Your Majesty, I’m Not that Man - Chapter 4. The Tyrant’s Gift (2)

The maid hesitated, sweat beading on her brow as she carefully gauged his expression. Speak freely? she thought. What exactly is it that His Majesty wants to know?

“She… she asked when she might be able to go outside the palace,” the maid finally said, cautiously.

“Outside the palace?”

Although the harem was typically a closed-off environment, that didn’t mean concubines were completely forbidden from going out. While outings weren’t common, concubines could occasionally leave the palace under the watch of guards and maids if granted permission.

She’s only been here a few days… could she already be missing home?

It wasn’t an unreasonable thought. Lavinia wasn’t married to Kassion; she had entered the palace as a concubine. Even if she was technically one of Kassion’s women now, it was hard to imagine Lavinia seeing him as a husband in the traditional sense.

As Kassion frowned deeply and fell silent, the maids and attendants anxiously observed his expression. It was clear to them that the Emperor had developed an unusual level of interest in Lavinia. The way he paid close attention to every word she said left little doubt.

Could it be…

Does His Majesty truly… care for her?

Though he had spent only two nights with Lavinia, rumors of her special treatment were already spreading like wildfire. Even his swift punishment of Yanis, who had caused a scene in front of Lavinia’s quarters, had fueled the gossip further.

“Anything else? Did she say anything else?”

“No, Your Majesty… nothing else at all…”

Lavinia was not particularly talkative. She kept most things to herself, only speaking to the maids when absolutely necessary. The maids, in turn, avoided making conversation with her, as they knew she preferred her distance and was not someone they could approach casually.

When they insisted there was nothing more to report, Kassion’s brows knit together in obvious displeasure. The maid, panicking, quickly spoke again.

“If there’s something you’d like to know, Your Majesty, please let us know. We can carefully ask the lady on your behalf.”

Ask Lavinia directly?

If only it were that simple. Kassion briefly considered the possibility but doubted it would go smoothly. Moreover, doing so would require revealing his interest in Lavinia more openly in front of these servants—a prospect that irritated him.

No… perhaps I’ve already given too much away.

As Kassion recalled his earlier fury over Lavinia skipping her meals, he cast a displeased look at the attendants. They must have already figured out why he had summoned them. The urge to kill them on the spot surged within him, but he restrained himself, mindful of what Lavinia might think if she found out.

It’s already obvious to them… no point hiding it now.

“If Lavinia ever finds out that I asked you these questions… or if anyone else learns that you’ve reported what she says to me…”

“It will never happen, Your Majesty! Please believe us!”

Their desperate pleas echoed in the room. It was humiliating to grovel like this, but given the Emperor’s nature, they knew their very lives were at stake.

Seeing their pale, terror-stricken faces as they begged for their lives, Kassion’s anger seemed to subside, if only slightly. He gave them a long, unreadable look before speaking again.

“In that case… find out what she thinks of… me.”

The words were barely out of his mouth before he regretted them. His face reddened as embarrassment overtook him. Even as the maids and attendants remained pressed to the floor, not daring to lift their heads, the shame burned through him.

“…And do it discreetly,” he added, his tone quieter, though no less commanding.

The servants didn’t move, but Kassion could tell from their body language that they were straining to hear his every word. Their exaggerated attentiveness only annoyed him further, but he resisted the urge to lash out. He knew it would only make him look even more foolish.

This is ridiculous, he thought bitterly.

It was the first time in his life he’d felt this way about someone. The first time he had tried to get closer to a woman. As the Emperor, people always came to him; he never had to make an effort.

Before becoming Emperor, however, he had been despised, ridiculed, and avoided by most due to the previous Emperor’s hostility toward him. Those memories lingered like a bitter shadow.

“Yes, Your Majesty. We will do as you command,” one of the maids responded in a calm, measured tone.

Though there wasn’t a trace of amusement in her voice, Kassion still felt a fresh wave of humiliation wash over him.

“Get out!” he barked, suddenly raising his voice to cover his embarrassment.

The maids and attendants quickly stood, bowed deeply, and quietly exited the room.

Though he was a fearsome Emperor, the servants left the room with one key realization: there was one way to survive him.

And that way was Lavinia.

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The return of the maids and attendants to Lavinia’s quarters was conducted quietly, blending seamlessly with the flow of palace activities. Since it was nearly lunchtime, the changeover went unnoticed by most. However, Lavinia quickly recognized the familiar faces.

“…You said you were going for training. Was it particularly difficult?”

“Yes. It was… rather rigorous,” the maid replied, her words trailing off as she observed Lavinia’s expression.

Lavinia appeared calm and composed, her demeanor as tranquil as ever. Considering the Emperor’s clear favor toward her, it was remarkable that she remained unflustered and unaffected by it.

She certainly has grace… but what exactly about her has captivated His Majesty to such an extent?

Of course, Lavinia was undeniably beautiful. However, compared to the many stunning women who had entered the harem before her—only to be cast out—she didn’t seem extraordinary.

Then again, one can never truly predict such things.

Even now, the memory of the Emperor asking about Lavinia with a flushed face sent chills down the maid’s spine. It was an unsettling sight, the terrifying ruler showing such vulnerability over someone.

To receive the Emperor’s affection…

For an ambitious woman, it might be a dream come true, but for others, it could very well be a nightmare.

Keeping this thought in mind, the maid cautiously broached the topic after Lavinia had finished her lunch.

“…Later this evening, His Majesty may wish to see you again.”

“His Majesty?”

Lavinia looked at the maid with a puzzled expression, as though she’d just heard something strange.

“Why would he do that?”

Her tone and demeanor were indifferent, as though she found the idea completely uninteresting. The maids and attendants were momentarily taken aback.

