“That child was passed to me by Aurelia.”

“What did the Empress say about keeping the child?”

“Rohana, listen carefully and don’t be shocked.”

Rohana furrowed her brow.

“Aurelia is from a Kark tribe.”

Rohana, who hadn’t known that even Bardi was aware of this, held her breath inwardly.

“I wanted to have our marriage annulled after discovering that she was a Kark and that child was used as leverage. I made a deal with Aurelia—I wouldn’t speak about her being a Kark, and in return, I would find the child.”

Water droplets dripped from the soaked towel into the silver basin, making a soft splashing sound.

“So in exchange, I promised to hold off on annulling the marriage, but in return, we agreed to divorce. Of course, I could still annul the marriage depending on the situation. She naively believed my promise.”

The words “divorce” and “annulment” circled in Rohana’s mind. Tears and humiliation over such a trivial game, a foolish act that had broken her.

“Are you serious?”

The emperor, frowning, looked up at Rohana.

“You said you loved her, but you change so easily. Really, how could you…?”

The emperor’s expression brightened faintly as he looked at Rohana, whose teeth were clenched.

“What do you plan to do about the public reason? You’re saying you’ll divorce the Empress because she’s from Kark? Are you really unaware of how severe the conflict is between the two sides…?”

“Rohana.”

A faint smile spread across his handsome face. In that moment, Rohana’s foreboding became a certainty as he continued speaking.

“It’s precisely because this marriage is so important that I want to set it right.”

His piercing blue eyes stared directly at her. Why had the Emperor made such a deal with Aurelia?

Rohana furrowed her brow. Why had he shown such interest in Emily Cobb?

“But why, Your Majesty, did you care so much about that child?”

Bardi’s blue eyes twisted slightly as if to say, “Do you really not know?” His lips curled up at one corner.

“Because of you.”

He suddenly reached out and grabbed her hand in an instant.

“Because I thought you’d want to find that child.”

Whether it was because she found it more disgusting to struggle free or because she was overwhelmed, Rohana stood frozen, looking up at him.

“Rohana, please come back.”

Bardi whispered softly.

“I made a mistake. You were right about everything. That’s why I’m trying to correct it from now on.”

“Stop it.”

Hearing the weight of her disdain, Bardi’s voice grew desperate.

“I’ll give you whatever you want for the maid’s younger sister. I’ll give Aurelia whatever she wants too.”

His blue eyes shimmered with sincere emotion. For a moment, Rohana’s gaze faltered. Sensing the moment of weakness, Bardi immediately pulled on her hand.

“If you need time, I’ll wait as long as it takes, just come back whenever you’re ready.”

Rohana pulled her hand away.

“Enough.”

Bardi, seemingly having no intention of forcing her further, quietly let go of her.

Silence followed.

Too drained to even offer a reply or a farewell, Rohana quietly turned around. Just then, Bardi’s voice reached her back.

“You’re still angry with me, aren’t you? Even like this.”

Rohana frowned. Her hand gripped the doorknob tightly, her knuckles turning white.

“You couldn’t forget me either.”

She could feel his blue eyes clinging to her. Rohana slammed the door shut.

***

Morning had come. The winter air was crisp and clear as if the rain had never fallen.

‘I never thought I’d return again.’

The Hanover estate was just as it had been. The only difference was that Gregory was showing her some degree of favor now.

Perhaps hope had returned, buoyed by the rumor that the Emperor might do something about the Empress.

“You must have heard from Brandt. Behave properly.”

It was something Gregory had said as Rohana saw him off that morning as he was heading out.

Though she had no intention of acknowledging it, her head had nodded out of habit, and it annoyed her to no end.

“My Lady, are you alright?”

It was Heath’s voice that pulled Rohana out of her thoughts. Hearing a familiar voice brought her some relief.

With soft eyes and delicate features, Heath, with his surprisingly light gray eyes, gazed down at her.

She had been grateful that he hadn’t asked any questions about her worn-out appearance the night before. And now, he had insisted she stay for breakfast, and she was seated at the table because of his persistence.

“Well…”

Rohana trailed off as she opened her mouth.

Her heart wasn’t heavy because of Bardi’s absurd words. Nor was it because she pitied Aurelia hypocritically.

It was a farce for her to feel sorry for Aurelia, of all people.

“Why then?”

A sudden thought made Rohana furrow her brow even more. Despite wanting to dismiss it, a subtle thrill was stirring in one corner of her heart, as much as she hated to admit it.

The Empress, who had calmly admired the red tulips, even after causing such harm to Jody.

A shameless woman who, after kidnapping Jody’s sister Emily, sold her to the Crown Prince for her own safety.

A woman who had shattered the pure love and happiness Rohana had protected for over a decade in an instant.

The person who absolutely had to be punished.

The method to utterly crush her might be right in front of her.

If she cooperated with the Emperor.

“Should I negotiate?”

As that thought unexpectedly surfaced from her unconscious, Rohana was startled.

Get a grip.

