Chapter 04
Irein’s aunt, Veronica—the Duchess of Lusher—scolded her with a stern expression for arriving so late.
The engagement reception was primarily for socializing, and the ball had already ended; people were now mingling freely.
Since her mother’s death, Irein had feared her aunt the most. She clung tightly behind Noel, only peeking her face out.
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t feeling well, so I rested for a bit… Have you been well, Duke and Duchess of Macmillan?”
Standing beside the Lusher couple were Noel’s parents.
To avoid further scolding, Irein quickly changed the subject and greeted them brightly.
“Just speak comfortably as you always do, Irein.”
The Duke of Macmillan smiled warmly.
Since their families had been close since childhood, Irein often addressed them like parents in private. They were fond of her.
Perhaps because they only had sons, even her occasional odd behavior felt more endearing than troublesome.
“You don’t look well. Are you very sick?”
Noticing the dark circles under her eyes, the duchess asked with concern.
Between her lack of sleep and constant tension because of the emperor, Irein did look pale.
Unable to admit it was a hangover, she gave a vague excuse.
“Did Mikael return to the temple? Noel said he’d introduce us.”
“He should be here soon. He said he’d come after evening prayers and changing out of his priest robes.”
The Duke of Macmillan checked his pocket watch—it was nearing 10:15.
How am I supposed to last another hour and a half…
“He’s here.”
Veronica spoke coldly.
Following her gaze, everyone turned.
There, surrounded by several nobles, stood a man.
He had dark crimson eyes like Killian’s—but unlike Killian’s blood-red hair, his brown hair fell softly.
At a glance, Irein realized who he was.
So the former emperor really did have an illegitimate child…
“He looks like he was born a grand duke.”
Watching him gaze arrogantly down at others, Irein let out a scoff.
Zenon Bellagro had once been a commoner, living by gathering and selling herbs.
Then he was discovered by Duke Crocus, who sought to regain power—and overnight, Zenon became a grand duke.
Drunk on his sudden rise, he now wielded power and wealth freely.
With Duke Crocus backing him, no one dared challenge him.
It was as if they ignored the fact that he was the illegitimate son of a traitorous emperor.
“We’ll go greet His Highness. You two stay here.”
Veronica adjusted her attire and spoke.
“Noel, introduce Mikael to Irein when he arrives.”
The Duke of Macmillan added, his gaze still fixed on Zenon.
Soon, other nobles aligned with the emperor joined them, and the group moved toward Zenon.
“Honestly…”
Clicking her tongue, Irein’s gaze shifted naturally to Killian.
Seated on the throne, he looked down at Zenon with a bored expression.
There was no emotion in his face—only indifference.
Suddenly, his words from four years ago came back to her.
“From a high place, everyone looks the same. Drunk on their own importance, mocking others. It’s so predictable, it’s boring.”
She had been recalling the past a lot today.
Her time as Esi, the man from the guild, even Killian’s words—it all felt vivid, like yesterday.
At that moment, Killian swept his gaze across the hall.
“Hey, come over here. He might see you.”
Startled, Irein hurried behind Noel again.
Peeking out, she saw that Killian had already turned away, speaking to the captain of the guard, Leoni.
“Ren, this makes you stand out more. Just act natural.”
From what Noel knew, Killian disliked nobles.
Except for a few trusted aides, he punished mistakes mercilessly—even executing people on the spot.
He wouldn’t bother scrutinizing every noble.
“Shh! Just block me properly.”
“What are you two doing over here?”
Sierra, the bride-to-be, approached them looking exhausted.
Her beautifully braided hair, adorned with jewels, was slightly messy now, and her lively face showed fatigue.
“Done greeting everyone?”
“Yeah. Can you see my face twitching?”
“Yeah, I can. Fascinating.”
As Sierra forced a smile, her lips trembled slightly. Irein smirked.
“Hey, I heard you told Aunt about me drinking yesterday?”
“You told her when I stayed out overnight last time! I was grounded for a week!”
“Alright, alright, stop.”
The two bickered, but when Noel joined in, they quickly shifted to chatting and laughing.
They never ran out of things to talk about—from childhood embarrassments to recent events.
With Noel and Sierra—two prominent figures—Irein also drew attention.
But their lively conversation made it hard for anyone to approach them.
At some point, drinks naturally found their way into their hands.
With a bit of alcohol, the atmosphere became easier to enjoy.
Feeling the lively energy, Irein unconsciously looked around.
“…Ah.”
Perhaps it was the alcohol.
As she turned her head, she met a pair of dark crimson eyes.
Her silver hair had slipped away from her eyes, fully exposing her gaze.
And reflected in her blue eyes was only one person—the man in red.
She wished it wasn’t him.
But those black-rose-like eyes were fixed directly on her.
Dong—dong—dong—
The bells announcing midnight rang throughout the hall.
“I—I’ll go first.”
Barely managing to set down her wine glass, Irein muttered.
“What’s wrong? Are you sick?”
Noel asked, alarmed by her pale face.
She shook her head stiffly.
“It’s midnight. Introduce Mikael next time.”
Her cold, firm tone stopped anyone from following her as she left.
“Looks like he’s enjoying himself.”
Killian rested his chin on his hand, watching Zenon at the center of the reception.
Among the noble faction, Zenon already acted like an emperor.
Unaware of Killian’s true intentions, he carried himself boldly.
Even the nobles whispered about him behind his back.
Despite his low birth and illegitimacy, he behaved as if he had always belonged—ignoring that his father had seized the throne through treachery.
“He recently made remarks defending Gridial’s atrocities.”
At Leoni Pelloine’s report, Killian let out a faint smirk.
“Is he begging to be killed?”
Gridial Valendir—the former emperor—had poisoned his own sister, Killian’s mother, to seize the throne.
Because of public opinion, he couldn’t kill Killian and instead imprisoned him.
At fourteen, he sent him to war.
Yet despite countless assassination attempts and deadly battles, Killian survived every time.
At eighteen, he finally learned the truth.
Over the next two years, he quietly gathered support from loyal noble families—including Lusher and Macmillan.
Then, at the right moment, he led a rebellion, killed Gridial and his entire family, and became emperor.
“Yesterday, there was a meeting among the noble faction, including the grand duke and Duke Crocus.”
Leoni reported, spotting Duke Crocus whispering behind Zenon.
