‘What exactly is that dark mass that, even after hundreds of years, still writhes…’
Magic, curses—people living in this era would laugh at such things—but to the Emperor, this was a matter upon which the future of the royal family depended.
And, like every Emperor before him, he had to bear responsibility for the dark side of the royal line. Solving such matters wasn’t the duty of the Imperial Knights, but of nameless agents called the “Shadows.”
“Find anyone among the Emperor’s bloodline showing signs of the disease. And if you find someone with a child, you know what to do.”
If the curse were exposed to the world, it would create chaos. It had to remain under his control.
If the curse’s activation depended on the number of royal descendants, there was no mercy for any unborn child outside the world.
The Emperor could be cruel in secret for the sake of the royal family’s peace and security. If it ensured that the rest of the family lived happily, he would go even further.
Yet at such a critical time, dealing with headaches and curses, who had time to entertain talk of divorce? He had no patience to listen to the whims of an uncharming niece.
“I’ve heard your story. You want to divorce Duke Pandeon? Let me make this clear from the start: impossible. I will not permit it.”
“-You’re still so impatient. Not everyone has even sat down yet.”
Karia furrowed her brow in annoyance, muttering that he could have sent a message instead. Her attitude struck the Emperor and the rest of the royal family as odd.
Karia had never been the type to answer back or be sarcastic—especially not to the Emperor. She had always said only “Yes.” When had she become so bold? Or was this just posturing?
Her response made the atmosphere in the chamber tense. Surprisingly, Princess Cerivis spoke up for Karia.
“Father, speaking so harshly must have startled my sister. Perhaps you should hear her out first…”
“Princess is right. Your Majesty, at least hear her side.”
The Crown Prince Robert agreed. A family reunion after years, and yet the Emperor immediately declared, “No divorce”—a harsh, cold start.
Yet Karia remained unflustered, as if the matter did not concern her. She observed quietly, curious why these two, who would normally not support her, were suddenly acting like family.
As she crossed her legs and leaned comfortably into the sofa, the Emperor, growing angrier, continued.
“I know roughly what’s happened. Apparently Duke Pandeon’s negligence caused issues with the Dowager and the heirs. But such things can happen in any marriage. The Duke has promised to be more attentive…”
“Did the Duke say that?”
“What?”
“I asked if that man shamelessly told me it was a trivial matter. Did he?”
Karia already realized from the Emperor’s words that the Duke had secretly negotiated behind the scenes. He could not act alone, so he asked the one she found most unpleasant to intervene—cowardly.
Her icy voice made the Emperor clear his throat, softening slightly.
“Of course, he admitted his fault. The Dowager deeply regrets hurting you and asked me to create this family meeting so you might be persuaded to reconsider. So you—”
“The Dowager regrets? Regrets what? Keeping me isolated in the estate for three years, away from the family, is that what she regrets?”
“-What?”
The Emperor froze, dumbfounded. Karia’s furious confession did not stop there.
“After enduring a harsh exile and finally returning to the capital, she prevented me from entering society. Or perhaps she regrets turning away every visitor, keeping gifts for herself? There are so many things I don’t even know what she’s apologizing for!”
Her sharp words echoed through the silent room, cutting through everyone’s ears. The first to speak was Alcard.
“So you weren’t hiding outside—it was that you couldn’t? No wonder you seemed clueless about gifts or medicine. Are you saying the Dowager even laid hands on you before…? Did that happen often?”
“Lay hands on me? Who dares!”
At the mention of physical abuse, the Emperor could not contain his anger. He disliked Karia at times, but she was still family. And who could dare strike the Emperor’s niece?!
It was Crown Prince Robert who, seeing the Emperor flustered, addressed Karia.
“Why didn’t you tell anyone all this? You’ve been back in the capital for some time, surely you could have said something.”
“-Tell? To whom?”
Karia refused to answer straightforwardly. She glared at Robert, lifting one corner of her mouth in a mocking smirk. Who dared suggest such a thing?
“You’re not implying your father, sister, or uncle just assumed you were fine for years without a word?”
“That’s…”
“There’s nothing to hide, I know everything. You all were comfortable while I was gone, weren’t you?”
Karia had traced the path of the gifts Alcard mentioned. Some jewels adorned the Dowager, some were broken up and sold. The wolf pelts from hunting became carpets, the medicinal herbs went straight into the Dowager’s mouth.
Had they checked how she used the gifts, they might have realized how she had lived. But they never did.
‘They just threw them like charity and felt proud of fulfilling their duty.’
For six years, no one had questioned Karia’s absence—they were content not seeing her. Now, calling her to a “family” meeting revealed their intentions clearly. Karia found the whole scene laughable.
“I understand this meeting is about maintaining peace. But don’t worry. Even if I divorce, nothing will change. I’ve long hated being involved in this family.”
“Karia!”
“As you know, I’ve already secured a townhouse for after the divorce. I don’t enjoy noisy gatherings, so appearances in public will be rare. Your Majesty, please grant the divorce. If permitted, I’ll handle it quietly and swiftly.”
For a moment, she wished to unleash her anger, even imagining turning the palace to ashes with magic. But she restrained herself.
Her family had ignored her. Her revenge would be indifference. Living as if strangers, showing contempt and forcing them to feel shame—that was sufficient.
‘Living as strangers—enough.’
Her expectations and trust were discarded—they had been her own whims, not to be held against anyone.
“Denied.”
Karia’s rational thoughts froze at the Emperor’s single word.
“I will instruct Duke Pandeon firmly. If you wish, I can apply the full weight of the royal family. Make him pay for what you’ve endured, or until your heart is satisfied. And live proudly as his Duchess. That’s a better revenge.”
“-What?”
“Yes. I know how much you’ve suffered. But divorce is impossible. Regardless of the circumstances, if you divorce the Duke, people will seek faults in you. What will your name mean to the public? A royal showing divorce as an example—never.”
Live while taking your revenge.
That was the Emperor’s answer. Karia, unprepared for such insistence, froze, stunned.
Yet no one in the room dared oppose the Emperor—not even her father, who pressed his forehead, lips sealed.
“-Is divorce absolutely forbidden in any circumstance? Is that your opinion, Your Majesty? And Duke, do you agree?”
“Karia, show respect to your father. No matter how excited you are, there are limits.”
“Well, the first to cross the line wasn’t me—it was Your Majesty, wasn’t it?”
Karia erased the faint twisted smile she had, returning to perfect neutrality. Her cold expression made the Emperor flinch.
And at that moment, Karia altered her plan for revenge. A royal expected to set an example? She had never been respected as a royal. Nobles, servants—all had scorned her. To demand she sacrifice herself for royal honor was unreasonable. Her anger was justified.
