Episode 9
Sebastian read the words Brianna had just written.
Then, he burst into a dry laugh.
“Marriage?”
His voice was full of disbelief.
But when he looked at her, Brianna nodded firmly.
Sebastian studied her face for a while, then said:
“You know your father is desperate to make you Empress, don’t you?”
It wasn’t just any position—it was the highest place a woman could ever reach.
Hard as it was to obtain, Count Clark was determined to put his daughter right beside the Emperor.
And right now, the Count had a solid reason he could use to pressure Cassius. The Emperor couldn’t simply brush it aside.
[That’s exactly why.]
Sebastian’s brow furrowed at her next line.
“What do you mean, that’s why?”
[Because I plan to ruin my father’s scheme.]
“…And why would you do that?”
Brianna’s pen hesitated for a second, but then moved again.
[Because I refuse to climb into the place once held by the person I served, only to stain her honor.]
Sebastian’s lips froze mid-word.
Not missing the chance, Brianna quickly continued:
[In my current position, I can’t oppose my father’s will without a clear reason. So I intend to create a problem he can’t ignore.]
Sebastian let out a sharp, mocking laugh.
“So you want to stage some silly act with a mute woman and a bastard-born man?”
His voice dripped with sarcasm.
But Brianna’s hand didn’t falter.
[A silly act draws attention easily.]
“Attention?”
[Yes. I plan to spread our story among the gossip-hungry nobles until everyone is talking about us.]
And gossip always grows. Stories get twisted, changed, and exaggerated.
It could turn into something unpleasant.
But Brianna had no doubt it wouldn’t ruin them—she would never allow that.
[Once the rumors spread, His Majesty will use them to order our marriage. My father’s plan will fall apart.]
Sebastian finally spoke again after a pause.
“And what do I gain from all this?”
He leaned forward, staring at her intensely.
“I get why you want this farce. But you skipped the important part. Surely you don’t expect your actor to work for free?”
[You, Your Grace, will gain the perfect justification—and the people’s support—when you rise for the throne.]
Sebastian burst into wild laughter.
The sound went on and on, and Brianna’s heart pounded nervously.
‘Why is he laughing?’
Hasn’t he been preparing all this time for the crown? If not, then why is he still training soldiers?
She thought of the way Sebastian looked at Cassius—the Emperor.
That was not the look of loyalty.
‘That was the look of a rebel waiting for the right moment to strike.’
Anxious, Brianna bit her lip.
“Lady.”
Sebastian’s smile was chilling as he spoke:
“I don’t need justification to snap the Emperor’s neck.”
Brianna’s hand trembled violently at his words.
His madness was clear in every syllable.
“You know I have soldiers, yes?”
She nodded slowly.
“They’re mine. They obey me alone.”
“…”
“I could order them right now to tear this capital apart. In the chaos, I’d march straight into the palace.”
“…”
“And driving a sword into the worthless Emperor’s chest would be the easiest part.”
Brianna stared into his cold blue eyes. And yet—behind them, she swore she saw red, as if blood had stained his gaze.
A murderous madness like she’d never felt before.
“So tell me—why should I waste time with your little play, when I already hold the simple solution in my hand?”
Yes, he clearly intended to overthrow Cassius.
But Brianna had made a mistake—thinking she could bargain with him, steer him with her plan.
The truth was, he didn’t need her.
His army was already his justification.
Her hands still shook. Seeing it, Sebastian smirked and pushed back his chair as if to leave.
But Brianna’s pen suddenly scratched across the page in urgent strokes:
[As you said, worthless lives should be ended. But in the process, countless innocent people would die as well.]
[The burden of guilt for all those deaths will not be light.]
Sebastian stopped in his tracks.
Brianna pressed on, writing even faster:
[Even if a life is worthless, the blade that takes it should at least carry the weight of a rightful cause.]
Her eyes lifted, desperate and steady, locking with his.
Sebastian’s gaze dropped to her words.
For a moment, the madness that had filled his eyes faded away.
Later, Brianna left the ducal estate. Sebastian returned to his study, sitting at his desk with the papers she’d written.
Knock knock.
“Enter.”
Abba stepped in and approached.
“Your Grace, the lady’s carriage has returned.”
“Already?”
“Yes. She asked to be dropped off in the city square.”
“Not at her house?” Sebastian frowned.
The Count’s mansion was still far from the square.
Why would she stop there? He couldn’t read her intentions.
“Fine. Leave me.”
With a sigh, he turned back to the papers.
Abba, seeing him lost in thought, quietly slipped out.
When the door clicked shut, Sebastian’s eyes fell on one particular line:
[Because I refuse to climb into the place once held by the person I served, only to stain her honor.]
She spoke of Anastasia’s innocence—so unlike her father, the very man who had dragged Anastasia into the mud.
And another line:
[The burden of guilt for all those deaths will not be light.]
Suddenly, a memory jolted through him.
“If you unleash that power, the burden of guilt you’ll carry will never be light.”
A voice he could never forget.
‘Why… why do I hear her in this woman?’
It could be a coincidence.
He could dismiss it as nothing.
So why did it rattle him so deeply?
‘What if it’s not a coincidence?’
The thought was absurd.
Shaking his head, Sebastian paced the study, then finally pulled aside the curtain and stared out the window.
His eyes went straight to the cherry tree where Brianna had paused earlier.
She was long gone, but for a moment, he swore he could still see her standing there.
“…What are you?” he muttered.
At last, he returned to his desk, picking up the final note she had left.
[Every day, from 2 to 4 in the afternoon, I’ll sit at the back corner of Stine Café in the city. If Your Grace ever changes your mind, meet me there.]
But there was one last line:
[If you do come, bring me a bouquet of dahlias.]
Dahlias.
In the Adelaide Empire, that flower was used only when a man proposed marriage to the woman he loved.
Its meaning was eternal love, eternal devotion.
Sebastian chuckled under his breath.
