~Chapter 61~
The atmosphere in the council chamber froze completely.
Duke Dilsen, who had been speaking so confidently, and Baron Crawford, who had supported his words, were left staring blankly at Killian with open mouths.
Even the nobles who supported Killian were stunned, some covering their lips in shock and fear.
And then—Roselia.
Her sharp eyes burned into Killian, as if she might leap from her seat at any moment and cut off his head herself.
‘How dare you.’
Yes. How dare he.
Here, in this place. With what confidence?
It was absurd.
His blood-soaked appearance meant he had cut down everyone who tried to stop him.
And yet, despite knowing he was being hunted, he had deliberately come here. Clearly, he thought he had found a way to survive.
But that was a mistake. Roselia had already prepared everything to drive him over the edge.
“Why do I feel like I’m not being welcomed here? I wonder why,” Killian said calmly.
There was no trace of tension or unease on his face. He was as composed as ever, coldly looking at Roselia’s allies as he stepped forward.
“Hi-hiiik…!”
Just his footsteps were enough to make several nobles, including Duke Dilsen, shiver in fear.
Killian stretched out his bloodied hand.
“Your health seems poor, Duke Dilsen,” he said, patting the man’s shoulder.
“Otherwise, how could your face be so pale?”
“…”
“Her Majesty the Empress Dowager values you greatly. You must take care of yourself. I feel sorry if these ridiculous rumors have burdened you further.”
“Ridiculous rumors.”
In a single phrase, Killian dismissed all the accusations that had just been thrown at him.
“As for my appearance, I apologize sincerely. But there was no choice. Enemies who threaten the peace of our empire don’t only exist on the battlefield. They also hide within the empire.”
His eyes gleamed dangerously.
“Of course, such people wouldn’t be here in this chamber. But if rats had slipped inside, their heads would already be rolling.”
Finishing, Killian sat in the empty chair directly across from Roselia. Silence fell again, heavier than before.
“Duke Killian Winters,” Grand Duke Valtrich finally spoke, breaking the stillness.
“You stand accused of rebellion and of being deeply connected with Sunday’s Exposé, the magazine spreading false rumors and disrupting the peace of Draxion.”
“…”
“Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has called this council to determine your fate. Did you come here knowing this?”
“Yes.”
Killian answered without blinking.
“To put it simply, I came to clear the false charges against me.”
He looked straight at Roselia.
“Isn’t that right, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager?”
“…Killian Winters.”
At last, Roselia’s red lips parted, and everyone stiffened at her voice.
“If you wish to explain yourself, then go ahead. But keep this in mind—those who lie to cover themselves in Draxion receive the most brutal punishment.”
The stage had already been set.
Roselia believed nothing could change, even with Killian’s arrival.
“…Then explain yourself, Duke Killian!” Dilsen barked. “How will you answer for this? About working with Aldrosia, approaching Baron Hayden, and using Sunday’s Exposé to stir public opinion—”
“Before that,” Killian cut in, “shouldn’t we clear something up first?”
His eyes turned toward Baron Hayden.
“I heard what Duke Dilsen said. He was so loud, I could hear it from outside.”
“…”
“Baron Hayden.”
The baron flinched when his name was called.
“Tell us. When I came to you with my soldiers to request a meeting…”
“…Did you not tell the Empress Dowager that I came with private soldiers and demanded to meet?”
Hayden froze. Dilsen’s earlier lie flashed through his mind.
“Baron Hayden,” Killian pressed. “Tell them yourself. What exactly did I say in that meeting? What words did I dare to speak to you?”
The baron’s eyes trembled.
“Do you not remember, Baron Hayden?”
Hayden could only stare at him, panicked. Killian continued firmly:
“Her Majesty the Empress Dowager made a secret pact with Aldrosia’s exiled Emperor’s faction.”
“What—what nonsense is this, Duke Killian?!” Dilsen and Crawford shouted furiously, along with other nobles on Roselia’s side.
But Killian’s voice only grew sharper.
“It was all a plot to kill me. She visited me in secret, claiming the northern territory was necessary, and tried to form ties.”
“In exchange for lending soldiers to Aldrosia’s exiled faction—struggling for restoration—Her Majesty promised that once they succeeded, Killian Winters would be eliminated immediately!”
Hayden stammered, “I-I…”
“Baron Hayden, answer me,” Killian commanded.
“Know this well—your answer now will determine the fate of everything you have built until today.”
