Chapter 12
Maia looked at the Emperor in utter disbelief.
“…My goodness, what did Your Majesty just say?”
“I don’t believe I’ve gone deaf, but… surely…”
The way he addressed her—far too casual for an official setting—was reminiscent of an elder in a commoner’s household calling out affectionately to a new daughter-in-law.
Using such overly familiar speech, the Emperor referred to Maia.
The nobles, too shocked to even react, exchanged confused glances between Maia and the Emperor.
Maia herself was speechless.
Why all of a sudden…?
No. I can’t let myself get distracted by this right now.
Pushing aside her confusion, she began to speak.
“Long before today’s disgraceful incident in front of His Majesty, numerous acts of disrespect and blatant disregard for law and custom have taken place within the Duke’s residence.”
Next to her, the Duke of Western visibly flinched.
Hearing the thunderous beat of her own heart, Maia continued.
“I no longer wish to remain in this marriage with the Duke of Western after enduring endless humiliation. Please, Your Majesty, I beg you to recognize my suffering and allow this divorce.”
“Maia!”
The Duke of Western called out her name, disregarding the crowd around them.
As he gripped her arm tightly, Maia turned her head.
His face was smeared with panic, rage, and desperation as he looked at her.
“I understand your painful situation. You must have suffered greatly, my dear.”
Then came the Emperor’s clear voice.
“But the bond of marriage is not something that can be severed so easily, child.”
Maia inhaled sharply. Her heart felt like it stopped.
She looked up, only to see the Emperor staring down at her with a subtle, almost amused smile.
“I cannot accept your request for divorce. However, I shall assign you handmaids from the Imperial Household. They will never dare to treat the Duchess with disrespect.”
The Emperor’s voice continued, calm but resolute.
“Also—Maia Western Hansberg is the rightful and official wife of the Duke of Western. Even aside from the scum who was sentenced to death today, should anyone dare to disrespect her again—”
A sharp intuition screamed at Maia that something was going horribly wrong.
“—I shall, in the name of the Emperor, cut out their tongues and have them executed.”
He had spoken his final words.
A response completely contrary to Maia’s expectations. The worst answer imaginable.
None of the nobles could shut their gaping mouths, stunned by the Emperor’s fierce proclamation.
Looking down at them all, the Emperor stood from his seat, wearing a mysterious, playful smile.
“Well then, I shall take my leave. The Empress has been rather unwell lately.”
With an air of ease, the Emperor left the courtroom.
Maia bit her lip in unbearable confusion.
A metallic taste of blood seeped into her mouth.
Why?
Her head swelled with chaotic thoughts, boiling to a fever pitch.
Her face flushed. Her insides felt like they were turning inside out.
Why is the Emperor so adamantly against me divorcing the Duke of Western?
This possibility had never even crossed her mind…!
“Maia…”
The Duke of Western called her name softly. His voice trembled slightly, clinging to her.
He, too, seemed rattled by the Emperor’s unexpected response.
But what of it?
Her dress wrinkled helplessly in her clenched fist.
What was the point of it all?
Everything she had worked so hard for, all her desperate efforts to bring this matter before the Emperor—wasted in an instant with a single imperial decree.
“Mai—”
“Let go of me.”
She didn’t even want to think about what he expected from her by holding on.
Suppressing the fire that surged within her, Maia muttered coldly.
“Must be nice. To have the divorce you never wanted officially invalidated.”
The sound of her heels striking the marble floor rang out clearly in the silent hall.
Leaving the Duke behind, Maia descended the stairs alone, ignoring every stare that pierced her body, and left the courtroom.
“The execution is tomorrow. Don’t cause any trouble and stay put!”
Bang!
The sound of the iron bars slamming shut echoed through the dungeon.
Thrown in helplessly, the head maid crawled forward, grabbing the freezing cold bars with trembling hands.
“Let me out! I said let me out!”
“…Here we go again. Let’s just go get lunch.”
The guards walked away, clearly fed up.
“I did nothing wrong! I only served my mistress faithfully!”
