1.

The grand banquet at the imperial palace of the Holy Petrion Empire was splendid and brilliant.

Beautiful music, fragrant flowers, and above all, it was a gathering of all those considered noble in this empire.

“We congratulate Your Majesty once again on your victory!”

The Emperor and Empress seated at the highest place were still young, and their beauty outshone anyone else in the imperial palace.

“As Your Majesty personally led the great army to suppress the rebellion, the glory of the Holy Petrion Empire has spread widely across the continent.”

When both the old ministers who had been loyal since the previous emperor’s reign and young knights unanimously praised the Emperor’s achievements, a faint smile settled on Emperor Rockfort’s sculpture-like cold lips.

“Though it wasn’t the war I wanted, I too am satisfied with its results.”

Rockfort’s black hair was darker than any darkness, and his pupils held the mysterious purple glow characteristic of the imperial family.

“It was thanks to Your Majesty’s wise leadership.”

When Rockfort nodded at those words, the purple in his eyes reflecting the chandelier light became even more mesmerizing.

“The Finance Minister’s words are correct. Thanks to Your Majesty perfectly concluding this expedition, the number of lords pledging loyalty to our Holy Petrion Empire is increasing.”

“Yes. It’s thanks to Your Majesty personally leading the army bravely to suppress the rebellion.”

“Everyone still sings of Your Majesty’s bravery……”

As the flattery dragged on, Rockfort’s profile subtly stiffened. This was visible only to Empress Elia sitting right beside him.

“That’s enough praise about past events.”

When the low bass voice cut through the air, the ministers who had been talking endlessly immediately closed their mouths.

“Today’s banquet wasn’t arranged just to eat, drink and speak pleasant words.”

Rockfort rested his elbow on the throne and gazed obliquely at the gathering. Under the lighting, his high nose bridge, manly strong jawline, and elegant lips gave off both noble and intimidating impression. Though he was only 24 years old, he had such dignity that he could truly be called a born ruler.

“The current glory is built upon past sacrifices.”

The Emperor who had been looking at them with cold purple eyes set down his glass with a thud. Everyone watched the Emperor’s expression.

The beautiful Empress Elia sitting beside him did the same.

“Your Majesty’s words are right and righteous.”

“Your appearance of not forgetting the past is even more dazzling.”

Rockfort let out a low laugh. Since imperial authority in the Holy Petrion Empire was stronger than ever in history, the ministers would compete to agree with whatever nonsense he spoke.

“Huh……”

Only Empress Elia who was sitting beside him heard the low, small laugh filled with contempt.

If a lily was molded into human form, would it look like this? Under her chandelier light, platinum blonde hair shimmered dazzlingly, and her ice-blue eyes in her flawless white skin absolutely did not lose to the Emperor’s beauty.

“No matter how overwhelming our victory was in war, there are always those who die.”

However, her beauty and innate purity held no meaning now. Throughout the long banquet, Rockfort never once looked at Elia sitting beside him. If the Emperor didn’t give his attention, what use was the Empress’s beauty no matter how beautiful she was.

“While I was away on the expedition, precious lives were lost in this imperial palace too.”

When the low voice rang coldly in Elia’s ear, she quietly held her breath. So that nothing about her would irritate Rockfort.

“The dead do not return. The living cannot know the weight of lost lives.”

Elia tightly clenched her small white hand under her long dress sleeve. Soon, the moment she found hardest to endure would come.

“Truly…… an innocent and pitiful life was lost.”

As expected, Rockfort inevitably swept Elia with a cold gaze.

All Elia could do was pretend nothing was wrong and stare straight ahead at an empty space.

“What I hate most are those who try to profit from such pitiful lives.”

The low voice seemed to pierce sharply as if targeting Elia.

“Such wicked people should not exist.”

“Of course.”

The nobles knew best how the Emperor treated his beautiful twenty-year-old Empress. The colder the Emperor’s gaze, the more biting his voice, the more enthusiastically the nobles mocked Empress Elia with contemptuous looks.

“Yes. It’s absolutely unforgivable.”

By this point, Elia just wanted to disappear from the world.

Though Rockfort didn’t even look at Elia, she knew best who those words were directed at.

“So…… I will reject all the lords who suddenly changed their stance and claim they will be loyal to me and the empire.”

He could have said such things at the council.

But whenever there was an occasion where the Emperor and Empress were seated together, whatever the topic, Rockfort’s words ended this way.

