The palace, which had been quiet, was suddenly filled with rapid footsteps.

The empress, who had been preparing for the banquet after the tea party, hurriedly moved from her seat. She quickened her pace, biting her perfectly made-up lips.

‘Why on earth. Vanessa Beatus.’

The empress, known for her modesty, rushed to Vanessa’s palace with her dress fluttering.

“Hurry and move the injured.”

The knights assigned to guard the nobles during the tournament period were the first to arrive.

The fallen knights were taken care of, and the empress arrived shortly after. The empress, leading her ladies-in-waiting, quickly received a report on the situation.

“All of them narrowly missed vital points. They are unconscious due to heavy blood loss.”

It was an extraordinary skill. Only a highly skilled person could accurately pierce while avoiding the arteries.

Moreover, they precisely targeted only the places where a lot of blood could be drawn.

“……”

The empress’s eyes trembled at the sight of the chaos unfolding before her.

The empress’s dark eyes quickly scanned the room. Surely, the stone tablet should have been installed. Yet all the objects were shattered and destroyed.

Although her nerves had weakened, it was unlikely for her to change this drastically, right?

The empress’s eyes narrowed. Calming herself inwardly, the empress approached the kneeling Vanessa.

“What in the world is this, lady? Is this how I taught you?”

The sword Vanessa had used was placed neatly right next to her. It was clear evidence. But that wasn’t the important thing at the moment.

Things shouldn’t get complicated. The empress was someone who extremely disliked any disruption to the schedule.

“Lady. Speak.”

Vanessa, who had been kneeling obediently while tied up, calmly looked up at the empress.

It was a beauty that was hard to believe she was in her 50s. The empress looked so young that she could be mistaken for the crown prince’s elder sister.

That appearance, without a single wrinkle, seemed particularly eerie today. Was that also using the imperial family’s magic power? The imperial family that devoured the magic of the Beatus. It made her feel like vomiting.

“You said you were sick and left your seat, but were you planning to cause this kind of mischief!”

The empress finally raised her voice, seeing Vanessa remaining calm and unperturbed.

Vanessa Beatus was capable enough to take on the role of the Beatus family’s mistress.

Even though she was tied up, her unwavering spirit could be felt.

“Your Majesty, the Empress.”

However, the moment she opened her mouth, Vanessa, who had quickly wrapped everything up, simply looked like a humble woman.

It was such a rapid change in attitude that everything she had seen before seemed like an illusion. With a single feigned tone, she appeared like a woman who couldn’t even wield a sword.

With her red hair hanging long, Vanessa lowered her head.

“I acknowledge my sins.”

‘Remember. The imperial family considers us as mere expendables.’

“So I will gladly accept my punishment.”

‘Maintain your composure.’

“Please mete out my punishment.”

Seeing Vanessa coming out in a humble manner, the empress raised an eyebrow.

There seemed to be no other ulterior motives. Was it a momentary rampage? As the empress remained doubtful, the head lady-in-waiting approached her.

“Your Majesty, you must leave now if you wish to start the banquet.”

“I will issue a gag order on today’s incident. I will separately punish her for failing to maintain dignity as the crown prince’s fiancée. Have her reflect in the detached palace for the time being.”

At the stern voice heard from above her head, the corners of her mouth hidden beneath her red hair slightly curved upward.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Despite her expression, her voice was as mournful as it could be.

“Untie her. Escort the crown prince’s fiancée to the detached palace with utmost respect.”

Seeing Vanessa stumbling weakly as she stood up with the support of the ladies-in-waiting, the empress left with a cold gaze.

Watching the empress silently walk away, Vanessa raised her hand, rejecting the ladies-in-waiting’s assistance.

“I will go on my own feet. Please guide me.”

Seeing Vanessa standing tall as if she had never stumbled, the ladies-in-waiting and knights swallowed dry saliva.

The flower that held poison was too beautiful. A dignity that couldn’t be recklessly approached could be felt from her.

Before taking a step, Vanessa rolled her red eyes and glanced at the lady-in-waiting who was the most loose-lipped here.

Even though a gag order was issued, things that happened inside the palace weren’t easily concealed. At the very least, there would be people curious about the knights who witnessed blood.

Esther. How will you react?

Will you even come to see me? Vanessa closed her eyes tightly and opened them again, refreshing her thoughts.

Just thinking about the crown prince made her heart ache with a sharp pain spreading through her chest.

She loved the crown prince. Even if it was all a lie. Even if she was being used, apart from the rising hatred towards the imperial family, she still loved him.

However, for her, family came before love.

At that moment, Debir Beatus was standing in front of the entrance to the emperor’s secret labyrinth.

Who would believe it if they were told there was another palace beneath the imperial palace?

The emperor was thorough and suspicious. Only a very few knew about this labyrinth. It took too much time just to find the entrance.

“My lord.”

The man who was his right-hand man called out to him worriedly.

Debir Beatus looked at the magical beasts over 3 meters tall guarding the entrance. The magical beasts were in deep slumber.

Magical beasts at the center of the empire, and under the sacred imperial palace at that.

It would be quite a sight to wake them up and let them out.

Debir looked at the magical beasts for a while and then slowly turned to his subordinate.

