Chapter 22
Helena wanted to meet Kun while she was at the imperial palace. The fact that she had been wandering in the garden, far from the room she was staying in, was actually part of her plan to orchestrate a fateful encounter with the Emperor.
“If you see a man wearing a mask, just behave yourself.”
“Huh? Why? Who is he?”
“That man is the Emperor of the Empire.”
Kalis had said that the Emperor was the supreme ruler of the world. There was no one higher or stronger than him. He was the exact opposite of Helena, who had no equals. Moreover, he was the person who could help her the most effectively.
“If it’s because I’m a commoner that I can’t become a duchess, or that I can’t mingle with other nobles… then I’ll just have to reach the level to match them.”
For Helena, who was nothing more than a commoner, a connection with the Emperor would be a true step up in status. There was no reason for her to refuse this precious opportunity.
“I want to explore this place more. It’s my first time seeing somewhere so beautiful, so I’m not good at finding my way… If Your Majesty could help me, I’d be truly honored…”
Helena had nothing. Acting aloof like other noblewomen would get her no attention. So she decided to act as a completely new type of person, something the Emperor had never encountered, to draw his interest. People were naturally attracted to novelty.
Of course, the Emperor would not normally form a friendship with a commoner, but Helena’s beauty and presence were no less than that of any noblewoman. Having survived with so many deficiencies, she knew how to make the most of her advantages.
“Alright.”
As Helena tensed, the Emperor nodded slightly. In the end, she had succeeded in charming him.
“Thank you!”
A proud smile spread across her face. Helena’s cheerful grin was warmer and more lovely than midsummer sunlight, and she deliberately smiled even more brightly.
“What were you doing before coming to the garden, Your Majesty?”
She thought for a moment and asked the most basic question.
“Hmm. Do you need to know?”
“I’m curious. I’ve always wondered what someone as great as Your Majesty does!”
Despite the cold reply, Helena didn’t falter and continued to flatter him.
“I was receiving an important guest.”
The short answer was surprisingly simple. But Helena valued that she had broken through a wall of reserve and continued the conversation.
“Really? Who would Your Majesty consider an important guest? Nobles of the Empire? Foreign kings?”
“A princess from an allied nation.”
Helena fell silent, realizing that this probably referred to Chloe.
“Did you enjoy your time with the princess?”
“It was most enjoyable.”
Hearing that he had fun with the princess made Helena feel that Chloe had become an even greater person in her eyes. She didn’t want to lose, so she exaggerated her words.
Then the Emperor smiled for the first time. Because of the golden mask covering his eyes, it was hard to read his expression, but Helena took it as a good sign.
“How would you entertain me?”
“I’ll tell you an interesting story! Would you like me to tell you about the princess?”
“You speak as if you know her well.”
“I do! She’s close to me!”
With confidence, Helena continued. The Emperor’s gaze shifted toward her—interest had been piqued.
“The princess, despite her beautiful appearance, has a very rigid, formal personality. If anyone needed a visual example of a noble, she would be it. Her strict etiquette can be burdensome at times… She has no warmth, no charm—like a flower without fragrance.”
What Helena said wasn’t flattering. It might even sound disrespectful, but the Emperor, having conversed with Chloe, could understand her point. Kalis had said that Chloe adhered so rigidly to noble forms that she could feel stifling. Helena’s unpretentious manner made the Emperor feel comfortable in comparison. For someone constantly interacting with nobles, Chloe would seem dull. Helena hoped he would agree with her words, and naturally compare Helena to Chloe.
“A flower without fragrance…”
Kun repeated the last phrase quietly, his voice softer than before. Helena took it as proof that her plan had succeeded. Too excited to notice, she couldn’t check his eyes hidden behind the mask.
“Eventually, even you will grow tired of talking with her. When that time comes, come find me! I’ll be your most amusing friend!”
“Hmm.”
“Pardon?”
“If your patron allows it.”
At the unexpected words, Helena turned her head in dismay. Kalis was returning to her room. If it became known that Kalis and Helena were staying in the same room, people would assume Helena was Kalis’s mistress. Though it was bound to come out eventually, the timing would change the entire perception of their relationship.
If the Emperor learned now, before they grew close, he would think all Helena’s words were biased lies. He would see her as a shameless mistress insulting the legitimate wife.
Helena’s plan to win the Emperor’s favor and become his friend seemed doomed.
“Ah, now that I think about it, the next room…”
“Hmm, you must have a poor memory. This is the correct room, since the other rooms are reserved for the convenience of the duke.”
“Actually…!”
Just as she tried to make another excuse, Kalis, oblivious, approached.
“Helena, what are you doing there… Your Majesty? How did you get into my room?”
Helena’s face went pale. Kalis also noticed the strange atmosphere and stiffened.
“Is this woman the duke’s new companion?”
*”Uh? Yes… yes, she is…”
“She seems too naive. She needs a quick lesson.”
“Excuse me?”
“The princess said unpleasant things about my guest. I grew tired of listening to unwanted stories. You should be grateful to the flower without fragrance, Helena.”
Finally, Kun’s gaze became clear. His eyes, once on Helena, were now harsh and unforgiving. Repeating her own words mockingly, he left without hesitation.
Helena stared after his retreating figure, then ran out.
“Your… Your Majesty! You must be misunderstanding!”
She couldn’t let it end this way. The Emperor, who could help her brilliant ascent, hated her? Nothing could be more desperate.
“Your… Your Majesty. It’s a misunderstanding! I just wanted to spend time with you…”
“Spend time with me?”
His cold tone cut her words in half. They lingered helplessly on her tongue. Instead, Helena started hiccupping.
“You need to know the subject, Helena.”
That was the longest sentence Kun had spoken all day, and unfortunately, it lingered in Helena’s ears the longest. The hiccups prevented her from replying further—a small mercy from fate.
Helena sat down on the floor, watching the Emperor’s figure fade away, utterly dejected.
