People had gathered around because the fight was so loud.

The palace was already packed with officials and early-arriving state guests preparing for the No-Moon Rite.

The murmuring onlookers gasped in shock.

Dahlia, flustered, cried out,

“P-Prince Salvatore, please, stop...!”

“Prince Alexis...! If you stop over there, I’ll stop here!”

But neither Alexis nor Salvatore seemed willing to end their brawl.

...That is, until the Grand Steward of the Imperial Palace arrived.

He pushed through the crowd, and even then Alexis and Salvatore were still rolling on the ground.

Only when the Steward cleared his throat did the two princes finally let go of each other’s collars.

Alexis and Salvatore rose to their feet.

Salvatore wiped the trickling blood from his nose with a handkerchief and smoothed his clothing. Dahlia fluttered at his side, panicking.

Alexis merely scowled, and I hurriedly brushed the dust off his back.

The Steward fixed both princes with a stern gaze.

“I have orders to escort Both Your Highnesses to the Imperial Palace.”

“......”

“......”

Well, it seems the rumor has reached the Emperor’s ears.

The two princes followed the Steward away.

Dahlia and I watched them go.

From the assembled spectators came murmured whispers.

“What on earth is happening...?”

“They’re fighting over Lady Astra, aren’t they?”

“Wait— which one is Lady Astra?”

“What do you mean ‘which one’? There’s only one.”

“Oh, you mean Lady Dahlia Astra.”

“Huh?”

“Well, Her Majesty the Empress has in mind Lady Dahlia as a match for Prince Salvatore, and Lady Dahlia says she saw Prince Alexis in the Mist of Nightmares...”

“Shh! That’s not true!”

“It isn’t?”

“They’re actually quarreling over Lady Erilot Astra.”

“Re-what? Oh... Erilot?”

People glanced at Dahlia as they talked.

It seemed the news that Dahlia had seen Alexis in the Mist of Nightmares had spread far and wide.

‘And everyone knows the Empress favored Dahlia as Salvatore’s fiancée, too.’

I alone had been too busy with preparations for the No-Moon Rite to catch wind of it.

Dahlia’s cheeks burned crimson with shame.

She gripped her skirt and shot me an accusing glare.

“Why... what did you do?”

“You made the two princes fight like this. If you’d behaved properly...!”

I laughed.

Dahlia’s face contorted as she glared.

“What’s so funny?”

“I find it absurd that you lecture me on proper behavior.”

“Do you think this is something to be proud of? It’s a disgrace to the family!”

“Isn’t it better than you confessing your love for Prince Alexis to the entire court?”

“What did you just say?!”

Dahlia seemed to have more to say, but I simply turned and walked away.

She hurried after me.

“Let’s talk.”

“I have nothing to say.”

“I’m right here.”

“That means I don’t want to waste time.”

“Yoo Hye-min!”

“......”

We reached an empty corridor.

I stopped dead in my tracks and faced Dahlia.

She crossed her arms and closed the distance between us.

“So you fooled me all this time.”

“......”

“When did you start pretending to be Erilot Astra? Two years ago, when my sister died and you took over her body?”

“......”

“And when did you know I was Yoo Se-eun? You didn’t look surprised back then. You were aware, weren’t you?”

Dahlia leaned in, eyes blazing.

“Do you know how my parents and grandmother lived because of your death? Do you know how much I suffered?”

“......”

“Even after what you did, you still have the nerve to hold your head high in front of me, obstructing every step—!”

“How did I die, exactly?”

“You canceled all the insurance policies...!”

“I was your family’s slave—life and property belonged to them. Aren’t you upset that I left without a penny?”

Dahlia’s expression hardened.

Meanwhile, in the Imperial Palace...

The Emperor gave a hollow laugh at the sight of his two sons.

One looked as if he’d bled from the nose, the other had a busted lip.

Dust clung to their clothes, hair disheveled...

The Grand Empress merely glanced at them in silence.

Empress Ocelia looked at the Emperor with concern.

“Your Majesty....”

