MasukRoselyn held her breath. This time, there was something that felt like hope."When will we know the results?""Before dawn, if they are swift enough.""What if the Empress is in danger? I shudder to think of us being too late, Kael.""We will decide once we know the situation.""Kaelus...""I know what you want to ask.""I haven't even said anything yet.""You want us to rush to her rescue tonight, don't you? A woman with a soft, pure heart like yours would naturally want safety for the person who helped you."Roselyn fell silent. She couldn't d
The morning sun crept bashfully through the gaps in the heavy velvet curtains, bringing a streak of golden light that cleaved through the darkness of the Valthorne Faction’s private inn chamber.The chilly dawn air still hung thick, carrying the scent of wet earth from last night's lingering rain. Atop the grand bed, Roselyn gradually awoke.Her eyelids felt heavy and swollen from the exhaustion and draining emotions that had sapped her strength all through the previous day.For the first few seconds, her mind was hazy. She stared at the ceiling adorned with intricate wood carvings, struggling to remember where she was.Yet as soon as memories of the tragedy in the East Wing, the discovery of the explosives and arsenic, and Kaelus's brief news regarding Empress Isa
Roselyn stood by the bedroom window. With her arms crossed over her chest, she gazed at the line of palace towers rising rigidly beneath the darkening evening sky. The heavy silk curtain, drawn aside, swayed gently in the cold wind that was beginning to carry the scent of rain.After the tense drama in the East Wing, Kaelus disarmed the explosives and arsenic hidden within their residential area. The lingering remnants of safety crumbled in an instant.Roselyn's refusal of the royal physician served as the next heavy blow. Right in front of everyone, she even named the Empress as the source of the warning regarding the poisoned dew.On the grounds of safety, Kaelus moved the entire entourage out of the palace to reside at the private inn of the Valthorne Faction. That move announced to the nobles that Hera Palace wa
Isabella stood with grace even as her neck was choked, her expression devoid of fear. Perhaps she had long prepared herself for the arrival of this inevitable day."You leaked this plan to Valthorne and ruined everything I built!" Cedric squeezed her neck harder, his fingernails digging deep into her flesh."I merely saved this empire from disaster, Your Majesty," she gasped weakly."You wretched fool; you are the disaster!""Is this not what you taught me, to achieve our desires by any means necessary?" she countered with a faint, bitter smile. "I refuse to watch the entire empire crumble under divine wrath for your sins."With a roar of pure fury, Cedric violently threw Isabella's frail body aside.
The morning reception in the Small Banquet Hall concluded under a suffocating, tense situation. Cedric abruptly dismissed the senior ministers with a stiff wave of his hand and an expression nearly cracking with rage."That will be all for today."A white-bearded minister rose halfway from his seat. "Your Majesty, the discussion regarding the port taxes has not yet...""I said that is enough." Cedric’s voice was low and flat, making it far more terrifying than a shout. "Everyone, get out."The bewildered ministers exchanged awkward glances, forcing tight smiles before hurrying out of the room.As soon as they stepped into the corridor, quiet whispers and speculative rumors regarding the arsenic in the East Wing and the
Roselyn turned her head smoothly toward the grand hall’s high entrance, offering a subtle, imperceptible nod to the tall figure standing loyally in the shadows outside.Upon receiving her signal, Eden stepped into the banquet hall with measured, completely soundless strides, carrying a heavy carved wooden box draped beneath a thick black velvet cloth.He knelt solemnly beside the head dining table before the silent council, placing his hands flat against the cold marble floor as he unveiled the chest directly in front of the assembled ministers and the Emperor himself.Inside the deep compartments of the dark wooden chest lay several iron canisters filled with dense, black smoke powder and jagged poisonous crystals that immediately released a sharp, acrid stench into the polished air."What in the world is the meaning of bringing such dangerous, filthy items into my presence?" Cedric hissed, his handsome face flushing a deep, dangerous red as he struggled to suppress his mounting fury.
Three days of confinement were enough for the bruises on Roselyn’s body to fade from a deep purple to a dull yellow. Thanks to the Elysium from her uncle, the wound on her forehead had dwindled to a thin red line.Vogard personally ensured that the mark was buried under layers of powder before drag
No one greeted Roselyn as she left the room. There was only a silence that felt like an insult, making her misery complete.A few servants were called to drag her away, but Roselyn brushed their hands off.Step by step, holding onto the wall, she walked down the corridor with every joint in her bod
Roselyn ran out without looking back. The night chill pierced her skin, shielded only by a thin gown, but it was nothing compared to the frantic hammering of her heart. It throbbed between anxiety and a strange sense of satisfaction for having just trampled on the Duke’s ego.The four-hour journey
"Prove your love, Lady. Try serving me tonight."The voice was soft, yet it carried no melody—only the toll of a death knell.Roselyn remained motionless on the cold marble, letting her knees go numb. Her dignity as the sole daughter of Count Sirius had long been cast aside. All that remained was a







