I wanted to forget both Douglas, clinging to Elizabeth even after being rejected, and myself, who had been in unrequited love with him.
While Claudia was stuck in the borderlands, Elizabeth tempted Douglas into a deeper pit of despair.
How far must Douglas be broken for her to be satisfied?
Climbing on the Emperor’s favor, even securing the high position of the Crown Prince’s education supervisor.
“Are you here, Commander?”
Deputy Commander Jason approached.
Claudia wiped the sweat that had flowed down her chin with the back of her hand.
“I’ve been contacted by the straw man we planted in the Imperial Palace.”
“Report.”
“The Emperor has been enchanted by this commoner woman, Elizabeth, and is neglecting state affairs.”
“I’ve heard enough about His Majesty’s private life.”
“This time is different. They’ve even involved the young Crown Prince.”
“The Crown Prince, His Highness?”
“Recently, a group of innocent palace servants of the Crown Prince’s Palace were arrested.”
“Why?”
“The Crown Prince was poisoned, apparently by that woman.”
Claudia was momentarily at a loss for words.
Who would assassinate the young Crown Prince, who was only 10 years old?
The Imperial Palace was tightly guarded by hundreds of elite knights.
The commander of the Royal Knights was Claudia’s mentor, so it was hard to believe there was a breach in security.
“The royal physicians and even close attendants found no anomalies, but that woman persisted.”
“You can’t mean His Majesty believed her onesided claim and arrested them?”
“Even women and young boys were tortured.”
“!”
“The atmosphere in the Imperial Palace is not normal. Since that woman has become the education supervisor, I’m gravely concerned for His Highness’s safety.”
“……. ”
“It’s even been said that the Emperor will make her the Empress.”
“Impossible!”
The idea of Elizabeth as Empress made one’s stomach turn.
Claudia had hated Nikolai for a very long time.
Even on the day she was knighted, even on the day she buried a comrade’s body, the Emperor was flirting with women.
The Emperor’s filthy scandals never ceased.
But he was still the lord to whom she had sworn loyalty.
She believed that Nikolai had the last bit of conscience as an Emperor.
It might have been a vain hope.
“It was barely averted due to the nobles’ opposition. The elders were all witnesses.”
“Has His Majesty truly lost his reason?”
“Everyone is waiting for your decision, Commander. You must raise the flag.”
“Do not act rashly. This is not something that can be done solely with passion.”
“It is a meeting of a tyrant and a wicked woman. We must act quickly to save the Hart Empire.”
Claudia’s worry deepened.
The emperor who was ruining the country out of desire deserved to be executed.
But a revolution required a blood price.
Claudia never forgot that her righteousness might differ from what the people desired.
It was the same even though she had power, loyal knights, patrons, and supporters.
‘My hesitation may cause the people more pain. I know Elizabeth’s wicked nature well. Maybe I should hurry the revolution…’
Claudia suppressed her bubbling impatience.
If she could not erase her love for Douglas and her anger towards Elizabeth, she did not even have the right to speak of the people and revolution.
Claudia ordered Jason.
“Find a way to return to the capital as soon as possible. I will judge everything with my own eyes.”
[Star Icon][Star Icon][Star Icon]Must the emperor always eat in such a luxurious room?
Sitting in the dining room filled with expensive mirrors, he scraped his bowl.
The ceiling was decorated with baby angel sculptures and crystal chandeliers, and golden candleholders with ivy decorations twinkled everywhere.
An eightperson table was uncomfortably covered with a stark white tablecloth.
‘It would be no joke if even the soup splashed.’
Vowing not to spill even a drop of sauce, she looked at Nikolai.
“Eat.”
That was all.
He had suggested discussing Franz’s education, but then he began to eat quietly.
In the awkward silence, she also picked up a spoon.
‘Yuck! Why is it so salty?’
She almost spilled the steaming pea soup.
Nikolai calmly moved his spoon to his mouth as if he didn’t taste the saltiness.
Was it my illusion?
But the seasoning of the veal stew, the salad sauce, and the pie were all a mess.
‘It looked decent, but the taste was awful. It seems like they just threw in salt, vinegar, sugar. It’s surprising Nikolai kept the chef alive with his personality.’
She wanted to question the bizarre taste.
No, she wanted to harshly confront it.
But criticizing food was not dining table etiquette.
Unable to muster the courage to eat more, she observed Nikolai.
Was his tongue paralyzed?
Nikolai ate the food without flinching, enough to raise suspicion.
He did not seem to be savoring the taste.
He was emptying his plate like a soulless machine.
The worst food and uncomfortable silence.
After rinsing her mouth with cold water, she put down her water glass with a clunk.
“Your Majesty, don’t you normally talk during meals?”
“Should I?”
“You said we would talk while eating.”
“I intended to do it after the meal.”
Nikolai, glancing between my halfsoured expression and the untouched food, asked.
“Is that not allowed?”
“If you invite a guest, it’s the host’s etiquette to properly lead the conversation.”
“I forgot. It’s been so long since I had a meal with someone.”
“With dozens of empresses, you eat alone?”
“It’s an old habit.”
I remembered Karess, who was surprised when Nikolai invited me to dinner.
The thought that it might be special treatment brushed through my mind.
It was not a bad feeling.
“Then let’s have a constructive and forwardlooking conversation.”
“You don’t seem to have eaten properly.”
“It doesn’t suit my taste very much. May I ask first?”
“Do so.”
Nikolai tapped his clean lips with a napkin.
I asked bluntly.
“Who is the criminal who tried to assassinate the Crown Prince?”
“It’s confidential.”
“But I am an education officer, and a relationship improvement training officer. I’m also quite an efficient Spirit Mage.”
Nikolai laughed with amusement.
That too was brief, his expression became terrifyingly serious.
“I’ll tell you if you answer my question.”
“What’s the question?”
“What did you whisper to Franz?”
Why She Is Still Unmoved (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: He uses various methods to seek her affection, but she remains unmoved.
Synopsis:
Si Qingyu is a doctor who has saved countless lives and enjoys tranquility.
Luo Shaoxuan is ruthless, deeply scheming, and the top young master in the capital. He admires Si Qingyu.
Luo Shaoxuan: I want to be the only one in your eyes and heart.
Features a cold and calm female lead vs A noble and scheming male lead.
There will be both sweetness and torture towards the male after their marriage.
