[2nd Prince's Palace]Azazel looked worriedly at Verena, who was lying on the bed, as he seems to be unsure what to do. But he actually does knows exactly what to do which only adds to his uncertainty if this were the case.He felt the coldness in her hand as he grabbed it in his.(Her hand is ice-cold. It's too cold.)He thought as he was trying to send as much fire energy into her so that she could feel a little bit warmer.But it doesn't appear to be working because her hand did not warm up and it was only getting colder by the minute.(She must have been freezing the whole time.)He bit his bottom lip as he came to a choice that based on his own assumptions, would or would not make Verena hate him.He approached every curtain and closed them, as well locking the door, and walked back toward the bed.He ripped Verena's blanket from her shoulders as he continues to take off his clothes one by one, leaving him shirtless

[Empress' Palace]"Are you saying that Azazel's intention for demolishing Baron Goldenrod was because he did something unforgivable?"The Empress questioned, her gaze fixed on Olivier, who stood in front of her and nodded.He understands that he can't simply report everything that happened. It was all made-up lies and half-truths to make it appear more believable."That insolent child... He has won the war, now living freely and has proposed to the eldest daughter of the Zielle dukedom. But now he makes another act by ruining Baron Goldenrod's enormous casino?"Olivier simply nodded his head."In fact, Duke Lorcan Zielle owns the casino."It was one of the truths Olivier mentioned in order to make his words even more believable.He is well aware that he must reveal who the true owner is since the Empress already knows."Didn't Azazel tell you more than this?"The Empress, Kalliste, carefully placed Olivier's paper

[The Emperor's Palace]"Duke Lorcan Zielle, for money embezzlement and deception both nobles and commoners, I hereby arrested you. As the Duke of Zielle household, I will tolerate if you keep this evidence a secret while spending 20 years decently in prison."The Emperor's frigid voice was clearly heard by the Duke, Duchess, Aldrich Zielle, Riona Zielle, and Verena Zielle herself. Only Verena smiled gently at the sentences.The Duke's eyes widened in surprise as he faced the Emperor, and his hands trembled.He assumed everything would be fine. That the Emperor summoned the whole Zielle family to not arrest him.But he was mistaken. Even the Duchess was taken aback by the Emperor's words. Everything didn't go according to her plan, instead it was ruined within the day."That's preposterous. It has been publicly stated that Baron Goldenrod is the owner. How can you claim Ciel Casino belongs to me?"Lorcan, on the other hand, was unable

[Zielle Dukedom]Despite being repeatedly rejected by the Duke, Verena did not give up hope, which is why she sought the acceptance of her stepfamily.As she exit her room, she searched for her younger step brother with the potion that she prepared in hand that can restore the energy of someone who uses it.When she saw Aldrich walking upstairs, she smiled to herself and approached him as she walked upstairs to catch up to him."A-Aldrich!"She called him, which drew his attention and caused him to turn his head toward her.However, because he had been scolded by Lorcan, he was in a terrible mood at the time, and his gaze was filled with irritation and annoyance as he faced her."What?"He questioned, his tone forced as he talked to her, and Verena sensed his displeasure regarding her presence."U-um.. I made this for you."He returned with a raised brow and a scowl as she handed him the small glass bottle.

[Imperial Dungeon]Verena had been laying on the cold floor for a few days, with only a few meals and the iron bars obscuring her view.She doesn't know if it's morning, midday, evening, or night because she's confined in a room with no windows.She was left with nothing but a dirty, torn-apart clothing.Verena appeared to be a beggar who hadn't slept or eaten in several days. She was unbelievably skinny.She isn't even sure why she is still alive.Suddenly, a few footsteps was heard approaching her cells and two knights unlocked it as they entered her small prison and force her to stand up.They pulled her farther into the dungeon, where she was led to a large space with scalpels, knives, a few potions, and five hooded figures who covered their faces."We brought the woman."The hooded figures nodded as the knights released her arms and she fell right on the ground, without thinking much of the pain.After the tw