“Louise!”

The voice came even closer, and I was lifted into the arms I knew so well.

I felt as if I was about to lose consciousness, but I barely managed to lift my eyelids.

“…Alec.”

“Are you alright? Rest easy, Louise. You’re safe now.”

“…”

I didn’t have the strength to respond.

His voice and gaze filled me with an indescribable sense of relief.

As expected, my husband had come to save me.

I had thought I was about to be defeated by the Empress, and I had missed him so much…

Soon after, I heard his sharp voice directed toward Olivia.

“If you lay a hand on my woman, I don’t care who you are—I won’t let it go.”

“…”

“You will pay the price before you die, no matter what.”

His voice was low and dark with anger, a side of him I had never seen before.

***

Olivia, who had lost consciousness, opened her eyes.

She had thought she had died at Marianne’s estate, but here she was, awake again.

Her eyes gained strength as she scanned her surroundings, filling with moisture.

She quickly realized where she was. It was the Empress’s bedroom.

‘I gave it my all.’

She had fought with all her strength, not wanting to die alone, but to no avail.

However, Olivia had failed, taking a blow so deep that she couldn’t even move a finger.

How did it end up like this?

Louise’s unexpected and strong resistance had thrown her off guard.

Yet, Olivia had been convinced that, in the end, they would both die together.

If only Alec hadn’t shown up.

‘What is it about that duke…?’

Olivia’s eyes shook miserably.

She was surprised by Louise’s resistance to her power, but even more puzzled by Alec, who had appeared like a flash of light and whisked Louise and Marianne away.

‘They really are hiding something.’

Olivia gritted her teeth slightly and thought about the magic.

She had thought only the Emperor possessed such power, but now, could it be…?

“Olivia.”

Suddenly, a cold voice rushed in, sending a chill through her.

Just that short, low word made her feel as though her entire body was freezing to the bone.

Olivia couldn’t bring herself to turn toward the voice.

She had no confidence to face the Emperor now, nor did she want to show him her current state.

“Why were you found collapsed inside the palace, looking like you were on the verge of death? Were you really so weak that you lost consciousness from just that?”

At the end of his words, the Emperor let out a brief, mocking laugh.

That laugh felt like a thousand thorns piercing Olivia’s heart.

Cold, sharp, and merciless.

The Emperor had always been like that, but somehow, in this moment, it was more unbearable than ever.

Couldn’t he be kind, just once?

Olivia barely moved her lips to speak.

“As expected, Your Majesty… you were the one who made me like this.”

She had suspected it, but hearing it from his own mouth made her heart crumble.

The people who wasted away and died when imprisoned in that special dungeon.

Olivia had already realized that the Emperor was stealing their life force for himself.

“Then, will I become a part of you too… like Julia did?”

“…”

No immediate answer came.

She only felt his gaze pressing against her back.

He must not have expected her to figure it out.

At last, the Emperor spoke in a voice completely devoid of warmth.

“The vitality of a living person is most useful when it’s slowly drained. Especially the energy of someone who has committed evil or harbors hatred—it blends even better with my power.”

Even after being caught, the Emperor explained it as if it were nothing.

Olivia had always known that the Emperor possessed a transcendental power, and she believed that it was unique to him in this world.

That was why she admired him and feared him at the same time.

But now, for the first time, she wondered if he wasn’t just a monster wearing a human mask.

‘Olivia, you’re far too weak. I will make you strong. That’s what my Empress must be.’

She could never forget that night two years ago.

That night, Olivia endured excruciating pain that felt like her entire body was on fire.

An unfamiliar energy had flowed into her.

Now she knew exactly what the Emperor had done to her.

However, his attempt to make her stronger had failed.

Her once not-so-weak body couldn’t handle the power and gradually grew weaker.

The Emperor had clicked his tongue when he saw her condition.

“Disappointing, Olivia. Will you even be able to bear an heir like this?”

It felt like the sky was collapsing and the ground was giving way.

Olivia blamed her body for failing to accept the Emperor’s power.

She should have pleased him. Why had she disappointed him?

Would someone else have been able to accept the Emperor’s power and grow stronger?

Regret and bitterness consumed her.

Although the Emperor did not avoid their scheduled nights together, it had been months since he had completely distanced himself from her.

“After making me like this, are you planning to get an heir from another woman?”

Olivia gritted her teeth.

Clenching her hands tightly, she finally lifted her upper body from the bed.

With difficulty, she turned to face the Emperor.

Golden hair, as radiant as the sun, and eyes that, despite their crimson hue, held no warmth.

A sharply defined nose and lips.

Looking at the Emperor’s face, something surged within her.

She longed for him yet resented him, admired him yet loathed him.

She had tried so hard to please him, yet she had become someone destined to die by his hand.

“Was I… truly nothing to Your Majesty?”

Tears welled up as she bit her lip and clutched the blanket.

It was the first time she had shown tears in front of him.

However, the Emperor did not show even the slightest sign of wavering at her tears.

“You shouldn’t have treated me like this.”

His tightly pressed lips and emotionless gaze bore down on her.

That indifferent look, as if he were staring at a chair or table, clawed at Olivia’s heart.

If she had succeeded in killing Louise, she would feel less bitter.

But in the end, she found no solace for her soul.

“You had too many desires, Olivia.”

“……”

“All I want now is for you to vacate this chamber. A new mistress will take your place.”

“……”

Her nails dug into her flesh.

Tears flowed so heavily that her vision blurred.

She wanted to curse him as trash, but the Emperor wasn’t a man who could be described so simply as evil.

With the feeling that this was her last chance, Olivia moved her dry lips.

“As you wish, I will die quietly… But please, fulfill my request.”

“……”

“This is my final wish.”

She hadn’t realized her pride would lose to this emotion.

But as she sensed the end approaching, she recognized that what she desired most was still to be in his arms.

The hatred vanished from Olivia’s eyes, leaving only longing.

“Please… stay with me until the end. Hold me in your arms.”

Would he grant her final wish?

If he held her just once, she felt she could leave without any regrets.

But the Emperor, his gaze revealing no intention to do so, spoke.

“Olivia, I can’t tell when your energy became so pitch-black.”

“……”

“It will be most useful.”

It was as if her last hope had been crushed; her chest caved in, and the ground seemed to fall away beneath her feet.

Why can’t I even have that?

“Who am I dying for?”

Olivia’s hatred surged like a midnight storm.

Only then did the Emperor, satisfied, take away the Empress’s energy.

* * *

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