The tournament ended with an enthusiastic and captivated audience. Namgil left the stadium and arranged a secret meeting place at Woobin's request. When he heard the spy's report, he was stunned.
"You're saying that the man that was Lord Namjoon today...was the Crown Princess?"
"Yes. It may be difficult to believe, but I saw with my own eyes Lord Namjoon lying in the waiting room. The only person that had been alone with him was the Crown Princess."
"...Ha."
Namgil gave a sharp bark of laughter. Unlike his smiling face, however, his eyes were still dark and cold.
"So the reason why she was injured during the ambush was because she was defending Prince Jungkook."
"Yes, My Lord."
It was certainly an incredible story. Even though the Blaise family had served as knights for the Imperial Family for generations, it was surprising there was a woman among them as skilled as she was. While Ruford Empire did not allow women's advancement into the military, it didn't make sense that the family would hide the daughter's skills.
However, while more questions were raised for Namgil, other riddles were being solved. He carefully pondered this new information, murmuring to himself in a low voice.
"...It's unclear if Jungkook made a meaningless wish on the Dragon's Orb, but he has reaped an unexpected harvest."
Although it wasn't clear whether Lalisa's fighting abilities were due to the Dragon's Orb, she did wear it as a ring. Namgil might have made a crucial mistake without knowing this information. Knowing the enemy's secrets was vital to winning.
Namgil nodded with a satisfied expression.
"Very well. It was beneficial to have you on this job."
"Thank you, My Lord."
"No one knows you've noticed this?"
"No."
"That's better."
A deep smile creased Namgil's mouth. Lalisa would be reclassified as one of Jungkook's most dangerous allies, and the advantage of surprise would be no longer hers.
Woobin carefully spoke.
"Do you wish for me to inform the Empress?"
"That's not necessary."
Namgilanswered quickly, and Woobin glanced upwards. The duke continued with a strange smile.
"I must wait until either the Empress or Crown Prince are taken out. The Ruford Empire rests strongly on them, and I cannot confront two powerful forces at once...thus, they can weaken each other by fighting."
The Empress may stand to lose if she didn't know Elena had a secret strength.
"You mean..."
"I may be holding the Empress' hand now, but it's no matter to me if Jungkook wins their little fight."
In Lalisa'sfirst life, Ophelia's and Namgil's alliance was established only because Jungkook died first. However, Namgil didn't care if Ophelia had died instead, as long as any Imperial forces weren't turned against him.
Woobingave a deep bow.
"Yes. I understand."
"We should keep this secret to ourselves. Even if the last one standing is Jungkook, he will still prove useful."
Namgil looked down at Woobin with a pleased expression.
"Tell me your wish. I will generously reward my servant."
"If My Lord says so...there is one thing."
Namgil looked expectantly into his eyes, and Woobin quickly nodded and shouted in a loud voice.
"When you are crowned emperor, please make your loyal servant into a general!"
It impossible for a non-noble like Woobin to become a general of the Ruford Empire, not unless the heavens and earth opened up. Namgil's rebellion would be a drastic change of the status quo. It was likely that many of today's nobles would be purged of their positions, while new people would rise up to take their place. Woobin did not want to miss this opportunity.
Namgil gave a moment's thought, and then he smiled.
"Very well. You know I don't look down on ambition."
"Thank—"
Before Woobin could express his gratitude, Namgil's voice continued.
"But I hate those who don't know their own place. If you make similar contributions in the future, I will give you a position above even that of a general."
"...!"
In short, Namgil was telling him to continue putting in the same amount of effort. It wasn't a definite promise, but Woobin could clearly see the possibilities. When he understood what Namgil said, he fell to his knees.
"I will never let you down, Your Majesty."
Namgil's eyes glimmered at the title Woobin addressed him with. He slowly stroked his dark beard.
"I hope so. For now, continue to monitor the Crown Prince and Crown Princess and report to me."
"Yes. I am your loyal servant."
With the tournament over, Lalisa took off Namjoon's armor and quickly changed back into her dress. She headed towards the safe room where her brother was resting. Thanks to Jungkook's secret transfer, Lalisa was able to safely go to Namjoon's side without being noticed by anyone else. Not long after she arrived, her brother began to stir in his bed.
"...Uhmm."
Lalisa quickly approached him, her eyebrows knitted in anxiety.
"Brother, are you all right?"
Namjoon's eyes opened a slit, and he peered at Lalisa in confusion.
"Your Highness? Oh, the match...!"
Namjoon remembered that he had lost consciousness and quickly tried to sit up. However, Lalisa grabbed her brother by the shoulder and tried to coax him back down.
