The sound of birdsong outside the imperial city mingled with voices of doubt, pressing in relentlessly from within the emperor’s quarters.
Only two figures remained inside the bedchamber, engaged in conversation, yet their tone was far from friendly.
Their words were sharp, even laced with biting sarcasm.
“Boring. You come to tell me things again, but what use is it…? You’ve already made the decision alone. Asking me is no different than not asking at all, right? No difference at all, Duke Olé, isn’t this just a pointless gesture?”
At that moment, the silver-haired girl shrugged indifferently. She intended to end the conversation with that last sentence. Sliding down onto the bed, she arrogantly crossed her legs, stacking one beautiful leg atop the other—utterly stunning.
Her long silver hair was like silk woven from moonlight, cascading over her fragrant shoulders and spilling onto the pristine skirt below. Her slender waist leaned forward slightly, as if in defiance, yet outlining an elegant curve. Beneath the hem of her dress, a flash of snow-white calf appeared—lines as beautiful as a painting.
Her slender fingers lightly rested on her knee, fingertips faintly flushed with pink. She tilted her proud neck just so, revealing a graceful line, while her delicate collarbones peeked subtly from the neckline. The sheer fabric of her dress rippled gently with her breathing, forming soft folds around her waist.
When she tilted her head slightly, strands of silver hair slipped off her shoulder, brushing her delicate jawline. Wrapped in that white dress, she looked both dignified and softly feminine. Every subtle movement exuded natural, effortless grace. If she didn’t speak, she could be mistaken for a perfect woman.
Noticing something, she quickly uncrossed her legs.
“What are you staring at? Careful, or I’ll gouge your eyes out, Duke Olé. If you have nothing else, then get out. Get out… do you hear me?”
It was obvious she had no intention of continuing the conversation. She felt strong disdain for his behavior and naturally demanded he leave, so she wouldn’t have to witness anything nauseating.
Besides, she needed time to refine the power inside her, to integrate it into this body. All of this had to be done secretly, quietly… then shock everyone.
“There’s no need for us to be so hostile, Your Majesty Gerard. In a way, we are still partners.”
Perhaps her appearance and demeanor matched exactly what Olé had imagined. Surprisingly, his temper softened, and he looked at the girl with heavy eyes that held a trace of affection. He responded with a chuckle and even licked his lips, his servile posture almost comical—especially to Gerard, who was laid bare by the other’s sincerity.
“…Idiot.”
She chuckled lightly, furrowed her brow, sighed, then resumed her cold, indifferent facade. Her response was dull, but it was clear she despised the man before her deeply. If she had a choice, she probably wouldn’t say another word to him.
She raised her hand to drive him away again.
“Get out quickly… scram.”
“Your Majesty Gerard, that attitude really gets on my nerves. If you cooperated, I might consider listening to your opinions and suggestions.”
Now slightly more sober, Olé restrained his smile and adopted a serious expression. Cooperation was one thing—they both sought their own interests—but they both knew, unspoken, the deeper truth.
Suddenly, the girl grinned. Her silver hair slipped from her shoulder, revealing a smooth shoulder. She raised her hand lazily and flipped him the middle finger, deliberately wiggling it under the light.
“No way, you bastard, Olé.”
“Fine then, Your Majesty Gerard, I’ll just have to make you cooperate with my plans. After all, you know if you don’t cooperate, I’m going to be seriously short of a woman to play with—especially one like you. I don’t care if you used to be a man, but now, there’s no doubt you’re a woman.”
“Hmph… boring.”
Truthfully, she was a little scared, but now was not the time to lose face. Her voice trembled slightly, her slender hands crossed lightly over her chest as she stood tall, too disdainful to even look him in the eye, only catching his gaze from the corner of her eye. Yet she could see the daily growing desire in his eyes, his expression becoming stranger with each passing day.
“Boring, huh? Next, I’ll make things interesting. Your Majesty, don’t worry.”
Olé wore a nonchalant expression. He wasn’t bothered by her little stunt just now. He had fully grasped her calmness. Shrugging, he spoke meaningfully, then turned and left without hesitation.
He left behind only his back.
As if recalling something, he paused silently, a half-smile playing on his lips. He glanced back, staring deeply at the girl who bore an uncanny resemblance to Emilia. Just that alone was enough to satisfy him.
“Oh, and you have to give a speech tomorrow. Dress formally. Don’t worry, I’ll prepare the clothes for you—around six in the morning, at the door. I hope you’ll obediently wear them. Don’t try to get lucky, or I’ll make things difficult for you. You won’t want to find out the consequences, I promise.”
“I know… bastard.”
Faced with such a threat, powerless to resist, she could only humbly comply, enduring humiliation for the sake of seeing Emilia alive. She bit her lip softly, expressing her grievance.
The door closed again, and the guards sealed the room from the outside world, leaving her no chance to escape. It was also a form of protection—after all, with her current abilities, survival in this empire was impossible.
Perhaps exhausted, she fussed a bit, cursing Sig and Olé now and then just to vent, then hugged a pillow and began to daydream again—dreaming of Emilia—until she eventually drifted into a deep sleep.
Time passed unknowingly. The sun had long set, and soon the moonlight shone through the curtains, illuminating the girl’s delicate form. Her pale skin gleamed faintly, and her silver hair lay scattered untidily across the sheets.
Her sleeping posture was careless, lacking any grace. Perhaps the cooldown time had arrived, and the gods spoke once again. No matter what Gerard did, time was short and the task urgent. These gods seemed heartless, like bosses forcing employees to work overtime at midnight. If you don’t, you’re marked absent… that kind of thing.
Yet, out of goodwill, they roused her from her reverie.
【Time to get up, Hero Gerard. It’s almost time.】
Clearly still half-asleep, she mumbled vaguely.
【Alright, we’re about to start your teleportation. Destination: Demon King’s Castle, near Sig. But be careful not to draw attention or expose your identity. And make sure to regain your power, Hero Gerard. This is not just for you, but for your future. We gods only want what’s best for you.】
It was obvious the gods liked to dangle promises. “For your own good,” they said repeatedly, but really they only thought of themselves. The nobility and righteousness of gods were just believers’ exaggerations. In truth, gods were pure egoists. After all, how else could one stand out among millions and become a god without being selfish?
Moments later, still in a haze, she was pulled into a spatial rift. When she emerged, she fell from the night sky, descending directly above Demon King’s Castle…
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