I’m the Only One Who Can Put the Tyrant To Sleep Chapter 114

I practically fled from Caesar’s chamber and buried myself in other work as a way of escaping reality.

They were duties in the Imperial Palace that didn’t require me to face Caesar. Since I knew his schedule by heart, it was actually easy to avoid him.

For several days, I kept myself busy outside of Caesar’s range of action.

Haa…

Of course, even then, I couldn’t erase the thoughts drifting through my mind.

Why did I act so stupidly? I could’ve just played it cool, pretended nothing was wrong.

Most of it was self-reproach. But I couldn’t keep blaming myself forever—I needed a plan.

I need to put these feelings away. Quickly.

It was impossible for Caesar and me to end up together anyway. Even if, by some miracle, he felt the same way I did.

The realistic and best option was to let go of my feelings.

Since the emotions had struck me like a bolt of lightning, surely I could brush them off just as quickly.

At least, that’s what I thought…

“Is it true that His Majesty is soon to be wed?”

“Wouldn’t it seem so? They say he even went to meet her in person.”

“I thought the Bensy Count’s family had no interest in central politics, but it looks like I was wrong.”

“Then right about now, he must be out enjoying a date, no?”

I was just stepping out of the palace break room when I froze at the voices echoing from the corridor.

I might have brushed it off as mere gossip—except there were too many troubling details. That Caesar went personally to meet someone, and the name Bensy Count’s family.

If I remembered correctly, Lunavel’s family was the Bensy household.

So that means… Caesar went to see Lunavel?

Of course, Caesar was free to meet Lunavel if he wanted.

If he truly liked her… he could even… marry her.

It wasn’t the family I had expected, but Bensy was still a high-ranking noble house.

In fact, I was the one who had suggested holding an open call for candidates in the first place. I had no right to object.

Whether Caesar went to meet Lunavel, whether he laughed and chatted with her, leaned close the way he had with me, held her hand, married her, had children, and lived happily ever after…

The paper in my hand crumpled in my fist.

But even so, isn’t this just a little too much?

He had said he had no plans to marry. He had opposed the search for a bride so strongly. And after meeting her only once, he suddenly changed his mind completely?

And not even summoning her to the palace—he went out to see her himself?

By the time I realized it, the paper in my hands had been crushed into tatters. Shoving it carelessly into my chest, I stormed out the door.

The two attendants gossiping in the hall stared at me in shock.

“That story just now…”

“W-we’re sorry, Lady. We shouldn’t have said—”

“Where did you hear it?”

“…What?”

“Is it certain?”

The two glanced at each other, then nodded.

“I-it should be certain. It came from the chamberlain himself…”

“Where is it?”

“…Where is what?”

A heart wasn’t like a piece of paper—you couldn’t just fold it away and expect it to stay put.

Grinding my teeth, I snapped at the flustered attendants.

“The Bensy’ residence. Where is it?”

 

 

 

*****

 

 

 

Meanwhile, inside the Bensy Count’s drawing room. Caesar and Lunavel sat facing each other.

It was a meeting arranged after Lunavel’s letter, in which she wrote that she dearly wished to see him again. Caesar had replied that they should meet as soon as possible.

Lunavel, flustered by the unexpected audience, kept her lips pressed tightly together, her face burning red.

Caesar, in contrast, wore an indifferent expression, leaning back in his chair as he studied her intently.

The reason he had come here in person was simple: to uncover Lunavel’s true intentions.

If this woman really wasn’t as she seemed…

If she had done something that made Evelyn change her behavior, he intended to see it with his own eyes and ensure she paid the price.

But no matter how closely he observed her, nothing seemed suspicious.

It wasn’t that Lunavel had a particularly kind nature; it was simply that she didn’t seem cunning enough to hide her real self behind a mask.

Last time, he hadn’t cared enough to notice, but now it was obvious—Lunavel’s thoughts were written all over her face.

Then what is it?

If Lunavel hadn’t schemed anything, then why had Evelyn suddenly changed after meeting her?

“There’s something I’d like to ask you.”

Breaking the long silence, Caesar finally spoke.

“Y-yes! Please, ask me anything!”

