Chapter 8
“You’re still my twin no matter what. Speak.”
Just then, Banteon’s brow twitched. He sensed Maion’s presence. As Diena opened her mouth to explain, he raised his hand to stop her.
“Wipe your tears first.”
Then Banteon gave her a look—it meant the Emperor was coming this way.
“Ah.”
Banteon hated seeing Diena look weak in front of Maion. Diena quickly wiped her tears. Soon after, Maion appeared.
This time, he wasn’t accompanied by his mistress, whom he usually paraded around every day.
No matter how much inferiority he felt toward Banteon, at least he wasn’t stupid enough to bring her here and cause an open scandal.
If he had, Banteon might’ve drawn his sword and cut off her head on the spot—and Maion would’ve had nothing to say.
In this empire, mistresses were something to be hidden. The only reason Maion flaunted his was to disgrace Diena.
He couldn’t trample the Duke of Aktilus directly, so this was how he chose to humiliate him.
Even if it earned him criticism, it was worth it to trouble the Duke by targeting his sister.
Diena called out softly, watching Banteon’s growing tension.
“Banteon, in front of His Majesty…”
“I know.”
To deceive Maion, they had to pretend to be on bad terms. It was widely known that their relationship had soured after Diena married Maion.
Though Banteon had once sent her a personal chef, he hadn’t done anything since. That fact helped reinforce the illusion.
Diena, thinking it was all her fault, couldn’t lift her head.
Maion, approaching from a distance, smirked slightly as he saw Diena bow her head. Even if they were meeting again after a long time, it wasn’t like they’d suddenly grow close.
Especially given the Duke’s vile mouth and ruthlessly cruel temperament—even if they were siblings, there was no way he would easily forgive Diena for marrying Maion without his approval.
Maion grinned slyly at the Duke of Aktilus.
“Well, look who it is. What a pleasant surprise.”
“Your Majesty.”
Banteon rose and gave a curt nod. A chilling gleam passed through his red eyes beneath his tousled bangs. Sensing the clear killing intent, Maion forced a smile through gritted teeth.
“If you had let me know, I’d have come to greet you myself.”
“You always say things you don’t mean, Your Majesty.”
Banteon was blunt. At the sarcastic remark, Maion clamped his mouth shut. Diena glanced at Banteon, trying to signal him to be careful.
Maion, feigning nonchalance, watched the two of them closely.
They didn’t even exchange words. Banteon’s expression was clearly annoyed.
‘Seems like nothing’s going on.’
Banteon had visited occasionally before. Though he always left quickly, he’d return fuming.
Diena also looked particularly unhappy on days he came.
So the rumors that they had reconciled always died down quickly.
Judging by the current mood, Maion rose from his seat. He had no desire to stay with the two of them any longer.
“I must be interrupting a family moment.”
Banteon smirked.
“Not at all. It’s a relief.”
“Haha. The Duke has quite the wit.”
Though he responded lightly, Maion couldn’t stop his fists from trembling. He turned and left the Empress’s Palace. Only after his presence vanished did Banteon speak.
“That detestable face hasn’t changed.”
He crossed his legs and clicked his tongue in irritation.
“Brother.”
Diena only called him that seriously when something was up. Banteon stared directly at his sister.
Since becoming Empress, her once radiant face had dulled. She looked thinner, her cheeks sunken. He hated it all, but if Diena opposed him, there was nothing he could do.
He knew forcing help on someone who didn’t want it would only make things worse.
So Banteon had decided to act slowly, to show just how useless the imperial authority was. To put the arrogant emperor back in his place, he would take control of the palace and expose the Emperor’s powerlessness. The three other major noble families had already agreed to support the Aktilus Duke in this endeavor.
They could no longer tolerate the Emperor’s arrogance toward the Aktilus family—the true foundation of the Empire.
The heads of the four great families took immense pride in their lineage. In truth, they followed the Aktilus family, not the Emperor. After all, the three other houses were descended from the original guardians sent to protect the first Aktilus, who was a descendant of the gods.
So it was only natural that the Emperor’s disdain toward them would be intolerable.
