~Chapter 91~
“Your Majesty the Emperor is in front of you. You must calm yourself, Your Grace!”
Eugenia tried to stop him, but Dane’s eyes burned with madness.
“I said there would be no next time.”
“Th-that woman… she’s already dead!”
Dane’s eyes flipped.
He sheathed his sword, grabbed the Empress Dowager by the back of her neck, and dragged her out of the Emperor’s room.
“W-what are you doing! I am still the Empress Dowager! Even you—Hiiik!”
“Y-Your Grace?!”
The guards in the corridor were shocked to see Dane dragging the Empress Dowager and rushed after them, shouting. But Dane saw nothing and heard nothing.
He stopped at the top of the stairs with the Empress Dowager. If he let go, she would tumble straight down.
“I said there would be no next time.”
“Y-you’ve gone mad! Truly!”
She was the Empress Dowager, yet he was threatening to push her down the stairs!
Her shoulders wobbled in midair. She screamed.
“Who are you?! How dare you harm His Majesty!”
“Amelia…!”
At the bottom of the stairs, Amelia stood. Lux was with her. Her eyes were wide.
She had rushed here after hearing the Emperor was in danger. Normally, she would have doubted the message, but she had run instinctively.
Now, seeing the Empress Dowager seized by a man!
In the dim light at the top of the stairs, Dane’s face was shadowed.
“Save me immediately, Amelia!”
Amelia swallowed and looked to her attendant. Until everything was over, the Empress Dowager remained her responsibility.
“Lux, save His Majesty!”
At that signal, Lux drew his dagger from his waist and rushed forward.
Clang!
Dane threw the Empress Dowager to the ground and blocked him with the great sword in his hand.
Eugenia arrived just in time, assessing the situation and moving to support Dane.
“Grab the Empress Dowager!”
“Understood!”
The Empress Dowager, taking advantage of the chaos, lifted her dress and tried to escape down the stairs. Eugenia gritted her teeth and chased after her.
“Where do you think you’re going!”
Amelia saw Eugenia running after the Empress Dowager and realized who Dane was facing.
‘…Dane Escalus!’
She had also learned from Kabul that Dane had become a duke.
‘And he’s here… risking rebellion to threaten the Empress Dowager.’
Amelia clenched her teeth.
‘Camilla… he risked rebellion to save that girl?’
Anger rose through her whole body. Her vision seemed red-hot.
Why was that girl different from her? How could a child born of illegitimacy receive such protection?
‘A terrible girl…!’
The lower-born girl had become the Grand Duchess. It was unforgivable.
The girl was probably dying in the water tank the Empress Dowager had set. Everything had gone well, and now the Duke would ruin the Empress Dowager’s plan.
Amelia shouted toward the guards in the corridor.
“Help! There’s a traitor here—!”
Clang!
At that moment, Lux’s dagger spun through the air. Dane’s sword swung toward his shoulder at the same time.
Slash!
Blood splattered as Lux’s shoulder was pierced.
“Lux?!”
Amelia screamed, but Dane looked at the collapsing Lux without concern, then turned his gaze elsewhere.
Step.
“Madame Churello. Where is Camilla?”
“…Hahaha, do you think I’ll tell you?”
“Is that so?”
Dane scanned her coldly.
“Then die.”
Amelia’s eyes widened. Dane pointed his sword at her.
‘Yes, he’s the traitor.’
It was the wrong thought, but she judged it as such. The rebellious Duke could kill her easily.
Instead of striking Amelia, Dane pointed his sword at the fallen Lux.
“What about you?”
“W-what…! Lux doesn’t know anything!”
“If you know nothing, your master dies.”
Click.
Lux, lying on the floor, desperately grabbed Dane’s ankle.
“…Ah… I… will….”
“No, Lux! Don’t say a word!”
But saving his master was more important than obeying orders.
Lux whispered through blood. Dane slowly lowered his sword.
“That girl….”
Amelia’s rage boiled. Even Lux, her loyal aide, tried to betray her. Her head throbbed painfully.
She noticed the dagger Lux had dropped. Her eyes flashed with madness.
“The fountain in the White Rose Palace—”
“I told you not to say anything—!”
Amelia grabbed the dagger and ran at Lux. Flesh tore, and a fountain of blood erupted.
“Say you’ll escape with me.”
Camilla scoffed.
‘He’s crazy.’
It was absurd.
“Why should I?”
“Because the only way for you and your mother to escape this place alive is that way.”
To Camilla, Ares was the one who had brought her into the palace. He had thrown a dagger at her mother to force Camilla into danger. Even if under the Empress Dowager’s orders, it was his act.
She laughed hollowly.
“Are you saying I should betray the Empress Dowager now?”
“Yes. The water is up to your waist now. Aren’t you scared yet?”
The water level had risen. It had reached past their waists.
‘I don’t have time for foolishness.’
Camilla climbed the stone lion where the water poured heavily. Her handcuffed hands were heavy, and the lion was slippery, but she managed to get on.
“What are you doing?! Even ride the lion! You need to be as high as possible!”
Meisa stared blankly.
“W-what?”
“Are you going to kill me?! Then do something! Or at least climb the lion!”
Meisa scrambled onto the lion.
“You! I said you’d stay by my side!”
“Shut up! I don’t care if you’re a slave or servant!”
Ares’ face turned red, frustrated. This was not the reaction he expected.
‘I’m supposed to be her only savior!’
The hourglass’s sand fell steadily. Even Meisa, who had wanted to attack, was climbing the lion with difficulty.
“Look!”
Ares grabbed the metal device the Empress Dowager had mentioned.
Clunk!
He pulled the lever forcefully. The lion’s mouth clanged, and the water flow weakened, then fell in chunks.
Finally, the lion’s mouth closed, and the water stopped rising.
‘What?’
Camilla looked at Ares.
“See? I saved you.”
He wiped wet hair from his face, blinked, and looked at Camilla with a flushed face.
“Listen, Camilla! I… I think… I love you.”
A moment of icy silence fell.
Camilla looked at him coldly from the stone lion, lips moving only slightly.
“Crazy man.”
It was the most insulting confession she had ever heard.
