Chapter 8

The Marchioness of Regalo, with her round build and fierce expression, entered the Imperial Palace with her son.

“Mother, do you know what that woman said to me? She said I was ugly… Ha… She’s the one who cheated first, yet she’s making up such ridiculous excuses to call off the engagement!”

There was only one reason she had allowed her precious son to get engaged to that notoriously ill-tempered Elemoer girl.

Elemoer was a family everyone feared—and revered.

If pleasing that girl could lead to a successful career, then it wasn’t such a bad deal.

Above all, she was an only daughter. Wouldn’t she inherit everything?

And right then, the Duke and Duchess of Elemoer died.

She had put on a sorrowful act at the funeral, but the thought of Philios getting a cut of their fortune had almost made her smile.

But now—a broken engagement?

And on top of that, how dare she publish such an article that destroyed her son’s honor.

A man can go around seeing multiple women. What’s so wrong about that?

But now that all the newspapers had been bought off, there was no way to publish an article criticizing that woman. It was infuriating.

“We humbly greet His Majesty the Emperor.”

The Marchioness Regalo and her son, Philios Regalo, bowed deeply to the Emperor.

The Emperor—half-brother of the late sovereign. A cruel and cold usurper who had seized the throne from his nephew.

The only reason he hadn’t killed Prince Etias was because the Council was protecting him—but to the Emperor, Etias was a thorn in his side.

“And, Your Majesty, we have something to report to you in secret.”

The Marchioness Regalo knew her news would be welcomed.

“…You say you know which pro-Imperial noble is conspiring with Etias?”

The Emperor’s lips moved beneath his beard.

“Yes! Without a doubt, Your Majesty!”

“The daughter of the late Duke of Elemoer, Catrin Elemoer, is conspiring with Prince Etias to carry out a scheme! I’m certain they are involved!”

With a flushed face, the Marchioness nearly spat out her words in fury, and the Emperor’s eyebrows twitched in reaction.

The late Duke of Elemoer had been his right hand not long ago.

And now that very daughter was said to be in league with Etias?

The Marchioness Regalo’s eyes sparkled as she watched the Emperor’s reaction.

With the Duke of Elemoer dead, many nobles were already aiming to take his place.

If she were to report that insolent Elemoer girl now, her son would have a good chance of filling that vacant spot.

After the article that damaged the Regalo name, the Marquis had ordered his son Philios to remain in seclusion, but the Marchioness had strongly opposed that.

“What’s your proof?”

“At today’s ball, Catrin Elemoer is said to be preparing something to give to Etias!”

She hadn’t come all the way to the Emperor based on her son’s words alone.

She had immediately sent someone to the Elemoer estate to find any weaknesses and had succeeded in getting specific details from the unusually busy servants.

Catrin was preparing something in haste to be placed in Prince Etias’s carriage.

“Hmm…”

The Emperor’s eyes gleamed with intensity.

“If your words prove true, you shall be rewarded handsomely.”

A look of pleased anticipation spread across Philios Regalo’s face.

“But if it turns out to be false… Philios Regalo, you will be held accountable, and that includes your mother’s share of responsibility as well.”

The Emperor’s voice was a choking threat. Though shaken, Philios steadied himself.

After all, no great leap could be achieved without risk.

The ballroom grew noisy at the appearance of me, Catrin Elemoer, the Black Rose of Elemoer.

My softly braided pink hair made my noble beauty stand out even more, and the stunning lines of my dress—born from rejecting dozens of designs—were far more elegant and splendid than anyone else’s attire here.

But because my nasty personality was so well known, no one dared to approach me carelessly.

“…Eek!”

That girl who avoided my gaze immediately—Lady Evelyn, daughter of Count Evelyn.

Bold enough to challenge me at my birthday party once… only to trip and get a bloody nose after I stuck my foot out.

“…!”

That flinching noble brat—isn’t he the heir of Count Sheldon?

He got drunk and tried to grab my hand. I slapped him three times.

“….”

And that one staring at me with such an unpleasant expression from among the group of girls…

As I met that glare head-on, a voice rang out through the ballroom.

“His Imperial Majesty, the great glory of Oswell, enters!”

Tension swept the hall as all eyes turned to the upper balcony.

Attendants pulled aside the silk curtains, and a middle-aged man with a snake-like expression stepped forward.

Everyone bowed in reverence to the Emperor.

“….”

He slowly descended into the ballroom.

Current Emperor Deus Karl Clyde. The late Emperor’s half-brother, and Etias’ uncle.

Born of a concubine, he had no right to the throne—but he usurped the crown from a five-year-old Etias after their father’s death.

What a bastard.

The Emperor paused in place, glancing around.

Today was none other than his 15th anniversary on the throne.

He always celebrated the date of his coronation by throwing such parties and congratulating himself.

“Thank you for gathering to celebrate my 15th anniversary on the throne. Ah, and even my dear nephew has come.”

His gaze turned toward the entrance.

There stood Etias, dressed modestly in uniform compared to the Emperor’s opulent clothes.

Two particularly threatening soldiers stood behind him.

The only reason the Emperor invited Etias to this event was obvious.

To show him that everyone here stood with the Emperor—and there was no place for him. To warn him not to harbor foolish thoughts.

And to impress upon everyone in the hall that the pitiful prince had no qualifications, while he was the true emperor.

“….”

Etias, with a cold expression, simply stood there staring at the Emperor.

My clenched fist trembled with tension.

That Emperor—no matter how much he dressed up, he was like a pearl necklace on a pig. Even without trying, Etias had a hundred, no, a thousand times more dignity and charm.

Don’t be discouraged, Etias!

“Anyway, I’ve prepared a grand feast, so eat, drink, and enjoy yourselves!”

“Long live His Majesty the Emperor!”

I raised my glass for the toast and drank the wine with a sour expression.

Come to think of it, this place was full of Emperor’s loyalists.

Etias was just standing there like a sack of barley in a corner, this vile man…

“….”

Well, to Etias, I probably looked the same.

I handed my empty glass to a servant and tried to sneak off to a quiet corner for a breather.

But the Emperor’s voice caught me mid-step.

“Lady Elemoer.”

“…!”

A shiver crawled down my back. I happened to meet Etias’ eyes again.

From beneath his shadowed face, those clear blue eyes pierced right through me.

What was Etias thinking right now?

“….”

I forced myself to turn away, even though I didn’t want to look away.

As the Emperor approached me, everyone’s eyes turned toward us.

I placed a hand on my chest and gave a small curtsy.

“…Beautiful.”

Ugh. Hearing that from him gave me chills all over.

I fought back a grimace and responded as calmly as I could.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“Come to think of it, this is the first time I’ve seen you since your parents’ funeral.”

“…Yes…”

Please stop talking to me.

“By the way…”

The Emperor suddenly raised his hand and brushed a lock of my hair, spinning it around his finger.

What the hell is this psycho doing?

Then he gave a slight tug—and the strand snapped.

“Your father once said he had important documents he needed to deliver to me before the accident.”

His eyes were fixed on the broken strand of hair in his hand.

My heart started beating faster.

“Documents…?”

“Yes. He said they were Class 1 security documents regarding Oswell’s national security. I clearly remember.”

The crowd began murmuring at the words Class 1.

Class 1 meant highly confidential information that could threaten the nation—treason, war, and the like.

“Since you happened to come today, I figured I’d ask you.”

I knew exactly what the Duke of Elemoer had planned to give the Emperor.

Among the inheritance I received after the funeral, I had found the key to his private study where he stored all his collected intelligence.

“Do you have the Class 1 confidential document, Lady Elemoer?”

The Emperor’s sharp gaze pierced into me like a blade.