(Next Day — Royal Palace)
Elira walked down the long marble hallway slowly, her steps dragging.
Her posture slouched..Her expression blank. She looked exactly like someone who had nothing to do with her life.
She sighed. “Booooring…”
Another dramatic sigh escaped her lips. “There is absolutely nothing for me to do here.”
She kicked lightly at the edge of the carpet as she walked.
“Eyan left in the morning before I even woke up… Is this how it’s going to be now? Strangers in the day… husband and wife at night?”
She sighed again, longer this time.
“And Leo isn’t here either. Where did he go without telling me…”
She continued forward like a wandering soul. “I’m so lonely.”
Suddenly—
A sharp, furious voice echoed through the corridor.
“This is outrageous! Where is His Majesty? I demand to see him right now!”
Elira blinked.
“Who’s shouting so loudly in the morning…”
Curiosity replacing boredom, she followed the direction of the noise.
At the far end of the hall, a small crowd had gathered.
A woman dressed in expensive silks stood fuming — Countess Mariya.
In front of her, a young maid was kneeling on the floor, crying, bowing repeatedly.
“Call His Majesty immediately!” Mariya snapped. “Is this how servants treat noble guests in the royal palace? This is my first visit here and I am utterly disappointed!”
The maid sobbed harder.
“Please forgive me, Your Grace… please don’t inform His Majesty. I will be dismissed if he finds out. I was foolish… I made a mistake… I have little children to feed. Please, have mercy…”
Mariya scoffed coldly.
“You think your tears will move me? I have seen many low-class commoners like you — greedy and shameless.”
“Please, Your Grace… forgive me…”
Without warning—
Mariya lifted her foot and kicked the maid harshly.
The maid cried out, falling sideways.
Elira rushed forward immediately, kneeling beside the trembling girl and holding her upright.
“Your Grace!” Elira’s voice held restrained anger. “How can you hit someone like that?”
Mariya slowly turned her head, eyes narrowing.
“And who are you to question me?”
“My name is Elira, Your Grace.”
Mariya looked her up and down dismissively.
“Elira? What family do you belong to?”
Elira met her gaze steadily. “I am a commoner, Your Grace.”
A mocking smile spread across Mariya’s lips.
“Oh? So you are…” She pointed rudely at the maid. “One of these things.”
Elira’s jaw tightened.
“How can you address a human being like that?”
Mariya scoffed.
“You call her human? Do you even know what she did?” Her voice rose again. “This filthy maid tried to seduce my husband!”
The maid shook her head desperately, clutching Elira’s sleeve.
“No, my lady! It’s not true!” she cried. “It was Count Adrian who summoned me to his chamber and tried to force himself on me. When I refused, he told everyone that I was trying to seduce him!”
A tall man standing nearby stepped forward angrily — Count Adrian.
“Mariya, that maid is lying,” he snapped. “She was the one who approached me shamelessly.”
Mariya’s face twisted with fury.
“First you dare to do filthy things, and now you blame my husband? You wretched girl!”
She lifted her foot again to strike the maid.
“STOP IT!”
Elira’s voice rang sharply through the hall.
The sudden authority in her tone made Mariya freeze mid-motion.
Mariya turned slowly. “What did you say?”
Elira stood up, positioning herself protectively in front of the maid.
“She’s not lying,” Elira said firmly. “She’s telling the truth. It was your husband who forced himself on her.”
A murmur spread through the onlookers.
Mariya’s eyes flashed coldly.
“And how can you be so certain the maid is not lying?”
The corridor fell silent.
All eyes shifted to Elira.
Elira did not raise her voice.
Instead, she knelt down beside the trembling maid once more.
“May I?” she asked gently.
The maid looked confused but nodded weakly.
Carefully, Elira helped her stand. The girl winced the moment she straightened.
Elira noticed.
“Your Grace,” Elira said calmly, “if a woman tries to seduce a man… tell me, would she leave his chamber injured?”
Mariya scoffed. “Injured? What nonsense are you spouting?”
Without another word, Elira gently lifted the maid’s sleeve.
A collective gasp rippled through the corridor.
Dark bruises circled the girl’s wrist — finger-shaped marks, deep and unmistakable.
“That,” Elira said quietly, “is not from seduction.”
She carefully turned the other arm. More bruises. Red, angry marks where someone had gripped her forcefully.
The maid lowered her head in shame, tears dripping onto the marble floor.
Elira moved behind her and gently brushed aside her hair. There, near her collarbone and along her shoulder, were faint but visible nail scratches. Fresh. Violent.
“Would a woman trying to tempt a man scratch her own skin?” Elira asked evenly.
Murmurs grew louder.
Count Adrian’s face paled for a fraction of a second before he hardened it again.
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“She could have done that herself!” he barked. “To frame me!”
Elira’s eyes sharpened.
“Then explain the swelling at her jaw.”
She lightly tilted the maid’s face upward.
A faint reddish bruise was forming near her cheek — the shape of a handprint..The maid flinched instinctively when anyone moved too quickly near her.
Elira stood slowly.
“She is afraid,” Elira said quietly but firmly. “Not guilty.”
She looked directly at Mariya.
“She was overpowered.”
Mariya’s lips trembled with anger, though doubt flickered briefly in her eyes.
“You dare accuse my husband based on a few bruises?”
Elira met her gaze steadily.
“I accuse no one without reason. But bruises do not lie.”
Mariya’s sharp eyes moved from the bruises… to the scratches… to the unmistakable finger marks around the maid’s wrists.
For a split second—
Doubt flickered across her face. Her husband avoided her gaze. That tiny hesitation was enough. Shame burned behind her eyes. But pride was louder than truth.
Instead of turning toward Count Adrian—
She turned toward Elira. Her gaze dropped. Slowly. Deliberately. To Elira’s abdomen.
The soft curve beneath her dress was visible.
Mariya’s lips curled. “Oh?”
Her voice changed. Mocking. “Interesting.”
Elira stiffened slightly.
Mariya stepped closer, eyes scanning her openly now.
“You defend a maid with such confidence… yet look at you.”
Her tone grew sharper..“Are you even married?”
The question cut through the corridor.
Elira’s jaw tightened, but she did not answer.
Mariya laughed softly..“Or perhaps you’re not.”
Her eyes traveled again to Elira’s belly. “How far along are you? Four months? Five?”
The way she said it was deliberate. Poisoned.
“Tell me,” Mariya pressed. “Who is your husband?”
Silence.
Elira’s fingers curled at her sides. “I don’t have to tell you,” she replied calmly.
Mariya’s smile widened cruelly. “Oh… you don’t have to tell me?”
She leaned in closer, lowering her voice just enough for it to feel intimate — humiliating.
“Or is it that you can’t?”
“Maybe,” Mariya continued, eyes gleaming, “you can’t answer because even you don’t know who the father is.”
The words fell like filth thrown in public.
A sharp intake of breath echoed from the servants.
For one heartbeat—
Everything stopped.
Elira didn’t think.
She acted.
Her hand rose.
The sound cracked sharply against marble walls.
Mariya’s head snapped to the side. A red mark bloomed instantly across her cheek.
Gasps rippled through the hall. Even Count Adrian stared in shock.
Elira’s palm stung fiercely, but she didn’t flinch. Her voice was steady, low.
“You may insult me. But you will not insult my child.”
Mariya slowly turned her face back, eyes wide with disbelief. “You wretched— how dare you touch me?!”
And then—
A deep voice echoed through the corridor—
“What’s going on here?”
The moment the voice rang out, the atmosphere shifted instantly.
Servants hurriedly bowed. Knights dropped to one knee.
At the far end of the hallway stood Eyan, dressed in royal attire, his presence commanding the entire corridor. Beside him stood Hans, observing the scene with sharp, watchful eyes.
Countess Mariya immediately rushed forward and bowed.
But the anger on her face had not faded.
“Your Majesty,” she said sharply, “is this how guests in the royal palace are treated?”
Eyan frowned slightly.
“Countess Mariya… what has happened? Why are you upset?”
Mariya straightened and pointed directly toward Elira.
“Your Majesty, first one of your maids attempted to tarnish my husband’s name with outrageous accusations.”
The maid behind Elira trembled violently.
“And then this commoner woman—” Mariya continued, her voice rising, “—had the audacity to strike me before everyone present.”
A ripple of shocked whispers spread through the corridor.
Eyan’s gaze slowly moved toward Elira. Their eyes met briefly. His expression remained calm… but a faint tension lingered beneath it.
“Lady Elira,” he said evenly, “is that true? Did you raise your hand against Countess Mariya?”
Elira lifted her chin. There was no hesitation in her voice.
“I did.”
Several servants gasped quietly.
Mariya scoffed. “Your Majesty, my husband and I accepted your invitation and came here at your request.”
Her voice became colder, more formal.
“I trust Your Majesty remembers why our presence was requested in the first place.”
Eyan remained silent, watching her carefully.
Mariya continued, her tone now composed and deliberate.
“For generations, the House of Adrian has faithfully supplied the royal crown with weapons and forged steel.”
She gestured toward her husband with pride.
“The largest iron mines in the northern territories fall under our family’s authority. From those mines come the very metals used to arm your soldiers and strengthen your kingdom’s defenses.”
Her gaze sharpened slightly.
“It has always been our honor to support the crown.”
A brief pause.
“But after the humiliation we have suffered today within the walls of the royal palace…”
Her voice turned colder.
“My family may be forced to reconsider the continuation of this arrangement.”
The hallway fell into a heavy silence.
Eyan spoke calmly. “Countess Mariya, I am certain this misunderstanding can be resolved peacefully.”
But Mariya raised her hand. “No.”
Her eyes moved back to Elira. “I want an apology.”
Eyan nodded slightly. “That is reasonable.”
He turned to the trembling maid. “You. Apologize to the countess.”
The maid immediately dropped to her knees. “I-I’m sorry, Your Grace—”
“Stop.”
Mariya’s voice cut through the air.
Her gaze sharpened as it shifted toward Elira again. “I was not referring to her.”
The corridor grew even quieter.
Mariya pointed directly at Elira. “I want an apology from that woman.”
A heavy silence settled over the corridor after Countess Mariya’s demand.
“Tell her to kneel before me and apologize,” she said coldly. “Only then will my family reconsider maintaining our agreement with the crown.”
The servants lowered their heads nervously. Even the knights shifted uncomfortably.
Because everyone understood what her words meant. If the House of Adrian withdrew their support, the royal army would lose its largest supplier of weapons and iron.
Elira stood still. Her fingers slowly tightened at her sides.
Only now did the full weight of the situation settle in her mind.
Elira lowered her gaze slightly.
Her chest tightened.
Her eyes briefly moved toward him.
Eyan stood silent, his expression calm—but she could see the tension hidden beneath it.
He was weighing his options. The king. The kingdom. The alliance. And her.
A quiet sigh escaped Elira.
After a moment of silence—
Elira stepped forward. “I will apologize.”
The words echoed clearly through the corridor.
Eyan’s gaze snapped toward her. But Elira didn’t look at him. She faced Mariya calmly.
“If my apology can resolve this matter,” she said steadily, “then I will offer it.”
Mariya smiled faintly, satisfied.
“Good,” she said. “Then kneel.”
The corridor became completely silent.
Elira slowly lowered her gaze.
Her hands moved to gather the fabric of her dress.
Then—
She began to bend her knees..Just as her body started to lower—
“Stop.”
Eyan’s voice cut sharply through the air.
Everyone froze.
Elira stopped mid-movement. She slowly lifted her head.
Eyan had stepped forward. His expression was firm now, no longer hesitant. His eyes met hers for a brief moment.
Then he turned toward Mariya.
“Countess,” he said calmly.
“Lady Elira is with child...It would be improper for her to kneel in her condition.”
