As always, the audience room was made of luxurious materials. The red carpet on the floor was always pristine, yet soft and supple. Julian walked silently across it.
But the aura of intimidation wasn't derived from the heavy sound of his footsteps, nor from his title as Grand Duke of Duchzan. It was simply the man's unwavering resolve that amplified his presence.
He approached the Emperor along the carpet and bowed to him. He didn't bow his head, but merely lowered his gaze, as if to emphasize his superiority over his opponent.
“Your Majesty, the Emperor.”
Julian's manners were impeccable. The Emperor spoke with an infinitely affectionate voice, the corners of his lips curling upward.
“Julian, you’re being rude to me.”
But Julian was still bowing his head in an attitude that showed no emotion at all.
“Julian, would you really do this to me? You said you lifted the curse, and yet you never showed your face to me.”
As the Emperor spoke, seemingly resentful, Julian slowly raised his hips. Freed from the curse that had bound him, Julian was able to reveal his upright face to the world. But the first thing the Emperor saw was Julian's crimson eyes. Those eyes, filled with unwavering resolve, fearless and unyielding, could hold anything. Even the Emperor's entire being.
The Emperor stroked his graying beard, lost in thought. For over twenty years, he had held Grand Duke Julian in his palm. He never held him tightly, but instead held him high, ensuring no escape. All this time, Julian had obediently followed the Emperor's wishes. Then, in a moment of distraction, he slipped out of his palm and made contact with the outside world.
Layla Winsley, now the Grand Duchess of Duchzan.
He was a little hesitant, but he thought it was acceptable. Layla was the daughter of the loyal Margrave of Winsley, and she herself had been knighted. The Emperor still believed Duchzan was in his hands. So he decided to wait a little longer.
But look at this situation.
Although he brought the pregnant Grand Duchess to the palace, it seemed certain that if he lifted a finger, the people would be outraged. She had sacrificed her life for the people during the Demonic Beasts Suppression Campaign, and now, at the time, was she pregnant? It was the perfect time to garner sympathy and sympathy. Furthermore, Julian, who had always sent him letters when he hadn't summoned him, was here, of his own accord. And he was standing before him, his mask removed, his clean face revealed.
"Layla Duchzan has been overly involved in royal affairs. I'm thinking she should be handled the royal way."
"My wife simply devoted herself to subduing the demons and saving the village from danger. Furthermore, when someone harbored treacherous intentions and hallucinated the imperial soldiers, she was the first to step forward and warn them not to kill them. Above all, she showed wisdom."
Julian slowly closed his eyes and then looked at the Emperor with a flash of light.
“The Grand Duchess is carrying our child.”
Hahaha. The Emperor laughed heartily. And then he laughed as if it was nothing special.
"You can have another child. There are many wise women in the world who can better support you. You are the Grand Duke of Duchzan. Even the one who tormented you..."
The Emperor pointed to his own face with his index finger and smiled sinisterly.
"The curse hasn't disappeared either. I'll marry you to Marquis Aiden's daughter. How is it?"
“I don’t want to.”
“Why? Is it because Marquis Aiden was a follower of Cain?”
As he spoke, the Emperor revealed a faint hint of anger. He was furious at the family for already stirring up trouble between the Crown Prince and Prince Cain, even before the Emperor himself was dead, and he sought to somehow counteract this.
In that sense, he thought that the marriage between the Duchzan family, who seemed to be siding with the Crown Prince for some reason, and the Marquis Aiden family, who were on Prince Cain's side, was not a bad idea.
"That's not it. I have no intention of divorcing Layla Duchzan and watching her suffer."
The Emperor tilted his head and spoke subtly.
"Yes, that's right. Since it's just the two of us, let's speak frankly. What did you gain by marrying the daughter of the Count of Winsley that makes you so stubborn? Speak freely. Couldn't I give you something more?"
“Your Majesty, she has something most precious to me, so I cannot act rashly.”
Julian's tone was still polite, but there was a firmness to it.
"What's most precious to you...? You're talking about the Duchzan lineage. Didn't I tell you? I'll marry you to Marquis Aiden's daughter. You can have the child again. I'll protect that child. Just like you."
At those words, Julian chuckled. The small sound of breathing echoing in the quiet audience chamber was terribly jarring to the Emperor's ears. But instead of revealing his anger, the Emperor asked, as if he were a friendly uncle.
“What is so enjoyable?”
"Your Majesty, you've raised me on the palm of your hand. I know that was your affection and responsibility in its own way. But I, too, was like that. Sitting quietly on your palm was my affection and responsibility toward you, Your Majesty."
Julian's calm voice brought a redness to the Emperor's forehead. He kept his voice as calm as possible and spoke as if threatening.
“...What kind of arrogant things are you talking about?”
"I'm saying that my relationship with Your Majesty was also precious to me. And I've endured a long time to protect what's precious to me."
"Yes. I know you're trying hard. So let's keep going like this..."
Julian shook his head firmly.
"But I have something most precious to me. It's not the child in the Grand Duchess's womb, but the Grand Duchess, Layla Duchzan herself. If enduring to protect her is no longer the solution, I will simply act."
