Chapter – 10
Pushed back by the Duke of Berwen’s overwhelming presence, the Bahat soldiers and knights huddled together at the rear of the battlefield.
When they suddenly heard a voice, they looked forward and saw a madman wearing only a loose red robe.
Looking closer, they realized it was the Crown Prince—Kellian.
“I will reward whoever removes his helmet.”
They didn’t know why the Crown Prince was here, but they heard him clearly.
“Charge!”
“The Crown Prince is offering a reward!”
His reward was a chance to change their entire lives.
Hundreds of frightened soldiers and knights were swallowed by madness and rushed toward the Duke of Berwen.
Neigh!
The duke pulled his reins in shock and tried to step back, but seeing more soldiers behind him, he tightened his grip on his sword.
“You help too.”
Kellian’s experienced knights rushed forward.
They blocked the Berwen knights who tried to help their duke, holding them back one by one.
Watching the duke fight hundreds alone, Kellian clicked his tongue.
“He could just cut them all down with aura. Foolish.”
Then—
Clang!
At last, the tip of a soldier’s spear knocked the duke’s helmet off.
Kellian’s eyes widened.
“…Ah.”
What was revealed was—
Ash-gray hair shining beneath beautiful silver aura.
Bright drops of blood flew into the air, ran down the duke’s pale cheek, and gathered on his sculpted lips.
Drip.
The blood fell from his red lips and flowed down his white neck.
A beautiful knight, holy-looking, stained with red blood.
Aura blooming smoothly as it moved with his sword.
Everything about it was unbearably beautiful.
“Your Highness.”
Kellian’s eyes turned red.
Not bloodshot—his black pupils were literally dyed crimson.
He slowly blinked his red eyes.
“I’ve never wanted something this badly before…”
His gaze held only the duke on the battlefield.
“I must have him.”
After returning from the battlefield, I had to stretch my neck muscles several times.
“Why did they keep hitting my head?”
Usually, people were too scared to even approach.
I was a little flustered when my helmet came off. Since I was originally a woman, even with dark magic disguise my features were delicate, so I always wore a helmet.
“Report.”
“Most of the Second Prince’s knights are injured and unable to fight. With the squad leaders gone, their forces have effectively collapsed.”
Hearing that, I finally felt at ease.
Then—
“Where is the Count of Hessen?”
“He is inside the castle.”
It was time to be angry.
At the top of the castle tower, the Hessen family flag waved mockingly.
After using my knights and sending civilians—who had never held swords—to their deaths?
Trash.
“We’re going to the count’s castle. Everyone, follow me.”
I took a deep breath and hardened my expression.
I am Lewin de Berwen.
For five years, Rosaline trained me under the excuse of “obsessive tyrant lessons.”
Threats, intimidation, pressure—
“I’m not bad at those.”
I never thought I’d need them, but here we are.
“Move.”
I tucked the helmet I’d picked up earlier under my arm.
With a frighteningly stiff face, I headed to the castle.
“Oh, you want to mess with me?”
When we arrived, all the Hessen knights who were nowhere to be seen on the battlefield were gathered there.
Most of them were guarding the count’s castle.
“Please, go in!”
They looked at my face, then at the Berwen knights behind me.
Frightened by the murderous atmosphere, they hurriedly opened the doors.
Clank, clank, clank—
The sound of plate armor echoed across the marble floor.
“Eek!”
The count’s family members held their breath and hid.
A duke soaked in blood, followed by dozens of knights.
Of course they were scared.
Bang!
I threw the helmet I was holding at the second-floor railing.
An orange-haired head quickly disappeared.
“I heard the direct family of Hessen all have orange hair.”
That must be the Count of Hessen.
“Do you know this, Count?”
I walked upstairs.
Inside the massive castle filled with past glory, only my footsteps echoed.
On the railing sat a short, fat man like a sausage.
Grease from his hair dripped down, wetting a large pimple on his forehead.
“There are too many thieves in the empire.”
I lowered my voice even more in front of him.
Rosaline said that was scarier.
“…Right?”
