Chapter 41

A tense morning dawned. Unable to sleep due to her coughing, Rohana spent the entire night awake, staring at the timeline she had organized from the original story.

<1. After a long friendship on the beautiful southern plains, Bardi and Aurelia eventually get married, but before the wedding, Kaiden falls for Aurelia.

2. Threatened by Kaiden (Nopthal), Gregory Hanover sends his daughter Rohana through a marriage alliance for diplomatic purposes. However, due to an unknown threat in Nopthal, the couple soon returns to the Imperial Palace.

3. Their relationship deteriorates over Aurelia, and the Kark tribe, backed by Nopthal’s power, eventually attacks the capital, leading Bardi to start a war.

4. After several battles, Bardi emerges victorious.>

In the original story, Rohana dies around the third stage. More precisely, Kaiden kills Rohana, who had been taken hostage. Her death becomes the pivotal reason for Bardi’s decision to go to full-scale war with Kaiden.

Just like the contract marriage and now encountering him in Nopthal with an army.

When she thinks about it, although the details differ from the original, the larger framework hasn’t changed much—whether it’s the mysterious bombings on the west coast or the recent fire incident. The locations and actors have changed, but the main trajectory remains largely the same.

‘They even brought an army while claiming to have evacuated.’

It was sneaky and cunning.

Rohana had a bad feeling.

After putting the notes in the safe with the contract, Rohana realized that the sun was nearing its peak.

At that moment, Jody came walking lightly, almost singing. She carried a tray with a teapot and tea cups.

“Here’s the medicinal tea you asked for.”

“Thanks.”

Even though some time had passed, the medicine still hadn’t fully taken effect. Rohana drank the tea and looked at Jody.

“By the way, Jody, are you taking your medicine too?”

“Excuse me?”

“You probably inhaled the most smoke among us. Are you getting a prescription?”

Caught up in everything, Rohana hadn’t been able to check on her friend for a while.

“Of course, don’t worry, Your Grace.”

At Jody’s cheerful reply, Rohana added,

“If you’re too tired, let me know. Take a break for a few days if needed.”

“That won’t happen. Besides, I’d feel restless if I took a break.”

Amid the light-hearted atmosphere, Rohana managed a faint smile.

“They’ll be arriving soon.”

At the maid’s words, Rohana quickly finished the medicinal tea. In the mirror, she saw her reflection adorned with a pair of dazzling purple amethyst earrings, matching her eye color.

The thought of meeting those two soon made her heart race with unease.

***

‘So this is the infamous Nopthal.’

Bardi dismounted, dressed in his red ceremonial robes.

‘Now I see why he was so confident.’

As Bardi looked at the grandeur of the castle and palace, a slight smirk crossed his lips.

“His Majesty, the Emperor! Her Majesty, the Empress!”

At the booming voice of the guard and the loud blaring of trumpets, the people of Nopthal, who had been waiting in advance, bowed their heads.

“Our dear brother, Duke Kaiden Delcliff.”

“Your Majesty.”

Kaiden was dressed in his usual black armor and cloak.

“Don’t worry. My army is stationed just outside the castle. They aren’t inside. Oh, but I did bring my guard unit. They must follow me wherever I go.”

At Bardi’s words, Kaiden gave him a look that said, “Isn’t that the same thing?” Bardi let out a small laugh.

At that moment, the carriage door opened, and a delicate hand emerged. As Bardi took the hand, Aurelia stepped out.

“Duke.”

Her bright voice rang out. Dressed in an ivory gown, she looked as lively as when she had first appeared in the Ardgold Imperial Palace.

“You may address me as you please, Empress.”

Kaiden spoke politely. Watching Aurelia pout as if disappointed, Bardi’s gaze shifted from her to Rohana.

“It’s been a while, Rohana.”

“Your Majesty.”

Rohana bowed her head in greeting. The train of her teal jacquard dress trailed behind her. It was Nopthal’s traditional attire.

Bardi was momentarily unsettled by her slightly unfamiliar appearance.

Just then, a cough rang out. To his surprise, it was Rohana. Kaiden immediately turned toward her. He whispered something in her ear, and the Emperor noticed. While Kaiden’s face wasn’t visible, Rohana smiled slightly, her eyes curving.

‘I can’t let things end like this.’

As Bardi walked across the newly laid red carpet with the Imperial attendants, he thought to himself.

‘Something’s off.’

The elite guard surrounded him with an impenetrable defense.

‘Rohana, you and I share a deep connection.’

When Bardi looked at her again, Rohana was now looking back at him. Her once-beautiful face had grown gaunt since he last saw her.

‘No matter what, I still want you back.’

A bitter smile crossed his lips.

Numerous attendants bowed deeply, guiding Bardi to Nopthal Castle’s annex.

