I was startled by Shusain’s unexpected, shocking statement.

He wanted to step down from the position of Crown Prince?

I knew from the novel that Shusain disliked becoming emperor. But I also understood his reluctance to give it up so easily.

It was an issue that couldn’t be forced, so I had been trying my best to remain emotionally detached.

Yet, for some reason, Shusain seemed to have already made up his mind. His eyes revealed firm determination.

“May I ask why you suddenly changed your mind?”

Partly out of genuine curiosity, but also because I needed to confirm whether he had some hidden agenda.

Unlike moments before, Shusain hesitated slightly as he spoke.

“It’s… not anything grand. I’m just not that extraordinary a person. As Crown Prince of the Lazent Empire, I simply wish to prevent civil war from breaking out.”

“Civil war?”

That caught me off guard.

As far as I knew, Shusain had a gentle, timid personality. In the novel, many mocked him for being unable to kill even a single insect.

Yet now, facing the possibility of civil war, he had summoned courage.

Perhaps my surprise showed on my face, because Shusain chuckled awkwardly and waved his hand.

“Of course, it’s not only for that reason. I thought of it as the last meaningful thing I could do for the people as Crown Prince. I’ve spent my entire life trying to meet others’ expectations. But recently, I realized that even without me, there are many who could easily take my place. So why must I bear such a heavy burden?”

It seemed Shusain had decided to live for himself. And as his final act as Crown Prince, he wished to prevent civil war.

I looked at him with a more serious expression and said,

“Though Duke Retanda and the Empress turned their backs first, Your Highness’s current decision will certainly carry its own consequences.”

Retanda and Laila had abandoned Shusain first. But if he voluntarily stepped down from the position of Crown Prince, then he too had made a choice equivalent to abandoning them.

Though his decision pleased me, knowing his pure-hearted nature, I found myself instinctively warning him.

Perhaps sensing my concern, Shusain smiled gently.

“I didn’t expect Lady Brellof to say such things. Though our meeting isn’t under ideal circumstances, I find you agreeable.”

“You flatter me.”

“Don’t worry. While waiting for you, I did a lot of thinking. Once you’ve tasted heaven, returning to hell becomes impossible.”

As he spoke, Shusain stroked the tricolored cat nestled in his arms.

He had been so attached to his pet dog Bibi that he’d visit its grave whenever distressed. And unintentionally, during his confinement, he spent dreamlike days caring for many pets.

It seemed the “heaven” he mentioned referred to that time.

“You seem to have enjoyed your time with the pets.”

At my words, Shusain nodded with a smiling face.

“I’ve spent my life learning only how to endure. But Duke Retanda and my mother are walking honestly, following their own desires. Perhaps now, I too will live as I wish.”

“Understood. From now on, live exactly as you desire. Life comes only once.”

Having experienced death once myself, I could say this with full confidence—don’t make choices you’ll regret when you close your eyes.

I sincerely supported Shusain’s decision.

With a noticeably more relaxed expression, he said,

“Do I just need to stamp my seal on the document you showed me last time? Honestly, anyone else could do it too.”

“Though no one can tell from the document who stamped it, since Your Highness has agreed, doing it personally will carry more meaning.”

I turned toward Zen behind me and spoke again.

“Zen, bring me the Crown Prince’s seal and the documents I prepared.”

Zen, who had been silently observing the situation until now, bowed without protest.

“Yes, Miss.”

In truth, since Retanda and Laila had already named a new imperial candidate, Shusain’s presence had grown faint.

So much so that even Kisantra, who had earlier loudly demanded Shusain’s elimination, now focused solely on resolving the troops encircling the capital.

But Shusain voluntarily stepping down from the Crown Prince’s position carried unique significance.

Because it could dismantle the justification Retanda had put forward.

[An unruly faction murdered His Highness the Crown Prince and seeks to manipulate the Lazent Empire. We shall punish these traitors and set an example.]

