Recently, Reiana had been in a good mood.

She had discovered that Tanashia was disguised as an agent and secretly sold information about her and her current location to the Calua Empire.

Reiana could have taken action herself, but doing so would have reached her husband David’s ears, so she deliberately involved the Calua Empire.

If Tanashia died, the Arwen Empire or the Brellof family might intervene, so she judged it safer to stay quietly in the background.

No one would know Reiana was involved, and she could eliminate Tanashia—who had always been a thorn in her side—using someone else’s hands, so she stood to lose nothing.

Moreover, she received a hefty reward from the Calua Empire. Naturally, Reiana could not be anything but satisfied.

“Hmm, hah.”

It was while Reiana was humming a tune and arranging flowers.

Creeeak—

David entered the room as the door opened.

“Darling, I’m home.”

“You’re back? You’re a bit late today.”

Reiana stopped what she was doing and quickly approached David. She took his coat and smiled sweetly.

Unlike the cheerful Reiana, David spoke with obvious exhaustion.

“As you probably know, many of our citizens have died due to assassins sent by the Calua Empire. I’ve been completely overwhelmed dealing with this lately.”

“Yes, I’ve heard something about it. But what happened to Lady Brellof?”

Reiana asked as if it had just occurred to her, but she had been eagerly awaiting news all along.

The Calua Empire had deployed a large force to kill Tanashia. In truth, their ability to secretly enter the Lazent Empire was entirely thanks to Reiana.

Without her, the Calua Empire’s forces could never have infiltrated the Lazent Empire so easily.

Granting clearance to the ship carrying Carter and the assassins was no challenge for Reiana—now, there was so much she could accomplish with her authority.

Money, power, and solid connections. In this place, nothing was impossible under the name of the Dante family.

She was utterly intoxicated by the taste of power she had never experienced before.

The days of being scorned as a bastard of the Krisha family in the Arwen Empire were over.

Now, Reiana was the Marchioness of Dante, admired by all.

David opened his mouth.

“It’s truly strange. The number of confirmed assassins is enormous, yet oddly, Lady Brellof’s body has still not been found.”

“Re…ally?”

Reiana involuntarily replied with a sour tone.

Her trap had been perfect. Knowing that Tanashia, disguised as an agent, would attend the nobles’ conference with Dekain, she informed Carter.

Not only that—she also tipped him off that magical engineering weapons were loaded inside Tanashia’s carriage.

According to the plan, there was absolutely no way Tanashia could have survived and escaped.

‘Why hasn’t the body surfaced yet? She should have definitely died…’

Reiana, unaware of the variable named Ascan, could not comprehend it.

But she was not alarmed. Even if Tanashia were alive, Reiana did not believe any harm would come to her.

“If the body hasn’t been found yet, we don’t know whether she’s alive or dead. Regardless, shouldn’t Lady Brellof bear responsibility for turning the Lazent Empire into such a mess?”

“Of course. Someone must take responsibility for this incident. The citizens are even protesting in front of the imperial palace now—anyone singled out won’t escape unscathed.”

Reiana suppressed a laugh inwardly.

Even if Tanashia were alive, escaping this predicament would be difficult.

The thought of enjoying such a spectacle already thrilled her.

David spoke with a meaningful expression.

“In fact, we must deliberately ensure Lady Brellof, who supports Prince Dekain, takes the blame.”

Reiana sought revenge; David sought to place Crown Prince Shusain on the throne—they both intended to destroy Tanashia.

Though their reasons differed, their ultimate goal was identical.

As if struck by a brilliant idea, Reiana spoke up.

“Darling, then why not escalate the incident further? Even if Lady Brellof is alive, she won’t be able to set foot in the Lazent Empire.”

“Good idea. Then Prince Dekain will naturally find himself in trouble too.”

The two, sharing the same intent, exchanged cunning smiles.

David continued in an excited tone.

“Tomorrow, I’ll contact the newspapers and insist they feature this incident as the main headline. We must explicitly state it happened because of Lady Brellof.”

“Excellent idea, darling. Then I’ll spread rumors in high society—that this incident occurred because of Lady Brellof.”

David nodded approvingly. He took Reiana’s hand and said in a suggestive voice,

“I really think I married well. Once this matter concludes successfully and His Highness the Crown Prince ascends the throne, we’ll have nothing left to worry about.”

