The monster’s blood whispered not to forgive those who sought his life. 

The thread of reason he’d barely been holding onto was about to snap. His monster nature was growing ferocious from the murderous intent piercing his body.

However, among them, there was someone whispering in his ear that it wasn’t true.

It was Rosana.

Rosana firmly grabbed his face, telling him not to even glance at the Duchess struggling and screaming behind them or the chattering nobles. Then she quietly covered his perked-up ears with her hands.

“Don’t listen. You don’t need to hear such remarks. Don’t pay attention to what passersby say.”

“…Rosana.”

“Yes, I’m here. It’s okay. All of Your Majesty’s people are here.”

It was a familiar scent. Seeing her calm blue eyes, the stirring monster instinct slowly settled down.

Then Rosana turned her head and shouted to everyone.

“Be quiet!”

The face of someone alone in a vast ocean. That was Jade’s current expression. Rosana had experienced the same thing. The whispered words around her. However, those who truly cared for him, who cared for her, were by her side. She couldn’t forget that.

Rosana checked his complexion while holding Jade’s face. He’d been poisoned. Though she couldn’t check the complexion of a face covered in fur, it was enough that he’d stopped vomiting blood. Even after transforming into a monster, he still maintained his reason.

Rosana gently stroked Jade’s head and handed him over to Malek. As she stood up, the blood-stained wedding dress entered her vision clearly.

Rosana smiled bitterly. However, in a fleeting moment, she turned around with an expressionless face devoid of any emotion and walked toward the Duchess.

Smack!

She struck the Duchess’s cheek with all her strength to silence her mouth, which was still babbling about Jade. The Duchess’s face turned sharply. Her shrill voice finally stopped.

“Mother, I didn’t know you were this insane. You’re someone who can’t distinguish right from wrong. Do you know what consequences your actions have brought about?”

“…What?”

Couldn’t she see her own people being held with stunned expressions behind her? And the countless other servants remaining in the imperial castle? The moment the Duchess plotted the poisoning, all their fates were sealed too.

Rosana closed her eyes quietly and declared slowly but clearly.

“Duchess Arcadi. I will have you punished for the attempted murder of His Majesty.”

“…Me?”

“Sir Fel, take the criminal away immediately. This is my first order as Empress.”

“I obey your command.”

Fel and the knights, who’d raised their heads sharply, began moving faster than lightning. 

People with bound hands began being dragged along the stone path that should have been the starting point of the wedding celebration parade. 

She could picture the empire’s citizens outside, curious about the commotion inside. Rosana watched her family being dragged away, then looked at Jade, who’d become her new family today.

Then she spoke with force in her voice so the surrounding nobles could hear clearly.

“What are you so afraid of? The fact that His Majesty is His Majesty hasn’t changed.”

“B-but…”

“Did he say he was a monster? No. Rather, he’s our salvation…! Jade?!”

However, Rosana’s words couldn’t be finished. Jade kicked off from his spot and ran out. He rushed out before Malek, who was nearby, could even catch him. 

No one could catch him as he left at a speed faster than anyone. Rosana hastily reached out her hand, but only grasped at empty air.

The wind created by his rapid departure stung Rosana’s cheek sharply. His figure running out alone quickly grew distant, appearing small in the distance. And simultaneously, the screams of citizens shocked at seeing Jade’s appearance began to fill the air.

“Ch-chase after His Majesty!”

Malek and some of the Imperial Knights hurriedly chased after him.

Once the fearsome presence disappeared and the situation somewhat concluded, the voices of nobles expressing concern could be heard again one by one. 

Lily carefully grabbed Rosana’s arm. Seeing Lily’s reddened, swollen eyes, she could fully understand her sadness.

“Rosana. What should we do?”

She couldn’t answer Lily’s question, asked while trying to hide her fear. Because Rosana didn’t know either. How things would unfold. The nobles pressed their foreheads like the sky had fallen and went on and on with grief-stricken words.

“That monster is our emperor…”

“What did you say?”

When Rosana spoke in a voice vivid with anger, the startled nobles raised their heads. She didn’t want to see their faces filled with darkness, like the empire had truly fallen.

“I’ll say it again, but is appearance that important? Isn’t essence what matters?”

“…Did Lady Arcadi—no, did Her Majesty the Empress also know?”

“Does knowing matter?”

“Of course…!”

“No. Shouldn’t we be glad he’s safe?”

The nobles mumbled. That’s… but… they said, slightly lowering their tails. 

It was certainly fortunate that he was safe after vomiting dark red blood from being poisoned. Rosana thought so.

They could be confused. Anyone would be flustered when witnessing an unexpected sight. However, now wasn’t the time to argue with the nobles. Rosana quickly gave instructions.

“Duke, I’ll go to Jade. Can I leave persuading the nobles to you?”

“…Of course.”

At Rosana’s words, Duke Helpe bowed politely, telling her to leave it to him. He decided to pull himself together firmly. He’d never thought it could be kept secret forever. Rather, seeing Rosana’s composed appearance helped him regain his composure too.

