Your Majesty, I’m Not that Man - Chapter 13: First Date (5)

Those deep gray eyes—tinged with blue—were sunken and dull. There wasn’t even a flicker of hope in them, let alone the glow of someone who’d just reunited with a lover.

His shoulders drooped, slouched in the saddle. It wasn’t even clear who was guiding whom—the man or the horse.

“….”

He got rejected. That look… that’s someone who’s been turned down.

Cassion’s mind quickly recalibrated. Of course Levinia wouldn’t have given someone like him—someone born of a concubine—a chance.

He passed Albert without a word, keeping a firm grip on the corners of his mouth that threatened to curl up.

Albert was so out of it, he didn’t even seem to register that the man riding past him was the Emperor.

‘Not my problem.’

Cassion snorted and nudged his horse forward. Without the murderous intent from earlier, the horse moved more smoothly, as if relieved.

He briefly considered turning around now that he’d seen Albert’s expression—but no. He still wanted to see Levinia’s face. He wanted to look her in the eye, to say something—anything—just to release the ache in his chest.

‘Charging in right now would be undignified, but…’

Still, if she looked at him and smiled—if she just smiled—it would put all his doubts and fears to rest.

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As time passed, people gradually began to trickle into the café. Those who recognized Levinia’s face lit up with excitement. A few among the nobility looked like they wanted to approach and speak with her, but the sight of Raphael’s piercing glare quickly shut down any such thoughts.

“By now, I’m sure he’s returned to the palace,” Raphael said. “We should get going, Duchess.”

Levinia nodded. She’d already enjoyed everything she came for—now it seemed like the right time to leave.

“…What the…?”

Raphael’s expression twisted as he noticed something. Levinia followed his gaze, turning her head toward the café window—and saw someone outside.

It was Cassion.

Even before the palace attendant standing by the café door could open it, Cassion was already moving, pushing the door open himself. And his expression… was far from pleasant.

“H-His Majesty!”

“Wh-what brings the Emperor all the way out here?!”

“Everyone, bow your heads!”

The air inside the café buzzed with urgent whispers. It was clear everyone recognized Cassion—the one face no one in the capital could afford not to know. As he shoved open the door and stepped inside, the café fell into a silence so heavy, even the sound of people breathing became crystal clear.

The sharp, measured sound of Cassion’s footsteps echoed through the room as he crossed it.

“Levinia.”

Among the seated patrons, Levinia’s group was the only one that had not bowed their heads completely, making them easy to spot. Raphael rose to his feet respectfully, and even Philia, now visibly tense, bowed her head low.

Before Cassion’s gaze could even meet hers, Levinia was already stepping away from her seat. Their eyes met—and Levinia’s eyes sparkled.

Her soft smile caused something in Cassion to melt instantly.

“Your Majesty,” she said warmly.

The entire café collectively held its breath as Levinia walked up to the infamous tyrant without hesitation. Cassion met her shining eyes and felt strangely… sheepish. After all that dramatic rushing, he now wasn’t sure what to say.

“What brings you all the way out here?” she asked gently.

“I, uh…”

Of course she had figured out by now that he’d placed someone to watch her. He did the same even in the palace—so Levinia didn’t particularly mind.

But still, for him to show up here was unexpected. Levinia hadn’t believed Cassion would actually come all this way over a meeting with Albert.

“You must have had business outside the palace.”

The way Levinia looked at him—with such joy, such ease—made it impossible for Cassion to say I came to catch you meeting your ex. He could feel his face heat up as he turned away.

“I… yeah. That’s right.”

“Do you have other plans? Ah—wait, if I’m here, I might be interrupting something. I was just about to leave anyway…”

She was about to excuse herself politely when Cassion quickly reached out and took her hand.

“I saw you and came in. I don’t have any other appointments.”

“Is your afternoon free, then?”

“…It is.”

At his reply, Levinia paused as if considering something, then gave him a bright, dazzling smile. Cassion, momentarily forgetting the reason he’d come at all, could only stare at her, dazed.

“Then… would you be willing to spend that time with me?”

He wanted to ask how her visit to the duchy had gone—but doing so would only ruin the mood. Before Cassion even realized it, he was already nodding. Any thought of questioning Levinia had vanished completely.

Still holding Cassion’s hand, Levinia turned to look at Philia. Raphael had already stepped away, and Philia too was now standing and waiting nearby.

“Should I call for the carriage?”

“No, I want to walk.”

After replying, she glanced up at Cassion. He’d been too busy staring at her to register her words right away—but when he finally noticed her expectant look, he understood she was waiting for his answer.

“…Sure.”

That made it the third “Sure.” Cassion hadn’t noticed. Levinia hadn’t cared. But everyone else in the café had definitely caught on.

The Emperor is completely smitten.

“Let’s go, Your Majesty.”

Levinia had been feeling reluctant to head straight back to the palace—but now, this was perfect. Since Cassion was the very reason she was expected to return early, she figured she’d just take him along and walk around as much as she pleased.

After months of being cooped up in the palace, she felt like her body was about to turn to stone. Just the thought of wandering around late into the evening again lifted her mood.

