Alusha’s body trembled.

Alusha was unable to move and felt her blood burning all over her body, and she gritted her teeth tightly.

“Your Majesty, haven’t you decided not to talk about it anymore?”

Emperor Kipril spoke with his irritable voice lowered.

“It was fun to watch the stupid Alusha who didn’t even know her whole family is dead…… But after the birth of Bianca, she became quite compliant. And I wasn’t having fun with that.”

“You’re right.”

“It’s quiet now that she doesn’t have the baby. Anyway, take care of the insurgents so they don’t come back.”

“I accept your orders, Your Majesty. I’ll go back now.”

“Yes.”

With those words, the footsteps stepping on the grass disappeared.

What did I just hear?

He killed my whole family? It reminded me of my parents and sister who was not even able to attend the wedding.

Yes, if you think about it, there is nothing strange about that. When rumors circulated that they were really dead, I tried to deny it and thought that it would not be the case. But if he really kept them alive, he would have allowed me to meet them at least once when I begged so much.

Yes, my whole family is dead.

Her hand shook with her mouth closed. I felt hot inside, the tears poured out as if pushed out by the flame of despair and anger inside.

I was vaguely thinking that it might be, but I still didn’t give up hope.

But…… hope is such an ephemeral thing.

A sob broke out.

The man I’ve been mixing flesh with is the most incomparable devil in the world.

How could you kill my daughter? How? How can you kill my family and trick me into marrying you to save them?

You should have at least let me take care of the body, and gave them a funeral.

They’re still royalty, how did they deal with the bodies of the royal family?

Maybe they died a painful death? Were they suffering a lot?

I had all various thoughts.

The tears that once began to pour did not stop for a long time. I cried as if I were spitting out all the moisture in my body.

Crazy bastard.

Alusha cried and decided.

Whatever happens, I will avenge their death. Even if it costs me my life.

Having lived in hiding behind others, and putting off responsibility every time. That was her first clear goal.

To get rid of Emperor Kipril.

***

Finally, the night came.

Kipril visited Alusha as usual. She greeted him with a carefree face.

I had to kill him today, I couldn’t wait for a better opportunity since Kipril is a capricious man.

He’s been visiting Alusha for a while now. But I couldn’t be sure when I would get a chance to fall asleep next to him.

Getting rid of the emperor does not mean that everything is over. The moment I try to get rid of him, I knew that I would not be able to save my life.

However, even if I am alive…… I will be a burden to Serine. If so, it is best to burn a sinful life like this.

Alusha decorated more finely than usual. At first, Kipril had a sour look on his face, as if to show that he didn’t like it. But it seemed interesting to him that Alusha can’t even smile properly even though she’s dressed up at best.

Even while she was serving Kipril’s liquor, all her attention was on the decoration of her head. If he gets suspicious of her and starts searching around her body this plan would be over.

With a bursting heart, I endured the time I was with him.

Time passed slowly.

Only when Kipril barely slept could she breathe a little more.

Bianca, just wait. Mom will avenge you. Sister, mother, and father, I’ll make sure to……

She had never imagined that she would kill a man. So even after confirming that he had fallen asleep, she was stiff for an hour and could not move, but she eventually made up her mind and grabbed her headdress.

She took a deep breath.

And stabbed him with all her might.

But it was strangely quiet. Only terrible sense dominated the space.

Why isn’t there a single sound?

With the belated doubts, she laid the headdress. She was so nervous that she couldn’t open her hands. When she stretched out her fingers, a hand suddenly grabbed it with a painful grip.

It was the emperor’s hand.

When she looked at him in astonishment, she met his casual gaze and he was even smiling.

If the devil existed, would it look like this? He just carelessly wiped his dirty face and pulled her in.

How?

She was so surprised that she couldn’t even scream. Alusha’s whole body chilled and shuddered. She pushed him back and sat. The emperor raised himself casually.

Even if you don’t die, shouldn’t you at least be in pain? But what the hell is going on? Is he even a person?

“Alusha, my Alusha.”

I don’t know why, but Emperor Kipril kept laughing. He seemed to be having fun.

“……How?”

“Now you’re making me laugh. How bored have you been? What fun would it be to break the wings of a butterfly that doesn’t run away?”

The emperor whose hand was covering his chest opened. And the hand that should be red was strangely black.

