Your Majesty, I’m Not that Man - Chapter 5: I Won’t Give You a Chance to Escape (5)

Deceiving the eyes of a transcendent being was no small feat. Knowing this, Ipherion had given up any attempts to approach Hyacinth Palace while the Emperor resided there. If he acted recklessly and ended up encountering him…

Just the thought made Ipherion shudder, his shoulders tensing involuntarily.

She’s the noble daughter of a duke. Even if I didn’t bother concerning myself with her, she’d probably do just fine on her own. But… why?

The image of her pale, frightened face as she made her way to Hyacinth Palace lingered in his mind, refusing to leave.

The rumors say she’s doing well, though.

Not long after entering the palace, she had received a grand palace as a gift. The Emperor must cherish her immensely.

With her breathtaking beauty, exceptional talent, and the favor of the Emperor who ruled Adalaxus—a vast empire that controlled more than four-fifths of the continent—it seemed she should be the very picture of happiness.

But as a prince, Ipherion knew better. No matter how luxurious one’s life appeared, people could still be profoundly unhappy. And he imagined the imperial palace of Adalaxus was no exception.

Then again, perhaps if I spoke to her, I’d find her less interesting than I imagine.

Even so, he found himself wanting to meet her, to talk to her. Maybe it was because her soft, green eyes reminded him of someone else.

Though, to be fair, the duke’s daughter is even more beautiful than she was…

Despite his attempts, Lavinia rarely seemed to be alone. If only she took solitary walks—it would’ve been the perfect opportunity to approach her. But even during her walks, her maids or guards accompanied her closely.

Could something have happened?

It seemed clear that the Emperor had given strict orders to ensure her safety. His curiosity piqued, Ipherion began to strategize. With the Emperor nearby, transforming into something like a bird or squirrel would be too risky.

A fly or mosquito? No, absolutely not. I do have my pride.

After some deliberation, he decided to transform into a butterfly—a simple, common white butterfly. Given his silvery hair, it would be closer to a pale silver shade, but at the size of a fingernail, it would hardly be noticeable.

Ipherion informed his attendants that he would be resting, retreating to his room. This wasn’t unusual behavior for him, as he often secluded himself, so none of the attendants suspected anything.

Quietly, he transformed into a white butterfly and slipped out through the crack in the window, fluttering away unseen.

＊ ＊ ＊

Fluttering with his small wings, making his way to Hyacinth Palace as a butterfly was proving to be an arduous task. Ipherion eventually ducked into a patch of grass, transforming into a small sparrow instead. He decided he would fly to the palace in the form of the sparrow and then revert to a butterfly once he arrived.

No one paid any attention to the tiny bird with ashen wings. Ipherion skillfully avoided the vigilant gaze of the guards and landed in the garden of Hyacinth Palace.

No one’s around, right?

He crept into the dense leaves of a shrub and then transformed back into a small butterfly before crawling out. Slowly fluttering upward, Ipherion began searching for an open window.

The problem with taking on the form of such a small creature was the heightened sensitivity of his senses—his eyes were almost too sharp. At times, he couldn’t even perceive the presence of a glass pane until he collided with it. A sudden impact could cancel his transformation, so he flew cautiously, paying extra attention to the windows.

Although Ipherion had explored various parts of the palace before, this was his first time entering Hyacinth Palace. It was as empty and secluded as he had imagined.

Oh, there! An open window!

It seemed the window had been left open for ventilation. Ipherion slipped through the narrow opening and soared upward, making sure to stay either high enough or low enough to avoid the reach of anyone who might spot him.

His target was the chandelier in the room. Though unlit in the daylight, its intricate, antique design made it an ideal hiding spot.

Where is this?

Settling onto the chandelier, Ipherion rested his delicate wings while surveying the room. Though his sharp butterfly eyes gave him an expansive field of vision, the scale of everything seemed massive due to his diminutive size. From his perch on the chandelier, he was finally able to take in the scene properly.

