Whether it bothered him that Seruna and I were together, the perceptive Helsion approached and spoke up.

“Lady Brellof. This is your first time attending a party held in the Calua Empire, isn’t it? Is there anything making you uncomfortable?”

“Yes. I’ve been enjoying the sights.”

“That’s good to hear.”

Seruna didn’t just stand by silently either. With an elegant gesture, she summoned Marquis Manoko, Luphilmo, who had been nearby.

“Lady Brellof, this is Marquis Manoko. He is also my father.”

Though I’d been forewarned by Ascan, I feigned complete ignorance and offered a slight curtsy.

“A pleasure to meet you, Marquis Manoko.”

Luphilmo was notably short—perhaps around my height, or even slightly shorter.

Not only was his stature small, but his build was slight too, and even with flattery, one couldn’t call him handsome. Yet, there was something strangely intimidating and untouchable about the old man.

“Pleased to meet you, Lady Brellof. I’ve long heard you’re the continent’s finest arms merchant.”

“You flatter me.”

“I have many questions for you regarding magical engineering weapons. Could you spare me a moment later?”

Somehow, I felt the real agenda was slowly emerging.

If Seruna and Luphilmo intended to hypnotize me, they’d need to avoid crowded places.

If I ended up meeting them alone in a quiet space, that would be a clear danger signal.

But I didn’t show any reaction. Just as I was about to pretend ignorance and politely decline—

“Unfortunately, that may be difficult. Lady Brellof isn’t feeling well today and plans to return home early.”

Turning toward the unexpectedly low voice, I saw Ascan, clad in his pristine white Imperial Guard uniform.

Apparently, he’d noticed me surrounded by Helsion, Seruna, and Luphilmo and came to extract me.

Even without his intervention, I could’ve handled it myself—but playing the fool seemed the better strategy, so I subtly stepped back.

Luphilmo smirked faintly and said,

“Anyone watching might think Count Atreias is Lady Brellof’s personal spokesman.”

Calling Ascan—a Count and Captain of the Imperial Guard—a “spokesman” was clearly an indirect insult.

Yet, even faced with Luphilmo’s provocation, Ascan didn’t so much as blink.

“By imperial decree, I am currently responsible for Lady Brellof’s safety. I ask for your understanding.”

Luphilmo frowned, displeased, but Helsion, watching the scene, looked thoroughly satisfied.

Knowing the Manoko family’s proficiency in hypnosis, he clearly admired Ascan’s preemptive caution.

Seruna opened her mouth to speak, but Helsion quickly interjected.

“Health comes first. Lady Brellof, if you’re unwell, feel free to leave early.”

No one here actually believed I was sick.

Though I felt perfectly fine, I recognized Ascan had deliberately made an excuse for me—so I played along.

“Yes, thank you for your concern, Your Majesty.”

Seruna smiled angelically and spoke.

“Oh dear, we prepared a small welcome reception just for you today. Wouldn’t you at least attend that? It would be helpful to get acquainted with Calua Empire’s nobles.”

Upon closer inspection, Seruna’s eyes weren’t smiling at all. Seeing only the corners of her mouth lifted gave me an eerie chill.

It was just my intuition—but Luphilmo’s proposal to discuss magical engineering weapons, and Seruna’s mention of the welcome reception now, both felt like carefully laid traps to ensnare me.

Had I not known their hypnotic skills, perhaps I’d have been fooled. But knowing what I knew, I absolutely had to avoid any private meetings.

“I sincerely apologize to Her Majesty. Though I appreciate your thoughtfulness, I won’t be able to attend today. Let’s meet another time.”

My purpose for attending this party was to observe Calspelliver and deduce Ascan’s psychological state.

I had zero intention of falling into the trap prepared by Seruna and Luphilmo.

Seruna nodded with a benevolent expression, as if resigned—but I doubted she’d give up easily. Nor did I intend to go along quietly.

“I hope I haven’t detained Your Majesties, the Emperor and Empress, for too long. I shall take my leave now.”

At my words, Helsion nodded with a satisfied smile.

