Did she really not know that the woman would die at the Empress’s hands? No, she probably knew but chose to pretend otherwise.

Is it truly right for those children to be separated from Benjamin? She hadn’t asked the children, so she couldn’t be sure. But those children didn’t know their mother was dead or what had happened to their father. And they would live in such ignorance forever.

If they ever grew up and tried to find their parents, there would be nothing she could do.

“……I probably won’t go to a good place when I die.”

“Your Highness……”

Rosette called Marian with an anguished voice.

“That’s alright.”

Marian rubbed her neck, now completely healed.

The smooth skin no longer bore even a trace of the scar that had once been there.

Abel had sacrificed himself to protect her.

For his sake, Marian resolved to live as if she were fine, pretending to be happy.

At least while she lived and breathed by Abel’s side.

“I’ll be able to meet those people in h*ll and punish them again. I look forward to that.”

Marian smiled bitterly.

**

The aide’s words were correct. They found Cesare Madrian at the Hope Inn, completely unconscious from alcohol.

“Do-you know who I am?”

With slurred speech and staggering movements, Cesare waved his hands as if trying to grab Leoni’s collar. Leoni stared at him with contemptuous eyes. She found it hard to believe that someone so pathetic had coveted Drake and brought it down.

Leoni spoke in a cold voice.

“Detain Cesare Madrian, lock him in the basement of the Drake mansion, and find his aide to guide him to the north.”

“Yes, Lady Leoni.”

Leoni followed as Cesare was dragged away.

People gathered with anxious expressions but quickly dispersed after seeing Cesare being taken.

It was an unwritten rule not to interfere in the affairs of nobles.

After resolving the situation, Leoni stepped out of the inn. Cool air filled her lungs as she took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

Drake’s victory was within reach. Who would dare oppose Drake in this situation?

At this rate, barring any unexpected changes, Drake would reclaim its place, and those responsible would face the punishment they deserved for their crimes.

Plop.

Leoni extended her hand.

A raindrop landed in her palm with a soft plop.

Pitter-patter. The rain began to fall, a refreshing shower that seemed to wash away lingering memories and hatred.

**

And that night.

Viscount Bochetti attended a secret meeting in shabby attire. Countess Yulian welcomed him with a pleased face.

“Oh, you’ve come right on time! Have you had dinner?”

“Yes, well.”

“You’re so blunt.”

Countess Yulian patted Viscount Bochetti’s shoulder and laughed heartily.

Two weeks ago, Viscount Bochetti, who was presumed dead, had secretly reached out.

He expressed his intention to join the rebellion, and Countess Yulian had no reason to refuse.

Viscount Bochetti brought with him residents from his territory who had left their land and followed him to the capital. It was an opportunity to bolster their severely lacking military force.

There was no reason to hesitate any longer. Despite Madrian’s defection, Viscount Bochetti’s alliance could be seen as a stroke of good fortune.

“There’s no need to hesitate any longer. The imperial family’s extravagance and corruption have long reached their peak. The cries of starving people touch my heart.”

“That’s right. The imperial family has been busy filling their own bellies and exploiting the people. The blood they’ve shed soaks the earth and stains the sea!”

“The imperial family can no longer fulfill its role!”

People’s voices grew louder.

Viscount Bochetti coldly observed all the commotion. Those people had clung to the imperial family and filled their bellies. They had always lived in abundance and never once felt what hunger was like.

‘All talk.’

Viscount Bochetti pressed his lips tightly.

When he and the residents of his territory were starving to death, those people had turned their backs on him. They had led the exploitation of the people, causing many to die unjustly.

And now, those same people were shamelessly creating such a commotion.

Viscount Bochetti barely suppressed a bitter laugh.

The reason he had taken Duke Drake’s hand and decided to follow him was…

‘You won’t go hungry. You’ll eat as much as you work, and you won’t die unjustly.’

Just that.

Just because they endured didn’t mean food would appear. Even those who had come up with farming tools and high spirits were becoming exhausted from hunger.

Viscount Bochetti was a person who had the duty to feed them.

‘……Join the rebel army with your people. We will mix Drake knights among them. They will take care of things, so you just need to act as a screen.’

Those were the words delivered by the person sent by Duke Drake. That’s why Viscount Bochetti was here. To be their screen.

**

Two days later.

The Empress screamed in panic.

“What are you all doing! Those damned people are crossing the gates of the imperial palace!! Drive them out of my house immediately!”

The Empress struggled. Her pale face trembled.