Oh…

His gaze froze on a bed. It wasn’t just any bed; it was the pinnacle of extravagance, crafted from gold and adorned with jewels. The sight left him momentarily stunned—it was almost absurd that he hadn’t noticed it sooner.

This is…

And there, stretched out on the lavish bed, was Lavinia. Her weary face, even in its fatigue, was strikingly beautiful. For some reason, it held a peculiar allure.

Is she… taking a nap?

Ipherion unfurled his folded wings, considering whether to get a closer look. Just as he prepared to leave the chandelier, the door to the bedroom creaked open.

Oh no!

It was Cassion.

Fortunately, it seemed Ipherion’s disguise as a small creature was effective, as the emperor didn’t notice him and paid him no mind. Still, Ipherion froze in place, unsure of what to do.

Why is the emperor here at this hour?

This should have been prime time for state affairs. While there were rumors that Cassion held court in Hyacinth Palace just to be near Lavinia, Ipherion hadn’t expected him to return so quickly.

Cassion’s gaze didn’t wander—his focus was solely on the bed. He walked over, checking on Lavinia as she slept peacefully. Satisfied, he turned and moved to the window, shutting it firmly.

My exit… it’s blocked!

Ipherion felt a pang of despair. The main door, which Cassion had entered through, was also closed. He was now trapped.

Still…

Even the emperor has a side like this, huh…

Cassion’s careful gesture of checking on Lavinia as she slept and closing the window to block the cold left a distinct impression on Ipherion. It was clear now that the rumors of the emperor’s affection for the noblewoman were no mere gossip.

Well, gifting her Hyacinth Palace in itself was an extraordinary move.

Although Ipherion had once harbored a faint fondness for Cassion, witnessing this side of him didn’t come as a shock. While it surprised him, it didn’t provoke jealousy. Instead, it left him with the simple realization: So, you’re human after all.

The emperor, whom Ipherion had thought to be an oblivious fool unaware of his own loneliness, seemed far more aware than he’d given him credit for.

Though Cassion had made almost no noise, Lavinia stirred, waking from her nap. She propped herself up, her hair—ordinary brown by color—falling around her like flowing autumn leaves, their hue radiant in the soft light. Cassion quickly returned to her side.

The expression on his face was unmistakably that of a man in love. Ipherion felt a twinge of bitterness at the sight. Turning his gaze to Lavinia, he noted her calm, unreadable expression as she gazed back at Cassion. It was clear she had yet to reciprocate his feelings.

But still…

Shouldn’t her expression betray even the slightest flutter of excitement? Or hesitation? Yet her gaze held neither.

When Cassion’s deep blue eyes lingered on Lavinia with an intensity that practically dripped with affection, Lavinia’s own eyes seemed torn—cautious, even. She appeared to hesitate, her gaze a mixture of wariness and uncertainty.

Ipherion, having spent much of his life navigating the subtle tensions of royal court life, was particularly adept at reading people’s expressions. It was obvious to him that Lavinia was concealing many things. She liked Cassion, perhaps more than she was willing to admit, but she was also keeping her guard up, refusing to let him into her heart completely.

Of course. With a past like hers, it would be no surprise that love wouldn’t come easily.

Cassion may have spilled blood for her—or for others—but the stench of that blood clung to him, whether or not it directly affected Lavinia’s life. Such things could never truly be erased.

Ipherion cast a sympathetic look at Cassion. To the emperor, that bloodshed must have felt justified or even necessary. As someone who had grown up in a similar environment, Ipherion understood this all too well.

The difference between them, however, was stark. Ipherion had people who had loved him, even if they ultimately betrayed him. Cassion, on the other hand, had transcendent power but lacked the warmth of those who truly cared for him.

Which one of us had it better, I wonder?

Though Ipherion had been sent as an offering and made a concubine to the emperor, he had never truly felt that he was unfortunate. The sting of betrayal from those he had loved was what haunted him the most.

Cassion… Is he better off than me, now that he’s an emperor?

Time had not left the two boys to remain in their states of deprivation. Though Ipherion was not a transcendent being like Cassion, he had honed his abilities and become an exceptional mage. Cassion, meanwhile, had risen from the blood and surrounded himself with people who were loyal to him.

