I had forgotten for a moment.

Another reason why I couldn’t accept Douglas’s heart.

The face of the woman who had only looked at Douglas for her entire life came to mind.

My favorite, Claudia.

She was imprisoned because of me.

While imprisoned, she couldn’t plan the revolution.

Piercing guilt and complicated relief messed me up at the same time.

“Nisa must have safely delivered the letter. I’m not sure if Lady Claudia will listen to my words though.”

“She may be stubborn, but she’s not a foolish person. She’ll understand Elizabeth’s sincerity.”

“I hope so.”

The escape was simple.

It would have been even easier with money and mana.

I didn’t just sit idly lamenting my situation in the canary room.

I crunched numbers with a colder head than ever before.

After all, I’m not someone who does business at a loss.

‘This is something I planned, risking damage to my image and becoming a fugitive. I’ve inconvenienced many people. I should get compensation too. At least ten times as much.’

I wrote three letters before escaping.

One was to Nikolai.

Another was to Douglas.

The last one I sent to Claudia.

I believed that Nisa, with her connections throughout the palace, would safely deliver the letters.

I didn’t know that the letter would cause Claudia to be engulfed in great worry.

Nor did I realize that Nikolai’s obsession far exceeded my imagination.

[This is the timeline separator]

After receiving Elizabeth’s letter, Claudia couldn’t focus on meditation.

If only she had the first edition of “The Red Star of the Empire” which she treasured.

It was frustrating not being able to read Douglas’s novel as she was dragged straight from the duel arena.

She started doing push-ups to chase away distracting thoughts.

Sweat dripped from her forehead.

Her mind was still in turmoil.

No matter how many times she read it, it was hard to discern where the truth ended and the lies began.

A mysterious woman wearing Elizabeth’s shell.

What kind of scheme was hidden in this letter too?

– To Lady Claudia.

By the time you read this letter, I will no longer be in the Imperial Palace.

You may not believe me, but I reveal the reasons why I must leave in this manner.

First. I am under several charges.

I did not poison His Highness the Crown Prince with poison.

I did not stage my own kidnapping.

I did not assassinate His Highness the Crown Prince.

I am innocent of all these charges.

I have merely become a scapegoat and target of the real culprit trying to cover up their crimes and forces trying to keep me in check.

If someone like me stays close to His Majesty, it shakes the Emperor’s authority.

I didn’t want to cause him to be labeled a tyrant because of me.

Second. I have evidence to reveal the real culprit.

However, it’s not yet ripe, so I can’t rashly act on it.

The enemy is very strong.

If I run away, they will be intoxicated with a sense of victory.

There will be pressure from all sides to hurry and crown an Empress.

They will also fight among themselves, dividing into factions.

Anyway, a time will come when they let their guard down.

I plan to counterattack at that time.

Until then, I will prepare thoroughly.

Third. The internal enemy is far more dangerous than the external enemy.

Especially, the negligence of duty in the Imperial Guard cannot be overlooked.

There are too many who collude with the great nobles to pursue their own interests.

A large-scale purge is necessary.

My escape will become an irrefutable justification.

All subversive elements within the Imperial Palace must be rooted out.

I believe this is for the good of the Empire and its people.

Regrettably, Lady Claudia, you were my proxy.

There are likely not a few who have been displeased with you.

They will attack you by associating you with me.

Perhaps they have even made you a very dangerous proposal.

I also make a proposal to you, Lady Claudia.

Won’t you join hands with me to punish those who threaten the future of the Empire for their own selfish interests?

Wouldn’t this proposal also be a revolution?

A revolution from within. Please join this revolution where only the blood of evil people will flow.

I hope we can together achieve the country you dream of.

– Sincerely, Elizabeth.

[This is the timeline separator]

Nikolai found the room where Claudia was confined.

It had been two days since he received her request for a private audience.

“I greet His Majesty the Emperor.”

“You look healthy. That’s good.”

“It’s thanks to Your Majesty’s special care.”

“I needed to keep an eye on the movements.”

“The enemy’s movements, or my movements?”

“Both.”

Nikolai answered indifferently.

It meant he could keep her confined longer if necessary.

Though she noticed the hidden meaning, Claudia remained calm.

“Are you chasing Elizabeth?”

“News travels fast for someone who’s confined.”

“The palace has been turned upside down.”

“I organized five groups of 20 cavalry each. The most elite knights are leading them.”

“But there’s no result, is there?”

Nikolai answered with silence.

Claudia stared directly into Nikolai’s eyes.

Meeting the Emperor’s gaze without permission.

It was a challenging and rude action that could potentially be fatal.

Her crystal-clear blue eyes were filled with unyielding spirit and pride.

There was no loyalty or reverence that should be shown to one’s lord.

Strangely, Nikolai liked that look in her eyes.

‘It’s concerning that the Empire’s best swordswoman lacks loyalty, but… She doesn’t seem like someone who would pull any tricks.’

He wanted to meet Claudia.

It was because of Elizabeth.

Elizabeth was terribly afraid of someone she called ‘Radia’.

Upon investigation, Elizabeth and Claudia weren’t close enough to use nicknames.

Rather, they seemed to hate each other.

Elizabeth deliberately chose Claudia as her proxy for the duel.

