Your Majesty, I’m Not that Man - Chapter 2: Not the Second Wife, but the Mistress? (3)

The lack of anyone within the imperial palace capable of fully overseeing the emperor’s wedding made it easier for Levinia to move about freely.

Though an official had been appointed to manage the preparations, it was clear he found the responsibility overwhelming. It wasn’t the difficulty of the work itself that burdened him—it was the fear of losing his life if anything went wrong.

So, when Levinia expressed a desire to see the venue for the ceremony, the official readily agreed and escorted her there.

“This is the place.”

The imperial palace was vast, almost like a city within a city. Among its many grand structures, the temple chosen for the ceremony stood out as immense, so large it could have been called the Great Temple. With just two months left until the wedding, the venue was already undergoing preparations and decoration.

“Do you have any preferences for decorations or flowers?” the official asked, showing Levinia dozens of samples of fresh blooms.

Levinia selected a few flowers appropriate for the season, then glanced at the official.

“His Majesty… He hasn’t visited this place, has he?”

“He’s a busy man,” the official replied, his tone making it seem obvious that Cassion wouldn’t bother coming.

Levinia had assumed as much. Cassion’s decision to marry the daughter of the Wendell Ducal House had nothing to do with sentiment or emotional investment.

Even if there was some perceived moral obligation, Cassion wasn’t likely to involve himself personally in the wedding details.

“…Then I suppose it’s unclear how I might get an audience with His Majesty.”

“That is true. But… do you wish to meet him?”

Levinia nodded. She had already submitted two formal requests for an audience, but Cassion had not responded. It would be more accurate to say he had outright ignored her.

‘As expected…’

“Well, thank you for showing me around. I’ll take my leave now,” she said politely.

“Ah, my lady…”

The flustered official stopped her, explaining that he needed her to choose the fabric for the temple’s decorations, along with patterns, jewels, and other details. Levinia made some appropriate selections, ones that would align with the usual expectations for a wedding, and then quickly excused herself from the scene.

‘There’s no helping it.’

This was her third visit to the palace, and it was becoming increasingly evident that Cassion had no intention of meeting her before the wedding.

He must not plan on seeing me until the ceremony itself, she thought grimly.

Even after the wedding, Cassion was likely planning to abandon her after their first night together. However, if he decided to make her his empress, it would be disastrous for Levinia. She had no intention of being crowned empress, only to face the risk of being discarded—or worse, killed—when Cassion’s whims inevitably changed.

Escaping would be far easier if she were a concubine, sparing both the emperor’s pride and the complications that might arise afterward.

Levinia made her way to the main palace once again, asking a soldier for assistance. Though meeting the emperor in person was out of the question, she could at least connect with one of his subordinates.

“Would you deliver this letter to His Majesty for me? If His Majesty doesn’t read it and simply burns or tears it apart… well, please at least convey the message to him.”

She wanted to say it would be fine if they just read the contents themselves and passed along the gist of it, but she doubted anyone would dare open a letter addressed to the emperor—especially given his reputation as a tyrant.

“…It’s regarding our upcoming wedding,” Levinia explained. “I just wanted to mention, in case he has any intention of making me empress, that the position is far too lofty for someone like me. If he insists on marrying me, I would humbly ask to be taken as a concubine instead.”

“Pardon?”

The official who received the letter stared at her, utterly dumbfounded. Levinia simply smiled politely in response.

“That’s all I need you to tell him.”

No one hosted such an extravagant wedding for a concubine. Cassion hadn’t officially declared that she was to be empress, yet everyone assumed it to be the case.

And now, here she was, asking to not become empress but to be made a concubine instead. It was an outrageous request, especially for the daughter of the empire’s only ducal family. Even foreign princesses and noblewomen, sent as tribute to Cassion, entered his palace hoping to become empress. Once admitted as concubines, they all aspired to rise to that coveted position.

“Thank you,” Levinia said with a slight bow, turning to leave.

She could only hope that, when the message reached Cassion, he wouldn’t decide to execute her on the spot.

The emperor, who held nothing but disdain for the nobility, was sure to find her request laughable. He’d probably assume it was some ploy to curry his favor.

“As long as I don’t become empress, I’ll be fine.”

Once Cassion sent word that he’d accept her as a concubine, all that would remain was ensuring her cherished people could safely leave for their hometowns. That was her only priority now.

