On a bright, sunny morning, a scene unfolds in a cozy bedroom.

The sunlight streams in,

illuminating a pink-haired woman lying comfortably on the bed, lost in her dreams. She's
dreaming about her preference for men with broad chests. As her eyes flutter open, she
suddenly becomes aware that she's resting on a man's chest, completely naked. A sense of
bliss washes over her, quickly followed by a wave of embarrassment. She looks at the man
beside her, taken aback by his stunning handsomeness, and tries to piece together the
events that led to this moment.

Fragments of memories come back to her, she was at a masquerade ball at the Imperial
Palace, celebrating her birthday. At the ball, she had met a man whose appearance was
nothing short of divine. And now, here he was, lying next to her in bed. This pink haired girl
is Judith, our protagonist, feeling a mixture of amazement and guilt, wondering how things
escalated so quickly on the very night she came of age.

She gazes at his face, marvelling at his beauty even in sleep. It strikes her as incredible that
someone could look so much like a work of art. Just then, the man opens his eyes, greets
her with a kiss on the forehead, and wishes her good morning. Judith feels a bit awkward,
and the man explains that it was his first time and that he couldn't control himself. Judith
blushes, skeptical of his claim that it was his first experience. Trying to recall the details of
their night together, she finds it hard to believe given his stamina, energy and skill.

The man beside her asks if she's hungry, but Judith's attention is completely captured by his
mesmerizing physique. She responds that she usually doesn't eat at other people's houses
and intends to go home. However, the man rings a bell to order some food, insisting that she
must eat before leaving since she looks so pale. Worried that her father and brothers will be
concerned if she doesn't leave soon, Judith attempts to dash out of the bedroom, wrapping a
blanket around herself. She shyly asks him to turn around so she can change, but instead,
he gently takes some strands of her hair and kisses them, reassuring her that there's no
need for shyness after everything they've shared. He tells her she can call him by his name.

Judith remembers that last night, before things got intimate, she had asked for his name,
and he had revealed it to be Theodore, or Theo for short. She calls him by his name, and
Theo is pleased that she remembers. Blushing, Judith tells Theo that she has something
important to say to him. But before she can speak, there's a knock on the door. Theo swiftly
pulls her closer, covering her semi-naked body. It turns out to be the maid bringing
breakfast, as Theo had ordered. The maid addresses Theo as "your excellency" through the
door, which startles Judith. She suddenly realizes that the man holding her is the feared
tyrant of the land, and she feels like she's made a terrible mistake.

Our emcee narrates to us that she has reincarnated into this novel world as Judith after she
died in her previous life. In her previous life, she was a 21-year-old college student who
loved reading a fantasy romance novel called ‘For My Emperor’. In the novel, the heroine
becomes an imperial knight, enduring numerous hardships before finally meeting and
marrying the emperor. While reading the novel, she had always wondered what would
happen to the supporting character Judith.

Judith’s character had a tragic storyline. Unlike the protagonist, who carved her own path,
Judith was born into an aristocratic family that did not love her. Consumed by jealousy, she
harassed the protagonist and ultimately met a miserable end. Similarly, in her previous life,
our protagonist also lacked familial love. She disliked Judith’s ending in the novel. Ironically,
after she died, she found herself reincarnated as Judith.

When she was reborn into this world as Judith, she felt an overwhelming mix of emotions.
She had worked tirelessly for three years in college and was just a week away from
graduating when a car accident ended her life. The realization that she was now Judith filled
her with sadness and fear. She lamented that if she were to reincarnate, she would have
preferred to be the main character. Knowing Judith’s doomed fate, she prayed to God for
another reincarnation, wishing to be sent back to Korea. She was terrified, aware that Judith
was destined to die at the hands of the tyrant.

That's why now when she realizes that she has gotten intimate with the tyrant, she feels
afraid about what will happen to her. Theodore is the current Emperor of the Valdemar
Empire, which has the largest territory on the continent. He was the sole heir to the Empire's
throne but he faced a dire situation when the previous Emperor's mistress bore a son. As
tensions rose, Theo's mother tragically took her own life. At 19, Theo's father died, and he
ascended to the throne. Not long after, the second prince perished in a mysterious fire. It
was Theo who was behind it. The bloodless, relentless tyrant who killed his own father and
brother to seize power. He even went as far as murdering his fiancée, Judith, for interfering
with his romantic relationship with the female protagonist.

