Chapter 4
The frail protest of the eldest sister, Vivian, didn’t even get the chance to be completed. At a single sharp glare from the Emperor, the audience chamber fell eerily silent.
As if he had never revealed killing intent toward his own daughter, the Emperor curved his eyes into a sickening smile.
“I have no sons left under my lineage, so I intend to choose a successor from among you. However, I cannot subject you to the same brutal trials as the princes. I am, after all, a father who cherishes and loves his daughters dearly.”
“……”
“So this imperial succession trial will take the form of a proxy battle. The captives you select will fight in your stead.”
His intentions were painfully obvious.
The gladiatorial arena, publicly held to humiliate my brothers, had also served to strengthen his imperial authority. By providing the citizens of the capital with sensational entertainment, he led them to focus on pleasure rather than criticizing him.
Bread and circuses. A method of dulling the masses that had been used since ancient times.
‘And now he plans to use the imperial princesses’ slaves for it.’
To call this “imperial succession” was an insult. It was nothing more than a vulgar spectacle with the throne as its prize.
It was disgusting. Loathsome. The Emperor—and even the blood running through my veins.
“Sasha, unni.”
Nanaen whispered so only I could hear.
“Who are you going to choose?”
“……”
“Pick your knight, and pick mine too. I’m not very good at this kind of thing.”
“……”
“You don’t seem in a good mood. Then just say yes or no. What about that one in the front row—the knight with the injured left arm? The red-haired one.”
I could feel an incredibly strong wave of mana from him. It seemed Nanaen’s sensing ability had improved again.
“Do as you wish.”
“I’ll trust you then, since you’re not stopping me.”
Nanaen lifted the hem of her dress gracefully and stepped forward first. Her bold finger pointed straight at a young man who still looked somewhat boyish.
“Father, I’ll take this knight.”
“You act quickly, Nana.”
“It’s a gift from you, after all. Why would I pass up the chance to choose the best?”
At the mention of first-come, first-served, several of my sisters grew restless.
“I should choose too.”
“I can’t see the back row well…”
“Let’s go take a closer look one by one.”
The sisters began walking among the defeated knights lined up in five rows, examining them one by one.
At first, they hesitated in discomfort, but soon they grew accustomed. Their behavior was no different from people shopping in a boutique—looking, judging, comparing.
One by one, the sisters made their choices.
“I—I’ve chosen.”
The eldest, Vivian, chose a knight who could survive even if surrounded by an entire army.
“I like this man. If we clean him up and treat him, he’ll look quite decent.”
The fourth sister, Lilliana, selected a knight capable of wiping a small city off the map.
“This one has caught my eye, Your Majesty.”
“Oh? How interesting. And what made you choose him, Sehera?”
“He has the fewest injuries. That alone proves his strength.”
The fifth sister, Sehera, made a poor choice.
Those chosen by the princesses were immediately freed from the restraints binding their wrists and ankles. But what awaited them afterward was a far greater shackle than chains.
“Look into my eyes.”
The power of the imperial bloodline manifested through gaze and voice.
Maintaining eye contact, the sisters used their power. Their dominance pierced the mind and forced an oath of loyalty.
The time it took depended on the knight’s mana and willpower, as well as the princess’s power.
The one who took the longest was Nanaen. As she staggered, drenched in cold sweat after barely completing the domination, Sehera—who had finished most easily—approached her with a handkerchief, pretending concern.
“Oh my, little sister. Look at all this sweat. Was it that hard just to dominate one knight?”
“If it’s hard, why provoke me—”
“Oh, don’t be so upset! What’s wrong with lacking ability? The Empire’s golden deer only needs to be fragile and pitiful.”
“…If we weren’t in front of Father, seriously…”
Nanaen, who had to maintain an innocent façade before their father, accepted the handkerchief and even thanked her.
As this nauseating display of sisterly affection played out, Orlete approached me.
“You’re not choosing?”
“……”
“You don’t want to treat humans like objects, do you? Delaying won’t change anything.”
It wasn’t just choosing a human. It was choosing someone to be used as a tool and thrown into death.
I didn’t want to be part of this crime.
“Whether for survival or succession, you can’t avoid it. Think of it as fate and choose your opponent.”
That might be my fate—but is it theirs?
Unable to accept her words plainly, I remained silent.
Then something caught my eye. Like the very fate she had just spoken of.
“This one won’t do.”
“He’s going to die any moment…”
The knight being examined by my third sister Gwendelin and the youngest, Shumel.
His condition was horrific. There were few places on his body not wrapped in bandages. His injuries were so severe it was unbelievable he could even stand.
Even his eyes were damaged, the upper half of his face covered in bandages, with white hair sticking out messily.
Despite his face being mostly hidden and his hair turned white, I recognized him instantly.
‘He’s alive?’
My heart pounded. I wanted to pull him out of there immediately—right now.
I wanted to take him to my room, where no one could touch him, and keep him safe.
‘Calm down.’
I couldn’t act rashly.
“Sasha, you alone remain still. Surely you don’t dislike my gift?”
I had felt the Emperor’s gaze on me for some time. He was observing me.
The Emperor, wearing the mask of a human, didn’t just toy with lives. He played with hope, dignity, faith, love, despair—every value.
If I showed emotional agitation, it would become a weakness.
I walked forward gracefully and stood before him.
“That couldn’t be the case, Your Majesty. I was merely judging with my senses rather than my eyes.”
“Is that so? I look forward to your choice.”
I turned and walked toward the captives.
With every step toward him, my heartbeat grew louder. It felt as if my ribs would give out before I finally stopped.
Even in high heels, my gaze only reached his chin. I looked up at the bandages covering his eyes.
“I will choose this one.”
“What?”
Not only the Emperor, but my sisters and even the imperial guards behind us reacted in shock.
Naturally so. He was like a walking corpse—his body reeking more of death than life. Even his mana core seemed shattered; I could barely feel any magic from him.
Still, I had a justification.
“I do not wish to make an ordinary choice. If he performs well despite the penalty, it will highlight my abilities.”
“Oh?”
“Wouldn’t a competition with a twist be less boring, Your Majesty?”
Offering myself as entertainment to the Emperor who craved stimulation—this was the most effective persuasion.
“Sasha, I didn’t know you were so ambitious.”
“You flatter me.”
“You’ve raised my expectations. Can you handle that?”
“I will face it prepared to stake my life.”
There was nothing different about putting what I always risked on the line.
“My knight requires extensive treatment. May I take my leave first?”
“Granted.”
Good. Now I just had to take him with me.
My throat felt dry as I swallowed. Hoping my trembling hand would be hidden by my sleeve, I grasped his wrist.
“Follow me. From now on, you belong to me.”
