Episode 16
“I believe Prince Leonard is the one most suited to the Empire’s throne, not the man who holds it now. That’s why I want to support you, so you can claim that position fully.”
Leonard raised his head in surprise, straightening from his chair. Azrael’s words were dangerous, something that could easily be called treason.
“What are you thinking? Are you serious?” he asked in a low voice, suspicion in his eyes.
But Azrael didn’t falter. Instead, she held firm.
“The current Crown Prince is not fit to lead the Esperando Empire. And I’ve heard His Majesty the Emperor trusts you far more than him.”
“That position has already been decided. To suggest changing it now is no different than declaring rebellion, Lady Azrael.” Leonard frowned, glancing around cautiously.
The ballroom was heated with whispers and embraces. Nobles were too distracted with each other to notice anyone else. Fortunately, no one was paying attention to them.
Leonard lowered his head close to Azrael’s ear, his face leaning in as though to kiss her. Startled, she flinched. When she tried to pull back, his hand was quicker; he seized the back of her head, stopping her from moving away.
Her wide eyes trembled with shock. Leonard gave a faint smile and brought his lips near her ear, his warm breath brushing against her skin.
“Whatever your reason, that is not something a young lady should speak of so lightly. I’ll pretend I didn’t hear it this time. But be careful. And for the record. I have little interest in the throne. Remember that.”
Realizing he was only shielding them from prying eyes, Azrael shoved his arm away and leaned back into her seat, her heart pounding.
Leonard, as always, appeared calm and indifferent, as though he truly cared nothing for the crown.
But Azrael’s eyes hardened. Her voice was quiet, yet filled with conviction.
“I’ll say the same thing again next time. Don’t dismiss me, Your Highness. Take my hand. For the sake of the Empire’s future, you must.”
Leonard sighed, staring at her stubborn lips pressed tightly shut.
“El, I’ll say this once more—”
“My mind is set. Please don’t waste time trying to dissuade me. Instead, consider my proposal more seriously.”
Her gaze was unwavering. With that, she drained the rest of her champagne and stood.
He had rejected her offer tonight, but that was fine. She knew she couldn’t fully persuade him yet not without revealing the truth of her past life. Convincing him would take time, persistence and eventually, her hidden card.
“Until next time, then, Prince Leonard. I’ll look forward to a favorable answer.”
She gave only a small bow, careful not to expose his identity as a prince and walked away with a faint smile.
Leonard stroked his chin, watching her leave.
“So that’s why she asked me to dance at the debutante? A girl who has just come of age says she’ll make me Crown Prince. Ridiculous.”
He chuckled under his breath, but his eyes burned with intensity.
Azrael, who had been the center of gossip lately for her outings with Patrick, had just shocked him with those bold words. A woman rumored to be in love with the Crown Prince… yet she wanted him to take the throne. The thought made him laugh.
“If Patrick finds out, he’ll faint.”
Patrick was handsome enough to charm young ladies, but he had no real talent. Arrogant and insecure, he had always looked down on Leonard since childhood, hiding behind the Empress’s power.
Recalling that pathetic man only deepened Leonard’s smirk. If Azrael was truly sincere, maybe her outrageous proposal wasn’t so impossible. Her voice had a force that pulled him in, as though her conviction could reshape fate itself.
And yet
“Was I drunk on a single glass of champagne? Or did I let myself be swayed by a lady’s words…?”
After his mother, the Empress, died suddenly years ago, Leonard had lived without much drive. The Emperor had loved his late wife deeply, and by extension had cherished Leonard until illness overtook him.
By then, Patrick had already secured the position of Crown Prince. With the Empress’s family dominating the court, Leonard was left with little support.
Some nobles had favored him, but most shifted to the Empress’s faction as the Emperor’s health worsened. Only a small number still backed him in secret, far too few to challenge Patrick openly.
“No matter how it happened during the Emperor’s illness, Patrick is still the Crown Prince now. That fact won’t change easily.”
Accepting a glass of wine from a passing servant, Leonard drank deeply. Azrael’s bold declaration had stirred something long dormant in his chest.
It had been years since anyone openly said they would support him. And this time, it wasn’t just anyone it was the daughter of Duke Nocturne.
His heart, still since the day his mother died, began to beat fiercely again. He could feel the rush of excitement, the strength he hadn’t felt in so long.
And it was Azrael’s determined face, that unwavering certainty in her eyes — that burned itself into his mind.
When Azrael returned home, she collapsed onto her bed without even washing. She was exhausted, but exhilarated she had finally spoken to Leonard, finally set her plan into motion.
He had claimed no interest in the throne, but today was the true beginning of destroying Patrick.
“How will he respond next time? Will he still refuse? Or will he take my hand?”
She replayed their exchange in her mind, remembering his languid, weary demeanor.
In her past life, she had been too focused on Patrick to notice Leonard much. She recalled him only vaguely handsome, stoic, and highly capable. Patrick had always felt threatened by him.
Not long before the Emperor’s death, Leonard had resigned his position as Knight Commander and gone north as a Grand Duke. There, he had been tricked by Patrick and perished along with his knights.
“Thinking about it now won’t change what’s past. For now, I should rest. I’ll see him again at the Count’s banquet in two days.”
Yawning, she quickly changed clothes and washed up. Her body was heavy from the day’s tension. This time, sleep came easily no nightmares, only quiet dreams.