Our protagonist, having reincarnated as Judith, decided early on that to survive, she needed
to understand the Emperor before he met the female lead. Judith, the only daughter of a
nobleman in the Empire, saw this as a chance to ensure a happy and safe life for herself.
Her new family was kind to her, unlike in her previous life, so her main concern was dealing
with the Emperor. After growing up, Judith also knew she had a weakness for attractive
boys, finding great joy in simply looking at them.

So, she decided to attend the New Year's masquerade party at the Imperial Palace, a
perfect opportunity to seek a relationship while everyone wore masks. This party was a
banquet for newly adult nobles, providing a chance to find a lover under the guise of
anonymity. However, Judith initially only encountered unattractive males there and decided
to leave out of disappointment. but then she spotted Theo. Determined, she followed him,
hoping to make him her future husband.

Following Theo led Judith to a dark room where they had an intimate conversation. In a
moment of boldness, Judith grabbed Theo's coat and kissed him, leading to a passionate
encounter. This is how she ended up by Theo's side. Though she was elated at the time,
now that Judith has realized that Theo is the tyrannical Emperor, she finds herself filled with
regret and fear. Despite Theo warning her that she would regret her actions, Judith had
assured him she wouldn't. Now, she feels the weight of her mistake and beggs Theo for
mercy, promising he would never have to see her again.

Instead of punishing her, Theo becomes angry, accusing her of trying to leave after taking
the Emperor's virginity. Judith, fearing for her life, braces for the worst. But instead of harm,
Theo tenderly kisses her forehead and charmingly tells her that she must take responsibility
for taking his virginity. Judith is perplexed by Theo's command to take responsibility, unsure
of what he means. As he continues to stare at her, awaiting a response, Judith hesitantly
agrees and joyfully asks what she should do. Theo remains silent on the matter, instead
inviting her to enjoy the meal. Grateful for the delicious food, Judith wonders if Theo might
actually be kind, but she quickly dismisses this thought, reminding herself of his reputation
as a tyrant who only cares about the female lead. Still, she can't help but notice that he
seems kind when he smiles.

Suddenly, Theo surprises Judith with an unexpected question: he asks her what she
considers the perfect date for their wedding. This startles Judith so much that she chokes on
her food. Concerned, Theo quickly calls for a servant and inquires who prepared the
morning menu. The servant informs him that it was the head chef. Theo then angrily
declares that serving bread to someone hungover from drinking the previous night is akin to
trying to make them choke to death and orders the head chef to be thrown into the dungeon.

Judith, trying to save the chef, explains that she simply swallowed the food the wrong way.
Theo, however, takes her hand and assures her that it is not her fault. His unexpected
kindness reminds Judith of her own father and brothers, who always treated her with great
care and would punish anyone who caused her even the slightest of harm. She recalls how
she used to show her cuteness to her dad and brothers to save those punished by them.
Deciding to employ the same strategy, she cutely tells Theo that she would be sad if he
punished the head chef because the bread was truly delicious. Understanding her plea,
Theo instructs the servant to tell the chef to be more mindful when choosing the menu in the
future and orders to reward him for his efforts.

After nearly ruining the head chef's life, Theo looks at Judith with a romantic gaze. Judith
becomes shy, feeling it’s incongruous for him to smile at her like that after almost destroying
someone's livelihood. Theo then asks if they should continue their previous conversation
about their marriage, explaining that taking responsibility means marrying him. Judith
clutches her dress tightly, internally debating whether to refuse him. In the original novel,
Judith had a convenient marriage with Theo, which increased the likelihood of her death.
This makes her wary of accepting his proposal. However, she's also terrified of rejecting him,
fearing her father and others might get involved because of her decision.

At that moment, a servant knocks on the door, informing Theo of an urgent matter. Judith
feels relieved because of his intervention. Theo informs Judith that he must leave due to this
emergency. He approaches her, kisses her again, and asks her to rest, promising to return
soon. With that, he departs.

