Before the regression, Liam Wilboyer was always steeped in deep fatigue.

Befitting one called the Black Death of the Empire who swept across battlefields, his aura was so sharp it made bodies tremble even when he stood still.

But now it was different.

His eyes, once hazy as if his soul had disappeared, were now sparkling and full of vitality and sharpness.

Those once hollow eyes were now so filled with life there was no room for anything else.

His presence overwhelmed his surroundings. Both the dukes and royalty glanced at Liam more than Marx, the delegation representative.

Though it had not been long in memory since I had seen him in my third death, he felt as welcome as someone I was meeting after several years.

Liam Wilboyer was a grim reaper announcing death to me, but also a hopeful presence signaling the end of hardships.

Liam, whose eyes met mine, soon turned his gaze elsewhere.

Having visited Glishia in disguise, he did not think anyone would recognize him.

While I was looking at Liam, the dukes dealt with Marx Benum of the Empire.

“This time, His Majesty the Emperor ordered us to get a definite answer.”

Marx Benum, with his attractive youthful blonde hair, spoke softly.

Haiman, the Duke of Wind and the most powerful in Glishia, quietly sneered.

“An answer, you say? An answer to what?”

“We would like to invite one of the blessed Beltoa royal family to the Empire. Haven’t we been sending requests every year? Here is His Majesty’s invitation.”

Marx held out an invitation sealed with a golden wax seal and imprint to the King.

“You know it’s useless without an ability user, even with the blessing.”

“It’s His Majesty’s wish, so I’m just doing my job.”

The implication was that they would take a royal by all means, even if useless, because the Emperor wanted it.

Duke Haiman tore open the seal right there, skimmed the contents, and handed it to the King.

Other countries also sent formal invitations to the Glishian royalty. Everyone knew Glishian royals never went to other countries.

But this time, the Empire’s tone was different.

“We always want to host at least one of you, but you’re always busy, sick, or have prior engagements, don’t you? So this time, His Majesty said to coordinate in advance and bring someone to the Empire.

His Majesty’s will is impressive. He said he’d send knights to escort you with utmost care to avoid any issues.”

Marx Benum delivered the ultimatum with a smiling face.

The atmosphere among the watching nobles stiffened. Duke Windsor’s voice lowered.

“Knights?”

“Well, we’re talking about messengers of the God Lagras who bestow blessings. Of course we should send knights to escort royalty safely and respectfully, shouldn’t we?”

“Do you mean to pressure us with force?”

“Of course not.”

Marx Benum smiled awkwardly.

“His Majesty is being so insistent that it’s putting us in a difficult position. He’s assembled a division in the Wilboyer Grand Duchy. He threatened to send them in if we return alone.”

“The Wilboyer Grand Duchy, you say.”

At the name of the family that abandoned and betrayed the country, the nobles murmured, and even the King’s relaxed expression hardened.

Bersi, the Duke of Water, stepped forward. He was a vicious man skilled at scratching others’ nerves with a mischievous smile.

“We understand the Empire’s intentions well. Glishia will carefully consider the Emperor’s request, so please wait.”

“I hope a favorable answer comes this time.”

Marx bowed politely and withdrew from before the King with the delegation.

“How arrogant, daring to try and take away the divine bloodline.”

“Let’s just wait and see.”

The reactions of the nobles listening around were no different from the dukes.

In my previous life, the King and dukes stalled for time, saying they were in deliberation. The Empire’s delegation waited patiently, but returned after receiving urgent news.

I found out later that the news was of the death of Liam Wilboyer’s younger sibling.

Because of that, his father the Grand Duke of Wilboyer went mad, and Liam killed his crazed father with his own hands.

After that, Liam Wilboyer led the Empire’s vanguard to invade Glishia for revenge.

That is the future that will unfold for this country, and the result of the King, dukes, and nobles’ mockery.

“Beltoa, don’t you know what happens to those who use abilities without the blessing, what pain they suffer?

That’s why I can’t forgive you even more. If just one of you had come to the Empire, if there was even one person with compassion…”

“You too shall feel it. Die yearning for the blessing.”

Liam Wilboyer pronounced coldly.

He did not spew out pain or rage or anger.

In front of the dukes, he beheaded the King and royalty.

The dukes, who had to live in pain without the royals’ sweet blessing, saw the dead royalty and tucked their tails. They did not use their abilities.

That was why he imprisoned me instead of killing me.

I was the last of the Glishian royal bloodline, useless and incompetent. Even if I had no ability, my child might.

Bait for the dukes seeking a glimmer of hope.

The dukes who had ignored me sent their subordinates, but they became moths flying into the flame.

Liam protected me.

