~Chapter 101~
“Trapped inside her own head?”
Regiana frowned at the strange words, not fully understanding. Prenia felt a strange joy in explaining the Emperor’s miserable state, even if it was just words.
“Yes. From now on, she will never have a normal conversation with anyone. She can only talk to herself.”
As she spoke, everyone’s eyes naturally turned toward the Emperor.
“Uuuuuuaaahhh!”
The Emperor kept screaming nonsense, hitting her own head.
Prenia’s heart stirred as she watched. She had wished for the Emperor to suffer, wished for her to die. But was this really what she wanted?
She bit her lip until it bled.
“……I should have killed her with my own hands.”
The Emperor had chased after the dragon’s power only to end up trapped in her own mind. It seemed fitting… but compared to her crimes, wasn’t this punishment too easy?
‘She should have been tortured for days and nights, until she died screaming.’
But now, even death no longer had meaning. The Emperor would live like this until her last breath—trapped in her mind, suffering worse than death. Still, regret filled Prenia.
Regiana finally spoke.
“So that’s why you decided not to kill the Emperor?”
Prenia narrowed her eyes. Why was this woman so curious?
Prenia answered sharply, not hiding her distrust.
“…If you want her dead, then kill her yourself.”
“No, I don’t plan to.”
Seeing Prenia’s confused face, Regiana kindly added,
“I was going to report you if you killed her—as the Emperor’s murderer.”
Her tone was so casual, like she was talking about dinner plans.
“But since you won’t kill her… maybe I’ll just kill both you and the Emperor myself.”
“…Rena.”
Calix Hertorio called her name softly, as if to stop her. Prenia’s eyes twitched. His worried expression annoyed her.
Regiana’s calm, fearless face as she admitted her plan to frame Prenia made her furious.
‘How little she must think of me.’
Her lips trembled in anger. She hadn’t gained the dragon’s power, and Adrian had failed to kill Regiana.
‘Useless man.’
Now, her only options were…
‘Pretend to go crazy and attack Regiana Troxia.’
Or—
Prenia’s eyes suddenly gleamed as she looked at Calix. A better idea struck her.
Her expression softened, pretending concern like a friend. Regiana noticed the sudden change and grew cautious. She raised her hand as if to defend, but Prenia had no intention of attacking—at least not yet.
Instead, she asked sweetly,
“By the way, Duke, do you know? That she plans to cut her connection with the dragon?”
Regiana Lohelo Troxia had vowed to sever the bond herself—but what about Duke Hertorio?
“That’s none of your business.”
Calix Hertorio answered before Regiana could. Prenia’s lips curled in amusement.
Seeing him so protective of Regiana proved just how much he cared for her. That was enough for Prenia to enjoy twisting the knife.
She pressed further.
“Do you know that if she severs the connection, she’ll die?”
Calix’s face darkened immediately.
Regiana snapped coldly,
“I told you—it’s none of your business.”
“You gave me the ring even though you knew it. Does that mean you don’t care if you die? Or maybe… you’ve wanted to die from the start?”
She tilted her head curiously.
Calix’s jaw tightened. Regiana stepped forward, sparks of magic flashing dangerously from her hand.
“If I kill you here, it’ll be perfectly legal. Don’t you think?”
“I’m only curious. How do you even plan to sever the dragon’s connection? Rip out your own heart?”
Prenia retreated a step, speaking lightly, though her eyes stayed on Calix. He had already drawn his sword, ready to strike.
Behind her back, Prenia secretly gathered magic. She couldn’t beat Regiana, but Calix wasn’t a sorcerer. Against him, she still had a chance. All she needed was one opening.
At that moment—
Thud, thud, thud!
Hurried footsteps echoed from above.
Everyone except the Emperor froze. More than one person was coming down the stairs.
‘Who is it?’
Prenia gathered her magic, ready to strike—until the figure appeared.
It was Adrian. Several of his men followed close behind.
Prenia’s face twisted.
‘So he didn’t die after all.’
“…You’re all here.”
Adrian’s gaze quickly turned to his mother.
“Aaaahhh!”
The Emperor pulled at her tangled hair, screaming. Adrian frowned in confusion.
“She went mad chasing the dragon’s power,” Regiana explained calmly.
“…I see.”
Adrian’s tone was flat, as if he were receiving a report. No sorrow, no anger.
“Any chance of recovery?”
“None.”
Adrian nodded. For a moment, emotion flickered in his face, but it vanished instantly.
Then Regiana asked him,
“Prenia doesn’t plan on killing the Emperor. What about you, Your Highness?”
“…What do you want?”
“You know.”
Adrian brushed back his hair with a sharp laugh, his eyes flashing dangerously.
“If I refuse?”
“Well…” Regiana glanced around at everyone except Calix, then said lightly,
“I’ll just kill everyone here and erase the evidence.”
“……”
The power in the room clearly belonged to Regiana. Even Adrian realized it.
He glared at Regiana and Calix, then exhaled slowly. At last, he turned to his men.
They were carefully chosen, each one strong enough to withstand the dragon’s aura.
“The Emperor is injured.”
“……”
“She cannot move on her own. Take her away.”
Regiana watched with interest.
Adrian’s men gently took the Emperor by her arms. She muttered and resisted faintly but could not stop them.
Adrian spoke through clenched teeth.
“The Emperor can no longer rule. She must be sent away to rest.”
His voice dripped with disgust.
Then he turned, forcing a smile.
“I should thank the Duke and Lady Rena. Thanks to you, my mother has been saved.”
“Ah, so that’s the story you’ll tell?”
“That’s the story.”
Adrian nodded.
“And what about her?”
His eyes fell on Prenia.
“She was dismissed days ago. Just a maid with no ties left. She doesn’t matter.”
“Ah.”
Regiana made a small sound of understanding, her face unreadable. She didn’t attack—just seemed lost in thought.
Calix was the first to step forward, speaking with polite formality.
“I’m truly sorry Her Majesty has ended up like this.”
His face showed no sorrow at all as he continued smoothly,
“Until Her Majesty recovers, His Highness must take responsibility for the kingdom.”
“I’ll handle it.”
“Of course. I’ll visit you soon so we may discuss the future.”
From the back, Prenia silently watched. Everything was being decided without her. Nobles moved quickly, securing power as if it were the most natural thing.
Adrian had gained what he wanted without lifting a finger. The Emperor would never recover, and he would soon take the throne. Regiana and Calix, holding his secrets, would survive comfortably.
‘How disgusting.’
As if reading her thoughts, Regiana turned to Prenia.
“And you?”
