I Seducing the Black-Hearted Duke Wasn't Me - Chapter 13

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 13
I must be cursed. There’s no other explanation for why these things keep happening to me these past few days.
In all my years, I never thought the day would come when I’d receive a tea invitation from the sun of the empire—the Emperor himself.
“Oh, oh no! His Majesty must be about to punish you. Why, everyone knows how dearly His Majesty treasures the Grand Duke!”
Lora’s anxious voice echoed through my mind.
True enough, though they were half-brothers, the Emperor and Leon were known to be on excellent terms.
More precisely, the Emperor doted on the Grand Duke.
But.
“And yet you, the Marquis, have carelessly stolen away the very chastity of his beloved younger brother!”
Of course he’d be bewildered. Of course he’d be infuriated. And of course he’d be furious.
‘Though, of course, it wasn’t something I actually did.’
By this point, resignation had transcended mere anger. Having barely gathered myself, I slowly lifted my head.
Yes, I could save the resentment and recriminations for later. Right now, what mattered was—
“You must be terribly busy with affairs of state. I’m grateful you responded to such a sudden invitation, Marquis.”
“Not at all, Your Majesty.”
I shook my head and regarded the figure before me.
Inside the dazzlingly opulent Reception Hall of the Imperial Palace.
Among the countless reception rooms within the palace, this one—constructed specifically to receive distinguished guests—was truly remarkable.
The high ceiling glittered with a crystal chandelier, while velvet curtains on three sides filtered and diffused the incoming light throughout the space.
One wall displayed an intricately embroidered imperial flag and ornaments wrought from gold and jewels.
And now, the master of everything that comprised this space: a golden-haired man.
‘Kael Obsidian.’
The young and beautiful Emperor who had ascended to the throne at barely twenty years old following the late Emperor’s sudden passing.
‘Now that I look at him, he does resemble Leon somewhat.’
If Leon Obsidian possessed a finely sculpted, chiseled beauty, this one had the quality of a doll—gentler, softer, more refined.
Though of course, I could never afford to let my guard down.
“Mm. Does the tea not suit your palate? You haven’t touched it since just now.”
“Not at all. It’s quite delicious, Your Majesty.”
I quickly shook my head and took a sip of the tea. But then—
Wait.
I hadn’t noticed until now, too preoccupied with gauging the situation, but the aroma brushing my nose and the faint bitterness lingering on my tongue—
It felt oddly familiar.
“This is… the Tea Leaves our company recently released, isn’t it?”
“Exactly. I knew you’d recognize it. I’ve always been partial to Loar products, but this new line especially suits my taste. I’ve been enjoying it quite regularly these days.”
“I’m honored that it pleases you, Your Majesty.”
Having slipped in a gentle pitch for continued patronage of our goods, I offered a soft smile.
Perhaps because we were discussing familiar matters, my tension seemed to ease somewhat.
Just as I was about to return to my tea with more composure—
“So, Marquis.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“May I ask exactly what sort of relationship you share with Leon?”
“Cough!”
Scratch what I just said.
The warm atmosphere vanished; the sudden, blunt question brought me up short.
My heart plummeted, but I managed to quickly raise my head. There, the Emperor smiled sweetly at me.
Well, naturally.
‘He wouldn’t let me off so easily!’
“You may not realize it, Marquis, but I’ve found myself looking forward to each morning lately. With incidents and scandals erupting nearly every day, I’m positively thrilled. Life, which had grown so tedious, has become wonderfully abundant thanks to you. Ha ha.”
“Ah, yes…”
“When I heard that Leon had violated Temple Law and shed his clerical vestments, I was quite taken aback. I know his faith well, you see.”
Good heavens.
“And yet my brother was dismissed in ‘disgrace,’ no less…! Heh.”
The Emperor quickly covered his face and turned away.
I could see his shoulders trembling slightly, but I attributed it to exasperation rather than anything else.
“I am deeply sorry, Your Majesty.”
Well, forget it. I’ll just apologize.
There was no point in denying anything. My opponent was, after all, the Emperor of this realm.
Better to grovel sincerely than to stumble through some feeble excuse and risk compounding the offense.
