Inside the empire, desolation was unparalleled, having been baptized by war and coups.
The once glorious streets were strewn with severed limbs, emitting a strong stench of rot.
Even the stray dogs began to feast without restraint, for no one was there to maintain order or bury the dead.
The survivors clung to life by the thinnest threads.
Naturally, this allowed these animals to enjoy a hearty meal.
Even though the enemy nation had long since retreated, the real danger came from within.
There was no rule left in the empire—noble management and protection had suddenly vanished…
From a high vantage point within the palace, the true ruler of the empire, Duke Olai, coldly observed the chaos below.
Looking down from his lofty position, his expression was impassive, as if exhaling deeply.
He spoke to the young woman beside him, his tone somewhere between an order and a request, leaving one uncertain of his true attitude.
“All right, Your Majesty Gerard, I’ve set the stage for you. The news of Emilia’s return has already been released, though it’s still not very obvious… but I believe it will be effective. After all, hope is a terrifying thing.
In a few days, you will need to make your appearance, but before that, you must undergo some training.”
“Fine, whatever you say. I don’t even have the ability to refuse.”
Gerard’s face was deadpan as she shrugged. She seemed to see through everything and was gradually beginning to understand it all.
Her delicate hand rested at her waist, as if trying to hold something back.
After all, her body was tightly wrapped in bed sheets, the golden curves of her figure on full display—not out of any peculiar fetish.
It was because all her clothes had been taken away overnight.
Without anyone noticing, when she woke again at dawn, only a single piece of women’s clothing lay beside the bed.
Everything else was gone, clearly sending a message.
It was even a style Emilia often wore, which made her inwardly sigh at the poor taste.
This Olai guy really had exposed his true nature…
She seemed quite displeased about this.
The reason she clung to the bed sheets was that she didn’t want to wear women’s clothing.
Whatever she wore, it had to at least cover her body.
She hadn’t considered going completely naked… there was still some dignity to uphold.
But wearing women’s clothes was absolutely out of the question.
She understood that just because she couldn’t refuse, it didn’t mean she couldn’t resist. She would fight back.
After a brief silence, she asked the question that troubled her, her pale blue eyes fixed on Olai as she sought confirmation.
“When will we be able to see Emilia…? Olai, I hope you can be a decent person and don’t lie to me about this. Otherwise, I’ll curse you even in hell.”
“At most six months, at best three. When the time comes, I’ll help you get Emilia. But I hope you’ll cooperate during this period, or it will be difficult for me.”
Then, as if still wary, he cautiously asked some questions, intending to get everything cleared up at once and once for all.
After all, he still had some respect for Gerard.
Of course, that was before she regained her strength; now she was no longer to be feared.
“By the way, Your Majesty Gerard, could you explain how you plan to recover your power? That way, I can assist and avoid any failures caused by miscommunication.”
“… Just take it back. I don’t know the details either.”
Whether Gerard truly didn’t know or was pretending, or perhaps had learned to hide information that might be detrimental to her, it was unclear.
Her previous behavior made it difficult not to believe she was hiding the truth.
Even Duke Olai instinctively believed her. Habit was a terrifying thing, subtly leading one into a trap.
In theory, he should have reserved judgment and observed her carefully, staying alert.
Yet, for some reason, he had unconsciously lowered his guard around Gerard—perhaps because of her face, or the things she had done before that made him confident.
“Fine, let’s leave it at that. You don’t seem eager to continue talking anyway.
There’s still time; the teacher I arranged for you will arrive soon. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you’re satisfied, Your Majesty Gerard.
Please don’t disappoint me. There are lines I hope you won’t cross. And…”
He chose not to press further, brushing aside the topic lightly and moving on.
He proceeded to lay out Gerard’s daily schedule, packed with tasks except for sleeping.
But she hardly listened, letting it go in one ear and out the other.
Her mind was filled with thoughts of herself and Emilia.
A sly smirk played on her lips—a sign she had grown clever, revealing little.
After all, the power of the hero was her final trump card and the only way to turn the tables.
She would never be foolish enough to believe he would keep his promises or even a single word.
Her fists clenched tightly, embodying her unwillingness and the burden she bore.
Only with power could she gain a voice and control over her own life.
Otherwise, continuing to comply would only lead to heartbreak again.
Her hand gently touched her proud chest, like uneven mountain peaks.
The memory of being pierced still left her trembling; she never wanted to experience that again.
She said nothing more, perhaps because there was nothing left to say.
“All right, all right, I get it. You sure talk a lot of nonsense.
By the way, did you even need to tell me all this?
After all, it’s your decision alone, and you don’t care about my opinion or objections.
What’s the point? Just going through the motions?
No wonder Emilia dislikes you. There’s a reason for that—who would like a two-faced person like you?”
She complained impatiently, taking the opportunity to mock him, her smile mischievous.
Then she grabbed the falling bed sheet and was about to leave, only to be startled by Olai suddenly speaking beside her ear.
His expression twisted oddly, the corners of his mouth trying to smile but failing, making him look like he was convulsing.
Clearly, she had struck a nerve.
His tone was no longer calm as he retaliated in kind.
“Maybe, but aren’t you the same, Your Majesty Gerard?
You’re not the only one Emilia has rejected.
Besides, I’ve been far more sincere than you in atonement.”
“Hmph, whatever. I’m too lazy to bother with you.
Don’t come looking for me if there’s nothing important. Seeing you just annoys me.”
With a casual sneer, she laughed at his words, found them ridiculous, then turned and left without looking back, leaving Olai alone on the rooftop, sinking into his thoughts.
“I understand.”
In the end, he did not argue and agreed quietly.
Standing in the wind, his clothes fluttering, he tugged at his collar with force, slowly returning to his usual indifferent state.
There had truly been a serious matter just now.
He took a deep breath to calm himself.
Next time, he would have to be more careful—this was a huge flaw.
He forced a fake smile but the eyes betrayed a hint of dissatisfaction as he silently watched the young woman’s retreating figure.
Then he looked up to the sky, as if something had come to mind.
Indeed, only Emilia truly understood him and could make him feel at ease.
She was his only refuge—whether parents or family, even friends he had known for years knew nothing about him.
They only saw the excellent facade, which was why they died so tragically, so foolishly.
When he personally killed them, they still asked why… why he did it…
Because from beginning to end, they only saw the surface… never understood who he truly was.
Recalling that feeling, all he felt was pleasure—more satisfying than anything else.
He truly wanted to experience it again.
In truth, he had long wanted to rid himself of these foolish relatives but had never found a suitable excuse or reason.
Now, he had one…
For Emilia, he sought justice.
Driven by anger and manipulation, he chose to kill.
For his beloved, seeking justice—what a fitting reason.
Perhaps also paying the price for being manipulated—no one, not even family, could be spared.
The reason for saving the empire was merely because it sounded just and fit his patriotic image.