The Dongbaek Palace was currently in chaos, bustling with an endless flow of people.

This frenzy was due to Cecilia's new business venture.

- "So, we need to adjust the design here like this..."

- "Tailor! Where's the tailor?"

- "The fit isn't right! Get me some pins."

- "Do you know the items on shelf C31? What? Another team took them first? You fool! I told you to secure them beforehand!"

- "And the model? Where’s the model who was supposed to be here by now? Send someone to find them immediately! We’re on a tight schedule!"

With so many people coming and going throughout the palace, it was difficult to keep track of who was who.

The butlers and maids, looking half-resigned, moved about just to ensure the guests were not left hungry, serving snacks and drinks to them.

"This place is getting more chaotic by the day," Kirson remarked, chuckling as he entered Dongbaek Palace alongside a group of workshop workers laden with supplies.

There wasn’t a single attendant available to greet a new guest properly.

Was it really okay to be this busy even before the business had officially started?

'They're rushing to finalize dresses and attire for the upcoming Seonseon Palace social party, right?'

Cecilia's designs were indeed impressive, even to Kirson's discerning eye.

The only problem was the marketing.

No matter how good the products were, they wouldn’t sell if they weren’t properly promoted.

Especially for Cecilia’s haute couture, word-of-mouth was crucial.

Securing the first clients would be essential.

'Given Theo's recent reputation, there shouldn’t be too much worry... but there’s a significant risk involved.'

Kirson bit down on his smoking pipe.

"You're here, Mother?"

Cecilia noticed him belatedly and approached, looking slightly fatigued.

Her eyes were dark underneath, yet her gaze remained vibrant and alive.

That spark.

The same gleam in her eyes that had captivated Kirson long ago when she first appeared on stage.

"Yes, I brought all the items you requested... but you know, last time's payment was almost too much. I’ve told you repeatedly that I don’t do credit."

"Yes, I’m aware. There’s a major social party coming up, and we’ll open the shop in time for it. Once orders start rolling in, the cash flow should improve. I’m already getting inquiries."

"Well, if you’re handling it, I suppose I don’t have anything else to say."

For someone new to business, Cecilia was certainly managing well.

But, as with all parents, Kirson couldn’t help but worry.

Cecilia, knowing his thoughts, chuckled.

"I won’t push myself too hard, so don’t worry. If anything serious comes up, I’ll consult you."

"Ahem! If you put it that way..."

And another trait shared by all parents: no matter how old their child got, they could never quite resist a bit of affection from them.

Kirson cleared his throat, attempting to hide a smile he couldn’t suppress.

"By the way, should you really be staying here like this?"

Then, as if something suddenly crossed his mind, Kirson swiftly changed the topic.

Cecilia tilted her head.

"Is something going on? Oh, have the treatments for your son's team members been completed?"

"That’s ongoing; they’re working on reconnecting the nerves, so there’s no issue there. No, I was referring to the Rose Palace."

"The Rose Palace...?"

Cecilia’s eyes trembled slightly.

"It seems you’ve been too busy to pay attention to outside events. Your son is quite the talk of the town, after all."

"Did something happen to him?"

Cecilia urgently grabbed Kirson by the collar.

"Let go, let go! And I’ve told you repeatedly! That son of yours is a sly fox, housing more tricks than a dozen serpents! He’s fine!"

"Then...!"

"He beheaded the third consort this morning. Also, he charged the Director of the Central Security Bureau with treason."

"…!"

Kirson resumed speaking, taking a light puff of his pipe.

"Because of that, the outside world is in an uproar. You should be careful, or you might get swarmed by people."

"So he’s unharmed, then?"

"Hmm? That’s what I heard."

Kirson blinked.

He had expected her to be relieved, but she seemed oddly indifferent.

"Good to know. Thank you for telling me. I have another meeting, so I’ll take my leave."

Cecilia bowed and re-entered the palace, acting as though nothing unusual had happened.

"..."

Kirson scratched the back of his head, holding his pipe in his mouth.

* * *

**‘So, Emil... is dead.’**

As Cecilia walked to the meeting room, her mind was awash with complex thoughts.

Though she’d tried to appear unaffected in front of Kirson, the truth was harder to swallow.

In fact, she had no meetings scheduled.

**‘Emil is dead...’**

After instructing that no one was to enter, Cecilia sat alone in the empty room and covered her face with her hands.

Memories of all the suffering caused by Emil and her son flooded her mind.

She recalled entering the Rose Palace, abandoning her mother, focusing solely on Kyle, only to be labeled a temptress and cast aside with countless malicious rumors.

They ridiculed and ostracized Theo, calling him worthless and a cripple.

Each day was a battle, just trying to protect Theo while living on a knife’s edge.

Perhaps that was why she’d driven Theo so hard.

**"Once I’m gone, no one will be left to protect you. What will you do then?"**

At some point, Cecilia realized she might not have long to live—whether from assassination or a mysterious illness.

