The Tyrant Mistook Me for a Companion

Chapter 117:

 

Knock, knock, knock.

“My Lady, this is Diria.”

I woke up surprised. Is it already morning?
I turned my head and looked to the side, and Leon was sleeping.

“Leon, wake up.”

I hurriedly woke him up, but he didn’t budge.

“Diria is here. You need to get up quickly.”

I got impatient on my own and got out of bed then shook Leon.

“Don’t worry.”

“What! You were awake.”

He pretended to sleep to make fun of me again.
I beat Leon hard on the chest and gushed. He opened his eyes with a smile around his mouth.

“I won’t be here the moment Diria comes in.”

“What?”

If that’s the case, please tell me in advance.
And really, the moment Diria opened the door, Leon disappeared.

“You’re up. You need to get ready quickly.”

“What do you mean, get ready?”

“Prince Delther sent a carriage.”

“…A carriage?”

I was stunned.
He sent a carriage? For what reason all of a sudden?
For now, I got out of bed to get ready.
At that time, when I was about to entrust myself to Diria’s care.

‘He’s not going to let me go.’

I hurriedly covered my neck.
I found a clear red mark.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I think I have a sore throat today.”

I hurriedly wrapped my neck with a shawl.

“Then drink some hot tea before you leave.”

“I will.”

I was smiling, but I wasn’t smiling inside.
It was only when Diria left that I got limp. Seriously, he doesn’t sit still for a moment.
It’s like a mark of a companion.

“…Mark?”

I looked in the mirror and saw the back of my neck.

“It looks like…”

It’s weird, but when I think back to last night, my face was burning.

“No strange thoughts.”

I came to my senses by slapping myself in the face. I had to go to the royal family, so no other thoughts were allowed.
Let’s finish the urgent work first and think about it.

* * *

After drinking the tea Diria handed me, I left the mansion to get into the carriage.

“Is it okay if you go alone?”

“I’m sure the shadows will follow.”

They’re just hiding their presence.
Leon nodded at my words.

“The Count has gone somewhere for a while.”

“Really? He must be in a hurry.”

He left without telling me.
By the way, is he pretending he doesn’t know?
Leon brazenly said nothing to me.
What if I hadn’t found it first?

“Leon, you.”

“Yes? Is something wrong?”

He smiled and gently stroked my hair.

“…You’re so shameless.”

“I held it in. I tried to carve more marks so that no one could ignore it.”

“I have nothing to show…”

“Is that so?”

Leon ruffled my hair and stared at my neck.
It was covered by a shawl.

“Maybe. I thought it would be different if it was engraved like a pattern.”

The thumb-stroking touch on my neck stopped.

“Have a safe trip. As always, I will wait patiently.”

“…Speak nicely.”

“I will be careful.”

Leon smirked and touched my fingertips.
I think I wouldn’t want to go anymore if he’s watching.

Suddenly the door of the carriage opened and the crown prince came out.

“Both of you.”

“Leon too?”

“I can’t let him go. I’m telling you to get in.”

“I’ll take the ride thankfully.”

Leon didn’t say no and led me by the hand.
Eventually, we got on the carriage together and headed to the royal palace.

Silence flowed from the moving carriage.
Every time I couldn’t stand this kind of situation, I opened my mouth.

“Why on earth did you call me?”

I thought he only sent the carriage, but I never thought Delther was sitting in it.
Seeing that he says it doesn’t matter if I go with Leon…

“What are you thinking?”

“Ah, I’m on my way to bring him down. I think you will be useful in many ways.”

“…What?”

No, he’s not wrong.
It was strange to hear that he would use us so openly.

“Is Your Majesty not moving?”

“Fortunately, he doesn’t seem to know yet.”

“With Her Majesty the Empress, it was possible.”

Delther nodded.

“Janice was sent to the temple. It would be better for him not to be there”

“I see. Is everything ready?”

“Yes, that’s why.”

He paused for a moment. He felt a bit uncomfortable, but I guess he didn’t just come to pick me up.

“I need some bait.”

Bait again.
I let out a false smile.

“No.”

Leon strongly protested. What on earth does he want to attract? Even using a bait.

“Let’s hear the plan.”

“I’m going to make the emperor use it first.”

“…The emperor?”

“Yes, we should take advantage of what he fears most.”

