Your Majesty, I’m Not that Man - Chapter 11: For You (4)

“It’s a relief to see you again. I was worried… What if His Majesty grew angry and forbade me from meeting you again?”

“That wouldn’t happen. His Majesty even gave his permission for you to stay at the Duke’s residence,” Levinia replied casually.

That was unexpected. Ipherian paused, watching the tea being poured into his cup. He wanted to dismiss the maids and knights surrounding them, but this was the harem. The emperor wouldn’t have sent Levinia here without precautions, and dismissing her attendants would have been impossible.

“His Majesty allowed it…?”

“Yes,” Levinia said with a bright smile.

Ipherian found that smile so sweet it took his breath away. There was no way Cassion had agreed to this without demanding something in return. Recalling Cassion’s ruthless nature, Ipherian regretted not refusing when Levinia first made the suggestion.

‘She looks calm on the surface, but… Did he force her into something unreasonable?’

“Are you… all right?” Ipherian asked cautiously.

Levinia was momentarily reminded of the previous night’s passionate encounter but quickly pushed the memory away before her face could betray her thoughts.

“You have nothing to worry about. His Majesty only permitted you to stay as a guest at the Duke’s residence. Though I may be one of His Majesty’s concubines, I am still the Duchess of Wendell, so he understood my position.”

Even though it had little to do with her status as a duchess, Ipherian didn’t point that out. He knew the maids and knights present were undoubtedly Cassion’s eyes and ears.

“I’m afraid, however, that I won’t be able to visit often, despite having asked you to stay as a guest.”

“Ah… I understand. Just receiving such a generous offer from you is more than enough. I wouldn’t dare hope for more.”

Ipherian had already decided that he would secretly find a way to meet Levinia out of Cassion’s sight. There was no way Cassion, who was experiencing the pangs of his first true feelings for someone, would allow them to meet alone. Besides, any official visit between them would undoubtedly be closely monitored, considering Levinia’s position.

‘I just want to meet her alone.’

Even if winning her heart was too much to hope for, he at least wished to become her friend—someone who could call her by her name without formality.

“Then, may I assume that you still feel the same about accepting my proposal from last time?” Levinia asked gently.

Ipherian nodded and smiled. “Of course, Duchess. It gives me more time to calmly consider my future.”

It was in Ipherian’s best interest to avoid giving the impression that he intended to stay long at the Wendell estate. If it seemed like a temporary arrangement, Cassion would be less likely to interfere.

Levinia caught on to his carefully chosen words, spoken with an awareness of the maids and knights standing quietly behind them. She gave a slight, almost imperceptible nod in response. Ipherian’s ability to navigate such situations made him an easy person to deal with.

“When would you like me to move to the duchy?”

The harem was already emptying out. There was no point in staying here much longer; remaining would only result in uncomfortable scrutiny. Still, Ipherian secretly hoped to stay in the palace as long as possible, just to be near Levinia.

“Considering all the eyes on us… I think mid-next month would be appropriate,” Levinia said thoughtfully.

Even though Cassion had given his permission, Ipherian’s move to the Wendell estate—given his status as a former imperial concubine—would inevitably attract suspicion. Moreover, preparations would be necessary to welcome him as a guest at the duchy.

“Understood. I’ll send word and make the necessary arrangements.”

＊ ＊ ＊

After finishing the state council meeting, Cassion walked back at a hurried pace. He didn’t expect Levinia to be waiting for him in his office already, but there was still a sliver of hope.

“Your Majesty, welcome back.”

The officials greeted him respectfully, stepping aside to clear his path. Judging by their behavior, it was clear that no one else had come to visit. Of course, it wouldn’t have been appropriate for anyone to wait for him in an empty office without permission—it would be seen as interfering with his duties for a personal reason.

‘Levinia wouldn’t do something like that,’ Cassion thought, letting out a deep sigh as he entered his office.

An attendant informed him that the officials were ready to deliver their reports. With a small nod from Cassion, the most urgent matters were presented first.

Listening to reports, reviewing documents, and affixing the imperial seal…
Even though the documents had been filtered through several competent hands, the sheer amount of work was overwhelming. Cassion sat with a cold expression, ensuring that no details were missing and that the officials were well-informed about the issues they were reporting.

Those who knew the emperor well had thoroughly prepared their reports. In Cassion’s court, merely passing the work down to subordinates without understanding it oneself could be disastrous. Only the most competent individuals had survived in the administration; the incompetent had been either cast out of the palace or lost their lives.

Thus, those with exceptional abilities—minor barons, untitled nobles, bastards, or even commoners—found their way into the administrative body, where talent outweighed status.

Two hours later, the reports concluded, leaving only a stack of documents for Cassion to review at his leisure.

“Your Majesty, why don’t you take a short break? I’ll bring you some tea,” one of the attendants suggested carefully. It was a subtle prompt for rest, as Cassion had remained utterly focused for the entire two hours. Even for someone with exceptional endurance, it was exhausting.

“…Very well,” Cassion agreed.

Almost immediately, another attendant appeared with a tea tray. Cassion took the cup out of habit, but his brows furrowed. Levinia still hadn’t arrived.

‘Is she still with that man?’

He didn’t want to think so, but it seemed likely.

‘I never should have allowed it.’

Yet, as Duke Wendell, Levinia was entitled to her own domain—something Cassion had no right to interfere with. She had only asked out of consideration for his position, and if he weren’t the emperor notorious for seizing absolute power, the request would have been unnecessary.

‘When exactly did she meet him?’

Cassion remembered Ipherian well. He had been a fleeting bed partner—easygoing and undemanding. He had never even asked for Ipherian’s name or bothered with conversation. While Ipherian occasionally gazed at him with an expectant look, the only thing he had seemed to want was a few words of acknowledgment.