“……You must evacuate quickly, Your Majesty the Empress. Their momentum is ominous. It’s said that even the imperial palace knights have lowered their swords and fled. Please……”

“Where would I go! I am the master of this empire! I am the master! Who dares to drive me out!”

The maids burst into tears. The servants prostrated themselves on the floor.

“Go out and drive away those damned people! You should drive them out, not me!”

The footsteps of the rebels grew closer.

Some of the guards protecting the Empress had already fled.

The Empress clutched her chair, terror etched across her face.

This was the Emperor’s chair, a seat not just anyone could claim. To obtain it, the Empress had shed countless tears and blood.

Her wide eyes fixed on the door as the footsteps of the insolent drew nearer.

Grinding her teeth, the Empress felt blood pooling in her mouth, the pressure causing something to burst.

Clank.

The door swung open.

“Is that Countess Yulian?”

The Empress pushed away her fear and moved her lips. Perhaps she could persuade them with words. She gripped the armrests of the chair tightly.

But the one who appeared was none other than…

Arrogantly standing at the front was a knight from the Drake family, which used a dragon as its emblem. The Empress scratched the armrest with her fingernails.

That damned woman!

So Marian had finally sided with those people. This is why you shouldn’t take in those with black hair! The Empress stomped her feet.

But there was nothing that could be undone by regretting now. Those who had the upper hand now were Marian and her people.

But Marian didn’t seem to be present.

“Drake! Where is Countess Yulian now! I need to talk to the Countess!”

The Empress raised her voice while crouching in her seat.

“What’s the use of looking for a dead person?”

The knight muttered in a low voice.

After scanning the surroundings, the knight entered with heavy steps, leaving bloodstained footprints on the floor.

With cold eyes, the knight glared at the Empress.

The servants quickly gathered around her.

“Dead! Why is that person dead! Then call another person in charge. Even Duke Drake…… No, even Marian! I want to talk to the Princess!”

The Empress raised her voice.

“……You still don’t understand the situation.”

The knight let out a scornful laugh. The sound of others gathering outside could be heard. Soon, the vast audience hall was filled with knights.

The smell of iron filled the audience hall.

“The Empress died at the hands of rebels. And the loyal Drake becomes the hero who punished those rebels. Do you understand?”

The Empress looked around with bulging eyes. There seemed to be no room for negotiation.

“Me? What’s the use of k*lling me! I was already planning to pass this position to Marian anyway! So you should just talk to Marian! No matter what, I’m the mother who raised her!”

The Empress shouted.

“Do you think Marian would be happy if you kill me!”

“You still live in a fairy tale.”

The one who emerged among the knights was Leoni.

Leoni fixed the Empress with a cold stare.

“You’ve spilled countless others’ blood but never shed your own. Those who died by your schemes must be wandering the netherworld, unable to rest. Can’t you hear the screams of the innocent northern people who died!”

“They deserved to die!”

The Empress shouted convulsively. Facing death, words tumbled out uncontrollably.

“Those damned ones had to die for me to live! That’s why I killed them! It was what the Emperor wanted! I just did as I was told! What crime have I committed!”

The Empress raged with her eyes rolled back.

“Filthy creatures! Filthy mages!”

The Empress revealed her true feelings.

“Those monster bastards should all be killed!”

“I should have killed that damned Marian earlier! Then I wouldn’t have suffered like this!”

The Empress shouted, spitting.

“I shouldn’t have left that little rat of Drake alive! If the Emperor hadn’t stopped me, he would already be dead and turned to dirt! You monster bastards don’t even know how to be grateful for mercy!”

The Empress pointed fingers and raged wildly.

All the malice that had been barely buried in her heart burst out. The Empress stomped her feet and screamed.

“I should have burned everything!”

“……”

Drake’s knights slowly surrounded the Empress. The knight standing at the front moved his lips.

“Are you done?”

The Empress panted, glancing around.

Though the servants stood in front of her, they could do nothing to stop the knights’ swords. They couldn’t halt the death closing in on her.

Clenching her fist, the Empress tightly shut her eyes as the sword drew near.

No matter how much she screamed, she couldn’t escape the inevitable.

‘Benjamin……!’

At that moment, she desperately longed to see her departed son,

even though he was the son who had betrayed her.

“……Even in death, I will curse you……”

The knight stared at the head rolling on the floor. The knight clicked his tongue briefly.

“Lady Leoni. The situation has been resolved.”

“……Now all that remains is to bring the Duchess from the north. We must clean thoroughly. Not a single rat should remain.”

“Yes!”

Leoni stared coldly out the window.