Chapter 75

Kallani instinctively lowered her gaze.

"Shoes... Do they not come off?"

"Not my shoes."

"Then whose...?"

"The fake emperor. Just like I changed my face, he also changed his. It seems he’s wearing magic shoes that can change his appearance. I’m not entirely sure, though."

"Of all things, shoes? That’s inconvenient. If it were a ring, it would be easier."

"A ring would be easier?"

Kallani reached out and naturally intertwined her fingers with Latil’s. Soon, a firm but not painful pressure was felt between their clasped fingers.

"What are you doing?"

When Latil asked, Kallani laughed playfully and pretended to pull her hand away.

"It’s easy to pull away like this."

"While doing that, you subtly held my hand?"

"I have to take advantage of such opportunities."

"Your hands are always cold. ...Is it because a warm-hearted person has cold hands?"

"No, I have cold feet and hands."

"You lack the mood. It’s not your cold hands, but your lack of romance."

As Latil grumbled while pulling her hand away, Kallani laughed and gently placed her hands on Latil’s cheeks.

"Like this, it’s warm."

"Shut up. Get down. The romantic atmosphere is already gone."

"If you give me one more chance..."

"Get down."

"..."

Looking serious and lowering her hands, did he look a bit dejected? Was it an illusion? Latil thought Kallani looked cute but realized it wasn’t the time for that.

'Right, now, only this person recognizes me. This isn’t the time to tease her. I should treat her very carefully, as if she might fly away if I don’t.'

"Dear Kallani. Can you take off the shoes with those cold hands affected by cold feet?"

"..."

"What’s that look for?"

"Just do what you were doing, Master. It gives me goosebumps."

"Hey."

When Latil glared, Kallani crossed her arms and pretended to think seriously.

"How can I take off the shoes?"

It was a transparent act, but Latil went along with it because she was in a hurry.

"If I offer to give a foot massage... would that work?"

"If the shoes are really magic, that won’t be enough."

"Right."

"In this case... I see. I should put him to sleep and then take off the shoes."

"Can you do that?"

"I’ll try."

"Don’t do anything else. Just take off the shoes."

Latil regretted saying that. "Don’t do anything else." She shouldn’t have said it. It was because the memory of Kallani carefully tucking the fake emperor in during the day lingered in her mind. But the words were already out, and Kallani was staring at her intently.

"What do you mean by 'anything else' in 'don’t do anything else'?"

Latil ignored Kallani’s question and rambled.

"I’ll go home and come back later, so tell me the result. Hide the shoes. No, is that not good? Should I not go home? Should I stay here? Should I get rid of the shoes? What should I do?"

Kallani raised her hand and pulled Latil’s eyebrow with her cold fingers. When Latil looked at her, she smiled and said,

"Should I put him to sleep?"

"Huh?"

* * * Thanks to Kallani’s room being on the first floor, it was easy to enter through the window while keeping a good watch from the inside.

'A bit awkward.'

Latil entered the room and fidgeted with her hair. Kallani’s attendant was surprised to see Latil but immediately agreed with a "Yes" when Kallani said, "This is the Master." Was that it? It was surprisingly smooth.

"Your subordinates trust you completely."

"In a situation where we might die at any moment, it’s important to trust each other."

"Is everyone in your mercenary group like that?"

"Yes."

"Good... I envy you."

"There’s no need to envy. We are all the Emperor’s people."

"Your people, right?"

"We are the Emperor’s people."

At least the words were appreciated. Latil smiled, patted Kallani’s shoulder, and looked for a place to hide. The plan was as follows: Latil would hide in the room, Kallani would bring the fake emperor, put him to sleep, and take off the shoes. Then, Latil would watch and, once the fake emperor returned to his original form, either dispose of or hide the shoes. Simple, but it would render the fake emperor powerless. The problem was...

"But will the fake come here if we ask him to?"

Exactly. The fake would be cautious. Would he really sleep here? It was doubtful. He could be made to sleep in the harem, where he might let his guard down. Eventually, but it would take time. Since the fake had only recently infiltrated the palace, his guard would be at its highest.

"There’s no harm in trying."

But Kallani answered easily, and Latil nodded. Right. It was worth a try. If it didn’t work this time, they could wait for the next opportunity.

"And he won’t refuse outright. He has to act like the Emperor. If he suddenly distances himself from the concubines, it would raise suspicion."

* * * That night. After dinner, Kallani left to bring the fake emperor. Latil hid behind the thick curtains.

'Can she bring him?'

But Latil couldn’t stop worrying while waiting for Kallani. Kallani, as seen on the first night, had a very animalistic and sexy charm. She was very attractive. But that was when everything was set up at night. During the day, Kallani was a bit gruff. So, Latil was unsure if Kallani could persuade the fake to come here.

'Sound!'

