Your Majesty, I’m Not that Man - Chapter 12. The Tyrant’s Fiancée (1)

“Leni…”

Cassion extended his hand, and Levinia took it, standing beside him.

Traditionally, she should have taken a carriage sent by the imperial family from the Wendell estate and entered the palace with dignity. At the palace gates, she would have met Cassion, taken his hand, and walked with him through the nobles and into the throne room.

But that wasn’t how things had unfolded.

Levinia was already living with the emperor, sharing his bed and chambers.

She was to enter with Cassion through the royal family’s exclusive entrance, just like the empress.

‘Everyone already knows I entered as Cassion’s concubine anyway. Pretending it’s a weakness would only amuse them even more.’

It was a world where contraceptive rings existed. Although the class system remained intact, women were granted a certain degree of sexual freedom.

Moreover, Levinia was the empire’s only duchess. While Cassion hadn’t initially planned to take down all the empire’s dukes one by one, that’s how it ended up.

“As the Duke of Wendell, what could you possibly be afraid of…? Just remember this—I’m always behind you. If anyone dares to bring sadness to that lovely face of yours…”

“And if they do?”

Out of curiosity, Levinia asked. Cassion flashed a strange smile, his eyes gleaming.

“I’ll make them crawl at your feet and beg for their lives. If that’s not enough, I’ll cut off their heads and hang them at their mansion.”

The thought was grotesque. She hated it.

“Hanging heads… not really my thing.”

“Then we’ll tear them apart instead.”

“Why does it always end with killing someone? You’re not planning to kill anyone at today’s party, right?”

Levinia asked, looking at him warily. Cassion responded with a charming smile that looked completely harmless.

“If you don’t like it, we’ll just lock them in the underground prison instead.”

‘He didn’t say he wouldn’t kill them, though!’

It was no wonder every noble they passed cowered without a word. No doubt they had spoken ill of Levinia behind her back, yet no rumors ever spread.

‘Well, with an emperor like this, I guess no one would dare open their mouth.’

People were surprisingly relieved by Levinia’s presence. Rumor had it that Cassion hadn’t killed anyone for months—thanks to her.

Although it was true that he had not shed blood for several years, that fact had been completely forgotten and was now being attributed entirely to Levinia.

“Shall we go, Duchess?”

Cassion asked. After taking a deep breath, Levinia nodded. Cassion gently caressed her cheek, kissed her lightly, and then turned away. The waiting attendant loudly announced the entrance of the emperor and Duke Wendell.

The music in the ballroom changed. The previously loud and boisterous chatter subsided, and all eyes turned toward one place.
Levinia, the only duchess in the empire, was accustomed to being the center of attention. But this kind of pressure was something entirely new.
Even the sound of a small earring dropping would have echoed in the tense silence.

Noticing her nervousness, Cassion gave her a leisurely smile. His fierce blue eyes seemed to say:

“Anyone who dares to annoy you will be dealt with. There’s no need for fear or hesitation.”

Levinia didn’t trust his gaze, but she knew he was the type of person who would follow through on such a promise. Ironically, that knowledge gave her strength.

Taking Cassion’s hand, Levinia walked beside him. The dazzling lights, a mixture of real jewels and magical brilliance, rained down over them.
Cassion led Levinia to the throne and sat down. Though they weren’t married yet, a seat had already been prepared for her right next to him.

“You may lift your heads,” Cassion’s cold voice rang out. The nobles cautiously raised their heads, stealing glances at Levinia with eyes full of envy, curiosity, and admiration.

Dressed in a splendid gown of white and green, embroidered with gold thread, Levinia looked like the goddess of spring herself. The platinum tiara on her head and the large sapphire necklace around her neck were clearly gifts from the emperor.

“Your Majesty, Your Grace, Duke of Wendell,”

Marquis Siesz, the emperor’s right-hand man and the leader of the nobility, stepped forward.

Since the House of Wendell was the only remaining ducal house in the empire, it should have been Levinia’s role to lead the nobles.
However, the House of Wendell had traditionally avoided involvement in politics.

Moreover, with Levinia now engaged to the emperor, it was even less feasible for her to take on that position. Thus, Marquis Siesz continued to act as the leader of the nobility—a solution the other nobles welcomed.

“On behalf of the nobles gathered here, I offer my congratulations to Your Majesty and Your Grace,” the marquis said, stepping closer and bowing with perfect formality.

“Your Majesty, Your Grace, may you continue to be the radiant sun and moon of Adalaxus.”

Though he was already treating Levinia as if she were the empress, Cassion made no effort to correct him. On the contrary, he seemed pleased.

The marquis then turned to Levinia and bowed deeply.

“Also, congratulations on inheriting the title of Duchess.”

“Thank you for your kind words, Marquis,” Levinia replied.

After she spoke, the marquis stepped aside with a polite expression, and the next noble of high rank came forward.

Thus began the endless line of well-wishers. Even though they were seated on thrones, receiving non-stop congratulations was a tiring ordeal.
Every response had to be carefully thought out.

Fortunately—or unfortunately—Cassion had drastically reduced the number of high-ranking nobles, so the process wouldn’t take too long.

After the high-ranking nobles finished their greetings, the lesser nobles invited to the party began their own procession. However, instead of coming forward one couple at a time, they greeted them in groups of three.

Clearly aware of Cassion’s temperament, they held back from speaking to Levinia too much, despite their obvious desire to.
The emperor was too intimidating, but Levinia seemed far more approachable.

Even if it wasn’t about gaining favor with the imperial family, it was common knowledge that the House of Wendell was the wealthiest family in the empire after the emperor. No one could deny that befriending Levinia was a wise move.

Once all the nobles had finished their greetings, the attendant signaled the musicians.

