Chapter 74

"Take off? What exactly?" Latil, flustered, glanced at the fake and then subtly pulled his body back. Clothes or a mask? Neither was good. But it wasn’t either of those.

"I need to check something. Take off those shoes and show them to me for a moment."

Shoes? A mask, not shoes? Are you sure? This was a part he hadn’t expected, so Latil looked at the fake in confusion. But the fake was clearly pointing at the shoes. It’s just shoes, right? Latil took off one shoe and put it down beside him.

"The other one too."

After taking off the other shoe and standing barefoot, Latil looked at the fake, who then nodded to Lean. Upon receiving the signal, Lean approached and took the shoes. When Lean came close to take the shoes, Latil almost hit his brother in the back of the head but held back.

"Here."

When Lean handed the shoes to the fake, the fake examined them with an unusual amount of attention. Latil tilted his head as he watched. He had already guessed that the fake and Lean were in cahoots. But why did Lean so obediently follow the fake’s orders to such an extent?

'Of course, the fake is the emperor now, so not following would be stranger...'

Meanwhile, Lean stood beside the fake, also examining the shoes with a serious expression. It was a truly bizarre scene. To see the cheap shoes bought for just 3000 barths from the street being scrutinized by the fake emperor and the prince together...

'Don’t they smell?'

Finally, after apparently inhaling enough of the foot odor, the fake put the shoes down and called out to Latil.

"Alright, Vanessa. Take your shoes back."

Why did you personally take them when you could have just given them back? Latil grumbled inwardly but obediently approached, took the shoes, and quickly put them on. Then, with his hands clasped, he pretended to look respectful, and the fake gave a commanding tone.

"Your shoes are worn out. Even though you’re a maid, you work in my room, so I’d prefer you to wear better shoes."

"When I get my salary, I’ll buy new shoes right away, Your Majesty."

"I’ll tell the maid supervisor to give you a pair."

"Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty."

What consideration? What a joke. Latil sneered as he left the bedroom. The fake wasn’t being considerate because Latil’s shoes were worn out. These were shoes he had bought just a few days ago. Cheap shoes, but they couldn’t wear out in just a few days. Are cheap shoes supposed to wear out faster than expensive ones? The emperor’s words were all excuses. The emperor wasn’t trying to check Latil’s shoes; he wanted Latil to take them off. In other words, the emperor...

'The fake’s transformation item might be the shoes. Since his transformation item is shoes, he must have tried to make me take mine off.'

If that’s the case, could taking off the fake’s shoes reveal that he’s a fake to everyone? Before going down the stairs, Latil stopped and turned his head. At the end of the corridor, the door opened, and Lean came out. His beloved, still loved, and therefore unforgivable brother. Latil quickly turned and hurried down the stairs. The cold railing sent shivers through his palms, and he barely managed to calm down.

'I need to take off the fake’s shoes. But how? The fake has power, so he can just give orders, but I can’t order him to do anything.'

* * *

At that moment, Sorsan, after riding his horse to the point of his thighs aching, finally found Serune. But Sorsan couldn’t call out to him and stopped his horse at a distance, nervously gripping and releasing the reins repeatedly.

'What to do?'

He was a step too late. He could see Serune from afar, but there were other people around. They were carrying the royal flag. The emperor wouldn’t send another subordinate with his flag in this situation, so they must be subordinates sent by the fake emperor or Prince Lean. In other words, they were enemies. But Serune, unaware that they were enemies, was calmly talking to them.

'Your Majesty, what should I do?'

Sorsan, hiding behind a tree trunk, anxiously bit his lower lip. After much deliberation, he finally gripped the reins again.

'Sorry, but hang in there a little longer.'

* * *

There are two types of people who can take off the emperor’s shoes without any awkwardness: those who help with his bath and the concubines. The bath attendants are maids, but Latil couldn’t realistically ask them for help. How could a new maid ask the maids for a favor? "I want to see the emperor’s feet?" They’d never agree. Besides, the fake wouldn’t let the maids help with his bath because it would reveal that he’s a fake.

"Sir, Sir. Can I ask you a question?"

"If it’s related to your work."

"Does the emperor bathe alone?"

"Is that related to your work?"

"Maybe I’ll have to help him someday."

"That’s the maids’ job, so forget it."

"But dreams do come true, you know?"

"After the incident with the evil black magician, the emperor started to avoid having maids near him during baths. Would he call a new maid?"

Latil, testing the waters with the maid supervisor, became even more convinced of his hypothesis. Indeed, he avoids baths to prevent taking off his shoes. So, the only person who could naturally take off the emperor’s shoes was a concubine.

'Of course, the fake would try to keep the concubines away too, but... When kissing, you don’t need to take off your shoes, right? Maybe his guard would lower with handsome men in front of him?'

Kalin. Kalin not only immediately realized the fake was a fake but also sent a meaningful glance from the garden. Maybe he could help. Tashir spent a lot of time with Latil, so if he could talk to him, he might realize Latil is the real emperor.

