I Killed My Husband (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 12
His Imperial Majesty has returned!
Long live His Imperial Majesty!
Long live!
Crowds surged to welcome the Emperor’s procession.
As always.
Whether returning from battle or from diplomatic missions, no matter how modest the procession, the empire’s subjects faithfully came out to greet him.
The people trusted him that much.
At first, there was much controversy—the lowest-ranked prince had participated in every war, rising to fame and surpassing his higher-ranked brothers to be named Emperor. Many claimed the Late Emperor must have been mad to appoint a bloodthirsty killer as Emperor.
But within two years of ascending the throne, he elevated the empire’s name and enacted benevolent policies reaching even the lowest strata; the people could not help but love him.
Yet…
“Is he inside that carriage?”
This time, unlike usual, there was more than just cheering—there was considerable murmuring.
“That woman? It seems His Imperial Majesty has taken quite a fancy to her.”
“But I heard she’s a murderer.”
“Shh! What if someone hears you?”
This was the first time Carlos had stayed abroad for reasons other than war, so the empire’s citizens were intensely curious about what had happened in Shaym.
And so, news from Shaym swiftly spread throughout the Ruum Empire.
The content was astonishing.
Had His Imperial Majesty rescued the Crown Princess—yes, the woman who had murdered her own husband—from the brink of execution?
Even killing a member of the royal family was shocking enough, but the fact that the frail woman had committed the murder herself made it even more astounding.
The capital erupted in uproar.
While Carlos’s party remained delayed, word spread even beyond the capital walls; every newspaper carried the story.
Thus, though the citizens waved handkerchiefs to welcome the Emperor, their eyes could not tear away from the carriage. An odd atmosphere had formed.
A luxurious, beautiful white carriage unlike any seen in previous processions.
Just by its appearance, it was clear great care had been taken to accommodate whoever was inside.
Naturally, people could not help but believe that the person within had truly captured the Emperor’s heart.
“You don’t seriously think she’ll become Empress, do you?”
“A murderer? Surely not.”
“…But if His Imperial Majesty desires it, then so be it.”
“There must be a reason for the killing.”
“But still… she killed someone?”
Public opinion, as expected, was sharply divided.
“Their attention is scattered, unlike usual.”
“Quiet. Smile. We’ll talk later.”
The Emperor’s attendants would not miss the subjects’ expressions. They had no complaints toward either the Emperor or the woman; they followed whatever the Emperor decided.
But when the expected occurred, a hint of concern was unavoidable.
And Carlos marched boldly at the front, utterly indifferent to all of it, radiating an even stronger aura than usual.
[This is the timeline separator]The Imperial Palace was vastly larger than Shaym’s royal palace.
Disliking the stares and noise, Mercedes finally drew back the carriage curtain only after they entered through the palace gates—and her eyes widened in astonishment.
She had always thought her count’s residence and the royal palace in Shaym were extravagantly luxurious, but the Imperial Palace was on an entirely different level.
The grounds were so vast that even in the carriage, it took considerable time to reach the Emperor’s residence. Along the way, beautifully landscaped gardens appeared, each one equally magnificent.
“We have arrived at the Imperial Palace.”
“…I see.”
As she stepped from the carriage, warm sunlight touched her skin. Clearly, Ruum lay farther south than Shaym; the weather was warmer.
She turned her gaze ahead. The Imperial Palace stretched before her.
It was roughly three times the size of Shaym’s entire royal palace. The ceilings appeared to be nearly twice as high, making her neck ache just looking up.
Mercedes felt overwhelmed by its size and splendor—and a headache began to throb.
Large, imposing things had never suited her; she had spent too many years crushed beneath their weight.
Before her, an immense number of servants stood in two orderly lines, heads bowed.
At the center stood the Chief Steward, welcoming the Emperor.
“Welcome back, Your Majesty. We have prepared accordingly.”
Though he appeared quite elderly, the steward stood rigidly straight, his features sharp—like an ancient etiquette master.
“It’s been a while, Franz.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. The Imperial Palace has grown worn waiting for you.”
“You manage it so well, that’s impossible.”
“What meaning does a house without a master hold?”
The steward’s reply radiated fierce loyalty and impeccable decorum.
“You must have worked hard preparing such pleasant words. I sent word ahead—were everything prepared as requested?”
Carlos asked with a faint smile.
“Yes, do not worry.”
“Good. Mercedes, come here.”
The Emperor prioritized Mercedes over any other command. She hesitated, then stepped toward him.
The Emperor extended his arm as if to escort her—but Mercedes had not yet lowered her guard.
For a moment, her expressionless face paused.
Instantly, Carlos withdrew the arm he had offered.
“Then let us proceed.”
The Emperor’s escort had been refused. Yet, he showed no sign of offense; instead, he maintained a respectful distance, courteously giving her space.
It was an odd feeling.
Until now, hesitation had always meant a whip or an insult.
‘No matter how many times I think about it…’
He was an odd man. An Emperor, yet not quite like one.
“We shall guide you, Lady Mercedes.”
Even the stern-looking steward addressed her in a remarkably gentle tone as he led the way.
Carlos and Mercedes walked side by side, keeping a slight distance, following behind.
Two maids trailed closely behind them. Mercedes worried they might scrutinize her or giggle, as they had in Shaym—but the maids, clearly well-trained, followed with only polite deference.
“I assumed your health and mobility might be delicate, so I arranged your chambers on the first floor—you won’t need to climb stairs.”