The chest was healed casually as if it had never been hurt. And around it, there was a disgusting pile of snake scales.

Alusha’s legs lost strength, so she was unable to escape, and just sat down on the floor in a daze.

Blood-stained hands lay on the floor’s rugs. Her whole body was shaking, and her mind stopped.

Does he not even die?

Perhaps he read the question in her eyes, the Emperor Kipril said with a grin.

“My heart is not here.”

“……what, what on earth……”

“That’s a secret of the imperial family. I can’t tell you. But you’ve become my wife, so if I see you well in the future, I’ll tell you.”

Alusha had a desperate expression as she looked at his approaching figure.

“It’s sudden, but it’s funny. Why did you do this?”

Without knowing, she stepped back and said bitterly.

“……you killed Bianca, didn’t you?”

Instead of denying it, Kipril grabbed her wrist with an annoyed face.

He could lift her whole body very simply. Kipril pulled Alusha as if he was lifting a doll and threw her on the bed, and laughed as if it was ridiculous.

“So that’s why.”

As he tapped his finger, the escort captain walked in from the door. He wasn’t surprised at all when he saw the situation in the bedroom.

He just asked calmly.

“Shall we take care of it?”

“What are you talking about taking care of it. She just made it much more interesting.”

“Your majesty.”

“And until the revolt of the Duke of Caspian is sorted out, the precious hostage stays.”

While staring blankly at the two exchanging conversations, Alusha once again realized.

How useless it is to be alive.

Without realizing it, she grabbed the headdress next to her.

Kipril frowned as if she were insignificant.

“Stop acting like a fool, Alusha. If anything happens to you, I’m sure your family will be sad. Don’t you think so?”

You killed them. My family, they’re gone.

My head was pounding. I’ve been able to see how stupid I’ve been so far. Tears soared and all the view was distorted.

Son of a bitch. I wanted to kill him.

Having accepted the silence, Kipril held out his hand to her.

“Yes, yes, and I guess you know that if you do it, your family’s life is also at risk, right?”

As she had been so easily deceived so far, he put up another lie on his tongue as if he were feeding his pet.

She strengthened her hands.

My stupidity has made me who I am now.

It was said that when humans lose their dignity, they think of death. It was the same for Alusha, losing a family, losing a child, and living only as a plaything.

I was hoping for a good day to come.

I thought my sister and parents would overcome the tough situation like they always did, even if I didn’t do anything.

I thought that one day this nightmare would be over and Serine’s independence would come. I was hoping that someone would appear and free me from Kipril.

But now I realized how naive that was. I’ve always thought it wasn’t my fault that I fell into this pit.

Even though I was timid and scared of the world, there’s a moment when I also have to stand.

But I realized it too late.

As soon as she saw the captain approaching in the corner of her eyes, scared that someone might stop her, Alusha stabbed her heart with the headdress she had in her hand.

She was suffering intense pains, which was several times more painful than she had imagined. But instead of losing strength, she pushed it all the way.

For the first time, I saw the embarrassment and perplexity on Kipril’s face. It was the first time I had seen such emotions on his face. A very small sense of accomplishment lingered in my heart.

“………foolish.”

Kipril mumbled, frowning.

She knew he was strangely obsessed with her, but she had no idea that he would be regretful for her until this moment.

However I was far from being grateful, it was rather disgusting. And I was happy because death was flashing before me.

The pain was severe, but soon as her consciousness receded, the pain also gradually diminished.

Kipril lowered his knee. It was her last time to swear at him in her heart, seeing Kipril take her up and press her heart to stop bleeding.

The view was flickering, then it completely flashed.

It was now a farewell to life that been broken by pain and longing after so many years.

Death was the only peace for her. Oh, how nice it was for her to finally meet her end.

Even more, because she thinks she’s finally going to see Bianca again.

However, if she had any regret, it is that she was unable to properly take revenge.

How much time has passed since I closed my eyes?

The view was dark, but there with a golden lion shining. The huge and beautiful lion waved its mane and leapt. It wasn’t just one, but dozens of lions surrounded her.

Alusha immediately knew that the lions were the Holy Spirit of Serine.

What’s happening?

They came to her in turn and kissed her on the forehead, which was the last thing she remembered in her memory.

By the time she opened her eyes again, it was the Spring of when she was still 23 years old.