It Turned Out She Wasn't a Favored Concubine - Episode 96

Over a hundred imperial royal guards had completely surrounded the Edelheit estate. Their appearance was drastically different from when they had encircled the Arlin Palace.

Back then, they wore ceremonial light armor. Now, they were in full combat gear, brandishing sharp weapons toward the Edelheit estate.

In contrast, the Edelheit estate was defenseless. It was inevitable. The one leading the royal guards was none other than the Emperor himself. To raise even a small dagger against the Emperor would be considered treason and punished on the spot. So all they could do was face the sharp spearheads with bare hands.

Erich reached the front gate of the Edelheit estate with a blank expression and made a single demand.

“Bring me the real Arne.”

Not just Arne—he demanded the real Arne. Everyone was stunned.

It was plausible that he had noticed my disappearance from the palace and rushed to the Edelheit estate.

But to demand the real Arne—that wasn’t something to be taken lightly.

Especially in a situation where he had brought fully armed knights.

“Is there anyone else who knows this secret?”

Perlo asked urgently, but Elliot shook his head.

“Then how the hell did the Emperor find out? Doesn’t sound like he was just guessing. Did he eavesdrop using a Motus?”

“That’s impossible. I set up a barrier around the Edelheit estate to block—ah…”

Elliot faltered, unable to firmly deny it.

“What is it?”

“When Yoon Seha moved into the estate, the barrier was disrupted, and I never repaired it. It was a basic barrier, so it couldn’t self-repair. I forgot because things got hectic.”

“What? Then he really could’ve eavesdropped? That Emperor is no joke.”

Perlo frowned and looked around before his gaze landed squarely on me.

“There’s a faint scent… Do you have a Motus on you?”

I tilted my head, then realized—I had a red Motus shard I’d unknowingly brought with me. I pulled it out from my pocket.

“Wait, that’s the Motus I crafted! Worth five hundred million drangs!”

Perlo took the shard from me and examined it carefully. Then his eyebrows twisted sharply.

“What the—this isn’t my work.”

He muttered something and stared at the red Motus shard. Its color began to change, like paint peeling off to reveal the original beneath.

“This is a second-tier Motus shard. Not my level, but crafted by a skilled artisan. Everything we’ve said has probably been transmitted to the other Motus. Where did you get this?”

I answered blankly.

“After hearing Marian’s false confession, Erich said he’d return it and brought it to Arlin Palace. I thought it was the one from the auction—the one you crafted.”

Perlo slapped his palm with a fist.

“Figures. It’s the Emperor’s trick.”

I slowly looked out the window. The weapons outside still gleamed painfully in the sunlight.

Erich’s scheme—it must’ve been to monitor Arlin Palace. He cried and begged for forgiveness, but secretly planted a listening device. To keep tabs on me, in case I did something reckless.

But I was the one who picked up the Motus shard and brought it to the Edelheit estate.

Why I did it, I still don’t know. Was I afraid of learning the truth?

Did I think Erich could somehow help me?

Or maybe I hoped he truly loved Arne, not just pretended to?

Whatever the reason, my impulsive action led Erich to the truth. His demand for the real Arne was proof.

“Master, what should we do…”

Ortland tried to stay calm, but his voice trembled.

“If we don’t comply within ten minutes, they’ll begin the assault.”

Even a seasoned butler who had served the Edelheit estate for decades would be terrified with the Emperor and his knights standing outside, weapons drawn. I slowly walked toward the door.

“Where are you going?”

Marian grabbed my hand. Without turning back, I pulled away and answered.

“Erich wants Arne. I’m not the real Arne, but this body belongs to her. So I should go.”

“What are you saying? The Emperor heard everything. Now that the secret’s out, who knows what he’ll do to you!”

I turned my head slightly and gave a faint smile.

“That’s why I’m hopeful.”

Leaving Marian wide-eyed, I opened the study door. The heavy, ornate door creaked open.

But the next moment, it slammed shut with force. I looked up at Giscal, who cast a shadow over my face. His large hand pressed the door closed.

“I’ll go.”

“If you go, will the Emperor just leave?”

“I can’t let you go right now.”

“You’re stopping me? By what right?”

“Sorry, but I’ll do whatever it takes to stop what you’re thinking.”

Giscal was resolute. His voice carried a hint of anger, and I realized he understood my intentions.

But that didn’t change anything. I was going, and he couldn’t stop me. I kept turning the doorknob, veins bulging, imprinting its shape into my palm.

“Stop.”

“I’ll keep going until I’m out. If not, I’ll knock until the door breaks.”

“Don’t.”

“My hand might get ruined first, but who cares? It’s not even my body.”

Eventually, Giscal let go of the door. I flung it open and stepped into the hallway. He followed close behind. I strode down the corridor, descended the stairs, and ran through the garden, my dress billowing.

Far ahead, Erich stood firm at the front gate. I raised both hands high to make sure he saw me. Erich, expressionless, paused and looked at me as I ran toward him.

“Stop right there.”

Just as I was about to cross the gate, Erich stopped me. I halted inside the white-painted pillars of the gate. Erich remained on horseback, looking down at me.

“Arne, I have something to ask.”

“Ask anything.”

“I just heard something unbelievable and need to confirm. What Jiskal said in the Edelheit estate—is it true?”

With the backlight and him on horseback, I couldn’t see his face clearly. But his expression didn’t matter.

All I wanted was for him to give me what I needed in this final moment.

“Yes, it’s true.”

His horse snorted. Erich calmed it and looked down again.

“You’re really, truly… not Arne?”

“Yes. I’m not Arne.”

I told him the truth without hesitation. Erich bit his lip.

“Then where is the real Arne?”

He dropped formal speech the moment I denied being Arne. Of course—an Emperor needn’t speak politely to anyone.

Except Arne.

“She might be in the body I left behind in my world, or wandering another world… I don’t know.”

I repeated what Elliot had told me. Erich’s hand trembled as he gripped the reins. His throat bobbed.

He suddenly leapt off his horse and drew the long sword from his waist. The blade rang coldly.

“No!”

I’d forgotten about Giscal. He rushed forward and stood between Erich’s sword and me.

“Move.”

Despite the command, Giscal didn’t budge. Erich didn’t repeat himself.

His blade grazed Giscal’s neck, leaving a thin mark. But Giscal didn’t move an inch.

Eventually, Erich signaled his knights. Two weren’t enough—three, four were needed to finally bring Giskcal to his knees.

Once again, the path between Erich and me was clear. He stepped past Giscal and approached.

“To impersonate Arne… That crime deserves death.”

His blue eyes no longer looked at me with kindness. They were cold and irritated, like when he looked at Rosadel or Xenia. Only then did I understand.

Erich loved Arne.

The suspicion I’d carried since he knelt and cried at Arlin Palace—that was the truth.

My belief that it was all an act had been a foolish delusion.

Now it was a meaningless realization. I lifted my chin. Erich raised his sword again.

“Your Majesty, this situation is my fault. You cannot punish someone who knew nothing.”

Even while restrained by other knights, Giscal raised his voice. But Erich’s sword didn’t waver. He seemed determined, ready to strike.

The blade swung behind his shoulder, poised to slash my neck. Just before it did, Giscal shouted:

“Will you truly lay hands on Arne’s body? That body once held the soul of the girl you loved!”

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