It Turned Out She Wasn't a Favored Concubine - Episode 31

After Marian’s denial left only Xenia looking foolish, the nobles dispersed again in search of new entertainment.

I stared blankly in the direction Marian had disappeared, longer than anyone else. She was so different from the image I had imagined. In my mind, she was a delicate, tearful princess—but that subtly lazy tone, as if everything in the world was a bother…

Then I snapped out of it and looked around for Giscal More time had passed than I’d realized.

I checked the spot where Erich and Giscal had been having a serious conversation just moments ago, but it was empty.

I quickly scanned the area, but Giscal ’s black uniform was nowhere to be seen.

Surely he hadn’t left the banquet hall?

With his looks, height, and that striking uniform, there was no way he wouldn’t stand out.

According to Louis, Giscal wasn’t the type to enjoy banquets. That’s why, despite all the rumors in society, no one really knew him well.

I was about to go out and look for him when someone spoke to me.

“Lady Arne.”

A young man I’d never seen before bowed politely. His black uniform was adorned with silver embroidery. I didn’t know his name, but I was sure of his affiliation. That black uniform was everywhere at this banquet. He must be one of Giscal’s knights.

“Marquis Edelheit has prepared a place for you on the terrace. Please follow me.”

The young knight respectfully extended a gloved hand. I stared at it for a moment.

I hadn’t expected Giskal to personally prepare a place and summon me. The knight led me to the southern terrace of the banquet hall.

“Please, go in.”

His polite guidance felt like heavy pressure. I swallowed hard. My steps were slow and heavy.

Swoosh—the sound of the curtain falling echoed as I entered. The man leaning against the terrace railing, gazing at the night sky, turned his head at the sound.

His dark red eyes met mine, and I instinctively lowered my gaze. His looks alone could make women’s hearts race, but his crimson gaze was especially intense.

“…It’s been a while.”

The low voice I’d heard through his helmet now sounded clearer. I snapped to attention and mechanically responded.

“It’s been a while.”

All that practice paid off. If I hadn’t rehearsed, I might have instinctively used honorifics.

Clad in a black uniform adorned with gold embroidery, he was unlike any other man at the banquet.

It wasn’t just his appearance or clothing. The atmosphere around him was different. Compared to the men mingling in the hall, the knights guarding outside, even Emperor Erich—Giskal stood apart.

He exuded an overwhelming presence that made it impossible to ignore him.

“Have a seat.”

“Mm.”

Giscal turned his gaze away and gestured. I noticed a small table and two chairs set up on one side of the spacious terrace. I slowly took the seat opposite him.

“…Have you been well?”

I hesitated, unsure if I should speak first, when a cautious greeting reached my ears.

“Yes, I—uh, I’ve been well. And you, Giscal?”

A greeting should be answered with a greeting. I stammered a bit, but it was a safe question. Yet Giscal remained silent with a cold expression for a long time.

If Louis hadn’t told me he was a reserved and stoic person, I might have thought he disliked me.

After a while, Giscal finally replied.

“…Yes. I’ve been well too.”

“…”

“…”

Cold sweat trickled down my back. The awkwardness of a blind date couldn’t compare to this.

It was our first face-to-face meeting, so of course I was nervous. But part of me had hoped that Giscal

would take the lead and make things comfortable.

We’d exchanged several letters. In them, he’d shown such care for his sister. Surely he’d be kind in person too? I had vague expectations.

But reality was far from what I’d hoped.

“You must’ve gone through a lot. On the battlefield. And congratulations on the victory. I heard the war ended much sooner than expected.”

I finally broke the silence. It was a victory banquet, after all—congratulations were a must.

“…Thank you. But victory in war is meaningless. All I try to do is minimize unnecessary sacrifice. Even that, I failed to do this time.”

Even during the triumphal ceremony, Giscal hadn’t seemed pleased with his victory. Now, he even looked regretful.

Someone who saw soldiers as disposable wouldn’t dwell on their sacrifices. But Giscal clearly did.

I suddenly remembered something Erich had said.

“Is it because of the final battle on the Azba Plains? His Majesty said he was surprised that Giscal chose a full-scale assault—it was unlike him.”

