The content of the letter was simply asking her to seek God’s forgiveness and pray for atonement to the imperial family, as the Theon ducal family and Cecilia had committed deep sins against the imperial family.

“Aunt is wiser and more insightful than anyone. Even with just this much, she’ll understand that our family has suffered a calamity because of Sister Cecilia.”

“Then, I’ll show it to the knight guarding the mansion first, and once it’s approved, I’ll let you know.”

“Yes, go ahead. When it’s approved, send it without asking me again.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Left alone, Elia was lost in thought for a moment.

Briana was the youngest sister of Duke Theon, with a significant age difference. Since she had devoted herself to the monastery, she had almost no presence in the family.

“It’s a gamble…… but I have nothing more to lose.”

Elia felt clearer-headed than ever before.

Now she wouldn’t be hurt by Rockfort’s gaze, nor would she need to hold her breath for her parents’ honor.

“I never knew it could be so comfortable to think only of myself.”

A refreshed smile flickered at the corners of Elia’s lips.

* * *

Recently, the imperial physician had been frequently attending to the emperor. Everyone assumed it was because the former emperor’s condition had worsened, but in fact, the physician was mainly reporting on Elia’s progress.

“There’s a high possibility of lasting aftereffects.”

“You mean she won’t be able to walk?”

“Since her other leg is intact, she could walk with someone’s support…… but I’m not sure if she’ll be able to walk alone.”

Hmm, Rockfort made a curious sound.

“I am providing the best treatment as Your Majesty commanded.”

“How is the former emperor?”

“There’s no particular improvement.”

Rockfort nodded slowly.

“We can no longer delay the announcement about the incident in the empress’s quarters. I’ve decided to convene the council tomorrow and issue an imperial decree. I’d like to see the former emperor now and inform him…… would that be alright?”

“His mind and body are weak, so if he receives a great shock, it could be harmful……”

Despite it being about his own father, Rockfort snorted. Considering what the former emperor had done when he was healthy, nothing could be much of a shock to him now.

“Then, prepare a cardiac stimulant and follow me.”

“What? Yes, Your Majesty.”

Tsk, Rockfort clicked his tongue disapprovingly and began walking. He couldn’t even remember the last time he had gone to see his father emperor.

The claim that they had arranged a quiet place for the former emperor’s recuperation was just an excuse; it was practically the same as confining him to the deepest and most remote part of the imperial palace because he didn’t want to see him.

“His Majesty the Emperor approaches!”

When the emperor’s loyal head servant Victor announced with a solemn attitude, all the servants and maids of the former emperor’s quarters came out and lined up to pay their respects.

“We greet His Majesty the Emperor.”

Rockfort passed by them expressionlessly and entered the quarters, heading toward the inner bedchamber.

The corridor, where sunlight barely penetrated, was so dark that one could hardly distinguish between day and night, and there was only one person guarding the bedchamber.

“We greet His Majesty the Emperor.”

“Announce me to the former emperor.”

The tense knight bowed his head deeply, then entered the bedchamber with a knock.

“Your Majesty Former Emperor, His Majesty the Emperor has arrived.”

Rockfort nodded to the knight. It meant he should leave now. It also meant that he didn’t need the former emperor’s permission to enter the bedchamber.

“Then……”

The door of the bedchamber closed with a creak behind Rockfort. He walked steadily to the excessively luxurious bed and stood at the head.

“Is…… that you, Rockfort?”

“Yes.”

The former emperor was emaciated, but he still watched his son with sharp eyes.

“I want to sit up. Help me.”

“It’s not a long story, so rest as you are.”

At Rockfort’s dry response, the former emperor chuckled and sat up on his own, leaning against the headboard. He was still someone Rockfort couldn’t let his guard down against.

“It’s been too quiet lately. Almost as if…… someone is trying to cover up something big.”

“The empress is dead.”

The former emperor frowned at Rockfort’s voice, which seemed devoid of any emotion.

“While I was busy bringing news of victory, she committed suicide by jumping due to nervous exhaustion and depression.”

“I may be physically ill, but I’m not mentally gone.”

“That’s how it appears to me as well.”

The former emperor twisted his lips into a smirk. He could clearly see that Rockfort, who resembled him, had grown more robust.