Looking at the crown prince, it seemed that he had a lot of worries.
Yeah, it won’t be easy to hold your father’s neck with your hands.

“Father knows that today a dinner for nobles is held. Janice and my knight will come out, and that will be the beginning.”

“I think the emperor will move right away.”

“Then you should act in front of them.”

“What kind of acting?”

If it’s acting, I’m confident.
I had a twinkle in my eye.

“You just have to cough up blood and fall like you were attacked.”

“Do you want me to do that in front of the nobles? Like the emperor was trying to kill me.”

“Yes.”

“Well, it’s simple. Let me help you.”

The emperor will come down from his seat anyway. Then everyone will worry about their lives.
Delther would probably have given the wrong information to the nobility already.
For example, the rumor that the emperor purges the families that keep him in check.
Delther chuckled at my pleasant reply.

“Elle.”

However, Leon grabbed my hand and stopped me, seemingly not pleased.
But it’s too late to take my foot out now. Didn’t I reach my hand out first?

“I don’t just listen to him. You know?”

“I guess so.”

“When all of this is done, return all authority to the Velois family and give us a new title.”

“…That works.”

Wouldn’t that be fair?
At my words, Delther nodded.

“It’s better than those families who don’t have the ability.”

“Then that’s what you’ll know.”

This sealed the contract.
Leon seemed to have a lot of complaints, but he seems to have decided to follow my lead for now.

* * *

The palace was silent.
Even though there were so many people passing by, people kept their mouths shut as if promised.

‘It looks like a storm is coming.’

Everyone seemed to know.

“Where is the royal dinner being held?”

“Anyway, it’s a secret place because he worried a lot.”

There was a space in the palace that didn’t open well.

“Isn’t it weird to see me in such a place?”

“There is nothing strange about it, for the Emperor’s will deal with the sudden rush of people.”

“You must have made up your mind.”

“If this is right, we should do it.”

Delther was calm.

“Well, I’ll see you later. Be careful too, Leon.”

Leon nodded.

“I will move from the tower, too.”

“By the way, didn’t you originally say tomorrow?”

“Yeah, that’s how the information was leaked. Ah, the Rubion family will also be revealed today.”

This was also planned.
Leon nodded and went straight back to the tower. It must be to summon the wizards.
I followed the maid to a small room.
She applied blood and tore my clothes to create a sense of urgency.

“I hope this works.”

I drew my breath.
The reason why my father is busy may have something to do with today. Maybe we’re in this together.

“I’m ready.”

“Thank you.”

I looked at the clock. The set time was on time.
You can move then.

* * *

The emperor stroked his chin as he watched the noble representatives present.

“I’m sorry to rush you to a dinner like this.”

However, he was nervous when he got the urgent information.

“I’ve heard a strange story recently.”

“What kind of story do you mean?”

“Someone says they’re going to commit treason. That’s tomorrow, too.”

At the emperor’s words, the nobles were confused.
Treason was unthinkable. The reason why representatives of the nobility were gathered like this was to prevent that.

“So I’ll deal with them tomorrow, and I’d like you to join me.”

“If it is of any help to the Emperor, I will.”

Edgar looked at the clock.
Soon it will be the time. If Elle had followed Delther, she would have appeared here in time.

“If we come forward for your Majesty, will your Majesty not betray us?”

The emperor smiled at Edgar’s words.

“No, I promise.”

A smirk lingered in the air.
Can they trust the Emperor’s promise?
But the nobles seemed to believe the emperor’s words.

“We will do it together for the sake of morality.”

He wanted to applaud their loyalty. But how long does it last?
Edgar stared at the door.
Soon after, there was a commotion outside.

Bang Bang Bang.

“Save, save me please!”

Bang Bang Bang Bang.

A pathetic female voice could be heard with a banging on the door.
Edgar jumped out of his seat.

“What are you doing?”

The emperor roared.
But he didn’t stop and opened the door.
Flapping, bloodied Elle gasped and grabbed Edgar’s arm.

“Oh, father… uhuk.”

“Elle!”

Edgar hurriedly picked up Elle and turned to the nobles.

“Oh my god, what’s going on!”

Stunned nobles rose from their seats.

“His, His Majesty… The emperor…”

Everyone looked at the emperor at Elle’s small voice.
Their eyes were as impatient as before.
Contrary to what he was telling them, his head was taut at the circumstance.