Giscal looked startled and lowered his gaze.

“Yes. It was a war we could’ve won without a full assault.”

“I don’t know anything about war, but I think every strategy has pros and cons. Maybe because you succeeded in that assault, the soldiers can rest now? Was there a special reason for it?”

Giscal glanced at me, as if I were that special reason.

“That…”

He parted his lips to speak but didn’t finish the sentence.

Instead, he awkwardly changed the subject, clearly trying to steer the conversation elsewhere.

“Are you really doing well in the palace? I heard you went missing recently…”

Apparently, a concubine going missing in the palace was a huge deal.

Erich had made a fuss, and even Giscal, away at war, had heard about it. I briefly explained the situation.

“I feel terrible for troubling everyone. Running off to catch a cat—it’s ridiculous. I’m really sorry.”

Giscal asked seriously,

“Did you feel dizzy or have blurred vision?”

His tone was grave, as if he feared something serious had happened to his sister. I understood and scratched my head.

“Ha ha, maybe? I guess I wasn’t in my right mind at the time.”

I had to bring up the memory I most wanted to hide during this long-awaited meeting with Giskal. But maybe it was for the best.

I was planning to ask Giscal to help Leon. If Leon had shown any improvement, I wouldn’t have burdened Giscal l. But Leon’s condition hadn’t changed. Asking for help was part of the reason I’d come.

I had no one else to turn to but Giscal.

“Others have recovered enough to live normally, but one young librarian named Leon still hasn’t regained consciousness. The palace physician keeps checking on him, but says all we can do is wait. So I was wondering if you could recommend a skilled doctor.”

“He’s unconscious…”

“Yes. If he doesn’t wake up… I really don’t know what to do.”

I bowed my head and confessed. Giscal touched his chin, deep in thought.

“I can’t promise anything, but I know someone who handles cases like this. When I leave the palace today, bring Leon with you and let him see the doctor.”

I hadn’t expected such a positive and proactive response.

“Really? That’s a relief!”

I clasped my hands together. Even though Giscal hadn’t made a firm promise, just having another option besides waiting lifted a weight off my shoulders.

“Please. That child waking up is my biggest wish right now.”

“…I’ll do my best.”

“Thank you.”

I sighed in relief and took a sip of tea. With the most important matter resolved, fatigue washed over me.

I had definitely been tense. I took another sip of tea, trying to relax.

Once the conversation ended, the atmosphere grew awkward again. The silence after resolving the main issue was hard to endure.

I considered bringing up the letters we’d exchanged to restart the conversation, but Giscal stood up first.

“I shouldn’t stay away from the banquet too long. I’ll head back—come out when you’re rested and ready.”

“Oh? Uh, okay.”

I tried to stand up with him. I couldn’t just wave from my seat.

“Ah!”

But I stood up too quickly and bumped my knee into the table, causing it to shake violently. My hand slipped off the edge, and I lost my balance—until a strong arm reached out and caught me.

“Are you okay?”

Giscal had rushed over and grabbed me. My knee throbbed, but it was bearable.

“Y-yeah. Thank—no, thanks.”

“Should I call the palace physician?”

“No, please don’t. I think I’ll be fine if I just sit for a bit.”

“Still, just in case…”

“Really, I’m okay. If we call the physician for something like this, it’ll be too much.”

If the physician came, Erich would probably hear about it. I didn’t have the energy to deal with his theatrics right now.

Thankfully, Giscal didn’t press further. Unlike Erich, he didn’t ignore my words or force his way. He simply added, sincerely,

“Above all, take care of yourself.”

Giscal gently helped me back into the chair and quietly left through the curtain.

The thin curtain swayed, then stilled.

“Haa…”

I let out a long breath. At least I’d managed to have a conversation with Arne’s brother.

Thankfully, Giscal didn’t seem to feel any discomfort toward me. But that was all.

Even the warmth we’d shared in our letters was absent from today’s meeting.

It was so awkward, I wondered if someone else had written those letters for him.

Why had the man who’d been so kind and expressive in writing become so reserved.

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