Home/I confined you, but I have no ill will/ch 68

68.

Tap, tap.

Leonhardt spotted the small bird tapping on the glass and opened the window. Most messenger birds were kept in designated areas—but this one was exceptional. Small yet incredibly strong and fast, it remembered its master and navigated well.

"Hello."

He greeted the bird, removing the tube from its leg. After scattering feed on his desk, the bird flew over—it must be hungry after its journey.

The tube was quite large relative to the bird. He unscrewed it and pulled out rolled paper—thinner than usual to save weight, allowing for more content. It was written in code, but easy to read—he'd learned it as a child.

He read quickly.

"Hmm."

According to the contents, there'd be no war in the North. Kite had made contact with Kahn and confirmed his intent—Kahn wanted to unite his tribes, not fight the Empire, but find a way to survive.

"Peace is better."

The Empire had no need to spread fear through war. Leonhardt's father hadn't been a great Emperor, but not bad either—the Empire had maintained its former glory. Leonhardt had further developed it.

"You'll be a good Emperor."

His uncle Kite had said so.

He'd worked hard to be worthy—the only family who'd supported him when he was alone and afraid, unlike his maternal relatives who'd tried to use him.

Look at Draven—the moment Kite left the capital, he pushed Leonhardt into marriage. He called it advice, but repeated enough, it was coercion.

"Such a bother."

He couldn't just remove Draven without evidence—though he seemed to be plotting something, there was no proof. For now, he had to watch the clamor.

"Greedy."

The ladies pushed for marriage were all connected to his maternal family. Marrying one would be predictable—Draven would only increase his influence, and the Empress would wait for Leonhardt to come of age to bear children.

"Why do I have to worry about this at my age?"

Even if it was his chosen path, it was hard sometimes. No wonder he needed Kite nearby—and with him gone, the newspapers were boring.

Just then, a visitor came.

Knock, knock.

He sent the bird back out the window.

"See you later."

As if understanding, the bird flew off.

Knock, knock.

"Come in."

"Excuse me."

The door opened to reveal Martin, head of Intelligence. She bowed deeply.

"Raise your head."

She did.

"I heard you have something to say."

"Your Majesty—strange rumors have begun spreading in the capital."

"Must be serious if you came yourself—tell me."

Martin calmly explained.

The rumors started in an ordinary tavern.

"Heard the news?"

"What news?"

"His Majesty is looking for an Empress."

"What? He's not even an adult."

"Royal marriages happen early—even if not immediate, an engagement is made. What if he falls for the wrong person?"

A red-nosed, drunk man slammed his glass.

"Really?"

"Yes—His Majesty should find a proper lady soon!"

"Are we allowed to talk like this?"

"Am I saying anything strange?"

"No—but still."

The listener looked awkward.

"Ah—I've heard something else."

"What?"

"About Archduke Gracias—they say he's interfering with His Majesty's marriage."

"Why would he?"

"Not sure—but if a noble lady from a good house becomes Empress, His Majesty's power would grow! So he's interfering to stay powerful longer—"

Before he could finish, the listener covered his mouth.

"Stop, you fool—there are things you can say and things you can't!"

The rumor died there—but there'd been many in the tavern, and word spread.

Leonhardt laughed.

"Hahaha."

But it wasn't a happy laugh. If he could curse, he would have.

'What nonsense!'

Kite had never once obstructed Leonhardt's path. He only delayed his marriage so he could enjoy a peaceful youth—once he took an Empress, complications would multiply.

The Empress candidate must not be too powerful, must not covet power or wealth, must care for the people—with many more conditions. Finding such a person wasn't easy, and once he agreed to marry, other nations would push their own candidates.

It'll be exhausting.

That's why Kite had protected him from unwanted marriages.

"I know the rumors are unnatural."

"Good—have you found the originators?"

"Apologies—no. They vanished after spreading the rumors. Two bodies were found in a nearby river—we're confirming."

"Interesting."

Draven was desperate to marry him off—taking advantage of Kite's absence, spreading slander against him.

What next? The young Emperor was hard to manipulate. Leonhardt smiled with narrowed eyes.

Martin felt she'd seen that smile before.

Oh dear.

It resembled Kite, the capital's Mad Dog—same blood, after all. She suppressed a sigh. She'd hoped he'd resemble a better person, but being always around Kite had rubbed off.

"Shall I stop the rumors?"

"No—let them be. Let's see what they want. Considering Kite's past deeds, this won't damage him much."

True—the rumors spread fast, but reactions were mild because Kite was known to break limbs casually. People whispered but didn't speak openly—if he did that to nobles, what would he do to commoners?

Some yellow rags printed the rumors, but reputable papers hadn't moved.

"Still—keep tracing the source. Might find something interesting."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

With that, Martin's audience ended.

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