Chapter 104
“The crime of attempted murder is immeasurably grave. However, considering your status as a prince’s fiancée and the fact that the victim suffered no lasting harm, you are sentenced to confinement. You are not to leave the Second Prince’s Palace and will reflect on your actions there.”
“Y-Yes! I will do so. Thank you, Your Majesty!”
Grizelle bowed to the Emperor, overcome with joy.
Sylaria tightened her gaze at the punishment, which was far lighter than she had expected. To think it amounted to mere confinement. Yet her thoughts soon changed.
It was because of the way Cressida and Arendtert were staring at Grizelle as if they meant to kill her.
‘It might actually be the worst punishment possible.’
Grizelle could no longer leave the Second Prince’s Palace. That meant she would have to live there, no matter what happened.
Even if Cressida and Arendtert joined hands to torment her to death, she would have no choice but to endure it in silence.
‘They’ll become each other’s hell.’
Sylaria lifted her eyebrows. By accepting Grizelle as his fiancée, Arendtert and Cressida were forced to swallow humiliation. And Grizelle, in turn, would suffer greatly at their hands.
Sylaria was certain of it. She knew all too well how violent Arendtert could be.
In her previous life, his cruelty had often made her wish for death instead.
He was adept at trampling both body and soul. He had a talent for accusations that gnawed at one’s pride and questioning that incited guilt.
And in this life, he had progressed from crushing souls to striking bodies as well.
When he had hit Sylaria, he seemed somewhat shocked by his own actions, but that was only because it was the first time.
Now that the first line had been crossed, the second and third wouldn’t be difficult at all.
And besides that, the Empress.
Grizelle had accused the Empress before the Emperor. Though Cressida had escaped safely thanks to meticulous preparation, she would never forgive the one who had reported her.
She would use every means at her disposal to torment Grizelle.
The Second Prince’s Palace would no longer be a place Grizelle coveted. Perhaps hell would be kinder.
“Congratulations, Grizelle.”
Sylaria spoke with a cold smile. She genuinely looked forward to Grizelle’s future.
* * *
The Empire stirred at the Second Prince’s sudden engagement. Rumors spread swiftly that his fiancée was Sylaria’s friend… and also his mistress.
The imperial family’s dirty laundry, which it had tried to hide, came out without a filter thanks to Isidor’s efforts. His newspaper, the Golden Times, ran a large feature titled, ‘Shocking News! The Hidden Truth Behind His Highness the Second Prince’s Engagement!’
It was shocking enough that he was marrying his former fiancée’s friend, yet even more astounding that she had been his mistress.
It was an unprecedented scandal.
“Isidor did a fine job with the article.”
Euclid folded the newspaper with satisfaction. The impact of the Golden Times was immense.
First, the Empress’s political base was shaken. The conservative faction of the Noble Council, who had supported her, was deeply disappointed that Arendtert had taken a woman before marriage, and especially because the Empress had permitted it.
Most conservatives were elderly nobles, and they were furious about the Second Prince’s disgraceful affair.
The progressive faction, too, was troubled by the engagement. The young nobles who had just begun their own families shook their heads at Arendtert’s irresponsible conduct. Their consensus was that they couldn’t entrust the Empire’s future to him.
“Your Highness, Baron Isidor Hestue and Marquis Gerard Montfel have arrived.”
Sylaria, who had been waiting with Euclid for their guests, adjusted her attire.
With Arendtert’s support waning, it was now time to solidify Euclid’s political foundation.
Earlier, she had asked Isidor for help in arranging a meeting with Gerard Montfel, the progressive faction’s leader. Hearing that their guests had arrived, Euclid wore an uncharacteristically tense expression.
“It will go well, Euclid.”
Sylaria smiled at him. He looked at her as if she were precious, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. Then he gave his response to the waiting attendant.
“Show them in.”
As Euclid finished speaking, the parlor doors opened. With a fluttering heart, Sylaria greeted the head of the progressive faction.
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