[Perfectly Complete, Infinitely Happy]

The next afternoon, unlike yesterday, a chilling coldness hung in Rian’s room. Though his expression appeared relaxed, his eyes emanated murderous intent as if he might behead Count Thorne at any moment. Count Thorne’s expression was equally cold as he faced Rian. Though summoned to the palace by the Emperor, he had instead encountered Rian.

“Why did you call for me?”

“You know why.”

“What do you mean?”

“As you can see, my body isn’t in the best condition thanks to someone, so I’ll keep this brief.”

Count Thorne’s eyebrows twitched at the disrespect from Rian, who was much younger than him. Until now, Rian had shown proper respect out of courtesy, but today he seemed truly crazy, just as Lovia had said.

With his head tilted slightly, Rian looked Count Thorne up and down like a predator contemplating which part to bite first. Rian skillfully concealed his claws while gradually revealing his fangs, like he’s planning to swallow the man whole.

“Make your choice. The Count’s family or Lovia?”

“……Huh huh, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“I wondered why Lovia was so dense, but I see she takes after you exactly.”

At Rian’s mockery, the corner of Count Thorne’s mouth twitched fiercely. But like the experienced man he was, he quickly composed his expression and replied with a slimy smile.

“Indeed, my daughter inherited her outstanding beauty from me. I wonder if there’s a more beautiful lady in the Empire?”

“True, Lovia’s beauty is exceptional. But why did you raise her body so cheaply? She seems to accept any man indiscriminately.”

“Your Grace!”

“Hmm, don’t get so angry. I’m only stating this with confidence because I’ve not only heard about it but seen it with my own eyes. Anyway, seeing you so upset confirms that you choose Lovia.”

Rian smirked as he watched Count Thorne glaring and breathing heavily. He hadn’t even revealed all his cards yet, and the man was already this angry. He wondered how the Count would react when he showed his full hand.

“Just tell me what you want. Either protect your family and abandon Lovia, or protect Lovia and abandon your family.”

“Ha, what are you talking about?”

“You’ll have to give up one of them. If you give up your family, the Thorne family will disappear forever from the Empire’s noble registry.”

“What? Hahaha!”

Count Thorne let out a hearty laugh as if Rian’s words were absurd. Still smiling with just the corners of his lips raised, Rian finally revealed his last card. And with that final card, Count Thorne could no longer laugh. No, his expression froze completely.

“If you choose your family, I will behead Lovia. For daring to threaten the life of the Grand Duchess and my child who will one day become Emperor, her head alone won’t be enough. I’ll need to cut off all her limbs to satisfy my anger.”

Only one sentence deeply embedded itself in Count Thorne’s ears.

‘My child who will one day become Emperor.’

“Now, what will you choose?”

The smile disappeared from Rian’s face. His expressionless face with eyes full of murderous intent caused Count Thorne’s complexion to gradually turn pale. Yet he was still struggling to penetrate Rian’s true intentions.

“Do you need time to think?”

“What are you saying?”

“Hmm?”

“Emperor, you say?”

“Hmph, so that’s the only part you heard. Then how about this? What if I become Emperor?”

“……Your joke goes too far.”

Though trying to appear calm, the whites of Count Thorne’s eyes turned red. After working so hard to tame the weak Emperor, it was infuriating to hear this madman suddenly claim he would become Emperor. What made it worse was that he couldn’t laugh off this ridiculous story because the current Emperor was the type who would happily give up the throne if Rian stepped forward.

This was why he had tried to tie Rian to Lovia and keep him under control, but instead, Rian had found some insignificant woman and ruined everything. Count Thorne couldn’t take Rian’s declaration of war lightly.

‘Should I have killed him when he was young? Lovia should have finished the job properly when she had the chance. How frustrating!’

Count Thorne glared at Rian, grinding his teeth. He had left him alone because Rian had been quite obedient for a while, but now he was backstabbing him like this.

“It seems you need time to think.”

“Will you give me time?”

Rian suppressed a laugh at Count Thorne’s skillfulness, still smiling widely even in this situation. But knowing the Count’s days of smiling were numbered, Rian also replied with a relaxed smile.

“Fine. I’ll do that. It’s a choice between giving up your family or giving up your daughter, so I can’t expect a hasty answer.”

Rian, who had been leaning back lazily, straightened his upper body and brushed back his disheveled hair. As the image of the late Emperor overlapped with him, Count Thorne involuntarily flinched.

“But if you drag this out too long, you’ll witness something unpleasant.”

“What… do you mean?”

“I’m telling you not to try anything foolish.”

“?”

“Font!”

“Yes, Your Grace!”

At Rian’s call, Font entered and bowed as if he had been waiting. Count Thorne’s eyes narrowed at this sudden appearance.

“Did you bring her?”

“Yes, I’ve confined her where you instructed.”

“As expected, my friend can do anything!”

