They were hot. When was the last time she’d cried until her eyes burned this much?

“Ha, haha…”

When the sun set and evening came, all the members went to the dining hall for dinner.

Only Evolaine remained in the empty training grounds.

“Why do I feel lonely?”

Had the fact of being alone ever felt this sorrowful before?

“Why am I alone?”

Why had she accepted having no friends or family like it was nothing?

Evolaine rolled up her sleeve.

On her wrist, the Kelic pattern was drawn like a brand.

No matter how much she scrubbed, only her skin reddened—my brand that won’t erase.

“…Mother.”

The person I never met, who gave birth to me.

“Is this truly a blessing?”

Those born with Kelic were superior both physically and in swordsmanship.

A benefit only descendants of the Marquisate of La Voletta family could receive.

They were pillars that solidified the family and crucial elements strengthening the empire’s national power.

But when someone unwelcome received it,

“To me, it feels like a curse.”

It was a curse.

“To me, it’s a curse…”

Evolaine clutched the purple sword and sobbed.

Please, let these tears flow abundantly and fill the training grounds to become a sea.

Let me be consumed within it.

Evolaine wanted to pray.

* * *

While unofficial turmoil occurred in the empire’s two prestigious ducal houses, secret dealings also took place in the imperial palace.

Two days after the banquet, at the appointed time, the marchioness arrived at the Rose Palace’s rear garden.

“Madam, this way.”

Haina, the empress’s right hand, was waiting for her.

She was momentarily flustered since Mael, the head maid, usually came to greet her when meeting the empress, but the marchioness quickly composed her expression.

Haina guided her to the back door of the Rose Palace.

Though she’d been invited to the Rose Palace a few times, who knew such a place was hidden here?

‘Does she use this place when conducting business quietly?’

Then today’s meeting with the empress would become something that never happened.

While the marchioness was lost in thought, Haina abruptly stopped walking.

A massive corridor where bright moonlight streamed in. Red carpet covered the floor, and giant stone statues wearing knights’ armor lined both sides.

Following the red carpet stretching ahead with her gaze, low-stepped stairs continued.

And at the end of the stairs, a gleaming golden chair.

“…I greet Your Majesty.”

The empress sat in that chair, looking down at her.

“Welcome, Marchioness of La Voletta.”

The empire’s moon, sitting with legs crossed haughtily like the throne’s master, greeted her night visitor.

“Or rather, my beloved younger sister.”

“…”

“How is it? Your impression of seeing this place for the first time?”

The empress’s monotone voice echoed in the empty secret space.

Her unique pitch, devoid of any emotion, reminded the marchioness of childhood nightmares.

“…It’s massive and magnificent.”

The marchioness couldn’t bring herself to raise her head. Meeting her gaze felt like it would cause some mistake.

She hadn’t been particularly nervous even entering the secret space.

Even when following the path Haina guided, she’d simply walked calmly.

But now, having fully realized the secret space’s true nature, the marchioness felt her mind turn blank.

Had such a massive space existed within the Rose Palace? Then what had the Rose Palace she’d seen all this time been?

When was this space created, and when was it decorated?

“It certainly isn’t a place for you to see casually.”

When the secret space’s master rose, her long red dress flowed down onto the red carpet.

It looked exactly like thick blood flowing down.

“I wanted a more intense reaction, but my sister seems quiet today.”

“…I apologize.”

“Come with a brighter appearance next time.”

Before she knew it, the empress had approached right in front of the marchioness.

Contrary to the marchioness breathing roughly, the empress’s breathing was barely audible.

“Understood?”

The monotone voice pierced her ear once more.

The marchioness nodded without even thinking to wipe her cold sweat.

It was a movement close to survival instinct.

Confirming her sister’s compliance, the empress slowly withdrew.

Only then did the marchioness breathe heavily, releasing the breath she’d unconsciously held.

“I made you a promise. That I’d help eliminate that b*stard child.”

“…Yes.”

“It would have ended easily before, but the situation has become quite interesting. That child has firmly stamped her presence in high society.”

The empress’s violet eyes sparkled.

The marchioness’s spine chilled at the predator’s intimidation, like she’d discovered prey.

But while pressuring her, the empress was also warning.

She was saying in a roundabout way that things wouldn’t have gotten this tangled if she’d definitely killed the b*stard child.

“But as a sister, I can’t not grant my younger sister’s request. So I’m going to send you reinforcements.”

Reinforcements? She’s sending people?

The marchioness’s head lifted, sensing something strange.

The empress wasn’t someone who would openly provide support.

‘Everything will unfold covered beneath truth, beneath people’s daily lives.’

That was the empress’s way of moving her pieces.

So why was she suddenly bringing things to the surface?

“You’re surprised. It’s your first time seeing this, so I fully understand.”

The empress sat back on her throne. When she gestured languidly, a maid brought fruit.

‘She had people hidden.’

Truly behavior befitting someone who pursued perfection.

The marchioness clicked her tongue at the meticulousness, separate from her fear of her.

“I’ll send you the First Princess.”

“Her Highness the Princess?”

Attach the princess here? What can the princess even do?

“That child has connections with the Duchy of Radelica. More precisely, she’s only acquainted with the heirs, but it’s enough to create justification they can’t refuse publicly.”

“What justification do you mean?”

“Justification to approach Radelica.”

“…!”

“That must be accomplished first before we can move to the next stage, wouldn’t you say?”

The empress clicked her tongue.

The marchioness felt wronged at the empress’s rebuke to use her brain a little.

Moving royalty as pieces was possible because the empress was an elder of the imperial family with great power within it.

Even her own son, Crown Prince Astrian, found her difficult, didn’t he?

Therefore, it was an operation completely impossible without her, but the empress seemed not to consider such things.

“But if only the princess goes, it would only benefit the princess.”

“That’s true, but…”

Seeing her sister’s face asking ‘So what will you do?’, the empress felt her temples throb again.

She wondered if protecting her children was truly possible with that stupid head.

If she withdrew, everything would probably collapse.

“Verit—I’ll attach that child to the princess’s side. Since they’re not without friendship, if we just open Radelica’s entrance, they can enter together.”

When her daughter was included in the pieces used in the empress’s plan, the marchioness predictably rebelled.

“But isn’t this a plan designed to protect my daughter? Verit entering when she could fall into danger in the process!”

The marchioness’s cry echoed like an echo in the secret space.

No other noise existed.

Only the cry filled with desperation melted into the air.

“Lin, my sister.”

The marchioness’s eyebrows twitched when she heard the pet name that had only existed in name.

The empress was acting for her. Deliberately creating a situation of taking care of her beloved sister while playing the role of an affectionate older sister.

“I didn’t want to move my niece either. How could I want to send that lovely child to a dangerous place?”

“…Then can’t you exclude her even now?”

“But if that child doesn’t set foot there, we absolutely cannot shake Evolaine.”

What connection could my daughter possibly have with that b*stard child?

Her thoroughly reddened eyes glared at the empress.