Chapter 7 (Part 5)

Therese gently touched the Duke’s mask, which had hardened with blood that wasn’t even entirely his. The mask gave off a foul smell.  

“…Ha.”  

Slumping into a chair beside the table, Therese’s hands trembled.  

Images flashed through her mind: the monsters and the Emperor’s archers that had attacked her in the sea of flames, and Roshan’s face as he stayed behind to save her.  

She also remembered the Duke’s twisted expression as the monster’s hook tore into him.  

“What is all of this?”  

Just hours ago, the two of them had been dancing at the Imperial Ball. And then…  

‘Take a good look at the man standing beside you now.’  

The memory of their first kiss was still vivid.  

His fiery lips clung to hers as if they would steal all her breath. His soft flesh pressed against hers, and Therese thought she might die from the dizzying sensation.  

“Could it have all been a dream?”  

Perhaps that tender kiss had been nothing more than her imagination.  

Covering her face with both hands, she felt warm tears on her palms.  

She couldn’t even remember when she had started crying.  

When she opened her hands, the metallic smell hit her as blood and tears mixed and dripped down.  

“It’s the Duke’s blood.”  

Therese did not regret heading to the harbor earlier. If she hadn’t been there, the Duke would have fallen victim to either the Emperor or the monsters.  

‘…But.’  

His shoulder had been ruined because of her.  

The moment the monster’s hook tore through his flesh and bone was still fresh in her mind.  

‘If only I had been more capable, could I have helped him?’  

‘If I had fled faster, would he have been less injured?’  

Tormented by guilt, Therese shook her head.  

“There’s no time to cry.”  

She needed to focus on the Duke’s recovery. She also had to investigate the monsters and wait for Roshan’s contact.  

Wiping her tears away with her sleeve, Therese began tidying up the area. After cleaning up as much as she could, she folded her cloak and placed it under the Duke’s head as a pillow, covering him with a cloth as a makeshift blanket.  

Though she wanted to let him rest on a proper bed, this was the best she could do for now. Moving him right after such a major surgery wasn’t an option.  

‘I’ll ask Derrick in the morning to help move him to Roshan’s house.’  

As she quietly planned, Therese’s thoughts became muddled.  

“…Roshan.”  

She couldn’t even remember the last glimpse she had of Roshan. 

Had he been safe amidst the billowing smoke?  

“He’ll be fine.”  

Therese tried to push away her sorrowful thoughts as she carefully tucked the cloth around the Duke.  

She then dampened a cloth with water and meticulously wiped away the blood splattered on the floor.  

No matter how hard she scrubbed, the stains embedded in the old wooden floor wouldn’t come out completely.  

“…Why.”  

Her small hands, clenched around the cloth, revealed blue veins, and her gaze grew dark and somber.  

***

The brightly lit interior of the Imperial Palace’s ballroom, illuminated by magic stones, shone as if it were daytime. The musicians’ hands moved gracefully as they played through the night.  

The twenty mirrors reflected the elegant movements of the dancers, while, across the room, a lady feigned astonishment at the tall tales of a slightly drunken gentleman.  

“Is it true His Majesty is suffering from headaches again?”  

Someone whispered softly, glancing at the empty throne.  

Though the Emperor frequently held balls, it was rare for him to stay until the end.  

Some said it was because of the headaches he had suffered from since childhood, while others speculated it was to indulge in his secret hobbies.  

“He didn’t dance with anyone again tonight.”  

“I was so worried he might ask Duchess Richard to dance.”  

At the mention of Duchess Richard, the face of a lady fanning herself with a feathered fan twisted in displeasure.  

“It must be because she’s so unusual.”  

“Well, she does come from a merchant family.”  

The noblewomen, dressed to impress, couldn’t hide their jealousy over the Emperor’s sole interest in Duchess Richard.  

“I’m curious who will become the Empress.”  

This was the primary concern of every noble with a daughter of marriageable age.  

Though they knew of the Emperor’s peculiar nature, many believed it was worth enduring anything to become the Empire’s highest-ranking lady.  

“I hope His Majesty chooses someone soon. Only then will our Caspian Empire find stability.”  

“Indeed.”  

As they exchanged smiles, seemingly worried about the Empire’s future, their faces betrayed their dark ambitions.  

As the ball reached its peak, Felipe Morciani, holding up his long robe, descended the stairs leading to the underground of the Imperial Palace.  

The torches on the walls flickered, casting glimpses of the strange smile on Felipe’s face.  

“We greet His Majesty.”  

Upon reaching the large space connected to the underground waterway, those who had been waiting bowed deeply to the Emperor.  