It had been unexpected, but that was all. Ipherian had never piqued Cassion’s interest.

Now, though, the memory of Ipherian’s vivid, emotion-filled eyes unsettled him. He worried that Levinia might be taken advantage of, knowing that Ipherian had once harbored feelings for him.

‘No… There’s no guarantee that feeling still exists. Especially when it’s Levinia we’re talking about!’

Levinia, who had captured his heart so effortlessly—the heart that no beauty had ever stirred. Even Albert, that detestable man, had feelings for her. So why wouldn’t Ipherian? Even if his initial intention had been to use her, things could have changed by now.

The urge to rush over and crush Ipherian’s head gripped him, but the thought of how pathetic that would look held him back.

As emperor, no one would dare call him ridiculous to his face. But what would Levinia think?

‘I prefer a man who shows his emotions over someone as unyielding as a rock,’ Levinia’s voice echoed in his mind, soothing him somewhat.

Still, the self-awareness that his jealousy was unseemly gnawed at him.

‘It’s not like I’m thinking about rushing over just because of something she said…’

Unable to calm himself, Cassion set his teacup down. He knew exactly why he felt so anxious. He had only just started to open Levinia’s heart, while Ipherian was already close enough to be invited as a guest to her estate.

‘No. Levinia said she needed him for his talents.’
Not as a man.

He recalled how Levinia had kissed his cheek before he left for the council meeting that morning. Could it be that her heart had grown fonder of him? Or was it simply her way of thanking him for not opposing Ipherian’s stay at the estate?

“What is the Duchess doing right now…?” Cassion began to instruct the attendant to check on her but clenched his jaw halfway through.

No matter how desperate he was, this was not the right course of action. This was different from the times he had curiously wondered what Levinia was doing when she was alone.

“No… Never mind.”

Just as Cassion shook his head and was about to rest his chin on his hand, a servant entered the office.

“Your Majesty, the Duchess of Wendell has arrived.”

Cassion shot up from his seat before he could stop himself. His abrupt movement startled the servant and guards, who cast curious glances at him, but Cassion didn’t even notice. His entire focus was locked on one thing.

“Let her in,” he said.

Even his voice didn’t come out right—it was hoarse, catching him off guard. The servant, pretending not to notice, maintained a neutral expression.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The servant left, and moments later, the door to the office opened. Since Levinia was one of the emperor’s consorts, her maid was not allowed to enter the imperial office with her.

Levinia stepped in slowly, her eyes sweeping across the room with mild curiosity. Cassion felt his tension melt away, a soft smile forming as he lightly rubbed his chin. The way she could so effortlessly lift his heavy heart… it was a skill, truly.

“You’re here.”

“Your Majesty,” Levinia replied, bowing her head with a gentle smile.

Cassion’s expression softened at her smile. Noticing the mood, the servant quickly ushered the others out of the room.

“I’ll bring some tea.”

“Yes, go ahead,” Cassion said, still keeping his eyes on Levinia.

Once the door closed behind them, Cassion stepped out from behind his desk.

“Did you come straight from the harem?”

“I waited for a while in the garden, thinking you might be busy with urgent matters.”

From the garden of the Rose Palace, she would have been able to see the officials leaving Cassion’s office and returning to the administrative building. Cassion smiled to himself, realizing how thoughtful she had been. He approached her and gently took her hand, raising it to his lips before pressing his face into her palm.

“I was waiting for you, too,” he said softly.

He didn’t want to admit that he had been jealous or that he couldn’t concentrate on his work. After all, he had completed everything properly in the end. But still, he wanted Levinia to understand his feelings.

Levinia looked up at him quietly. She had to crane her neck to meet his gaze—Cassion was more than two heads taller than her. He was exceptionally tall, while she was of average height, making the height difference striking.

“Your Majesty…”

Cassion kept his cheek pressed against her palm, looking down at her with eyes filled with deep affection. His gaze was so warm, so intense, that for a moment, Levinia found herself at a loss for words.

‘Can I really stand on equal footing with him?  If I gain power… will I be able to see him as an equal and love him freely?’

Levinia tried not to be conscious of it, but Cassion was an irresistibly captivating man. His striking features, the strong lines of his body, even the way he looked at her—everything about him was alluring. It felt almost strange that she had managed to resist his affection for so long.

Her heart dropped with a loud thud, and she instinctively pulled her hand away. Cassion blinked, startled, as his gaze locked on her.

“Leni?”

His puzzled expression and her flushed face made his eyes gleam with recognition. Cassion was anything but oblivious. A faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

Levinia quickly turned her head, but there was no escaping him. Before she knew it, she was wrapped in his arms. Her eyes darted around the room. The servant who had gone to fetch tea had not yet returned—leaving only the two of them in the room.

“Look at me,” Cassion said playfully. “Didn’t you come all the way to my office just to see my face?”

His teasing voice made her glance at him out of the corner of her eye. The moment their gazes met, her heart sank again. This wasn’t the first time she’d felt like this. It had happened before—a few times, even.

Levinia knew how to lock away her emotions. As the daughter of a high-ranking noble, she had always believed that her marriage would be dictated by duty, not love. Her heart had always been secondary.

“…Aren’t you angry with me?” she asked softly, lowering her gaze in embarrassment.

Cassion leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to the top of her head.

“How could I be angry… when everything about you is so beautiful?”

Ever since the night they spent together, Cassion had treated Levinia with unwavering kindness. He had even gifted her a palace, trying to win her favor. He had pretended not to notice her being with Albert and forgiven her for running away. Even now, his affection remained constant.