“Don’t tell Kayla about this part until we’re certain.”

“Yes, understood.”

Theodore nodded. Ian quietly left, and Theodore stood by the window, staring into the fading darkness.

“There’s still much to resolve.”

※※※

Meanwhile, in a shabby inn in a remote village far from the capital, there was a suspicious couple. With worn coats and haggard faces, no one would think she was once Frea, the daughter of Marquis Rosehill. She and Marcel were hiding their identities there, barely surviving. More accurately, she was surviving thanks to Marcel. She sat on the creaking bed, clutching her knees and biting her nails.

“I won’t leave her be… That woman took everything. My position, even my life!”

Her eyes were soaked in madness. Marcel quietly approached.

“Miss, please calm down. Now is not the time to make a move.”

“Shut up! I must kill her! Understand?”

Frea threw a pillow, but Marcel took the hit with a composed expression. Soon he approached her, knelt down, and bowed his head.

“I will fulfill everything you desire, Miss.”

His voice carried a strange coldness along with an alien emotion. It was twisted affection and loyalty.

The next morning, amid the lingering anxiety and commotion at the grand ducal residence, wedding preparations were proceeding without a hitch. William was at the center of it all.

“We must do everything we can so that His Highness can be at ease.”

With his words that were close to conviction, the servants moved busily. The tailor visited the grand ducal residence before dawn, carrying bags full of items. Dresses, veils, formal attire, shoes—dozens of boxes filled the long corridor. And much later, Kayla stood before the mirror in her dress. A white dress embroidered with silver thread, an intricately crafted tiara, and a shining necklace. Kayla felt her own appearance unfamiliar. Her brilliant gaze was somewhat subdued.

“You look truly beautiful, Your Highness.”

Martha approached with a bright smile. In her hands was a carefully packaged veil. Kayla nodded, forcing a smile.

“I’m glad I look that way…”

“No, it’s true! These days, His Highness the Grand Duke’s eyes have softened a lot… we’re all happy too!”

Kayla closed her eyes briefly at those words. Theodore’s warm gaze came to mind, but somehow one corner of her heart ached. Kayla carefully opened her mouth.

“Frea… still hasn’t been found?”

Martha couldn’t answer and quietly bowed her head. She sincerely wished for Kayla’s happiness, but the existence of the missing Frea and Marcel held onto her ankles like a shadow. Martha arranged the veil and said firmly.

“It’s all right. Absolutely nothing will happen.”

Kayla nodded at Martha’s words, but her eyes still held anxiety.

※※※

Meanwhile, in the basement of the grand ducal residence. Ian was carefully examining reports on his desk. Slave trade records, search reports, maps of the capital vicinity. Though documents were piled like mountains for him to review, his gaze didn’t miss a single line. He was thoroughly going through every record. At that moment, the door opened and Chaos entered with a tired appearance.

“Chaos?!”

“I have something urgent to report.”

His shoulders were covered in dirt, and blood was dried on his arms.

“Are you hurt?”

“Don’t worry. It’s not my blood. More importantly, I’ve found traces of Frea and Marcel.”

“Really?”

Chaos took out a piece of paper from his pocket and unfolded it. It was a map marking an old inn and notes of movement traces by time.

“An inn in Owen Village on the outskirts of the capital. Marcel had almost erased all traces, but fortunately there was a witness.”

Ian’s gaze turned fierce at Chaos’s words.

“When I went to check directly as the witness said, I found what appears to be Frea’s earring dropped near the village.”

Chaos took out a mud-covered earring from his pocket. It was the same earring Frea had been wearing the day she disappeared.

“… That’s definitive.”

Ian jumped up from his seat.

“I’ll report directly to His Highness. You collect any remaining traces you can find.”

“Understood.”

※※※

Shortly after, in Theodore’s office.

He was looking at wedding-related documents, but his gaze kept turning to the window. Was Kayla all right? His eyes were filled only with worry and concern. Just then, the door burst open and Ian entered.

“Your Highness.”

Theodore rose from his seat at Ian’s tense voice.

“What is it?”

“Frea and Marcel’s location has been confirmed.”

Theodore’s expression instantly hardened.

“Where?”

“An inn in Owen Village on the outskirts of the capital. Frea’s earring was found nearby, and we’ve secured a witness.”