The instant she spoke, a thunderous roar erupted.

“Are you both out of your minds—!!”

Even the Steward and the Grand Empress bowed their heads.

“How dare you princes behave like this!”

Empress Ocelia flinched and turned to Salvatore.

“Salvatore, beg for punishment at once.”

The Grand Empress signaled Alexis to do the same.

Salvatore and Alexis knelt together.

“We reflect on our actions.”

“We reflect on our actions.”

The Emperor massaged his temple, scowling.

“For what?”

Prince Salvatore spoke first.

“As princes, we failed to set a proper example and engaged in a disgraceful fight. We have caused our Father unease during his state affairs and beg your punishment.”

“And what does Alexis reflect upon?”

Alexis stared expressionlessly at the floor.

“I regret that I could not strike him in secret, and so struck him openly.”

“......!”

“......!”

The Emperor and Empress frowned.

Salvatore let out a forced laugh and glanced at Alexis.

Even the Grand Empress raised an eyebrow.

The Emperor, face stern, asked,

“Do you think such words are fitting before me?”

“No, Your Majesty.”

“Yet—!”

“Must we lie?”

“...What?”

“I do not regret my fight with Salvatore. If I only speak proper words before Your Majesty, would that not be deceit?”

“......”

“I do not understand the Imperial Household. I am confused whether to treat Your Majesty as my father or as the sovereign of the realm.”

“......”

“If I am to regard you solely as Emperor, then I shall accept punishment as a subject. If as father, then teach me how.”

“......”

“What is it I am to reflect upon?”

The Emperor stared at Alexis in silence.

The courtiers looked uneasy, expecting the storm to break again.

Then—

“Ha ha ha!”

A hearty laugh filled the Emperor’s study.

“Very well. I shall teach you.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“First, because you are my son, you have been granted the most exalted rights—yet with them come obligations.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“You must be a model for the people, forgo the comforts of ordinary life.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Even a trivial quarrel between brothers can be used as political fodder. There will be no father to blindly trust you, and every action of yours will be judged and gossiped about.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Thereupon—”

Empress Ocelia and Prince Salvatore’s expressions hardened.

But the Emperor’s face was gentle—the merciful expression he had never shown Salvatore.

The tenderness of a father...

Salvatore clenched his fists.

Empress Ocelia bit her lip.

The Grand Empress lowered her voice to a whisper.

“Soften your expression. You need not reveal such murderous intent in public.”

“Ocelia, that is... he was so harsh with Salvatore, yet lenient with Alexis...”

“He grew up away from court. It is consideration for the prince you spirited away.”

You, who whisked Alexis away.

Empress Ocelia, catching the Grand Empress’s meaning, ground her teeth.

It was the first time the Emperor had given such time to his blood.

By the time he finished, the sun was setting.

Alexis bowed his head.

“I will engrave your teachings upon my soul.”

The Emperor chuckled softly.

“Now, let me ask you—honesty is your nature, is it? You do not resemble me.”

“......”

“Do you resemble your mother?”

“...It was Erilot Astra’s advice.”

“What?”

On the day Alexis became a prince, he had a brief conversation with Erilot.

“Why that expression... are you afraid?”

“...It’s not that.”

“Is it? Are you thinking, ‘How can I, newly made prince, stand against Salvatore who has lived as one since birth?’”

“...My ignorance will strike me like arrows.”

“Listen, Alexis. If you do not know, ask.”

Erilot had said calmly, face unapologetically brazen.

“Reveal your flaws yourself?”

“That may not be a flaw, but a strength. Your father lived his life as prince before becoming emperor.”

“......”

“Even family were his rivals; he may have needed someone he could trust.”

“......”

“As my grandfather—and your father and older brothers—secretly wished.”

She was that kind of person.

When I was anxious, she always offered an answer; when I wavered, she guided me.

Erilot took my hand and whispered in a gentle voice.

“Father, I do not know. I may be lacking, but teach me and I will learn diligently.”

“......”

“No father dislikes a son who strives.”

The Emperor smiled.

