3. I Will Appoint Her as Empress (2)

“Right now!! This isn’t the priority. The Empress of our Kazel Empire must be someone with the third eye.”

Edward scoffed. That legendary tale—how long ago was that story even relevant?

It was said that the one who would become the Empress of the Kazel Empire would be born with a third eye, possessing the ability to foresee the empire’s rise and fall. Of course, it was considered a mere legend, and no one truly sought such a woman. However, the one appointed as Empress would inherit a pendant symbolizing the third eye.

Edward silently stared at the duke, who arrogantly leaned on his desk with both arms.

“Your attitude right now, Duke.”

Duke Nox, realizing his improper behavior in his excitement, stepped back and bowed his head in apology.

Edward Kazel, only 23 years old, was the young emperor of the Kazel Empire. A genius swordmaster who had led two invasion wars to victory, he rarely displayed his emotions. He was always cold and composed, to the point of being icy. Never before had he been as shaken as he was today.

“There’s much to be done, so let’s end this discussion here and get back to the pending work.”

***

“Impressive.”

Herwen held the teacup with both hands, blowing on it before taking a sip. His eyes still stung from the emotional performance he’d put on earlier. After a sip, he set the teacup down and placed a cold water pouch over both his eyelids, leaning his head back against the sofa.

“I had no idea you had such a plan. Do you know how upset I was when I heard you were getting engaged to someone like her?”

“I went through a lot of trouble to find someone from a weak, unknown family with a pretty face.”

Herwen removed the water pouch and then placed it back, speaking casually.

“So, what do you think will happen to her?”

“Well, knowing him, with his strong sense of responsibility, he’ll probably put her in the position of imperial consort or something.”

“But will she act according to your plans?”

Herwen thought of Larael’s foolishly smiling face and chuckled.

“She’s completely infatuated with me. Even if my brother casts her aside, it won’t harm me. I’ll earn sympathy points. Mother’s role is crucial. Please persuade my brother to make Larael an imperial consort.”

“Alright, I’ll do my best.”

The Empress Dowager covered her mouth and began to laugh. She had never found Herwen so reliable before. As she always thought, Herwen was in no way inferior to Edward. If only Edward hadn’t become a war hero, the position of crown prince would have gone to her son, Herwen. That thought alone made the Empress Dowager clench her fists in frustration.

“You should have given me a heads-up. Even I was fooled into thinking you were truly in love.”

“I had to act that way.”

In truth, there had been a moment when he was swayed by Larael, but it was merely a fleeting illusion. ‘This woman is not mine.’ He had resolved not to covet what wasn’t his.

In this world, the only thing that belonged to him was the imperial throne. That was originally Herwen’s to desire, and he had every right to want it.

“But it’s strange that she didn’t cry and cling to you.”

The Empress Dowager recalled Larael’s calm demeanor as she silently observed the situation, her expression blank.

Herwen straightened his posture as he removed the water pouch from his face. That, too, had been unexpected. He had anticipated Larael to cry and plead with him, demanding to know what the emperor had done to her.

Instead, she had watched the scene unfold with a blank expression.

‘She must have been in shock. It would’ve been impossible for her to remain composed.’

Herwen dismissed the thought and picked up his teacup, taking another sip.

“I will not meet my brother this afternoon. I’ll stay at the capital residence and continue refusing to meet him. Mother, when you meet him, don’t say anything. Just listen.”

“Alright, I understand.”

The Empress Dowager nodded, a satisfied smile spreading across her face.

Meanwhile, in the carriage on her way back, Larael gazed absentmindedly at the passing scenery outside.

She had indeed returned. Everything was certain now. She closed her eyes and began to retrace everything from the beginning.

From the moment she met Herwen. The more she thought about it, the emotions that had once boiled within her surprisingly settled into a calm, composed state.

‘If I’ve returned, what should I live for? Should revenge be my goal? Or should my goal be to find my own happiness?’

What is the purpose of this return? Is it for myself, or for someone else?

Questions arose endlessly. If only she had never met Herwen. But such thoughts were meaningless. Did her return to this particular moment have a reason? Was there a specific purpose for returning to this point in time?

“Mother.”

As soon as Larael arrived at the mansion, she immediately embraced her mother without hesitation.

The Countess, sitting alone on the sofa in her bedroom, didn’t look well. She had likely spent the night worrying about her daughter, who hadn’t returned. The Countess gently stroked her daughter’s back.

“Lara, is something wrong?”

The Countess asked, noticing how different Larael seemed. Her eyes brimmed with sadness, but she appeared to be holding herself together with great effort. Normally, Larael would never have held back her emotions. She was the type to express everything she felt.

“Please call Father. I have something to tell him. He’ll find out eventually, but I want to be the one to tell him.”

Larael gripped her mother’s hand tightly as she spoke. Her red eyes glistened with unshed tears, as though they might fall at any moment. Larael bit her lower lip hard, as if trying to keep herself from crying. The Countess’s heart sank at the sight of her daughter’s expression. Something serious had clearly happened.

“Phoebe, find out where the Count is and bring him here.”

“Yes, Madam.”

The Hedway family was a noble house that had never entered the political scene.

The only reason the Hedway family was staying in the capital was because Larael had become engaged to Grand Duke Vellaus. The Count, who cherished his precious daughter, had been handling the affairs of their territory remotely through communication stones so he could stay by her side.

Phoebe, quick-witted as ever, located the Count and brought him directly to the room.

The Count entered to find his wife and daughter sitting together, their hands clasped tightly. Both wore serious expressions. The Count, sensing the tension, silently took a seat before them. When he heard that Larael hadn’t returned the previous night, he had reassured his wife that it was normal for someone her age, especially after her coming-of-age ceremony. But inwardly, he had cursed the Grand Duke countless times.

‘How little must he think of our family, to take her away so brazenly and not return her?’

“Larael, why is the atmosphere so heavy?”

The Count asked in a deliberately light tone, trying to suppress his unease.

“Father, I have something to tell you and Mother.”

“…”

“I’ve broken off the engagement with Grand Duke Vellaus.”

“Larael!! What nonsense is this?! An engagement is a promise between families. It’s not something you can break just because you don’t like it. Do you think this is some childish game?!”

The Count shouted furiously, standing abruptly.

“I… spent the night with His Majesty, the Emperor.”

Larael’s calm words brought a heavy silence to the room. It felt as though time itself had stopped.

The Countess clutched her chest, gasping for breath.

“Mother!!!”

Larael quickly grabbed her mother’s shoulders and cried out.

“Diana!! I’ll call for a doctor.”

“No, I’m fine.”

The Countess pushed Larael away, leaning back in her seat. She closed her eyes tightly, and tears began to stream down her cheeks.

“Larael, what did you just say?”

The Count bit his lower lip as he asked again.

“I don’t remember… but when I woke up this morning, I had spent the night with His Majesty.”