So I continued my apology—
“Come now, do ease yourself, Marquis. I think there’s been some misunderstanding. I didn’t summon you today to berate you.”
“Pardon? Then why would you…….”
“Oh, I’m simply curious. When exactly did you and the Grand Duke become so close? Though I suppose that’s the real puzzle—I knew absolutely nothing about it.”
The Emperor’s eyes gleamed as he spoke.
Meanwhile, I found myself utterly bewildered.
What was this? He’d said I needn’t worry about any anger, and he seemed to mean it sincerely.
I studied him for a moment, then swallowed hard.
“If you’re asking when I became… close with the Grand Duke, Your Majesty…….”
“Yes, tell me. Last month? No, that can’t be right—the Grand Duke was away the whole month on Demon Beast Subjugation. Then last year? Hmm, that’s not it either? Unless I’m mistaken, I believe the Marquis was absent from the Seonggwang Festival last year due to other matters. Let me see…… so when could it have been…….”
Last week.
……That would sound strange, wouldn’t it?
‘But that’s the truth, so what am I supposed to do?’
“It’s truly perplexing. When the first rumor surfaced, I made my own guesses about it, but the Marquis never factored into them.”
“I see…….”
“Not that I think poorly of the Marquis or anything—I hope there’s no misunderstanding. It’s simply that there seemed to be no connection between you and him. As far as I knew, you two had never even properly spoken.”
“That’s not entirely accurate. The truth is, we have met before.”
I carefully offered this correction, having listened in silence until now.
To be honest, Leon and I weren’t complete strangers who’d never exchanged a word.
“We crossed paths several times during my Academy years. Since both the Grand Duke and I were top of our classes, we’d often greet each other at the Scholarship Social Gatherings. And on his graduation day, there was certainly…….”
……Wait.
My own words had tumbled out before I could stop them, and I faltered.
‘Why am I remembering this now?’
Now that I thought about it, there had been more than just chance encounters.
Specifically, on his graduation day.
He and I—the student representative and the graduating representative respectively—had been waiting in a small room beside the platform for the ceremony to begin.
I was certain we’d said something to each other then…….
‘But what was it we talked about?’
Strangely, I couldn’t recall.
“The Academy? Top of the class? Wait—the Academy, you said? Hmm…… Oh, could it be!”
The Emperor, who’d fallen into thought at the word “Academy,” suddenly snapped his fingers.
“Ah, I remember now! Erna! That name was definitely at the Academy during my time! I’d forgotten because there were two grades between us!”
The Emperor seemed delighted, clapping his hands together repeatedly.
“The legendary top student, always ranking first in the entire Academy! That name that dominated the top of the bulletin board come exam season! Could that have been you all along!”
“Yes, that’s correct. I was two years your junior, and one year below the Grand Duke.”
“Ah yes, that’s right! Haha!”
The Emperor slapped his knee with a satisfied laugh.
Like someone who had finally reached the answer to a puzzle.
“There it is. Now everything makes sense. Now I understand why that fool acts so recklessly.”
“Yes? What do you mean by that, Your Majesty?”
The reason Leon was acting so recklessly? It was too significant a remark to ignore, and my ears perked up of their own accord.
But the Emperor, seeming to have no intention of explaining, merely continued clapping and laughing to himself.
How long had we sat like that?
“Be careful, Marquis.”
“…….”
“That one is far from the gentle soul he appears to be.”
The Emperor, having finally ceased his laughter, offered this as a warning.
Be careful. It was already too late, he said.
It seemed suspicious coming from someone whose expression remained so bright.
Like someone teasing a person already trapped in an inescapable snare.
“Of course, it already seems too late anyway. Haha!”
……So it wasn’t a warning at all, but rather just mockery.
Irritated, I was about to abandon all pretense of formality and demand what he meant by all this.
Bang!
“Your Majesty, you are currently with a guest……!”
The Reception Hall door burst open with a loud sound, and a man strode in, dragging an attendant behind him.
Startled by the sudden intrusion, I turned toward the entrance.
And I was astonished again by the identity of the man who had entered.
“The…… Grand Duke?”
Leon?
What was he doing here?
Or rather…….
I swallowed hard, holding his gaze as those fierce blue eyes blazed with anger.
‘He looks absolutely furious.’

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————