Whether Lavinia would become that someone for Cassion—someone he believed he could never truly have—remained to be seen.

As Ipherion observed the pair, he suddenly froze. It was broad daylight, and Lavinia’s demeanor suggested that such a thing wouldn’t happen. Yet, here they were…

I should’ve known better than to trust that emperor’s restraint! What on earth—?!

His thoughts spiraled into panic. If Cassion ever finds out I saw this scene, he’s going to kill me—no, he’ll make sure I suffer first!

What had begun as simple curiosity had now become a situation Ipherion desperately wished to escape.

＊ ＊ ＊

“Your Majesty…?”

Lavinia’s soft voice broke the stillness, her tone carrying both familiarity and uncertainty. She knew it couldn’t have been her maids—none of them would enter her room so silently, without any prior notice. There was only one person who could do so.

Cassion immediately returned to her side, his movements swift and purposeful. He took her hand, the one resting atop the blanket, and pressed a kiss to its back, his voice low and tender as he whispered, “You can sleep a little longer.”

Though no one looked radiant immediately after waking, Cassion’s gaze lingered on her as if she were the most captivating sight he had ever seen. His eyes said only one thing.

Letting out a languid sigh, Lavinia began to sit up, her body heavy with weariness. Even though she wasn’t ill, Cassion extended his hand to help her rise, his care evident in his actions.

That kindness was both comforting and terrifying. What if the answer to his actions—the reason for his attentiveness—was the one she feared?

I’d rather it be that…

It would be easier to accept that no emotion in the world was unchanging. But if Cassion’s heart ultimately belonged to Albert, what value did his current tenderness hold?

And yet, Lavinia shamelessly intended to make use of his affection. She knew all too well that Cassion would willingly allow her to take advantage of his feelings.

“Your Majesty…”

Her tentative voice caught Cassion’s attention, and he turned his full focus back to her. He could tell instantly when someone wanted something from him. He had seen that look countless times before, to the point of exhaustion. But the fact that it was Lavinia who looked at him like that now filled him with joy.

After all, Lavinia had never once asked him for anything until now.

Yes, Leni… Speak. Tell me.

Her gaze faltered, her eyes dropping shyly as a blush spread across her cheeks. Whatever she wanted to say seemed to embarrass her. Cassion’s eyes were drawn to her, unable to look away.

Even though they had shared intimacy earlier that morning, he suddenly felt the urge to hold her again. He struggled to restrain himself, resisting the temptation to press his lips against her flushed cheek. Her soft, red face made him want to bite it.

“Um… Your Majesty, tomorrow… Would you be available?”

“Tomorrow?”

He repeated the word, his curiosity piqued. Before he could ask more, she hurriedly continued.

“All day… Could you spend it with me?”

Cassion recalled that he had summoned Maxim and Albert for a meeting tomorrow. He was certain Lavinia was aware of this and equally certain that she didn’t expect him to bring her along to that encounter.

All day…

The moment she mentioned “tomorrow,” his thoughts immediately went to the planned meeting. He realized what Lavinia was asking for, but her words, soft and sweet as they fell from her lips, left his mind in a daze.

I gave the order earlier today, and yet in that short time, Leni came to me for help?

Although the imperial harem housed concubines, the financial support provided by the royal family wasn’t as generous as one might think. To commoners, it would seem extravagant, but in the eyes of high-ranking nobles, it was modest at best.

The harem’s budget fluctuated based on the emperor’s favor—rising for those who were cherished by him and shrinking for those who fell out of his attention. To make up for this, concubines were allowed to receive financial support from their own noble families, unless the emperor explicitly forbade communication. At the very least, letters could still be exchanged freely.

Currently, Lavinia held the emperor’s full attention, which meant even the delivery of her correspondence would have been expedited.

“Do you dislike the idea?”

Lavinia asked cautiously, her gaze flitting nervously to Cassion’s face. Her hesitant expression was so endearing that Cassion pulled her into his arms without a second thought.

“Of course not.”