“I can never forget the death of my parents. Even now, when I close my eyes, the memories of that day come flooding back as if they had just happened. So how could I ever forget?”

Ariel spoke slowly, her voice trembling. 

“When did Kylance… find out that my father killed his parents?” 

“When do you think? Kylance knew the day they died that it was an assassination. And he spent a very long time sharpening the blade of his revenge.” 

“A long time…” 

‘Since before he met me…?’ 

If that was true, then every moment he claimed to love her… 

‘Was it all a lie?’ 

Ariel couldn’t bring herself to ask the question that was clawing at her throat. If she asked, and the answer confirmed her fears, she was sure she wouldn’t be able to take it. Everything inside her would be shattered. 

‘This is far enough.’

Though her resolve seemed ridiculous, Ariel knew she had to stop here – for her own sake, to protect herself. 

But that was only her intention. The Duchess of Viasteus had no such mercy. 

“Long before he met you, Kylance was meticulously preparing to destroy the Marquis of Blante.” 

Seeking finality, the Duchess delivered the final blow, driving a dagger deep into Ariel’s heart. 

“Every word and action from Kylance, professing love for you, was a lie. The only truth he held was this: he wanted to ruin you. You, the daughter of the man who murdered his parents—the one your father cherished above all else. His true goal was to shatter you completely.”

That was the only true feeling Kylance had for her. 

“Ha…” 

The dagger struck too deeply and Ariel squeezed her eyes shut, unable to bear the weight of the revelation. 

She didn’t see the fleeting smile that danced across the Duchess’s lips. 

Ariel could barely bear the realisation that her worst fear had finally come true. 

Tears fell from Ariel’s closed eyes, but she felt nothing. Her senses were numb, her fragile mind finally shattered. 

‘He wanted to destroy me.’

If that was his true intention, he had succeeded. 

For now, Ariel was completely and irreparably broken. 

With a hollow breath, she slowly opened her eyes and stared at the Duchess. 

“Do you… have anything else to say to me? If not, I will take my leave now.” 

“I have said all I needed to. The next decision is yours. Go on then.” 

Ariel turned to leave, her steps heavy with despair, but just as she was about to leave, the Duchess called to her. 

“Lady Ariel.” 

“Yes?”

“Take this. It’s your father’s last keepsake, isn’t it?” 

The Duchess held out the original letter written by her father. 

“Of course, there’s probably nothing you can do with it. His Majesty didn’t remove your family’s name from the records because of the treason charge, but because of the truth Kylance revealed about the late Grand Duke and Duchess’s death.” 

“That’s why it happened so quickly…” 

A hollow sigh escaped Ariel’s lips as the weight of it all sank in. She realised that everything she had done so far had been in vain. 

The Duchess pressed the parchment into Ariel’s limp hands, forcing her to hold it. 

“Take it. At least keep it for your father’s sake.”

Clutching the letter containing her father’s last words, Ariel stepped silently out onto the terrace, her heart heavy with despair. 

With each step, Ariel pushed herself forward, straining every muscle to keep from collapsing. 

But inside she was already falling apart, as if her soul had turned to ash, ready to scatter and vanish. 

—

At the very moment Ariel’s fragile sanity crumbled, Kylance made his way to the Imperial capital. 

Summoned by the Emperor. 

The capital of the Pentium Empire, known for its vast territories and unmatched military might, was a testament to its power. 

The Sun Palace, where the Emperor resided, was a testament to its grandeur – dazzlingly ornate and with soaring ceilings. 

Columns of ivory stone, marble floors and walls etched with gilded carvings. 

It was no exaggeration to say that even the proudest foreign dignitaries and the Empire’s own nobles instinctively bowed their heads as they entered the Sun Palace. 

But Kylance was completely unmoved by the grandeur. He was used to the splendour of the Sun Palace. 

A trusted hand in the Emperor’s confidence and a beloved nephew, Kylance moved through the palace corridors with ease and purpose. 

Arriving quickly at the Emperor’s study, he addressed the steward stationed at the door. 

“Announce my presence to His Majesty.” 

Vayne, the Emperor’s long-serving advisor with neatly combed white hair, bowed with a troubled expression. 

“My apologies, Your Highness, but His Majesty has a guest at the moment. You may have to wait a little.” 

“A guest? His Majesty had an appointment with me. Did something happen at the border?” 

Kylance’s brow furrowed. The Emperor had never rescheduled an appointment with him. 

Naturally, his first thought was that some urgent matter had arisen – perhaps an emergency dispatch or a critical report from the border. 