As a new song began to play, Cassion descended from the throne and approached Levinia. Kneeling on one knee before her, his burning gaze locked onto hers.

“Duchess,” he said softly. “May I have the honor of your first dance?”

There was no one bold enough to reject the hand he offered. Levinia felt her heart pounding and hesitated. It was different from the unpleasant thumping she sometimes felt—this one carried a strange sense of anticipation.

“Duchess?”

When she didn’t immediately take his hand, Cassion called her name in a low voice that only she could hear. Levinia quickly reached for his hand, feeling her ears grow warm.

“…It’s an honor, Your Majesty.”

“The honor is mine, since you’ve taken my hand,” Cassion replied.

As he stood, he gently pulled Levinia’s hand and pressed his lips to it, his eyes gleaming like a predator staring at its prey.

“Please, don’t ever let go of this hand. If you reject me any further… I truly don’t know what I might become.”

Those must have been the words he had held back until now. Levinia, though never outwardly showing it, had always been ready to run away from him.

Hearing his words, however, left her feeling strangely unsettled. It wasn’t fear or dislike. If anything, her heart seemed to beat twice as fast. Thump-thump-thump. The frantic pounding of her heart made her turn her head away sharply. Cassion, misunderstanding her reaction as indecision, stiffened.

The nobles in the ballroom began to murmur among themselves. It was because Cassion suddenly wrapped Levinia in an embrace after kissing the back of her hand. Blushing furiously, Levinia buried her face in his chest.

Cassion whispered in a desperate voice.“No, forget it. I was wrong. Even if you run from me a hundred times, I’ll forgive you. Just… forgive me for having no choice but to chase you down and catch you every time.”

Thump-thump-thump-thump…

Her heart pounded so hard it felt as if it had broken down. Levinia instinctively burrowed further into Cassion’s chest, trying to cool her burning face.

He had never harmed her, not even once. All he did was plead, cling to her, and beg for her love. Even if Levinia ran away again, just as he said, Cassion wouldn’t hurt her. Not now, not ever.

Somewhere deep inside, Levinia became convinced of something selfish—that no matter what mistake she made, Cassion would always accept her.

The head steward, sensing the emperor’s mood, signaled the orchestra to play a slow dance tune. As the melody shifted smoothly into something more languid, Cassion finally loosened his arms and gazed down at Levinia.

Levinia looked up at him, meeting his pained expression.
“…”
Her flushed cheeks must have been obvious to Cassion. Levinia, at a loss for words, lowered her eyes. His heated gaze fell on her face.

Cassion’s hand cupped her cheek, making her glance at him. His face was already leaning closer.

“Y-Your Majesty…In the room…”

Cassion clicked his tongue regretfully and glanced around, dissatisfied, as if guarding her from the nobles who dared to covet what was his. The nobles quickly averted their gazes in panic.

Although rumors had spread about how much the emperor favored Levinia Wendell, this was the first time they had seen it for themselves. Judging by those burning blue eyes, this was far from a fleeting infatuation.

Is Levinia Wendell really going to become the empress?

Considering the emperor’s past actions, most had assumed the engagement would go no further. If this were a mere political arrangement, perhaps that would have been the case. But seeing him now, they realized they were wrong.

His every look, gesture, and action exuded a deep possessiveness. There was no way he would ever let this woman go.

Many nobles began to recalculate. If they could win Levinia’s favor, their previously difficult relationship with the imperial family might take a turn for the better.

When the emperor turned to Levinia, she tugged on his hand with a playful expression. It was an invitation to dance. Cassion smiled and accompanied her to the center of the ballroom.

A graceful waltz began to play.

***

Ipherian, disguised as a servant and attending the ball, gave a bitter smile. Though Cassion usually disliked dancing, with Levinia by his side, he seemed to be painting a picture-perfect scene.

The jealousy on the nobles’ faces had faded significantly. Now they gazed at the imperial couple with admiration.

‘I wanted to dance with you, too, Leni…’

But that was an impossible dream now. She was no longer merely his concubine but the emperor’s fiancée. Even if it might have been possible in the past, there was no way Cassion would allow it now.

As the music ended, so did their first dance.

Traditionally, couples were supposed to bow to each other at the end of a dance. However, Cassion didn’t bow—he simply watched as Levinia bowed to him.

‘Huh?’

Levinia broke into a cold sweat as she caught the intense gaze boring into her. That look… It clearly said he wanted her right now!
No, wait! Surely he’s not planning to head straight to the bedroom right now?!

While sneaking off to the royal family’s private lounge and returning afterward could be an option, it would be obvious to all the nobles what they had been up to.
Feeling Cassion’s burning gaze, Levinia subtly shook her head, hoping to dissuade him.

Cassion’s expression twisted, clearly unhappy with her silent rejection. He strode toward her, wrapping an arm around her waist and leaning in for a kiss—almost. Just before their lips touched, Levinia instinctively slapped her palm over his mouth.

“…Duchess, what is this hand doing?”

“Huh? I-I didn’t mean to!”

Levinia debated whether she should pull her hand away, but judging by the look in Cassion’s eyes, the second she did, he would kiss her. Glancing around at the other nobles, who were definitely watching, she nervously darted her eyes.

“You should move it,” Cassion whispered, tilting his head with a mischievous smirk.

Levinia, feeling the warmth of his lips through her palm, hesitantly pulled her hand back—only to shove it back in place when his face moved even closer.

“If you make me wait, you’ll have to deal with the consequences in bed later. Are you sure about this?”

At his suggestive tone and dangerously gleaming eyes, Levinia almost jumped out of her skin.

“P-People are watching! Later… please!”

“Exactly. They’re watching—that’s why I want to do this. If they witness how much I adore you, they’ll know to respect you properly.”

Your gaze alone is intimidating enough to make them faint, she thought.