The atmosphere around Theo and her had grown so ominous that she feared she might die within a few years.

Sometimes, she dreamt of standing at the guillotine, with Theo looking at her with sorrowful eyes.

**"Please, don’t follow my path. Find your own happiness."**

She wished she had said those words sooner. She regretted the delay.

And yet, Theo had defied what could have been their fate.

Thinking of how much hardship he must have endured, tears welled up in her eyes.

Just then,

"Here, take this."

A handmaiden unexpectedly offered her a handkerchief.

"Head maid...? I told you not to let anyone in."

"Yes, I know. But Lady Kirson insisted."

"Ah."

Cecilia finally recalled the faint smile she’d seen on Kirson’s face.

Her mother.

Her mother had understood exactly how she felt.

Cecilia took the handkerchief from the handmaiden.

A small note was tucked inside.

**"Don’t cry. Tears don’t suit you.**

**You look your best when you’re challenging the world with confidence, so stay proud and keep your head high.**

**That’s why you’re my only daughter."**

A smile crept onto Cecilia's lips.

Then, despite herself, she burst into laughter.

**P.S. If you absolutely must cry, do it out of pity for this poor mother whose purse is always emptied by her unruly grandson. That, I’ll turn a blind eye to.**

**‘That’s probably the most honest part of her message.’**

Feeling her spirits lifted, Cecilia rose from her seat.

Thoughts of Emil and her son were completely gone from her mind.

* * *

**"The Director of the Central Security Bureau attempted a rebellion!"**

The rumors surrounding Theo were barely cooling down when another scandal struck Winterer.

One of the Nine Dragons, the defection of the Dragon of Descent.

Since the Central Security Bureau, which was practically the heart of Ragnar, was involved, it couldn’t be dismissed.

Some tried to brush it off as mere gossip, but when the heads of Emil Troyban and high-ranking officials from the Central Security Bureau appeared mounted at Ragnar’s gates, the sentiment quickly changed.

From the freshly severed heads, blood dripped steadily, staining the ground red.

Beside them, a notice revealed the details of the crime.

**"These criminals colluded with Ed Troyban, a first-class traitor, stealing confidential information from the main house..."**

But the most shocking part lay at the bottom of the notice.

**"...Evidence suggests that this rebellion was backed by the powerful Troyban family of the East and the heretical cult, the Sacred Demon Sect."**

- "What does this mean?"

- "So the Troyban and the Sacred Demon Sect were pulling the Dragon of Descent’s strings?"

- "Disgusting... How could they betray Ragnar after receiving such favor?"

- "It's one thing for the Troyban, but why the Sacred Demon Sect? Isn’t that a cult the imperial family condemned?"

The crowd grew larger.

**"...Therefore, Ragnar demands answers from the Troyban and Sacred Demon Sect. You have 72 hours to respond. The Lord of the Winter Mountains will decide the extent of his wrath based on your reply."**

This proclamation, almost a declaration of war, sent shivers through everyone present.

**"War is coming!"**

**"The Dragon’s wrath will turn the East to ash!"**

A faint smell of blood seemed to fill the air.

* * *

The person at the center of the rumors was, of course, Theo.

The public knew he was responsible for exposing Axion’s crimes, the execution of Emil, and the revelation of Ed’s treachery.

Some even began referring to Theo as the "Sixth Candidate," noting that he was drawing close to the highest ranks.

But Theo himself was preoccupied with unsettling

 news.

"Ed Troyban... has vanished?"

Evelyn nodded gravely.

"The news came from Lord Kleve. Black Dragon personally stormed the place where they were holding the Dragon of Descent, but Ed had already escaped."

"So he sacrificed his own brother and fled."

They had intended to resolve the matter swiftly before Ed caught on, but he’d slipped away.

What a twisted man.

Despite the urgency, how could he abandon his brother and subordinates?

Or perhaps he had prepared for this all along, ready to use them as scapegoats if needed.

"Wait a moment. Then...?"

"The Black Snow forces are tracking him, so let’s wait a bit—what’s wrong?"

"What about the first Armory? The one only the head of the family can access?"

Evelyn, sensing Theo's urgency, nodded.

"I’ll check right away."

Shortly after.

"The armory is on fire, and it's out of control. How did you know?"

Theo covered his face with his hands.

**'Too late.'**

The first Armory was where Ed had likely hidden the **Dragon's Sinister Sword** mentioned in his visions.

In the rush, Ed must have stolen the relic.

**"At least I retrieved the earrings and the ring, but I’ll need to recover that one as well."**

Just then,

**[A quest has arrived.]**

+  
**[Scenario Quest #3]**

**An adversary from your past has stolen the relic you were meant to possess. However, you lack the strength to retrieve it. Gain the acknowledgment of the two relics you’ve already acquired to level up.**

- Current Achievement Rate: 0/2  
- Difficulty: A+  
- Reward: Ownership of the two relics  
- Failure: Death  

+

Theo’s inventory vibrated, as though urging him to retrieve something.