~Chapter 3~
“Mercy…”
A deep, cavernous voice rang low through the wide council chamber.
“I thought I made myself clear.”
With thick muscles that could swing a man-sized sword lightly, and a sleek, clean bodyline that contrasted with his power, the man exuded an overwhelming presence. The sword gripped in his strong hand glowed with a cold, blue light.
“There is no mercy for those who threaten the peace of my Empire.”
“Y-Your Majesty, please spare me!”
The man trembling on his knees was shaking violently, his body wracked with fear. But the emperor’s gaze held not a flicker of hesitation.
“By the emperor’s right of summary judgment, I hereby execute this spy from Robia on the spot.”
“Your Majesty! Please…!!”
Before the man could finish, the emperor’s blade slashed his throat. With a single stroke, the man’s breath ceased, and dark red blood gushed from his body.
“Hi-hiiik!”
“Ugh.”
Some of the gathered nobles gagged and recoiled in shock.
The blood that pooled across the floor reached the emperor’s boots, clinging to him like a sticky trap. And yet, his face remained unreadable.
“Clean this up.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
He tossed the bloodied sword onto the ground with a dull thud and walked away. Meanwhile, his aide Kane signaled the knights to clear the chamber.
As the body was dragged off and the blood wiped away, the emperor took his seat on the throne. Crossing his long legs and tilting his head slightly, his eyes swept over the nobles.
“I’m sure some of you are worms playing spy as well.”
“…”
“It’s been three years since the war ended. So why does it still feel like I’m standing on the battlefield?”
The chill in the chamber was palpable, despite the room being filled with warm breaths.
“Find and eliminate all the remaining spies within the palace.”
With a sigh, the emperor stood.
“Everyone will be dealt with by the laws of the Empire.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Kane followed behind the emperor as he exited.
Walking behind that silent back, Kane’s eyes were heavy with sorrow.
Eight years ago, the continent was thrown into war by an unexpected invasion from the Allied Nations. It raged for five years before ending with Iberia’s victory three years ago. The continent was unified under their rule.
The people, devastated by war, slowly found peace and stability under Lucas’s reign. But his back still looked stained with blood.
“Your Majesty, might I suggest some rest?”
Kane sighed as he glanced at the exhausted face of Lucas seated at his desk.
“You havenāt slept a wink again last night. I worry youāll collapse.”
“Why? Worried Iāll collapse with no heir to take over?”
“Your Majesty!”
“Just a joke. Your voice gets so loud.”
Lucas smirked dryly and picked up a pen.
In that moment, he finally looked like a man his ageāa rare occurrence only possible around Kane, his childhood friend.
“I heard Duke Frederick is returning from the Kingdom of Gliers. You previously reported something about trade, didnāt you?”
“…”
Kane flinched hard.
“But I heard something far more amusing.”
Lucas flipped through his documents sharply.
“That the Duke didnāt go there for trade at all, but to pray to the so-called God of Love they worship.”
“…”
“A man with grandkids praying for love? Hard to believe.”
“Y-Your Majesty, that is…”
“And itās even harder to believe that a duke would make such a trip just to sightsee.”
Thud.
Lucas stopped signing the document. His beast-like eyes locked with Kaneās, making his shoulders flinch again.
“Send a message to the city gates. As soon as Duke Frederick arrives in the capital, bring him directly to me.”
“…Yes, Your Majesty.”
Poor Duke Frederick. Looks like heās walking into a lion’s den without rest.
As Kane left the office with that thought, Lucas leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.
How many days had it been since he last slept?
Whenever he closed his eyes, cruel memories came rushing back. He couldnāt even rest properly.
Ghosts of those he couldnāt protect and those he had killed strangled him in his dreams.
“Why did you survive?” they whispered with blood-red tears.
Just like now.
“Hah.”
A bitter scoff escaped his lips.
Alone in suffocating silence, Lucas was still standing on the battlefield.