But Vayne shook his head. 

“No, Your Highness, it has nothing to do with the border.”

“It is not an urgent matter.” 

“Then what is it?”

“Well… Countess Forte, Headmistress of the Remblue Academy, has arrived unannounced and is currently speaking with His Majesty.” 

“Countess Forte.” 

Kylance’s perfectly groomed eyebrows arched slightly. He had a good idea why Countess Forte had sought out the Emperor. 

Despite her vow to stay out of politics, Countess Forte had unexpectedly visited the Emperor two days ago – before being summoned. 

She, who had remained steadfastly at the Academy, had made the first move. 

Naturally, rumours had spread like wildfire. 

Why had Countess Forte visited the Emperor? 

The answer had quickly reached everyone’s ears. 

Countess Forte had asked the Emperor to reopen the investigation into the Blante Marquis case. The matter caused such a stir that it didn’t take long for every noble in the capital to hear about it.   

Of course, Kylance had heard the rumours as well. 

In truth, he had been in seclusion at the Grand Duke’s estate since the day he had seen Ariel in the bakery. He hadn’t even glanced at a newspaper, deliberately avoiding any mention of the Blante Marquisate. 

It wasn’t out of fear. Rather, it was because every time he saw that name, the memory of Ariel’s devastated expression that day came rushing back to haunt him. 

That image had taken root in his mind, lingering like a shadow, tormenting him endlessly. 

It was exactly the outcome he had wished for. 

So why, then and now, was he drowning in such unbearable agony? 

Kylance felt like he was sinking deeper into an endless swamp, day after day. 

Every breath was heavy and suffocating. 

Was he beginning to regret it? 

“No, I don’t regret it.” 

Kylance murmured darkly, as if under hypnosis. 

Vayne caught the faint whisper and looked at him curiously. 

“Pardon?” 

Clearing his mind of Ariel’s lingering image, Kylance turned back to Vayne and asked, 

“Is Countess Forte continuing to visit His Majesty after requesting a re-investigation into the Blante Marquis incident?” 

Avoiding Kylance’s piercing gaze, Vayne replied hesitantly. 

“Yes. She’s been visiting His Majesty every day.” 

“Then His Majesty isn’t particularly inclined to stop her.”

The tone made Vayne’s shoulders shake slightly as he replied. 

“Yes, well, His Majesty holds the Countess Forte in high respect. While he will not stop her visits, I do not believe he has any intention of granting her request.”

Vayne calmly tried to ease Kylance’s obvious irritation. After all, it was only natural for him to be upset. 

Kylance, who had begged the Emperor to abandon the Blante family, was now witnessing Countess Forte begging the Emperor to reverse that very decision. 

Anyone would find such a situation infuriating. With that thought, Vayne glanced cautiously at Kylance to gauge his level of anger. 

If his anger was too intense, it might be better to escort him to the lounge for a moment to cool off. 

But when Vayne finally caught sight of Kylance’s expression, he hesitated. 

Unlike the sharp edge in his voice, there was no trace of anger in his eyes. Instead, they were filled with a deep, bitter melancholy. 

‘Why… why would His Highness…?’ 

As Vayne struggled with his confusion, Kylance’s low murmur broke the silence. 

“Even if His Majesty changes his mind… there’s nothing I can do.”

Though the words seemed resigned, for a moment Vayne thought Kylance almost looked like *wanting* the Emperor to change his mind.

‘That could not be possible.’ 

As Vayne, still perplexed, lowered his head again in silence, a loud outburst echoed from the Emperor’s study. 

“Did I not tell you to stop! My patience has its limits, even for someone I hold in the highest respect! To say that I will regret abandoning a loyal servant – do you dare challenge my authority?” 

“That’s not what I meant, Your Majesty…” 

Countess Forte’s faint voice tried to explain, but the Emperor’s booming voice cut her off again. 

“I don’t want to hear it! I don’t want to see your face right now! Go back to the Academy and think until I call you. Leave immediately!” 

The Emperor’s voice was so loud that even the guards standing outside jumped. 

‘Banned from the capital…’

Kylance’s gaze grew heavier, his eyes sinking with a deep and unreadable emotion. 

At that moment, the doors to the study swung open. 

Countess Forte stepped out, her expression dark and troubled. 

Vayne, after saying a quick word to Kylance to wait in the drawing room for a moment, hurried into the study, presumably to calm the Emperor’s anger. 

As the doors to the study closed behind Vayne, Kylance turned to head for the drawing room. 

Yes, he would have turned away, if only Countess Forte hadn’t called out to him.