Astaire’s strong ally, the Empress and the Ingrid County, had disappeared.

Count Glastia looked at Sehera’s future and let out a distant lament. He finally faced the reality before his eyes.

Is nature something one is born with? There was no hope for Astaire.

Astaire’s uncle, Count Glastia, finally gave up on Astaire after witnessing the Empress’s miserable end.

Count Glastia’s steps eventually turned towards Cassian. Facing Cassian, Count Glastia vented his frustration.

“I’m giving up on Astaire now. He’s gone completely mad over a woman.”

It was a statement subtly shifting the blame for Astaire’s mistakes onto Valentine. Cassian murmured heavily.

“Is that Belle’s fault?”

“……”

With that one sentence, Count Glastia finally realized that Valentine was Cassian’s creation. She was the most perfect poison deliberately offered to Astaire.

There was no one left to protect Astaire. Now it was time to isolate Astaire completely and push him into the abyss.

“How about creating a forest of meat in the Imperial Palace’s backyard and filling the pond with alcohol for boating?”

Valentine whispered to Astaire the story Cassian had told her. Astaire exclaimed, slapping his knee.

“What a genius idea.”

Astaire loved Valentine’s whispers, or more accurately, Cassian’s suggestions, very much.

Thus, a forest made of meat was erected in the Imperial Palace’s backyard. Instead of water, the pond was filled with alcohol that created ripples in the gentle breeze. Even the nobles intoxicated with luxury and pleasure couldn’t help but marvel at this rare spectacle.

At this gathering where everyone was enjoying themselves, only Valentine gazed at everything indifferently.

“You haven’t been smiling at all lately.”

“……”

“What would make you happy?”

At Astaire’s question, Valentine lowered her sorrowful eyes. Now that she knew sorrow and realized despair, only Cassian could make the sad Valentine smile.

“Belle.”

She suddenly heard the sound on Astaire’s lips. Valentine hesitated for a moment at that unfamiliar pet name.

“Pardon?”

“Only your uncle calls you that.”

From the day they first met, Cassian had sweetly called Valentine ‘Belle’. As if finding it curious, Astaire repeated that nostalgic name several times.

“Belle, Belle… Beautiful… it means beautiful.”

Astaire raised his blue eyes. With blue eyes reminiscent of Cassian, he examined Valentine’s appearance from head to toe.

The curling blonde hair. The somewhat haggard cheeks worn by sorrow. The sad eyes. The golden eyelashes lowered mournfully, casting shadows. Still surprisingly enchanting, a sight to behold.

“Of course, you’re dazzlingly beautiful. No one could match your beauty. However.”

Astaire’s index finger caressed Valentine’s cheek. His gaze fixed on Valentine was profound.

“Who would know that your true beauty lies within?”

“……”

“Do you think I don’t know how shameful your position is?”

Astaire was the Emperor. He was not unaware of how humiliating the position of maîtresse-en-titre was for a noble lady born with status, not a commoner wandering the streets.

Valentine was the master of Blumir. Originally, she was of a lineage that wouldn’t be out of place marrying a king from another country that strictly adhered to class distinctions in marriage. Nevertheless, Astaire willingly clipped the wings of Valentine, the master of Blumir, and possessed her.

Now that even the Empress had died, if it were someone else, they might have at least grumbled a few words. But Valentine didn’t say anything.

Astaire liked that about Valentine. She was so selfless that she seemed foolish.

“Despite being born of Blumir lineage, you’re more humble than that arrogant Ingrid woman. Always gentle and quick-witted, you never offend anyone. You’re always… there in that place, unchanging. Always watching my back, greeting me with the same smile when I turn around.”

However, the violet eyes facing him now were devoid of light. It was the light that had disappeared since the day she learned she had lost her child.

“Tina, who else could I love but you?”

Astaire knelt before Valentine with all his heart.

“That’s why I wish you would always smile.”

Astaire’s sincere words didn’t reach her ears. Valentine merely lowered her eyes.

The banquet was in full swing. When Astaire, adequately drunk, was indulging in pleasure with others, Valentine could finally face Cassian.

“Astaire says he wants to see me smile.”

Valentine hugged herself. Even a single word uttered by Astaire just now made her shudder.

Who was it that made Valentine know hell? Wasn’t it Astaire?

“…How does he think I could smile at him?”

