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Episode 58

People who saw the female singer, who had debuted less than a week ago, all said the same thing:

That her beauty was incomparable even to Grand Duchess Isabelle, the revered flower of society.

Moreover, despite being a commoner, the singer had reportedly sneered confidently, saying her looks were superior.

Her beauty was like that of a goddess, so how could it be compared to a mere flower of society?

And the most decisive piece of news:

It had become a rapidly spreading rumor that the female singer had sent an invitation to the King herself.

A young, capable king as handsome as a painting.

A hero who was dragged to the battlefield in chaotic times but saved the nation from a desperate situation.

And currently, there was no one by his side.

All the noble ladies of the country were frantic—yet a mere commoner, relying solely on her beauty, was aiming for his side, bypassing the nobles. People couldn't help but be interested.

Especially since, just recently, that Duke had also become lovers with a commoner, not a noble.

What's more astonishing was that the King had received and read the singer's letter, and she had even received a reply.

As a result, all eyes in the city were focused on her.

Hoping the King might visit, the theater was always packed.

Tickets for her daily performances sold like hotcakes.

Those who couldn't get tickets were desperate, offering high prices.

Even those without tickets gathered in front of the theater, passing the time.

Then, one day.

It was a day like any other—the theater was crowded, with people holding tickets entering, and those without standing around the entrance chatting with acquaintances.

"Move aside! The carriage is coming!"

At the loud shout, the gathered crowd parted to make way.

"Th, that carriage is..."

As the horses pulling the carriage approached the theater, all eyes began to focus on it.

Their gazes were fixed on the emblem stamped on the carriage—first in confusion, then gradually turning to astonishment.

Because the emblem on the carriage was none other than the royal crest.

The carriage stopped right in front of the theater. The coachman hurriedly dismounted, placed the step, and opened the carriage door.

"Your, Your Majesty..."

Through the open door, the young King descended, his honey-blonde hair—the symbol of the royal house—flowing.

At the sight of the dazzling, sculpturally beautiful young King, the faces of nearby women flushed.

Women who had only heard of him and never seen him in person looked flustered, their hearts racing.

But unfortunately, the handsome King didn't spare a single glance around him—he entered the theater with two knights.

"H-he really came, the King."

"Things are about to get interesting."

"Hey, what's the problem? A young man and a woman!"

"Ah, right."

As the King disappeared, the area in front of the theater became even more chaotic.

Those holding tickets hurried inside, unable to hide their excitement, while those without bit their lips in frustration and stomped their feet.

---

The theater door opened, and Leonid entered with his two knights, surveying the surroundings.

Built for nobles and the wealthy, the interior was lavishly decorated.

As soon as Leonid entered, the theater owner, having heard the news, came running breathlessly, bowing and introducing himself.

"Welcome, Your Majesty! I am Paul Lepaux, the owner of this theater. To have you visit our humble establishment..."

"That's enough. Just show us to our seats."

"Yes, yes."

As the theater owner bowed so low his head nearly touched the ground, one of the young knights beside the King cut him off.

Startled by the knight's stern tone, the owner flinched, then smiled and lowered his head.

"Of course. I'll guide you to the best seats in the house. This way, please."

"No."

Leonid declined the owner's offer and continued.

"I'll sit in the seat designated by the female singer. Lead me there."

"What?! Ah, yes, yes. I know where it is. I'll guide you. This way, please."

Muttering in disbelief, the owner nodded and led the way.

Following the owner, the King and his knights moved to the first floor.

This was the place Oren had recommended during their planning meeting, following the Chancellor's advice that it would be best for people to dramatically recognize and see Leonid with the singer.

Since a sudden appearance of a new woman as his lover would surely arouse suspicion, Oren suggested creating a plausible scenario, and everyone agreed.

So they decided to have Rielle appear as a singer or actress, deliberately spreading rumors of her beauty to make her famous.

Taking advantage of that fame, she would confidently send an invitation, claiming she could seduce even the King. When Rielle said she could sing well and volunteered to be the singer, everything moved smoothly.

Oren used his connections to win over the theater owner.

Impressed by Rielle's beauty and singing ability, the owner gave her the main performance slot that very day.

And from then on, it was just as the rumors said.

Within three days of her debut, the rumors had spread beyond measure.

Of course, Oren had also deliberately amplified them.

After three weeks of groundwork, today—with everyone's expectations focused—Leonid arrived at the theater.

The plan was for him to pretend to fall for Rielle's singing and take her to the palace as his lover.

'Haah, I can't believe I have to go this far...'

Sitting in the center seat in the front row, Leonid let out a quiet sigh.

As he sat down, his two knights took seats behind him, and the surrounding area grew so quiet that only gasps could be heard.

For three weeks, nobles had been introducing young ladies for marriage purposes, and Leonid was exhausted.

As Godwin had predicted, he had even won over several other nobles, who were now loudly proclaiming that the only person suitable for the position of queen was the Grand Duchess.

Knowing full well how Godwin had ruined the country, seeing them ally with him again made Leonid sick.

The Grand Duchess herself had come to the palace openly, acting so boldly that other noble ladies didn't dare, leaving him exasperated.

Her brazen behavior, as if she were already his official fiancée, made him see Godwin's face overlapping with hers, and every time he met her, she looked less and less agreeable.

In any case, as Oren said, getting through today would allow him to trample Godwin and his arrogant Grand Duchess, changing the political landscape—so he had to succeed.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming to the Rochelling Theater today. Let me introduce the main performance."

The theater owner appeared before the stage and greeted the audience. Leonid stopped thinking.

'Here we go.' He looked at the stage expressionlessly.

Come to think of it, he recalled Rielle hadn't explained in detail how she would seduce him.

She had only hinted that she would approach him while singing.

And she said she'd adapt to the situation, so he just nodded.

'Come to think of it...'

He watched as the red curtain covering the stage slowly rose.

Looking at the curtain, he remembered the recent rumors of Cael and Rielle's date.

He'd been so shocked by Cael's unbelievable behavior that he'd asked for confirmation several times.

How surprised he'd been to hear that the usually taciturn man had been so affectionate, escorting her and doing everything straight out of a romance novel.

When he'd teased Cael about it, Cael had just chuckled in response.

'Can a stoic man really change that much? Love, I mean.'

Distracted for a moment, he caught sight of a red dress hem beneath the curtain.

Realizing it was about to begin, Leonid stopped thinking and focused his gaze.

Then a clear, pure voice reached his ears.

"...!"

And Leonid's gaze was captivated.

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