SM Chapter 74

74. The Lowly and Cold-Hearted Emperor Summons Baloch.

 

“What is the reason for the summons?”

Bianca’s heart pounded as if it would burst, yet it was Jillian who asked the question in a remarkably calm tone.

It was actually the imperial knight, the royal guard delivering the summons, who looked far more uncomfortable, constantly gauging Jillian’s reaction with an apologetic expression.

“What is the reason for the summons?”

“They’ve announced that a hearing regarding the mismanagement of the fortress and the response capability to the wave will be held at the Sun Hall.”

“The Sun Hall!”

Bianca exclaimed in a small voice and immediately covered her mouth. The Sun Hall was where Sylas Baloch was executed.

Just hearing the name made Bianca feel faint. Meanwhile, Jillian calmly supported her as he continued speaking with the knight.

‘What to do?’

Bianca had thought they had until spring. The emperor’s sudden summons left her extremely anxious. For now, they needed to buy time by not declaring the wave’s end…

“When is the hearing?”

“Noon, two days from now.”

“I understand.”

Bianca’s flimsy plan was instantly shattered by the knight’s response.

‘Two days?’

Rather than postponing, they would have to move at full speed just to arrive in time. And there was still one more wave left.

There were three waves in total throughout winter. They had dealt with two, but one remained.

They had to return before the monsters came crawling out and ravaged the Baloch territory. Her mouth went dry with unease at the thought of what to do.

But even after the conversation seemed to end, the knight didn’t leave. Instead, he looked even more flustered, his mouth moving wordlessly.

‘Does he have more to say?’

Just as Bianca began to wonder at the knight’s extreme discomfort, he added in a subdued voice,

“The ones summoned… are both the Duke and Duchess.”

“What?”

Jillian’s voice, until now steady, was suddenly edged with tension.

“You mean I wasn’t summoned alone?”

“No, sir. The summons was for the ‘two masters’ of Baloch territory. Her Highness must also attend.”

Jillian gave no response. His expression turned cold, and the knight, noticing the shift, gave a formal bow and finally departed.

Even after the knight left, the ducal residence was eerily quiet.

“Jillian.”

Bianca called, noticing Jillian lost in thought.

A summons during the wave… it was something she hadn’t considered, and it left her shaken.

But then again, the emperor was never a man of reason. Wasn’t he the one who always viewed everything with twisted eyes, obsessed with Sylas Baloch?

This summons surely had something to do with that.

As her thoughts cleared, Bianca found herself relieved that the emperor had summoned her as well.

It was always Baloch’s haughtiness that enraged the emperor. Since the summons was for the ‘two masters,’ perhaps if she went and pleaded, they could get through this hearing more smoothly.

“Jillian.”

“…Yes?”

“Are we leaving this afternoon?”

The snow was thick, and the distance to the warp point was long. Even if they rushed, it wouldn’t be easy. And one couldn’t go to the imperial palace in just anything.

They were to appear in the Sun Hall as the ‘accused,’ so even their attire and accessories would be judged.

If one dressed plainly, they’d say they were trying to appeal for pity. If one dressed properly, they’d say they were shameless.

Bianca was deeply relieved again that she was going too. She knew these kinds of situations all too well.

“Will you be alright? I can go alone. Please don’t strain yourself.”

Whether he misunderstood her question or not, Jillian offered to go alone. But Bianca immediately frowned and firmly objected.

“Leave the preparations and attire for the capital to me.”

“Alright.”

“And if possible, let me handle the hearing too.”

“…Why? The hearing concerns responsibilities that are mine. Technically, there’s no reason for you to be involved.”

Jillian frowned. But Bianca remained firm.

A wave was coming, and the Duke of Baloch had no heir. These two facts alone might prevent the worst-case scenario.

But it was also possible he could survive, only to be shackled with a fate worse than death. Bianca couldn’t let that happen.

In truth, Sylas Baloch could have survived. If he had only bowed a little to the crazed emperor. If he had just spoken gently. If he had simply yielded to the emperor’s desires—just a little.

But he rejected all that and chose execution. Looking back, perhaps Sylas felt his life was steeped in shame.

Perhaps, despite his brilliance, he found the act of bowing to someone so beneath him unbearable.

But Jillian Baloch must not meet the same end.

“As the emperor himself acknowledged, I am also a master of Baloch. Since the hearing concerns the territory, it’s only right that I be present.”

“…”

“Jillian, please entrust the hearing to me. I know His Majesty well.”

“In what way?”

His pettiness. His cruelty. His spite. His depravity.

Bianca knew all of it. But she couldn’t say any of it aloud, so she pressed her lips shut.

“Whatever it is, I’ve known him longer than you…”

“I don’t think that’s a valid argument. If you knew him that well, you wouldn’t walk straight into the place he’s summoned you to die.”

The harshness in Jillian’s tone, so rarely heard from him, cut sharply.

“You should trust me instead.”

“Jillian…”

“Believe in me. You’re my only Termina, not the imperial family.”

