Caesar stared intently at Evelyn.
How would she react if he told her about this ability?
She would be delighted. She would praise it as an incredible power and even suggest a few ways to use it to elevate imperial authority. And then…
‘That ability will manifest soon. And when it does, I will no longer be needed.’
Evelyn’s words flashed through Caesar’s mind.
‘And then, she will leave me.’
Because she would believe he had fulfilled his role.
How could he keep Evelyn by his side?
Caesar realized that he had no choice but to use the plan he had already thought of.
Pretend to have failed the awakening.
The decision came quickly. Caesar immediately contorted his face in pain.
Seeing his expression, Evelyn was startled and asked,
“Your Majesty? Are you feeling unwell?”
“Something…”
“Pardon?”
“Something is…”
Caesar let out a groan filled with pain. Alarmed, Evelyn jumped from her seat and rushed toward him.
“Your Majesty? Are you alright?”
“Something… feels wrong.”
“What?”
The concern in Evelyn’s eyes made guilt wash over him. Caesar shut his eyes tightly and forced out the words.
“I don’t think… the awakening worked properly.”
****
“Haah…”
As I walked through the emperor’s palace corridors, I let out a deep sigh, my expression troubled. It was because of Caesar’s awakening.
A considerable amount of time had already passed since his birthday, yet Caesar still hadn’t fully awakened.
‘It seems like he has some kind of ability, but…’
According to Caesar, he had indeed gained a peculiar power, but controlling it was difficult.
Whenever he tried to use it, the result was always one of two things—either nothing happened, and he ended up in pain, or a violent gust of wind would surge, much like the time he lost control in the past.
Each time that happened, I had to rush over and make physical contact with him. No other method worked.
And in those moments, I could feel something different from before—almost like waves radiating from Caesar. When nothing happened, it felt as calm as a still ocean, but when he lost control, it was like being hit by raging waves.
It really did seem like he couldn’t control his power, just as he said.
In the original story, the male lead had successfully awakened immediately, so I had no idea what was happening in this situation. I could only guess that, for some reason, his awakening was incomplete.
There were two conditions necessary for an awakening. One was reaching adulthood, and the other was a bond of trust between the awakened and their guide.
‘Caesar has definitely become an adult, so that means the remaining issue is…’
“Haah…”
My sigh grew heavier. With no other possible explanation, the only thing left to suspect was trust.
‘Does Caesar… not trust me?’
Was that why he had spoken so strangely before midnight? The way he seemed unsure if the awakening would happen—was that proof that he didn’t completely trust me?
‘If trust really is the issue, then what am I supposed to do? Is it even possible for us to become closer than we already are?’
Caesar and I had known each other for four years now. We had gone through so much together, growing alongside each other.
Maybe it was arrogant of me to think so, but I had believed that Caesar relied on me quite a bit. Hadn’t he said it himself multiple times—that he trusted me?
‘Was that all a lie? Or… is there another reason?’
I barely managed to hold back another sigh and quickened my pace. For now, I decided to go see Katana.
There were only three awakened individuals I knew of in this world—Caesar, the original story’s male lead, Ian, and the red-haired woman from an ancient legend that Katana had once told me about.
Ian Bryden wouldn’t awaken for a few more years, so he wasn’t an option for information. That left only the red-haired woman. She was the only lead I had on awakening.
‘Of course, I’ve already researched everything about her, so I doubt I’ll find anything new, but still…’
“Haah…”
The frustration I felt finally forced another sigh out of me.
“Something wrong?”
“Ah, Hannah.”
I was startled by the sudden voice and lifted my head to see Hannah approaching from the opposite side of the corridor.
She was one of the exclusive maids of the Crown Prince’s palace and had come with me to the Emperor’s palace. Skilled in management, she had been a great help in running the palace efficiently.
“Your sigh was so loud I couldn’t just walk past.”
Hannah spoke playfully.
“It’s nothing serious. I just…”
“It’s because of the debutante ball, isn’t it? It’s coming up soon.”
“Huh? Ah…”
I couldn’t reveal the real reason, so I went along with the excuse that had been used before—illness.
Officially, I had missed my debutante ball twice due to illness. But since it was extremely rare for someone to fall sick on the same day twice, rumors had inevitably spread. There were probably all sorts of speculations about me floating around.
Since I couldn’t tell Hannah the truth, it was better to just agree. After rolling my eyes slightly, I nodded.
“Yeah, I think I’ll actually be attending this time.”
“That’s good. It’s something you should experience at least once. I was never really interested in social circles either, but I had to go.”
“Really? How was your debutante ball, Hannah?”
Trying to change the topic, I asked casually. Hannah immediately shook her head.
“It was awful. That place treats everyone like a potential marriage candidate. You know how marriage is basically a business deal, right? Everyone is desperate to find the best match.”
She looked exhausted just remembering it. Clearly, she had some unresolved feelings about the experience.
“So, you were quite popular?”
“Not me—just my family name. Anyway, be careful, Evelyn. There are all kinds of people there.”
“I’ll be fine.”
I smiled, and Hannah suddenly looked a little surprised.
“Do you not know that theBaron Chester family is currently the most talked-about household in social circles?”
“Huh?”
Glancing around, Hannah lowered her voice.
“People are whispering that your family is the closest to His Majesty.”
“Ah…”
I had been aware that our family’s influence was growing, and I had expected some increased attention in high society.
‘But I didn’t realize it was to this extent…’
Honestly, I hadn’t paid much attention to it.
After all, once Caesar awakened, I planned to leave this place.
When I moved to Summerhill, the privileges Caesar had granted our family would disappear, and the rumors would naturally die down.
But now that his awakening had become uncertain, I had to consider these rumors more seriously.
‘Gaining power also means gaining enemies.’
“Did you know there’s a rumor that you’ll be His Majesty’s partner for the debutante ball?”
“What?!”
I was so startled that I practically shouted.
Caesar had suggested it, but we hadn’t decided anything for sure. Where did this rumor even come from?
“Regardless of whether the rumor is true or not, be careful, Evelyn. You know how dangerous jealousy can be.”
“Thanks for the advice, Hannah.”
That settled it. I needed to refuse Caesar’s offer.
It wasn’t just about me—our family would definitely become the target of even more rumors.
“I hope the event goes smoothly for you. See you later.”
Hannah patted my shoulder before walking away.
I was about to continue toward Katana’s room when—
“Hello, Lady Evelyn.”
“…Huh? Oh, hello.”
A small woman, standing a few steps away, called out to me.
“I’m Vivian, a new maid in the Emperor’s palace! I came to greet the deputy head maid.”
“Ah, nice to meet you.”
Vivian had a tiny face that blushed as she smiled shyly. Her cheeks puffed up slightly, making her look even younger.
The bright pink hair—now that I saw it up close, I vaguely recalled passing by her before. I wasn’t responsible for training new maids, so this was our first proper meeting.
“You really are as cute as they say, Lady Evelyn.”
“Huh? No, not at all.”
I waved my hands in denial but caught onto something strange.
“As they say?”
“Ah! I’m sorry!”
Vivian’s face crumpled in distress.
“I just heard all kinds of rumors… Oh no, I wasn’t supposed to say that! But it was meant as a compliment…!”
“It’s okay, don’t worry.”
“Hiiing…”
I hurried to calm her down before she burst into tears.
But her words left me feeling uneasy.
‘Various rumors? And if she thought this was a compliment, does that mean the other things being said weren’t?’
I shook my head. There was no need to dwell on it.
Vivian didn’t seem to have any ill intentions. I was just on edge after hearing about the social circle from Hannah.
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