The Deposed Empress and Her New Husband (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 12
Renev recognized him immediately.
Back when she was Empress, he had visited Paradium several times as Vaschker’s envoy.
She herself had been the one to receive him then. Renev stared at Ikar with keen interest.
Now that the real Drhan had appeared, how would Ikar introduce him?
“This is… Bain. You could say he’s His Majesty the Emperor’s secretary.”
“Oh…”
What was she to do?
It was the moment the real Drhan’s name became Bain. Naturally, the real Drhan’s expression turned utterly bizarre.
But only for a moment.
Perhaps not entirely oblivious, Drhan looked at Ikar with eyes demanding an explanation.
She had resolved to pretend not to notice Ikar’s lie, but knowing the truth made Renev’s lips twitch uncontrollably.
“A pleasure to meet you, Sir Bain. I am Renev of Seiren.”
“Pleased to make your acquaintance. Secretary to His Imperial Majesty… Bain.”
Drhan glanced at Ikar with a look that asked, “Will this do?”
“Let’s go.”
Ignoring Drhan, who looked thoroughly flustered, Ikar strode ahead.
Renev cast a pitying glance at Drhan and followed.
Dozens of burly men surrounded the carriage Renev had arrived in.
She guessed they must be Vaschker’s elite warriors.
No matter how formidable Ikar’s combat skills were, the Emperor would never have come alone to an enemy nation.
Yet the difference between what was visible and what remained hidden was clear.
It made the opponent let their guard down.
Imagining how they must have blended invisibly among the Paradian crowd sent shivers down her spine.
While Renev stood lost in thought, watching them, Ikar whispered something to Drhan.
Nodding, Drhan gave instructions to the knights and approached Renev.
“From here on, the road is rough—we must travel by horse. We’ll send the carriage you rode in back to the Marquis’s estate.”
Rough road?
Renev tilted her head in confusion.
After all, the path they’d just traveled showed no noticeable difference from the one ahead.
“And you’ll need to use this for a moment.”
Drhan held out a long, thin black cloth. Renev hesitated and stepped back a pace.
‘Is he trying to bind me? Now, of all times?’
As if sensing her thoughts, Drhan added with an awkward smile,
“My apologies for startling you—it’s merely an ordinary blindfold.”
Hiding her unease, Renev covered her eyes with the black cloth Drhan had given her.
“Is this alright?”
“Thank you for your cooperation.”
How long had they walked, leaning on Drhan?
Just as Renev’s anxiety peaked, Drhan spoke.
“You may remove the blindfold now.”
“…!”
When she took it off, Renev’s eyes widened at the completely transformed landscape before her.
The barren, dry plain, devoid of even a single blade of grass, looked like a desert at first glance.
Renev asked, bewildered,
“…Did you use teleportation magic?”
Ikar nodded.
“You’re sharp.”
She’d felt a faint sense of déjà vu while walking—it must have been the moment they teleported.
‘To leap in an instant a distance that would take half a month by carriage…’
Renev keenly felt the gap between Paradium and Vaschker anew.
Three black steeds galloped swiftly across the desolate plain, manes flying.
Behind them followed Vaschker’s knights on warhorses, kicking up pale clouds of dust.
Pointing toward the distant town visible on the horizon, Drhan said,
“This marks the beginning of the Vaschker Empire’s territory.”
“Vaschker is quite prosperous.”
At Renev’s admiring remark, Ikar lifted his chin proudly, clearly proud of the city he had built.
“After all, it’s only natural that a nation of scholars surpasses Paradium.”
“I suppose so.”
At least on the surface.
Renev swallowed her unspoken words deep in her throat and tugged her reins, eager to see the city up close.
“I fully understand your eagerness, but riding too far ahead of us would be dangerous.”
Since this was her first time in Vaschker, it seemed wise to follow her guide’s advice.
“I’ll keep that in mind. But, Drhan…”
Slowing her horse, Renev turned her head.
