It Turned Out She Wasn't a Favored Concubine - Episode 75

A week. Being practically confined to the Arlin Palace for that long felt like an eternity. I thought someone would come looking for me once Perlo’s crime of tampering with the teleportation barrier was exposed, but no one came. I had no idea how things were progressing.

I couldn’t get any news about anyone. I didn’t know what had happened to Perlo, or what Giscal was doing now.

Honestly, I was more worried about Giscal than Perlo, who was the actual target of Rosadel’s accusation. Contrary to Rosadel’s confident declaration in the courtroom, Perlo and I were never involved in that kind of relationship. That absurd accusation would soon be revealed as false.

The real issue was that Perlo had tampered with the imperial teleportation barrier without permission. What kind of punishment would that bring?

Still, he was the continent’s top Motus artisan. I could only hope that such a valuable talent wouldn’t be punished too harshly.

Of course, he wouldn’t escape punishment entirely, but I believed it wouldn’t be severe enough to make him flee the country. If nothing else, the emperor was rational when it came to state affairs. He wouldn’t simply discard someone as useful to the empire as Perlo Shanaier.

But Giscal was different. Depending on his intentions, he was in a position that could threaten imperial authority. Even if Giscal had no such intentions, the emperor couldn’t help but be suspicious.

I could still vividly recall Giscal running toward me as I was forcibly escorted out of the courtroom by the emperor’s guards. I didn’t think he would have accepted Rozedel’s accusation without question.

Did he confront Erich directly? Or did he express outrage at Rosadel’s ridiculous claims?

My thoughts spiraled endlessly.

Was his wound from the wolf bite healing well? It had been a serious injury—had it begun to mend? Could he wield his sword again like before…?

“Your Highness?”

Louis called out to me anxiously.

“You suddenly looked like you were about to cry…”

“No, I just… I don’t know how much longer I’ll be stuck here. I wish I could hear some news from outside…”

“Just hang in there a little longer. Once it’s proven that you had no connection to Perlo, everything will be resolved quickly. The Marquis is working hard on your behalf too.”

More than anything, I wanted news of Giscal.

“Wait, Louis—you have a Motus shard, right? The one you used to communicate with Giscal. Why didn’t the imperial Motus artisans detect it?”

The question struck me suddenly. The imperial artisans had thoroughly searched Arlin Palace. Why hadn’t they found the shard Louis had? Did they overlook the maid’s quarters?

Louis nearly spat out her tea, coughing violently before she managed to speak.

“M-maybe it’s because the shard’s usage limit was reached?”

“Oh, so it doesn’t work anymore.”

“Yes…”

If the shard had been used up, even a diligent artisan wouldn’t have found it. Louis had no way to contact Giscal anymore. All I could do now was wait.

I sighed and walked to the window. The beautifully maintained garden of Arlin Palace gleamed under the bright sunlight. The guards didn’t let me leave the palace, but life inside remained unchanged.

The garden was still tended daily, meals were plentiful and delicious, and the staff treated me no differently than before.

Only the perimeter of Arlin Palace was tightly sealed off by guards, like a wall.

The imperial guards maintained perfect vigilance. Especially near the entrance, a dozen or so guards inspected every servant and their belongings.

Just looking at it made me feel stifled. I was about to close the curtains when I saw a figure approaching in the distance.

It wasn’t a maid. The attire was too ornate, and she had attendants with her. Her hurried steps caught my attention. Her golden hair sparkled in the sunlight.

“Could it be… Marian?”

It was definitely Marian. She was heading toward Arlin Palace. I rushed downstairs. Just as I reached the main gate, she appeared on the other side.

“Lady Marian! It really is you!”

“Lady Arne! I thought I’d have to leave again without seeing you today.”

Marian clung to the iron bars of the locked gate, panting.

“Wait, you came yesterday too?”

“Yes! Yesterday, the day before, every day. I guess no one told you I came.”

I glared at the guards.

“How dare you make Lady Marian come all this way for nothing? You didn’t even inform me she was here!”

My pent-up frustration exploded, and the guards flinched. As the commotion grew, a man who seemed to be their commander approached.

I recognized him instantly.

“Hans?”

It was Hans, whom I’d met at the Edelheit estate. He bowed politely but spoke firmly.

“It’s been a while. I’m now in charge of security at Arlin Palace. Things may be inconvenient for now, but everything will be resolved soon. Until then, you must refrain from contact with Lady Marian.”

He cut me off before I could say anything. The joy I’d felt moments ago vanished.

“Still, she’s been coming for days. You could’ve at least told me.”

Hans looked between Marian and me before replying slowly.

“Arlin Palace is currently under complete lockdown. I judged it unnecessary to inform you, as this applies even to the imperial consorts.”

“So you just let her keep coming for nothing?”

“We told her multiple times she couldn’t enter…”

Hans glanced at the guards.

“Yes, we told her several times, but she kept coming. She said she had something to deliver to the Third Consort…”

Then Marian pulled a white handkerchief from her bosom.

“This is the handkerchief you lent me at the last banquet. I just wanted to return it, but they wouldn’t let me.”

She unfolded the elegant, beaded handkerchief. But it wasn’t mine. The one I’d lent her to wipe her tears had already been returned long ago.

“This is…?”

I hesitated, wondering if she was mistaken, but Marian shifted her gaze nervously. I quickly covered for her.

“O-oh, you didn’t need to return it so soon… I’m sorry you had to come all this way just for this.”

“I had to return it. But even that’s not easy.”

She lowered her head, her golden hair cascading down. I stepped closer. The guards approached but didn’t touch me.

“No, I’m grateful you came. I’ll take it now.”

“Your Highness!”

As I reached for the handkerchief, Hans intervened.

“You mustn’t!”

“I’m not bringing her inside—just taking the handkerchief. That’s not allowed either?”

“No. His Majesty ordered that no people or items be allowed in.”

His answer was so absolute it left me cold. I knew Hans was just following Erich’s orders, but after spending a month together at Edelheit, it still stung. I crossed my arms and raised an eyebrow.

“Then you shouldn’t let food in either. Are you trying to starve me?”

My sarcasm flustered Hans.

“N-no, that’s not what we meant. We were told to ensure your comfort…”

“Comfort? I can’t even receive a handkerchief. How is that comfortable?”

“…”

Hans fell silent, his face stiff. Marian unfolded the handkerchief again.

“What’s so suspicious about this white handkerchief? If you’re worried, inspect it.”

It was pure white, with nothing suspicious. Hans finally relented.

“Fine. Just hand over the handkerchief and please leave.”

“Understood.”

Marian slipped the handkerchief through the bars. I took it and tucked it away. We exchanged glances and parted. I walked slowly at first, but my pace quickened as I neared my room.

Marian had lied to give me this handkerchief. There had to be a secret hidden within.

I rushed into my room and unfolded it. It was pristine white, almost too clean. But it couldn’t be just a handkerchief.

I tugged at it, shook it, held it up to the light. Nothing stood out.

If it were that obvious, Hans would’ve found it. So what now?

In old dramas, people hid secret notes inside handkerchiefs. Should I tear it open? I couldn’t feel anything unusual by touch…

I considered asking Louis for help and stared at the handkerchief. I felt guilty about tearing it. Then suddenly, the beaded flowers shimmered with a blinding light.

I blinked—and Marian stood before me.

Support