TCDSS 04

Chapter 04

With his black hair fluttering in the wind, it was Kyler who stepped down from the large dark-gray carriage, dressed in a knight’s formal uniform. The outfit—matching the carriage in its deep gray and dark blue tones—added even more weight to his cold expression.

“D-Duke Kyler…”

Servants and nobles passing by lowered their heads as Kyler strode toward the grand main gate of the Emperor’s palace, the largest and most magnificent within the imperial grounds.

Those who spotted him would freeze momentarily under the pressure he exuded, then hurriedly greet him before watching his retreating figure with reverent eyes.

As he drew closer to the palace, more maids came into view, along with two young noble ladies being guided along. At the sight of him, they were startled, quickly bending their knees in greeting. Once he passed, they erupted into restrained squeals, unable to contain their excitement.

Even the maids beside them, who dared not show it openly, couldn’t take their eyes off him.

Ignoring all of it—the attention, the whispers, the internal commotion—Kyler continued forward without a single pause.

He had come to seek an audience with the Emperor, and his steps moved solely toward that purpose.

As he stepped onto the short bridge before the Emperor’s palace, he noticed another group halt on the opposite side.

At their head stood a woman in a luxurious purple dress. With enchanting blonde hair and striking red lips, she was dazzling—noble and radiant.

She was not someone Kyler could simply ignore. He stopped and gave a slight bow.

“I greet Her Majesty the Empress.”

But from the other side, there was no reply.

Kyler remained still, head lowered, waiting quietly. The Empress looked at him briefly—then suddenly her expression twisted into one of displeasure, almost anger. Without a word, she crossed the bridge and passed him.

The maids who had been anxiously watching the two hurriedly bowed to Kyler before rushing after the Empress.

Unbothered by her reaction, Kyler lifted his unwavering blue eyes and entered the Emperor’s palace.

No one dared to stop him.

His unimpeded steps carried him into the audience chamber near the main hall, where the Emperor awaited him.

Shiny brown hair and green eyes—his handsome face broke into a smooth smile as Kyler entered.

“I greet Your Majesty.”

At Kyler’s formal greeting, the Emperor waved it off casually and gestured toward the sofa in front of him.

“Did you run into the Empress on your way here?”

At the teasing tone, Kyler let out a quiet sigh before taking his seat.

“I’d prefer no jokes today, Your Majesty.”

His low voice resonated through the chamber—pleasant to hear, yet carrying a chilling undertone.

Hearing it, the Emperor, Lidian, smiled even wider.

“Heh, shall we make a bet? Whether the Empress will stay quiet after finally seeing you—or glare at me for provoking her?”

Kyler simply looked at him in silence.

“You didn’t summon me just to show me to Her Majesty, I assume.”

“Why not?”

Despite his bright smile, Lidian’s eyes held no warmth as he picked up a scone from the tea table prepared by the maids.

Because of the Empress, Kyler had ended up in an unexpected marriage—but he himself did not mind much. It was a marriage he would have had someday anyway, and he had chosen the bride himself.

“It’s been over ten days since your wedding, hasn’t it? How is it?”

The Emperor’s eyes gleamed with curiosity.

“Nothing special…”

His sentence was complete—yet trailed off slightly.

Because one thing had changed.

“I heard you’ve been returning home every three days despite your busy schedule. I had high expectations…”

Disappointment showed plainly on Lidian’s face, making him seem more like an actor than a ruler.

Kyler didn’t respond.

For someone like him—who constantly roamed the empire dealing with threats—there had been times he hadn’t returned home for a month.

Yet even after leaving the day after the wedding due to disturbances in the west, he had still returned three times in ten days.

That alone was a significant change.

“There are countless noble ladies in the empire. Even without my command, many would have gladly devoted their lives to you.”

Kyler slightly raised a brow, showing mild displeasure.

To Lidian, that reaction was amusing.

When Kyler had announced his marriage, it had been just as unexpected.

Everyone had assumed he would choose Lady Elina, famed for her beauty—but instead, he named the unfamiliar Sasha.

Despite his cold and emotionless nature, Kyler’s looks and manners had made him the object of admiration for many noble ladies.

And yet—

That admiration had ultimately become a poison.

Because he had received the love of someone he never should have.

“That aside… since you chose her.”

Lidian leaned back, then added casually,

“I’m sorry for keeping you busy when you should be spending time at home. But we need to deal with the west properly this time.”

Kyler’s brows furrowed slightly.

“Do I… need to stay home?”

Despite his striking appearance, he had grown up without understanding emotions or desires—no one had ever taught him.

Seeing that faint sign of curiosity, Lidian leaned forward with interest.

“Of course. She left the home she lived in for twenty years and now lives alone in your massive estate. How do you think your wife feels?”

Kyler listened—but clearly failed to grasp it fully.

Lidian clicked his tongue, then smirked.

“Well, when else would I get the chance to teach you something like this?”

“You seem to be enjoying my marriage.”

Lidian didn’t deny it.

Kyler, once the top choice of all noble ladies, was now married—many would finally abandon their foolish hopes.

And perhaps… the one who shouldn’t love him would also give up.

“Keep watching the west. I still can’t act on my desire to wipe it out entirely.”

The calm way Lidian spoke such a terrifying wish made his smile unsettling.

“I am monitoring it. There are signs of movement from the Medillan duchy as well.”

At that, Lidian’s expression hardened.

“That side… still hasn’t stopped? Even with the Empress here?”

The Medillan duchy was the Empress Midiena’s family.

Once an independent state, it had been absorbed into the empire—not long ago.

“Her being sent here… must have had a purpose.”

Kyler spoke indifferently.

Everyone had their own purpose.

Sending a young Midiena far away under the guise of diplomacy.

Accepting her as Empress while knowing the truth.

And even Midiena herself, becoming Empress while loving another.

Just as Kyler had his own reason—

For taking the hand Sasha had once extended to him.

At first, it had been simple curiosity… her loneliness catching his eye.

But on the wedding day—

Her gaze had changed.

He didn’t know why, but it stirred something within him.

That was why he returned home every three days.

So that no one in the estate would look down on her.

So she wouldn’t relive her past life in her family home.

That had been the purpose behind taking her hand.

Lidian, who had seemed angry moments ago, suddenly relaxed and smiled again.

“You too. If not for those troublesome ears of yours, you could have lived a normal life instead of being tied to me and the empire.”

Kyler knew.

That Lidian, his only friend since childhood, genuinely cared for him.

That was why—even when ordered to marry quickly—he had been allowed to choose his bride.

As his thoughts drifted back to marriage, Kyler found himself thinking of the woman now alone in his estate.

“As long as the empire and Your Majesty do not betray me, I will not betray you. I do not obey like a dog—I serve as a duke, protecting you and the nation.”

Power meant the ability to protect what mattered.

He would never return to the days when he lost everything due to weakness.

Now… he had something new to protect.

His conversation with the Emperor was never long.

Even trivial matters were discussed briefly.

Yet Kyler always responded to his summons.

And because of those visits—

“Kyler…”

A woman came to know him.

Leaving the palace and crossing the bridge, he was nearly at the road where his carriage waited—

When a sorrowful voice called out to him.

It wasn’t a voice that could hold him back.

The purple hem of a dress flickered briefly in his vision—

But he continued straight toward the carriage.