Chapter 18
Even so, making excuses like that felt like self-brainwashing—to justify his own actions.
This time, it was also out of consideration for this fearless duke.
“Pretend you didn’t see Sienna. That’s the last advice I can give you. My father will never let that child go, and even if he does, my mother certainly won’t leave her alone.”
Leaving the palace through marriage would only draw more attention. The Empress’s obsession with Sienna went far beyond what anyone could imagine.
She would torment her for life, no matter how far away she went from the imperial palace.
“Even I get questioned every day about how I bullied Sienna.”
Thinking of his mother, Julius trembled.
But even that sincere warning sounded ridiculous to Percy.
Percy exhaled cigarette smoke and replied,
“Such an insolent piece of advice.”
Julius’s face twisted with humiliation and anger at Percy’s dismissive response. He clenched his fists tightly.
“You don’t understand. You don’t know how obsessive my father is, or how terrifying my mother is.”
Percy’s crimson eyes stared at him. He snapped his fingers.
The half-burnt cigarette instantly turned into black ash and scattered into the air.
Then he spoke coldly,
“I’ll handle things. You just stand behind and clap.”
At those firm words, Julius’s eyes shook.
After standing blankly for a moment, he grabbed Percy’s clothes.
“If you’re serious, I can help you.”
Percy brushed his hand away as if it were something dirty and answered coldly,
“I don’t need the Crown Prince’s help for marrying Princess Sienna.”
“No, I know what you want.”
Julius’s eyes gleamed strangely—almost like a madman’s.
“The division of the empire. The independence of the allied nations. I’m saying I’ll help you with that.”
Hearing that, Percy smiled.
His instincts were right. Ever since meeting Sienna, his life had become full of interesting things.
* * *
Everyone has trauma.
Julius Julatan also had one.
A hanging corpse.
Long, pale arms dangling lifelessly.
“The prince has committed suicide!”
“Call the imperial physician!”
“Cut the rope!”
When Julius went to see his younger brother—
he found his brother’s body hanging.
Later, it was announced as suicide.
But Julius knew the truth.
His brother did not kill himself.
He was murdered.
By their father.
“Julius.”
That madman pointed at him with thick fingers and laughed.
“You’re next.”
Now those fingers had grown thin like branches, and Julius had become a strong adult—
but he was still afraid of his father.
* * *
Thanks to Percy taking Julius away, I was finally able to enjoy my breakfast in peace.
While I ate, the system kept sending messages:
※ A villainess does not eat her fill.
※ A villainess does not eat heartily.
I coolly ignored them.
‘What nonsense. Koreans live on food power.’
You can endure anything—but not starvation. And this was my first proper meal since possessing this body.
‘Ah… that was good.’
After eating, a thought came to mind.
‘People who give food are good people. Percy Stewart is a good person.’
It was a strange talent—to feel both suspicion and liking toward someone at the same time.
※ It must be nice living so simply.
Maybe because I ignored it, the system started picking fights openly.
I ignored it again.
Now that I was full, I got sleepy.
‘Ah… I shouldn’t be sleeping like this…’
But I still lay down on the bed and fell fast asleep like a zombie.
When I woke up again, the sun was already high.
Fortunately, I hadn’t slept too long.
‘At this rate, I’ll turn into a snail.’
Neither Julius nor Percy was around.
I got up and slipped into my soft slippers.
‘Let’s take a walk. It’ll clear my head.’
Just as I opened the door—
someone unexpected was standing there.
It was Gerard, the Emperor’s chamberlain.
“…?”
For a moment, I thought I had been dragged back to the imperial palace.
But this place was unfamiliar.
‘This isn’t the palace.’
The Emperor’s chamberlain—standing here.
It was obvious who he came for.
I looked at him cautiously.
He spoke stiffly,
“The Emperor commands that you return to the palace.”
As expected.
‘He sent the chamberlain for this?’
There was only one thing this meant—
the Emperor’s obsession with Sienna.
‘This is unsettling.’
It felt like being inside a horror game.
‘Who would’ve thought the villainess had such a dark background…’
This wasn’t the tone of Victorian Love at all.
It was supposed to be bright and romantic.
Gerard stepped closer, almost blocking my path.
“Follow the imperial command immediately.”
That casual closeness made me tense.
I pushed his chest lightly.
Then a dialogue option appeared:
▶ My palace is under repair—where exactly am I supposed to go?
Gerard answered,
“If your palace is not ready, His Majesty has graciously permitted you to stay in his own palace.”
‘Ugh.’
That was the worst thing I had heard so far.
‘If I stay there… I’ll go insane too.’
Running away wasn’t an option.
Gerard hadn’t come alone—four more attendants stood behind him.
‘There are probably even more.’
This was clearly a show of force.
‘Is my situation really worth this much effort?’
The Emperor’s obsession was terrifying.
‘Just having a father like that could turn anyone into the greatest villain.’
Another choice appeared:
▶ Thank the Duke and leave.
▶ Return to the palace with the Crown Prince.
I chose the first one.
At least I should say thank you before leaving.
Just as I glared at Gerard—
his expression twisted.
“Daring to lift your chin like that?”
“?!”
‘What now?!’
My heart pounded.
Thankfully, Sienna’s face stayed calm.
Gerard sneered.
“Your manners have worsened, Princess Sienna. Her Majesty the Empress would be very disappointed.”
“You must be re-educated.”
Ah. There it was again.
‘The kind of person who forces Sienna to become a villain just to survive.’
Was this the Emperor’s influence—or the Empress’s?
Either way—
‘Enemies everywhere.’
I pressed my temples.
‘Where do these crazy people keep coming from?’
I had met the perfect “human insecticide” recently—
Percy.
‘Where is he when I actually need him?’
But he wasn’t here.
And honestly—
‘I don’t even know if he would help or just watch for fun.’
Meanwhile, Gerard kept talking coldly,
“There’s no need to trouble Her Majesty. Today, I will personally correct your behavior, Princess.”