However.
“What’s this?”
“Yes?”
Ikar and Drhan answered in unison. Renev bit the soft flesh inside her cheek to keep from laughing.
Ikar frowned slightly at Drhan, and after a brief moment of awkwardness, Drhan quickly spoke up to smooth things over.
“What’s the matter?”
Barely containing her laughter, Renev asked,
“How much farther until we reach the Imperial Palace?”
“At this pace, we should arrive by evening at the Barony of Julevern in eastern Vaschker.”
“I’ve already sent a messenger bird ahead to announce our visit, so we’ll rest comfortably tonight—very warmly and peacefully.”
Ikar turned his head toward Renev, smirking knowingly.
Clearly intending to tease her about what happened in the cave, Renev pretended not to notice and replied while staring straight ahead.
“It seems Sir Drhan didn’t sleep well.”
“Of course. Someone’s been groping my body since morning.”
Watching Renev and Ikar bicker from behind, Drhan tilted his head in confusion.
Though she was a lady from a prestigious house, she was far too informal with the Emperor.
Yet His Majesty showed no sign of displeasure toward her. And above all—why on earth had His Majesty sold someone else’s name?
Drhan couldn’t understand his lord’s actions at all. Still, he believed there must be a very important reason behind them.
‘Perhaps His Majesty detected something suspicious about Lady Renev of House Seiren and intends to keep watch himself.’
Upon arriving at Julevern’s baronial castle, a young woman about Renev’s age came out to greet them.
“I’m Selma of Julevern. I received word by messenger bird and have been awaiting your arrival.”
The Baroness of Julevern bowed deeply to Ikar and Drhan as they dismounted.
“You must have been startled by our sudden visit—thank you for your warm welcome, Lady Baroness.”
“We’ll ensure you rest comfortably without lacking anything. This way, please—I’ll show you to your quarters.”
As Selma led the way, Renev looked around Julevern’s baronial castle.
Inside the gray stone building, devoid of color, a cool atmosphere lingered, and the corridors were plain, with no murals or decorations.
Yet owning a castle as a baroness—and the expensive dress Selma wore—suggested the House of Julevern was quite affluent.
“Sir Drhan, isn’t it? I recognized you right away by your dark blond hair.”
As they walked down the long corridor, Selma spoke to Drhan.
“…I’m Bain. This gentleman is Sir Drhan.”
When Drhan pointed to Ikar, Selma looked back and forth between them, puzzled.
“I heard it’s fashionable in Paradium these days to dye one’s hair.”
At Ikar’s calm lie, Selma’s eyes lit up and she nodded eagerly.
“Oh! So you dyed it when you visited Paradium!”
Apparently, Selma assumed both men were simply following the latest trends.
Yet as she diligently guided them through the castle, Renev noticed Selma’s eyes kept darting toward Ikar.
‘Could this be what they call love at first sight?’
While stealing glances at Selma with that thought, Renev’s eyes met Ikar’s directly.
“What is it?”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
Renev answered a question with a question. Ikar slightly furrowed his brow and said,
“Weren’t you staring because you had something to say?”
Renev shook her head vigorously, as if nothing had happened.
Just then, Selma stopped walking and addressed Renev.
“Lady Renev of House Seiren, you may use this room.”
“Thank you for the guidance, my lady.”
Renev offered a brief word of thanks and a faint smile—the very diplomatic smile she’d practiced countless times before a mirror during her days as Empress.
“Then.”
Renev gave a light bow, turned gracefully, and entered her room.
The moment the door closed, Selma exclaimed in amazement,
“Wow… She’s truly elegant! Are all Paradian ladies as graceful as she is?”
Ikar raised one eyebrow and murmured quietly,
“I never dreamed she had such a side.”
Selma blinked, confused by his remark, but Drhan politely interjected,
“We’ve ridden nonstop from Paradium and desperately need rest. If it’s not too much trouble, my lady, could you also show a room to me… to Sir Drhan as well?”
