Jillian frowned. However, despite his opposition, Bianca stood firm. In the middle of the wave, the Barrack Duke, who had no successor. These two conditions would prevent Jillian from facing extreme situations. However, rather than just clinging to life and dying, she could also put on a shackle that wasn’t too bad.

Bianca was determined not to let it happen.

In fact, Silas Barrack could have survived.

If only he had bowed a little to the mad Emperor.

If only he had spoken a little more kindly.

Just a little as the Emperor wanted.

However, he chose to refuse and face execution, solely Silas’s choice.

Now thinking back, Silas might have thought that his life was tainted with disgrace.

The position where he had to bend his head to someone so lacking, even with his outstanding abilities, might have made him suddenly feel resentful of his own position, thinking that his sin was too bitter.

However, Bianca couldn’t let Jillian Barrack go like that.

“As the Emperor acknowledged, I am another owner of Barrack. If there is an inquiry into the issues of Barrack, it is only natural that I should be there with you.”

“….”

“Jillian, leave the inquiry to me. I know His Majesty well.”

“In what way?”

His meanness, his hypocrisy, his nastiness, his pettiness. There was much she knew, but she couldn’t say it out loud, so Bianca closed her lips.

“Whether it’s effective or not, I have been watching you longer than Jillian…”

“I don’t think that’s a valid thought. If he really knew, he wouldn’t have come out to the place where he was told to die.”

The sarcastic words uttered by the man who had been affectionate all along felt particularly sharp this time.

“You should leave it to me.”

“Jillian.”

“Trust me. My termination is only you, not the royal family.”

He needed to stop Jillian.

However, the last words left a lingering impact, making it impossible to speak.

It would have been good to prepare together, but Jillian said he had urgent documents.

On the third floor, Bianca called Hailey and slowly looked around the messed-up bedroom.

Strange sounds had been heard for the past few days, and it seemed there was an incident last night.

A broken branch in the strong wind hit the bedroom window, they said.

Fortunately, Jillian was inside, so he wasn’t hurt…

Did she wake up startled at that time?

She didn’t think about why she didn’t hear it.

Because she only had eyes for Jillian, she couldn’t see anything in the messy room.

“….”

The window frame was a mess, and the bedpost and floor were messed up.

The bedding seemed to have been taken away a long time ago, and the remaining one was a shabby bed.

Suddenly, as she was about to take a closer look, she noticed a deep scratch on the broken edge of the table.

“This is definitely a knife…”

“Madam, did you call me?”

“Ah… Hailey. I was suddenly summoned to the palace for an inquiry. Help me pack.”

“Inquiry?”

Bianca nodded with a bewildered expression on Hailey’s face.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Why…”

Hailey’s confusion was natural.

“I don’t know if he wants to show off.”

“Show off?”
Bianca had no intention of venting her anger, but suddenly, it burst out. Perhaps she wanted someone to openly talk about how terrible and vile the Emperor, whom even Jillian couldn’t bring himself to discuss, was. Bianca explained in a hushed tone to Hailey.

“Otherwise, there’s no reason to unnecessarily summon Duke Barrack during this time.”

After saying it, the Emperor’s intentions became clear.

“Ah…”

In a sudden realization, Bianca nodded her head. The news that the fortress, which had stood like an iron wall since the founding of the country, had collapsed was undoubtedly seen by the Emperor as a golden opportunity to vent his frustration over the events of last summer.

It was probably him, with inexplicable inferiority complex towards Barrack.

Even though he had smashed Barrack’s pride, he couldn’t say a word and had to send him away politely.

To such an Emperor, the news of the fortress collapsing must have been sweeter than honey.

‘It’s over…’

He would be waiting to tear and gnaw at it, and there would be no way out.

Bianca felt her surroundings go dark.

However, it was not a time to be discouraged.

Bianca desperately wracked her brain.

What could calm down the agitated Emperor? In a moment, Bianca thought of something and immediately sought out Hailey.

“Hailey, if there are any accessories or valuable items I can use, let me know now. It would be nice to adjust them in the capital, but since there’s no time, it’s better to take what you have.”

“If we’re looking for something good, it’s probably better to tell Duke.”

“No.”

Jillian would never allow this.

There was no reason for him to kneel. Kneeling was for her knees.

Her hair was enough, even her Joahari.

“Just mine is enough. I am also Barrack’s owner. I have enough justification.”

“…Are you trying to deceive His Majesty the Emperor?”

“Yeah.”

“Then, I’ll find something appropriate. When should I return?”

“Within an hour.”

It was clear that not saying anything was the smart choice, but without saying anything, Hailey deeply bowed at Bianca’s words.

And an hour later.

Hailey brought a cane with a giant blue gem embedded in the handle.

The body was ivory, and the bottom of the handle was intricately carved and filled with gold.

The gem filled the head of the cane.

Bianca was momentarily speechless at the splendid sight.

“Is this…?”

It looked like a scepter.

“I brought the ones that looked fancy, excluding women’s items. Should I find something better?”

Since it was for the imperial family, I brought something appropriate.

Even without hearing, I felt something.

“Can I use this?”

“It’s nothing much. There are truly amazing things in the Duke’s report.”

He said he would use Barrack’s territory as a pawn.

Now that she had seen a part of his enormous wealth, she felt a bit overwhelmed.

“If there’s nothing bothersome, shall we go with this?”

It was a color combination that perfectly matched the Emperor’s blue eyes and his blond hair.

Bianca nodded slowly.

There was nothing better than this.

With Bianca’s permission, Hailey put the cane she had brought back into its original storage.

The storage itself was also enormous.

A white surface covered with densely engraved gold patterns.

Bianca quickly turned her head in fear of finding out what the material might be.

“I’ll bring clothes for Duke, and when you’re ready, let’s meet on the first floor.”

Bianca also changed into a white dress adorned with white fur, taking that path. The process went smoothly, but a problem arose soon.

A few buttons remained, and her hands couldn’t reach.

It was buttoned up to the back, but closely-knit pearl buttons continued to her nape.

Bianca urgently turned her head, her white back exposed, unable to reach the tightly packed pearl buttons that continued down to her neck.
I can’t ask for help in such attire. It was a time when an anxious hand reached out to the flowing time. Touch. Along with a talkative sensation, warm breath seeped into the back. “You wouldn’t like it if I unravel it, right?”