Chapter 80
Rebecca replied as if indulging his curiosity.
“Of course. In the end, Your Majesty will have no choice but to take my hand.”
“And why is that?”
“Because I can give you what you desire.”
“How could you possibly know what I desire?”
Rebecca turned her gaze away from Zahidra and looked up at the sky.
“Long ago, after the rebellion succeeded, the Rotandus Empire boasted an unprecedentedly strong imperial authority. But as the temple’s power grew, the emperor’s power weakened, and the faction of Duke Johannes, who allied with the temple, grew in influence.”
Zahidra silently watched the blue of her eyes under the moonlight.
“To keep the Duke’s faction in check, Your Majesty strengthened the frontier family of Latranis. But now that power has grown strong enough to threaten the throne itself. And the Count of Devonshire has a firm grip over the empire’s commerce.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“The temple, Johannes, Latranis, and Devonshire — I will lay all four powers at Your Majesty’s feet. Then, and only then, the true empire you long for will be born.”
Zahidra let out a dry laugh.
“And how do you propose to do that? With that petty charm of yours, perhaps?”
Rebecca gave a faint, sardonic smile.
“Well, that’s not such a bad tactic, but things gained easily are lost just as easily. I have no desire to rely on such fleeting tricks. Of course, beauty does have its advantages — it can be an excellent disguise.”
“Disguise?”
“No one ever bothers to see the real abilities hidden behind my looks. Because of that, people tend to expose their weaknesses before me.”
“Hidden abilities, you say?”
Rebecca tapped her temple lightly with her fingertip.
“I don’t have any cheap tricks — just a rather sharp mind.”
Zahidra narrowed his eyes, unconvinced.
“Rumor has it you can see the future. A prophet, they say. Isn’t that what they call you — the Saintess?”
Rebecca let out a soft laugh at that.
Zahidra’s eyes gleamed sharply as he studied her.
“Do you believe such nonsense, Your Majesty? I only spread those rumors to get a divorce from Count Devonshire. The future is nothing more than the product of the past and present. Predicting it isn’t that difficult.”
At her words, Zahidra’s lips curved in satisfaction.
Had Rebecca claimed she could see the future, this rare private audience would have ended then and there. He was not a man swayed by mystical nonsense. The explanation of prediction through knowledge and deduction suited him much better.
Rebecca continued.
“And as it happens, I seem to have been blessed with some divine power — but I have no intention of becoming the temple’s slave. Life is far too precious to waste in servitude.”
“It worked.”
Rebecca smiled faintly as she saw the sharpness in Zahidra’s eyes soften ever so slightly.
Since her face was masked, he could not see the quiet smile of triumph curving her lips — and that allowed her to smile freely.
“I trust Your Majesty doesn’t think it’s mere coincidence that Julian and I came here tonight.”
“Well, since you’re wearing a mask, I suppose it’s not just to show your ex-husband how well you’re doing. The fact you summoned me in secret suggests you’ve planned something big.”
Rebecca was impressed.
Zahidra — he truly was born to rule.
In her previous life, during his reign, the empire had known peace.
He waged no wars out of blind ambition, yet he never ignored neighboring nations that grew too strong.
He collected fair taxes, dealt justly with corrupt nobles, and though injustices still occurred, he handled each case with perfect impartiality.
He had been hailed all his life as a wise and virtuous ruler.
But Rebecca had also seen the sharp blade hidden behind his gentle smile.
He had earned that glory with blood.
True imperial power was never won without sacrifice.
How did Zahidra suppress the temple again?
Rebecca thought back to the Zahidra of her previous life and spoke slowly.
“You’re right. Something enormous will happen in this mansion tonight. Forgive me for not warning you sooner — time has been moving too quickly.”
In truth, Rebecca and Julian were uncertain about Zahidra.
More precisely, they weren’t sure how he felt about Zeppelin.
The fact that he had locked Zeppelin up in his villa suggested his feelings weren’t favorable.
But neither did it seem like he had completely abandoned him — after all, the Devonshire family was a family of royal merit and still held value.
That was why Rebecca had hesitated until now to tell Zahidra about tonight’s plan.
But now that things had come this far, all she could do was trust her luck — and her silver tongue.
“Before that, Your Majesty,” she began, “may I ask you one thing?”
“Speak.”
Zahidra was now giving her his full attention.
