TLDOWN 58

Chapter 58…………………

An Irresistible Command

“Please wait here a moment. His Majesty will be arriving shortly.”

Leah was waiting in the garden while the Emperor attended a state council. The air was thick with the scent of summer grass, tickling her nose.

“No, but… I came here for a medical consultation. Why did he tell me to meet him in the garden?”

Did he really intend to hold a consultation under the blazing sun? Leah couldn’t begin to understand what was going through the Emperor’s mind.

I thought he was such a kind man…

When he had first rescued her from the human traffickers in the alleyway, he had seemed gentlemanly enough to be mistaken for a knight.

But the Emperor she encountered again in the palace was very different from that first impression.

His eyes, flashing like a serpent’s, looked as though they could strangle a duke at any moment. The memory alone made Leah flinch and shake her head.

Think of something else. Anything else.

As she strolled through the garden to clear her mind, she overheard the hushed voices of maids gossiping somewhere nearby.

— “Hey, did you hear the news?”
— “What news?”

Leah instinctively tuned her ears to the voices drifting over the garden wall.

— “That the sickly duke has regained his health.”
— “I heard! I even saw him with my own eyes.”
— “Really? What was he like?”
— “Hmm… I never saw him when he was unwell, but he didn’t look frail at all. If anything, he had a commanding presence. Maybe because he’s a former prince?”

Unaware that Leah was listening, the maids continued.

— “Then what does that mean for His Majesty?”
— “What else? His Majesty is still the Emperor.”

At that, the first maid’s tone grew oddly secretive.

— “But I heard a strange rumor…”
— “What rumor?”
— “It’s about the late Emperor’s will.”
— “His will?”

Leah strained unconsciously to catch every word—

“I’ve kept you waiting.”

A sudden voice made the maids scatter, and when Leah turned, the Emperor was already approaching her.

“Your Majesty.”

She hastily bent her knees and bowed.

“There, now… no need for such stiffness.”

The Emperor gestured for her to rise. When Leah lifted her gaze, Illei smiled in satisfaction.

A warm smile, like sunlight. Just as he had the first time they met, he seemed every bit the gentleman.

“Shall we take a walk?”

Leah blinked at him blankly before his voice brought her back to her senses.

They walked in silence through the wide garden. Only now and then did Leah respond briefly to the Emperor’s questions.

Even while walking ahead, she stole glances at him. She had been summoned for a medical consultation, and yet here she was, idly strolling at his side.

What in the world is going on…?

Illei’s questions were all about Akkia. Was he eating well? Sleeping soundly? Was his health fully restored?

They were trivial questions, the sort a cousin might ask. Yet answering them made Leah uneasy, and she found herself studying the Emperor’s face.

At the edge of the garden, Illei stopped and turned toward her. Leah nearly bumped into his back.

That was close.

She pressed a hand against her racing chest, relieved she had stopped in time.

“But tell me…”

His low voice brushed against her ear.

“Haven’t we met before?”

Leah slowly raised her head. His blue eyes, sparkling in the sunlight, bore down on her.

“You once rescued me in that alley, Your Majesty…”

“No. Even before that.”

He shook his head before she could finish.

“Before then…?”

In the Croatea Empire, golden hair was rare. And he was the Emperor—how could a commoner like her have ever crossed paths with him?

“No, Your Majesty. As far as I remember, that was the first time.”

Illei’s presence was as striking as Akkia’s. If she had seen such a man before, surely she would remember.

“Is that so?”

A curious smile tugged at Illei’s lips.

“Strange. I could swear I’ve seen you somewhere before.”

With that, they left the garden and returned to the palace. But Illei’s words kept echoing in Leah’s mind.

That he’s seen me before? Impossible…

She had grown up in an orphanage since infancy. There was no chance she had ever encountered the Emperor.

He must be mistaking me for someone else.

“Please, sit.”

Back in the audience chamber, Illei led her to a table set with tea and sweets. Once seated, a servant poured for them both.

“Something troubles you? You don’t look well.”

“Oh… it’s nothing, Your Majesty. Just something you said that I can’t stop thinking about.”

Even as she smiled faintly at him, his earlier words lingered in her mind.

“You must be confusing me with someone else, Your Majesty. I’ve lived in Trenne since birth.”

She couldn’t understand why he was so certain they’d met. But she didn’t dare flatly deny the Emperor’s words. She could only try to brush it off with a smile.

“Ah, so that’s what weighed on you? Don’t take it so seriously. You only reminded me of someone I knew very well.”

Sensing her discomfort, he gave her a reassuring smile and propped his chin on one hand.

“Red hair like yours is rare in this empire, after all.”

Lowering her head, Leah caught sight of her long crimson hair cascading down her waist. Yes, such vivid color was uncommon.

At his casual explanation, she finally let out a quiet breath of relief.

At that moment, a servant entered.

“Your Majesty, the Duke of Heidern has arrived.”

“Show him in.”

Illei brightened at the news. He had summoned only Leah today, so Akkia’s arrival was unexpected. Leah widened her eyes in surprise, and Illei smiled knowingly.

“I had another order for Akkia. Since you’ll both return together anyway…”

“O-oh. Yes.”

As she nodded, Akkia entered. He gave her a brief glance before approaching the Emperor.

“Your Majesty.”

“Welcome, Akkia.”

Illei gestured for him to rise.

“You’ve never responded this quickly to a summons before.”

The Emperor’s narrowed eyes gleamed with amusement. Akkia sighed, glancing once more at Leah, then turned back.

“Your letter said it was urgent. What matter requires me?”

“Indeed. Something pressing has come up.”

“Your Majesty, should I step out?”

If it was urgent, it must be important. Leah spoke hesitantly, but Illei shook his head.

“No. Both of you, stay.”

He signaled the servant, who brought out a map of the Croatea Empire and spread it on the table.

“You know of the salt mines in Bialytskal, don’t you?”

“Yes, they’re a great treasure of the empire.”

Salt mines?

Illei pointed to a region on the map.

In the northern part of Bialytskal lay mines that had existed for over 3,000 years—a treasure of the north.

The “gray gold” mined there had been produced and distributed for more than 700 years.

Even Leah, as an apothecary, knew of them. She glanced between the two men as Illei continued.

“A letter arrived yesterday. Part of the mine has collapsed.”

“…Collapsed?”

“Yes. It seems the supports used to brace the tunnels gave way. There have been deaths. The survivors, miners and villagers alike, are in fear.”

At the word collapse, Akkia’s face darkened, as if anticipating what was coming.

Leaning back in his chair, Illei looked at him.

“I’d like you to go there yourself.”

“…”

“I would go if I could, but as you see, I cannot leave the palace. And now that you’re well again, I need you to share my burdens.”

The north?

Leah’s eyes widened as she turned to Akkia. His expression revealed nothing, but his hands clenched tightly beneath the table.

“Akkia. Go to Bialytskal, uncover the cause of the collapse, and devise a solution.”

The Emperor smiled as he issued a command that could not be refused.

After the two departed, Marquis Rodrigo approached the Emperor, unease written on his face.

“Your Majesty, are you certain it’s wise to send the Duke of Heidern? That territory is…”

“Oh, that? Don’t worry.”

Illei cut him off with a wave, clearly unconcerned.

“What’s there to fear from an old man with no heir to succeed him?”

In his mind, the stern, obstinate old lord of Bialytskal surfaced.

A cold smile spread across the Emperor’s lips.