It Turned Out She Wasn't a Favored Concubine - Episode 15

“Arne!”

In the banquet hall that had quieted with Erich’s entrance, my name rang out clearly.

But no one dared to scold the person who had shouted. After all, there was only one person who could call out the name of a concubine like that.

Erich ignored the space the nobles had deliberately cleared for him and strode directly toward me.

The nobles, caught off guard by the emperor’s sudden movement, stumbled backward in a flurry.

“I just arrived—where are you trying to go?”

“Uh, well… I…”

With Erich approaching me, every gaze in the hall turned toward me. I mumbled, glancing at Rozedel.

She, like the other nobles, had raised her head and was watching me from the space she had left open for the emperor’s meeting with me. There wasn’t even a hint of a smile on her lips.

“W-Where am I going? I just wanted to get some fresh air. But if Your Majesty comes over here, what should I do? Lady Rozedel is waiting over there. You should go and offer her your congratulations.”

“A gift was sent from Berna Palace to the First Concubine. That should suffice as a greeting. You said you wanted fresh air? I’ll join you.”

I had whispered so the nobles wouldn’t hear, but Erich had no such reservations.

The emperor had abandoned the banquet’s guest of honor to accompany me for a mere breath of fresh air. His words stirred murmurs among the nobles.

Their stares, shifting between me and Rozedel, were scorching.

Ugh, I’m going to lose it!

I forced a smile, cursing inwardly.

“N-No, it’s fine. I think I’d rather stay in the hall and nibble on some sweets. So please, Your Majesty, go over there…”

“Arne likes sweets, doesn’t she? I remember you enjoyed dacquoise last time. Shall I have some prepared?”

“No, the banquet food is more than enough.”

“I’m glad you’re satisfied. Since Arne is attending, the banquet must be of high quality. Isn’t this a celebration of Arne’s recovery? I made sure to put effort into it.”

With that absurd remark, the banquet’s spotlight shifted.

I was terrified to look at Rozedel’s face. At the same time, I realized Erich wasn’t misunderstanding—he was pretending not to understand. Considering how the nobles would gossip about this, his intentions were clear.

That Arne, who had caused the banquet ban with a mere fever, had now stolen the spotlight at the long-awaited event. Even overshadowing the birthday of the First Concubine, Rozedel.

The notoriety I had hoped would fade with the lifting of the ban was now set to burn even brighter. At every future banquet in the capital, my misdeeds would be gleefully recounted. Rozedel would receive sympathy and pity, while I would be met with criticism and blame.

I couldn’t let that happen.

With desperate effort, I dragged Erich toward Rozedel.

Rozedel wore a graceful smile again, but who knew what she was truly thinking? She performed a perfect palace bow before speaking.

“Your Majesty, it is an honor that you’ve come all this way.”

Erich merely nodded in response. Not a shred of sincerity.

“Lady Rozedel, happy birthday.”

Unable to bear it, I spoke first. I was nervous she might ignore my greeting, but Rozedel was a seasoned and elegant concubine.

“Thank you. Since this banquet was made possible thanks to you, I should be the one expressing gratitude.”

Was that genuine thanks? Or a veiled jab?

If not for Erich’s foolish remarks, I could’ve spun it as sincere. But given the situation, it was likely the latter.

Erich, who had been listening to our exchange, finally responded.

“Ah, yes, you must’ve worked hard preparing the banquet.”

And? Shouldn’t he follow that with a birthday greeting?

I urged him with my eyes. But Erich didn’t offer even a single word of congratulations to Rozedel. He continued to ignore her, speaking only to me with kindness. It was clearly intentional.

The more Erich behaved that way, the more blatant the nobles’ stares became. Some approached Rozedel, glancing at me and Erich with disdain. Among them, Xenia looked at me as if she wanted to kill me.

I wasn’t particularly angry with Xenia. As Rozedel’s ally, her reaction was understandable.