"Don't worry about the tournament."
"How long have I been asleep? I have to get ready—"
"The tournament is already over."
"...What?"
"And the winner is...is you, brother."
He looked at her disbelief, and Lalisa spoke again.
"I...I ordered someone to take your place."
"Y-Your Highness."
Namjoon spoke in an uncharacteristically shaky voice. His expression was contorted as if he couldn't believe the events that were explained to him.
"How did you find someone? What will you do if anyone finds out? It's a violation of the rules for sometime to compete in another's place."
Lalisa frowned inwardly as she listened to her brother's reprimand. He was a man of integrity, and would probably have been satisfied with a death in the battlefield. Namjoon was honorable to a fault.
Lalisa was different however; she could not lose Namjoon over something like honor. If he wouldn't forfeit from a life-threatening tournament, then Lalisa was forced to stop him from competing.
"You told me you would be my most powerful ally."
"..."
"You said you would fight for me in the future. Are you going to throw away your life just because of a tournament?"
"...Your Highness."
"I want you to live. Please...stay by my side."
In Lalisa's previous life, Namjoon had sacrificed himself so she could escape. Many years afterwards, she blamed her brother for leaving her to survive by herself. Namjoon was the kind of man who would want a righteous death, and selfishly, she could not allow it to happen again. She would never lose a single family member.
"This may not be how you wanted to win. But please...don't leave me alone."
"..."
"I don't want you to die an honorable death. Live your life and give me your strength."
Namjoon listened to Lalisa's words in silence, before finally speaking slowly.
"...I'm sorry, Your Highness."
Her heart sank. He seemed to be apologizing for not being able to do what she asked of him. However, his words continued from there.
"Even though I pledged to serve you, my foolish thoughts diverted me from my promise."
Power had a dark side to it, like the flip side of a coin. It was politics that could motivate someone to deceive, tear down, and even kill others, and Lalisa stood in the center of the Imperial Palace's secret wars. Namjoon would not hesitate to do evil for her sake, but he had arrogantly been distracted by defeating Taecyon and increasing the reputation of the Blaise family.
If something had gone wrong, Lalisa would be left alone. Their father, Hyunbin, was a man more loyal to the Imperial family than the Blaise family, and Roseanne was too young to depend on. Only him could give his strength to Lalisa right now. He criticized himself for forgetting the fact even for a moment.
"You made a questionable decision before the match."
"Brother..."
Lalisa's red eyes trembled, but a faint smile tugged at the corners of Namjoon's mouth.
"I did not win the championship on my own, but if this is your wish, I will be happy to follow you."
Lalisa's throat tightened with emotion, and her eyes grew moist.
"I will live and protect you until the very end. You can lean on me in your journey through this thorny road."
It must have been difficult for an honorable man like Namjoon to accept this, but he looked at Lalisa in understanding. Tears slipped down her face, and she smiled gratefully.
"...Thank you, brother."
*
*
*
After Namjoon regained his energy, he returned to the stadium where Hyunbin was still waiting for him. Lalisa watched from a distance as Hyunbin proudly congratulated his son, then she turned and walked back to her carriage. Namjoon could have come out of this tournament injured or dead, but luckily she was able to prevent it.
"...Eugh."
She stopped walking. The pain in her back was even more aggravated because of the battles. She had hid it from both Namjoon and Jungkook, fearing that they would worry over her.
'I'll call the doctor to check the wound when I get back.'
Jungkook would fuss if he found out the wound worsened, so she would get it treated in advance as much as possible. Lalisa braced herself with a sharp inhale and walked quickly again.
"Your Highness."
Lalisa turned around, then saw Jimin approaching. She had been informed that he recently transferred back to the Imperial Palace, and she had already met him earlier when she was disguised as Namjoon. Jimin bowed his head towards her.
"You were informed about my return, but it's the first time we've met in person again."
"Yes. How was your time at Blaise mansion?"
Jimin paused at Lalisa's question, then responded with a composed look.
"...It was well."
"Ah, where is His Highness? He said he would return to the palace first."
"I came to talk to you about that. The General is currently..."
They were walking and talking together when Lalisa heard the sound of the carriage door open. She sensed that someone else was sitting in the carriage behind her, and when she turned around, she saw Roseanne staring at her and Jimin.
For some reason, Roseanne wore an expression of shock. Maybe she had been waiting for her. Lalisa put on a welcoming smile.
"Roseanne!"
Roseanne's spring green eyes, however, were intertwined with betrayal and devastation that Lalisa had never seen before.
"How...how are you two together?"