Theo makes his way to the meeting hall to attend to the urgent matter. There, he sees Duke
Genovis, the head of the noble council, who has come to speak with the emperor. The duke
urgently requests the emperor's permission to mobilize his soldiers and search the palace,
explaining that his daughter has disappeared. Yep, that's right, Duke Genovis is Judith's
father and he is looking for her. He informs the emperor that no one has seen his daughter
since the party the previous night. I have seen her sir but doing something you may not like
to hear. Anyways, he tells the emperor that despite having searched the entire capital, they
have found no trace of her.
Theo is surprised to hear that his daughter's disappearance happened at last night's party.
Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, he grants the duke permission to search the
palace as a special favor, acknowledging that the young lady's disappearance is indeed a
significant issue. The duke thanks the emperor for his generosity. Theo smirks, reminding
him that searching the palace is a major overstep, permitted only because of his
benevolence. Maybe Theo knows that the Duke is looking for Judith. The duke
acknowledges this, expressing his gratitude and assuring the emperor that he will never
forget his majesty's grace. The Duke then departs to look for his daughter. Suddenly,
another servant comes running to the meeting room and he urgently reports to the emperor
that the lady he brought in last night has disappeared from her room.

The scene shifts to Judith who carefully implements her castle escape plan, revising it step
by step to ensure its success. First, she left a note for the Emperor to prevent his anger,
explaining that she's worried about her family and needs to return home. This way, she
hopes to provide a plausible excuse for her absence. Secondly, She will move slowly and
discreetly, making sure to leave without anyone seeing her.

Thirdly, she arranges for a servant marie to disguise as her and leave for another country,
creating a convincing decoy. Fourthly, Judith predicts that the Emperor will search for her.
However, she believes that once he finds out that it's Marie, he will give up his pursuit,
unable to find her. Finally, she foresees that the Emperor will fall in love with the female
protagonist, solving the problem and allowing everything to return to normal. Judith is
confident that she will enjoy her family's love and find peace. Judith finds her plan perfect
and is ready to execute it.

But one thing still bothers Judith: she has lost her entry ID. Meanwhile, a guard finds her ID
and presents it to the Emperor, mentioning that they also discovered a note next to the bed
while the ID was found in the hallway of the banquet hall. The Emperor, Theo, ponders the
moments he spent with Judith, realizing how cute she is and recognizing that he has already
started loving her.
Determined to find her, Theo leaves his chair and sets out to look for her. Unbeknownst to
him, Judith is still making her way to sneak out of the imperial palace, unaware of the
Emperor's burgeoning feelings and his pursuit.

She is terrified at the thought that if the Emperor discovers she is Princess Fergre, her life
will be in grave danger. She peeks at the guards, trying to figure out a way to get their
attention. At that moment, she spots her elder brother, Prince Kain. The sight of him prompts
her to run towards him, but the guards immediately stop her, demanding she verify her
identity. Kain steps in, telling the guards that the girl is indeed his sister, Princess Fergre. He
vouches for her and requests the guard to put away the weapon from Judith. The guard
quickly complies, allowing Kain to approach Judith.

Upon reaching her, Kain expresses his concern for her well-being, asking if she is alright.
Judith attempts to assert that she is fine. However, Kain still feels concerned. She reassures
him once more that she is alright. Kain accepts this and instructs her to head to the carriage
first, explaining that he will call their father. He informs her that their father was worried about
her and he even proceeded to seek permission to search the castle by speaking with His
Majesty.
Judith starts to sweat, fully aware of the trouble that will ensue if the Emperor learns about
their predicament. Understanding the urgency to leave the castle quickly, she cleverly
employs her quick thinking and endearing charm to persuade her elder brother to head
home with, feigning fatigue from drinking.

Judith feels a pang of guilt for deceiving her brother, but her priority is to stay alive. They
board the carriage and soon arrive at Duke Fergre's mansion. Her younger brother, Tucin,
greets her with happiness and relief, but his concern quickly turns to worry as he bombards
her with questions about her well-being. Judith then notices blood spots on Tucin's clothes.
When she asks about them, he assures her that she doesn't need to worry and insists he
hasn't killed anyone. His attempts to convince her only make Judith suspicious, thinking
about what a psycho family she has.

Just then, Duke Fergre, Judith’a father, arrives, visibly relieved to see Judith. Her father
expresses his worry, and Judith realizes that all the important men in the Fergre household
are present: her older brother, the head of the knights; her second brother, the master of the
magic tower; and her father: with his mighty strength. Judith wonders if she'll be punished for
her sudden disappearance the previous night. She apologizes in a cute manner, and as
usual, it works. Her father hugs her, assuring her that everything is fine now that she is
home, and asks if she's injured. Her older brother tells their father that Judith mentioned not
feeling well, prompting their overprotective father to shout for a doctor. The doctor arrives,
conducts a health check-up, and reveals that Judith is sick from drinking too much.

