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Chapter 18
“The Emperor will never tolerate anything that displeases her. Even the slightest dissatisfaction is crushed immediately.”
“……”
“By the way, most of the participants in the ‘Feeding Competition’ were also people who once followed my mother. You might have ended up the same if you hadn’t become a war hero.”
That was a lie.
In both his previous life and the one before that, Aiden had never been allowed to participate in the ‘Feeding Competition.’
Though it was never publicly known, it was because his vast aura core resisted Wilcock’s brainwashing.
In the end, Mary had no choice but to execute him by hanging.
“But that only lasts for a while. Once your title loses its shine, she’ll try to kill you again.”
“……”
“Of course, I don’t intend to let that happen.”
“Why… are you helping me? And what do you want from me?”
“You’re quick to the point, Duke.”
Evelyn finally voiced the words she had waited half a year to say.
“Ask the Emperor to approve your marriage to me.”
Aiden’s handsome face stiffened in the flickering torchlight shadows.
“And then, join me in overthrowing the imperial throne.”
“……”
“You will need time to think, of course.”
Not a single sound came from between his slightly parted lips.
He could only stare blankly at the beautiful woman before him.
“I’ll hear your answer in three days. Here.”
And just like that, Evelyn turned away without hesitation, leaving the stunned man behind.
* * *
After finishing her conversation with Aiden, Evelyn returned to her room with Lilia.
As expected, Moll had still not returned.
“Do you think the Duke will accept the marriage proposal?”
While helping Evelyn change clothes, Lilia asked with concern.
“He will.”
“Really?”
Now dressed in a light indoor nightgown, Evelyn sat on the bed and continued.
“Yes.”
“Oh… You said you’ve known the Duke since childhood, right? Were you close?”
“No.”
“Even so, you’re so certain…? You’re not actually close?”
Evelyn turned her gaze toward the window.
The sun had already dipped toward the horizon, staining the sky with sunset colors.
Aiden’s eyes—bright and sharp even in the shadowed secret passage—flashed through her memory.
* * *
In the damp underground prison, only darkness and moisture filled the air.
Step by step.
With every movement, Evelyn’s shoulders trembled slightly.
“This way, Your Highness.”
The calm voice of Captain Maron Lake guided her.
If not for his relative goodwill, Evelyn likely would not have been able to take a single step forward.
“Watch your step. There are many rats.”
“…Thank you, Captain.”
“Yes.”
Even so, he was still a servant of the Emperor, so they could not speak freely.
Unlike others in the imperial palace, however, Maron at least treated her with proper respect as a princess.
Even now.
Mary had ordered her to hear Aiden Glaster’s last words before his execution.
It was an unfit and harsh task for a noble princess, yet no one stopped her.
Not even her fiancé, Robert.
“The Glaster family is a ducal house. Even if he is a traitor, it is only proper that someone of royal rank hears his last words.”
Evelyn could not even object.
Her only goal was to show usefulness and loyalty to Mary and Robert.
“This is the place. When you are finished, proceed to the end of the corridor.”
“…Very well.”
Maron handed her a single torch before leaving.
The smell of burning oil filled the air, followed by silence.
Drip. Drop.
Water leaked from the ceiling, falling in steady rhythm.
And beyond the iron bars, a faint groan echoed.
“…Duke.”
A man slumped against the wall, his hands bound.
He slowly raised his head.
Amber eyes, still piercing even in darkness, met hers.
Evelyn flinched without realizing it.
“Princess…? Why are you here… cough…?”
“I came to hear your final words. Do you have anything to say…?”
“……”
Aiden stared at her for a long moment, then let out a hollow breath.
Though his expression was hidden in shadow, Evelyn was certain—he was sneering.
“Is this the Emperor’s order?”
“……”
“How cruel… truly, the Emperor is… cough!”
His voice broke into coughing.
“Cough, hack—!”
“……”
“I have nothing to say. Just kill me as quickly as possible…”
“I heard you care deeply for your younger sibling.”
Aiden’s fading gaze suddenly sharpened.
Killing intent, impossible for someone at death’s door, pierced the air.
Evelyn swallowed dryly but continued.
“Why not ask her to protect that child instead?”
“Do you really think… she would do that? Do you… trust your sister that much?”
No answer came.
He simply closed his eyes tightly, as if even speaking was too difficult.
But Evelyn continued anyway.
Looking back, those words reflected her own desires.
Just as Aiden wished for his half-sibling’s safety, she too wanted Mary to spare her.
“At worst, your house will be destroyed. And then your sibling will suffer as well. Perhaps even become a plaything for the Emperor.”
“You mean… my sibling will become like the slaves in the ‘Feeding Competition’?”
“Worse.”
“……”
His low voice disappeared entirely.
Still, Evelyn pressed on.
“So tell me. Ask her to spare your sibling. Beg her to protect them.”
“My sibling will be fine. I already sent them abroad. Even if my house falls…”
“You don’t understand the Emperor.”
Evelyn suddenly dropped the torch from her hand.
The iron bars in both hands felt as cold as winter icicles.
“She will find them. And punish them even more cruelly for trying to escape. You don’t know what kind of fate that will be.”
“……”
“Fight back. Beg her. Tell her to spare your sibling!”
Aiden’s eyes trembled violently.
Red veins rose around his pupils as though rage itself was spreading.
The calmness he had held until now exploded like a bomb.
“What… what have we done?! My sibling, I—what have we done to the Empire?!”
The chains binding his arms clanged loudly.
His voice was filled with fury.
“The Emperor is worse than a beast! That monster will drag everyone into hell!”
Words too crude to imagine coming from a noble burst out continuously.
“And you… do you think you’ll be safe?! Do you think that monster will spare you?!”
“……”
“How can you be so foolish?! How can you be like this?! Princess, you should have been stronger! You should have fought instead of bowing your head to that monster!”
“I… I…”
“You should have come to your senses even when I came to you! Not avoided it! Where did the girl I remember go?! That person…!”
“Cough!”
A violent coughing fit interrupted him.
His breath grew ragged.
Evelyn, holding back tears, finally spoke.
“…I’m sorry, Duke.”
Witnessing his despair made it hard to breathe.
She wanted to throw herself from a high place just to escape the crushing guilt.
But she didn’t have the courage.
“Leave.”
“……”
“I am already finished. But you still have a chance.”
Through the faint torchlight, his cold eyes were visible.
“If you truly feel sorry… if you have even a shred of responsibility as royalty… then bring down the Emperor.”
“……”
“Save the Empire.”
“That is how you earn my forgiveness.”
When he finally raised his head again, the fire had completely died.
His voice echoed through the darkness.
“Tell the Emperor this. If she ruins my sibling, I will chase her even from hell.”
“……”
“She will never rest in peace. She will not even be allowed to die. I will be reborn just to personally break her neck.”
His blazing eyes overflowed with hatred and killing intent.
“Tell her that.”
