Episode 3
“You’re planning something big,”
Marquis Temian said with a sigh.
“Starting a rebellion is no small matter. If anything goes wrong, it could cost you your life.”
Sevia nodded firmly.
“I know. But if either of you think it’s too dangerous, I won’t ask you to help me.”
The two men thought for a moment, then bowed their heads.
“I’ll serve you no matter what. I’ve already sworn to follow you until the day I die,”
Baron Akina said, placing his hand over his heart.
“I did say it was dangerous, but… I also can’t deny that you’ve always made the impossible possible,”
Marquis Temian added with a small smile.
“I’ve watched you since you were a child. I wouldn’t mind seeing you become emperor.”
Hearing that, Sevia’s serious expression softened just a little.
“Thank you for saying that.”
She then shared her plan.
“I plan to go to the capital, just as the emperor requested.”
“You mean to be taken as a hostage?”
Temian asked.
“On the surface, yes. I’ll say I’m going to avoid war and taxes. But my real goal is to find a weakness near the emperor. I’ll build support, and when the time is right, I’ll strike. It’s more efficient than starting a war from the East.”
“Hm…”
The marquis paused in thought.
“It’s true that a direct war with the emperor would be tough. So that might be the better option. But if you go there as a hostage, you’ll have to be extremely careful.”
“I understand the risk. I’m prepared for it.”
Sevia looked around at the grim surroundings, then tightened her grip on the reins of her horse.
“I don’t want to just stand by and watch this happen anymore.”
She sighed, still blaming herself.
Just like long ago, her quiet sigh trembled faintly.
After making up her mind, Sevia traveled from the Eastern Dukedom to the imperial palace over the course of several days.
By the time she arrived, it was late in the evening, and she settled into the southern palace, where honored guests stayed.
She was originally supposed to meet the emperor right away, but because it was so late, the meeting was postponed to the next day.
After the long journey, Sevia quickly fell asleep, but her habit of waking early didn’t change.
At dawn, she opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling of her bedroom.
It felt a little unfamiliar, but since she had visited the palace a few times after becoming duke, it wasn’t too strange.
However, she could hear faint but strong shouts coming from a distance.
“Is there a military nearby?”
Sevia got out of bed, changed clothes, and followed the sound out of her room.
Since it was still too early for the servants to be awake, she moved quietly and left the southern palace alone.
Now that she thought about it, she had heard that the new emperor from the North had stationed his troops here.
“Maybe they’re doing physical training early in the morning?”
The dawn air was still chilly, but as she followed the shouting voices, they sounded so energetic that even the cold seemed to fade.
Just as she expected, the training field was full of soldiers training shirtless in the cold, shouting in unison as they did their drills.
The soldiers moved in perfect lines like a single body, and their loud, disciplined voices showed just how well-trained they were.
Judging by the flags, these were clearly the Northern troops the emperor had brought.
Most of them were large and pale-skinned—definitely Northerners.
“Impressive.”
Sevia watched their well-organized drills for a moment, then continued walking.
Where there’s a military, there are always nearby facilities. She wanted to check how well they were maintained.
Near the training field, there were armories and barracks.
They were new, clean, and well-designed.
Sevia walked into one of the buildings and admired the well-maintained weapons and armor before heading to the well nearby.
There were multiple wells, each with large, sturdy buckets designed for easy use by several people at once.
Even small details like this were carefully thought out, and Sevia couldn’t help but be impressed.
“Even little things like this are excellent. It’s kind of annoying.”
She smiled and lowered a bucket into the well to take a drink.
The cold water, touched with morning dew, felt refreshing and sharp as it ran down her throat.
The rising morning sun made her feel even more awake and refreshed.
Then she heard the heavy footsteps of boots.
When she turned, she saw a Northern man approaching—he had black hair and pale skin.
He wasn’t wearing a shirt, probably fresh from training or having snuck off early, and his muscular body was still dripping with sweat.
The man walked toward her after noticing her presence.
Sevia couldn’t help but stare.
She had never seen such a handsome man before.
His white skin looked sculpted, and his face was like a living statue.
His smooth skin and deep red eyes created a strange but striking look.
His garnet-like eyes glowed as he stared at her, and his gaze felt unreal—like something out of a dream.
Trying to stay calm, Sevia spoke to the man, assuming he was a soldier.
“You’re working hard. I was just passing by and came to look around. I didn’t mean to disturb the training.”
“…Who are you? This isn’t really a place for a lady to be.”
His tone was suspicious.
Worried she might be mistaken for a spy, Sevia quickly revealed her identity.
“I’m Sevia Cecil Trinitor. I arrived from the East yesterday and was just looking around the palace.”
“Ah, you’re…”
The man seemed to recognize her name.
He gave her a quick glance, then placed a hand over his chest and bowed politely.
“So you’re the duke. I apologize for the disrespect.”
“No need to worry. I showed up unannounced. Is training over?”
“Not yet. I just left early for a personal matter.”
Hearing that, Sevia realized she had misjudged him.
A regular soldier wouldn’t be able to leave training so easily.
He had to be at least an officer—but since he wasn’t wearing a shirt, she couldn’t see any insignia to confirm.
“I see. What’s your rank?”
At her question, the corners of the man’s mouth lifted slightly, as if amused.
He bowed respectfully and answered.
“I’m the Chief of Staff of the Imperial Army. I also serve as the commander of the Northern Army.”
“If you’re the Chief of Staff, then…”
Sevia’s eyes widened.
“So you’re…”
The man smiled faintly at her reaction.
“Casar Juan. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Your Grace.”
The man with the devil’s mind.
The one who held real power behind the scenes, while the emperor indulged in luxury.
The most powerful man in the empire, running everything from the shadows.
Sevia was stunned to realize this was the same man standing in front of her.
She had never imagined someone like that would be so incredibly handsome—almost as if his beauty could steal a person’s soul.
“Nice to meet you, Marquis.”
Sevia quickly swallowed her surprise and extended her hand for a handshake.
Casar took her hand with his large, firm one and shook it lightly.
The heat from his training still lingered in his palm.
“Thank you for coming all this way, Your Grace.”
Casar hadn’t expected to meet Sevia here either.
Especially not at dawn, right after receiving word of her arrival just the night before.
Meeting her at the training grounds so early was an interesting surprise.
The stories about the Trinitor Dukedom being rich and well-managed seemed to be true.
If their duke was this diligent and involved, it made perfect sense.
He had heard she was born out of wedlock, but with her golden hair and emerald eyes, there was no doubt she carried the blood of the Trinitor imperial family.
Even for Casar, Sevia’s beauty was unexpected.
Her tall, energetic figure and graceful charisma matched her impressive appearance.
She reminded him of a beautifully composed symphony.
If there was such a thing as a naturally good ruler—maybe this was it.
She certainly looked the part.
“The trip was long, but I’ve taken it before, so it wasn’t too tiring.”
Her calm, even voice answered smoothly.
Casar smiled softly and replied,
“I’m glad to hear that.”
Then his red eyes sparkled as he added,
“But you won’t be returning to the dukedom, so you don’t have to worry about making the trip again.”
His words were sharp, like the tip of a blade.
Casar watched closely to see how Sevia would respond.