Even though I was going to die soon anyway.

As the Empire’s delegation withdrew, the King took the dukes and entered the reception room. I moved towards where the delegation had gone.

Liam, having distanced himself from the delegation, went out to the balcony.

As I tried to follow, my arm was grabbed.

“Where are you rushing off to?”

It was Jeffrey.

“I need to make time so I can assist you and be with His Majesty.”

“I’ll just go to the toilette room.”

“That’s not this direction.”

“There are too many people that way.”

Jeffrey frowned but accepted my excuse.

Judging that it might delay the time to get to the reception room, he let go of my arm.

“Come back quickly.”

To pretend to follow his words, I lightly lifted my dress and moved my feet quickly.

I passed by the delegation and entered the corridor leading to the toilette room, then moved while hiding my body behind decorative cabinets.

I arrived at the balcony Liam Wilboyer had entered.

“Ah.”

He wasn’t there.

The curtains weren’t drawn, but I thought he might be in a blind spot not visible from outside. But when I actually entered the balcony, there was no one.

I need to meet him quickly and talk.

As I was about to leave the balcony to find Liam, someone blocked my path.

A man with black hair, eyes black as unfathomable depths, a sturdy build, and a height more than a head taller than me, scrutinized me with sharp eyes.

Even though I knew what kind of person he was, the hair on my arms stood up.

Like a predator watching prey that had entered its lair, Liam was wary of me, but his attitude was relaxed.

“Madam Ormia Olan.”

Liam knew who I was.

“Why is a married lady following me, a delegate from the Empire? You were staring with such intense eyes.”

Publicly, I’m known as an incompetent. I’m the only one in the royal family who doesn’t fulfill the duty of blessing.

Only the nobles know that I give pain instead of blessings. Everyone keeps it hushed up, but it’s a secret known to all.

Liam Wilboyer’s eyes were cold, as if he had heard those rumors too. Even that coldness made me happy.

“It’s nice to meet you, Liam Wilboyer.”

His eyes widened for a moment.

The Wilboyers are considered a heretical family, the main enemy of Glishia. They were known as evil that had abandoned the God Lagras.

Liam was using a different name in the delegation, so no one knew that a Wilboyer was at the Glishian royal banquet.

Liam quickly glanced around with his peripheral vision.

“Only I know that you’ve come to Glishia.”

“Wilboyer is the name of the Grand Duke. You seem to have guessed based on similar appearances, but you shouldn’t misunderstand random people. Especially if you know what Wilboyer means in Glishia, you should be more careful with your words.”

“It’s you, isn’t it, Liam Wilboyer? I have something to tell you.”

This is his first time meeting me, but not for me. Hearing my confident words, Liam no longer denied it.

He stepped closer, looking down at me with his imposing build. I had to lift my chin to see his face.

He felt even bigger than when I looked up at him in prison.

“How does a princess who’s never left Glishia know him?”

“I also know why you came here. It’s because your sibling is critically ill, right?”

Liam raised the corner of his mouth cynically.

“Anyone would know that much. The great Beltoa knows, yet plays games with others’ lives.”

He was quite threatening, cold, and callous. He had an overwhelming presence just by his atmosphere.

Having experienced three deaths, I was not afraid of him.

“You might think you’ll meet a royal and gain cooperation, but there’s no one who will betray Glishia. His Majesty and the dukes think the threat of calling in knights is just a bluff. They’ll stall for time to wear you out.

And you’ll end up missing an important moment.”

“An important moment?”

“Your sibling’s final moments.”

As soon as I spoke, red flames appeared around him and quickly disappeared.

Though it was just a momentary use of ability, deep furrows formed between Liam’s brows.

His rough, large hand gripped my neck.

“Ormia Beltoa, called impure and cursed by God.”

He gritted his teeth.

“You’re a Beltoa too. How dare you mention my sibling’s death? Do you dare while knowing how much the people of Wilboyer suffer because of you?”

As if worried it might be heard outside, he lowered his voice like someone spewing blood. With venom in his voice.

“If I kill you and throw you outside, it would be easy to disguise as suicide. No one wants you, so they won’t even investigate why you died.”

He speaks coldly on purpose to hurt me.

But these are words I’m familiar with. I’ve already heard and experienced them directly.

From my father, mother, siblings, nobles, and commoners.

I’ve heard it directly from their mouths through three lifetimes.

“I’ll go to the Empire.”

Pong, dozens of white flowers fell around us.

Seeing the flower petals falling in circles, Liam’s eyes widened.

Gently wrapping my hands around Liam’s hand gripping my neck, I whispered to him.

“I can save your sibling.”

I no longer wanted to stay in this country.

I will abandon Glishia first.