“Between Duke Johannes and Count Devonshire — which one will you choose?”
“Must I choose?”
“Yes, you must.”
“And why is that?”
“Because I have chosen Duke Johannes.”
Rebecca lifted her chin.
Before a powerful opponent, sometimes boldness was the best defense.
“Now that I’ve chosen Julian, he will rise — and Zeppelin will fade. So, Your Majesty, which side will you stand on?”
Zahidra scoffed.
“I wonder where your boundless confidence comes from. What makes you think I should sit here listening to your wild boasts?”
“If Your Majesty will answer my question, I’ll tell you everything — my entire plan.”
Zahidra pondered for a moment, then said,
“Since you’re so certain your plan is flawless, I’ll say Johannes. The Devonshires may be richer, but wealth can always be taken.”
“A wise choice, Your Majesty.”
Rebecca bowed, then began explaining her plan in meticulous detail — even what would unfold later that night.
By the end, Zahidra’s eyes gleamed with excitement.
“If that truly succeeds, it will be extraordinary.”
“I told you, didn’t I? I’m confident.”
“Then tell me — what is it you want me to do?”
Rebecca answered without hesitation.
“Stay silent.”
“What?”
“Whatever Duke Johannes and I do — please do nothing. Neither help nor hinder us.”
“You’re asking me to simply watch?”
“Yes. But on one condition.”
“You always have conditions. Very well, what is it this time?”
“Save us once. Just once. No matter what happens — help us a single time. Then, I will give you what I promised.”
The warmth in Zahidra’s eyes vanished, replaced by a chilling coldness.
She could have asked for full support, or demanded he destroy the Devonshire family that very night — yet she asked only for one favor, one chance.
Zahidra hid his satisfaction behind a stern expression.
“And what makes you think I’ll keep that promise? If things go wrong, I could cast you both aside and break it without hesitation.”
“That’s fine. Because I know you will keep it.”
“And what gives you such faith?”
“You’ll understand — once you’ve remained silent and watched.”
Though her words were polite, the meaning beneath them was clear: Stay out of it. I’ll handle everything.
Arrogant. Insolent.
And yet… undeniably intriguing.
Rebecca!
His instincts had not failed him.
Even her plea for help at the victory banquet had been calculated.
Zahidra gazed at the woman before him, standing tall and unflinching.
Most people — especially those meeting the emperor alone for the first time — would tremble in fear.
But not her.
Her eyes were calm, distant — like someone who had lived countless lifetimes.
He studied her eyes carefully.
They were the eyes of someone who had waited, crouched in the dark, for something — for a very long time.
He knew that look well.
They were the same eyes he had seen in the mirror the night he decided to poison the crown prince.
Zahidra’s silence stretched on.
Finally, with his hands clasped behind his back, he looked up at the unusually bright full moon and said quietly,
“I will watch.”
Behind her ornate mask, Rebecca smiled coldly.
“You won’t regret it.”
Alicia watched blankly as Julian led his fiancée away.
They had swept in like a storm, stolen everyone’s breath, and now departed just as swiftly.
The duke’s fiancée, who had stolen the emperor’s attention and then disappeared onto the balcony with him, stumbled on the stairs on her way down.
“My sunshine!”
Julian called out the embarrassing pet name as he caught her in his arms.
The son-in-law’s expression was one of pure horror — understandable, given Julian’s normally stoic, sarcastic demeanor.
It was just a twisted ankle, yet Julian acted as though her entire leg had been shattered, fussing over her endlessly.
“Pathetic,” a voice muttered.
Zeppelin, now recovered, had come up beside Alicia, glaring at the display with a scowl.
“Look — even His Majesty looks displeased.”
Alicia glanced toward the emperor.
His brow was furrowed, but somehow she felt he was suppressing a laugh.
“My fiancée is hurt. We’ll take our leave,” Julian said, helping the woman to her feet and bowing politely to Zeppelin and Alicia.
Rebecca — her face hidden behind her mask — turned her head slightly toward Zeppelin and dipped it in a graceful nod.
Zeppelin flinched as her sharp, ice-blue eyes met his.
In that instant — as their gazes locked — a single tear slipped down his cheek.
Huh?
It happened so quickly that no one else noticed.
Zeppelin wiped the tear from his face with his fingertip…
And then simply stared at it — at that single droplet clinging like dew — lost in thought.