“Very well. We’ll see each other later.”

Though the farewell sounded casual, I clearly witnessed Seruna’s eyes flash with venom for a split second.

After bidding farewell to Helsion, Seruna, and Luphilmo, I returned to where I’d originally been.

Ascan left with me, but his gaze remained fixed on where Seruna and Luphilmo stood.

“What I said earlier wasn’t idle talk. I have prior engagements today and won’t be able to stay by your side until the end. Head back to the mansion now.”

“Why? Is something happening?”

“It’s nothing serious—no need to worry. I’m simply fulfilling my duty as Imperial Guard, protecting His Majesty.”

Of course, it was perfectly natural for the Imperial Guard to protect the Emperor.

Only now did I realize—Imperial Guards in uniform were unusually numerous throughout the party venue.

Since I’d traveled here from Arwen Empire accompanied by the Imperial Guard, I naturally kept track of their numbers.

While it was expected for them to escort Helsion at an official event, it still felt odd that the entire Imperial Guard had attended the party.

‘…Is something going on?’

Ascan was already an overwhelmingly powerful individual. The fact that he’d brought the entire Imperial Guard to a party without any apparent special reason felt inconsistent.

Moreover, I recalled something Ascan had said earlier.

—Soon, the royal court will host a grand party. You’ll receive an invitation shortly.

—Really? You knew the schedule even before the invitation arrived?

It was suspicious—the more I thought about it, the stranger it seemed that he, who showed no interest in parties, already knew the date.

And that wasn’t all. Now that I started doubting, even his instruction for me to return to the mansion first felt unsettling.

A bad premonition crept in. Small, seemingly insignificant details piled up until my intuition hardened into certainty.

‘Something is definitely happening at this party today.’

Just then, Bill—with his dull blue hair and gloomy ash-gray eyes—approached Ascan and me.

Given that the entire Imperial Guard was present at the party, Bill was naturally here too.

Spotting me, Bill offered a brief, silent bow. Then, with a grave expression, he whispered quietly to Ascan.

“Brother, we’ve got a problem.”

Ascan nodded wordlessly.

Though no further conversation followed, Bill vanished as if on cue, and Ascan followed after him.

I couldn’t tell exactly what was happening, but I sensed they were about to have a private, urgent discussion.

Ascan turned back one last time to address me.

“I’ll instruct the coachman. Return to the mansion immediately.”

“…Is there really nothing going on?”

I asked, even though I expected he wouldn’t answer honestly. Still, I wanted to hear the truth from his lips.

“Why ask such a question all of a sudden?”

“Never mind… nothing.”

Ascan’s face remained utterly devoid of emotion.

Perhaps troubled by my fading voice, he reiterated firmly.

“Don’t dawdle. Go back right away.”

I hadn’t fully decided what to do, but I gave a slight nod. If my suspicions were correct, Ascan was definitely hiding something from me.

Only then did Ascan walk off toward where Bill had disappeared, as if finally relieved.

In an instant, his figure vanished into the crowd.

My mind was tangled.

Had remnants of the former emperor—who’d previously ambushed us—reappeared?

Had conflict arisen with the Manoko family because of me?

Was this related to Calspelliver’s appearance at the party?

Too many concerns crowded my thoughts—I couldn’t pinpoint which was the real answer.

One thing was certain: something I didn’t know about was unfolding.

Inside an empty guest chamber, Ascan approached Bill, who’d arrived early to wait.

This was a secret location prepared near the banquet hall, just in case of such a situation.

“What’s happened?”

At Ascan’s question, Bill replied with a dark expression.

“It seems the Manoko family has sensed something. Just received word—the Marquis himself will personally supervise the transport of Calspelliver.”

Ascan fell silent, lost in thought. But unlike before, his eyes had sharpened.

They had waited long for this day.

Calspelliver hadn’t been displayed at the banquet without reason. Countless hours had passed since Helsion’s ascension to emperor, and only then had they naturally drawn the sword out into the open.

