaze.
“The Emperor’s words are preposterous, are they?”
“Your Majesty—!”
“Are you not treating me as a tyrant?”
“Never! We swear before Heaven we would never!”
“Or do you mean I am unfit to be your sovereign at all?”
“How could you say so? Only Your Majesty is our lord and the very sky of the Empire!”
“If you are truly my loyal vassals, why then do you pry into and meddle with your master’s private affairs?”
Nikolai’s voice rang with authority.
The nobles could only tremble their lips, no answer coming.
“For mere dogs to dare speak of their Emperor’s conduct… does this not merit death?”
He tilted his head, growling low.
Only then, with the blade aimed at them, did the nobles realize how grave a mistake they’d made.
“A true vassal should not swarm like curs barking, but strive to discern his lord’s deeper intent.”
“That—that was not our purpose…”
“Still excusing yourselves? Your courage is almost commendable.”
Nikolai let out a cold laugh and set his sword on Marquis Brendan’s shoulder.
The blade tapped against the man’s thick neck.
“It seems today’s scheme was led by you. Speak.”
“I—I am head of a house honored with relics from the First Emperor himself!”
“Be proud. That pride is the only reason your head remains on your shoulders.”
“Ahhh!”
Marquis Brendan screamed, forgetting his dignity.
At that moment, a clear, melodious voice rang out from behind.
“Your Majesty, how can you play such pranks on your guests?”
Nikolai’s head shot up.
Scarlet hair fluttered in the breeze.
A beauty so radiant that anyone would turn their head.
Her mere presence seemed to summon light itself—smiling gently at him.
‘Is this the sight he brought me here to see? I had looked forward to the training ground, but…’
Forcing the corners of my lips upward, I hid my disappointment.
I had heard every word I wished not to hear.
Nikolai had even raised his sword against the head of a great noble family.
Scandal ripe for gossips to chew over.
There was no way a cunning man like Nikolai didn’t know.
He had done it knowingly—to protect my honor.
‘I was too caught up putting out fires to notice. To think such rumors are already spreading…’
It was honestly a shock.
I had thought I was acting wisely.
But to others, I was no different from the original Elizabet—the villainess.
It didn’t matter what goodwill I showed or what outcomes I achieved.
They wouldn’t even acknowledge that I had saved Franz.
Consumed by fear of losing power, they seized any crack, no matter how small, to tear me apart.
Would this have happened if I had been born a daughter of a noble house?
I began to understand why Elizabet, who already had everything, still obsessed over status.
The palace was like a city in itself.
And within that vast palace, I only ever moved between the Canary Room, the Crown Prince’s quarters, and the library.
The staff at the Crown Prince’s residence were all people I had chosen myself.
The Canary Room servants, I heard, had received special training from Nikolai.
The librarians and guards paid no mind to their lone visitor.
No one had ever looked down on me.
I had never suffered injustice because of my low birth.
I thought myself fortunate—
But I had only seen what I wanted to see.
All under Nikolai’s flawless protection.
‘Now, because of me, Nikolai is branded more and more as a tyrant. To think matters grew so dire nobles would storm the training ground…’
But who am I?
The femme fatale flaunting the Emperor’s favor.
If they choose to see me as a villainess—then I have no choice but to oblige.
“These lords do not share His Majesty’s sense of humor. Perhaps you might put away the sword before they misunderstand?”
My red lips curved lightly.
At my calmness, Nikolai seemed relieved.
Startled, he realized he was still holding his blade, and hastily sheathed it.
Standing before both the Emperor and the patriarchs of the realm, yet not flinching in the least—
that alone must have galled the great families.
“This is not your place to speak.”
“For a foolish young woman to intrude on affairs of state—tsk, tsk.”
“Remember, your actions only bring more disgrace upon His Majesty.”
Had they not feared Nikolai’s reaction, harsher words would have flown.
Even then, I would have smiled brightly.
“I will take your invaluable advice to heart.”
“At least you understand.”
“Then perhaps allow me a word in return.”
“?”
“Since you are all such loyal servants, surely you know how precious His Majesty’s well-being is.”
The patriarchs frowned, as if wondering why I bothered stating the obvious.
Their sons even sneered openly.
Only Duke Riemann listened seriously.
“The training yard is where His Majesty hones his body. To intrude here and disturb his peace—can that truly be called loyalty?”
“Are you mocking us?”
“Oh, so you noticed?”
“What?!”
“I am but a young woman. Tell me—does casting out one lowborn, foolish girl truly merit such urgency?”
“Y-you insolent…!”
“To hear the venerable heads of the nobility united in denouncing me, I almost feel like someone important.”
“….”
“Since you treat me like a great power, I suppose I must return the courtesy from now on.”
My words were polite, my posture graceful, yet the warning was clear.
Nikolai’s gaze upon me glimmered with quiet pride.
But among a pack of hounds, there is always one witless cur who knows not when to back down.
“Watch your filthy mouth! Who else but a baseborn would flaunt their cheapness so brazenly!”
Marquis Brendan’s bulging eyes glared, his white beard quivering in rage.
So, you are today’s ringleader.
How fortunate.
I’ve caught you.