Lunavel replied in a hurry, almost relieved. It must have been uncomfortable, sitting in silence after she herself had requested the meeting.

“A few days ago, after dining with me at the palace, I hear you left with the Deputy Lady-in-Waiting. Is that correct?”

“Yes, that’s right!”

“Did anything happen then?”

“Happen? What do you mean?”

“Did you speak with Eve—the Deputy Lady-in-Waiting?”

“Hmm…”

Lunavel’s face grew steadily redder, as if recalling something.

“Well… it wasn’t really anything significant…”

“Even if it’s trivial, tell me.”

“M-maybe the Deputy Lady-in-Waiting was a little annoyed because of me…”

At her cautious words, Caesar’s brows twitched.

“What did you say to make her feel that way?”

“I think she realized what kind of silly thoughts I’ve been having. That is… that I’ve been dreaming far too arrogantly.”

Caesar tilted his head slightly, urging her to continue. After several moments of hesitation, Lunavel squeezed her eyes shut, as though bracing herself.

“S-so… I think the Deputy Lady-in-Waiting noticed my feelings! That is, my heart!”

“And what heart is that?”

Caesar asked flatly.

“T-the truth is… I… I’ve admired Y-Your Majesty, ever since that time at the banquet…!”

Knock, knock—just then, someone rapped on the door. Lunavel gasped, suddenly curling in on herself as if only now realizing what she’d almost confessed. Her entire face was blazing crimson, as though she were about to catch fire.

“…You can go on, if you like.”

“N-no, it’s nothing. …Who is it?”

Lunavel called toward the door. A maid replied:

“The Deputy Lady-in-Waiting of the Imperial Palace has arrived. She says she has urgent words for His Majesty.”

“Huh?”

Just as Lunavel’s eyes widened in surprise at the maid’s words, Caesar was already rising from his chair, striding swiftly toward the door.

It was as though the indifference he had shown moments before had been a lie.

“Eve?”

Bang—he flung open the door, his face lined with worry. For Evelyn to come all the way here—this was no ordinary matter.

Was it Ian’s doing? Or had a viscount betrayed us? Another plot from the noble faction?

Even as possibilities flashed through his mind, Caesar’s eyes swept Evelyn from head to toe, checking for any sign of injury.

Thankfully, apart from her ragged breathing, she appeared unharmed.

“Your Majesty.”

“What is it?”

“T-there’s something urgent. You must come at once.”

“What?”

Caesar noticed Evelyn’s gaze flick briefly toward Lunavel. For a moment, he had almost forgotten she was even there.

Whatever it is, if she’s rushed here in such haste, it’s not something to discuss in this place.

Without sparing Lunavel a glance, Caesar said,

“Forgive me, but I must go. It seems something urgent has arisen.”

“Ah—yes, of course!”

Lunavel leapt to her feet in a fluster, bowing hastily. But Caesar was already leading Evelyn out.

Leaving the Count’s residence behind, they climbed into the waiting carriage, and the moment they were seated, Caesar pressed anxiously:

“So? What happened? Is it dangerous? Are you all right? Don’t tell me you came here alone—without Alvin?”

“I’m fine! It’s just that…”

Caesar leaned down to catch Evelyn’s eyes, but she turned her gaze aside, hesitant.

The worry on Caesar’s face began to sour into displeasure.

Even after coming all this way, she still won’t look at me?

“Eve, what on earth is going on?”

“Well, it’s… um…”

Evelyn’s lips trembled. Caesar fixed his eyes on her, waiting desperately. Her pale green eyes stubbornly turned toward the window, and the sight stung.

…Hm?

Suddenly, the scene struck Caesar with a sense of familiarity.

Long ago, when Evelyn had ordered her debutante dress, he had barged into Summerhill unannounced.

This was exactly the same. Only this time, it was Evelyn who had stormed in, not him.

Don’t tell me…

Lunavel’s near-confession. Evelyn’s obvious irritation after realizing Lunavel’s feelings. The way she had avoided his eyes for days, only to come running here herself.

One by one, the pieces began to fall into place in Caesar’s mind.

It didn’t take long to reach the conclusion.