The overprotective family gets concerned, asking the doctor for a cure. Getting' concerned?
Asking for a cure? My family would have beaten the shit out of me. Whatever, Judith
reassures her dad and brother that she is feeling better, so they can return to their important
positions. She flatters them, saying that she feels better just by seeing them. Moved by her
heartfelt words, they all start crying. Judith internally notes how easy it is to manipulate them.
Then, They all leave for work.

Late at night, Judith puts on a maid's disguise and asks the maid to pretend to be her as she
plans to leave the castle and go to another country to avoid being executed by the emperor.
However, as soon as she leaves her mansion, she sees Theo standing there, who takes her
back to the imperial palace. She feels like she has returned to the lair of the dragon.

As Judith enters the palace again, she pays close attention to the architecture, realizing that
it's quite luxurious even for an imperial palace. While touring, a portrait catches her eye.
Theo explains that this portrait depicts the first Emperor of Valdemar, who was half man, half
dragon. He elaborates that the dragon is the symbol of the imperial house due to its power,
and occasionally, a member of the imperial family inherits this dragon power. In this
generation, it’s Theo.

Judith recalls the description from the original novel: the dragon powers that Theo inherited
include a body as strong as dragon scales, extraordinary strength, and Rakion, a sentient
sword belonging to the emperor. She reflects that with these powers, it's natural for Theo to
be considered an emperor, even with the stigma of having killed his own family. Judith
believes that eventually, Theo will meet the female protagonist, Serne, fall in love, and she
will be free to leave the imperial palace and live her life as she wishes.

As she dreams about her life after being freed from Theo's grip, Judith suddenly notices
Theo undressing. Startled, she tells Theo that, with all due respect, she's not ready to spend
the night with him yet. However, Theo explains that he's removing his clothes because
Judith must need something to change into, and since he only has his own pajamas, he
wanted to give them to her. He assures her that he will call a costume designer first thing in
the morning and asks her to be patient with him today.

Feeling embarrassed for misunderstanding the situation, Judith thanks him and puts on his
robes. Theo then looks at her apologetically and explains that he pushed her yesterday
because he couldn't control himself, adding that he should have been more careful. Judith
assures him that he doesn't need to feel guilty and that yesterday was great. Theo, a bit shy,
leans closer to Judith and whispers in her ear, asking if they can do it again. Judith, suddenly
frustrated, watches as Theo laughs and tells her it's late and they should sleep.

They lay on the bed, and Theo soon falls asleep. The next morning, Judith wakes up on
Theo's chest, admiring that a man's chest should be this fluffy, finding his chest comfortable.
Theo asks her with a teasing smile if she likes his chest that much. Embarrassed, Judith
springs up and apologises to the emperor, realising that she didn't know he was awake.

Without missing a beat, Theo picks her up and carries her to the dining room for breakfast.
Nervous and unsettled, Judith starts eating, all the while wondering why Theo is in such a
good mood. A sense of foreboding washes over her.

As they eat, Theo brings up their marriage again, asking her when they should marry. He
suggests they marry the day after tomorrow. This suggestion shakes her to the core, and
she springs up from her seat in shock. The biggest problem is that Theo seems unwilling to
listen to her concerns. Desperate to stop this marriage, Judith musters the courage to
confess and makes another excuse. She tells him that she isn't actually Lady Judith but a
servant to the Duke of Fergre Green. Surprisingly, Theo isn't shocked by this revelation.

Sweating nervously, Judith continues to explain that the real princess had instructed her to
visit the palace and attend the masked ball in her place, which is how she ended up here.
She insists that as a commoner, she cannot marry the emperor and that many would object
to their union. She pleads with him not to go through with the marriage.

However, Theo simply grabs a few strands of her hair and, with a romantic tone, tells her
that it's alright because she is the one he wants to marry, and he won't let anyone object.
Noticing his response, Judith feels a sense of relief. She realises that it's May, and in the
novel, Theo meets Serne at the September Harvest Festival. Until then, Judith decides she
can go along with him. She suggests to Theo that the perfect time for their marriage would
be when the cherry blossoms fly like snow. Suddenly, Theo's expression changes. Judith
worries that her suggestion was irrational, as the cherry blossoms won't bloom until March of
next year. Despite his reaction, she maintains that they should marry when the cherry
blossoms flower to which Theo agrees.
Meanwhile, back in the Fergre duchy, Judith's father and brother discover that Judith has
disappeared again. The maid explains that before leaving, Judith asked her to deliver a letter
to them. Judith's father opens the letter, which reads:

"My dear parents and brothers, by the time you read this letter, I'll be gone."