＊ ＊ ＊

As Levinia had anticipated, Cassion dismissed the official who delivered her letter, telling him to throw it away. Letters he didn’t read were better burned, as they could contain anything. However, the official still held onto it, as the fireplace in the emperor’s office had yet to be lit.

“The lady of Wendell also asked me to relay this message. She said… if you intend to make her your empress…”

At that, Cassion let out a quiet laugh. He hadn’t said a single word about making her empress, yet she had jumped to conclusions. It was so characteristic of the ducal family.

Of course, he did intend to make her empress, though the position would be nothing more than a hollow title with no real power. She seemed unaware of that, which made her presumptions all the more amusing.

“…she feels it is too lofty a position for her and asks to be taken as a concubine instead.”

“What?”

Cassion’s expression changed sharply, and he turned his gaze toward the official. So, the purpose of her repeated requests for an audience was to make this absurd request?

‘No, this could just be a ploy to meet me before the wedding.’

“Give me the letter,” Cassion demanded.

The official quickly handed over Levinia’s letter. Cassion tore open the envelope and scanned its contents. Written in a respectful and cautious tone, the letter repeated exactly what the official had conveyed:

She was requesting to be made a concubine instead of an empress.

“She wants to be a concubine, not an empress?”

The audacity of it was almost laughable.

“…Such excessive servility. Like father, like daughter.”

Cassion’s lips twisted in disdain as he handed the letter back to the official.

“If that’s what she wants, then so be it.”

“Shall we also cancel the wedding, then? There’s no need for a wedding if she’s to be taken as a concubine.”

After all, a wedding for a concubine was unnecessary. Only men who already had empresses would hold such ceremonies. Cassion’s piercing blue eyes glinted coldly, a cruel smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

“Cancel everything. The daughter of Wendell seems eager to throw herself into my arms. Move up the schedule and dismiss the wedding altogether.”

＊ ＊ ＊

The announcement that the wedding had been canceled sent shockwaves through the Wendell ducal household. The idea of Levinia becoming not the empress but a mere concubine was unthinkable. Fortunately, the emperor hadn’t implied that this was Levinia’s choice; he had simply issued the decision unilaterally.

With the wedding canceled, Levinia was ordered to enter the palace in just three weeks, rather than the two months initially planned. Once again, Zelenka turned her frustration on Levinia, accusing her of improper behavior that had cost her the position of empress.

“You’ve ruined me! How can I show my face in society now?”

Zelenka’s sharp voice grated on Levinia, but she showed no reaction. Meanwhile, Maxim seemed caught between anger and relief. While he bemoaned the decline in the family’s status, he also appeared somewhat comforted by the fact that he wouldn’t have to face the emperor as his father-in-law. He could safely remain on the sidelines without worrying about drawing the emperor’s attention at court.

“…There’s much to prepare with my earlier departure,” Levinia said calmly, cutting through Zelenka’s tirade.

She turned to leave, but Zelenka tried to grab her, eager to vent her indignation further. Levinia, however, shot her mother a frosty glare.

“At this rate, one might think you were becoming the emperor’s concubine, not me.”

“What—what did you just say?! This is exactly why this happened to you, Levinia! Your cold, ungrateful nature! Are you even listening, Leni?!”

“Perhaps you should complain to your maid instead. At least she’s being paid for it,” Levinia said icily, walking away as Zelenka stood there, speechless, her mouth agape. Watching her mother fake tears and wail over her own supposed hardships only made Levinia’s exit more resolute.

Three weeks left until I leave for the palace… and that’s all she has to say.

“Miss…”

Maggie, Levinia’s nursemaid, reached out and gently held her hand, offering silent comfort. Levinia couldn’t bring herself to tell Maggie the truth—that it was her own request that had led to the current arrangement.

“It’ll all work out, my lady. Everything will be okay,” Maggie said softly, brushing Levinia’s hand with her thumb.

Levinia gave her a bitter smile. Maybe, once I’ve escaped the palace, crossed the empire’s borders, and settled in some far-off village, I can start to believe that.

“I’m fine,” Levinia said, though her voice betrayed her exhaustion. “But I need to talk to you. Let’s go upstairs.”