Bianca wanted to stop him, but his last words lingered too deeply for her to respond.

She would’ve liked to prepare together, but Jillian had urgent documents to finish.

While he stayed on the first floor, Bianca went to the third and called Hailey, looking around the wrecked bedroom.

For the past few days, strange noises had echoed, and last night, something happened.

A broken tree branch, thrown by a strong wind, had struck the bedroom window.

Thankfully, Jillian had been inside and wasn’t hurt…

Was that when she had suddenly awoken?

She didn’t wonder why she hadn’t heard it, she had only seen Jillian. The rest of the mess had escaped her notice.

The window frame was wrecked, the bedposts and floor battered. The bedding had been cleared already, leaving only a bare frame.

Suddenly, the deep gash on the broken corner of the table looked strange. Just as she leaned in to examine it…

“This looks like a sword..”

“Madam, did you call for me?”

“Ah… Hailey. I’ve been suddenly summoned for a hearing at the Imperial Palace. Please help me pack.”

“A hearing?”

Hailey looked bewildered, and Bianca nodded with a reluctant expression.

“That’s what they say.”

“But why…”

Hailey’s confusion was understandable.

“Maybe it’s just for show.”

“For show?”

Bianca hadn’t meant to sound sarcastic, but the words spilled out anyway.

Maybe she needed to vent to someone about how cruel and low the emperor truly was, something she couldn’t even bring herself to tell Jillian.

Bianca began to explain softly to Hailey.

“Otherwise, there’s no reason to forcefully summon the Duke of Baloch at a time like this.”

Once she said it out loud, the emperor’s intentions became crystal clear.

“Ah…”

As realization struck her, Bianca nodded slowly. She’d been too consumed by fear at the mention of the Sun Hall to even consider the emperor’s deeper motives.

But now, with her mind calm and her thoughts in order, everything seemed obvious.

Upon hearing the fortress had fallen, one that had stood like an impermeable wall since the founding of the kingdom, the emperor must’ve seen it as the perfect opportunity to exact revenge for last summer.

He had always held an irrational inferiority complex toward Baloch. He let them go last time, even though he’d wanted to destroy them.

That must’ve eaten him up inside. So when he heard the fortress had fallen, it was probably sweeter than honey to him.

‘It’s over…’

He was surely waiting for this chance, ready to pounce. There was no room to escape.

Bianca felt darkness wash over her. But this wasn’t the time to despair. She racked her brain desperately.

What could she offer to soothe the emperor’s rage?

Suddenly struck with an idea, she turned to Hailey.

“Hailey, can you tell me if I have any jewelry or valuables I could present? It would be ideal to have something made in the capital, but we don’t have time, so we should bring something we already have.”

“If you want something really nice, you should probably speak with the Duke…”

“No.”

Jillian would never approve of this. He had no reason to kneel. If someone must kneel, let it be me. If a head must bow, let it be mine.

“It just needs to be mine. I’m also a master of Baloch. That gives me enough of a reason.”

“…You’re going to offer it to His Majesty?”

“Yes.”

“Then I’ll look for something suitable. When should I be back?”

“Within an hour.”

It was obvious Hailey wasn’t too thrilled, but she said nothing and gave a deep bow.

An hour later, she returned holding a cane adorned with a massive blue gemstone.

The body was made of ivory, and the handle was engraved and inlaid with gold. The gemstone fully capped the top of the cane’s handle.

Bianca was momentarily speechless at the sheer extravagance.

“This…”

Was this an heirloom?

“I picked the most luxurious-looking item, aside from the women’s pieces. Would you prefer something else?”

She added, “Since it’s for the Imperial Court, I figured it should be something appropriate.”

Even without hearing it, Bianca could feel what wasn’t being said.

“Are you saying I can use this?”

“This is nothing. The Duke’s collection contains truly incredible things.”

She had heard he funded the Baloch territory from his private wealth, and now she felt like she was finally seeing a glimpse of it.

“If there’s nothing that bothers you about this one, should we go with it?”

The color combination was perfect—it reminded her of the emperor’s blue eyes and golden hair.

Bianca slowly nodded. Nothing could top this.

At her approval, Hailey placed the cane back into its original case.

The case itself was stunning, gold patterns densely engraved on a pure white surface. Bianca quickly turned her head, afraid to find out what it was made of.

“Please deliver the Duke’s clothes and let him know I’ll meet him downstairs when ready.”

Bianca then changed into a white fur-trimmed dress. Things were going smoothly… until a problem arose.

She couldn’t reach the last few buttons.

She managed to fasten them up to her lower back, but the tightly lined pearl buttons went all the way to her nape. Her bare back remained exposed.

She couldn’t call for help in this state, and as the minutes ticked by, she grew increasingly anxious, struggling with hands that couldn’t quite reach…

Haa.

A warm breath brushed against her lower back, followed by a soft, plush sensation.

“You wouldn’t like it if I just tore it open, would you?”