TLDWAE 40

Chapter 40

‘Just what is that pitch-black mass, that it’s still writhing even after centuries…?’

Magic, curses—things that, to the people of this era, would sound laughable and absurd. But for the Emperor, this was no laughing matter. It was a grave issue upon which the future of the imperial house depended.

And as every emperor before him had done, he bore the responsibility not only for the glory of the imperial family, but also its darkness. Matters such as these were never handled by the Imperial Knights, but rather by the nameless ones called the “Shadows.”

‘Find out if among those who carry the imperial bloodline, there is anyone in whom the symptoms have appeared. And if you find someone with a child… you know what must be done, don’t you?’

If this curse were to be revealed to the world, it would only bring chaos. Before that could happen, it had to remain firmly within his grasp.

And if the condition for the curse’s activation was the bloodline of the imperial family—then mercy would not extend to a child not yet born.

For the sake of the imperial family’s peace and security, the Emperor could be ruthless in unseen places. If by doing so he could ensure that the rest of his family lived happy lives, then he would commit to even harsher acts.

Yet in such a crucial moment, what was this about divorce? His head already ached, and now his troublesome niece was asking for something he had no patience to indulge.

“I’ve heard the story. You want to divorce the Duke of Pandeon? I’ll get straight to the point. No. I will not allow it.”

“You’re still as hasty as ever, aren’t you? You didn’t even let me sit down first.”

Karia scrunched her brows in annoyance, grumbling that he might as well have sent her a telegram if he was going to speak like that. Both the Emperor and the rest of the imperial family found her demeanor strange.

This was not the Karia they knew. She had never once spoken back, nor ever dared to be sarcastic—especially not to the Emperor, whom she feared too greatly to answer with anything but “yes.” When had she become so bold? Or was this just a front?

Her words made the atmosphere in the chamber suddenly cold. And then, unexpectedly, Ceribis spoke up in her defense.

“Ah, Father, you startled Sister by speaking so harshly. Please, hear her out first…”

“The Princess is right, Your Majesty. At least listen to her circumstances,” added Crown Prince Robert. He complained that after years apart, sitting down together only to hear a flat “no divorce” was unbearably cold.

But even with their support, Karia appeared unbothered. She sat back, watching as if this had nothing to do with her, and wondered:

Those two were never ones to take my side. So why are they suddenly acting like family now?

Her calm defiance only enraged the Emperor further.

“I already know the gist. The Duke of Pandeon was careless, and there have been issues between him, the Dowager, and the children. But such things happen in any marriage! The Duke has promised to be more attentive from now on—”

“Did the Duke say that himself?”

“What?”

“Did he himself shamelessly claim that those were ‘trivial matters’?”

From his words alone, Karia immediately realized the Duke had gone behind her back, securing the Emperor’s support. Too weak to resolve things on his own, he had gone to the one person she would hate most to hear from. Cowardly.

Her icy retort made the Emperor clear his throat awkwardly. He softened his tone.

“Of course, he admitted his faults. The Dowager also deeply regrets and reflects on the pain she’s caused you. He begged me to help you soften your heart, which is why I arranged this family discussion. So you, too—”

“The Dowager regrets, does she? Regrets what exactly? Does she regret locking me away in the duchy for three years, isolating me from my family?”

“…What?”

The Emperor blinked in confusion, stunned by her sudden revelation. But Karia did not stop there.

“Does she regret that after I endured that wretched exile and finally returned to the capital, she barred me from stepping foot into society? Or perhaps she regrets turning away every visitor who came to see me with some excuse, while keeping the gifts for herself? I can’t tell which of her many sins she’s supposedly sorry for!”

Her sharp voice sliced through the silence, piercing the ears of everyone present. All were struck speechless—until Alcard broke the silence.

“So you mean, it’s not that you didn’t go out all those years—you couldn’t? No wonder you seemed completely clueless about the gifts and medicines we sent. And… that time the Dowager struck you—did… did that happen often?”

