I was being dressed in a pure white wedding gown by the hands of the imperial palace maids.

Though this was no wedding, I wanted to protest the need for such attire, but the snake’s paralyzing venom left me unable to speak.

And that wasn’t all.

Whenever time passed and the venom began to weaken even slightly, the snake crawling inside my body would ghost-like bite my flesh again.

It was an infuriatingly clever snake—I wondered just how they had trained it.

‘What should I do? Am I really going to endure my wedding night like this?’

My heart pounded wildly with anxiety.

I longed to cry out for help to anyone, but there was no one who could aid me—I could barely even roll my eyes.

Finally, when I was brought into Helsion’s bedroom, I felt a despair so profound it defied description.

Unaware of my inner turmoil, the maids neatly seated me upright on the bed, even smoothing out the folds of my wedding gown before leaving the room.

The bedroom, now silent enough that I could hear my own breathing, faintly carried the murmurs of the maids just beyond the door.

“Lady Brellof… isn’t she acting a bit strange? The snake crawling inside her body, her complete immobility, not even speaking…”

“Shh! Quiet. What if someone hears you? His Imperial Majesty said this is how the Brellof family observes their wedding night.”

“What? Such a bizarre custom exists?”

“I don’t know either. They say speaking to others drains your fortune. Anyway, she’s nobility of the Arwen Empire—she might just be different from us.”

I was utterly flabbergasted by this “Brellof family custom” I’d never heard of before.

Only now did I understand why the palace maids, who had initially regarded me with puzzlement, had later looked at me with resigned acceptance.

Helsion seemed to be masking my current state—as if I had willingly accepted his proposal—by attributing it to some strange tradition.

I feared I would never escape the meticulously laid trap he had set.

At that moment—

Thud. Thud. Accompanied by footsteps, Helsion’s voice came from beyond the door.

“Everyone, withdraw.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

I sensed the nearby maids retreating. Likely, not just the maids but many others had vacated the area to avoid disturbing us.

Lost in despair, I stared at the door as Helsion entered.

Just as I wore a wedding gown, Helsion too was dressed in formal evening attire—an absurdly groom-like appearance.

Instinctively, I knew the moment I had desperately hoped would never come had arrived.

Helsion looked at me and smiled his characteristically enigmatic smile.

“My Empress, I expected it, but you truly are beautiful.”

I never realized how suffocating it would feel to be unable to speak. I wanted to scream curses at him, but since I couldn’t, rage boiled inside my chest.

Perhaps sensing that emotion in my gaze, Helsion chuckled.

“Still giving me that defiant look? As expected, you’re entertaining. I won’t be bored for a while, thanks to you, Empress.”

You bastard!

Who said I’m your empress!

Inwardly, I was so furious I wanted to blow this entire place sky-high, yet in reality, I sat obediently on the bed, waiting for Helsion.

Helsion leisurely poured himself a glass of wine from the table and drank.

I wanted to shrink away as he approached the bed after calmly wetting his throat, but that was merely a wish—I remained utterly immobilized.

Before I knew it, Helsion stood close enough that I could feel his breath. He caressed my cheek and spoke, his eyes gleaming with lust.

“Don’t be so frightened.”

Whoosh—instantly, my field of vision flipped. Helsion had toppled me backward.

I felt him mount me, his hot breath washing over me. My spine stiffened involuntarily; goosebumps erupted across my entire body.

‘Ascan, Ascan, Ascan!’

At this moment, the only person in my mind was Ascan.

Unaware, tears streamed down my face as I silently screamed his name inwardly—

CRASH!

The bedroom door burst open violently—as if ripped off its hinges.

Though my vision was blurred by tears, I clearly recognized Ascan standing in the doorway.

‘Ascan…?’

Is this really not an illusion?

Before I could even confirm his arrival—

In the blink of an eye, Ascan was right before me. In one swift motion, he drew the Calspeliver sword from his waist and swung.

“AAAAAGH!”

Helsion writhed in agony and tumbled off me.

Something hot splattered—it was red blood. Upon closer look, Ascan had cleanly severed Helsion’s right arm, the one that had reached for me.

Ugh! I was startled, but my tongue was paralyzed—I couldn’t even groan.