She shook her head vigorously. Even if it seemed tempting, it was no more than a poisonous chalice. After all, the price he would demand would be Rohana herself. And that was a non-negotiable matter.

Even if it meant dying.

“I will definitely become independent before summer. I promised to stand completely alone.”

Rohana smiled sweetly, her eyes forming a lovely crescent shape.

“I heard I can see Emily Cobb. Shall we go now?”

Heath, slightly suspicious, set down his napkin.

Rohana looked just like the lady from the capital as she had when they first met. The champagne-colored lace dress, with its bare shoulders, still suited her perfectly.

“Shall we, then?”

Rohana casually took Heath’s extended hand.

“I’m not sure what the prison here is like. I’ve never been there either.”

Heath smiled down at the young duchess.

***

Rohana’s eyes widened as she was led to an unexpected place.

“Here?”

It was a detached house where nobles usually stayed. The servants bowed their heads and politely answered before knocking on the door and opening it.

Beyond the open door sat a girl dressed in a long, frilled lace dress, who looked exactly like Jody.

“Emily?”

And next to her, to Rohana’s surprise, sat none other than Vivian Huxley. The daughter of Earl Huxley and Rohana’s father Gregory Hanover’s right-hand.

Vivian, a lively woman with a frank personality, had been one of Rohana’s few friends. Her orange hair curled beautifully.

“Vivian?”

“Oh my, Roha— I mean, Duchess of Delcliff!”

Vivian jumped up in surprise, her eyes wide like a startled rabbit.

Rohana, who had expected to be taken to a dungeon, had instead been brought to this remote annex, and the scene before her was utterly unexpected.

“How…?”

“His Majesty said the young lady needed a friend. He mentioned she’s a lower-ranking noble from Nopthal. Is that true? Something seems odd…”

Vivian quickly walked over and whispered to Rohana, turning her back to the others. Rohana furrowed her brow slightly.

“I’ll explain later. Could you leave us for a moment?”

Vivian glanced at Heath, looking a bit disappointed, before closing the door and leaving. She likely felt hurt that Heath had come all the way to the capital without saying a word to her.

Rohana watched her go but said nothing as Heath looked at her, his stiff expression softening slightly.

“Emily.”

“You must be Rohana Hanover.”

“Now I am the Duchess of Delcliff…”

Rohana gently touched Heath’s arm, signaling that it was alright, smiling warmly.

“Are you here out of some grudge against my sister?”

“No.”

Rohana’s answer barely left her lips when Emily interrupted, almost snatching the words.

“If you’re here to say you’re sorry…”

“Words won’t suffice, and saying sorry won’t help. I’ll say that after ensuring your safety.”

Emily remained silent, showing no particular reaction.

“Did you hear about the trial?”

“Yes. His Majesty the Emperor said he was sorry that the trial had to be held only as a formality.”

‘I could hear Heath snorting softly at the absurd remark.’

“Formality?”

“He said that since I’ve done nothing wrong, there’s no way I would be found guilty.”

There was a subtle hostility beneath the slightly smug look in Emily’s eyes. Rohana couldn’t help but smirk inwardly. Was this another shallow trick of Bardi’s? Why?

‘Does he really want to win my favor?’

Suppressing her incredulous feelings, Rohana continued with her questions.

“Did His Majesty explain why he brought you here and why he introduced you as a noble?”

“I’m not sure of the details, but His Majesty saved me from those crazy R.D.s.”

“Crazy R.D.s?”

“Why are you surprised? My sister tried to leave that place, too. It’s just a bunch of magical organizations that exploit people without giving anything in return.”

Emily muttered with a venomous tone, her voice far more mature than her age.

“In the end, things went wrong, my sister ended up like that, and then they kidnapped me. I wondered what their plan was…”

Her voice trembled slightly as tears welled in her eyes. She quickly regained her composure and continued, her voice steadier.

“His Majesty took pity on my situation and rescued me.”

Rohana remained silent. Now, she understood how Emily perceived the situation.

“Are you comfortable here?”

“Yes, except that I miss my sister.”

Rohana flinched at the sharp words but maintained her smile.

“Alright, as soon as everything is over, I’ll make sure you can return to Nopthal…”

“I don’t want that.”

Emily said, looking directly into Rohana’s eyes.

“What?”

“I don’t want to go back. I want to stay here. His Majesty said that if I obey him, he would allow it.”

At the word “His Majesty,” Rohana’s brow furrowed.

“I’m a Kark, but I don’t have any magical abilities. I’m not dangerous, so I can stay in the capital, in a nice room like this. Of course, there are a few obstacles I’ll have to overcome, but I plan to do so.”

Rohana looked at her calmly for a moment and then nodded slightly.

“The nanny’s…”

Emily’s eyes sharpened.

“What’s her name?”

Rohana had always been bothered by the fact that she didn’t even know the nanny’s name. When she asked, even Gregory seemed not to remember.

“Cecile.”

Hearing Emily’s dry response, Rohana quietly nodded.

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