Chapter 125
Ella stayed for several days at Jaina’s mansion, forcing down her discomfort about receiving help.
The warm house, fine clothes, and plentiful food slowly made her lower her guard.
‘The past is the past. Forget what happened before, and think of this kindly.’
Even if her mother hadn’t fallen into the witch’s hands, Ella would still have lived a life worse than death because of her father.
‘This is just another chance, born from the ties my mother once built.’
Looking at her reflection in the carriage window, Ella noticed her appearance had quickly returned. With proper meals, care, and baths, she looked like her old self again. For a woman with neither wealth nor noble backing, regaining her beauty was a small comfort.
The carriage stopped at the imperial palace. A servant greeted her with utmost respect and led her to Jaina, who welcomed her warmly.
“Welcome, Lady Ella.”
“Thank you for inviting me, Madam Jaina.”
“No, thank you for coming all the way to the palace.”
Jaina led her down a hallway and stopped in front of a room.
“There is someone inside I’d like you to meet.”
“I see. And how should I treat this person?”
Looking at Ella’s sweetly arranged expression, Jaina’s red lips curved slightly.
“You only need to do whatever the person inside wishes.”
“What exactly do you mean?”
“Let’s not keep the guest waiting. Let’s go in.”
Jaina ignored the question and stepped inside. Ella followed after her.
‘It doesn’t matter what it is.’
Jaina dressed her actions as kindness, but Ella had never once believed it. There had to be a reason for all this.
‘I’ll use her, the same way she uses me.’
Smiling faintly, Ella stepped inside—only to freeze when she locked eyes with a familiar pair of blue eyes.
“…Diana?”
“…Why is Lady Ella here?”
Both women’s faces hardened. Only Jaina stayed calm. She grabbed Ella’s wrist and pulled her forward.
“Duchess Diana, here is a gift.”
“…A gift?”
“Yes, a gift.”
Jaina grabbed Ella’s cheek as if she were holding an object. Ella screamed in shock, but Jaina ignored her.
“Lady Ella once caused you much grief. Consider this your chance. Do whatever you like. Scar this face forever, torture her, even kill her—whatever pleases you.”
“W-what?! Let me go!”
Now Ella understood why she was brought here. She struggled violently, but Jaina only smiled and shoved her forward.
“Ahh!”
Ella fell at Diana’s feet. She couldn’t raise her head—ashamed to be treated like an object, and mortified to appear before Diana in such a state.
Her burning face soon turned pale as Jaina added,
“I hope this gift pleases you, Duchess.”
Ella’s chest tightened.
‘I don’t want to die…’
Her life had been hell, but she didn’t want to die a painful, ugly death. Yet could Diana ever forgive her? She had betrayed and tried to kill Diana more than once.
If the roles were reversed, Ella would have gladly tortured her enemy to death. Why would Diana spare her?
‘What do I do…?’
Just as despair crushed her, Diana rose from her seat.
“…Take Lady Ella away, Madam Jaina.”
“To the torture chamber?”
Diana frowned and shook her head.
“Return her to where she came from. It is enough if I never have to see her again.”
“…I thought you would be pleased. I must have chosen poorly.”
“Do not do such things again.”
“…I’ll keep that in mind, Duchess.”
Jaina looked at Ella as if she were worthless trash. But Diana didn’t notice; a servant had entered the room.
“Duchess, a guest sent by the Duke of Baisen has arrived.”
“Very well. Madam Jaina, I’ll take my leave.”
Diana left quickly. She disliked Ella, but what chilled her more was Jaina treating a person like an object—offering her as a ‘gift’ and expecting joy.
Outside, the cold wind brushed Diana’s cheek. She soon spotted the guest from Baisen.
“You must be the one Evan mentioned.”
“Yes, I am Arthur, here in Lord Evan’s stead.”
“I’ve heard much of you. Welcome, Arthur.”
“Shall we walk and talk?”
“Of course.”
It was time to leave this place. Diana calmed her racing heart and walked beside him.
Meanwhile, in the palace, the Emperor chuckled as he swirled his wine. The red liquid rippled like waves.
“…Lately I feel young again.”
He had once been consumed by anxiety—watching his body weaken and wrinkles spread. But since deciding he would do anything to remain the Empire’s eternal sun, all that fear had felt far away.
Duchess Diana’s mysterious power was the clear answer. As long as he won her affection, he could grasp it. For an Emperor, gaining anyone’s favor was no challenge.
“In this seat, nothing is beyond me.”
He lifted the glass to drink—but a servant suddenly burst in without permission, pale and gasping for breath.
“…What is it? If this is something trivial, you’ll be punished.”
But seeing the man trembling, the Emperor paused.
“Y-Your Majesty! Disaster! The Second Imperial Knights suddenly raided the Owex, Petrium, and Tatum households—and captured their heads and entire families!”
“What?!”
The Emperor shot up from his throne, then slammed his fist down in fury.
“Without my order? Who dares seize my loyal houses? That is rebellion! Summon Sir Nathan at once! Tell him to lead all remaining First Knights to arrest the traitorous Second Knights!”
“At once, Your Majesty!”
The servant ran out. The Emperor, throat burning with rage, grabbed his wine. He ordered another servant,
“Find out exactly what drove the Second Knights to this madness.”
The servant bowed and left—just as the doors opened again.
“…What now? Andrew.”
He had expected another servant, but it was his son, Andrew. The Emperor frowned, waving for the wine to be cleared away.
“Even as my son, I never taught you to barge in like this.”
But Andrew ignored his rebuke. He walked forward with calm steps, without his usual foolish grin, without stumbling even once.
The Emperor narrowed his eyes. The son who always tripped, who always laughed like a fool, looked different—eerily so.
“Speak. Why have you come?”
Let’s go!