Font smiled awkwardly at Rian’s words. His twitching mouth corners revealed his great displeasure. Yesterday Rian had told him to get lost as soon as they met, but early this morning he called him to carry out a kidnapping. He was really making thorough use of his doctor friend. Of course, Font had only run the errand.

“Did you hear that, Count?”

“Hmm, I wonder who else you’ve imprisoned to torment like this. It seems you still haven’t outgrown your childhood habits.”

“Can a dog change its ways? Since I’m crazy, I can only use crazy methods.”

Before Count Thorne could gauge Rian’s true intentions, Font’s words flew in.

“She came along willingly when I said Your Grace was waiting. Lady Ventum’s love for Your Grace is truly consistent.”

“What a dreadful thing to say.”

“What?!”

Count Thorne jumped up at the sudden mention of his daughter’s name. How could his hidden daughter’s name come up here? And to say she went along willingly—that was impossible unless she had lost her mind.

“Are you playing games with me?”

“Font, was Lovia dressed elaborately today as well?”

“I thought there was a banquet at the palace today. Her bright red dress was so intense.”

“Huh!”

A red dress. Before leaving the mansion, he had clicked his tongue at Lovia who was busy with her appearance even in this situation. He had told her to wear dark clothes and stay hidden in her room since she could be spotted by anyone, but that was the dress she had stubbornly refused to take off.

Count Thorne slumped back in his seat, holding his forehead with a frown. If only she had consulted with him, he would have handled it cleanly. He had cherished and raised his only daughter, but now she was about to ruin the family.

“You seem quite shocked. You should have locked her in a secret warehouse or something. How could anyone not notice her strutting around the garden? Count, you’re really too soft on Lovia.”

“What is the meaning of this?”

“Lovia wanted me so badly, so I simply kept her by my side. Since she’s going to die anyway, wouldn’t she be happy to die by my hand? But if you want to see Lovia’s n*ked body with her limbs cut off, I can grant you that much. She was your precious daughter after all, so I should let you see her one last time.”

“You’re insane.”

Count Thorne’s fists clenched so tightly that his veins bulged, and they trembled. Well aware of Rian’s violent tendencies from the past, Count Thorne knew that Rian would actually follow through with his threats.

“Didn’t you know? You must have known from before, right? Haven’t you seen those who died by my hands? Knowing that, you still tried to send your precious daughter to me? You’re quite remarkable, Count.”

“……”

“Come to think of it, the saying that blood doesn’t lie is true. My mother, who recognized my cruelty early on, must have hated me so much for that reason. Not realizing I took after you. Hehe.”

Rian smiled leisurely as he watched Count Thorne trembling with bloodshot eyes. All the while, he steadily tightened the noose around the old Count’s neck.

“Don’t feel too bad. At least I’m giving you a chance to choose. How gentlemanly am I compared to Lovia who attacked without warning? But you should remember that my generosity isn’t that extensive.”

“……”

Rian, who had been quietly observing Count Thorne’s murderous glare, spoke in a chilling voice different from before.

“Getting a confession from Lovia would be very easy for me. That woman would tell me all about your corruption and more if I just reached out my hand. I can do anything to Lovia if it means removing your family.”

“Your Grace!”

“I await your prompt answer. Whether you choose your daughter or your family. The longer you take, the more Lovia will suffer. My patience is at its limit right now.”

Count Thorne jumped up, glared at Rian as if he wanted to kill him, then turned abruptly. Before Count Thorne left the room, Rian drove in one final nail.

“Ah, I forgot to mention this. Even if you abandon Lovia, while you might keep your name, your family won’t remain intact. Have you heard that my wife is preparing for a territorial war? If I and the palace join forces, how difficult would it be to sweep away a few noble families? It wouldn’t be bad to fill those positions with fresh nobles from distant regions.”

At Rian’s words, the trembling Count Thorne stormed out, slamming the door behind him. Rian watched his retreating figure coldly before smirking. Only then did Font, who had slumped onto the sofa, exhale deeply.

“Whew…. You couple is really using me equally.”

“That means you’ve earned the trust of the Grand Duke and Duchess, right? Lucky you.”

Font’s eyes narrowed at Rian’s mockery. Was it his imagination that Rian seemed even more glib after coming back from the brink of death?

“Haah…. Let’s drop it.”

Font sighed, pressing his throbbing temples. Still, as the attending physician, he checked on Rian’s condition.

“So, what’s the state of your mind right now?”

“You’re the doctor, how would I, the patient, know?”

Font, who was rubbing his tired eyelids, soon got up and approached Rian. He examined his face from various angles to gauge his condition. While everyone else had been merely observing cautiously, Font, as both the attending physician and friend, asked directly.

“Are you still two people?”

“No, I don’t think so. I don’t feel anything different.”

“Then who are you right now?”

“Who do I look like to you?”

At Rian’s question, Font crossed his arms and stared at him intently.