Surprisingly, Clodys didn’t seem surprised at all by my sudden appearance. He turned around casually. I could no longer see any traces of anger in his eyes. He looked calm as if nothing happened.
I felt cold with fear. I could think of two reasons how Clodys could act calm so suddenly. Either the concern he showed in front of Liliana was an act, or the calmness he’s displaying now is a lie.
Either way, I thought he could be useful to me.
After a brief and tense silence, he finally opened his mouth.
I didn’t know your highness has a nasty habit of eavesdropping.
So he knew who I was.
I replied,
I apologize. I didn’t mean to do it. It was not intentional.
… I hope you are telling the truth.
After another short silence, he continued,
I guess it doesn’t matter anyway. Even if you tell people what you heard here, it won’t be any use to you. It is only a silly story between a man who lost his title and a powerless princess.
He turned around to leave.
He obviously wanted to leave, which made sense. This was an embarrassing situation, but I had no intention of letting him go. Not yet.
Wait.
He replied angrily,
Do you need something from me? I can’t think of anything you would want from me.
His words were sharp. He most likely saw me as one of the people who caused his mother’s death. I felt sympathetic, but this didn’t mean I would let him go.
I do feel bad about your situation.
Clodys frowned harshly.
I continued,
I can’t forgive your mother for poisoning me, but… I don’t agree with punishing you for your mother’s crime. To lose your title like that… I don’t think it’s fair.
Of course, I knew his mother was innocent of the crime, but I obviously couldn’t let him know. I decided to go with the story.
He asked,
Are you kidding me?!
Of course not.
I knew I was making him angrier, but I wasn’t worried.
He said impatiently,
Then are you asking me to apologize for what happened to you?
Of course not. You shouldn’t have to pay for your mother’s crime. That wouldn’t be right.
… Then I don’t understand why you are talking to me.
He looked like he wanted to kill me. I hid my nervousness by smiling calmly.
I replied,
I think it would be best to just get to the point.
I paused with another smile and continued,
I will be direct. Would you like to work with me? Be on my side?
…
The silence was killing me, but I continued to maintain a smile. I looked at his eyes and kept my mouth shut. I couldn’t show any weakness.
He finally opened his mouth.
Are you kidding me?
How many times do I have to tell you that this is a serious matter? I am a busy woman, so why would I waste my time kidding with a nobody?
He became angry at the word
nobody.
I knew it would, but it was done on purpose. I added.
I just want to give you a chance.
I added.
… A chance?
He looked confused, so I decided to explain it a little better.
Yes. A chance for you and… poor Princess Liliana.
…
You and your father aren’t in the same boat. Your father will regain everything if the dowager empress wins, but you won’t.
… If the dowager empress wins, she will reinstate my mother to a position of honor. With this, my brother and I will get everything back as well. When that happens, you, of course, won’t be around anymore.
This was true. If the dowager empress won, I would be gone. Either I would be sent to the dungeon or be poisoned to death.
I grinned on purpose and replied,
Do you really think it will be that easy? I heard your father the marquis is actively looking for a new wife to get another heir.
…
If he gets another son, you won’t ever be able to get your title back.
This was true. Whoever was going to marry the marquis would want a contract that promised her son to inherit the title. I knew the marquis would sign this contract without hesitation.
Clodys was in a precarious position. His future was full of uncertainty.
He replied,
It doesn’t matter. The dowager empress will be triumphant very soon, so I am not worried at all.
He was smart and I liked that about him. He clearly hated the dowager empress, but he was hiding it very well.
I smiled at his smooth face.
Really? Do you really think it will be that easy?
Are you threatening me?
I am only telling you the truth. We don’t know if the dowager empress’ baby is a boy or a girl.
He replied too quickly,
It will be a prince.
I answered him nonchalantly,
Even then, she won’t win.
Pardon?
Even if it is a prince, it is only a newborn. What do you think the chances are for the baby prince to survive and become an adult?
Are you threatening to harm the unborn prince?!
I smiled and shook my head. If someone would harm the new prince, it wouldn’t be me. It would be Lucretius.
I am telling you it won’t even be necessary for me to harm the baby.
Pardon?
A newborn baby prince against the 27-year-old emperor. Do you really think it would be a fair match?
It would be a fully-grown adult against a baby. Of course, the baby would have his mother, the dowager empress, to fight the battle, but I didn’t mention this fact.
Besides, many things can happen while the baby grows up. Remember what happened to the dowager empress’ other prince? He died before he turned one.
The death rate of babies in this world was much higher than on earth. Many of Lucretius’s other siblings apparently died before they became adults.
…
I admit the dowager empress is ambitious and a formidable woman, but her limitation is too great. You know this, right?
He couldn’t say anything. I could feel that I was winning this argument, so I pushed on.
And for the sake of argument, let’s say the dowager empress won. Even then, how much do you think she will do to help you?
…
This is the woman who abandoned your mother, who was her most devoted maid in waiting. Also… look at how she treats her own daughter.
That’s…!
I shook my head.
I already knew how the princesses are treated by the dowager empress. I’ve seen it myself.
I took a step towards him. Suddenly, the fully-grown young man looked small and fragile like a young boy.
I continued,
And have you heard the rumor?
What… rumor?
I knew I had him now.
The dowager empress is thinking about getting Princess Liliana to marry Marquis Galisia.
What?!
The boy looked shocked and despairing. I knew I won this game.
I also realized that Clodys was truly in love with Liliana. This was a good thing.
The way he acted in front of Liliana reminded me of someone. Someone with green eyes.
No, it couldn’t be. I was thinking nonsense.
Clodys exclaimed,
Marquis Galisia is over 50 years old! He has been married three times already!
But he is powerful, especially in the south. He also has a sizable military.
But…!
I heard… that Marquis Galisia has an… unusual taste. In fact, one of his divorced wives asked to be separated from him because of his perverted way.
…!
The boy’s eyes wavered. It was game over.
Clodys asked,
Just… what do you want me to do? Do you want me to run to the emperor and tell him that my father and the dowager empress are committing treason against him?
No. Even if you do that, it won’t do any good. The dowager empress will deny it and without any proof, it will be you who ends up in the dungeon.
Then…
Even if the baby is a boy or a girl, the dowager empress will try something. Whatever she does, it will be something very dangerous and most likely, she will fail. When she fails, you and Princess Liliana will also be in danger.
…
Clodys bit his lips.
I continued,
So before that happens, you better find a way to save yourself.
I said enough. It was time to leave. I smiled kindly and added,
I am not telling you that you need to think of something right now. I will give you some time. And… I am only telling you this because I feel bad for the princess. Even if you don’t accept my offer to work together, please do your best to stop the princess’ marriage to that old man. I don’t know if it will help, but I will ask the emperor as well.
Clodys seemed confused when he asked,
She is the daughter of your enemy who caused you to lose your baby. Why would you try to help her?
… Princess Liliana reminds me of my old friend. In my homeland, the sins of the parents don’t get passed onto their children. I don’t want that to happen here.
I meant what I said.
I picked up a thick book with a black leather binding.
I said to him,
Think carefully about my offer. If you accept it, please leave a note in this book here. I will visit this place twice every week to check.
…
I turned around gracefully. I wanted to leave like a cool heroine in the movies, but I remembered something.
I didn’t want to, but I knew I had to ask.
I said to him in embarrassment,
Um… and… can you tell me the way out of this library? I’m lost.
…
