Kristin and Duke Raphael’s movements caused an uproar among the empire’s citizens. The commotion was such that their activities were no secret even within the imperial palace.

By late afternoon, word spread that Kristin and Duke Raphael had been spotted together on a shopping street, visiting the Begonia Café and purchasing a wedding dress and tuxedo from a high-end boutique.

Adding fuel to the fire was the surprising involvement of Pope Henry Edward, a man who rarely meddled in noble affairs. News broke that the Pope had sent a letter to Emperor Lucas, ordering protection for the couple from any threats within the empire. This revelation, published in the papers, enraged the emperor and Princess Rebella.

It was as if the couple wasn’t content with merely planning their wedding—they seemed to be mocking the emperor under the protection of the Pope’s favor. Emperor Lucas, shamed before Princess Rebella, could hardly lift his head.

But Princess Rebella wasn’t concerned.

What did it matter? They could simply kill the couple during the wedding ceremony.

One by one, she planned to eliminate individuals capable of aiding the emperor or strengthening the empire. Abducting the helpless emperor would be as easy as pie with their protectors gone,

In fact, the more recklessly Kristin and Raphael acted, the better it was for Rebella.

Meanwhile, the emperor had repeatedly confirmed through his council that the letter forbidding their marriage had been delivered properly.

However, in his emotional state, the emperor overlooked a critical point.

Within the Union Empire, the Pope’s authority was almost equal to that of the emperor. Even if Kristin Edith had received the imperial decree forbidding her marriage, the Pope’s support for the union could immediately overturn the prohibition.

Though the emperor tried to reassure himself by explaining to Princess Rebella the nuances of such legalities, she barely paid attention. Sipping her tea gracefully, she smirked at Lucas’ growing anxiety.

“What worries you so, Your Majesty?” she asked with feigned concern.

“That meddling Pope Henry Edward! He’s deliberately obstructing my path. He’s interfered with my decisions in this empire time and again! What could that wretched old man know to write such a letter for Kristin Edith and Duke Raphael? I cannot understand his actions!”

“‘Wretched old man,’ indeed,” Rebella chuckled, amused by Lucas’ outburst.

In her eyes, the emperor himself was an ignorant fool.

It baffled her how Lucas could trust her so implicitly without suspicion. Perhaps he thought her incapable of ruling an empire simply because she was a woman.

Lucas Aedon, Emperor of Union, had wrongly concluded that Princess Rebella could never ascend to the throne of Praga. He assumed that their alliance was purely for the mutual prosperity of their two empires.

“If Duke Raphael and Kristin Edith persist in this manner, I will not stand idly by,” Lucas declared.

“Your Majesty,” Rebella responded slyly, “you wouldn’t dare harm Duke Raphael, would you? Isn’t it Lady Kristin Edith who troubles you most?”

Her remark jolted Lucas back to his senses.

He had been utterly enraged, so much so that he had even considered killing Duke Raphael Rodney. However, without the duke, Princess Rebella’s marriage plans with him would be ruined, so he couldn’t take things that far.

Instead, what if he ensured Kristin Edith could never rise again?

From the beginning, the Edith family had been a noble house in name only.

Having collected his thoughts, Emperor Lucas nodded decisively.

“You’re right. Kristin Edith may be unnecessary, but there’s no need to kill her. There’s another way.”

His thoughts shifted.

Given the current circumstances, killing Kristin Edith was not feasible within the empire. Doing so would lead to an investigation under the Pope’s orders, and he didn’t want to invite unnecessary trouble.

But plunging her into despair was still an option.

To ensure Rebella and Raphael’s marriage could proceed, he would have to disrupt Kristin’s wedding, which was set to take place in just a few days.

He would ensure the vows of love and the exchange of rings could not happen.
Turning to Princess Rebella, Lucas continued.

“No matter if she owns a diamond mine or is destined to be the Duchess of Duke Raphael Rodney, Kristin Edith is no match for you, Princess of Praga. We will make her realize her place by y cutting her down at the root.”