Reiana liked everything David possessed—except for the man himself.

This marriage had been chosen solely for the title of Marchioness. Though she felt nothing for the older man, Reiana forced a happy smile.

“Yes. Let’s wrap this up properly. I’ll do my absolute best to help.”

While holding David’s hand, Reiana smiled deeply, thinking of her handsome secret lover hidden within the Dante estate.

At that moment.

A visitor arrived at the Empress Dowager’s Palace, where Kysandra resided. It was none other than Dekain.

“Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, shall I admit the Prince?”

At the head maid’s question, Kysandra pressed her temples as if suffering a headache.

Until now, the plan had been to make Dekain emperor—to repay him for the humiliations he had endured. But the situation had grown ominous.

If things continued this way, Crown Prince Shusain would inherit the throne, and even as Empress Dowager, Kysandra would inevitably suffer consequences.

‘Should I withdraw now…?’

She had prepared for the worst—drafting a contract with Dekain in advance. It clearly stated:

By shifting all responsibility to Dekain and withdrawing now, Kysandra could minimize her losses.

This decision wasn’t merely for her personal safety. She could not allow her natal family, the Beauna Dukedom, to suffer—hence, decisive action was necessary.

Kysandra spoke in a low voice.

“…Admit them for now.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Though Kysandra’s heart had already turned toward abandoning Dekain, she still needed to meet him face to face and speak—at least once.

As Kysandra stared toward the door with complex emotions, Dekain soon entered.

“I pay my respects to Grandmother.”

Dekain bowed respectfully.

Unexpectedly, Dekain was not alone. Behind him followed two masked figures, a man and a woman.

Their faces were entirely concealed, but judging by their builds, one was clearly female, the other male.

Kysandra had seen these masks before—at the previous imperial banquet. They were the same masks worn by the woman introduced as Tanashia’s agent.

“I pay my respects to Your Majesty the Empress Dowager.”

“We greet Your Majesty the Empress Dowager.”

The masked pair bowed to Kysandra.

Kysandra looked at them curiously.

“These masks look familiar—were you the ones at the last imperial banquet?”

The masked woman answered.

“Yes, Your Majesty. I have urgent matters to discuss and came in person.”

Kysandra, whose mood had been unsettled lately, frowned slightly. She had intended to speak seriously with Dekain, and others’ presence would interfere.

“I only permitted the Prince’s entry. I’m in no state to receive others.”

At Kysandra’s words, nearby maids approached—to escort the masked pair out of the palace.

But the masked woman showed no panic, as if anticipating this.

Quietly, she removed the mask from her head. Her hidden black hair cascaded down, swaying onto her shoulders.

Kysandra, seated directly in front, could see the woman’s face—but the maids approaching from the side could not clearly see it.

The masked man beside her skillfully blocked their view at just the right moment, diverting everyone’s attention.

“Your Majesty, do you recognize me? I wish to speak with you privately.”

Upon seeing the masked woman’s face, Kysandra was startled.

The woman—with pale skin, black hair, and piercing blue eyes—was none other than Tanashia.

Though the Calua Empire and Reiana knew she had been disguised as an agent, this fact had not yet been publicly confirmed within the Lazent Empire.

Hence, she had donned the mask once more to conceal her identity upon entering the palace.

Though Kysandra had never met Tanashia face to face, she recognized her instantly—the continent’s greatest arms merchant was too famous not to know.

Kysandra raised her hand, halting the approaching maids.

“Everyone, leave.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

At Kysandra’s command, all nearby maids swiftly exited.

The room fell silent. Without even checking, she knew no one remained within a certain radius.

The masked man, Ascan, also revealed his face. Kysandra’s eyes widened again at his sculpted, handsome features.

The former Imperial Guard Commander of the Calua Empire was well known—he was the man who had elevated Helsion to emperor.

Moreover, the Lazent Empire, hostile toward the Calua Empire, closely monitored its internal affairs—and thus knew better than anyone the merits Ascan had earned.

Though his face hadn’t circulated in photographs like Tanashia’s, Kysandra had seen covertly distributed portraits and instantly recognized him.

Rumors claimed Ascan had abducted Tanashia, so their joint appearance here seemed perfectly natural.

Kysandra gazed seriously at the two and spoke.

