The Emperor’s voice came again.

His gaze meticulously scanned Alec and me, making me feel dirty just from his stare.

“You two still shine. You don’t look like people who have returned from the harsh Wiltsbrook Castle in the northern lands. Doesn’t it seem strange to you as well?”

At the Emperor’s question, the ministers and aides standing on either side of the audience chamber murmured softly.

Brooks, too, was watching us and the Emperor, dressed in the dignified ceremonial attire worn at the palace.

Would it have looked more natural if we had at least returned with an injury?

In any case, we had to appease the Emperor.

We couldn’t afford to lose the North without any preparation.

For now, it was the only place where we could build our strength.

Alec began speaking in his calm voice.

“It was as formidable as its reputation suggests. If it weren’t for Your Majesty’s command, we wouldn’t have found the castle.”

As Alec continued to look up at the Emperor, the Emperor also stared back at him.

Before long, the murmurs around us faded, and the room grew deathly silent.

As I had felt before, there was an unusual tension between the two.

I allowed a subtle smile to barely touch my lips.

“I never imagined such a natural wonder existed within the Empire of Rilt. If it weren’t for Your Majesty’s order, we would have never had the chance to see it.”

“…”

“The weather was harsh, and there wasn’t a proper road, but the scenery was breathtaking wherever you looked. Especially the view from Wiltsbrook Castle was remarkable.”

After finishing my words, I composed myself with a polite expression.

The ministers and aides nearby couldn’t hide their small gasps and whispers of amazement.

My words had piqued their curiosity about the North.

A rugged and untouchable territory.

Describing the North as a natural wonder and spectacle must have sounded unfamiliar.

The Emperor, who had been staring at me for a moment, let out a short, mocking laugh.

“Now I see. There are people here who are perfectly suited for the North.”

“…”

“Quite impressive. Haven’t you accomplished what Count Andrew, far more capable than the two of you, failed to do?”

The Emperor spoke mockingly, then soon raised his voice again.

“It’s strange. Who would have imagined that you possessed such abilities?”

When the Emperor fell silent as if waiting for a response, I spoke.

“We were merely fortunate.”

“Ruling the North isn’t a matter of luck.”

“…”

The Emperor’s piercing red eyes bore into us.

What was this?

It felt like we were being scolded for doing exactly what he had asked us to do.

I could understand the Emperor’s reaction.

He probably expected us to either die or return after failing, begging for the Northern mission to be forgotten.

Amid the uneasy silence, the Emperor leaned back further into his throne.

“Since your efforts were commendable, I’ll give the viscount title to you as promised.”

The people around us couldn’t hide their surprise at the Emperor’s words.

Even Brooks looked at us with a pleased expression.

I felt no particular emotion, but nonetheless, I bent my knee slightly in a gesture of gratitude.

“We are deeply honored, Your Majesty.”

I forced a smile, trying to appear at least a little pleased.

However, the Emperor’s next words quickly made me drop the smile.

“Still, something about this doesn’t sit right.”

“…”

“I’ll send people later to verify the situation at Wiltsbrook Castle. And I have a task I need you to complete within a week.”

“…”

A sense of foreboding crept over me.

It seemed that now that we had safely returned, the Emperor was quick to present us with another ordeal.

“As you well know, I’m impatient. Prove the loyalty of the Northerners to me through a tribute. If they don’t, then it would be better for them to disappear entirely, wouldn’t it?”

The Emperor’s eyes gleamed with amusement.

It was like the mischievous eyes of a spoiled child.

I truly wanted to punch him.

“The amount should be equivalent to a week’s worth of taxes from the people of the capital.”

I couldn’t even imagine how much of a fortune that would be.

One thing was certain: it would be several times more than what Alec had brought so far.

It took nearly four days just to travel to and from the North, so there was no way we could gather that immense sum within a week.

And if we failed, he was threatening to massacre the Northerners—wasn’t this a bit too much of a joke?

I felt a laugh almost escape, but I barely held it back.

“If you can’t do it, then beg me now to withdraw my order.”

“…?”

The Emperor’s gaze had sharpened.

“If you give up now, I’ll accept your plea. It’s an opportunity I’m giving you out of pity for your returned lives.”

“……”

Could it be that he’s asking us to kneel and beg right now?

It seems that the excuse of wiping out the Northerners was just a pretext. What he really wanted was to break our spirits.

As resolute as the emperor’s gaze was, I stared back at him without wavering. Alec’s eyes were no less intense.

Brooks glanced back and forth between the emperor and us, then gave us a serious look.

It seemed he was urging us to beg the emperor.

No matter how much of an excuse it was, the emperor truly could annihilate the Northerners.

But I didn’t want to do as he desired.

‘If I were going to beg a guy like you, I would’ve done it with tears in my eyes when I was kicked out of the duke’s house.’

Hiding my true feelings, I smiled slightly.

“It’s not an easy task. But if you give us the chance, I’d like to give it a try.”

“……”

I saw the emperor’s eyes darken.

***

It had been quite some time since Louise and Alec left the palace.

Yet, Aksen was still thinking about the two of them.

His fists clenched, and his eyes hardened.

How can they be so relaxed?

Are they not even afraid of all the Northerners dying?

Even when their status, lands, and wealth were all stripped away, instead of begging for their lives, they reappeared and ruined Julia.

This time, he was curious to see how they’d react when sent to the North, but now, they return with such arrogance.

In this empire, Louise was the only one who maintained such a consistent attitude.

Aksen decided to abandon any futile attempts to tame them.

He couldn’t bear it anymore.

“Harriet.”

At his call, Harriet, who had been standing by, took a few steps closer.

“Give your orders.”

“There’s someone I want you to bring.”

“……”

Olivia, who had been standing beyond the door, clenched her fists.

Has the moment finally come?

She couldn’t stand by and watch as the emperor obtained another woman to replace her.

***

TL NOTE: More advanced chapter of this story is already up to the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories