How to Escape from My Possessive Fiancé - Chapter 46

Meanwhile, the palace was in turmoil for another reason. Yulicias had been summoned early in the morning and had sat by the Empress’s feet. The Empress leaned against cushions, her head supported by trusted maids and attendants, suffering from a headache.

“They say that child is returning,” the Empress said.

Yulicias paused midsip of her tea. The cup wobbled and hot tea touched her fingertip. Not wanting to fidget in front of her mother, she lowered the cup and suppressed the pain. Her heart raced whether from the pain, or the surprising news.

There was only one child her mother could be referring to: Yulicias’s other brother, forced into the war. Hidden behind masks, Yulicias’s trembling hand betrayed her emotion.

“But it’s too soon. I thought he’d only return after the war ended.”

“That was the plan. But it’s not very surprising. Seeing recent war reports, he could have come back anytime. He stayed only because he had no rightful reason to return. But whatever the reason, it seems he’s finally decided.”

Yulicias understood the meaning of “decided”: her brother intended to claim his place as heir. Anger flared within her as she spoke.

“That’s impossible! How dare he think so? He should know his low birth!”

But the Empress seemed too tired to get angry. Instead, she sighed and said quietly:

“I thought about that all the time we sent him away. If he lived, he would return with stronger support than any of them. Now looking back, I think maybe that was what he intended or what someone wanted. You know she always favored him.”

Yulicias sniffled to match her mother’s tone:

“Father wouldn’t do this to us.”

“Yuli.”

The Empress reached for Yulicias’s hand.

“My dear little one, remember that your engagement to the Duke greatly helps Casgen. You must win that engagement at any cost. Understood?”

“Of course. I know, Mother.”

“That’s good. Don’t let your guard down. I heard rumors you mistreated Lady Hilden. Imagine how you’d look if the Duke hears.”

“The Duke doesn’t care about her. She sends long letters every day, but he never replies.”

“Really?”

“Yes. And I’ve been meaning to destroy them, but no letters have arrived. I’m certain he agreed only out of obligation.”

“That’s fortunate. I heard he treated her kindly while staying in Hilden territory.”

“The Duke is always kind.”

The Empress raised one eyebrow. She had never heard such praise before. Whenever the Duke came to court, they would cross paths, but he only ever bowed, never acted kindly.

But Yulicias recalled and spoke with a dreamy look:

“I remember when I was twelve at Father’s court, I once tripped and fell in front of him. He helped me up and checked my wound. A jewel on my shoe had pricked my knee. I cried from the pain, and he wiped my tears. Then he asked, ‘Would you like to dance?’ Even though I said I was too hurt, he said a dance would make the pain go away. Then he led me in a short waltz. And just like that, the pain was gone.”

The Empress lifted her brows:

“That’s the first time I’ve heard that.”

Her calm voice lacked belief. But Yulicias, full of confidence, continued:

“I wanted to keep it a secret until my social debut. Then if I became engaged to the Duke, I would tell him.”

“Yuli…”

“Don’t worry. I’m confident in winning the Duke, Mother.”

Yulicias kissed the Empress’s cheek. The Empress looked at her with mixed feelings, then nodded.

Yulicias held her mother’s hand calmly.

Once she left the Empress’s chamber, her confidence vanished.

She anxiously chewed her fingernail over her glove.

If her brother had really claimed the right to return from the war, it meant he had achieved something huge. Something the Emperor couldn’t hide. A success that would soon become the highlight of balls and parties. In other words, the social season would begin early.

Yulicias bit back a scream and checked her preparations.

‘The Ante ball dress… the Vidensee ball dress… damn it!’

She swallowed a curse. A changed season meant all her plans and guest lists were ruined.

“I’m completely doomed,” she whispered in despair.

“Should I beg Father?”

But she shook her head. She remembered that the Emperor secretly favored the second child. Outwardly, he honored Casgen, but in private, the Emperor had always leaned toward Yulicias—openly favoring her over her brother.

Her brother was quiet, always accomplishing something great, and had a noble presence no one could challenge.

Before she learned the secret of his birth, Yulicias believed he was perfect and felt despair. She even admired him.

But on her seventh birthday she learned the truth: her brother’s mother was a dancer. A woman considered no different from a common courtesan. Enough that she never admired him again.

‘A courtesan’s son!’

One day, the Emperor praised her brother’s hunting success and Yulicias became jealous. She grabbed an arrow and chased him through the inner court, shooting at him.

She wanted him to panic and run. But instead, he didn’t dodge the arrow; he watched in silence as it flew by.

‘Ugh, that sick bloodline. How dare he lie to Father and Mother and take the title? Don’t you have any conscience?’

‘It wasn’t me who took it, Father gave it to me.’

‘Father is just a victim. You used your cunning to charm him, just like your mother.’

‘You speak well.’

‘You know? The crafty never truly get what they want. That’s God’s justice. Those like you roam in trials until they die.’

Yulicias whispered those words like a curse and released the arrow. It struck near her brother’s face, grazing his cheek and leaving a deep cut. Blood spurted. She froze. He did not run.

‘Die in a lifelong trial?’

Her brother murmured what she said as he took a step toward her. He moved like a beautiful fairy from a book but also like a monster with the power to end lives.

‘Don’t come, you monster!’

She fired again. The arrows brushed past his arm and thigh. Blood flowed freely but he remained unmoved. He reached her, took her bow, and pointed an arrow at her neck.

Yulicias trembled and said:

‘If you kill me, Father will not stand for it.’

‘Your father is my father too. And he loves me more than he loves you.’

‘What about our mother and our grandparents?’

‘If I kill you and claim an animal took you, no one would find your body. If I tore you apart and scattered you somewhere.’

‘Tha… that’s a lie.’

‘Why do you think it’s a lie?’

At that point, Yulicias was truly terrified. There was no childish coldness in her brother’s face, only determination to act on his words.

‘Are you mad?’

‘You should know. Look at me now.’

He wiped the blood off his cheek with his hand, and it stained his white hair. Yulicias cried tears of fear and silently begged to live.

‘I’m sorry.’

‘…’

‘I was wrong.’

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