She explains that she made a big mistake with the emperor at the masked ball and will hide
for a while, fearing the repercussions might reach her father and brothers. She requests that
if His Majesty looks for her, they should send Marie, the servant, in her place, believing Theo
will likely give up if he realizes she isn't the person he's looking for. She apologizes for
causing them worry and asks them to stay safe until they meet again.

Upon reading the letter, both the brothers and the father start crying frantically. The duke
believes the emperor must have scared his daughter so much that she ran away. He quickly
orders his sons to take the knights and search throughout the capital, believing she can't be
far away. Tucin asks his father what he will do, and the father responds that he will go to the
imperial palace.

Back in the Imperial Palace, Judith spent the entire morning choosing an outfit, treating it as
if it were a runway fashion show. Eventually, she ended up wearing a dress of Theo's
choice, who even got mad when a servant accidentally stepped on it. Judith begins to feel
that Theo is just like her family members, who gets mad even on the slightest inconvenience
that she faces.

While walking through the corridors, she notices a picture of a young boy with blonde hair
and dark purple eyes. She asks Theo if it's him. Theo responds affirmatively but in a bleak
manner, causing Judith to wonder if she had said something wrong. Theo reassures her that
she did not, yet Judith feels that something deeper is going on. She contemplates why the
Emperor wants to marry her and asks him directly. Theo tells her it's because he spent his
first night with her. Judith questions what would have happened if he had spent it with
someone else, but Theo firmly says that wouldn't happen. She tells him he might regret
marrying someone he spent only one night with, suggesting with a smile that he might meet
someone better. However, Theo, with a straight face, cuts her off and tells her there is no
one better than her. Even if there were, he doesn't want them and only wants Judith. With a
cold expression, he tells her he has no intention of letting her go and kisses her hand,
causing Judith to blush.

Suddenly, they hear a commotion. Judith realizes the voice sounds familiar and gets a bad
feeling. It turns out to be none other than her father, who has come raging to the Imperial
Palace looking for the Emperor. Despite the guards' efforts to stop him, he forces his way
through to Theo. The scene shifts to the dining table in the Imperial Palace, where Judith's
father and brothers have joined her and Theo. Theo invites them to eat as much as they like.
However, Judith's father, distressed, asks the Emperor what Judith did wrong and offers
himself as punishment in her place. Judith starts sweating, feeling that this might turn the
novel's genre into a BL story.

Theo smiles and reveals to her father that Judith committed a very serious crime that night,
which makes her start hiccuping. Concerned, her father, brothers, and Theo immediately call
for doctors, but Judith assures them she is fine. With no other option left, she confesses to
her family that she spent the night with His Majesty at the masked ball. This revelation
shocks everyone. Judith apologizes, expecting her family to be disappointed in her.
However, the Duke slams the table and starts blaming the Emperor, demanding to know
how he could commit such an act with his daughter. Judith is shocked and tries to explain
that there is a misunderstanding, that she was the one who seduced the Emperor first. Yet
again, this time her brothers become furious, asking if His Majesty ordered their innocent
sister to say that. They find it hard to believe that their little angel would try to seduce
someone like His Majesty.

Theo then speaks up, saying that although they may not believe it, Judith took his virginity
and promised to take responsibility for it. Judith's father asks the Emperor if he is saying he
will marry Judith just because of that one night. Theo places his hand on his chin and
charmingly tells everyone that he values purity greatly and promised to give everything to the
only woman he loves. He then asks her father for a good wedding date, adding that he
doesn't mind if it's tomorrow.

Judith's father gets a little angry, but Judith holds his arm, asking him to stay calm. Her
father places a hand on her shoulder, comforting her, and remarks that nowadays, it's
common for two unmarried people to spend the night together before getting married. He
says that his daughter will be sent by agreement, not because she made such a mistake
with His Majesty and proceeds to take her home. However, as the Duke leaves, Theo smirks
and reminds him of the promise he made when he allowed the search of the Imperial Palace
to look for Judith. Theo demands that as compensation for allowing the search, the Duke
must accept him as his son-in-law.

