BTEE 06

Chapter 6.

“…H-His Majesty Cassielope Clemens… the former Emperor…!”

The grand doors of the ballroom opened with a heavy groan. Every noble in attendance turned their gaze toward Cassielope.

Contrary to her expectation that the hall would erupt in noise, not a single mouth opened. As if they had rehearsed it, all fell silent at once.

Cassielope stepped across the long stretch of red carpet without a single tremor in her stride.

Adorned with no jewelry, wearing only the crimson dress that symbolized imperial blood, she exuded a commanding aura so strong that the nobles unconsciously lowered their eyes.

Most of those gathered here were the very nobles who had supported her deposition.

Even though they had succeeded in removing her from the throne just as planned, not one could raise their head with confidence.

It was because her sharp, predatory gaze swept over them one by one like a wild beast’s.

“Why are you all so frozen? Isn’t this the kind of banquet you enjoy so much? Please—enjoy yourselves.”

Cassielope smiled brightly as she looked around. It was a strange sight: those who had stripped her of the throne could not smile, while the dethroned emperor was the only one wearing one.

When she gestured lightly toward the orchestra, which had been frozen in place clutching their instruments, a pleasant melody finally filled the ballroom after a long pause. But that was all.

No one could truly enjoy the banquet, just as she had said.

Then, the doors opened once more. There was no herald’s announcement this time, but there was only one person who could enter like that. Cassielope’s eyes turned away from the nobles’ stares.

‘Regis…’

She barely managed to keep her face from stiffening and forced the corners of her lips upward.

I should be the one wearing that expression… why do you look like that? she silently rebuked him, biting the inside of her cheek.

Regis was not one to show his emotions openly. He had always been that way since childhood.

Even so, Cassielope could always read him, no matter how impassive his face appeared.

Now was no exception.

Everyone else in the room thought his face betrayed no emotion—but Cassielope knew. He was on the verge of collapse.

When the distance between them closed to within reach, their eyes met in the air.

Her body lowered, and her gaze dropped.

“I greet His Majesty Regis Euriel, Sun of the Clemens Empire.”

Cassielope lifted the hem of her dress and knelt on one knee—a flawless display of imperial etiquette.

The same etiquette that had always been directed toward her, she now returned to him. Her expression was eerily calm.

“…Lope.”

Watching her kneel without hesitation, Regis clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his palms, drawing blood. Even so, he could not relax his grip.

It was a habit of his—to clench until the flesh broke, whenever he was anxious or dissatisfied.

Cassielope stood, then took his wrist and pulled him gently toward her. The tension in his hand began to ease little by little.

“You’ll hurt yourself, Regis.”

“…”

“The only person allowed to hurt you should be me. Isn’t that right?”

Her voice was soft—barely audible except to him.

Cassielope did not believe Regis’s feelings for her had changed. The way he looked at her was no different from before.

Even if he still loved her, that was a separate matter.

He hadn’t taken her throne out of greed or desire. There must have been a reason.

But Cassielope didn’t ask what it was. Some lines should never have been crossed—and taking the throne from her was one of them.

She stepped closer, resting her hand on his arm—just as he used to escort her at every banquet.

“Shall we, Your Majesty?”

Every eye followed them as they walked. When they reached the dais, the imperial elder presiding over the coronation hesitated before stepping forward.

When an emperor and empress were crowned together, the emperor always came first. Cassielope stepped aside and watched as the crown was placed upon Regis’s head.

The elder’s trembling hands set the golden crown atop his silver hair, his eyes flicking briefly toward Cassielope.

Her violet eyes flashed sharply—as if to tell him to proceed properly—and only then did the elder stammer through the formal declaration.

“Regis Euriel shall devote himself to the service and prosperity of the Clemens Empire—”

“Wait. That’s not correct.”

Interrupting him, Regis turned toward Cassielope.

“It’s Regis Clemens. I’ve chosen to take my wife’s surname.”

“Ha…!”

Cassielope let out a short, incredulous laugh. She wasn’t the only one; murmurs of confusion rippled through the nobles.

“This empire thrives thanks to the sacrifices of House Clemens. To honor that legacy, I shall bear the Clemens name. If anyone has objections, speak now.”

Of course, no one did. Who would dare challenge the emperor’s public declaration—especially one concerning his own name?

Silence fell heavy over the room.

“Hearing no objections, let us continue.”

Cassielope looked at Regis with a subtle, unreadable expression.

Just moments ago, she had thought she could see right through him. Now, she couldn’t tell what he was thinking at all.

To acknowledge the former imperial family’s contributions—by taking their name? If he had truly meant to become a Clemens, it should have been when she sat on the throne.

“Regis Euriel… you really are…”

Cruel. The word slipped out as a whisper. But she wasn’t the only one thinking it.

Depose an empress, make her your empress-consort, and then claim her name?

To Duke Icart and the other nobles who had spearheaded her downfall, Regis’s declaration seemed like an insult masked as honor—a gesture that both gave and took away.

Cassielope’s eyes darkened. Regis said nothing in his defense, his lips pressed tight as though holding something back.

When Regis’s turn ended, Cassielope stepped forward, her gaze steady on the imperial elder.

It was the same man who had crowned her years ago as Crown Princess, then as Emperor—who had once prayed she would become a wise and just ruler. That memory burned vividly in her mind.

“I never thought I’d receive a crown from you again, like this.”

“…Your Majesty.”

The old man’s eyes glistened. Once bright with vitality, they now dimmed with sorrow as his trembling voice continued.

“Cassielope Clemens, do you swear to serve the empire faithfully as its empress…?”

“I swear.”

“Do you swear to support Emperor Regis Clemens and work for the empire’s prosperity?”

“I swear.”

“Do you swear, as empress, to strive to continue the imperial line?”

Just as Regis had done earlier, Cassielope turned to look at him.

After a long pause, her lips parted slowly.

“…I swear.”

When the final vow ended, the crown of the empress was placed upon her red hair. Straightening her back, Cassielope turned toward the nobles.

“With so many esteemed nobles gathered here, this is the perfect moment to make an announcement.”

Curiosity flickered through the crowd—what would she say now, just after being crowned?

By the contract with Regis Euriel, her becoming empress had been unavoidable. After all, it was his right to choose his empress personally.

And Cassielope Clemens, ever perceptive, surely knew that. Was this coercion—or appeasement? The air grew tense.

A faint gulp echoed from somewhere in the hall before she continued.

“Let us begin the selection of imperial concubines.”

Cassielope’s expression was dazzlingly bright—as if she had just tossed a bomb into the room.

While she smiled serenely, Regis—barely holding himself together—finally crumbled completely. He shook his head in disbelief, as though to deny what she had just said.

“Now, what… what are you…”