“Finally…”
Rosedale’s eyes welled up with emotion as she reached the capital of Iberia.
“Finally, a human town!”
Here a human, there a human!
Blending among the adorable people, she cheered.
Following Duke Frederick from Erosās temple, she hadnāt expected such a long journey.
Ten days of sailing, staring at nothing but the sea. Then, after arriving on land, she spent another 14 days passing through forests without seeing any humans except the duke’s party.
At last, after 24 grueling days, she reached a bustling human nest.
“Oh my, is that a tiny human?!”
Seeing a child the height of her knees, Rosedale squealed with joy.
“So round and squishy! Cute! Huh? Is that what they call a shop?”
Invisible to the human eye, she wandered the city freely, taking it all in.
New smells, new sounds, strange items ā everything was new.
Children ran while their parents trailed behind. Friends laughed together.
This was what it meant to be alive.
Her chest thumped wildly. In her human form, she felt hot blood coursing through her.
For the first time in her life, Rosedale felt truly alive.
“Duke Frederick!”
A knight on horseback galloped over.
“A message from His Majesty. He commands you to report to him immediately upon arrival.”
“Understood. I shall go at once.”
Rosedale sighed, disappointed but resigned.
She didnāt even know what this “Lucas” looked like. Better to follow Frederick for now.
Once her mission was complete, she could explore freely.
The duke’s party rode further until they reached the palace gates.
Beyond them lay beautiful gardens and magnificent buildings.
The sunlight danced off a man-made fountain, reminding her this was not the Fairy Realm.
But within the refined behavior of the palace residents, she sensed a familiar stiffness.
“Ugh. Humans and fairies both love their rules and decorum.”
Rosedale followed Frederick into the central palace.
A dazzling chandelier caught her eye first, followed by grand paintings so vivid they looked alive.
Mouth agape, she marveled until they arrived at the emperor’s office.
“Your Majesty, Duke Frederick has arrived!”
“Enter.”
A knight announced, and a calm voice responded.
It sounded like a joyful fairy song, Rosedale thought, as she followed Frederick through the doors.
“Wow.”
She gasped when she saw the man seated at the desk.
“How can a human be more beautiful than a fairy?”
Fairies were said to be the most beautiful of all species.
But this man outshone them all.
Black hair more brilliant than the night sky. Soft green eyes deeper than a forest.
A face so elegant flower fairies would sing praises for days, and a physique that could rival even Elphis’s presence.
“I greet the glory of Iberia. May you bask in eternal light.”
Frederick bowed.
“Approach.”
Still flipping through documents, Lucas spoke.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Frederick stepped forward stiffly.
“Ah, so this is Lucas, the emperor.”
Rosedale realized.
She had heard humans dressed up to attract mates. Wasnāt that why they preened like peacocks?
Then why didnāt this man seek a mate? His looks alone would have suitors lining up.
As Rosedale tilted her head in confusion, Lucas spoke.
“Duke Frederick.”
He finally looked up.
His gaze was cold.
Lucas let out a loud sigh and crossed his arms.
“So you visited the Temple of Eros.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Trade was a mere pretext.”
“…”
Lucas slowly approached the silent Frederick, his presence heavy.
“Was bearing an heir so important you had to turn to a nonexistent god?”
“Oh my. So blasphemous…”
Rosedaleās jaw dropped at his words.
Lucas walked past her and stopped in front of Frederick.
“A duke of Iberia visited Eros’s temple, praying for the emperor’s heir.”
“…”
“So the rumors began. In the Kingdom of Gliers.”
Frederick remained silent.
“The man who once protected my back on the battlefield. Who gave me candy as a child. And now… he betrays me.”
“…I am sorry.”
Frederick bowed, his voice low.
Lucas sighed, leaned against the desk, and crossed his arms, glaring.
With a sneer, he spoke:
“Would killing you ease my shame?”
A chilling silence filled the office.
