The Price of Love Was Only Despair and Hell

In the past, Jenaden never gave Sarubia a proper hug because he always cared for her. Sarubia never imagined that Jenaden refrained from hugging her because he hated her, in truth, he never loved her. Of course, part of her thoughts were tinged with disappointment toward Jenaden.

One day, everything changed. Jenaden embraced Sarubia in his wide arms. It happened on the day the nanny, who had raised Sarubia since childhood, passed away. The loss was a devastating shock for Sarubia, who had never been emotionally attached to anyone in her family. She cried all night.

Seeing her tears, Jenaden attempted to comfort her in his own way.

“Queen, stop crying.”

“Your Majesty, I’m sorry… I can’t stop crying,” Sarubia responded, tears streaming from her eyes, which glimmered like blue sapphires.

Sitting across from her, Jenaden sighed quietly. Rising from his seat, he knelt slightly in front of her, opened his arms, and pulled her into a warm embrace.

It was the first time Sarubia had ever been held by Jenaden. Stunned, she stopped crying and remained motionless, her eyes wide in surprise.

“Now you’re not crying,” Jenaden remarked with relief.

Sarubia couldn’t speak. The warmth of the person she loved melted her body and heart. She was puzzled by the sensation but did not want to let go. She wrapped her arms around his waist, savoring the moment.

She could hear his heartbeat, mirroring her own, and despite its brevity, it filled her with happiness.

‘Why do I remember that moment now?’

The memory suddenly made everything uncomfortable. Sarubia silently prayed for Jenaden’s hand near her waist to be removed.

“Failed emperor!” The angry voice of the Duke of Bronar echoed from underground, his stomping footsteps reverberating through the space.

“Do you still think about rebelling against me?! What a scarecrow!”

The duke’s indignation was palpable as he gritted his teeth and hurled insults at Jenaden.

“Yes, if Sarubia had a boy… then it’s over for him. That’s it.”

Sarubia’s eyes widened in shock. What was he planning? She glanced at Jenaden, whose trembling hands rested on his waist. His lips were pressed tightly as if suppressing his rage.

The Duke of Bronar eventually entered the warehouse and quickly exited. Though Sarubia feared being discovered, the duke left, slamming the door behind him.

She lifted her head slightly and looked at Jenaden. Even in the darkness, anger flickered in his eyes. Sarubia raised her hand and tapped Jenaden’s hand, which covered her mouth.

Jenaden flinched slightly before pulling his hand away.

“I’m sorry.”

“Never mind. And take this hand off,” Sarubia commanded, pointing at her waist.

Startled, Jenaden immediately released her, coughing awkwardly as he turned his head away. Sarubia gave him a cold glance and walked past him.

“Hurry up and go up. I think it’ll be morning soon.”

“That would be a good idea.”

They quickly escaped the dungeon. Upon emerging, Sarubia turned back to look at the tightly closed door. What would the Duke of Bronar do if those jewels disappeared? She pictured his reaction, imagining him calling her an ungrateful madwoman.

With a cold laugh, she imagined herself saying, “The grace of raising me? Give that to the dogs.”

The distorted expression on the Duke’s face would be quite amusing.

***

By morning, Sarubia and Jenaden had left the Duke of Bronar’s villa after a simple breakfast. Despite the Duke’s obvious displeasure at their early departure, Jenaden ignored his expression.

Inside the carriage, silence enveloped them. Sarubia replayed the duke’s ominous words in her mind. Could there be a deeper reason behind his insistence on her having children quickly?

What was his true plan? When would the darkness he concealed be revealed?

“We’ve arrived,” a servant announced from outside the carriage. Jenaden immediately rose, opened the door, and stepped out. Standing before the carriage, he turned toward Sarubia with a warm smile.
“Queen, how about having a cup of tea together?”

“Your Majesty, I’m a little tired, so tea time will be difficult.”

Jenaden’s expression stiffened momentarily before he responded with a bitter smile.

“Then I hope you can rest well.”

Sarubia lifted the hem of her dress, curtsied, and bid Jenaden farewell. Watching her leave, he looked visibly sullen.

“Stella!”

“Her Majesty the Empress!”

Upon entering the palace, Sarubia immediately called for Stella, who had been waiting for her.

A”Do you happen to know a guild with a competent informant?” Sarubia asked.

Stella tilted her head before exclaiming, “Ah! Come to think of it…”

She leaned closer to Sarubia and whispered, “There’s a small store called ‘Herrington’ in the back alley near Freedom Square. The owner is said to know everything about the empire.”

“Herrington?”

“Yes, it’s a small grocery store. I heard the owner can recognize anything for the right price. Remember Viscount Melanie, who was swindled?”

Sarubia nodded, and Stella continued excitedly, “He paid the store owner and found the fraudster not long after. Isn’t that amazing?”

Sarubia tapped her lips thoughtfully. With such information power, she could surely uncover what she needed.

“What’s his name?”

“I heard it’s Dimon.”

“Dimon?”

Sarubia was surprised by the unusual name. Stella tilted her head.
“Isn’t that a strange name for a person?”

It sounded like a devil’s name, but Sarubia chose not to voice the thought.

***

That evening, Sarubia attended a grand masquerade celebrating Jenaden’s birthday. Dressed in vibrant gowns and masks, the attendees filled the ballroom.

She is already tired of the many aristocratic greetings. Looking at the ceiling, the chandelier with the golden dragon pattern specially customized for today was shining brilliantly.

Sarubia was very tired. It was hard to prepare for the birthday because there were many things to care about, and when she talked about the plan with Jenaden, it took almost hours away.

But as the empress, she maintained an elegant composure, smiling at the nobles. Beside her, Jenaden sighed.

“This is not amusing,” he muttered.

“The ball will begin with a toast soon, so please bear with it,” Sarubia reassured him.

A loud trumpet blast signaled the beginning of the ball. Jenaden and Sarubia stood, raised their glasses, and he spoke in a solemn voice.

“I give great glory to the people of the El Sania Empire who celebrate my birthday. For the eternal peace of the El Sania Empire!”

As the music began, Jenaden and Sarubia descended from the podium, greeting the nobles. Behind Jenaden, Sarubia maintained a poised smile.

Scanning the ballroom, she searched for Elaine but saw no familiar blonde figure. Just as she was about to give up, she spotted a masked woman with blonde hair staring directly at her and Jenaden..

“Don’t tell me…”

Sarubia instinctively knew it was Elaine.

“Your Majesty, I need to step out for a moment.”

Jenaden hesitated but then nodded. The masked woman turned abruptly and hurried toward the door.

“Well, wait a minute…….”

Sarubia chased her out of the banquet hall and stood looking around in the hallway.

“Where did it go?”

Sarubia followed her into the hallway, but as she turned a corner, she collided with someone.

“Ah!”

“Ugh!”

Both fell to the ground, their masks snapping off. Sarubia looked up, ready to apologize, but froze when she saw the man before her.

Elaine Costell.

Sarubia’s heart raced. Elaine, the person she had sought, stood before her — but not as a woman, rather as a man.

This is impossible.

“Are you all right?” the man asked in a low voice.

Sarubia’s mind reeled. Her vision blurred, and darkness consumed her as despair and confusion overwhelmed her.