Episode 4
“So it was you.”
Even though her words were sharp, the young duke smiled calmly.
“You’re the one who used taxes and the threat of war to lure me to the palace.”
Casar’s eyes lingered on Sevia’s confident smile.
Still, the sharpness in the air between them didn’t fade.
“I heard Your Grace cares deeply for the people. Seeing you come to the palace yourself… I guess that rumor was true.”
Casar let go of their handshake, feeling a strong curiosity.
From her eyes, it seemed Sevia was just as intrigued by him.
Their gazes locked, filled with caution and interest, each trying to figure the other out.
“You must’ve been bothered by me staying in the dukedom,”
Sevia said coolly.
“The dukedom has strong military and economic power. And with me being of Trinitor royal blood, His Majesty must’ve been pretty uncomfortable.”
“I thought you’d know that well,” Casar said, a hint of sarcasm in his voice, though his interest in her remained.
“I was curious why you’d still come so willingly to the palace.”
Casar spoke like a skilled hunter, never taking his eyes off her.
“You left your army behind and came here alone. Aren’t you worried people will think you’re trying to restore the Trinitor royal line? That’s a risky move.”
Despite his pointed words, Sevia kept her slight smile.
“I’ve always heard Your Grace was brilliant—smart enough to become a duke at a young age. So I figured you must have a good reason for coming.”
“Then you also know I don’t need to explain that reason to you,” Sevia replied without missing a beat.
Casar had expected this kind of attitude from her.
Their conversation, filled with subtle testing, created an odd sense of familiarity.
Even under Casar’s heavy gaze, Sevia stayed calm, her emerald eyes sharp and clever.
It had been a while since Casar met someone this capable—someone worth facing head-on.
“Besides, His Majesty can’t just throw me in jail for no reason,” Sevia said smoothly.
“If he locks up someone without cause, he’ll stir up unnecessary backlash.”
She then added with a pointed tone,
“Especially since the Eastern Dukedom might go all-out in response.”
Before Casar could even be impressed, she pressed further.
“Even if His Majesty wins that war, he’d suffer major losses. That could give other rebels a chance to rise up.”
Her sharp insight gave Casar chills.
This young duke, beautiful like morning sunlight, was clearly not someone to take lightly.
But what felt even more dangerous in person was her natural charisma and charm.
That alone could win over nobles and commoners alike.
If she stayed in the capital, she could easily become a serious threat to the emperor—who was busy wasting the empire’s money on luxury and pleasure.
Casar looked at her and felt a strange excitement.
He was curious to see how long such a brilliant and radiant duke could survive under his shadow.
“I don’t plan on going back to the dukedom anytime soon,”
Sevia said with a teasing smile.
She seemed unaware of how much she was stirring Casar’s dangerous interest. Her emerald eyes sparkled as she continued with ease,
“I suppose we’ll be seeing each other often while I’m here, Marquis—even if we don’t want to.”
Without waiting for a reply, she turned and walked away.
“Well then, I’ll head back for now. We’ll have plenty of chances to talk.”
Her golden hair shimmered as she exited the training ground.
Casar watched her go, then reached for the well’s bucket and poured the cold water over his warm body.
Droplets ran down his slightly wavy black hair.
A fresh feeling washed over him.
She was someone he would eventually have to eliminate for the emperor’s sake,
but for now, just watching how long she could last felt interesting enough.
By now, the palace servants were starting to wake up.
Sevia returned to the Southern Palace and entered the large hall on the first floor.
As expected, the servants were already bustling around.
She walked casually among them, thinking it was a good time to get something to eat.
Wearing a plain white shirt without any fancy decorations, the servants didn’t recognize her as the duke.
Since she had only arrived yesterday, it made sense they didn’t know her face yet.
No one greeted her, but Sevia actually found it more comfortable that way.
Then, a tall figure stepped in front of her.
“Where have you gone off to this time, Your Grace?”
“Ah, you startled me.”
It was Baron Akina, noticeably tall.
Back in their childhood, he hadn’t been this big, so Sevia still hadn’t gotten used to his size.
“I’ve told you many times—don’t wander around without your guard.”
“It was too early to wake you.”
Sevia looked up at Akina’s unusually stern face, trying to brush it off like usual.
“You were tired from the trip too, Viktor.”
“Did you really think I’d still be asleep when you were up, Your Grace?”
Sevia tried to laugh it off, but Akina didn’t look like he’d let it go.
“You came to the palace practically as a hostage. Don’t you realize how easily you could be assassinated?”
“Well, if it’s just an assassin, I can take care of myself…”
Akina frowned hard at that.
“You are a duke, Your Grace. You shouldn’t even think about handling attackers yourself.”
His brown eyes burned with worry. Clearly, this time he was serious.
“While you’re in the palace, never go anywhere alone. There are people who followed you here, risking their lives. What would happen to them if something went wrong?”
Struck by his words, Sevia lowered her head a little.
“…Okay, I won’t go alone anymore.”
“Promise me.”
Back in the dukedom, Akina had always had trouble keeping up with Sevia’s impulsiveness.
He clearly didn’t trust her to keep this promise easily, but Sevia nodded anyway.
As expected, he still frowned with doubt.
But since he had nothing more to say, it looked like he was letting it go for now.
“If you want to go out at dawn, wake me up. Same goes for nighttime.”
Sevia let out a small sigh as she looked at Akina’s stern face.
Strict as he was, he was still her most reliable knight and friend.
After finishing breakfast, Sevia and Akina headed to the reception room.
Marquis Temian was already there, and they were enjoying morning tea together when the door opened and a cheerful voice rang out.
“Your Grace! I heard you arrived yesterday. It must’ve been a tiring trip.”
Sevia turned toward the voice and smiled warmly.
“I heard you got here first, but this is the first time we’ve met.”
Lady Tanibera, with her rich light brown hair, was the flower of Eastern high society.
With her mysterious violet eyes, she was a great beauty and held influence even in the capital’s social circles.
She had also been Sevia’s maid since the dukedom days.
Sevia had secretly shared her plan to become emperor with Lady Tanibera—and the lady had willingly agreed to help.
Despite the risks, she had come to support Sevia.
Grateful and happy, Sevia held her hand.
Lady Tanibera smiled gently, as if honored.
Sevia looked around and said,
“I should thank all of you for following me from the dukedom to here.”
“No need to thank us.”
Marquis Temian gave a light bow.
“To be part of Your Grace’s plan is our honor.”
Lady Tanibera laughed cheerfully as usual.
“We have a lot of work ahead, so I’ll be counting on you.”
Sevia cleared her throat and brought up the next important step.
“First, I need to have an audience with the emperor. Is there anything I should prepare?”