He remembered a pair of sparkling black eyes.

And cheeks flushed pink.

Elizabeth had stamped her feet like a girl who had met her dream prince.

Nikolai realized he could feel jealous even towards a woman.

“Elizabeth must be receiving help from someone.”

“Your friend Douglas has disappeared.”

“I see.”

“How are you not surprised?”

“Because I know his character well.”

Claudia furrowed her brow.

It was the first emotion she had shown.

Suddenly, the thought crossed his mind that Douglas might be more than just a friend to Claudia.

The strongest knight and a novelist.

It didn’t seem to match at all.

But the subtle wavering in Claudia’s eyes was familiar.

As if looking at himself in a mirror.

“Aiding and abetting an escape is at least a 5-year sentence. You could even be exiled to the northern mines.”

“That would be if I had helped a real criminal.”

“Do you believe Elizabeth is innocent?”

“I don’t believe in her.”

“Then?”

“I know she’s as clever as a fox toying with hunters.”

“She’s far more intelligent than the pigs blinded by power.”

Nikolai laughed softly.

Claudia asked, as if surprised:

“Are you alright? The woman called your lover has escaped.”

“Did you think I would raise an army and turn the empire into a sea of blood?”

“I apologize.”

“No need to apologize. I’m maintaining my composure to a degree that surprises even myself.”

“May I ask the reason?”

“You’re more curious than you look.”

“How can one who seeks the truth hold back questions?”

The truth, is it?

Nikolai raised the corner of his mouth.

Claudia had a different kind of honesty than Elizabeth or Careth.

It might go against etiquette, but it was refreshing and clear.

She didn’t just grovel unconditionally because he was the Emperor.

Person to person.

It was strange that it wasn’t unpleasant.

‘Do I generally get drawn to rude women? Though Claudia doesn’t feel like a woman.’

Nikolai swallowed a cold laugh.

Claudia said:

“So she didn’t escape after consulting with Your Majesty.”

“If I had known, I would have stopped her. But…”

“?”

“Elizabeth said she would return to me.”

Nikolai read and reread the last part of the letter.

“Lastly, please give my regards to Franz.

Tell him to stay healthy until I return.

I’m sorry.

I’ll miss you.

Perhaps very much.”

If that passage hadn’t been there, he might have lost his mind.

He would have slaughtered the knights who let Elizabeth escape first.

He might have inflicted severe torture on the maids and doorkeepers.

At the very least, he would have certainly crushed Douglas and his family.

But.

“Elizabeth is missing me. She’s only leaving temporarily due to unavoidable circumstances.”

“Do you believe her?”

“She’s not a woman who breaks her promises.”

“…”

“I’m not a man who doubts his woman either. Though I have no intention of waiting until Elizabeth returns.”

“You’ll track her down yourself then.”

“Not tracking, but welcoming her.”

Claudia’s blue eyes widened for a moment.

Had she realized something?

She let out words that might have been admiration or a murmur to herself.

“Your Majesty truly…”

Nikolai completed the sentence Claudia couldn’t finish.

“Love her.”

Claudia’s shoulders twitched.

Somehow, that sight was amusing.

“Since you wanted the truth, I’ll tell you. Nikolai Rob Evrei loves Elizabeth Emster with all his heart. As a man. For a woman.”

As the word ‘love’ escaped his lips, his chest swelled to the point of bursting.

His longing for Elizabeth became a blazing flame that swept through his entire body.

Why had he hidden it until now?

Why had he hesitated?

When he could give his life for her.

When nothing was too precious.

“I didn’t expect to say it for the first time to you. It might be good to practice in advance. Does that answer your question?”

“…Yes.”

“Judge the rest for yourself.”

“I am deeply honored.”

“No need for that. I have something to command you.”

“I await your orders.”

Claudia knelt on one knee and bowed.

Nikolai also returned to his Emperor’s face.

She was not a loyal subject.

However, she was different from the parasites who neglected their duties and clung to the powerful to scheme.

Nikolai spoke to the supreme sword that could cut anything:

“I appoint Claudia Roseloyce as the Captain of the Imperial Guard. Take up your post immediately.”

[This is the timeline separator]

Pursuit teams were spread out everywhere.

Douglas and I decided to leave the imperial territory as quickly as possible.

The rented carriage Douglas had procured swayed left and right.

For some reason, I found it hard to hold back my laughter.

“My portrait will be posted on every street. There will probably be a huge bounty too.”

“Then my portrait will be posted right next to it. I wonder how much my bounty will be?”

“I hope it’s high. If we fall on hard times, I might turn you in, Sir Douglas.”

“I won’t just sit back and take it. Elizabeth is the main culprit, after all.”

Douglas was dressed in shabby clothes like a coachman.

I too had taken off my cumbersome dress and wore black pants and a dark brown jacket.

Was it only to my eyes that I looked like a boy?

I rolled up my conspicuous bright red hair and hid it inside a hunting cap.

I hoped Douglas didn’t notice that shadows fell on my face every time I wore the hunting cap.

It was a story I couldn’t easily share with him.

But in the narrow carriage, I couldn’t escape Douglas’s gaze.

“Elizabeth. What are you thinking about?”

Douglas leaned in close.

I turned my head reflexively.

It was because his scent was too close, and also because it had become familiar.