Chapter One — The Scarred Empress

Emperor Amos narrowed his eyes as he looked around the bedroom draped in gray cobwebs.

The stench of rotting flesh stung his nose.

“Even at her last breath, the Empress remains arrogant.”

Claire gazed at her husband, who spoke such cruel words, with weary eyes.

“If not for the Saintess’ request, I wouldn’t have set foot in such a place. How dare you drag the sovereign of the Empire into this filth?”

“…Then hurry up and die. What are you clinging to that pitiful life for? Don’t waste my time. Drink the poison and end your life.”

His merciless words silenced the attendants, who bowed their heads in fear.

Unable to look at his face any longer, Claire averted her eyes toward the small window, like a condemned sinner.

‘Just once before dying… I wanted to see a clear sky.’

Beyond the window stretched only thick, gray clouds.

Even her last wish was denied by the heavens.

As Amos had said, Claire stood at the threshold of death, stricken with an unknown illness.

[Whoever weds the daughter of Count Rupheus shall seize all the glory and the throne of this world.]

Born as the daughter of the esteemed Count Rupheus, Claire’s fate had been sealed by prophecy. 

She was destined to become Empress.

It looked like the perfect life that every noble young lady dreamed of.

Yet not once had she been truly happy.

Behind that facade was a prison that ate away at her body and soul.

Her skin rotted, and her facial bones decayed. The agony was so severe that each breath seemed as if it might be her last.

Banished from the Empress’ palace, on the grounds that her illness might be contagious, she had long been confined to a forbidden tower.

On the grounds that her illness might be contagious, she had long ago been driven out of the Empress’ palace, confined to a forbidden tower where no one entered.

“Your Majesty, the Empress.”

Claire slowly turned her heavy eyes.

And there, in that desolate space, stood the beautiful Saintess.

Her lips faintly curved upward.

“…Li… Lily.”

“Yes, I’m here.”

Had she been crying? Lilliana’s eyes were red as she clasped Claire’s hand tightly.

To Claire, whose life had been nothing but suffering, Lilliana was a precious friend.

Though her life had been nothing but weary, with Lilliana seeing her off, she felt she could close her eyes with a smile.

“Your Majesty, please allow me to bid farewell to the Empress alone.”

“Even if you are the Saintess, do not go too near. The sickness may spread.”

The man who had spat cruelty at Claire just moments ago now spoke to Lilliana with a gentle, tender tone.

“I’ll be fine. Please, grant me this.”

Unable to refuse her, Amos turned and left.

The attendants followed him out.

Thud.

The door closed. Wiping her tears with the back of her hand, Lilliana whispered weakly.

“I’m sorry.”

Claire smiled faintly at her dearest friend.

She wanted to thank her…but her throat seized up, preventing her voice from coming out properly.

Thunder rumbled loudly, as if urging her to say her last farewell.

Rumble! Boom!

“I’m sorry I couldn’t kill you sooner.”

Amid the thunder, Claire froze at the cruel words.

“L-Lily… w-what… what did you just say?”

Her tender face was now twisted into a chilling smile, tears still glistening in her eyes.

“Hahahahaha!”

Boom! Crash!

Lilan’s laughter mingled with the clamor of thunder pierced Claire’s ears.

“…Lily…?”

“Stupid Claire. From the very first moment I saw you, I wanted to kill you.”

“ …!”

“Having to pretend to be your friend, a mere nobody, and seeing you become Empress just because you were born into a noble family—it’s laughable, isn’t it? Those were things that should have belonged to me.” 

Lilliana, who always wore a kind smile, now looked like a cruel demon.

“Seeing the scarred Empress crawl like a worm was truly delightful. It’s a shame that it has come to an end.”

Claire flinched. Trembling, her weak hand fumbled toward her face.

Every time she was called “scarred,” the unconscious habit returned.

“Y-you… know… it’s just… b-because I’m ill…”

“Pft—what? An illness?”

Lilliana snickered, mocking her.

Suddenly, Claire’s vision went white. The grotesque rot on her skin wasn’t just a simple disease?

How…?

While Claire was frozen in shock, Lilliana suddenly snatched her hand and yanked off her glove.

“M-my glove… give it back!”

“It’s disgusting how you try to maintain your dignity even while dying.”

Sneering, Lilliana flung the glove far away.

Claire inhaled sharply, her face pale with terror.

“Once you’re dead, Amos and I will hold a grand wedding.”

“W-what…?”

“I’m carrying his child.”

Smiling sweetly, she caressed her stomach.

Claire was too shocked to breathe.

Her dearest friend had betrayed her, and worse, had an affair with her husband and was now carrying his child.

“You’re lying…! If my brother finds out, h-he’ll never… never let this stand!”

Despite Claire’s anguished cries, Liliana’s expression remained indifferent.

“Do you think Dietrich doesn’t already know?”

Claire’s whole body shook, her face draining of color.

Betrayal inflicted pain unlike any incurable illness—it was an excruciating agony, as if her very soul was on fire.

“You devil! You’re no Saintess—you’re a demon!”

“Oh, Claire. Don’t twist the truth. All of this happened because you were too stupid.”

Tears streamed down Claire’s face.

“Why…? You should have… just kept it hidden until… I died. Why not let me die without knowing?”

Lilliana burst into laughter at Claire’s painful plea.

“You think I’d let you die in peace? A scarred empress pretending to be grand—ridiculous. Look at you. Your skin is like rotting bark.”

“ …!”

“The prophecy was never yours. It was mine. Alive or dead, you’ll crawl beneath me for all eternity.”

Her chilling words ignited Claire’s heart.

The so-called Saintess was nothing but a wicked imposter.

And she, who had foolishly called her a “friend,” could never forgive herself either.

Claire stretched out a trembling hand, grabbing Lilliana’s wrist.

“Get your filthy hands off me!”

Her face twisted in disgust, as if swatting a bug.

And in that moment, Claire let out a cold smile.

For she had one secret power—known only to her parents, never once revealed.

Claire possessed the ability to read people’s memories through skin contact.

“Y-you… let go! Now!”

Lilliana yanked at her hair, striking her body, but Claire did not release her.

Memories flooded in—like time itself rewinding.

Every vile act, every betrayal…

Especially the indecent nights with Amos.

Claire’s lavender eyes gleamed with madness.

“You… you’re not a fake Saintess… aren’t you?”

“You…”