“Your Majesty confessed your love to Deculein,” Rohakan said.0

The blunt and unrestrained voice of Rohakan shattered the fragile stillness that cloaked the darkened chamber.0

“... What,” Sophien murmured.0

It wasn’t confusion, but sheer disbelief—a statement so outlandish it left her momentarily stunned. The crimson glow of the moon poured through the window, washing over Sophien’s face like a soft blush.0

“You, lower than filth—I’ll rip apart that mouth spewing such lunacy,” Sophien growled, advancing toward Rohakan with wide, unblinking eyes, her body swaying like a specter, a ghostly aura coiling ominously around her.0

At that moment…0

“Your Majesty! It’s Gawain!”0

Outside, the shouts of the approaching knights rang out loudly, and just beyond the chamber door, they paced restlessly, their footsteps scraping the floor in a rhythm of anxious impatience.0

“Your Majesty! If you remain silent, we will be forced to—”0

“Stand down,” Sophien commanded. “If you dare set foot in my chamber, all of you will face execution. Leave at once.”0

“Yes, Your Majesty. My deepest apologies. The sudden surge of mana compelled us to act...”0

“There is nothing to worry about.”0

“Yes, Your Majesty. I shall obey.”0

The fading footsteps on the stairs echoed from the distance, leaving the space steeped in silence. Sophien turned her eyes back to Rohakan, who was once again shrouded in the embrace of shadows.0

Click—0

Rohakan switched on the light, illuminating the chamber into brightness and exposing his face. However, he looked far younger than before; the deep wrinkles that once marked his features had disappeared, leaving his skin smooth and devoid of any hint of his former age.0

"Did you sell your soul to a demon? That ridiculous claim about seeing the future, and now your unnaturally youthful face—if that’s the price, it would explain everything," Sophien said.0

"How could I dare to do such a thing, Your Majesty… Tch."0

At that moment, Rohakan clicked his tongue, and...0