Retanda likely assumed Shusain was already dead. Even if alive, he surely never dreamed Shusain would voluntarily relinquish the throne.

Fortunately, thanks to Shusain’s resolve, the civil war I’d anticipated becoming prolonged might conclude far sooner than expected.

That was exceptionally good news for me, who wished to prevent the Lazent Empire’s weakening—only then could we check the Kalua Empire.

‘If things go well, everything will proceed smoothly.’

I headed to the imperial palace carrying the abdication document Shusain had approved.

I also immediately dispatched someone to inform Ascan of the current situation. Dekain and Kisantra had already heard the news and came to greet me at the palace gates.

Since this was a crucial discussion, Dekain, Kisantra, and I entered the nearest reception chamber.

The moment she arrived, Kisantra dismissed everyone nearby and urgently spoke.

“Lady Brellof, did the Crown Prince truly say he wishes to step down voluntarily?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. It was His Highness the Crown Prince himself who personally stamped the document.”

“I cannot comprehend it. Even if he lacks ambition, to willingly relinquish the imperial throne with his own hands…”

“His Highness desired something more than the imperial throne.”

Even after my explanation, Kisantra’s expression remained unconvinced. No matter how she thought about it, Shusain’s choice made no sense to her.

Dekain, concealing his excitement, interjected as calmly as possible.

“Whatever the reason, the Crown Prince’s decision now holds great significance. We can now refute the Duke’s justification.”

Shusain stepping down was undoubtedly tremendous good news. But Kisantra spoke worriedly.

“Even so, we cannot afford complacency. The Duke has mobilized military forces—he may attempt to seize the capital by force in the worst-case scenario.”

If they used violence to eliminate all imperial heirs, Retanda could ultimately enthrone whomever he desired as emperor.

Massive backlash was certain, but since it wasn’t impossible, we had to prepare.

“Your Majesty the Empress Dowager is correct. But since His Highness stepped down voluntarily, the Duke won’t be able to hold out for long.”

Retanda had lost his justification. The longer he delayed, the more inevitably he’d have to withdraw his troops.

The key was enduring until then. But I wasn’t overly worried.

We had Ascan—the strongest character in the entire world setting.

Dekain and Kisantra also knew Ascan was operating covertly.

Kisantra asked first, clearly curious.

“Where is the Captain of the Royal Guard? Have you heard anything from him?”

The Lazent Empire had many troops it could mobilize. But Retanda, having long served within the imperial household, maintained close ties with the upper echelons.

Since we couldn’t discern who was truly ally or enemy, recklessly moving troops was difficult. Hence, Ascan’s role became even more critical.

Had Ascan not intervened, the capital might have swiftly fallen to Retanda’s ducal forces.

I slightly shook my head.

“I haven’t heard anything either.”

Since Ascan hadn’t spoken first, I hadn’t pressed him. I trusted every action he took that much.

Kisantra replied regretfully.

“I see. At this moment, the Captain of the Royal Guard’s actions are crucial…”

At that moment—

Knock knock. An urgent knock sounded, followed by a voice from outside.

“Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, urgent news!”

“Enter at once.”

At Kisantra’s permission, a maid hurriedly rushed into the reception chamber and spoke with flushed excitement.

“The pirate fleet Therion has plundered the duchy’s supply ships. As a result, the soldiers surrounding the capital have lost their provisions.”

This was good news for us. My, Dekain’s, and Kisantra’s faces all brightened.

That the duchy’s food supply was cut off at such a perfectly timed moment couldn’t be mere coincidence.

Naturally, one person’s face came to mind.

Ascan.

I didn’t know how he’d drawn in the pirate fleet Therion, but it was clearly his doing.

Reiana and David were also with the duchy’s soldiers.

Since most of the imperial faction sided with Retanda, David, as their leader, naturally couldn’t be absent. But his position had changed significantly from before.

Crash!

Reiana, annoyed, grabbed her served meal and threw it down.

“Who thought anyone would eat this garbage!”

She shouted, but no one entered the barracks.