If Diena wished it, Banteon could abolish imperial law and take her away at any time. The deaths that followed would be of no concern.
Besides, the Duke of Aktilus held a unique authority—an ancient pact made between the first Emperor and the first Duke.
And this secret had been passed down only to the Aktilus Dukes—not to the Emperor. The current holder of the proof of that pact was Banteon.
“Brother, I want you to pretend to be the Empress in my place.”
Banteon blinked in surprise, then furrowed his brow.
“Think before you speak.”
“I already did.”
“Think again. You haven’t thought this through.”
“I have.”
Her firm reply made Banteon sigh deeply.
“Haa…”
For the first time, he wanted to ignore his sister’s request.
He ran a hand through his long black hair and sighed again.
But even after time passed, Diena didn’t change her mind.
“I’ll get you out without you doing something that ridiculous.”
“Are you planning to go to war with the Emperor?”
“And why not?”
With the “proof” in his possession, Banteon could start a rebellion and still be justified. That was the original agreement between the first Emperor and the first Duke.
If the Emperor ever tried to seize more power, the Duke had the right to strike him down. That proof was the only thing that could replace the Emperor without war—and it was a secret passed only to Dukes of Aktilus.
Diena, unaware of this, let out a shaky breath. She knew how violent Banteon could be. They had been apart for a while, but no one had watched him as closely as Diena had.
Due to the abusive upbringing from their grandfather—the former Duke—Banteon had no hesitation when it came to killing people. If someone caused trouble, he simply eliminated them.
She glanced at his glowing red eyes, filled with killing intent, and shuddered.
Banteon was capable of starting a war—and if he did, the nobles would support him without question.
In this empire ruled by noble factions, if the four great houses united, nothing would be impossible. Replacing the Emperor wouldn’t even be difficult. The military power of the Empire didn’t lie with the throne—it belonged to the four houses.
Still ignorant of the proof, Diena trembled in fear and brushed her arms.
“…The root of the problem isn’t solved.”
“The root?”
“I still… can’t bear to see him get hurt.”
“…”
Banteon swallowed a curse. Diena hurriedly added more, worried he might reject her request.
“And how much longer do you plan to be mocked because of me?”
“Diena.”
“Let them think I died because of His Majesty’s negligence. That way, you can pressure him. It’s time… to shift the balance. No matter how hard Maion struggles, we need to show that the noble faction still holds power.”
Everyone already knew that—everyone except the Emperor.
But even so, Banteon didn’t understand.
“What does that have to do with me pretending to be the Empress?”
“I can’t get out of the palace on my own.”
But Banteon could. If he disguised himself as Diena until she escaped, and then disappeared from the palace, she’d be gone without a trace.
Diena pleaded earnestly.
“Just for two months… while I run away.”
“I have work to do.”
No matter what, he didn’t want to cross-dress. Surely, there was another way.
Diena glared at him with a rebellious spark.
“I know you’ve been secretly planting our people inside the palace.”
“I got rid of them.”
“Oh, come on!”
“Ha, f***.”
His filthy mouth didn’t even make her blink.
“Can’t you at least do this for your sister? I’m telling you—I might die.”
“Haa…”
There was so much he wanted to say, but Banteon swallowed it. She truly looked like she was on the edge.
Honestly, the fact that she’d changed her mind at all was a relief. Better to go along with her before she changed it again.
Banteon washed his face and asked,
“What made you change your mind so suddenly?”
“There’s a maid… her name’s Lellia.”
Diena explained their conversation and how it made her rethink everything. That even a suffering child had managed to move forward, while she, with a supportive family, had been stubborn for no reason.
“I realized again… that I’m precious.”
“And so I have to wear a dress?”
“Brother.”
“…Fine.”
In the end, Banteon accepted her request.
He didn’t care about other people’s lives—but his family was different.
“I’ll refine the plan and let you know. Just don’t change your mind until then.”
“I won’t.”
“If you do again, then…”
Banteon rose and looked down at Diena, voice low and grim.
“I’ll abandon both you and the Emperor.”
Diena understood what that meant.
This was her last chance.
And whatever happened afterward… she would be powerless to stop it.
