Episode 6
Casar looked at Sevia, who had torn her dress without hesitation and knelt before the emperor.
He already knew she wouldn’t be an easy target—but still, she continued to go far beyond his expectations.
“I’m not someone who suits wearing dresses, Your Majesty.”
Casar glanced around and saw that both the emperor and crown prince were completely focused on Sevia.
“I only became a duke by luck, but I don’t know noble etiquette. I didn’t even know what clothes were appropriate to wear when meeting Your Majesty.”
It was a lie.
Casar already knew how hard she had worked to become a proper noble.
But judging by the emperor’s mood and expression, there was no point in exposing that now.
The mood in the room had completely shifted in Sevia’s favor.
“I only wore what I was advised to, but I never meant to deceive Your Majesty.”
The emperor actually seemed somewhat pleased by the sight of Sevia in her torn dress.
“I went to the training grounds because I heard loud shouting early in the morning. It woke me, and I followed the sound out of curiosity. I had no real reason for being there.”
“So you’re saying you weren’t spying? You weren’t trying to inspect my army?”
“I may have been born a bastard and lived like a commoner for a long time, but I do know that spying is dangerous,”
Sevia replied with her head bowed, speaking sincerely.
“If I had really wanted to spy, I would’ve sent someone skilled. How could a duke like me go and spy personally?”
“Hm…”
The emperor seemed to be reconsidering, now looking at Sevia with genuine interest instead of suspicion.
Casar realized his plan—to accuse her of treason using the spying excuse—had failed.
He also knew that once the emperor made that face, pushing further could backfire.
Still, this was just the beginning.
Just knowing Sevia’s true strength was already valuable.
Sevia pressed forward, keeping up her act of complete submission.
“I only saw the training by accident, but even I, with little experience, could see how strong the Northern army is. If Your Majesty is merciful, I’d like to quietly stay in the Southern Palace.”
And she didn’t forget to present herself as useful, too.
“I’ll also keep watch on the Eastern Dukedom so nothing causes problems for Your Majesty. Please, allow the people of the East to live in peace.”
“Hahaha!”
The emperor burst into laughter.
“You do know your place. I like that. You’re more straightforward than those snake-like nobles.”
He cheerfully slapped the armrest of his throne.
“You said you were a bastard, right? I get sick just seeing nobles pretending to be perfect in their fancy clothes. But tearing that dress? That was refreshing.”
Then, as his laughter faded, he made his declaration.
“Fine. Since the duke came to the capital as ordered, I won’t mess with the Eastern Dukedom. But you do understand you can’t leave the capital or return home, right?”
Sevia bowed her head in agreement.
“If you try to leave, I’ll send the army to burn down the dukedom and bring your head back. Understood?”
“Everything will be as Your Majesty wishes.”
No one could see Sevia’s expression with her head bowed, but Casar had to admit—she had something beyond strategy.
She was… interesting.
He had killed many threats to the emperor without hesitation,
but something about this woman—who tore her own dress in front of the throne—felt different.
Casar found himself more drawn to her than even the emperor.
But before he could think further, he noticed the crown prince’s dark gaze fixed on Sevia.
As the prince’s intense stare lingered on her, the emperor gave his final command.
“Good. Now stay quiet in the Southern Palace. You may leave.”
Wearing her shredded dress, Sevia gave a deep bow and stood up, then exited the audience chamber.
Left behind on the floor were torn bits of fabric and flower decorations, ripped with great force.
“That was the most interesting thing I’ve seen in a while,”
the emperor said, leaning back in his throne, satisfied.
“After watching those arrogant nobles who act humble but aren’t, it was refreshing to see such a bold bastard.”
But as his good mood faded, he looked at Casar.
“What do you think, Casar?”
Casar decided now was the right time to be blunt.
“…She should be executed.”
“Executed?”
The emperor didn’t seem to like that answer and rested his chin on his hand.
Casar spoke slowly, being careful not to upset him.
“She lied to Your Majesty.”
The emperor’s gaze sharpened.
“According to what we’ve learned from the East, the duke worked extremely hard to act like a proper noble. But she claimed not to know what clothes to wear when meeting Your Majesty. That’s clearly a lie.”
“She told such a bold lie?”
“Yes. She wore that dress on purpose to lower your guard. Then, when it didn’t work, she tore it for sympathy. She’s not ordinary. You should kill her now. And more importantly…”
Casar continued based on the information he had gathered.
“The people she brought with her are not to be taken lightly. Take Marquis Temian, for example. He comes from a family known for brilliant administration, and he himself is said to be very sharp.”
“Hmph.”
But the emperor didn’t seem impressed.
“No matter how clever they are, they’re nothing compared to you, Casar. Maybe they were big shots in peaceful Eastlands, but none of them have survived the kind of battles you have.”
“Thank you, but that’s not all.”
As a sharp strategist, Casar continued explaining.
“Lady Tanibera, her maid, has influence in the social circles. And Baron Akina, her bodyguard, is said to be the best knight in the East.”
“Sounds like a bunch of nobodies.”
The emperor sounded unimpressed.
“Social circles and noble games don’t matter. The North has way stronger warriors. Even if those Eastern nobles make a move, they’ll just be poking a lion’s mane.”
As the emperor relaxed again, Casar emphasized one last time.
“They might seem unimpressive, but the fact that she brought such capable people with her shows she’s likely planning something. That’s why she must be eliminated.”
But the emperor didn’t look convinced.
He was clearly still thinking about Sevia—especially the moment she tore her dress.
“Does she really need to die?”
At that moment, the crown prince spoke up.
His deep blue eyes gleamed with intent as he smirked.
“She hasn’t experienced any real battles, has she?”
The emperor turned his attention to him, and the prince took that as his cue to continue.
“Even if the East has a lot of people, they’re no match for Your Majesty’s Northern army. Even if she is planning a rebellion, she’s no threat to you or our soldiers.”
To Casar, the prince’s words sounded arrogant and overconfident. But the prince proudly went on.
“Your Majesty, I have a good idea.”
“What is it?”
“Let me take her as my wife.”
“…What?”
The emperor looked shocked at the sudden suggestion.
Casar wasn’t surprised—he had guessed something was off from the way the crown prince had been staring at Sevia earlier.
He just didn’t like the prince’s character.
Though he was handsome—with silver hair from birth and striking blue eyes—his personality was another matter.
Like his father, the prince was cruel. But unlike the emperor, he was petty and underhanded.
Casar knew him well enough to be wary.
The prince, unaware of Casar’s thoughts, continued excitedly.
“A duke is high-ranking enough to become crown princess. And if she accepts willingly, there’s no need to kill her. We might even gain control over the Eastern Dukedom that way. Isn’t that a good solution?”
He made it sound like a strategy, but the emperor wasn’t fooled.
“You just want her for yourself, don’t you?”
The prince smiled wordlessly.
The emperor gave a small smirk and fell into thought.
“…Well, even if she’s a bastard, she’s better than those disgusting nobles. She’s good-looking enough to represent the royal family too.”
“Yes. And since she was bold enough to tear her own dress, she’ll surely serve the royal family well.”
Then, with a possessive glint in his blue eyes, the prince said,
“So please, give me the duke—make her my bride, Your Majesty.”
