Chapter 2

Cecenia’s expression slowly changed. There was no sorrow, no hatred. Any expectation or attachment she had toward her family had become meaningless to her.

“No… I… I didn’t mean to discriminate…”

She gave no response. Exhausted to the point of giving up everything, Cecenia ignored her father’s calls and left the place.

It seemed like everything was coming to an end. Elzer was imprisoned in the northern lands, where only winter existed, for having an affair with her sister’s husband—the Emperor.

Meanwhile, rumors twisted the truth. It was said that Elzer Vestel, the Empress’s sister, had seduced the Emperor. That the Emperor had done nothing wrong.

Cecenia did not speak about it any further. She knew who had started the rumors, but she took no action.

Instead, it felt as if her world was changing. The Emperor, fearing that he might suffer consequences, that his reputation would fall the moment he divorced her, or that she might expose the truth and shake his throne, was extremely anxious.

Perhaps he finally realized that the Empress, who had once done nothing despite his affairs, could now cause a chaos. He kept a close watch on Cecenia.

She, too, refrained from taking any action, knowing that he feared losing the immense wealth of her family. The shock did not fade even after several months. In a world where she had no allies, Cecenia continued living day by day.

But nine months later,

Cecenia was forced to hear devastating news.

No, not just devastating news—her sister had returned. Holding a tiny baby in her arms.

“Ha…”

Where did everything go wrong? What should she have done?

The problem wasn’t her sister returning with a baby. It was the Emperor’s sudden shift in demeanor when he introduced Elzer and her child to Cecenia.

The Emperor—her husband—sentenced her to death.

“Empress Cecenia is sentenced to death for the crime of attempting to kill the Emperor’s child.”

She couldn’t grasp reality. She didn’t even understand why she had to die. Or why her husband had condemned her.

Shaking her head in disbelief, Cecenia stammered, “I never did such a thing. How could I try to kill the Emperor’s child?”

After nine months, the situation felt like déjà vu.

The Emperor stood beside Elzer, looking at the child with a blissful expression. Yet, he couldn’t contain his anger at Cecenia’s denial.

Time repeated itself. The man who used to be cautious and put effort into pleasing her was long gone.

“You deny it?! Even after knowing she was pregnant, you didn’t provide the slightest support!”

“That’s…”

Cecenia shook her head violently.

No. Everything was wrong. Ian had personally taken charge of Elzer’s situation. Even though Elzer was her unfaithful sister—someone she wanted to strangle—she was still family, and Cecenia had shown her mercy.

She had sent food, necessary supplies, and even asked her to inform her if anything happened. But now, they claimed she had done nothing to help? That she had abandoned her?

While Cecenia struggled with her confusion, the Emperor spoke again.

“That’s not all. You ignored her letter pleading for help, forcing her to give birth alone, and there is testimony that you tried to kill the child.”

“Who gave such testimony? Was it my sister? Did she say that I did such things? Of course, she would say that. I was the one who sent her there. I sent her!”

Cecenia turned to look at her sister. Elzer was holding the child with a blissful smile. But something felt off. Elzer smirked, tilting her chin up.

Something felt strange, but Cecenia had to defend herself.

“Ian will prove that I did nothing.”

“Prince Ian?”

“Yes. Everything my sister says is a lie, meant to frame me.”

But she couldn’t understand. The Emperor, listening only to Elzer’s words, scolding her without question.

‘Of course… She bore his child… Why would he side with me? Lately, he’s been watching me closely… He probably wants to get rid of me. But I… I did nothing wrong. Ian will prove it.’

“Interesting. Do you think I acted solely based on Elzer’s testimony, Cecenia?”

“Are you saying there’s someone else?”

“Yes. There was also testimony from Prince Ian. He described your cruelty in detail.”

“What… Ian testified against me?”

“Yes. He confirmed all your evil deeds, including your attempt to kill the child.”

At that moment, as if on cue, Ian entered the room. He barely spared a glance at Cecenia, whose arms were bound like a criminal. Instead, he patted Elzer’s shoulder.

Cecenia’s eyes wavered at the unexpected sight.

“Why… Ian, why are you… standing beside my sister? Why…”

But Ian said nothing. He only smirked.

“I told you before, didn’t I? I… I always…”

“Hated you more than anyone.”

“What…?”

“Your father, the Marquis, begged me to forgive Elzer, but you threw insults at him and cast him out.”

“No. That’s not true…!”

She had no strength. No will to live. She would never have spoken to her father like that. But Ian twisted her words, exaggerated them, and used them to corner her.

“What do you say, Ian? The Empress believed you would clear her name.”

“Does Her Majesty have anything to be wronged about? She only used me to do the things she didn’t want to do.”

It was as if he had become a completely different person. She had thought he was the one friend who would always stand by her. But Cecenia had been utterly mistaken.

“This is ridiculous… I am innocent. I disliked my sister, but I still made sure she had support. I never even received a letter.”

All she could do was plead her case to the Emperor.

“What is there to be so upset about, Empress? Then present the evidence. If what you say is true, there should be records of the support you provided or letters exchanged.”

Speaking coldly, the Emperor seemed to be giving her a false sense of mercy, as if to prepare for potential backlash. Bring the evidence, he said. But Cecenia felt her vision darken.

There was nothing. No records.

Because Ian had been her friend, she had simply told him in person.

“Ah…”

Only now did Cecenia realize how easily people could be driven into a corner.

“Ha… Ha.”

“You must have something, Empress?”

She could do nothing. She couldn’t say a word. She had trusted people even after being betrayed, and now she was a fool.

“Pfft.”

At the absurdity of it all, Cecenia suddenly burst into laughter.

“The Empress must have gone mad.”

“If this was how it was going to end, why did I struggle so much? Take me away. Isn’t this what you wanted?”

“Are you implying that I orchestrated this?”

Any normal person would have continued pleading their innocence, but Cecenia only sneered at the three of them.

“You tried so hard to frame me. You’re just as despicable.”

“Empress!”

“Otherwise, how would you know so much? Take me away. I don’t want to stay here anyway.”

As if reluctant to be seen as cruel, the Emperor hesitated before nodding. And so, Cecenia was dragged away.

Foolishly, she had never suspected Ian, Elzer, or even the Emperor.

In the end, Cecenia was imprisoned.

With no way to escape, she awaited her death.