“Oho. That’s interesting. In reality, there were two revelations.”

My sisters, true to their devilish nature, provided not only the dagger but also the one I was to pierce with it.

That’s devilish consideration for you.

For them, it was the best they could do for their wayward youngest.

Live like a demon.

Dominate, use, discard without any guilt.

Pierce the heart of a loved one for your benefit.

That’s what it means to be a demon.

It also meant that my death was a shameful, undemonlike… disgrace.

“This is my only dashi, a younger brother much younger than me.”

Calic, who had been observing me closely, smiled and gestured. A familiar young face approached me.

Standing together, I realized that he was slightly taller than Enrique.

Sharp eyes, a sculpted nose. Firmly closed lips indicating stubbornness and character.

And with him, a massive masculine energy that warmed my skin and made me flinch.

‘No wonder Cassandra dislikes him.’

A mature leader, experienced and easily overcoming challengers, but sometimes, a young predator can bite at the neck.

Then the leadership of the nation changes, and assured wealth and power decline.

It would be most reassuring to eliminate him first, but if that’s not possible… keeping him away is the best option.

‘So, you came here to die.’

Yes, if you die, everyone will be happy.

Your brother, sister-in-law, and everyone willing to sacrifice you for just one revelation will clap and rejoice.

My sisters would be happy too.

To them, the life of one human is as insignificant as that of an insect.

“By the command of the gods, I will present my brother as a gift! Come, introduce yourself. Meruem.”

Ah…

But what to do.

I am a bit twisted.

‘Everyone wishes for your death, but I don’t want to be the one to plunge a knife into your heart.’

After all, my sisters said Meruem was a likely candidate, not that he must be the one.

I just need to find someone else who fits my taste, whom I can love and discard.
I quietly looked down at Meruem, who was bowing before me with an expressionless face.

“…Greetings to Her Majesty, the Empress of Nyx.”

His voice was pleasant to hear.

His attitude was proper, and his pronunciation clear.

He was neither overbearing nor deficient, neither hurried nor too lax.

To put it negatively, he was young but skilled in handling himself; positively, there was nothing but praise.

The imperial faction nobles were already in a frenzy, and the noble faction nobles also seemed shocked and were bustling about.

And not just them, Helene, watching from afar, bit her lip and clenched her skirt tightly.

And then there was Enrique.

Enrique made no effort to hide his dissatisfaction with the situation.

‘After all, this boy is neither a hostage nor a prisoner. Nor is he an official guest.’

The Desert Emperor Calic was a cunning man.

He didn’t specify how his brother should be used. He merely offered him.

Thus, everything regarding Meruem’s treatment and his position was up to me.

‘There’s a reason they made such a fuss over me.’

If Meruem enters the Empress’s palace, he becomes, willingly or not, a bridge between the Achillo family and the Desert Empire.

‘Perhaps this benefits Cassandra in some way with her connection to the Achillo family.’

Well, even if that’s not the case, Meruem would be perfect to use as a spy.

It would be stranger if he didn’t act as a spy.

Therefore, Enrique would really, really dislike this situation.

Which emperor would want a prince from a rival nation by his empress’s side?

‘Then you’ll make a good tool to irritate Enrique.’

I curled the corners of my mouth.

I felt Enrique flinch as our eyes met.

“Why, the Empress has never officially taken a concubine until now.”

“Right. If the Empress accepts the gift, everyone will start offering concubines.”

“I must hurry and check if there’s a remarkable child among my nieces.”

Whispers floated from behind fans, reaching my ears.

Meruem must have heard them too, but his face showed no change.

He seemed like someone who felt nothing.

He either looked resigned or as if he was used to being mocked.

Either way, I didn’t like it.

“If you’re going to be mine, you better learn not to bow your head.”