"Why would you bring a mere woman into a discussion of ambassadorship? There are plenty of women more noble than the Winsleys!"
“There is no one in the world more honorable than Layla Duchzan.”
“Julian!”
The Emperor slammed his throne down and roared. He looked around, as if he wanted to throw something at something, but his expression grew even more indignant, as if nothing was suitable.
"I shouldn't have let you marry anyone! I should have done as your mother said!"
At those words, Julian raised his eyes.
“What do you mean?”
If Layla was Julian's most precious possession, his mother was his Achilles' heel. In Julian's heart, his mother always occupied the most vulnerable place. The Emperor felt no guilt in touching that place.
"I made a deal with Helena. I'd spare your life, but I'd turn you into a complete monster, unable to marry anyone. Haha. I should've kept it that way. I felt sorry for you, so I just watched, and this is what happened in the end."
“...I asked what you meant.”
The Emperor spoke calmly, his chin resting on the throne.
"So you thought the reason you were so persecuted that you couldn't even appear in society was simply because of your looks? Countless people would marry you even if their faces were burned if they had money and fame! Who do you think started the horrific rumor that you cannibalize people and drink their blood like wine? Who do you think first came up with that idea?"
“...Are you saying that person is my mother?”
"You clever guy is pretending not to understand. I'll answer you myself. Yes, your mother knelt where you stand now and begged me to turn you into a monster."
The Emperor still vividly remembered that moment. His sister, her lips pale from the poison he had sent, yet she didn't hesitate to crawl on the floor. She crawled to the throne, kissed the Emperor's feet, and begged.
"Helena said, 'So don't kill Julian. Just let him live.' I should have done as she said. I should have just kept you alive. I taught you how to live, and this is what happened."
Julian was lost in thought. Was it betrayal toward his mother, or pity? The Emperor, in truth, didn't care.
“Follow your mother’s will.”
'Live as a monster, as you have always done.'
All that mattered was the insistence. He thought Julian would understand by now.
“Layla Duchzan will not be sent back.”
But Julian clenched his fists beneath his cloak. There wasn't even a hint of resignation in them.
“Try that.”
Julian raised his head stiffly and stared at the Emperor. Not a shred of his former polite demeanor remained. At this moment, he was the arrogant and fearsome Grand Duke Duchzan.
“It is Your Majesty who has made me Your enemy.”
Julian turned away without even a word of greeting. His red cloak waved behind him. It resembled a flag declaring war.
The palace maids were at a loss, unable to stop Julian or even bid him farewell. The Emperor, watching them, trembled and clenched his fists.
"If you make me your enemy, I can't help it. Let's end it in my generation, Duchzan!"
But the aura of intimidation wasn't derived from the heavy sound of his footsteps, nor from his title as Grand Duke of Duchzan. It was simply the man's unwavering resolve that amplified his presence.
He approached the Emperor along the carpet and bowed to him. He didn't bow his head, but merely lowered his gaze, as if to emphasize his superiority over his opponent.
“Your Majesty, the Emperor.”
Julian's manners were impeccable. The Emperor spoke with an infinitely affectionate voice, the corners of his lips curling upward.
“Julian, you’re being rude to me.”
But Julian was still bowing his head in an attitude that showed no emotion at all.
“Julian, would you really do this to me? You said you lifted the curse, and yet you never showed your face to me.”
As the Emperor spoke, seemingly resentful, Julian slowly raised his hips. Freed from the curse that had bound him, Julian was able to reveal his upright face to the world. But the first thing the Emperor saw was Julian's crimson eyes. Those eyes, filled with unwavering resolve, fearless and unyielding, could hold anything. Even the Emperor's entire being.
The Emperor stroked his graying beard, lost in thought. For over twenty years, he had held Grand Duke Julian in his palm. He never held him tightly, but instead held him high, ensuring no escape. All this time, Julian had obediently followed the Emperor's wishes. Then, in a moment of distraction, he slipped out of his palm and made contact with the outside world.
Layla Winsley, now the Grand Duchess of Duchzan.
He was a little hesitant, but he thought it was acceptable. Layla was the daughter of the loyal Margrave of Winsley, and she herself had been knighted. The Emperor still believed Duchzan was in his hands. So he decided to wait a little longer.
But look at this situation.
Although he brought the pregnant Grand Duchess to the palace, it seemed certain that if he lifted a finger, the people would be outraged. She had sacrificed her life for the people during the Demonic Beasts Suppression Campaign, and now, at the time, was she pregnant? It was the perfect time to garner sympathy and sympathy. Furthermore, Julian, who had always sent him letters when he hadn't summoned him, was here, of his own accord. And he was standing before him, his mask removed, his clean face revealed.
"Layla Duchzan has been overly involved in royal affairs. I'm thinking she should be handled the royal way."
"My wife simply devoted herself to subduing the demons and saving the village from danger. Furthermore, when someone harbored treacherous intentions and hallucinated the imperial soldiers, she was the first to step forward and warn them not to kill them. Above all, she showed wisdom."
Julian slowly closed his eyes and then looked at the Emperor with a flash of light.
“The Grand Duchess is carrying our child.”