“Yes, as Lady Erilot Astra said....”

“Yes.”

“Well then. Ah, the hour grows late. I have matters to attend to. You may go. The Empress may stay.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Empress Ocelia, Salvatore, and Alexis left the room.

The moment the door closed, Ocelia glared at Alexis.

“Astra’s influence has taken firm root in you. Your tongue is as sharp as your former fiancée’s.”

“I take that as a compliment.”

“You...!”

Just then—

“May the Imperial House prosper.”

Duke Grimie’s voice echoed in the corridor, followed by Damon’s.

Ocelia turned to Grimie and smiled.

“His Majesty summoned you. Is this regarding ‘that matter’ we discussed?”

“I cannot presume to know His Majesty’s intent.”

“You remain ever cautious. Salvatore, why do you not greet him?”

Ocelia acted as if Grimie were already her kinsman.

Salvatore compelled a smile.

“I thought I had fallen out of favor after the Crumatus incident, but it seems not.”

“Salvatore!”

Ocelia cried out in alarm, but Salvatore merely stared at Grimie.

“What did you place on the bargaining table to secure His Majesty’s favor this time?”

“Ha ha, such a difficult question.”

Salvatore shrugged.

“Whatever it may be, I hope it is something certain. After all, we share a vessel for now.”

He strode past Grimie and Damon toward the end of the corridor.

Before he disappeared, he glanced back at Damon.

“Let the successor of the Astra Adversary know there is still room on ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) my vessel.”

“I do not board another’s ship. I sail my own.”

“Father and daughter both present their challenges.”

Salvatore shot Damon a cold look and departed.

Damon entered the Emperor’s study; Alexis headed for the Crown Prince’s Palace.

Ocelia remained in the corridor, grinding her teeth as she spoke to Grimie.

“Will my daughter’s union with our prince proceed?”

“Over half of House Astra’s retainers consented.”

“And the Duke?”

Grimie forced a smile, looking troubled.

“If you cannot win the Duke’s favor, you will have to seize the House by force.”

“I will do my utmost for my beloved daughter’s marriage.”

Ocelia chuckled.

After she departed, Grimie curved his lips into a thin smile.

Dahlia shoved my shoulder hard.

“Do you really not understand your wrongdoing?”

“Yes.”

“My parents and I felt as though we were living in hell after you died.”

“......”

“They sued the insurance company over your death benefits!”

“And?”

“Do you know how much time and money goes into an ordinary person suing a conglomerate?”

“Why should I?”

“Do you have to know?”

“My responsibility?”

“My grandmother even sold her home—and they lost. We were left destitute...”

“And what of it? Why is it my fault?”

Dahlia let out an incredulous laugh.

“Who took out the insurance? Mom did!”

“I paid the premiums.”

“You collected all the insurance money when you were ill...!”

“I paid. What’s wrong with collecting what I paid for?”

“Are you truly that heartless...?!”

I shoved Dahlia back just as hard.

Reeling, she stared at me in disbelief.

“What is wrong with you...?”

“Are you going to appeal to your father next? Or grandmother?”

“You...!”

“What will you do now? None of your father or grandmother are here to help.”

“Hey!”

Dahlia yelled in frustration.

When I was Yoo Hye-min, I always shrank back at her outbursts.

“Why? Don’t I scare you?”

“How could you...?”

“I always found that odd. ‘How could you...?’ Why not?”

“We can fight, can’t we?”

“So what? You throw tantrums, I get angry.”

“I didn’t throw a tantrum!”

“And yet I always had to be the villain before you, like a slave. Is that family?”

“......”

“And those who claim they only cared for me because of the death benefit—are they family?”

“You made a mess over that alone? That’s why you’ve tormented me all this time?”

“I tormented you?”

“You deceived and tormented me.”

Dahlia froze at my shout.

She looked around wildly, then grabbed my arm roughly and dragged me behind a pillar.

“Stop the nonsense. The Messiah is...!”

“Then let’s go to the Custodians together.”

Dahlia’s eyes widened in alarm.