Episode 5
“I’ve heard from other nobles that the emperor hates the high-ranking nobles in the capital because he used to be a baron,”
Lady Tanibera reported the information she had gathered.
“Several nobles have already been killed over petty excuses. And since Your Grace holds the highest title among them, he’ll likely dislike you even more.”
“So if I don’t stay low, he’ll find something to use against me,”
Sevia said, resting her face on one hand.
Marquis Temian looked up with his serious gray eyes and said,
“To survive in the palace, you must not anger the emperor. It’s better to appear powerless than threatening.”
“I agree. But we won’t be able to fool Casar Juan,”
Sevia pointed out.
“He’s probably already done his research,” Temian said.
Sevia looked to him, waiting for his next words.
“But people who trust their own strength rarely change their opinions. As long as the emperor sees you as weak, he might ignore Casar Juan’s warnings.”
“Hm…”
“Act like a foolish and timid woman, Your Grace. The more you seem like a delicate flower raised in a greenhouse, the better.”
“Will that really be enough?”
“If it isn’t, then remind him that the Eastern army is weak compared to his. You need to convince him that you’re no threat at all.”
“…That sounds hard,”
Sevia said, recalling Casar’s sharp gaze that morning.
The way he had looked right through her—it made any strategy feel pointless.
Even though she had a bad feeling, she couldn’t think of a better idea right now.
“I’ll try it, but I doubt the emperor will be fooled.”
“You’ll do fine. Don’t worry too much—just return safely.”
“I’ve already brought the perfect dress. It’s almost time for your audience, Your Grace,”
Lady Tanibera said, confidently leading Sevia to the dressing room.
“Please take care of it,”
Sevia replied.
Sunlight poured onto the high throne in the audience hall.
As Sevia stepped into the grand chamber, the emperor’s massive figure radiated intimidation.
The closer she got, the more his enormous body felt overwhelming.
Even with his hair already turning gray, his strong and powerful build showed how fierce he once was.
His cruel expression seemed to declare that he had claimed the throne with his own hands—not by birthright.
Sevia knelt before the emperor.
“Raise your head.”
Lifting her head slowly, Sevia gave him a frightened look.
The soft, flowing white dress fell off her shoulders, making her look delicate.
The flower decorations made her seem more like a clueless noble lady than a dignified duke—surely a foolish choice in the emperor’s eyes.
The emperor gave her a sneering smile.
“I heard you took the dukedom after driving out your brother, but you seem quite gentle.”
His gaze was filled with mocking contempt.
“The duke who supposedly led an army looks awfully girly.”
Clearly, the emperor already knew a lot about her.
Sevia broke out in a cold sweat—he wouldn’t be easy to fool.
Still, she stayed calm and played the role of a timid woman.
“I’m just grateful that Your Majesty would even notice such an unimportant detail about me.”
She spoke carefully and glanced up at him.
From his high throne, the emperor smiled like a beast sizing up prey.
Even the young crown prince sitting beside him looked curious about Sevia.
But the one who concerned her most was Casar standing next to the emperor.
His muscular body had already been impressive, but dressed in full noble attire, his face looked even more refined.
The red gem in his white cravat pin, matching his eyes, gave him an even sharper presence.
And disturbingly, he was smiling like a hunter who had just set a perfect trap.
Sensing danger, Sevia spoke cautiously.
“The battle that took place in the Eastern Dukedom was nothing compared to Your Majesty’s great wars.”
Her respectful tone made the emperor’s expression ease slightly.
“It was only a one-night rebellion. For the past four years, the East has been at peace.”
Sevia slightly lowered her head like a proper, gentle noblewoman.
“I was lucky to gain my title during a simple family dispute. I only ask Your Majesty to be merciful and let the people of the East live peacefully.”
The emperor tapped his armrest, studying her face as if trying to read her true intentions.
Just when Sevia thought she had earned his trust, Casar interrupted.
“I happened to meet Duke Trinitor at dawn today, Your Majesty.”
The emperor looked at him.
“She was at the training grounds,” Casar continued.
“The one where the Northern army trains.”
“The training grounds? She was there?”
“Yes. She was closely observing the soldiers’ training.”
They had only met by chance at the well, but Casar was clearly exaggerating—and intentionally.
He even used the word “closely,” which was clearly meant to provoke suspicion.
“I also asked nearby soldiers. They said she went into the armory and barracks and stayed there for quite a while.”
Sevia thought, Ah, that’s bad.
She had wandered around too casually, as if she owned the place.
Sure enough, the emperor’s face darkened.
“The armory and barracks, too?”
Sevia tried to speak up in defense, but Casar cut her off.
“The duke has many troops in the East, so I suppose she’s naturally interested in the military.”
With his blood-red eyes sparkling, Casar, who looked like a carved statue, continued with his sly tongue.
“Perhaps her real reason for coming to the palace was to study the Northern army up close.”
Then he aimed the final blow:
“Maybe she’s planning to raise an army right under Your Majesty’s nose.”
Casar’s words struck like a hunter’s final trap.
But Sevia couldn’t afford to be caught now. She quickly responded,
“I would never raise an army against Your Majesty. I only came here to keep my people from suffering under high taxes and to seek peace.”
“But as soon as you arrived, you visited the training grounds, the armory, and the barracks,”
Casar said, tightening the noose like he already had her in his grasp.
The emperor grinned coldly.
“This is why I hate high nobles.”
His voice carried clear disgust as he looked at Sevia.
“They kneel politely but plot behind your back. There’s nothing honest about them.”
This is bad.
Sevia realized her plan to make the emperor drop his guard had failed. His eyes were so cold, it felt like he’d order her execution at any moment.
Noticing her alarm, the emperor spoke in a mocking tone.
“You drove your brother out with a sword, but now you’re trying to look delicate in a flimsy dress? Capital nobles judge by appearance—did you think I would fall for that too?”
Just like Casar had wanted, the emperor’s voice was laced with anger.
“If you came here to start a rebellion, I can’t let you live.”
A bitter laugh echoed through the hall.
“You sneak into the training grounds and try to fool me in that dress?”
Though his voice was icy, Sevia spoke bravely.
“If I really came here to rebel, I deserve to die, Your Majesty.”
The emperor stared at her, surprised by her calm reply.
He must’ve expected her to beg for her life.
“But I never meant to deceive you. And I don’t have the power to fight you, either.”
“Hmph.”
The emperor glared down as if still deciding.
“If you don’t have the strength, then why spy on my army?”
Sevia kept her face calm and stood up from where she had been kneeling.
The emperor’s eyes widened slightly—she had stood without permission.
Even Casar, who had backed her into a corner, now watched her cautiously.
Sevia noticed all eyes were on her.
She grabbed the hem of her dress.
Then, she began tearing it.
She ripped the skirt up to her knees and tore away the delicate fabric from her shoulders.
She even tore off the flower decorations and threw them aside.
Then she declared,
“I am no noble lady—I am a bastard child, Your Majesty.”