Thus, Helsion rolled on the floor, his right arm severed. Ascan didn’t spare him even a glance—he immediately helped me up.

Feeling Ascan’s familiar touch, relief washed over me, and even more tears flowed.

With his large hand, he gently wiped my tears and whispered softly,

“It’s alright now. I’m here.”

Those few words brought inexplicable peace. If I could, I wanted to bury myself in his strong arms and cry my heart out.

At that moment—

Hiss! Hiss!

Treacherously flicking its tongue, the venomous snake slithered inside my body.

Ascan, with his keen hearing, must have detected its subtle movement—he immediately tore into my wedding gown and seized the snake.

When his hand plunged into the gown, I nearly panicked—but fortunately, he extracted the snake before any misunderstanding could arise.

Ascan stared coldly at the snake in his hand and asked,

“This snake… is what caused your condition?”

Unable to speak, I merely rolled my eyes up and down. Apparently, that was enough to convey my meaning.

I felt Ascan tighten his grip around the snake.

Sensing danger, the snake thrashed wildly—but it couldn’t escape Ascan’s grasp even slightly.

Soon, an inextinguishable flame summoned in his palm consumed the snake, burning it to death.

Ascan’s gaze remained sharp as he stared at the charred remains. I too felt immense relief—I’d longed to kill that snake countless times in my heart.

Then, Ascan lifted me into his arms. The extravagantly long train of my wedding gown trailed languidly to the floor.

Ascan said,

“You seem to be paralyzed—don’t worry. It’ll wear off with time, and if not, I’ll fix it.”

Once again, I rolled my eyes up and down to signal my understanding.

No single word like “reliable” could fully express my feelings now. Since Ascan had come to rescue me, the paralysis no longer frightened me.

Helsion, writhing in pain from his severed arm, regained some lucidity and ground his teeth with a face twisted in fury.

“You… how dare you…”

“This is punishment for daring to touch my woman.”

Helsion’s eyes widened. He’d finally realized something was profoundly amiss between Ascan and me.

Given Helsion’s meticulous nature, it was less that he hadn’t suspected anything and more likely that Ascan had thoroughly concealed our relationship.

Helsion burst into a laugh, his expression venomous.

“Hahaha! You’d betray me over a mere woman? I never thought you’d lack such basic judgment—I misjudged you.”

“Correct. You misjudged me. Today it was your arm—but next time, I’ll take your head.”

Grind—Helsion clenched his teeth so hard I heard the faint sound.

“Ascan, you can’t possibly believe you’ll escape the Kalua Empire alive after this! I’ll catch you and tear you limb from limb with my own hands!”

Watching Helsion’s rage, Ascan smiled as if amused.

He seemed to know exactly how to infuriate Helsion the most.

“Seems you forgot—I’m the one who put you on that imperial throne. If you’re capable, by all means, try.”

“…Unbelievably arrogant.”

Helsion glared at Ascan, clutching his bleeding severed arm.

Having spent long years together, they understood each other better than anyone else. Once steadfast allies, now they were each other’s most troublesome enemies.

This was utter catastrophe.

Holding me, Ascan walked away and spat out his final words with bitter relish.

“I’ll say it again—next time we meet, you die by my hand.”

It wasn’t an empty threat. I could feel the thick killing intent behind his words.

Thus, Ascan carried me and hurriedly slipped outside. Lingering meant certain confrontation with the palace guard or imperial knights.

I hadn’t realized while inside the bedroom, but outside was pure chaos.

Shouts rang out from all directions.

“Put out the fire, quickly!”

“This way!”

Numerous palace attendants frantically carried water to quell the flames.

Yet the fire showed no sign of weakening—I realized Ascan must have ignited it using his inextinguishable flames.

Still holding me, Ascan walked swiftly and said,

“Let’s head to the North Gate.”

Even amid the chaos, I sensed Zen, Carlton, and the royal guards moving in perfect unison behind Ascan.

No words were needed—I knew our priority now was escaping the palace safely.

Cradled in Ascan’s arms, I gazed up at him. Though the situation was more perilous than ever, strangely, I felt no fear.

Simply knowing he was by my side made nothing else frightening.