She led Maggie up to her room on the third floor. It was the same room she’d had since childhood, though the wallpaper and furniture had been replaced many times. Despite the changes, the atmosphere of the room always brought her a sense of comfort. No matter how painful things were, this room felt like a sanctuary.

But it would only be her sanctuary for three more weeks. Once she entered the palace, once she escaped—she would never return here again.

“Maggie… Once I enter the palace, I won’t be able to look after this household anymore. When a new heir comes to take over and starts a family, there will be time before that happens, but… Father will likely send you away.”

Concubines didn’t bring nursemaids into the palace. It would have been acceptable for an empress, but Levinia, planning her escape, had no intention of dragging Maggie into that danger. She needed Maggie to be somewhere safe.

“You know, from my childhood until now, you’ve been the only one truly on my side. I may have a mother by blood, but… you know how she and Father are…”

Levinia’s voice trailed off. In her youth, when she was still vulnerable, Maxim’s indifference and Zelenka’s selfishness had deeply wounded her. If Maggie hadn’t been there during those years, she doubted she would have endured it.

“My lady… Why are you saying such things? You speak as if we’ll never see each other again…”

“You know as well as I do that nothing is certain once I enter the palace. All I want… is for you to be happy, Maggie.”

“My happiness,” Maggie said with a trembling voice, holding Levinia’s hand tightly, “is for you to find happiness, my lady.”

Levinia shook her head. Maggie had cared for her for many years, but Maggie had a family of her own. Her husband, once a coachman for the Wendell household, had been injured and left the estate, while her daughter now worked there as a maid.

“Maggie, you know my personality. Even in the imperial palace… I might end up clashing with His Majesty. If that happens, the duke’s family might face repercussions. And if that were to happen, I don’t want you to still be here.”

“Don’t say such dreadful things! My lady, you’ll get along just fine with His Majesty. Once he gets to know you, he’ll surely be captivated by you. Who could ever not love you?”

At Maggie’s kind words, Levinia could only offer a bitter smile. Maxim and Zelenka—her own parents—had never shown her affection. How could she expect to be loved by anyone else when even her parents hadn’t loved her?

Of course, she knew there were people who might.

But Levinia found it difficult to believe in herself. Even if Cassion didn’t have Albert, the destined love interest from the original story, she doubted she would have had the confidence to win his heart.

Albert… Albert would have liked me, wouldn’t he?

Before recovering her memories of her past life, Levinia hadn’t realized Albert had feelings for her. She had lacked the self-assurance to see it. Even now, it felt as though Albert’s affection had been nothing more than a predetermined aspect of the original story—something that had nothing to do with her own worth.

“Thank you for saying that, Maggie,” Levinia said softly.

She let go of Maggie’s hand and walked over to her dresser. Pulling out a finely carved box from one of the drawers, she turned to find Maggie looking at her with a puzzled expression.

“I wanted to buy you land and a house myself, but… if it’s in your hometown, you’ll know the area better than I ever could.”

Levinia handed the box to Maggie, who hesitantly opened it. Inside were gold coins, jewels, rings, and bracelets, all neatly arranged.

“My lady, this is…!”

“I want you to have it. Please don’t refuse me.”

“But when you enter the palace, won’t you need this money? There’ll be so many expenses…”

Levinia shook her head. As a concubine, her only expense would be on adornments—and she had no intention of investing in that. The last thing she wanted was to catch Cassion’s attention more than necessary.

“That won’t be necessary. His Majesty… doesn’t have much interest in women, as you know.”

“Still…”

“Please think of this as my gift to you. If I can imagine you living happily in your hometown with this money, it will give me peace of mind. Please, Maggie. I’m asking you.”

Tears began to spill from Maggie’s eyes as she listened. Levinia reached out to embrace her, holding her tightly.

Maggie would undoubtedly be the most shocked when she learned Levinia had fled the palace. Levinia could only hope that Maggie wouldn’t feel betrayed or hurt when the time came.

“…I’ll always remember the love you’ve shown me, Maggie. Wherever you are, be well. Eat well, sleep well, and endure whatever comes your way. So please, don’t worry about me. Go somewhere far from the capital, wherever your heart desires, and live happily with your family.”

“…I will, my lady… I promise,” Maggie said, tears streaming down her face.

Levinia clasped Maggie’s hand tightly and silently prayed. She prayed that Maggie would live safely and happily, far from the chaos Levinia would inevitably face.

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