She tugged gently at Cassion’s hand, urging him to move. Flushed, he brushed a hand over his warm cheek and let himself be pulled along as they left the café.

Levinia had completely taken control of the pace.

Once the Emperor and Duchess had exited—and even her maid and escort knight were gone—the door finally swung shut behind them. Only then did the remaining patrons in the café dare to lift their heads.

“Was that… her…?”

“Did you see His Majesty’s face? He’s totally, hopelessly in love…”

“That Emperor…! The world really must be ending.”

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Getting to extend their outing put Levinia in an even better mood. Cassion, thoroughly misreading the reason for her delight, found himself smiling too.

“Are you really that happy to be with me?”

“Well, if I’m with Your Majesty, I get to stay out late, don’t I?”

She wanted to say What kind of adult has a curfew?—but it was just something that came with being the Emperor’s woman. There were safety concerns, after all. From her reply, Cassion caught on.

“So, it’s not me you’re excited about—it’s the chance to stay out late.”

He shot her a half-playful, half-pouting glare. Levinia just laughed and replied cheerfully.

“If Your Majesty is willing to go on a date with me, then I’ll be happy about both.”

“Da… Date…?”

As giddy as Levinia felt, Cassion was suddenly flustered.

A date…?

He’d never considered it before. Knowing himself as well as he did, the idea that someone might want to go on a date with him had never crossed his mind.

Levinia tilted her head, looking at his stunned expression.

“Is something wrong?”

“No… It’s just… you want to go on a date with me?”

“Yes.”

Who else would I date? she thought. They were engaged now—there had even been a party to announce it publicly. Levinia watched his reaction closely, and Cassion in turn gazed silently back at her.

He really could feel it—how different she’d become toward him. Everything felt lighter with Levinia. If a date was what she wanted, he had no reason to refuse.

The only issue was…

What exactly does one do on a date?

This world had no TV, no internet. Cassion didn’t read novels, didn’t attend plays. He understood the concept of dating, but not the actual activities involved.

“Do you… have something in mind?”

“Well, since it’s around lunchtime, we should start by eating. Then I want to check out the new arrivals at the magic device shop. Oh, and Philia mentioned earlier that the opera house is putting on Spirit of Autumn—we could see that, have dinner afterward…”

As Levinia rattled off a full itinerary, Cassion’s mind went a little blank. Out of everything she listed, one thing stuck with him: the magic device shop.

He’d already been told that Levinia had a genuine interest in magical devices and often stopped by shops to check out the newest models.

That’s why, when he was preparing her engagement gifts, he’d included a few magic tools. Of course, it seemed like she hadn’t even unwrapped them yet—probably because there were just so many.

Thinking about that, Cassion felt his mood dip a little. He fiddled awkwardly with her hand still held in his.

Noticing, Levinia glanced at him and gave a playful smile.

“Is there anywhere Your Majesty wants to go?”

“…Hmm.”

Someplace he wanted to go…?

Whenever he needed something for personal use, he usually had merchants brought directly to the palace. He’d always been too busy—and frankly, too uninterested in other people—to bother going out himself. Now that he thought about it, he realized he’d never once just walked the streets of the capital like this.

Sure, he’d passed through on horseback or in a carriage more times than he could count. But walking? That had never occurred to him.

Not that he disliked the idea. It just… never felt necessary.

Even when traveling to other cities or countries, it was usually while marching in with cavalry or troops. This was his first taste of anything resembling leisure.

Did he have any curiosity about these streets, where nobles and commoners mingled?

The Imperial Palace was far too beautiful and extravagant for that. Compared to its gilded halls, the streets below always seemed shabby, plain.

He’d never paid them much attention.

Even the curiosity he’d once felt had flickered out when he was around ten years old. After that, life moved far too quickly. There had been no time for wonder.

Survival had been the only priority.

“…Wherever you like.”

Cassion tugged gently on the hand he was holding as he spoke. He still felt no particular curiosity about the street around them. There was only one thing he truly cared about.

“If it’s a place tied to your memories as a duchess, that’s fine too. Take me wherever you like. I want to love the things you love.”

The Cassion standing here now had already changed so much from the original version of him in the novel. That Cassion had been someone who cared only about his own desires—his own emotions.

But this one had changed… because he loved Levinia.

Changes that, in the original story, wouldn’t have happened until near the very end—he’d already undergone them just from knowing her, from the earliest part of their relationship.

And even now, he was still trying to change.

For the person he loved.

Levinia, knowing just how difficult it was for someone to change—not for themselves, but for someone else—felt her chest tighten with quiet emotion. Most people couldn’t even manage to change for their own sake. But Cassion was doing it for her.

“…Yes. I’ll show you everything you’re curious about, Your Majesty.”

Looking into his eyes, Levinia said it softly, and then brought his hand up to her lips, placing a gentle kiss against his palm.

The soft touch of her lips against his skin sent a shiver down Cassion’s spine.

Something was changing.

Levinia was changing. They were changing.

And in that moment, Cassion felt—truly, deeply—happy.

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