Theo's demand infuriates the Duke and Judith's brothers. Sensing the escalating tension,
Judith becomes concerned, knowing that if this continues, her father and brothers could be
labeled as traitors. Determined to take control of the situation, she shouts for everyone to
stop, making an angry yet cute face. Her father and brothers find it endearing, noting how
she looks like a cute little adult as she clenches her fists and uses all her strength to make
noise.

Judith suggests that since they don't know each other well, they should first visit the imperial
Palace to see His Majesty every day. After that, if His Majesty doesn't change his mind, they
can discuss marriage again. Her father opposes this idea, but Judith firmly tells him there are
no objections and that she will take responsibility. This leaves her family speechless. She
makes another cute face and asks her brothers and father to go home with her.

As they leave, Judith turns back to look at Theo and sees him looking sad, like a cute little
puppy. She feels weak looking at his face but determinedly tells him she will see him
tomorrow. After reaching her mansion, she looks at herself in the mirror, wondering if she did
a good job. Despite her loud outburst, she is afraid of meeting Theo tomorrow, questioning if
she will die before the original story even begins. She reassures herself that the reason
Judith died in the novel was because she interfered with the relationship between Theo and
the female protagonist. This time, she will defend and cheer for their love, ensuring there is
no way she will die.
Yet, deep down, she feels conflicted because she finds Theo cute and kind and doesn't
really want to lose him. She wonders if it would be fine to date for a while and then break up.
From everything that has happened, she notices that Theo seems much softer than in the
original novel. In the novel, he was definitely a straightforward character, even when he met
the female protagonist Serne. This change makes her wonder why he has become so weak.
Suddenly, Tucin and Kain enter her room and ask her if she would like to join their special
magic training as it's been so long since they last did it. Although Judith feels a bit
embarrassed to face her brothers after what all happened earlier, yet she joyfully says yes to
them and proceeds to the training.

Although It's now public knowledge, it's still fascinating that among the distant ancestors of
the Fergre Green family, there were demons. This heritage has resulted in descendants like
Judith's father and her brother Kain, being born with powers greater than those of ordinary
humans. In fact, Judith's own body inherits the power of another demon, the ability to absorb
magic, which she finds useless.

Judith tells her brothers that maybe she has no talent for magic and they should stop
training. However, Tucin explains to her that there are only two types of men in the world:
trash and dogmen. His words make her spit out the tea she was drinking. Tucin explains that
she never knows what kind of trash she might encounter in life, so there's nothing wrong
with learning self-defense magic. Besides, she has the heart of an angel, and the damn
emperor agreed to meet with her every day, so she must know how to defend herself.

Judith asks Tucin, if there are only two kinds of men,trash and dogs then what kind of man is
he? Tucin thinks and then tells her that he and their brother are the "good trash," and their
younger sister should only know good trash. Judith starts laughing. She feels happy that her
brothers didn't mind what happened today. Judith feels relieved after the training.

Just then, Judith encounters her dad, who looks concerned. They start talking, and her
father, worried, asks if she is really going to the Imperial Palace, where that beast of an
Emperor lives. Judith asks him not to worry too much. Her father apologizes for making her
scared, acknowledging that she is a healthy adult and that there is no sin in having a deep
relationship with someone. Deep relationship huh…I don't know which depth he is talking
about. However, he admits that neither he nor her brothers, no matter whom she choses to
be her husband, will never be satisfied Still, he wants her to remember that no matter what
choice she makes, she is precious to them.

Judith gets emotional, realizing how much her dad cares about her. She tells her dad that
she loves him and that she is happy to be born as his daughter while hugging him. With the
support of her loving family, she feels there is nothing she needs to worry about.

The scene shifts to the Imperial Palace, where Theo appears troubled. He calls for his
assistant, Alfen, and instructs him to procure the "Tears of Isteria." Alfen is taken aback, as
the Tears of Isteria is the most expensive diamond ring on the black market. The Emperor
had once mentioned he would use it only when he found the woman he truly loved. Alfen
feels a surge of happiness, anticipating that he can finally fulfill one of the Emperor's long
standing wishes, as he often felt powerless in his position.
However, Theo then instructs Alfen to make the cherry blossoms bloom, regardless of the
cost. Alfen, who had been internally laughing at the extravagance of the first request,
suddenly stops. Nervously, he informs His Majesty that all the cherry blossoms fell last
month, meaning they would have to wait until the next year for them to bloom again. Theo
becomes furious and tells Alfen that he is talking too much, insisting that he make the cherry
blossoms bloom no matter what. Theo seems like the kind of guy who uses money to buy
money.