“I heard you achieved a great victory in the war. Your complexion looks good, perhaps because you’re young. But why do you look at your father with such dark eyes?”

Rockfort gazed at his father with indifferent eyes.

“House Theon is a noble family I appointed, and your engagement was also my imperial decree. A daughter from such a family has nervous exhaustion?”

“Yes, it seems Your Majesty’s eyes were clouded when looking at House Theon.”

Former Emperor Reyan glared at Rockfort with a sharp gaze, but he remained silent. It meant he had no intention of speaking about this matter for now.

“Since the Empress committed suicide and caused great concern to the imperial family, I will banish the Duke and Duchess from the capital and confine them to their territory.”

“House Theon maintains the balance in the council. Whether good dogs or bad dogs…… they should be left to bark at each other so they won’t bite their master.”

“The Duke has a younger brother. I will make him the Duke and let him continue the Theon lineage.”

The former Emperor slowly nodded. Indeed, it was a cold-blooded judgment befitting his son.

“What business do you have with me? You wouldn’t have come all this way to tell me something so obvious.”

Though aged, his judgment remained sharp.

“There is still one lady left in House Theon.”

But this time, words beyond the former Emperor’s expectation flew in.

“Please announce in your name as the former Emperor that the engagement with House Theon remains valid.”

The former Emperor narrowed his eyes and stared at his son whose intentions were unfathomable.

The Empress’s death was highly suspicious, and it seemed the Duke and Duchess of Theon were complicit in the crime, yet he wanted to make their daughter the Empress again.

“Your inscrutability resembles your mother. Well, try to persuade me.”

Rockfort frowned at the unpleasant remark.

“Even though I’ve abdicated to you and lie here bedridden, the authority of the former Emperor clearly exists. Even if you are the Emperor, you cannot use the former Emperor’s name as you please.”

“That’s why I came here.”

“To use your sick father as a shield against the nobles’ protests?”

Rockfort remained silent. Soon, it was an affirmation.

If the Duke and Duchess of Theon were banished from the capital, other powerful families eyeing the position of Empress would certainly not remain quiet. If House Theon were given a second chance, there would surely be an uproar.

“So you want to paint a picture where you reluctantly accept a daughter from House Theon as Empress again because the former Emperor’s will is too strong?”

Huh, Reyan let out a hollow laugh. He knew Rockfort was excellent, but he didn’t expect him to adapt to the throne so quickly.

“How about spending the rest of your life comfortably in the western palace?”

Rockfort had come not to make a request but to negotiate from the beginning.

“Isn’t this small chamber where sunlight barely enters suffocating? I will renovate the western palace of Seira. I’ll also give you the taxes from Seira territory. And I won’t interfere with how you live there.”

“Hmm…… it seems you have a reason for wanting that lady as empress.”

“This offer is valid only now. If you don’t accept, I’ll leave.”

He seemed skilled not only in negotiation but also in intimidation.

Reyan had no intention of dying in this shabby place either. In a way, this was the perfect opportunity.

“How could I refuse my beloved son’s request?”

When the former Emperor put on a rather benevolent smile, Rockfort’s face hardened further.

“Besides, you are my only surviving son.”

Kuk, seeing him dig into his wound, it was clear that Reyan hadn’t changed.

“I’ll gladly accept that you’re giving the fertile Seira territory and renovating the palace for your father.”

“Then, I’ll consider the matter settled.”

Rockfort nodded slightly and left the chamber without the slightest delay.

Former Emperor Reyan looked at the door his son had left through and spat out a laugh.

“Whatever it is, something interesting seems to be happening…… Indeed, that fellow takes after his mother Cassandra.”

He smiled again, at the name of his wife that he recalled after a long time.

“The most beautiful…… and most venomous flower in this empire.”

Cassandra was Reyan’s last woman. And she was the last Empress and became the only Empress Dowager. That alone was enough to guess her life.

“I wonder if she still wears rouge as red as blood.”

His amethyst eyes, characteristic of the imperial family, sank deeply. Though his soliloquy was light, the emotion in those pupils was not.

“My lovely Cassandra.”

Reyan muttered, grinding his teeth.