Theodore stood up without hesitation.

“Get ready. We leave right now.”

His eyes gleamed coldly. Ian nodded and followed him out.

※※※

That evening, in front of the Owen Village inn.

Theodore’s gaze was sharp as he looked down at the inn from atop his horse. The village was quiet, and the sky was engulfed in darkness.

“Is this the place?”

“Yes, according to the innkeeper, they’re staying in the corner room on the second floor.”

Theodore nodded.

“Move quietly.”

They dismounted and carefully entered the inn. The old wooden floor creaked, and the inside of the inn was mixed with the smell of old dust. Ian gestured to the innkeeper to remain quiet. The innkeeper nodded nervously. They moved silently toward the second floor.

“Is it here?”

“Yes.”

Theodore and Ian whispered in low voices. As Theodore gave a hand signal, Ian kicked the door open without hesitation. However,

“We’re too late…”

The room was in disarray, as though someone had rushed out in a hurry. A newspaper lay on the table, with a photograph that had been slashed with a knife.

“A warning, or rage…”

Theodore picked up a hairpin that had fallen to the floor. The jewel had come off and it was covered in dirt. It was something Frea had once proudly worn. Theodore held it in his hand and remained silent for a moment.

“They might have already entered the capital.”

Theodore slowly clenched his fist.

“Station troops near Kayla, as inconspicuously as possible. And…”

He slowly looked around the room and said coldly.

“… Bring me their heads. We must not let them escape this time.”

※※※

At the same time, in the forest on the outskirts of the capital.

Without even lighting a campfire, Frea and Marcel were hiding behind trees. Frea, with her haggard face, bit her nails and muttered.

“We must eliminate that woman on the wedding day.”

Marcel looked at her and said in a small voice.

“It’s dangerous to move in a public place.”

“That’s why I’m telling you to disguise it as an accident, an accident!”

Frea snapped and threw a pebble she was holding at Marcel. But Marcel silently approached, knelt down, and kissed the back of her hand.

“… Don’t worry. I will do everything you desire.”

Frea laughed with eyes full of madness.

“Good. Also spread rumors to make me look pitiful. Say I had nothing to do with you, that I was framed!”

She continued in a dry voice.

“Marcel, I can’t end like this. I need to stand on the stage again…”

Marcel quietly took off his cloak and placed it on her shoulders as she spoke, seemingly on the verge of tears.

“The wind is cold…”

Frea slumped down right there. Her eyes already contained a vengeance that no one could stop. There was only one thing that could subdue her obsession with revenge. Kayla’s life.

10. A Blood-Soaked Wedding and the Bride of God

The day of the wedding, at the ceremony venue.

On a clear and bright morning, the garden of the venue was filled with pure white flowers in full bloom. The early autumn breeze gently stirred the petals. On the day of Theodore and Kayla’s wedding, the most prestigious nobles in the capital and even foreign delegations had all gathered. It was a celebration for the Empire, and a place blessed by everyone. Meanwhile, Kayla was quietly catching her breath in the bridal waiting room, wearing a white veil. Martha carefully asked as she arranged Kayla’s hair.

“Your Highness, you must be very nervous?”

Kayla nodded with a small sigh.

“A little… but it’s okay, this… is the path I’ve chosen.”

Her reflection in the mirror was no longer the daughter of a criminal. Under the white dress and shining veil, a bride taking her first steps as the Grand Duchess of the Empire. However, anxiety remained in one corner of Kayla’s heart. It was because Frea’s shadow had not disappeared.

※※※

At the same time, in a shabby inn in the capital.

Frea was quietly sitting by the window, looking at the ceremony venue in the distance where many people were coming and going. A bloodless face, eyes filled with madness. She muttered.

“Today, I must end it. I must…”

“Yes, Miss.”

Marcel, disguised as a soldier in military uniform, was kneeling. He finished his preparations, pulling his helmet down low.

“When Kayla disappears, Theodore will crumble. And when I return… I’ll take revenge on everyone who made me like this.”

Frea whispered as if talking to herself, looking toward the ceremony venue. Marcel nodded briefly and checked his scabbard again.

“… I’ll be back, Miss.”

She didn’t answer. Marcel, who had carefully memorized her silhouette, left the room.

‘I must succeed… for Miss.’

※※※