In the subsequent scene, we see Kain reflecting on Theo. During the war, Theo had shown
little interest in any woman, but now he seems to be head over heels for Judith. Suddenly, a
servant arrives and informs Kain that Theo has visited the mansion. Kain is surprised that
the man he wants to kill has come to him voluntarily. Theo greets him, asking what brings
him there so early in the morning. However, his expression and body language suggest a
different message: "What the hell are you doing here so early in the morning? Get out of
here."

Theo explains that he came looking for Judith. Kain asks why, and Theo explains that Judith
had said she would come to see him. Kain tries to tell Theo that she will, but right now she's
sleeping. Theo says that's perfect; it’s the very reason he came to the mansion, to see her
sleeping. Kain tries to stop him, saying that Judith can't sleep well with someone around.
However, Theo smirks and tells him that she will sleep well in his arms.

Meanwhile, Judith wakes up with a feeling that someone is looking for her. She asks her
maid, Marie, to help her change her clothes, but can't find Marie anywhere. Not only Marie,
her other servants are also not there. Finally, Marie arrives. Judith asks what's going on and
why everyone is so busy. Marie reveals that His Majesty the Emperor has come to see her in
the morning, which terrifies Judith. Marie further informs her that they are all in the little lord's
room on the second floor, having a conversation.

Judith quickly dresses and heads there, wondering what kind of trouble they might cause
this time. She enters the room to find her brothers proudly showing her childhood paintings
to the Emperor, which embarrasses her. Kain proceeds to show Theo a doll that Judith
made for him as a birthday gift, which looks nothing like a doll. Yet, Theo agrees with Kain,
saying it's a preformed and unconventional doll, exactly the kind of thing he likes.

Then, Tucin shows Theo a letter Judith wrote for his birthday which just reads, “I love you so
much.”. Theo finds her writing very elegant, even though it is far from elegant. Despite this,
he feels impressed.

Theo feels a pang of jealousy knowing that the only letter Judith sent him was the one where
she informed him she was leaving the Imperial Palace. Determined to spend time with her,
he takes Judith to get a portrait made. While the artist works on the portrait, Judith feels the
process is taking a long time. Sitting in silence for a while, she starts to nod off and
eventually falls asleep in Theo's arms before the portrait is completed.

Theo quickly calls for Alfen, and the artist fears the Emperor might be angry about the delay.
However, Theo instructed the artist to take his time, reassuring him that the emperor is not
upset. After that, Theo gently picks Judith up and tells the artist that, since he has captured
the image roughly, he can complete the rest of it on his own and can bring the finished
painting to his office when it's done.

On the outskirts of the empire, Tucin is busy hunting monsters, but his comrades can clearly
see that he is in a foul mood. It’s surprising for them to see the head of the magic tower
involved in such a task. Tucin is furious because Theo abruptly took his sister to the Imperial
Palace. In his anger, he releases a large shockwave of magic, cursing Theo for trying to do
whatever he wants with Judith. Suddenly, a crow arrives with a message.

Meanwhile, at the Imperial Palace, Theo sits beside a soundly sleeping Judith. He wishes for
her to wake up soon because it's getting harder for him to resist the urge to do something
naughty. He hugs her, and she wakes up, surprised to find Theo so close. Just then, a
servant comes and informs Theo that the master of the magic tower, Tucin, wants to see
him. Judith is also surprised that her brother has come to visit her. Tucin comes and gets
happy to see Judith.

Then, Tucin informs Theo that this morning, in the forest on the western end of the island,
two chimeras were found. He tells Theo that one chimera was killed immediately while the
other fled and is currently being tracked.

Judith becomes concerned upon hearing about the chimera because, as someone who has
read the novel, she knows there's only one person in the entire kingdom capable of handling
the situation: Icard, the second prince, who is believed to be dead. Icard was the illegitimate
son of the late emperor and his lover. Unlike Theo, who inherited the royal family's power,
Icard was an ordinary person. Icard's mother, determined to make her son the crown prince,
performed numerous black magic rituals on him during his childhood.