Selma, momentarily flustered by Drhan’s request, quickly stepped forward.
“Oh! Where are my manners—this way, Sir Bain.”
After a brief pause, Ikar, who had been staring at Renev’s closed door, also began walking.
Though Renev had resolved after her regression never to care about others’ opinions, the Empress’s old habits didn’t vanish overnight.
Hadn’t she just tried not to appear inferior in front of a noble lady?
“If you need anything, please call me anytime, my lady.”
The maid bowed deeply to Renev, who gave a faint smile and nodded.
“I will.”
Once the maid’s retreating figure disappeared from view, Renev looked around the room.
Though simple—only an antique-style bed and a few pieces of furniture—it was more than enough.
After all, she hadn’t properly rested since setting out.
Settling onto a slightly stiff sofa that nonetheless supported her back well, Renev closed her eyes quietly.
She began mentally organizing what lay ahead.
Though the original story gave the First Imperial Princess very little importance, there were still things she knew.
‘My first residence will likely be the Flower Garden.’
The Flower Garden.
A place in the palace where women of exceptional beauty or outstanding artistic talent resided.
In short, the Emperor of Vaschker’s harem.
Because she had stayed in the Flower Garden, no proper marriage proposals ever came to the First Imperial Princess—the prejudice that she’d been the enemy emperor’s plaything ran rampant.
But reality was different.
After Ikar ascended the throne, the Flower Garden became a salon.
It transformed into a space where nobles and distinguished guests visiting the palace exchanged ideas on scholarship, commerce, politics, and broader societal matters.
Knowing this already, Renev had volunteered precisely for that reason.
Just as she began pondering other important matters, a knock sounded at the door.
“My lady, I’ve come to assist with your bath.”
“Come in.”
Shaking off her thoughts, Renev surrendered herself to the maids. Soon, they washed and dressed her.
The result was an appearance befitting a noble lady—perhaps not as refined as when she was in Paradium, but respectable nonetheless.
“There she is.”
Selma, already seated in the dining room, smiled upon spotting Renev.
Renev acknowledged her with a nod and walked toward an empty seat—just as Ikar, who had been resting his chin on the table with a bored expression, widened his crimson eyes slightly.
Male lead fell into her trap — and shattered when she walked away
This is also on my reread list!
This one is a slow burn, but when it burns, it burns hard.
Definitely worth a read, y’all!
The story follows a thousand-year-old seductive spirit who, on a bet, sets out to charm the male lead—a once-promising but unfortunate cultivator.
But just when she succeeds in making him fall for her, she heartlessly leaves, driving him to madness.
Determined to find her at all costs, he captures her, keeping her by his side no matter what, even if she hates him.
I love this kind of trope—I enjoy watching the male lead suffer in agony.
The ending drags a bit with unnecessary filler, but that’s fine.
As long as I enjoy the beginning, I’m good.
Intro
As an enchantress, Su Heng possesses captivating eyes and charming beauty, easily manipulating the joys and sorrows of living beings at her fingertips.
But to enchant a god, making him taste the bitterness of love’s separation, long-lasting resentment, unattainable desires, and inability to let go…
Do you dare?
Su Heng assists a divine lord in his cultivation, aiming to make him experience all the sufferings of love, so that he can attain the Great Dao.
Only after being chased down from the heavens by the divine lord, confined and completely possessed by him, does she realize how successful she has been.
The once gentle and polite youth has transformed into someone she no longer recognizes.
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MANGA DISCUSSION
1 Comment
Chapter Comments (80)
Poor Drhan… Ikar log did not have to be such a jerk
I ask looking the fact that they are addressing the little things that are usually ignored
Some enlighten Ikar about his feelings before he flounders more
Inline Comments (1)
It felt familiar yet warm—somehow.
How an already 30 chapters in without anything significant happening?!
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VKotaku28
Just as I was getting annoyed about the faking, they added the hair dying , I will allow it