“……Was that also done by Her Majesty the Empress?”

“Yes.”

As I frowned deeply trying to piece together the story, Hillstain, who had been observing my expression, gently stroked his head.

“I’m not taking anyone’s side, but let’s give an example.”

I stared at him with a calm face.

“Lady Latieana likes the Grand Duke. But imagine from today, for 20 years, everyone in the world tells Lady Latieana this.”

“What kind of thing?”

“That the Grand Duke has another woman.”

“……”

My eyebrows furrowed at the unpleasant hypothesis. Seeing me like that, Hillstain chuckled.

“Of course, the relationship between Lady Latieana and the Grand Duke is very close and good. But it’s not just a day or two, it’s a full 20 years. Let’s say people around keep saying it for that long time. The Grand Duke has told Lady Latieana that he doesn’t have such a woman. In that situation, one day you see a woman with the Grand Duke.”

“……”

“To exaggerate a bit, shall we imagine a scene like they’re about to kiss? Can Lady Latieana say she wouldn’t waver at all and wouldn’t have any doubts about the Grand Duke? Even if that kiss was actually a misunderstanding that happened while trying to brush off some dust.”

It felt like my breath was caught in my throat.

I recalled the image of Killian wiping blood with a napkin while removing glass shards stuck in his hand at the dinner table.

‘I want that guy to suffer. As terribly as the betrayal I experienced.’

It was a dark gaze that seemed to have sunk deep underwater.

His voice, chilling enough to give goosebumps, seemed to buzz in my ears.

Why didn’t Edan just say it wasn’t true?

Was it because he thought Killian hadn’t noticed Ciela’s lie?

“The lord also said. They were close brothers.”

“Yes.”

“I don’t understand. If so, couldn’t Edan have just honestly confided in His Highness the Crown Prince? Why didn’t he say anything?”

Hillstain grasped the vine on the pergola pillar swaying in the night breeze.

“Trust built in anxiety is like very thin glass, sometimes easily shattered by even slight stimulation.”

The vine stem wrapped around his large hand snapped off.

“For those two, that trust was rather poison.”

Hillstain opened his palm, dropping the limp vine to the ground.

Then after stepping on the fallen vine with his shoe, he sat down on the bench inside the pergola.

“Honestly, I often thought Killian’s attitude was surprising. It’s not easy to steadfastly care for and protect that brother’s life when everyone in the world predicts betrayal.”

As he spoke, Hillstain patted the seat next to him meaning for me to sit, but I shook my head.

“He was originally a person with a weak heart. He has the qualities of an emperor enough to perfectly hide such a weak heart, but emperors like that tend to be betrayed for generations. Of course, I feel that Killian isn’t that weak, but it’s true that he has a softer heart compared to Grand Duke Edan. He unexpectedly has a lot of affection.”

“The Crown Prince?”

Seeing my eyes widen in surprise, Hillstain laughed as if finding it amusing.

“The prince education he received from childhood includes content on choosing an empress. That’s how much an emperor makes a marriage based on benefit rather than love. Just like the current Emperor Julius and Empress Henzela. Princess Ciela had neither the power nor the ability required as a partner for the Crown Prince. Naturally, she didn’t meet the Empress’s standards. Still, Killian chose Princess Ciela.”

“He chose emotion over reason, you mean.”

“Yes. That’s also why the Empress was particularly wary of the Grand Duke.”

“What kind of…?”

“Grand Duke Edan has an innately cold nature. Because he’s someone who follows reason over emotion. He smiles in front of the Empress, who was rumored to have killed his mother, and he rationally serves Emperor Julius, who abandoned him once when he was young. He even devotedly guards the North when he could leave the empire and disappear if he wanted.”

“Then… did the Empress think that Killian, with his soft heart, would lose to Edan?”

“Rather than losing, she thought he would be humiliated someday. Just as she felt miserable towards Edan’s birth mother.”

My chest ached.

Killian eventually broke down. Because he had heard doubts about Edan all his life.

But isn’t the situation too unfair?

They trusted each other, but it ended up like this just because of some meddling.

The chilly wind blowing across the garden made my eyes sting.

It must have been the same for Edan. He had said he was on his brother’s side no matter what, but he must have been disappointed to see that brother unable to trust him and wavering. Because he would have thought his brother didn’t believe in him, who had always been sincere, rather than Ciela who had lied.

It was Empress Henzela and Princess Ciela who subtly exploited such feelings between the two.

“In the end, what was Princess Ciela?”

“Pardon?”

“Who did she like, I’m asking.”

Hillstain pretended to ponder, looking into empty space, then turned his gaze back to me.

“I don’t know that either. But at least until the moment she was expelled from the empire, she insisted that she liked Grand Duke Edan.”

Suddenly, I couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

Isn’t she crazy? After doing such things, asking Edan for help?