They were members of the Emperor’s formal knight order and others secretly carrying out his commands.  

“Very well. Let me hear your report.”  

The underground, reeking of stagnant water, had a throne similar to the one aboveground. Felipe took his seat as one of his subordinates knelt before him.  

“The rabbit hunt was a success, but…”  

“…But?”  

At the Emperor’s reaction, the man began trembling like a leaf.  

“My apologies.”  

The man slammed his forehead onto the ground with a loud thud, and soon blood seeped onto the floor.  

Felipe frowned as he watched the scene.  

“That must hurt. Why would you do such a thing?”  

At the Emperor’s words, the man, covering his bleeding forehead with his hand, raised his head.  

“My apologies.”  

“Now, tell me everything in detail. Leave nothing out.”  

Felipe had wanted to personally participate in today’s hunt if not for the ball. He had specifically ordered the capture of the Night Wolf alive, as he needed to handle the final act himself.  

As he stroked his chin with his ringed hand, the man began recounting the day’s events.  

“The Night Wolf fell into our trap as expected and was attacked by the monsters. However, the monsters failed to subdue him instantly, and others appeared to assist in his escape.”  

“…What?”  

Felipe was displeased with every part of the report. He had thought they would capture such a lowly pest today, yet the monsters had failed to defeat him.  

“Wasn’t the Night Wolf supposed to act alone?”  

Felipe’s fingers, tapping his temple, quickened.  

“We are currently pursuing the Night Wolf and his allies, who have split into two groups.”  

Ultimately, their words amounted to a complete failure. They had lost both the Night Wolf and his helpers, capturing neither.  

“Even after I lent you my precious beasts?”  

“We have committed a grave sin. If you grants us one more chance, Your Majesty…”  

As the bleeding man begged, those around him lowered their heads. Felipe shook his head as if pitying them.  

“You have worked hard for the Empire. What crime have you committed?”  

When Felipe waved his fingers, two massive men emerged from the shadows and restrained the bleeding man on either side.  

“…Your Majesty. Please spare me.”  

As the terrified man struggled, the Emperor smiled benevolently.  

“I commend your efforts.”  

Finally, as the Emperor snapped his fingers, cages made of iron emerged from the waterway.  

Inside, figures crouched, appearing almost lifeless at first glance.  

As the iron gate opened, the man being dragged away fiercely resisted.  

“Your Majesty, Your Majesty! Please!”  

“This is for the peace of the Empire.”  

The man was pushed into the open cage, which then sank back into the water, leaving only his desperate screams behind.  

“As you have all seen, I have no intention of killing any of you.”  

It wasn’t a lie.  

The worthless human who couldn’t even carry out orders properly would now gain greater power and immortality.  

In a way, Felipe had shown mercy to the vermin.  

‘Surely, they’ve witnessed the generosity of the Empire’s great sun—me.’  

No one dared to raise their head as Felipe’s bright smile lingered. The stench of blood had given him a splitting headache.  

“I need to rest.”  

“Yes, Your Majesty.”  

As Felipe ascended the stairs, his face was utterly expressionless.  

‘Useless fools.’  

To secure absolute power, Felipe was willing to do anything.  

The vermin who constantly resisted the Imperial authority and the monsters invading the borders had been gnawing away at his nerves.  

Meeting the sorcerer Morgana one day had been fate.  

‘Lord Felipe, if you take my hand, you will have both humans and monsters under your feet.’  

The stories Morgana told were enough to pique his interest. However, Felipe wasn’t one to be easily swayed by sweet words.  

Felipe had learned the truth of life early on.  

‘Nothing can be gained without sacrifice.’  

As he recalled an old pact, Felipe ran his fingers over the hidden scar beneath his wrist.  

“…Ha.”  

It wasn’t a complete loss.  

The Night Wolf had been gravely injured, so he wouldn’t be causing trouble for some time. If luck was on his side, the wretched man might even die.  

“He couldn’t have gone far. Search the capital thoroughly and find him.”  

“Understood.”  

When Felipe reached the top of the stairs, he ordered the large doors to be opened. Stepping into the light streaming through the gap, Felipe muttered to himself.  

“…Ah.”  

His eyes, accustomed to the darkness, rejected the bright scene, and his skin tingled as the light touched it.  

As everything became clear, he saw his shadow—a long, twisted figure resembling the gnarled branches of a dead tree.  

‘A dead man’s shape in the land of the living.’  

Felipe murmured as he resumed walking.  

“Well, does it really matter either way?”  

His gray eyes glinted with greed as they roamed over the dazzling Imperial Palace.