The Emperor slowly closed the report.
He had ordered an investigation into the Kosler family.
He had frozen their assets.
But this this felt like something else.
Something more personal.
At Morvex Castle, night fell with a heavy silence.
The fireplace burned low. Shadows of flame danced against the cold stone walls. Demian stood near his desk when the door was knocked on in haste.
A guard entered and immediately dropped to one knee.
"Lady Ivanka has been declared dead, Your Majesty. The carriage carrying her fell into a ravine along the northern cliff. There was an explosion upon impact at the bottom. Her body… was burned and is difficult to identify."
For several seconds, there was no sound.
The fire crackled softly.
Then—
"…What?"
It was not a cold tone.Not a command.
It was pure shock.
Demian turned slowly. His gaze sharpened but not with anger.
"Repeat that."
