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Chapter 17
“You have already disappointed me many times. But I will give you one chance to make up for it.”
Lucrezia’s eyes trembled. Her father had never given her a “chance” before. He only gave orders that had to be obeyed, and if she failed, he punished her.
“At the upcoming Hunting Festival, find out what kind of demon will be summoned.”
Lucrezia’s eyes widened.
Summoning a great demon for the Emperor and his knights to hunt personally was the highlight of the festival. Afterward, the people praised the Emperor’s strength and wore the color symbolizing the slain demon to honor his achievement.
In other words, that color would become the trend across the entire Empire.
If someone bought large amounts of dye or jewels in that color in advance, they could earn an enormous profit. To prevent this, the identity of the summoned demon was kept top secret until the day of the festival. Only the Emperor and a few close aides knew.
She remembered the palace official who had hesitated nervously, saying that any information about the demon was strictly confidential.
Lucrezia shut her eyes tightly.
She had never once answered her father with anything other than “Yes.”
But this—
‘Even if I somehow find out, the moment the information leaks, I will be the prime suspect.’
If that happened, His Majesty would…
She remembered the red eyes that once mocked her. If those eyes ever held contempt for her, they would never look at her again.
“Father, that is…”
She forced herself to speak.
“Even as Empress, even though I am involved with palace affairs, that information… is beyond my access.”
“What?”
Marquis Zephyr let out a dry laugh. An incredulous smile played on his lips.
“Are you trying to tell me what you can and cannot do?”
“I am only saying that it is not possible for me. If I attempt such a thing, the Empress position you worked so hard to secure for me will be put in danger.”
To demand such core information meant he intended to use her as a disposable card.
Once used, that card would be torn to pieces and thrown away.
The Marquis’s eyes flashed.
“So you really are trying to lecture me.”
“Father. Please, reconsider—”
“How dare you!”
The Marquis exploded in anger.
He was not recklessly ordering her to act as a spy without reason. This opportunity promised enormous profit, and he was trying to use Lucrezia to seize it. But his usually obedient illegitimate daughter was now stubbornly resisting.
“In front of your father, you dare widen your eyes and say you cannot? Are you rebelling against me?”
“Father.”
Pierre stepped forward, blocking the furious Marquis.
“Leave this to me.”
Pierre strode toward Lucrezia.
Smack!
Her head snapped to the side as a burning pain spread across her cheek.
“You’ve become quite insolent, little sister,” Pierre said, shaking the hand that had struck her.
“Why do you have so much to say? The only words Father needs to hear from you are ‘Yes, I understand, Father.’”
Slowly, Lucrezia turned her head back. Her ear rang from the blow. But though she was startled by the punishment, she did not burst into tears as she had when she was young.
“Your brother is right. You’ve grown very arrogant, Lucrezia,” Eleonora sneered as she looked at her reddened cheek. “Don’t tell me sitting on the Empress’s seat has changed how you see the world?”
Even at Eleonora’s mocking tone, Lucrezia felt nothing. Her head felt dull, as if underwater.
Marquis Zephyr gripped her shoulder tightly.
“What is possible and what is not is for me to decide. You only need to obey. Why do you still not understand such a simple truth?”
She looked up at him blankly.
Once, she had wanted to be a daughter loved by this man.
If she worked hard. If she became an excellent healer. Perhaps he would acknowledge her as his daughter.
She had never even hoped to be formally registered in the Marquis family. But if he had simply said, even once, “You are my daughter,” she would have been overjoyed. For Lucrezia, who had lived without a real family, that acknowledgment was everything.
But slowly, she realized.
No matter how hard she tried, he would never see her as his daughter.
Seeing him now, ready to use her and discard her without hesitation, made that truth painfully clear.
She had always known it, deep inside.
Yet while her thoughts churned, her mouth spoke mechanically.
“…I’m sorry, Father.”
“Hmph.”
Looking down at her, the Marquis clicked his tongue.
‘Her eyes are dead.’
A whip alone could not train properly. Even an obedient horse was useless if broken.
Sometimes, a carrot was necessary.
“I will say it again, Lucrezia. I am giving you a chance.”
His voice softened slightly.
“If you endure one year as Empress, I will reward you. If you bear a royal heir, I will grant you whatever you wish.”
“Thank you, Father.”
Lucrezia lowered her gaze as she answered.
He sometimes soothed her with such words.
What she wished for…
When she was young, it had been a warm hug. Later, it was for him to acknowledge her as his daughter. And now…
Now, she only understood that none of those wishes had ever mattered.
“Hm.”
The Marquis stroked his chin, satisfied with her obedient attitude. Lucrezia was a very efficient daughter. That, at least, he admitted.
Generously, he offered another concession.
“As for the Hunting Festival matter, we will set it aside for now. You still need time to adapt to palace affairs.”
“You’re too soft on her,” Eleonora muttered, displeased. Pierre cast Lucrezia an annoyed glance.
Under the gaze of the half-siblings she once admired and respected, Lucrezia lowered her head. She did not feel miserable. Just numb, as if part of her heart had worn away.
Soon the Marquis dismissed her.
She left the luxurious room and walked down the dark corridor.
“You don’t have to steal information about the demon.”
He said it as if granting her a favor.
It was rare for him to withdraw an order. For Lucrezia, it was fortunate. If she had tried, she likely would have been caught by the Emperor and fallen into ruin.
She thought she had barely escaped danger.
‘But…’
How long could she keep living like this, in constant anxiety?
As long as she remained Empress, the Marquis would continue demanding impossible things.
Her plan to gain even a little of the Emperor’s trust had made no progress.
Perhaps… she suddenly thought.
‘Perhaps it would be better to give up.’
Her life had long been filled with longing for family. Her desire for recognition from her father and siblings had become obsession.
But it would never come.
The helplessness that built up each time she saw their contemptuous gazes had grown too large to ignore.
What if she simply gave up everything?
If she ran far away from her father and family—
Poisoned by Elnash leaves, she would likely collapse within days.
But such a pitiful end did not seem much different from her current life.
All her struggles—to earn her father’s love, or the Emperor’s trust—felt meaningless.
She could just let go.
‘Yes. If I forget Father’s orders and run away…’
Perhaps even a few days in a world without family would not be so bad.
Throb.
The moment she thought of defying the Marquis, a headache struck again.
But this time, even the pain could not break through the heavy wave of exhaustion overwhelming her.
As she reached the end of the candlelit hall and opened the door to the corridor, she lost her balance and staggered.
“My lady?!”
A stranger’s voice.
Strong hands quickly supported her.
Her temples throbbed painfully, and she shook her head.
“I’m fine.”
“But you almost collapsed…”
“I’m fine.”
The man who helped her was not wearing a mask.
A young man with light golden hair stared at her with wide eyes, as if shocked by something.
‘Did he recognize me?’
No. She was wearing a wig and a mask.
The young man composed himself and took something from his pocket.
“My lady, you’re breaking out in a cold sweat.”
“….”
The handkerchief he offered carried a strangely sweet scent.
Lucrezia shook her head.
“Thank you for your concern, but I am truly fine. Excuse me.”
“My lady, please wait!”
He called urgently.
“May I know your name?”
At a masquerade ball, asking the name of someone wearing a mask was rude.
Had he really noticed something? Anxiety rose in her chest, and she quickly turned away.
“I’m sorry.”
Adjusting her mask, Lucrezia hurried off.
The pleasant fragrance from earlier lingered at the tip of her nose.
Perhaps because of it, the dull fog in her head felt slightly clearer than before.