Then, a sound came from outside the door. Latil held her breath and hid her shadow. A moment later, the door opened, and someone entered the room. Peeking through a small gap, she saw Kallani and... the fake emperor. Kallani had really brought the fake emperor. How she did it, Latil didn’t know.

'How did she bring him?'

As she wondered, the fake emperor laughed and walked straight to the bed, sitting down with a thud. He seemed to really like Kallani, which made Latil feel a pang of jealousy. What did Kallani do to make the fake smile so broadly? Did she charm him with her tails?

"Show me quickly. What’s inside?"

What was he talking about? Latil’s eyes narrowed. What did he want to see? What was the fake asking her concubine to show him? Latil almost tore the curtain.

"We have plenty of time, Your Majesty. The night is long... let’s take our time."

"I prefer it fast."

"You’re impatient."

Instead of answering, something fell to the ground, and Latil swallowed hard. She almost swore. Kallani, what are you showing him? But from the angle, she couldn’t see. The fake only said, "Wow."

* * * After some meaningless conversation, Latil was worried Kallani might overlap with the fake, but fortunately, that didn’t happen. Of course, there were many conversations that could have made her angry. Eventually, Kallani asked the fake to keep the promise from a few days ago and put him to sleep. The fake, unaware of any such promise, lay down with Kallani. After some time, Kallani carefully got out of bed. When she gave the agreed signal, Latil opened the curtain a bit more. She saw the fake emperor sound asleep. Kallani stood at the foot of the bed, trying to take off the shoes. When her large hands touched the shoes, Latil’s heart raced, and she held her breath. The anger from earlier when the fake said "Wow" had faded. As the shoes slowly came off the fake’s feet, Latil slowly exhaled. Now, I can see your true identity! Hiding behind the curtains, Latil was thrilled. She clenched her fists, bared her teeth, and smiled. Damn fake. Let’s see what you look like. I’ll hang your neck on the executioner’s block, no matter who you are. Then, as the shoe was completely off, Latil cheered inwardly. She almost jumped up and shouted.

"!"

But nothing changed. The face was still Latil’s.

'Not the shoes?'

Latil’s heart sank. Then why did he tell her to take off the shoes? A trap? Kallani, who seemed surprised, frowned. She looked at Latil’s direction, as if asking, "What do we do now?" Then, thinking maybe both shoes needed to be off, Kallani took off the remaining shoe. Please... please! Latil clutched the curtain and watched intently. But even after the other shoe was off, the fake Latil still looked like Latil. It was incomprehensible. She felt utterly defeated. Then,

"Why were you being so overly affectionate?"

The fake emperor laughed from his lying position. Latil’s eyes widened. The fake was awake. He slowly sat up, leaning on one arm, and looked at Kallani.

"Did you meet Latil, Kallani?"

The fake’s question hit the mark. Kallani didn’t answer, but the fake seemed confident.

"Where is Latil?"

The fake looked around the room.

"He’s probably here, right?"

"..."

"Who told you to take off the shoes? Isn’t that right?"

Finally, Kallani answered calmly, as if nothing had happened.

"I thought you might be uncomfortable, so I took them off."

"Like an assassination, so quietly?"

"I was worried you might wake up."

"I’m not a fool, Kallani. You heard it from Latil. Taking off my shoes would cause something to happen."

Kallani still didn’t answer, but the fake smiled and pointed exactly where Latil was hiding. Kallani moved to block his finger.

"Enough."

But Latil, seeing the situation, decided to come out. She didn’t know if the fake knew about her magic item, the mask. But it was clear the fake had set a trap from the beginning. The proof was in his expression. She had to come out. The fake emperor, sitting lazily on the bed with his legs crossed, looked down at Latil and smiled. His expression was full of triumph, which hurt Latil’s pride. Latil considered whether to overpower and tie up the fake emperor, search his body for the magic item, or let him scream for help. The scream would be faster, right? The guards would be right outside the door. But the fake didn’t scream. Instead, he looked at Latil’s expression and asked sympathetically,

"Curious about who I am?"

"You know better than anyone that you’re a fake."

Latil gritted her teeth, and the fake emperor laughed softly. The laugh was like the low notes of a piano. Suddenly, Latil realized the fake’s expression wasn’t one of triumph. It was her own assumption. The fake’s expression was very ambiguous, which made it even stranger. That peculiar expression. As Latil frowned, the fake, who had been shaking his shoulders, suddenly raised his hand. Thinking he might be reaching for a weapon, Latil put her hand on her waist. But it wasn’t an attack. The fake’s hand went to the back of his neck. He fumbled around. A necklace? Was he unfastening a necklace?

'Why a necklace now?'

After a moment, the fake slowly lowered his hand. In his hand was a shiny string. And...

Latil couldn’t speak for a moment. Her mind, mouth, and thoughts were all blocked. It felt like a large rock was stuck in her throat. After a long time, she finally managed to squeeze out a hoarse voice.

"Mom."