'First, I’ll get Kalin’s help.'

Latil, having made up his mind, started looking for opportunities to meet Kalin. But as a new maid, he had no chance to move around. Finally, on his way out, he pretended to leave and then slipped back inside when no one was looking. If things went wrong, he could say he got lost on his way out, but he couldn’t just stand by for three months as a maid while the fake remained.

'Damn, why shoes? It could have been a mask like mine, or... or... shoes are better.'

Moving stealthily, Latil finally made it into the harem. Despite the rumors about the black magician, the inside was relatively the same as before. The palace staff worked as usual, and the security was still tight. And in the distance, walking in the evening light, was...

'Kalin.'

Perfect. He was already looking for Kalin, and now Kalin was out for a walk.

'Will Kalin recognize me? Did he recognize me earlier, or was he just looking at a new maid?'

Either way, he decided to approach. Latil stealthily moved in the direction Kalin was walking. But as he got closer, he became worried. If he approached directly and said, "Do you know who I am?" and someone saw, would they suspect Latil? Would his carefully crafted disguise be for nothing? After much thought, Latil decided to drop something and ask Kalin to pick it up.

'Nothing!'

But there was nothing in his pocket to drop. If he took off his clothes and threw them, he’d be considered a pervert, and if he took off his shoes, that would be strange too.

'Ah, damn.'

Looking around frantically, Latil finally plucked a large flower and tossed it at Kalin’s feet. Kalin, who was quietly walking, stopped and turned his head when the large flower fell at his feet. Latil cursed inwardly.

'Damn!'

He couldn’t see Kalin’s face because Clain was standing next to him. What a useless concubine. When did they become so close that they went for walks together? Moreover, Clain, misunderstanding the situation, looked back and forth between the flower, Kalin, and Latil, his eyes turning into a diamond shape, as if he had just concocted a spicy drama in his head.

When Kalin bent down to pick up the flower, Latil, with a thick face, approached and politely greeted him.

"Sorry, Sir Kalin. I accidentally dropped my item."

Clain, standing beside him, replied.

"It wasn’t dropped; it was thrown. The speed and angle were definitely not accidental."

This clueless kid... Latil, suppressing the urge to stuff the flower in Clain’s mouth, ignored him and stared intently into Kalin’s eyes. If his earlier impression was correct, Kalin definitely recognized him. So, he was asking with his eyes, "Do you know who I am?"

"..."

As expected, Kalin didn’t immediately return the flower to Latil. He placed it on his palm and looked at Latil. Clain, unintentionally, also glared at Kalin and Latil.

"Kalin. You can’t possibly believe that the maid dropped the flower, right? No, she definitely plucked and threw it. It came flying in with a lot of force. Look at the dirt it dug up. Don’t let it go. If you do, I’ll tell the emperor."

That emperor is me, you fool! Latil involuntarily sighed. Clain, seeing this, tilted his head and frowned. Is this maid sighing at me? Is this maid daring to sigh at me? That’s how he seemed to think. Latil ignored Clain and focused on Kalin. Kalin, ignore that guy and recognize me. Quickly. Quickly.

"Alright."

Finally, Kalin muttered.

"You dropped this."

And he used formal language. Latil was certain. He recognized me! Clain also seemed to find Kalin’s formality strange.

"Are you stupid? That woman plucked and threw the flower."

No, no. Latil didn’t care about the formality. It’s a good thing Clain is stupid. Latil, ignoring Clain, looked at Kalin with excited eyes. Today, Kalin seemed more reliable than ever. A faint smile appeared on Kalin’s lips, and he took a step forward, asking Latil.

"You might drop it again, so I’ll carry it for you. Where are you going?"

"To the storage room."

There will be fewer people there. Latil answered, and Clain, surprised by the maid’s boldness, opened his mouth wide. Regardless, Kalin told Clain to go back and led the way to the storage room.

[Is Kalin trying to have an affair?]

How confused must he be? Clain’s inner voice finally rang out.

[What a loose guy! The mercenary king is so light!]

At least Clain only thought that. He didn’t suspect Latil of being the black magician. Latil sighed and followed Kalin.

[What about me? What am I supposed to do while you two go?]

Finally, they arrived at the deserted storage room. Kalin stopped and looked around, seemingly confirming no one was around. When Latil approached, Kalin extended the flower he had brought. Latil took it, and Kalin asked with a peculiar look.

"Master. What’s going on?"

"How did you know it was me?"

Kalin buried his nose in Latil’s neck and inhaled, then rubbed his face while muttering.

"Your smell is different."

"Just checking."

"..."

"Are you a dog?"

Kalin, with his nose still on Latil’s neck, trembled.

"No."

"Better to lift your head. Someone might think you’re having an affair. I came here to ask for a favor."

"Whatever you command, Master, I will follow."

"Can you take off my shoes?"

"Excuse me?"