‘…Thank you.’

The words I couldn’t speak yet swirled silently in my mouth.

Having read the original novel, I knew many things. Thus, I could guess what Ascan had sacrificed to come rescue me.

Ten years ago, he risked his life for me; now, facing the potential loss of everything again, he chose to save me.

How could he remain so steadfast?

Whether before losing his memories or now, Ascan was unchanged. His blind devotion filled my heart to bursting.

Sensing my gaze, Ascan—who had been moving urgently—looked down at me. Then, impossibly gently, his eyes softened as he spoke.

“Don’t worry. Even if the sky collapses, I’ll protect you.”

Suddenly, I recalled words Ascan had spoken to me long ago.

─No one, not even a single strand of your hair, will I allow to be touched. I will protect you, my lady.

If only I could move now—I’d immediately wrap my arms around Ascan’s neck and whisper to him.

That I love him.

That I love him more than anything.

Shortly afterward, flames spread to Helsion’s bedroom as well.

Since they were summoned by Ascan, no amount of water weakened them. Evacuating was wiser than waiting for the fire to be extinguished.

But Helsion, with his severed right arm, moved awkwardly and couldn’t flee as he wished.

His decision to clear the area for his planned wedding night with Tanashia now proved disastrous—no one remained to help him in this crisis.

Staggering, drenched in cold sweat, Helsion struggled to move alone—

Creeeak—

A pillar engulfed in flames collapsed toward him.

Sensing he couldn’t evade it, Helsion braced defensively and squeezed his eyes shut.

CRACK!

Someone appeared and split the falling pillar in half. Thanks to this, Helsion suffered no burns whatsoever.

‘Who is it?’

Helsion lowered his reflexively raised arm and scrutinized the man emerging from the thick black smoke.

It was Bill—with dull blue hair and gloomy ash-gray eyes.

Helsion knew Bill well. Like Ascan, Bill was a survivor of the human weapon experiments and副 commander of the royal guard.

“…Bill?”

Helsion spoke, incredulous.

Until now, Bill had followed Ascan like a loyal hound. Why he appeared here to save Helsion—their enemy—was inexplicable.

Bill quickly approached Helsion and dropped to his knees.

“I apologize, Your Majesty. I should have come sooner—I realized the Chief Guard’s betrayal far too late.”

“…Hah.”

Helsion instinctively understood: something had fractured between Ascan and Bill.

Whatever the reason, this was excellent news for Helsion. Bill, though not quite Ascan’s equal, was still a capable fighter.

“Truly unexpected. Of all people, I thought you’d follow Ascan.”

“How could I? I’ve never forgotten the grace Your Majesty showed us, the children of the laboratory, long ago. I am not like the traitor Ascan.”

Bill’s ash-gray eyes gleamed sharply. Helsion couldn’t quite articulate it, but he sensed Bill had changed from before.

But Helsion’s thoughts didn’t linger—he staggered from blood loss, and Bill swiftly rose to steady him before he collapsed.

Helsion eyed Bill warily and said,

“The Chief Guard just dealt me a heavy blow to the back of my head—how am I supposed to trust your words?”

“I’ll prove it through action. He’s heading toward the Arwen Empire, where the Brellof family resides. I’ll capture him and bring him back.”

Unconsciously, Helsion’s lips curled upward. This was precisely when the saying “lose one, gain one” applied.

“Fine. I’ll believe you—for now.”

At that moment, Carter and the First Knight Division arrived belatedly.

Carter—massive in stature even from afar, with sharply slanted eyes radiating ferocity—was Helsion’s long-trusted retainer.

Relieved to confirm Helsion was alive, Carter sighed deeply and asked,

“Your Majesty, are you alright?”

Helsion grimaced. His displeasure was obvious without needing words.

“Do I look ‘alright’ to your eyes?”

Carter bowed his head apologetically. Everyone knew he hadn’t meant ill, but that didn’t matter.

Helsion gripped his empty right sleeve and commanded Carter with a terrifying gaze.

“Bring the Chief Guard—no, bring Ascan—before my eyes immediately.”

That wasn’t all. Helsion glanced sidelong at Bill and continued,

“And from today onward, Bill will command the Royal Guard.”