Hillstain, who had been watching me laugh with furrowed brows, now stood up from his seat.

“Was that a satisfactory answer? Anyway, if you put yourself in his shoes, there were circumstances that made Killian feel betrayed by the Grand Duke. And the two people who could reveal that – the Empress and Princess Ciela – are keeping their mouths shut tight.”

As if he had finished all he had to do, Hillstain approached me with his long legs.

“Isn’t it interesting? The Empress got everything she wanted without lifting a finger.”

“Interesting…”

I looked up at him and smiled faintly.

“Lord Hillstain.”

“Yes.”

“Come a little closer.”

Hillstain’s blinking eyes brightened with a smile. He slowly bent his upper body and brought his face close to mine.

“Yes. As much as…”

Thwack. I punched Hillstain’s jaw with all my might.

“……”

As if his body had malfunctioned, Hillstain remained frozen for a long time with his head tilted back.

I slowly removed my fist.

“You say there are two people who can reveal the truth? You’re here too!”

I shouted and rubbed my fist. What kind of jawbone is this hard? My hand that hit him hurts more.

Hillstain’s face, which had been tilted back, slowly came down.

When our eyes met, I shot one more word at him.

“You’re the worst. You knew everything but didn’t say anything.”

“Hmm. That’s right.”

Hillstain lightly rubbed his jaw. He showed no signs of being affected.

“But I’m the Empress’s person. I told you this because you’re Lady Latieana, won’t you praise me?”

“If you want praise, why don’t you try being a little nicer?”

“I should. By the way, Lady Latieana, you look pretty even when angry.”

As if he didn’t care what happened next now that he had said what he wanted, Hillstain grabbed my wrist and lightly licked the inside.

“Let go of…”

“Let go.”

Swish- A sharp sword reflecting the moonlight approached near Hillstain’s neck.

“Lord Ruben!”

“If you don’t let go, I’ll cut.”

Ha. Exhaling with annoyance, Hillstain released my arm.

“You’re annoying, Ruben. Do you want to die?”

I just told him to live nicely, does this guy really have no remorse!

I swung my fist at Hillstain once again.

Thwack!

It was an exceptionally clear day. Brilliant sunlight settled on every corner of the imperial palace.

The Imperial Palace, where magnificent sculptures were displayed. From the morning, dozens of carriages headed towards it.

They were carriages of the most prominent noble families in the empire. Families so great that their ranks couldn’t be distinguished. All were families with deep ties to the Empress’s family and supporters of the Empress.

The elderly representatives of the families, each flaunting their splendid attire, poured into the council chamber with triumphant looks.

The eyes of the palace attendants rolled quickly to count their numbers as they climbed the stairs.

In the council chamber, which was a huge square space, a very long rectangular table was placed.

“The Duke of House Ford enters!”

“The Count of House Bettenburwing enters!”

The names of the nobles passing through the massive doors echoed loudly.

They found their designated seats as if familiar, and soon 2/3 of the table was filled.

As their murmurs grew louder with serious faces, the doors of the council chamber opened again.

“The great sun of the empire, His Majesty Emperor Julius Dietrich enters!”

At the same moment those words echoed, the sound of chairs being dragged vibrated through the council chamber.

The nobles closed their mouths and all focused their gazes on the door.

The Emperor, wearing a long cape with white fur and spots, was walking in solemnly, leaning on a scepter.

And beside him was Empress Henzela.

A few steps behind was Princess Ciela of the Eastern Empire.

The Empress, wearing an enormously large diamond crown that seemed it might break her neck if not careful, had such a great presence that the young princess was hardly noticeable. Her long eyelashes lowered and the corners of her red lips gently raised exuded innate confidence and dignity.

After the Emperor and Empress took their seats, the Princess sat down belatedly. Right next to the Empress.

“Will Grand Duke Edan not be coming?”

Asked one noble at the far right end who had been observing the atmosphere.

Seeing the Empress’s eyes blink slowly, the Emperor answered.

“He said he would come, so he will. Let’s begin.”

The Emperor leaned back deeply in the chair with the tall backrest. One of the nobles who had been eyeing each other spoke up. Their gazes were directed at Princess Ciela.

“Your Majesty, do you intend to accept the political marriage with the Eastern Empire?”

The Emperor’s eyebrows twitched as he sat loosely.

“Wasn’t this a matter you all agreed to?”

The nobles’ gazes fixed on the Empress for a split second. Then, as if by agreement, they all said.

“No. We all oppose this marriage.”

The Emperor’s eyes widened in surprise as the Empress’s gaze towards the nobles changed.

An issue that everyone was supposed to agree on had been overturned.

“What nonsense…!”

The Empress’s hand gripping the water glass with long, beautiful fingers tensed up. It was the moment Ciela’s eyes next to her trembled endlessly.

“His Highness Edan Dietrich, the Second Prince, enters!”

The council chamber doors opened.