With that, the emperor turned to his high priest and issued an order.

“Inform the Council of Executions. As of this moment, all of Kristin Edith’s property, mansion, and staff are to be confiscated. Imprison all her servants in the imperial dungeons. Kristin shall no longer bear the Edith name, nor hold the nobility status. She will live as a commoner.”

“Your Majesty, isn’t that a bit too extreme?”

Princess Rebella feigned surprise, though her expression betrayed delight.

“No law in the empire permits a commoner to marry a duke. Even the Pope cannot create such laws for an individual without disregarding the entire legal system. They have underestimated me, and I will not tolerate such disrespect.”

“Oh, Your Majesty, you’re relentless,” Rebella chuckled.

Lucas roared with laughter at her words, while Empress Leli Aedon, witnessing the scene, watched with worried eyes.

—

It was as if a storm had swept through.

Under the emperor’s orders, Edith Viscount’s household was utterly dismantled.

While residing at the duchy, Kristin learned that her noble status had been revoked, her family mansion and assets confiscated, and her servants imprisoned.

But Duke Raphael had already ensured she couldn’t return to the Edith estate.

“I need to go to the mansion. I have to see Lenci and Cindy,” Kristin pleaded.

“Kristin, just a little more patience. I promise we’ll set everything right,” Raphael assured her.

“Butler Alberto and so many others from the household must be in the imperial dungeons by now. To them, I am…”

Kristin couldn’t finish her sentence.
Tears streamed down her face as she buried herself in Raphael’s embrace. Her hand brushed against the pocket watch hanging from her neck, and she finally managed to calm herself, her sobs subsiding.

“How… How could His Majesty do this to me? I can’t understand him at all. What have we done wrong?”

“Kristin,” Raphael said gently, “if we want to marry freely, we must first protect His Majesty from the Praga Empire. Right now, only the Edith household staff are imprisoned. Still, if we fail to thwart their conspiracy, all the citizens of the Union Empire could find themselves living as though they’re imprisoned.”

“Your Grace.”

Kristin nodded in understanding at Duke Raphael Rodney’s words, her eyes briefly drifting to the calendar.

The wedding was now just two days away.

“I discussed everything with my aides last night. Once I fake my death, they’ll move me to a safe place. A false funeral will be held afterward. I’ll take care of everything that comes next. All you need to do is stay within the duchy, Kristin.”

“Your Grace…”

“Kristin…”

Kristin paused, contemplating deeply. Looking at Raphael Rodney, she began to speak but hesitated, gazing at the window. After a moment, she returned her attention to him and continued.

“While you proceed with your plan, I’ll infiltrate the palace. Before that, I heard something from Alberto, our butler. He mentioned that the imperial palace employs maids who are dedicated to laundry. My maid, Lenci, once tried to join them but was too young and ended up working for the Edith estate instead.”

“Infiltrate the palace? What are you saying? That’s far too dangerous. Absolutely not. You must stay within the duchy.”

But Kristin already knew she couldn’t stay hidden there forever.

She was no longer the viscount’s daughter. Stripped of her noble status and her family’s estate dissolved, she had no right to reside in another noble’s house and act as its mistress.

Even though she was set to become a duchess, her current status was that of a mere commoner.

With the Pope’s letter rendered useless, Kristin felt compelled to find another way to support Raphael Rodney.

She wanted to uncover Princess Rebella’s plans and her next moves.

Kristin needed to become one of the palace’s laundry maids to obtain such information.

Her plan was simple yet bold: sneak into the palace disguised as a maid and eventually hide in Princess Rebella’s chambers. From there, she could observe everything about the princess.

“It’s risky, yes, but it’s my best option right now. I want to help you, Your Grace. I don’t want just to sit idly by waiting for you to protect me like a helpless lady.”

When Kristin spoke, Raphael Rodney had no choice but to reluctantly nod in agreement.

He pulled her into his embrace, responding to her plea.

“I’ll ensure I return to you in time. I promise to keep you safe, Kristin.”