The day the Emperor declared he would spend the night with Yuliana had arrived.
The Empress, who was holding Denian hostage, ordered the maids to prepare Yuliana.
She didn't threaten Yuliana with words—
She used her eyes.
And by showing Denian.
She repeatedly showed Yuliana that Denian was safe, well-fed, and sleeping peacefully.
It was a clear message:
If you behave, your child will be safe.
Because of that, Yuliana had no choice but to obey.
She was:
Bathed in scented waterDressed for the nightMade up carefully
Watching the Empress calmly prepare another woman to sleep with her own husband—
Yuliana trembled in anger.
"You're all insane."
The Empress simply smiled gently.
"Watch your words, Yuliana. For a greater cause, this much sacrifice is necessary."
Then she signaled.
"It's time."
Soldiers grabbed Yuliana's arms and dragged her away.
"Let go! Let me go!"
Her restraints were still on.
She was dragged through a long hallway—
Then pushed into a luxurious room.
The door slammed shut behind her.
It was locked from the outside.
Then—
A chilling voice came from behind her.
"You're finally here."
The Emperor was already there.
He had come close without her noticing.
Yuliana quickly moved away, pressing herself against the wall.
The Emperor smiled lazily.
"I don't want to waste energy struggling today."
Yuliana looked around desperately for something to use as a weapon—
But the room was completely empty.
No decorations. Nothing.
The Emperor smirked.
"I had everything cleared out for this."
Yuliana ran toward the terrace—
But golden energy shot from the Emperor's hand and bound her arms and legs again.
He lifted her and threw her onto the bed.
Then fixed the golden restraints to the corners—
Forcing her body open, unable to move.
Her face turned red with humiliation.
The Emperor began removing his clothes.
Yuliana shut her eyes tightly.
Then—
He climbed on top of her and grabbed her face roughly.
"You should look at me."
His hand moved across her body.
"Today, I won't go easy on you."
"No matter what, it will happen."
Then he stuffed a cloth into her mouth and tied it behind her head.
"Mmm! Mmm!"
"It's a pity I can't hear your voice… but I don't want you biting your tongue."
Yuliana trembled with anger and disgust.
Every time he touched her—
Tears filled her eyes.
No… no…
She struggled desperately—
But like a pinned butterfly—
She couldn't escape.
There was no one to save her.
Lloyd was gone.
Despair swallowed her.
Tears streamed endlessly down her face.
And just as the Emperor moved closer—
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Someone pounded on the door.
The Emperor frowned but tried to ignore it.
Then a voice shouted urgently:
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!!"
Annoyed, the Emperor stood up.
He opened the door using his power—
And the golden restraints on Yuliana disappeared.
A knight bowed urgently.
"Your Majesty, you must leave immediately!"
"What nonsense is this?!"
"Valdormer's army is marching toward the imperial palace!"
"…What?"
The Emperor's face twisted in anger.
"You're telling me they've already reached this far?!"
"We were watching Silverstel… we didn't expect Valdormer to move first. Forgive us!"
Then—
The Emperor suddenly smiled strangely.
"The new head of Valdormer must have lost his mind."
Hearing that—
Yuliana's heart started pounding wildly.
Kallian… is coming?
Leading an army?
Just hearing his name made her eyes fill with tears.
He was:
The man she hatedThe father of her childHer former husband
She thought only resentment remained between them—
But Denian changed that.
Even if she denied it—
Hearing his name brought her relief.
Tears fell again—
But this time, for a different reason.
The Emperor looked at her and muttered:
"…Is this because of that woman?"
Then he walked toward her.
Yuliana trembled, thinking he would continue—
But instead, he smiled.
"It seems we'll have to continue this somewhere else."
He snapped his fingers.
Knights rushed in.
Yuliana struggled desperately—
But they easily overpowered her and lifted her like luggage.
She thrashed and tried to scream through the gag.
Because she felt—
This might be her last chance
And strangely—
The only person she thought of—
Was Kallian.
Meanwhile, Cesar stood on the castle wall, guarding the palace with half of Heister's army.
He sneered.
"So the new head of Valdormer has gone insane."
They expected Silverstel—
But instead, Valdormer came.
He shouted loudly:
"This is the imperial palace! Have you lost your mind?!"
Below—
Kallian said nothing.
Then finally, he spoke:
"The Emperor kidnapped my wife and imprisoned Silverstel's heir unjustly."
Kallian slowly drew his sword.
His strength had already recovered during the march.
Dark energy wrapped around his blade.
It was a clear declaration of war.
"As the head of Valdormer, I will judge the Paveluf imperial family and Heister—who broke the balance of power."
Cesar laughed.
He already knew:
There were traitors inside Valdormer's army
Half of Kallian's forces belonged to those traitors.
You walked into a trap yourself…
"Let's see who judges who… right, Rodrigo?"
Rodrigo stepped forward.
Other heirs followed him.
They turned their backs on Kallian—
And faced him.
"Highland follows the Emperor. We cannot allow this rebellion."
Rodrigo raised his sword.
"I, Rodrigo of Highland, will execute the traitor!"
Several vassal families drew their swords as well.
Cesar watched happily from above.
But Kallian—
Didn't react at all.
Rodrigo mocked him:
"If you had listened to me, it wouldn't end like this."
Finally—
Kallian spoke:
"I should be the one saying that to you."
Even though:
Half his army betrayed himThe imperial and Heister forces stood before him
He remained calm.
Too calm.
At that moment—
A large cloud of dust appeared in the distance.
A soldier ran toward Cesar in panic.
"Something's wrong!"