“Struck you? Who dares?!”

At the word “struck,” the Emperor’s temper flared. True, he disliked Karia, but she was still his blood, an imperial princess.

Who would dare lay a hand on the face of the Emperor’s niece?!

While the Emperor fumed, Crown Prince Robert pressed the question.

“Why didn’t you tell us any of this before? You’ve been back in the capital for some time—you could have spoken up at any point.”

“Tell? To whom exactly?”

Karia’s lip curled into a sneer as she fixed Robert with a sharp gaze.

“Surely you’re not suggesting I should’ve told you all—the same family who never once questioned why a daughter, a sister, a niece had vanished from society for years?”

“That’s…”

“No need to hide it—I already know. You all lived comfortably in my absence, didn’t you?”

After hearing Alcard boast of his yearly gifts, Karia had traced their fate. Some jewels had been reset into the Dowager’s jewelry, others broken apart and sold. A wolf pelt from a hunting contest lay as her carpet, and tonics sent for Karia’s health had gone into the Dowager’s mouth.

If they had cared enough to check where their gifts went, they could have guessed how she was living. But they hadn’t.

They tossed their scraps like alms, patted themselves on the back for fulfilling their ‘duty,’ and left me to rot.

For six years, not one person had found her absence suspicious. Why? Because they were perfectly content not seeing her face.

And now, suddenly, they called her “family” and gathered her here. It was laughable.

“I know today’s meeting is only to preserve the peace you’ve enjoyed so far. But don’t worry. Even if I divorce, nothing will change. I find being here as unbearable as you find me.”

“Karia!”

“As you know, I’ve already secured a townhouse to live in after the divorce. I dislike noisy gatherings, so you’ll hardly see me in society. So, Your Majesty, grant me this divorce. With your permission, I’ll handle it quickly and quietly.”

In truth, she longed to unleash every insult she had bottled up. At times she even fantasized about burning down this pompous palace with her magic. But Karia forced herself to remain composed.

Their crime was neglect. And the only fitting revenge was to neglect them in return—to withdraw her affection, to scorn their actions, to leave them to shame.

To live as strangers—that will be enough.

She would discard her misplaced hopes and trust. They had been nothing but her own foolish, unspoken wishes. She would not hold anyone accountable for those. It would be enough if they could part on such terms.

“Denied.”

Her carefully controlled thoughts froze at the Emperor’s word.

“I will summon the Duke of Pandeon and discipline him harshly. If you wish, I’ll use imperial power to pressure him. Repay him double, triple, until you are satisfied. Then live proudly as the Duchess of Pandeon. That is the greater revenge.”

“…What?”

“I understand how much you’ve suffered. But divorce is impossible. No matter the circumstances, if you leave him, people will look for fault in you. Imagine how your name will be dragged through the mud. A royal, who should be a model for others, divorced? Never.”

Live on—and take revenge.

That was the Emperor’s verdict.

Karia was stunned into silence, unable even to form an expression. She had never imagined the Emperor would go this far.

But in the room, not a single soul challenged his decision. Even her father, the Grand Duke, only pressed his fingers to his brow, lips sealed tight in troubled silence.

“So, no matter what, you will never permit this divorce. Is that Your Majesty’s decree? And you, Father, do you agree with this?”

“Karia, mind your manners with your father. No matter your anger, there are lines you must not cross.”

“Well then, isn’t His Majesty the one who crossed that line first?”

The smile she had worn until now—her mask—vanished. Her face became an utterly blank mask, her eyes freezing over so coldly that even the Emperor flinched involuntarily.

And in that moment, Karia changed her mind. Revenge would not be quiet detachment.

A royal, meant to set an example? When had they ever treated her with the respect due a royal? Even servants had looked down on her. She had never been granted the honor they now demanded she preserve. And now they told her to sacrifice her life for that honor?

It was an absurd demand.

And Karia burned with a fury entirely justified.