He stepped forward. Placing himself between Mariya and Elira.
Then—
To everyone’s astonishment—
Eyan bowed his head deeply.
“I apologize on her behalf.”
The corridor froze. The King of Velmoria… Was bowing.
Even Mariya was briefly stunned.
But behind him—
Elira stood completely still. Her chest tightened painfully. Seeing him bow like that… Because of her… It felt as though something inside her had shattered.
Mariya slowly smiled. “Well…”
She folded her arms, satisfied. “Since His Majesty himself has chosen to apologize…”
Her tone softened. “I will consider the matter settled.”
She glanced around proudly..“Our house will reconsider the matter of our agreement.”
Eyan slowly straightened. His expression returned to calm..
“Very well.”
He gestured toward the corridor.
“Count Adrian. Countess Mariya. Please accompany me to my study. We can discuss the matter further.”
Adrian quickly nodded and followed.
Mariya gave Elira one last smug glance before turning away.
Soon—
They disappeared down the hallway with Eyan.
The crowd slowly began to disperse. Servants whispered. Knights stood again.
But Elira remained standing exactly where she was. Silent. Still.
Her palm still stung faintly from the slap earlier. But the ache in her chest was far worse. Because the image of Eyan bowing his head… Refused to leave her mind.
__________________________________
(Emperor's study)
Inside The Emperor’s study, the atmosphere was calm but heavy with purpose.
A large map of the continent lay spread across the table, marked with borders, supply routes, and military positions.
Eyan stood beside it, his posture straight and composed.
Across from him sat Countess Mariya and her husband, Count Adrian. Hans stood quietly near the door, overseeing the meeting.
Eyan rested one hand on the edge of the table.
“Thank you for coming,” he said in a steady voice. “Let us discuss the reason I invited you to the palace.”
Adrian nodded respectfully.
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
Eyan’s gaze lowered briefly to the map before he spoke again.
“In six days,” he said calmly, “I will officially declare war against the Kingdom of Dravareth.”
The room fell silent.
Mariya and Adrian exchanged a brief glance.
Adrian leaned slightly forward. “Your Majesty intends to move the army immediately after the declaration?”
“Yes,” Eyan replied. “Preparations have already begun.”
His finger moved across the map, tracing a route along the border.
“For this campaign, I will require a large supply of weapons—swords, spears, shields, and arrowheads. The army must be fully equipped before the declaration is made.”
Adrian nodded thoughtfully.
“Our mines and forges are already operating at full capacity, Your Majesty,” he said. “If the order is placed today, we can deliver the first shipment within four days.”
Eyan looked at him.
“That will be sufficient,” he said. “I want the remaining shipments delivered before the sixth day.”
Mariya folded her hands neatly on the table.
“The House of Adrian has always supported the crown,” she said formally. “You may rely on us to fulfill the order without delay.”
Eyan inclined his head slightly. “Your cooperation is appreciated.”
Adrian glanced again at the map. “This campaign against Dravareth… will it be a long war?”
Eyan’s expression remained calm. “That will depend on how quickly they choose to surrender.”
His tone was quiet—but carried the certainty of someone who had already made up his mind.
After a moment, he straightened.
“There is one more matter.”
Both Mariya and Adrian looked at him attentively.
“This information must remain strictly confidential,” Eyan said. “The declaration of war will be announced publicly in six days. Until then, no one outside this room should know of it.”
Adrian nodded immediately. “You have my word, Your Majesty.”
Mariya added calmly, “House Adrian understands the importance of secrecy. This matter will not leave our lips.”
Eyan gave a small approving nod. “Good.”
The meeting had reached its conclusion.
Hans stepped forward slightly. “If there is nothing further, Your Majesty?”
Eyan looked once more at Mariya and Adrian.
“That will be all for today. Thank you for your cooperation.”
Adrian and Mariya rose from their seats. They bowed respectfully.
“We will begin preparations immediately,” Adrian said.
“Please do,” Eyan replied.
With that, the meeting came to an end.
.
.
To be continued—
