Your Majesty, I’m Not that Man - Chapter 10: The Harem's Upheaval (7)

“Prince Theo? You mean the second prince of Granmaia?”

“Yes!”

Levinia nodded eagerly, causing Ipherian to give her a surprised look.

“I heard he’s already been exiled to a western island. His carriage left yesterday. Did you have some connection with him?”

“N-No, not at all….”

Theo was exiled to an island?! What about his followers? Wasn’t he supposed to head to the Witch’s Tower with Albert and Ipherian’s help?

This messes up the original story… Well, it’s already completely derailed.

Then again, since Albert was no longer Cassion’s concubine, he never had a chance to meet Theo. Without that connection, they would never join forces. Theo and his followers alone would have failed to reach the top floor of the Witch’s Tower and would have perished.

Then… what about the witch’s legacy…?

The witch’s legacy, which was supposed to become Theo’s source of power, would still be left there—abandoned.

“…….”

What a waste.

Of course, even with that power, Theo hadn’t been able to match Cassion. The magic was designed for sorcerers, so it didn’t suit a swordsman like him from the start. The fact that it was originally feminine magic also disrupted its fusion with Theo’s abilities.

The author probably did that to ensure that Cassion, the main lead, remained stronger than Theo, no matter what.

“My lady?”

“Ah… Excuse me. His Majesty never mentioned anything, so…”

“I see.”

Ipherian smiled as if he understood, his gaze fixed on Levinia. He seemed to be thinking something, but it was impossible to tell what was on his mind—whether he was sad or pleased.

“I thought you’d be happier. His Majesty will now be yours and yours alone.”

Even as he said this, Ipherian found it odd that he, a mere concubine, would bring it up. Levinia gave a bitter smile.

“He is the emperor, after all. He may have done that today, but there’s no guarantee he will always be like that.”

“Ah…”

It wasn’t that Cassion was known for being fickle, but no one could say he had ever been devoted to just one woman before. This was the first time he’d acted this way, which left Ipherian at a loss for words. All he could do was change the subject, flustered.

“Ah, well… I’ll be leaving soon too.”

Levinia quietly observed him. In the original story, Ipherian never left the palace despite having the chance. He stayed because he believed there was nowhere for him to go. Though he longed for freedom, he kept searching for a place to belong.

“Have you decided where to go?”

“I’ll figure it out eventually. Thankfully, the palace has given me a consolation payment, so… I’m sure I’ll find somewhere to go.”

He imagined he would end up wandering from place to place. Ipherian’s voice carried a tinge of loneliness, which made Levinia pause in thought.

“Then… how about staying at my duchy until you find a destination?”

“What?”

Ipherian looked genuinely surprised at her suggestion. Levinia met his gaze seriously. In the original story, it wasn’t detailed, but Ipherian was known to be the greatest mage on the continent. Having him close would be anything but a disadvantage.

“Wouldn’t that put you in a difficult position, my lady?”

“I’ll be staying in the imperial palace anyway. Lending you a room at the duchy won’t be an issue. Besides…”

Levinia hadn’t expected to say these words, but a soft smile spread across her face.

“I am the duke, after all.”

It was a well-known fact, but Ipherian suddenly looked as if he had just realized it. He gave her a graceful bow.

“My apologies for my rudeness. Congratulations, my lady.”

“No need to apologize. It’s not rude at all.”

Levinia had already suspected that Ipherian knew, but she didn’t point it out.

What did it matter if he knew? He had made the effort to visit her at the Rose Palace just to tell her he was leaving. Clearly, he cared about her. Levinia didn’t believe he had approached her with ulterior motives. If anything, he was simply curious about her—just as he had been with Albert in the original story.

“I would be honored if you stayed at my duchy as my first guest. I’ll speak to His Majesty about it myself.”

For once, Levinia showed a hint of stubbornness, and it made Ipherian feel a sudden desire to lean on her.

Even though they had only met for the second time, and the idea of staying at the duchy seemed ridiculous, Ipherian found himself wanting to accept her offer.

If he left the palace now, he might never see Levinia again. He wanted to hold on to even the thinnest thread of connection between them.

“Won’t His Majesty be angry?”

“He will be angry… but I want to try to persuade him. Do you dislike the idea?”

As long as the emperor didn’t harm Ipherian, there was no real downside for him. Ipherian smiled gently at Levinia.

“Of course not. I just worry that I might cause trouble for you, Duchess.”

“Trouble? Nonsense. I’ll ask His Majesty within a few days. Please wait until then.”

Levinia’s face was resolute as she made up her mind.

＊ ＊ ＊

‘I can’t figure out what the emperor is thinking.’

The Marquis of Scis, whom Cassion had assigned to follow Albert, was the commander of the Imperial Knights. He had recognized that Albert was a swordmaster and offered him a position in the Imperial Knights. Although Albert’s rank as a quasi-baron was somewhat precarious, his status as a swordmaster made him more than qualified.

Thinking that becoming an imperial knight would make it easier to get close to Levinia, Albert hastily accepted the offer. And on his first day of duty, he learned the truth—

He had been appointed as one of the emperor’s personal guards.

Not a knight stationed near the audience hall or office, but one who accompanied the emperor wherever he went.

‘You’ve got to be kidding me!’

Albert initially thought the emperor would despise him and either expel him from the palace or assign him to a distant post. But that didn’t happen. Instead, during his official duties, the emperor would occasionally glance at Albert, almost as if checking to ensure he was still there.

Albert had resolved that if the emperor ever reassigned him outside the capital, he would seize the opportunity and resign.

‘Why isn’t he getting rid of me?’

Cassion, on the other hand, shot Albert a piercing glare whenever their eyes met. Albert simply bowed his head, as the other knights did, avoiding his gaze.

‘I’d send him to the frontier if I could…’

But it would be troublesome if he deserted and disappeared. If he had been an average knight, Cassion wouldn’t have cared. But Albert was a swordmaster—a rather formidable one at that.

Given that Cassion couldn’t always be with Levinia 24/7, Albert’s presence irritated him to no end. He had considered killing him, but the thought of Levinia finding out stopped him.

So he came up with another plan—keep Albert close and monitor him.

When Albert was on duty, Cassion would ensure he stayed by his side. When Albert was off duty, Cassion planned to stick close to Levinia himself.

That way, the two would never have a chance to meet.

He’s irritating… but at least until Levinia gives me her heart, I’ll have to endure it.

Once that happened, Cassion would send Albert far away—to the ice-covered northern mountains or the dry, wind-blown deserts in the southwest. Anywhere remote would do. He ground his teeth at the thought.