What surprised me more was Rozedel’s ability to maintain a calm, gentle expression.

How could I shake off Erich?

I tried again to escape to the balcony, using fresh air as an excuse. But Erich blocked my exit with another offer to join me. With all eyes still on us, the idea of just the two of us stepping out was bound to spark rumors.

Should I leave the banquet entirely? Would he follow?

In desperation, I awkwardly clutched my head and feigned dizziness. As expected, Erich reacted dramatically.

“It must be the excitement of the banquet. I’ll return to my palace and rest. Your Majesty, please enjoy the festivities.”

“How can I enjoy the banquet when Arne isn’t feeling well? I’ll go with you.”

He wanted to follow me to my palace? Leaving Rozedel behind?

Erich seemed determined to elevate my infamy tenfold tonight.

If I stayed, I’d be trapped under the nobles’ scrutiny. If I left, I’d be seen as rudely whisking the emperor away. There was no winning.

In the end, I had no choice but to stick with Erich throughout the banquet. At Rozedel’s birthday celebration, I monopolized the emperor and paraded around the hall.

That’s how everyone saw it. Just as Erich intended.

I finally managed to shake him off late at night and returned to Arlin Palace. I felt sorry for Louis, who had waited up, but I collapsed onto the bed without washing or changing.

It was an exhausting banquet—physically and mentally. Especially mentally. My plan, which had been on the verge of success, was completely ruined by Erich. The result was worse than if I hadn’t tried at all.

No more outrageous behavior? From Rozedel’s perspective, my actions today—though I was a victim too—were the epitome of disgrace. She’d think my visit to her palace was a mockery, not a gesture of goodwill.

I dreaded facing Rozedel again. Our already strained relationship was now in ruins. A maze with no exit.

I had tried to escape this maze, but failed repeatedly. This unfamiliar world was hard enough, and now it included someone who sabotaged all my efforts. Someone who pretended to care but ultimately harmed me.

But I couldn’t give up. Giving up meant eternal darkness. Whether I had to eliminate the saboteur or destroy the maze itself, I had to keep fighting.

The next morning, I headed straight to Rozedel’s palace as soon as the sun rose. I hadn’t slept all night, so I looked terrible, but I believed the sooner I apologized, the better.

I didn’t know how effective it would be, but I had to explain and insist it wasn’t my intention.

But the palace doors didn’t open as easily as last time. I wasn’t turned away, but the servant sent to get Rozedel didn’t return for over half an hour.

Was this a rejection? A subtle way of saying she didn’t want to see me?

Still, I was the one at fault. Even if it wasn’t my intention. After waiting half an hour, I finally saw Rozedel at the palace gates.

“I thought you’d either curse and storm off or force your way past the guards. This is unexpected.”

Her words were laced with thorns. She no longer wore a smile.

“…I’m sorry. Yesterday wasn’t my intention. I truly wanted to get along with you.”

“Oh? Really?”

Her question gave me a sliver of hope. I cried out earnestly.

“Yes! You probably won’t believe me, but it’s true.”

Rozedel’s gaze swept over me like she was appraising an object. She blinked slowly and stepped closer, until we were barely an arm’s length apart.

“Well, I’ll give you credit for your acting.”

Suddenly, she spoke in informal language. But it wasn’t the tone—it was the sharpness that startled me. Quiet, but piercing like a needle.

“I was fooled for a moment. Thought you’d lost your mind from the fever. I was going to use you a bit, but I ended up being the fool.”

Rozedel curled one side of her lips. A clear sneer.

“You used to act foolish and loud on a whim, but now you’ve decided to use your brain?”

Her hand landed on my shoulder, gripping it tightly.

“But it’s a pointless effort. The ending is already decided. I won’t be caught off guard again. I was going to let you die quietly because I hate noise, but I’ve changed my mind. I’ll repay every insult and drag you through the mud. Look forward to it.”

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