“If I’m not mistaken, you are Lady Brellof and the former Imperial Guard Commander of the Calua Empire. Surely, you were also the one who attended the imperial banquet?”

“Yes, it was me. Since the Calua Empire had placed a bounty on my head, I had no choice but to conceal my identity and attend.”

Even after Tanashia’s answer, Kysandra still looked puzzled.

“Why?”

“To place Prince Dekain on the throne.”

At this, Dekain, standing beside her, smiled silently.

Kysandra knew Tanashia and Dekain were long-time friends—she had investigated every detail before deciding to back him for emperor.

But mere friendship couldn’t explain such extreme involvement.

Even without words, Kysandra sensed some kind of deal between Tanashia and Dekain.

“I’m curious—what promise did our grandson make that compels Lady Brellof to go to such lengths?”

Despite the awkward question, Tanashia remained composed. She smiled gently and replied calmly.

“If Your Majesty is curious, I have no objection to telling you—but isn’t that currently secondary?”

Impressed by Tanashia’s magnanimous demeanor, Kysandra’s curiosity stirred.

She had liked her since their first meeting at the banquet—even offering her a position under her command.

Kysandra prompted her to continue.

“Very well. I’ll hear Lady Brellof’s proposal. Why have you come all this way?”

“I need Your Majesty the Empress Dowager’s assistance to place Prince Dekain on the throne.”

Kysandra had been on the verge of abandoning Dekain. She couldn’t understand why help was needed when his prospects seemed hopeless.

“I’ll decline idle fantasies. Let me be clear—I’m speaking with Lady Brellof, whom everyone is searching for, only because I sense a possibility. Do you have a concrete plan?”

“Indeed.”

Tanashia answered confidently. She walked toward where Kysandra sat and handed over the evidence she had brought.

“If you examine these, you’ll see proof that Marchioness Dante leaked my information to the Calua Empire.”

“What? Marchioness Dante?”

Kysandra repeated in surprise.

She couldn’t fathom why Reiana—who seemingly lacked nothing—would betray Tanashia.

She first examined the documents Tanashia presented. Among them was an official order from Reiana urging approval for the assassins’ ship entering Lazent territory.

There was more—a witness statement from an informant reporting Tanashia’s every move to Reiana, including surveillance of her lodging.

That informant was one of Reiana’s agents, captured by Ascan near the lodging. Extracting a confession from him had been child’s play for former Imperial Guards.

With all irrefutable evidence assembled, Kysandra now understood Reiana’s actions.

But she still didn’t grasp what Tanashia intended to do with it.

Kysandra looked at Tanashia with a puzzled expression.

“This confuses me even more. You’ve gathered all this evidence—why do you still need my help? More importantly, how does this place Prince Dekain on the throne?”

Tanashia smiled meaningfully and replied.

“Have you ever heard the saying? ‘Hang it on your ear, it’s an earring; hang it on your nose, it’s a nose ring.’”

“What do you mean…?”

“It’s true the Calua Empire’s assassins came for me—but it was Marchioness Dante who authorized their entry and leaked my information.”

“Judging by the evidence, I understand that much.”

“Think about it, Your Majesty. If anyone knew my true identity, wouldn’t they report it first to the Lazent Imperial Court? Why sell me out to the Calua Empire, with whom we’ve harbored longstanding enmity? Surely the wealthy Dante family wouldn’t be tempted by a mere bounty.”

Listening to Tanashia, Kysandra realized something felt off.

Initially, she’d assumed Reiana simply knew Tanashia’s identity and betrayed her—but the more she heard, the more uneasy it felt.

It stemmed from the deep-seated animosity between the Calua and Lazent Empires.

Any matter should be resolved internally—inviting external forces was unforgivable, especially from the Calua Empire.

Sensing Kysandra’s thoughts, Tanashia lowered her voice and whispered,

“Do you see now? The one who will be blamed for this incident isn’t me—it’s Marchioness Dante.”

The Dante family led the Emperor’s faction. Reiana’s misdeed was the Dante family’s misdeed—and this was no trivial matter to overlook.

Only then did Kysandra realize something. She stared at Tanashia with astonished eyes.

Tanashia softly closed her eyes and said,

“This isn’t about my downfall or Prince Dekain’s. Rather, it’s an opportunity to topple the Emperor’s faction and the Dante family. For that, I need just a little help from Your Majesty the Empress Dowager.”