As Rosana was about to leave, she suddenly discovered a ring lying alone on the floor, sparkling with light. When Rosana walked over and picked up the ring, Malek swallowed hard.

“This is…”

It was a ring that had once been the same shape as the ring on Rosana’s ring finger. She clasped the ring tightly in both hands.

“We’re returning to the imperial castle immediately.”

“Yes!”

The breeze that had pleasantly tickled her cheeks just moments ago had now become a harsh wind that stung her cheeks sharply. Even the winter wind wouldn’t be more bitter than this.

“Lady Rosana… the citizens…”

Rosana looked out the carriage window. These should have been people celebrating the newlyweds making a fresh start. However, instead of a wonderful wedding event, they’d only witnessed Jade transformed into a monster. The citizens were flustered.

Unable to stop Rosana’s passing carriage, citizens grabbed nearby running knights and asked what the beast they’d just witnessed was. Naturally, there was nothing they could say.

And the confused appearance of the nobles, proving there had been a commotion.

“…Later. He’s more urgent right now.”

Jade’s destination was indeed the imperial castle, and from witness accounts in the area, they could tell exactly where he’d gone. He’d locked himself in his room.

Malek stood quietly in front of the door and knocked.

“Your Majesty! Please open the door! Or I’ll break it down and enter.”

“I don’t allow anyone to enter!”

He couldn’t do anything about Jade’s shout heard from inside the room. Seeing Rosana arrive, Malek hastily reported the situation so far.

“Fortunately, he seems to have regained his reason, but…”

He hung his head with a gloomy expression, unable to continue. The others were the same. However, he forced his lips upward and spoke to Rosana.

“Please be at ease. His Majesty is a strong person. He’s always tried to change, and that’s who he is now. So Lady Rosana, please change your clothes and rest first…”

Malek said, looking at Rosana’s attire. He couldn’t bear to look at the soiled wedding dress, which seemed to signify ruin. Rosana refused.

“No, I can’t back down.”

Rosana grabbed the doorknob without hesitation. However, the door was locked and wouldn’t open. After blocking her several times, Malek took out a key at her firm attitude.

“If it’s Lady Rosana… I have the key.”

Malek opened the door with the key. The door opened with a click. When Rosana tried to enter through the door, Yuna grabbed her. Yuna had been trembling with fear ever since witnessing Jade’s appearance.

“Lady Rosana, it’s dangerous. His Majesty said no one should enter…”

Yuna grabbed Rosana’s collar. She understood Yuna’s heart. Her fear was valid. She could be scared, could be afraid. But… Rosana smiled softly.

“Yuna, I know you’re worried about me. But I’m worried about him just like you’re worried about me. Can you wait for me?”

Celine grabbed Yuna’s arm and lowered it.

“Please go. We’ll wait.”

“Thank you.”

Malek, who’d been watching the situation, opened his mouth.

“…I’ll leave meals in front of the door at the proper times. I’ll also bring several changes of clothes.”

It was clear approval.

“Malek, thank you. And no matter what sounds you hear, please don’t come in. Until either I or Jade comes out, don’t let anyone come near.”

Rosana left those words of request and entered the room.

The room was filled with darkness. The tightly drawn blackout curtains didn’t allow even a speck of light. It had a desolate atmosphere like entering ruins. 

Just moments ago, they’d been receiving congratulations under brilliantly shining sunlight. Rosana looked at the window with distant eyes before stopping.

“Jade.”

Jade was curled up on the bed. Because of his large build, even with the blanket covering him, his tail stuck out pointedly.

The blanket near where his ears would be twitched, seemingly recognizing Rosana’s voice.

“Don’t come. It’s all over now.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Rosana slowly approached. Even small footsteps could be heard by him.

“I said don’t come!”

“I can’t do that. You heard, right? I’m worried about you.”

There was no way he hadn’t noticed the commotion at the door. Rosana didn’t back down and instead came closer. When the bed sank with Rosana’s weight, Jade’s ears kept twitching.

His fluttering ears felt tempting, making her laugh. Rosana hugged him tightly, wrapped up in the blanket. Though it was Rosana leaning on him, Jade felt his heart stabilizing.

“How could I leave you? Did you forget today was our wedding?”

“What wedding…”

I ruined everything.

“Are you thinking you ruined it yourself? If so, I want to tell you that’s not true. If the wedding was ruined, it’s my fault.”

“No!”

Jade raised his head sharply and turned toward Rosana. Then their eyes met.

“We finally made eye contact. Why not? Did you forget why Jade transformed like this? It was to save me. Because you were stabbed by the poisoned ornament instead of me.”

“It’s not your fault… If we’re going to argue that way, it’s because I transformed into a monster. Because of that, everything became filled with chaos. Everyone found out. The nobles and the citizens. I’m sorry for making you the bride of such a beast…”

Rosana shook her head, telling him not to say such things, and firmly grabbed Jade’s face.

“Then shall we say we each have our own faults?”