“If God does not punish those who are vile, I will have to punish them myself.”

Since they normally didn’t even have occasions to face each other, it seemed he engraved that hatred during public occasions where the Empress had to appear alongside him.

“It would be right to execute them all and confiscate their territories.”

“Yes. The world would be better if we could execute all those who cunningly exploit others’ deaths.”

Elia couldn’t help but exhale. She couldn’t endure anymore. Even the expressionless face she had barely maintained was at its limit. Though she tried to hold it in, her eyes twitched.

“Seeing the Empress’s expression, it seems you disagree with me.”

A lie. He didn’t even look at Elia’s face properly. Even acknowledging her existence came after sitting side by side for 3 whole hours.

“……No.”

Elia barely managed to answer without trembling. Perhaps it was her imagination, but even the whispering nobles seemed to curse and despise her. She had no way of knowing where her life went wrong and why she became such a wretched sinner when she had been a duke’s daughter who wanted for nothing.

“Then…… what do you think about those who died after I departed on the expedition?”

Elia’s eyelashes trembled. This young Empress with platinum blonde hair and blue eyes would have been more beautiful if she didn’t look so intimidated like a criminal who had committed all the world’s sins.

“I am asking you.”

Cold purple-tinged eyes turned toward Elia. Once, Elia had been captivated by the purple in his eyes. No jewel could be as mysterious and elegant as his eyes. That was…… certainly enough to inspire certain feelings.

“I…… think we should mourn their deaths and pray to God for their souls……”

But now she had to forget that those feelings had even existed.

Even if her heart responded every time she heard his handsome face and low voice, even a moment of her emotion could become a sin.

“I didn’t know the Empress had such virtuous thoughts.”

There was nothing more to hide. Rockfort hated Elia, his Empress.

“Is it because you’re used to dressing up glamorously and enjoying banquets?”

Elia remained silent even at those unfair words. After the cold wedding ceremony, she only sat beside the Emperor at important banquets. The Emperor rejected the Empress’s morning greetings and audiences, and never set foot in the inner palace, so naturally, she could only see him at banquets.

If she had come to the banquet looking shabby, she would have been blamed for damaging the imperial dignity.

“I……”

Elia bit her lip hard. Excuses were useless. She had tried before and received even harsher rebukes many times.

“Why can’t you continue speaking?”

When Rockfort’s eyes looked at Elia, she felt momentarily suffocated. When was the last time she met his eyes?

And Elia’s heart, so pitifully, still responded to him and pounded. How wretched that her heart still raced for her husband who hated her most in the world.

Yes, this is punishment. A punishment more harsh and cruel than death.

“I……”

“Ah, are you drunk perhaps? I didn’t know the Empress was good with alcohol.”

When the Emperor made a toast, the Empress had to put the wine glass to her lips too. Elia’s cheeks quickly flushed red and burned hot after reluctantly tasting the unfamiliar alcohol. Of course, alcohol wasn’t the only reason.

“Do you usually enjoy it in the inner palace?”

What answer would satisfy him? She couldn’t tell anymore. It hadn’t even been a year since Elia married.

“N…… No. I……”

The fact becoming increasingly clear was that her husband, the Emperor, was now punishing Elia. Forcibly keeping her alive, forcibly crowning her Empress, forcibly keeping her by his side….. Making her unable to live or die.

“Why do you keep stopping mid-sentence?”

“Your Majesty, I……”

She felt too suffocated to continue speaking. She was too afraid her feelings would be exposed in the pitch black shadow within his purple eyes.

“Seeing how the Empress can’t speak properly, she must be drunk. Head Lady-in-waiting, escort the Empress well.”

“……Yes.”

Since when? She felt relief the moment Rockfort dismissed her.

No matter how dishonorable it was, if she endured just that moment, she could escape from his side. Then this miserable love wouldn’t be discovered.

“Then, I shall……”

Elia gracefully bowed to Rockfort who never looked at her.

“I permit it.”

Rockfort neither hesitated nor gave Elia a glance.

While Elia was still before him, someone proposed a toast, and Rockfort laughed heartily and raised his glass high as if Elia had disappeared long ago.

“……I shall withdraw.”

Instead of answering, Rockfort waved his hand as if brushing away something bothersome.

Elia slowly turned her back to him. Behind her, boisterous laughter and music blended together.

At the final moment, Rockfort’s cheerful laughter seemed to claw at Elia’s back.

***