This wasn’t the Dante Marquis residence. In a military camp on the brink of civil war, no one catered to Reiana’s finicky tastes.

Especially now, since it was publicly revealed she’d sold information to the Kalua Empire.

With no one paying her attention, Reiana approached her husband David and began venting her complaints.

“Darling, the food here is inedible, and the sleeping arrangements are uncomfortable…”

“Madam, we have no choice but to endure for now. However uncomfortable, we must hold out until the new Emperor ascends.”

“I can’t endure this any longer!”

This wasn’t the life Reiana had yearned for.

She’d rejoiced at becoming the Marquise of Dante, living the dream life she’d always wanted—until recently, when her betrayal of Tanashia to the Kalua Empire was exposed, changing everything.

Of course, the greatest catalyst was Emperor Petro’s death.

The sudden imperial succession struggle drastically shifted the political landscape, and real power within the imperial faction now rested not with David, but with Retanda.

Under normal circumstances, David would have seized control—but Reiana’s actions had severely undermined him.

To make matters worse, Retanda refused to forgive what Reiana had done. Though he didn’t openly punish David—since David remained head of the imperial faction—their treatment of him had clearly changed.

Neither the perceptive David nor Reiana could have missed this.

Hence, Reiana found this situation unbearably frustrating.

“Darling, don’t just tell me to endure—do something about it!”

“Enough! Whose fault is it that things have come to this? If you’d only consulted me before betraying us to the Kalua Empire, none of this would have happened!”

“I didn’t expect people to condemn me so harshly for such a small thing. The Lazent Empire’s nobles are too strange.”

Reiana, born and raised in the Arwen Empire, couldn’t possibly understand the Lazent Empire’s deep-seated sentiments.

David flushed red with anger and snapped back.

“How dare you say that when you’re the one who did wrong? Do you have any idea how embarrassing this is for me? The Duke won’t even grant me an audience!”

“I’m saying this because I know!”

“If you ‘know,’ why keep whining? What do you expect me to do? You’ve changed. You weren’t like this when we first met.”

David’s words slowly ignited Reiana’s anger.

But picking a fight with him in this situation wouldn’t help, so she summoned every ounce of self-control to suppress her temper.

“Darling, I’m frustrated—that’s why I’m like this. If I spoke too harshly, I apologize.”

If listened to closely, Reiana’s voice trembled slightly. Forced to say things she didn’t mean, her discomfort showed.

But David, too emotionally agitated, failed to notice. He sighed softly and spoke.

“Fine. Let’s each take some time alone.”

Reiana, having even apologized yet still being pushed away, felt irritated. But fearing she’d reveal her true self if she stayed, she obediently withdrew.

“Fine, rest then.”

She was suppressing it as much as possible, but Reiana was like a bomb about to explode.

Her position as Marquise of Dante was wavering, and her relationship with David was no longer what it once was.

Truthfully, if David lost power, she had no reason to remain by his side. It was absurd that he still acted arrogantly as if nothing had changed.

‘Fine. I’ll endure—for now. Just rebuild the Dante family. If not…’

She had no intention of propping up a worthless husband. The moment David’s value dropped, he would see Reiana’s true face.

As Reiana walked, grinding her teeth, she overheard nearby soldiers chatting loudly.

“Heard the rumor? His Highness the Crown Prince wasn’t murdered—he stepped down voluntarily.”

“What? That can’t be true! Then why did we even march out?”

“Hey, forget that—for now, the bigger issue is that the supply ships were plundered by pirates. We might starve soon.”

Reiana’s expression hardened. The conversation she’d accidentally overheard was anything but ordinary.

Whether true or false, the mere circulation of such rumors among soldiers would have tremendous impact.

Reiana’s eyes gleamed with venom as she murmured softly.

“Just in case, I’d better prepare my own escape route.”

She had no intention of staying aboard a sinking ship—whether that ship was the Lazent Empire or David.

When someone’s usefulness faded, it was time to cut ties.