To Valentine, it was an absurd story. Cassian, who had been staring down at Valentine, took her hand.

“Belle.”

“Yes.”

“Have you heard about the plague affecting the mulberry trees?”

Valentine nodded.

Was it the realization of the Holy Father’s curse? Sehera was already declining under Astaire’s tyranny. With an untimely famine followed by a crop plague, Sehera’s situation was getting worse and worse.

“The situation is so severe that silk production has become impossible. The price of silk has skyrocketed. So…”

Cassian whispered.

“Tell him that the sound of tearing silk would make you laugh.”

Valentine willingly nodded.

Upon hearing Valentine’s words, Astaire immediately ordered a maid to tear silk. An enormous amount of silk was wasted.

Rip, whenever the sound of silk tearing was heard, Valentine would subtly curl up the corners of her mouth. It sounded like the footsteps of Astaire getting closer to hell.

If she thought of it that way, there was nothing not to smile about.

“It’s good to see you smile even like that.”

Astaire’s heavy weight fell on Valentine. Secretly biting her lips and clutching the blanket, Valentine accidentally pulled the cord that called the Imperial Guard.

Ding, ding, ding… The loud bell sound covered the Imperial City. Not long after, panicked Imperial Guards burst into the bedchamber.

“Your Majesty! What’s wrong! Are you hurt anywhere!”

“Nothing is wrong. It was a mistake.”

Astaire spoke irritably, having their time interrupted. Soon after, he embraced Valentine as if unaware of any shame.

The captain of the Imperial Guard’s face showed bewilderment at the sight of them. Their disheveled appearance was visibly embarrassing.

Then suddenly, laughter was heard.

“Haha…”

It was Valentine’s voice. Astaire stared for a while at Valentine’s snow-white smile.

Valentine burst into laughter at the sight of the Imperial Guards scrambling about. Only then did Astaire realize how to make Valentine laugh.

Astaire would ring the guard’s bell from time to time. Valentine would laugh at the sight of the panicked guards rushing in.

The Imperial family enjoyed such luxury and pleasure. At the center of it all were Valentine and Cassian.

The tyrant Astaire’s maîtresse-en-titre. Sehera’s Black Rose. Madame Marguerite.

All of these became Valentine’s infamous titles. Valentine’s actions, which encouraged Astaire’s tyranny, made Sehera decline even further.

Finally, people gathered their resolve. They discussed overthrowing the tyrant Astaire and establishing a new dynasty, and set a date for the final battle. Cassian handed Valentine the poison that would end their long ill-fated relationship.

And so, on the day of rebellion…

It was the time when the beautiful sun was slowly setting. The most enchanting sunset dyed the blue sky red.

Astaire drank the poisoned cup Valentine offered without any suspicion. It was the result of the trust built up over time.

“Astaire.”

Valentine stared at him for a moment before whispering.

“Didn’t you say you wouldn’t let anyone who hurt and troubled me go unpunished?”

“I did.”

Astaire’s eyes flashed blue as he nodded heavily.

“Why, did someone trouble you?”

“Yes.”

“What bastard dared to do such a thing? Tell me. I won’t forgive them.”

His anger was evident. A gentle smile appeared on Valentine’s face.

“You did.”

Even Astaire doubted his ears for a moment. He frowned as he looked at Valentine.

“Astaire, you hurt and troubled me.”

Astaire chewed over the gentle voice he had loved. Soon realizing its meaning, he asked fiercely.

“What did you just say?”

Bang, Astaire slammed the table and tried to stand up. Or rather, tried to.

His body wouldn’t listen. His trembling hand barely managed to grasp his throat. It felt like it was burning.

“You, what did you… to me…”

Astaire’s face twisted grotesquely as he realized his pain. Something surged up from his burning insides.

A metallic taste filled his mouth. Red blood dripped from his lips. What he had tried so hard to avoid was right before his eyes.

Astaire slid to the floor. His fumbling hand pulled the cord that called the Imperial Guard.

Ding, ding, ding…

Soon the bell sound echoed throughout the Imperial City. Despite the incredibly loud noise, the Imperial Guards who should have come running didn’t even show their shadows.

A dark shadow fell over Astaire. Astaire raised his trembling head.

Valentine, whom he had always thought was small, felt like a giant. Those violet eyes that had been docile were now watching Astaire coldly.