Unlike the restless and anxious Emperor, Lavinia seemed utterly uninterested. Her detachment was striking.

“He came to see you yesterday, so he may visit again today. He might even summon you to his quarters. Don’t you think we should prepare?”

“Prepare…”

Lavinia’s expression made it clear she wasn’t particularly enthused by the idea. The maid, sensing her hesitation, gently encouraged her.

“If you present yourself beautifully, His Majesty will be pleased. He may even favor you more than he already does.”

“I’ve only seen him twice. That’s hardly enough to say I’m being favored,” Lavinia replied flatly.

“My apologies, my lady. That was careless of me,” the maid quickly conceded, cautiously studying Lavinia’s reaction. However, Lavinia didn’t seem angry—just indifferent. It was also apparent that she wasn’t particularly eager to dress up for the Emperor.

“Being favored by His Majesty is surely something everyone in the harem desires. My lady… do you not wish for His Majesty’s favor?”

Lavinia hesitated. She didn’t want to say she didn’t care for it, knowing full well that such words could eventually reach the Emperor’s ears. While she had brought many riches with her to the imperial palace, she had come alone, without any of her own people. She couldn’t afford to trust anyone here.

“Of course, I wish for His Majesty’s favor,” she replied carefully. “But I just don’t believe I could ever truly receive it.”

When Kassion held her, there were moments when she almost felt like she was being loved. But she knew better. She understood Kassion’s nature, and in this world—a storybook world—it was impossible for her to believe in such love.

“His Majesty already seems to cherish you,” the maid pointed out. “Didn’t he order Lady Yanis to be confined to her quarters?”

That part puzzled Lavinia too. Why had Kassion gone to such lengths?

“She must have done something to displease him,” Lavinia said dismissively.

“If that were all, His Majesty would have punished her on the spot. To order her confined for an entire month… it must be because of his concern for you, my lady.”

The Emperor had explicitly ordered that Lavinia not become aware of his feelings, but the maid thought otherwise. If Lavinia didn’t accept the Emperor’s feelings, it would only lead to chaos and suffering for everyone around them.

However, Lavinia seemed uninterested in the maid’s theory. Having spent only a few days in the harem, she didn’t yet grasp how exceptional the Emperor’s treatment of her was.

The maid, frustrated but unable to speak too openly, could only sigh internally. Saying too much would mean directly defying the Emperor’s orders.

“My lady, do you truly believe His Majesty doesn’t favor you?”

“His Majesty is simply… curious about me. I don’t want to misinterpret that. There are so many beautiful people in this harem. Thinking I could win his love over them would be arrogant.”

She hadn’t met them yet, but Lavinia knew this place housed Albert’s sub-characters—men with appearances as dazzling as Kassion’s. She had no desire to compete with them. There was nothing more pitiful than striving to please someone who would never love her in return.

The maid, of course, had no way of knowing Lavinia’s inner thoughts and came to her own conclusion.

Well, she’s only seen him twice. It’s natural for her to be cautious. She seems like a very prudent person.

Just from observing the harem, one could tell the Emperor’s preferences at a glance—youths with striking, elegant beauty. It was unprecedented for a woman like Lavinia to catch the Emperor’s attention. While Lady Yanis was still occasionally summoned by the Emperor, the difference in his treatment of her and Lavinia was stark.

After witnessing the Emperor’s restlessness earlier today, the maid was now certain—His Majesty had fallen for Lavinia. Yet the Emperor’s insistence on not letting his feelings show was a problem. If one wanted to draw someone closer, it was best to subtly let them know of one’s affection.

But Kassion had forbidden himself from doing that.

“What can be done about this? He’s a man who has already claimed everything in this world; it’s only a matter of time before he claims her heart as well… but it’s the events that will unfold along the way that frighten me.”

If Lavinia could cleverly discern the Emperor’s feelings and take control of him instead, would this harem finally know peace?

Though no one could ever fully know the thoughts of another, the maid was confident that Lavinia had a composed and measured temperament. That such a woman had managed to capture the heart of the previously indulgent and reckless Emperor—it was proof enough that life was unpredictable.

“My lady, you seem careful to avoid arrogance. That being said, how do you feel about His Majesty—as a man, I mean?”

“Your name… it’s Philia, isn’t it? What a peculiar question to ask,” Lavinia replied with a hint of curiosity.

“I ask because I’m curious. From what I can see, His Majesty’s favor for you is clear, yet you haven’t shown much of your own feelings. It made me wonder.”

“His Majesty is someone who can claim many flowers if he wishes. I only hope not to be torn to pieces by his touch.”

What am I to make of that?

Philia felt a cold sweat forming as she processed Lavinia’s words. It seemed Lavinia, like many of the maids and concubines, feared the Emperor.

If the Emperor sought only to possess Lavinia as he had with others, her feelings would hardly matter. But judging by the questions he’d asked earlier, he appeared desperate to win her heart.

“So… does that mean you don’t see His Majesty as a man?”

Philia’s persistence caused Lavinia to frown slightly, irritation flashing in her eyes.

“How rude. He is the Emperor. Are you asking me to reduce His Majesty to a mere man and evaluate him as such?”

Lavinia’s icy tone instantly made Philia shrink back, her earlier curiosity fading under her mistress’s sharp gaze.

“That wasn’t my intention… Forgive me, my lady. I let my curiosity get the better of me and made you uncomfortable.”

“Enough. I don’t wish to discuss His Majesty any further. Speaking of him in such a way when he isn’t present feels disloyal. Do not bring it up again.”

With Lavinia’s firm statement cutting off any further questions about the Emperor, the maids and attendants found themselves in an awkward position, unsure how to proceed.

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