TCFA~10

~Chapter 10~

A jolt of clarity struck her. Indeed, she was a sinner who had deceived the Empress.

Melanie, pale and trembling, dropped to her knees.

“I—I was wrong. Punish me if you must, but please… spare my sister…”

“And what exactly do you think you did wrong?”

“For… what happened today—”

“Do you truly think that’s all?”

Izaya’s question left Melanie speechless. Her lips trembled, but no words would come out.

How could I even say it out loud?

Melanie had long monitored and controlled Izaya for the sake of the Duke. Whenever Izaya stepped outside the image of the “Duke’s obedient daughter,” she would scold her, sometimes harshly.

“This is all for the sake of Her Majesty, the Empress!”

At the time, she had thought nothing of it. She believed, as the head maid, that she was merely performing her duties.

But looking back now, she realized she had been nothing more than an arrogant and foolish subordinate.

Yes… I must beg the Empress for forgiveness. Then, perhaps, my sister will remain unharmed.

“Your Majesty… I…”

Melanie had just begun to speak when Izaya interrupted.

“You’re apologizing now because I hold your weakness in my hand, aren’t you? I have no interest in hollow words of remorse.”

She knew all along…

Her shallow motives had been laid bare. Melanie felt mortified.

Yet, fleeing now could put her sister in danger.

“What must I do to earn your forgiveness?”

“As you’ve seen today, even if I were to kill you, your father would not care. Are you truly willing to accept that?”

Melanie’s face stiffened under the force of Izaya’s words. Yet, she nodded, seemingly understanding.

“If it ends with me, I accept any punishment. But my sister—she is completely innocent. Please, spare her life.”

Izaya remained silent for a moment. In that brief pause, Melanie’s anxiety flared.

Then Izaya spoke.

“How foolish.”

The words carried a warning, as if to say she should not expect mercy. Melanie shivered.

“I will demote you to an ordinary maid.”

But it wasn’t the punishment Melanie had feared.

Thank goodness.

Unlike the head maids, ordinary maids performed menial chores—cleaning, laundry, and other tasks most avoided. The penalty, though humiliating, was surprisingly light.

And at least the other maids won’t dare treat me with disrespect…

Then Izaya added, continuing in her cold, measured tone:

“For one month, I will not assign you any tasks.”

Melanie’s brow furrowed in confusion.

How is this a punishment?

But the following words left her stunned.

“During that time, you will prove your worth to me. If you succeed, you may return as head maid.”

It sounded simple enough: perform tasks to be of use to the Empress. But the problem was, the criteria for “usefulness” were vague.

No matter what I do, if the Empress deems it unnecessary, it’s meaningless.

Without knowing what Izaya truly desired, Melanie had no clue how to proceed.

“I would appreciate it if you could specify what you expect of me.”

Izaya’s reply was icy.

“That’s for you to figure out. This is your punishment, isn’t it? Now, I grow tired. You may leave.”

Melanie left reluctantly, while Izaya remained deep in thought.

Since I punished her for embezzlement first, no one can now remove her for that. She is merely the Duke’s pawn, loyal because she believes it benefits him. In a way, she’s like me… I cannot bring myself to let her die.

But I also promised not to replace the head maid. The Duke will try to manipulate her again, using her sister as leverage…

That was why Melanie was demoted. As an ordinary maid, she could no longer carry out the Duke’s orders.

The head maid position is now vacant.

In the previous life, the Duke had controlled Izaya entirely through one head maid. Now, Izaya could reorganize her household without his interference—at least temporarily.

Still… given the Duke’s suspicious nature, he’ll surely try to place someone else to monitor Melanie. If it’s someone I don’t know, that could be problematic…

A knock at the door broke her thoughts.

“Your Majesty.”

Izaya lifted her head.

“Yes? What is it?”

“There’s a visitor from the Imperial Palace.”

A visitor at this hour? Izaya’s mind stirred with faint anticipation.

A visitor… could it be Ern?

She shook her head, a small, wry smile on her lips.

If it were him, they would have said His Majesty had come.

Suppressing her fleeting hope, she spoke calmly.

“Show them in.”

The familiar face that entered made her smile.

“Greetings, Guardian of the Empire.”

Though his origins were unclear, he had risen to become the Emperor’s personal commander entirely by merit.

The visitor was none other than Grehen, the Emperor’s Commander of the Imperial Guard, overseeing all palace knights.

“Welcome, Sir Grehen. But at this late hour… what brings you here?”

“I have come to formalize your personal guard, Your Majesty.”

“I don’t need a guard—”

“Your Majesty, guards are required by palace protocol. If you refuse, we would have no choice but to enforce it.”

Grehen’s gaze was sharp, almost feral.

Indeed, he never trusted me, just because I am the Duke’s daughter…

It had once offended her, but Izaya quickly realized he had been right.

Because the Duke intended to make him the first victim.

In her previous life, the Duke had filled the palace with his own people after eliminating those close to her, even within the Emperor’s personal guard.

But if Grehen survived, such a scheme could be prevented.

At least I’ve bought some time.

Previously, Grehen had died shortly after the Duke’s inspection of the palace. This time, by redirecting the Duke’s attention to the private chambers and the gold mines, that timing was delayed.

Izaya smiled faintly at him.

Now all that remains is to remove the root cause.

Grehen, however, noticed her smile and felt uneasy.

Why is she smiling? Even the private chambers seemed suspicious…

As he pondered her intentions, Izaya asked,

“Your guard will rotate, yes?”

Grehen nodded.

“Yes, Your Majesty. Twelve will take turns, always by your side.”

Izaya frowned.

There aren’t many skilled Imperial Knights. We can’t waste such precious manpower just to protect me.

“Twelve is unnecessary. Six are enough.”

“Pardon? But six…!”

“Six is still more than enough. I will not have more.”

Reluctantly, Grehen sighed.

“Very well. Your Majesty, six it is.”

“May I choose who will guard me?”

Grehen eyed her suspiciously, then exhaled.

“Of course. Who do you wish to assign?”

“Sir Gale, Sir Jason, Sir Ferguson, Sir Guinness…”

Hearing her choices, Grehen narrowed his eyes.

She had selected the palace’s elite, some of whom he suspected of being spies for the Duke.

What on earth is she planning?

If she were acting under the Duke’s orders, it would make no sense. After all, separating the spies from the Emperor’s guard would go against the Duke’s intentions.

Could she… betray her own father?

Yet she had welcomed the Duke with utmost respect.

I cannot fathom her intentions.

Grehen’s unease deepened, but he recalled the Emperor’s command:

“From today, strengthen the Empress’ protection. Not a single insect shall touch her.”

“But Your Majesty, the Duke’s movements are unusual. If—”

“Did I not say it was an order?”

Grehen reluctantly nodded.

“Understood. We will place temporary guards today, and the formal assignment will follow tomorrow.”

As Grehen departed, Izaya lifted the corners of her mouth.

Unexpectedly, he has made my task much easier.

“Hans, I have a question.”