“Am I… to reside in the Imperial Palace?”
She was slightly startled.
To bring her into the Imperial Palace immediately?
To a traditionalist, this would seem absurdly forward.
Typically, noble couples used separate rooms—or even separate buildings—and only met by scheduled arrangement.
Rarely, a happily married couple might share the same building, or even the same bedroom…
But now, the Emperor had clearly prepared for that “happily married” state.
This was not merely affection—it was a declaration.
“Dislike it?”
Carlos asked playfully with a mischievous smile. His casualness only made her more flustered—but refusal was not an option for Mercedes.
She was an outsider, and a murderer. She had no grounds to protest or make excuses.
And in truth, if Carlos favored her so openly, her standing among outsiders would likely improve significantly.
Carlos’s choice was right. For her future goals, Mercedes had to adapt well here.
She held onto her vigilance, focusing solely on her purpose.
After walking endlessly down a long corridor, they arrived at—
the last room on the first-floor hallway. Normally, such rooms had side doors, but here, only a wall stood.
Yet upon closer inspection, the wall seemed slightly uneven—as if something had once been there and been sealed off.
Carlos, watching Mercedes’s gaze shift toward it, suddenly flung open the door.
“They say all the rooms along this corridor and most of the upper-floor chambers are empty. Is that right, Franz?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Then rest easy. There will be no disturbances. No one will intrude here.”
“…Really?”
“Don’t you dislike noise?”
“Just a moment… Did you empty all these rooms… for me?”
“Perhaps? The Imperial Palace has too many rooms; I simply cannot use them all. If you need more empty chambers, say the word. I can spare as many as you desire.”
The Emperor joked with a smile.
Mercedes, unsure how to respond, remained silent.
“Please, take a look at your chambers.”
In the meantime, the steward guided her gaze.
“Oh, yes… I will.”
How vast could the Emperor’s chambers be? As tense as she had been, the interior was astonishingly spacious.
Yet… strangely, it felt cozy.
A warm fireplace, bright-toned carpets, a wide, inviting bed. Above all, the abundant sunlight and serene quiet.
Mercedes, who had spent years among nobility, knew instantly: every item here was of the finest quality, the room exquisitely lavish.
Yet, impossibly, it felt comforting. The layered rugs, the scattered armchairs and large cushions—everywhere you could sit or rest—transformed the room into a true sanctuary.
Large windows allowed sunlight to flood in, and in the center of them stood a small door.
Beyond the windows lay a garden, enclosed on three sides by dense trees. Nothing else was visible but sky and birds.
“This garden has no entrance except through the central door of this window. Consider it yours alone.”
“It will be perfect for solitary walks.”
Was it the Emperor’s soft voice offering the explanation—or the unexpected comfort and tranquility of the room—that began to ease Mercedes’s taut nerves, frayed for so long by tension, vigilance, anger, and vengeance?
“…Yes.”
“The maids will be just these two. Is that correct, Franz?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Though two may seem few, I selected them for their exceptional skill—you will lack for nothing. Please do not worry.”
This consideration felt almost miraculous to her; she had been utterly exhausted by stares and noise.
“How…?”
“Didn’t you always lock yourself in your room in Shaym? I thought you’d dislike loud voices and watching eyes, so I prepared this. Not to your liking?”
Carlos asked, slightly embarrassed as he ruffled his hair—almost as if he was carefully observing her reaction.
‘The Emperor… is watching my reaction?’
It was absurd. A ridiculous notion.
Yet his expression seemed genuinely sincere.
Male lead fell into her trap — and shattered when she walked away
This is also on my reread list!
This one is a slow burn, but when it burns, it burns hard.
Definitely worth a read, y’all!
The story follows a thousand-year-old seductive spirit who, on a bet, sets out to charm the male lead—a once-promising but unfortunate cultivator.
But just when she succeeds in making him fall for her, she heartlessly leaves, driving him to madness.
Determined to find her at all costs, he captures her, keeping her by his side no matter what, even if she hates him.
I love this kind of trope—I enjoy watching the male lead suffer in agony.
The ending drags a bit with unnecessary filler, but that’s fine.
As long as I enjoy the beginning, I’m good.
Intro
As an enchantress, Su Heng possesses captivating eyes and charming beauty, easily manipulating the joys and sorrows of living beings at her fingertips.
But to enchant a god, making him taste the bitterness of love’s separation, long-lasting resentment, unattainable desires, and inability to let go…
Do you dare?
Su Heng assists a divine lord in his cultivation, aiming to make him experience all the sufferings of love, so that he can attain the Great Dao.
Only after being chased down from the heavens by the divine lord, confined and completely possessed by him, does she realize how successful she has been.
The once gentle and polite youth has transformed into someone she no longer recognizes.
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MANGA DISCUSSION
1 Comment
Chapter Comments (14)
Mercedes had always worn a corset—even when sleeping—under the pretext of maintaining proper posture and a slender waist. If it slipped, she was whipped. As punishment.
That’s crazy! They tortured her 😢
I think it’s too fast to judge the ML but for now he looks quite good
If he continued to invest care like this, perhaps someday she would come to love him.
“…Time is the issue.”
But time was the problem. The time granted to him.
What was it? Was he terminally ill?
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Blairwoods
Carlos asked, slightly embarrassed as he ruffled his hair—almost as if he was carefully observing her reaction.
He’s cute 😂