Bardi threw his cloak aside carelessly. Following behind, Aurelia’s face was full of energy. Bardi looked out the window. From the annex, the entrance to the main building was visible.

‘I didn’t evacuate to Nopthal.’

Watching Rohana and Kaiden enter the building together, Bardi thought to himself.

‘I came to capture Nopthal.’

‘That pesky ‘White Bird’ would be a perfect opportunity to smash Nopthal and the Kark tribe, and Rohana would be with me.’

No matter the cost.

***

“Your Grace, could you select the dinner menu?”

It was customary for the hostess to choose the main course and dessert, even if just for formality’s sake.

After some thought, Rohana suggested Nopthal’s famous beef Wellington for the entrée and a cherry meringue galette for dessert.

“Good idea.”

At that moment, an all-too-familiar yet unsettling voice echoed. When Rohana turned around, she saw the Emperor, who had deliberately silenced everyone.

“Your Majesty.”

The attendants around her, including those nearby, were startled and bowed in respect. Rohana was just as surprised by his sudden appearance.

“Leave.”

With a wave of the emperor’s hand, everyone dispersed like the receding tide.

“What brings you here…?”

“How have you been?”

Rohana, displeased, sat down again. An hour had passed since the emperor and empress arrived. It hadn’t even been a full day since she heard they were coming, yet she was already utterly exhausted.

“Yes, of course.”

“Are you still very angry?”

“No.”

His gaze was persistent and heavy. Rohana frowned.

“Your Majesty, your sudden visit has kept us rather busy with preparations…”

“I know. But stay just as you are. I don’t care about formalities like that. We’ve always hated those things, haven’t we?”

Bardi leaned in closer to Rohana.

“I regret that circumstances led to you marrying Kaiden. But don’t worry.”

His voice was deeply serious, in a tone Rohana had never heard before.

“I won’t let you be in danger. Never.”

Anyone would think they were still betrothed. Rohana’s face was cold.

“Do you remember? When you fell off the horse…”

Rohana quietly looked at Bardi.

“When Your Majesty shed tears until your eyes were swollen?”

“That’s not what I meant…”

Bardi hesitated momentarily at her calm tone.

“I carried you on horseback all the way to the palace. Come to think of it, that was the first time we rode together.”

Rohana gave a wry smile. How quickly the past could lose all meaning.

“Rohana, I’m truly sorry.”

Her violet eyes once again fixed on Bardi.

“I’m sincerely sorry that things have turned out this way.”

His deep blue eyes followed her intensely.

Knock, knock.

Just as Rohana was about to speak, there was a knock at the door.

“Your Grace, it’s time for your medicinal tea… Your Majesty!”

Jody, who had spotted the emperor, dropped to her knees, her voice filled with surprise.

“Medicinal tea?”

Bardi raised an eyebrow.

“Rohana, are you unwell?”

“It’s nothing.”

Rohana quickly responded, but Bardi sensed something was off. The coughing earlier, too.

“You.”

The cold voice echoed through the drawing room.

“Speak clearly.”

Jody’s large eyes blinked nervously, as though startled by the sharp command.

“Well… the fire… my lady inhaled the smoke… I…”

Her voice trembled, starting to break. Rohana, realizing this was going nowhere, interrupted.

“There was a fire.”

Bardi’s eyebrow twitched, and his brow furrowed. His blue eyes flashed ominously.

“A fire?”

“About halfway down the road, on the way back.”

“Where exactly?”

When Rohana didn’t respond, Bardi strode over and knelt in front of her.

“Rohana…”

His blue eyes gleamed as he looked up at her.

“Exactly ‘where’ and ‘how’ did the fire start?”

His broad, muscular shoulders tensed, his body rigid with tension. His eyes blazed, ready to seize anyone in his path.

“Are you telling me you were in danger less than a day after leaving the palace?”

“Your Majesty.”

Rohana sighed, her expression cold.

“The Duke of Delcliff will take care of it. It happened in his territory, so there’s no need for you to worry.”

“How could I not be concerned?!”

Suddenly, his voice thundered through the drawing room. His face twisted with anger.

At the sound of his outburst, Rohana closed her eyes briefly. Her brow furrowed on its own.

“Was it the Kark’s doing?”

“I don’t know yet.”

Rohana lied with perfect composure.

“You still don’t?”

“Please stop.”

The tension in the room was palpable.

“This isn’t something for you to worry about, Your Majesty.”

Rohana’s calm, emotionless face made Bardi’s expression falter slightly.

“Rohana.”

The emperor took a deep breath, brushing his auburn hair back. His large hand passed behind his neck and came to rest on her knee.

“I’ll kill every one of them for you.”

His blue eyes flashed dangerously.

“Far more painfully than those men from the chandelier incident.”