“Is the youngest with Tania Vangas?”

“Yes, she left the residence and is at the Vangas’ inn.”

“She will be using a lot of magic power for the time being. Pass on the family heirloom to the youngest.”

That might help with the pain.

Diana had a vast amount of magic power since birth. He never thought that sealing it because she couldn’t control it would be exploited like this.

In any case, is this because she’s a descendant of a witch? Debir clicked his tongue inwardly.

“If I don’t come out, move on to the next stage right away. Take Vanessa and escape the imperial palace.”

The worst-case scenario. The man bowed his head towards his master, who was thinking that far ahead.

Debir familiarly drew magic power into his body. He had become as accustomed to using magic power as the crown prince.

“Go.”

“Be careful.”

Crimson magic power shimmered around his entire body, and the power was transmitted through his hand placed on top of the entrance, filling the entire door.

The tightly closed door slowly opened, making way for space.

Debir Beatus took heavy steps into the labyrinth, not knowing what might be lurking inside.

There was no expression on his face, which had long forgotten emotions, the price he paid for power.

While Vanessa’s emotions fluctuated and amplified, Debir’s emotions were consumed and disappeared the more he used his power.

Only his red eyes beneath his jet-black hair shone with a mysterious color in the darkness.

“Diana Beatus!!!”

The residence resounded loudly with the screaming voice.

“It’s all because of you! It’s all your fault!”

Swish- Slap- Zelony, who had been wielding the whip, panted and became enraged seeing Diana not letting out a single groan.

“Nothing has gone right since you came to the residence! You know that?!”

Zelony, who had suffered humiliation in front of , was paralyzed for a while and couldn’t even enter the imperial palace.

By the time she woke up, her family had already entered the imperial palace. Zelony, whose reason was paralyzed by anger and shame, couldn’t even recognize that the person in front of her eyes was not Diana.

No, she couldn’t have recognized her in the first place. Jamie was wearing the magical tool Diana had given her.

Not only the appearance but also the voice was perfect.

Jamie was tied to a wooden pillar, covered in blood. She didn’t resist.

She didn’t want to invite unnecessary misunderstandings, and her mission was to fulfill Diana’s role here.

“Zelony.”

Right, Diana’s role. Diana Beatus wouldn’t stay still in this situation.

The sunken pink eyes shone beneath the raised eyes.

“That’s why you’re called a marginal fox. If you can’t even control your own anger, how ridiculous will you look to others?”

Ignoring the wounds, the nonchalant voice was leisurely.

“Everyone will know. That the old fox’s daughter is ultimately a fox. You can never become a Beatus. Wake up from your dream.”

The knuckles on Zelony’s hand gripping the whip looked like they were about to protrude. Jamie, who keenly noticed that, smiled bitterly.

“Ah, enough. If I keep talking to you, I’m afraid your frivolity might rub off on me.”

“Diana!!!”

Zelony, whose irritation and anger had risen to the top of her head, threw the whip away. Zelony, who had taken a large step forward, grabbed Diana’s hair.

Oops. Jamie bit her lip. The magical tool was not omnipotent. If even one part of the disguise was out of place, the magical effect would diminish.

“You damn…!”

Zelony froze on the spot, looking at the dark purple wig in her hand.

“You. You!”

The wig, which had been strongly attached to the head, was torn off by her immense strength.

Zelony pointed and widened her bloodshot eyes. It seemed like her blood pressure was rising from the absurdity.

“Where is Diana?!”

“I don’t know. Why are you asking me that? You’re a funny lady.”

“You guys, I won’t let you off. I’ll tell my father and I won’t let you guys off! Don’t move! I’ll kill both you and Diana… Ugh!”

“……”

The space that had been resounding loudly with noisy chatter became quiet in an instant.

Due to the man who appeared without a sound, Zelony collapsed as if crumbling.

Jamie calmly looked at the man who was looking down at the unconscious Zelony.

“Brother, what brings you here?”

“What the hell is that appearance?”

Black, the right-hand man of Debir Beatus, frowned.

On his way to secretly take the family heirloom without the head butler’s knowledge, he came to check the loud commotion and found Jamie tied up and covered in blood.

“Ah, this. It’s nothing much.”

Even though the flesh was cut deep enough, Jamie didn’t feel any particular pain. However, the body was honest.

As the rope was untied in an instant, Jamie staggered.

Black supported Jamie, who smiled and joked.

“I guess I lack strength after starving for a few days.”

Sighing at Jamie, who talked as if it were someone else’s business, Black sighed.

Black, who carried Jamie on one shoulder, quickly left the Beatus residence.

“Brother, where are we going?”

“To the young lady.”

“Wow, are you delivering me?”

“Shut up and sleep for a bit. You’re a mess.”

Jamie, who was carried like a piece of luggage on Black’s shoulder, fell asleep as if fainting, feeling relieved.

Moreover, he could sleep in a good mood after locking Zelony in the discipline room and leaving.

That place wouldn’t open unless the person who locked someone inside ordered it. She would be trapped there until Count Gordon arrived. Serves her right.

Jamie, who was grinning while covered in blood, looked like he was out of his mind.

He seemed to have no idea how much nagging he would receive from Diana when she saw him in this state.