Just as I stepped closer to glare—
“Greetings to the Shield of the Empire, Duke of Berwen!”
A woman stepped out and knelt beside the count.
Her clothes looked like a servant’s, but when she lifted her face, I realized who she was.
“…So this is Demia.”
Long orange hair and a proud, beautiful face.
She was the reason I knew the Hessen family had orange hair.
“She’s the villain?”
Like Rosaline, a villain in the original story.
Rosaline was a minor villain. Demia was the main one.
But she looked gentle.
“My lord, I am Demia de Hessen, daughter of the former count.”
“….”
“It has only been one year since my father passed away. It’s true that the current lord is lacking, but—”
Demia tightly gripped her skirt.
“He did not act with bad intentions.”
I glared at the count, Deto, who peeked out shamelessly.
Using family as a shield.
“Please consider this.”
Seeing Demia bow deeply, I slightly relaxed my pressure.
“…I’ll deal with this later.”
Knights are weak in front of women.
That’s chivalry, after all.
I felt uncomfortable, sleepy, and wanted to lie down—but there was no time.
There wasn’t even time to scold the count.
I only wiped off the blood and reviewed the treaty proposal my aides handed me.
“A battle ending doesn’t mean the war is over.”
Not long after returning, Bahat sent notice of surrender.
They said Kellian captured the fleeing Second Prince and became responsible for negotiations.
“I’m tired. So tired.”
I looked around the guest room they gave me and relaxed my brow.
It was probably the best room, yet it felt empty.
Just a bed and a desk.
“They gambled away the family fortune.”
In just one year.
Later, Demia would become a social star alongside Rosaline.
I wondered how that was possible.
“No money—how did she buy dresses and jewelry?”
She must be very capable.
Objectively, she was impressive. Much more than the current count, Deto.
“What a waste.”
Not because she was a woman, but because talent should be used.
I shook my head and continued editing the treaty.
Then—
“Sister! What are you wearing? No wonder the duke looked displeased!”
Deto’s voice came through the thin wall.
His room was next door. Great. Annoying.
“I sold my dresses and jewelry to buy weapons.”
“Why do such useless things?”
“Then should I send civilians to war with bare hands?”
My pen stopped.
“Didn’t I say? If you don’t dedicate yourself to the family, I will give you nothing!”
Dedication.
Meaning: marry a powerful noble.
“That bastard. I should’ve crushed him harder earlier.”
After a long silence, Demia sighed deeply.
“…I’ll try.”
She had no choice.
If she spoke back, she could be thrown out with nothing.
Annoyed, I scratched harsh edits onto the treaty.
“If not the emperor, isn’t the duke the best groom? Even with a princess already…”
I stood up.
“Nope. I’m done.”
I had no right to interfere, but being angry was separate.
I needed to wash anyway.
A little later—
“Why is the young lady here?”
I blinked stupidly.
Demia was standing in my room.
“To assist with your bath…”
She held a towel, head lowered in humiliation.
Her clothes were thin enough to show skin.
Anyone could tell what it meant.
“Did the count order this?”
“…No.”
She clenched the towel.
A lie.
“It’s cold. Take this.”
I was only wearing a shirt, so I handed her a blanket.
“Duke!”
Instead of taking it, she knelt.
Not pitiful. Not broken.
Her face burned like fire.
“Please help me once.”
“…What?”
“You have power. Please help the Hessen family.”
She gripped the towel tightly.
“Innocent people are dying. I need someone like you to stop Deto.”
She threw away her last pride.
“I’ll be your mistress, anything—please!”
So this was why she became a villain.
The empire’s flower, secret lover to nobles,
Then dying miserably chasing the empress’s seat.
“Give me the towel.”
She thought I was rejecting her and handed it over in despair.
“You don’t understand! Someone born with everything never could!”
Her sharp cry stopped my steps.
Still, I turned the door handle.
“She’s right.”
I could never understand her life.
Just like she could never understand mine.
“Instead of empty comfort…”
Wouldn’t revenge be better?
I opened the door to Count Deto’s room.
