chapter 3
“So… I apologize for asking, but could you tell me why you wish to establish an orphanage?”
“What?”
“According to the family’s financial regulations, any expenditure above a certain amount must be recorded. Just like the large-scale investment in Montella last time.”
Since he brought up the financial rules personally established by my father, I couldn’t brush it off with “How dare you ask me that?”
With the inheritance dispute still ongoing, there was no need to leave behind records that could become a weakness.
Besides, Heros was a fairly trustworthy butler—someone the previous Katrin had never hesitated to reveal her darkest thoughts to.
“That’s….”
My lips parted slightly.
The reason I wanted to establish an orphanage—there was only one.
“You’re asking because you don’t know?”
“Pardon?”
Looking at Heros, I covered my face with both hands, my eyes gleaming wickedly.
“At first, I’ll pretend it’s for charity, then later use it as a tax evasion front. It’ll all become my slush fund in the end.”
Yes, the real reason I wanted to build an orphanage was…
To create a warm, free meal center for my Eti and his companions.
The revolution was still months away, and they had invested so heavily in military power that they couldn’t even afford proper meals.
I had urgently pulled out 50,000 den to support them, but with so many people depending on it, that money would run out quickly—just moving somewhere decent and buying warm clothes would consume it all.
‘Koreans run on food, you know!’
As someone from a culture where “Let’s grab a meal sometime” is practically a greeting, I absolutely could not stand seeing my favorite starve.
How many times had I cursed the author while reading Star of the Revolution, watching Etius train on an empty stomach?
Even if you’re going to put him through hell, shouldn’t you at least feed him first?!
But of course, I had to phrase it differently.
“Of course, record it appropriately. Say it’s an investment for the reputation of the Elemore ducal house.”
“As expected… that must be it.”
Taking my words at face value—perfectly fitting Katrin Elemore’s villainous persona—Heros nodded easily.
His smile relaxed, as if this strange act of establishing an orphanage was nothing unusual.
“Understood. Then I will deliver the letter to the High Priest immediately.”
After Heros left the room, I let out a small sigh.
Supporting someone secretly really does require a lot of careful attention.
The strategist of the revolutionary army opened the door to their newly secured base—also the lord’s residence—with a bright smile and guided his lord, Etius, inside.
Karon Pernar. The son of Baron Pernar, who had once served the late emperor. After the current emperor’s ascension, his family fell into ruin, and he joined Etius’s revolutionary army.
“This place is well insulated from drafts. And since it’s in the city, accessibility is excellent—you’ll be able to travel to and from the administrative office with ease, Your Highness.”
Without the mysterious benefactor’s donation of 50,000 den, this comfortable base would have been unimaginable.
“Many soldiers suffered frostbite at the previous base, but now we can properly care for them. It’s reduced our losses significantly… though we’ve nearly spent all the funds.”
As soon as he stepped inside and felt the warm air, Etius paused.
That anonymous benefactor who had suddenly thrown a sack of money and disappeared.
They even left notes that perfectly anticipated what he needed most at the time.
This time—it was a base.
“…Well done.”
Etius was not someone who left debts unpaid.
He repaid everything—thoroughly.
Once the revolution succeeded, he would find them no matter what.
After a moment of thought, his cold gaze lowered slightly as he spoke.
“Is the traitor in the basement?”
“Yes, he is. We’ve secured him.”
Soon after, Etius and Karon descended into the underground prison within the building.
The prisoner, dressed in fine clothes, trembled as he looked at Etius.
Beyond the bars stood his radiant lord, with black hair and blue eyes.
The man gasped and collapsed to his knees.
“You know the fate of traitors, don’t you?”
Luxury, pleasure, fine clothes, and swords—everything he had gained by selling out his comrades.
He would never enjoy them again.
Regret came too late.
“…Y-Your Highness… sob…”
The man prostrated himself before Etius.
Staring down at him coldly, Etius asked,
“Who did you sell to?”
The man’s shoulders flinched.
“The list of the revolutionary army.”
Since he was going to die anyway, there was no point in hiding it anymore.
Through tear-filled eyes, he confessed.
“I sold it… to Duke Elemore… the late Duke Elemore… sob…”
His clenched fists trembled violently.
The Elemore ducal house—the very peak of the emperor’s faction, which saw Etius as a threat.
“…It’s probably… now in the hands of Lady Katrin Elemore…”
The Poison Rose of Elemore.
A woman said to be as beautiful as her mother but as vicious as her father.
She had inherited everything.
Perhaps even the confidential documents the duke once kept.
“….”
Etius’s brow twitched slightly.
A name he hadn’t heard in a long time.
“…Katrin… Elemore…”
His lips moved faintly, a cold voice slipping out.
Moments later, with his face shadowed, Etius slowly turned away.
“Kill him.”
As he left, Karon and the others stepped forward.
While the sound of the traitor’s death echoed behind him, Etius’s blue eyes gleamed sharply.
“N-No…!”
Gasping for breath, I woke from a nightmare.
Morning sunlight streamed through silk curtains into the vast, luxurious bedroom.
A dream… it was just a dream.
But it didn’t feel like relief—because that dream was real past events.
The atrocities Katrin had committed… just remembering them was painful.
—“Would you like to date me and enjoy some benefits, or live forever as a useless puppet prince?”
I grabbed my head, recalling that insane confession line from the dream.
In Star of the Revolution, the reason Etius didn’t just dislike—but outright despised Katrin Elemore was because of their past.
To him, it was a terrible connection.
At the Oswell Imperial Academy—where only royalty and nobles could attend—they met during their four years of study.
Among nobles who already took great care of their appearance, Etius stood out as if he existed on another level.
Katrin fell for him—and thus began that dark history.
‘At least our taste is the same.’
Of course, there was no way Etius would accept such a twisted confession from someone as arrogant as her.
In the novel, it was described that he looked at her as if she were a bug.
If Katrin had just given up then, it might have been a happy ending.
But of course, our villainess didn’t back down from rejection.
Instead, she did something outrageous.
And the worst part—it was still affecting things even now.
What did she do?
To make Etius regret rejecting her, she got engaged to another man—the young marquis Philios Regalo, introduced by her uncle.
Naturally, Etius never regretted losing her.
If anything, he was probably relieved to be rid of someone so clingy.
‘…Sorry, Eti. I’ll apologize on Katrin’s behalf. How dare she even think of replacing you with someone like that.’
I quietly clasped my hands.
Sigh…
Anyway, I wonder if my precious little “treasure chest” has moved by now.
I checked the watch to see if the information had updated.
Revolutionary Army Information
Military Strength: Insufficient [View More]
Equipment & Supplies: Very Insufficient [View More]
Comfort Level: 49%
Funds: 5,010 den
Revolution Progress: 55%