Hahaha. The Emperor laughed heartily. And then he laughed as if it was nothing special.
"You can have another child. There are many wise women in the world who can better support you. You are the Grand Duke of Duchzan. Even the one who tormented you..."
The Emperor pointed to his own face with his index finger and smiled sinisterly.
"The curse hasn't disappeared either. I'll marry you to Marquis Aiden's daughter. How is it?"
“I don’t want to.”
“Why? Is it because Marquis Aiden was a follower of Cain?”
As he spoke, the Emperor revealed a faint hint of anger. He was furious at the family for already stirring up trouble between the Crown Prince and Prince Cain, even before the Emperor himself was dead, and he sought to somehow counteract this.
In that sense, he thought that the marriage between the Duchzan family, who seemed to be siding with the Crown Prince for some reason, and the Marquis Aiden family, who were on Prince Cain's side, was not a bad idea.
"That's not it. I have no intention of divorcing Layla Duchzan and watching her suffer."
The Emperor tilted his head and spoke subtly.
"Yes, that's right. Since it's just the two of us, let's speak frankly. What did you gain by marrying the daughter of the Count of Winsley that makes you so stubborn? Speak freely. Couldn't I give you something more?"
“Your Majesty, she has something most precious to me, so I cannot act rashly.”
Julian's tone was still polite, but there was a firmness to it.
"What's most precious to you...? You're talking about the Duchzan lineage. Didn't I tell you? I'll marry you to Marquis Aiden's daughter. You can have the child again. I'll protect that child. Just like you."
At those words, Julian chuckled. The small sound of breathing echoing in the quiet audience chamber was terribly jarring to the Emperor's ears. But instead of revealing his anger, the Emperor asked, as if he were a friendly uncle.
“What is so enjoyable?”
"Your Majesty, you've raised me on the palm of your hand. I know that was your affection and responsibility in its own way. But I, too, was like that. Sitting quietly on your palm was my affection and responsibility toward you, Your Majesty."
Julian's calm voice brought a redness to the Emperor's forehead. He kept his voice as calm as possible and spoke as if threatening.
“...What kind of arrogant things are you talking about?”
"I'm saying that my relationship with Your Majesty was also precious to me. And I've endured a long time to protect what's precious to me."
"Yes. I know you're trying hard. So let's keep going like this..."
Julian shook his head firmly.
"But I have something most precious to me. It's not the child in the Grand Duchess's womb, but the Grand Duchess, Layla Duchzan herself. If enduring to protect her is no longer the solution, I will simply act."
"Why would you bring a mere woman into a discussion of ambassadorship? There are plenty of women more noble than the Winsleys!"
“There is no one in the world more honorable than Layla Duchzan.”
“Julian!”
The Emperor slammed his throne down and roared. He looked around, as if he wanted to throw something at something, but his expression grew even more indignant, as if nothing was suitable.
"I shouldn't have let you marry anyone! I should have done as your mother said!"
At those words, Julian raised his eyes.
“What do you mean?”
If Layla was Julian's most precious possession, his mother was his Achilles' heel. In Julian's heart, his mother always occupied the most vulnerable place. The Emperor felt no guilt in touching that place.
"I made a deal with Helena. I'd spare your life, but I'd turn you into a complete monster, unable to marry anyone. Haha. I should've kept it that way. I felt sorry for you, so I just watched, and this is what happened in the end."
“...I asked what you meant.”
The Emperor spoke calmly, his chin resting on the throne.
"So you thought the reason you were so persecuted that you couldn't even appear in society was simply because of your looks? Countless people would marry you even if their faces were burned if they had money and fame! Who do you think started the horrific rumor that you cannibalize people and drink their blood like wine? Who do you think first came up with that idea?"
“...Are you saying that person is my mother?”
"You clever guy is pretending not to understand. I'll answer you myself. Yes, your mother knelt where you stand now and begged me to turn you into a monster."
The Emperor still vividly remembered that moment. His sister, her lips pale from the poison he had sent, yet she didn't hesitate to crawl on the floor. She crawled to the throne, kissed the Emperor's feet, and begged.
"Helena said, 'So don't kill Julian. Just let him live.' I should have done as she said. I should have just kept you alive. I taught you how to live, and this is what happened."
Julian was lost in thought. Was it betrayal toward his mother, or pity? The Emperor, in truth, didn't care.
“Follow your mother’s will.”
'Live as a monster, as you have always done.'
All that mattered was the insistence. He thought Julian would understand by now.
“Layla Duchzan will not be sent back.”
But Julian clenched his fists beneath his cloak. There wasn't even a hint of resignation in them.
“Try that.”
Julian raised his head stiffly and stared at the Emperor. Not a shred of his former polite demeanor remained. At this moment, he was the arrogant and fearsome Grand Duke Duchzan.
“It is Your Majesty who has made me Your enemy.”
Julian turned away without even a word of greeting. His red cloak waved behind him. It resembled a flag declaring war.
The palace maids were at a loss, unable to stop Julian or even bid him farewell. The Emperor, watching them, trembled and clenched his fists.
"If you make me your enemy, I can't help it. Let's end it in my generation, Duchzan!"
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