Before Calspelliver could be returned deep into the imperial palace…

Ascan and Bill intended to steal it.

“What’s the chance Marquis Manoko has caught on to our plan?”

“Absolutely none. He’s only sensed the Imperial Guard is plotting something—and he intends to interfere, whatever it is.”

Today’s plan was this:

When Calspelliver, displayed at the party, was moved back to its storage location, they would switch it with an identical replica.

They had spent a long time crafting a weapon indistinguishable from Calspelliver.

Unless Helsion decided to bestow Calspelliver upon someone, no one would ever discover the sword resting deep in the palace was a fake.

Moreover, Calspelliver was Calua Empire’s national treasure. Unless someone performed extraordinary service, the chance of it being awarded as a prize was slim.

Though Ascan himself couldn’t openly receive it, that also meant the probability of it falling into another’s hands was equally low.

With luck, Calspelliver’s status as a replica might never be exposed. And even if discovered, no one would suspect Ascan as the culprit.

“There’s not enough time to switch Calspelliver while evading Marquis Manoko’s surveillance. To succeed, we’ll have to divert his attention elsewhere…”

Bill nodded in agreement with Ascan’s words.

If they missed this opportunity, who knew when they’d see Calspelliver again.

“You’re right, brother. If Marquis Manoko supervises, switching Calspelliver becomes nearly impossible. We must divert his attention somehow.”

“…They keep irritating me.”

Luphilmo, once a close aide to the former emperor, had allied with Helsion to gain more power.

Seruna was the spitting image of her greedy father. Though she appeared benevolent on the surface, I knew she committed all manner of atrocities behind the scenes.

Ascan’s eyes momentarily darkened, gleaming with a chilling light.

“Should I kill the Empress quietly, without a mouse or bird noticing? That might draw attention away from Calspelliver.”

Had anyone overheard those words, they’d have fainted from shock—but Ascan’s face remained as calm as a still pond.

He wasn’t joking. If he set his mind to it, there was no one in the world he couldn’t kill.

This was his true, hidden self—the face of the mastermind from the novel .

Bill chuckled softly and shook his head helplessly.

“Patience, brother. We agreed to use Calua Empire to first settle surrounding nations. She’s still useful until then.”

Calua Empire was one of the most powerful nations. Though its lands were barren and not particularly prosperous, its military strength rivaled any.

Moreover, if the Imperial Guard—Ascan’s own force—joined any battle, no empire could defeat them.

Ascan planned to topple surrounding nations one by one, saving Calua Empire for last.

Already, he’d planted spies and gathered intelligence across each nation. His power extended far beyond what was visible within Calua Empire alone.

He’d been biding his time, claws sheathed—but recently, people kept irritating his nerves.

Suddenly, he recalled a recent dinner with Helsion.

—If possible, I wanted to see her for myself. I’d heard rumors, but I was curious what kind of woman she was. And now that I’ve seen her in person… I find myself wanting her even more.

When Helsion had looked at Tanashia with lust in his eyes, Ascan had felt his patience reach its limit.

That day, his fist clenched so tightly beneath the table that his palm had bled.

Had Helsion stared at her with that gaze for even a moment longer, Ascan might not have restrained himself—he might have gouged out Helsion’s eyes right there.

And it wasn’t just that.

Seeing Seruna and Luphilmo brazenly eyeing Tanashia, oblivious to their place, deeply unsettled him.

“…It displeases me how they keep trying to touch what’s mine.”

It hadn’t always been this way—but now, he could say it clearly.

Tanashia belonged to Ascan.

No matter how far she ran, he’d chase her to the ends of the earth and keep her by his side. Not even a single strand of her hair could belong to anyone else—it wouldn’t satisfy his temperament.

He didn’t care about forgotten past connections. Simply being near her erased the hollow emptiness he’d always felt, as if he’d lost something.

At first, it was curiosity. Later, the confusing emotions she stirred made him want to distance himself.

—Really open your mouth?

But when Tanashia’s soft lips met his, he could no longer deny it.

He wanted her.

Now, whatever she said or did—it no longer mattered.