Only the cold echo of her own voice answered her.
Grinding her teeth in desperation, she cursed her fate.
Each time she screamed or struggled, the internal injuries from torture erupted with dark blood.
“Ugh, khh!”
Staring down at the black-red vomit she had coughed up, her dark eyes were consumed with madness.
It had been fifteen days since she received the order to poison Maia.
The woman who had so confidently claimed she’d divorce her husband had returned to the Duke’s mansion wearing that stupidly clueless face.
And reclaimed her place as Duchess of Western.
Only then did the head maid understand what it truly meant to go mad from hatred.
She could still picture it—her Princess, smiling like a dewy blossom with her pale face, gazing lovingly at her husband.
And now, that low-born wench had taken her place. It was forever defiled.
The head maid resented the Duke.
The Princess had cherished him so dearly. How could he bring in another woman and let her sit in the lady’s seat?
Then, one day, a royal messenger summoned her in secret.
She couldn’t express how honored she was by the visit.
Ensuring silence among the other maids, she quietly entered the Imperial Palace.
Every step up the familiar yet long-lost palace stairs overwhelmed her with emotion.
‘Her Majesty the Empress, Lady Helia Jabeth Delphon, has arrived.’
The silent command came. Bowing deeply, she stepped into the Empress’s quarters.
‘You’re late.’
‘Forgive me, Your Majesty.’
A soft, graceful voice sent a shiver down her spine.
‘Raise your head. I summoned you because there’s something I must entrust to you.’
The maid lifted her head.
The Empress looked like a moon goddess—so breathtaking, she was stunned into silence.
‘It’s poison. Extremely lethal.’
Clink.
With a graceful motion, the Empress set down a green-gray vial. Her golden hair shimmered faintly.
Her violet eyes, full of sorrow, gazed at the maid.
From that porcelain, expressionless face, small crimson lips parted to give the command.
‘Kill the low-born wench who dares to take my daughter’s place.’
And with those words, the maid was saved from the abyss.
An indescribable expression of joy, loyalty, and madness spread across her face.
‘Yes, Your Majesty. I will carry out this duty perfectly.’
What followed was simple.
The maid pinned the blame for poisoning on a lowly servant, and Maia collapsed from the toxin.
But the biggest failure was that Maia survived.
“Damn…”
How cruel, Your Majesty the Emperor. You could’ve pretended not to see, just this once.
“…Pathetic, groveling like that.”
A voice pierced through her ears.
The maid’s head snapped up, eyes wide with shock.
“Y-Your Majesty the Empress…!”
The noble woman, her face shadowed yet elegant, had personally come to this filthy prison to look upon her.
The maid dropped to her knees, pressing her head to the cold floor.
“Your Majesty, I only did what you commanded. Please remember my years of loyalty and spare my life!”
The Empress responded not with words, but by gripping the maid’s chin.
The maid inhaled shakily and looked up in reverence.
“You should’ve made sure she died, then.”
The moment the elegant voice spilled out, the maid was flung across the cell like a ragdoll.
“Cough! Khhh!”
Rolling on the cold stone floor, she coughed up blood again in agony.
The Empress spoke calmly.
“Since His Majesty personally stepped in, I can’t save you. But I will ensure your family is well cared for, in honor of your long service to my daughter.”
No, please!
Writhing in pain, the maid opened her bloodshot eyes.
Using the last of her strength, she cried out toward the retreating Empress.
“I did nothing wrong! That damned low-born must’ve pulled some kind of trick to survive! Your Majesty, please! Please take pity on me!”
The Empress paused at the dungeon’s exit, a cold smirk on her face.
Looking back down at the maid, she whispered coldly.
“What kind of skills could a low-born possibly possess to survive such a poison? There’s no need to even consider it. Clearly, you made a mistake.”
In the face of that arrogant answer, the maid could say nothing more.
“No! No, please!”
She tried to grab the hem of that radiant gown disappearing into the distance.
But it was useless.
Completely abandoned by her mistress, the maid let out a wretched scream.