This led to a difficult upbringing, and after the death of his abusive mother, Icard's spirit was
broken. All of his pent-up anger and resentment were directed at Theo. Icard felt that Theo
had everything he didn't, simply because Theo was born lucky. Like Theo, Icard dedicated
himself to researching chimeras to gain the power of the dragon. However, Theo eventually
discovered Icard's research on black magic. In a desperate move, Icard set fire to the
prince's palace, destroying all traces of his research, and then disappeared. Theo was left
with the stigma of being a tyrant, falsely accused of killing his younger brother.

When Judith thinks about Icard, she feels a sense of sympathy, understanding that anyone
growing up in such an environment might turn out like him. In her previous life, she too
suffered from an inferiority complex, feeling overshadowed by her siblings. But now, she has
a family that cares deeply for her, sometimes overwhelmingly so.

Meanwhile, Tucin tells the Emperor that since Theo has to pay close attention to even the
smallest details of the Empire, he would like to see His Majesty frequently from now on and
talk to him in person. In reality, what Tucin is implying is that he will keep appearing
unexpectedly in the future, so Theo should behave himself. Tucin then tells the Emperor that
since it's getting late, he will take his sister and leave. Judith bids goodbye to Theo, telling
him that she will return tomorrow. Seeing his sad and frustrated face, Judith knows she will
have to console him tommorow.
After arriving at her family's palace, Judith's father informs her that they've arranged to pick
her up from the Imperial Palace every day at 5 a.m. This news makes Judith feel sad.
Though she appreciates the care her family is showing her, a stark contrast to her previous
life, she still finds their overprotection overwhelming. Feeling stressed, Judith decides she
needs something specific after dinner. Late at night, she sneaks out of the mansion to buy it.
The carriage driver assisting her warns that if she's caught, her father will be angry. He
advises her to make her purchase quickly and return. Judith assures him that she'll take full
responsibility if they're caught and thanks him for his help.

Her destination is Camilla Bakery, where she hopes to buy her favorite limited edition
chocolate scones. Judith worried that they might be sold out since it's late, but to her relief,
she manages to find some. As she's at the bakery, she notices a suspicious-looking man
with black hair and a cape. The man glares at her, making her conscious. She wonders why
he's staring at her, questioning if he's never seen a pretty girl before. The man approaches
the counter and throws down a handful of gold coins, declaring that he'll pay for everything
on her tray. Judith is baffled by this gesture to pay for her, wondering if she knows him or if
he's in love with her. She tries to thank him and tell him it's unnecessary, but he leaves the
store without paying any attention to her words.

However, she suddenly realizes that her tray is empty and that the man has taken the scone
she bought. Quickly, she follows him, and in an attempt to catch him, she grabs his cape,
which reveals his face. She is taken aback by how handsome he is. The man remarks that
she had the opportunity to pick up the scone earlier and now that he has it, she shouldn't
bother him, as it’s a matter of whoever buys it first. Judith realizes that although this man is
handsome, his personality is trash. Suddenly, he grabs her hand, pulls her close, and tells
her that if she wants the scone so badly, she should ask for it in a different way that might
persuade him to give it to her.

Judith gets angry and kicks his leg but ends up hurting herself, wondering if he has an iron
protector on his leg. She runs away, cursing him to keep those damn chocolate scones.
Judging from her footprints, the man wonders if she might be the Emperor's wife. He then
heads to a bar in an alley where the bartender welcomes him back. The bartender
addresses him as Icard, revealing that this black-haired man is none other than the second
prince who everyone thinks has died. Seeing him smile, the bartender asks if everything
went according to the plan.

Talking about Judith, Icard tells the bartender that he initially thought she would be a foolish
girl who would be easy to manipulate, but she turned out to be quite different. He explains
that because of this, he'll have to find another way to seduce her until she succumbs to his
charm. The bartender checks Icard's robe and takes out the chocolate scones from inside.
Icard tells him that he doesn't need them anymore and that he can throw them away.

The next day in the Imperial Castle, Theo tries to focus on his work while sitting with Judith.
However, he finds it hard to concentrate and decides to spend some time with her. Seeing
him leave his chair, Judith asks if he's done working. Theo turns his head and replies that
he's not done yet, just a little tired. Judith suggests that if he's tired, it would be better for him
to lie down and rest, explaining that while work is important, overworking can make him sick.
Theo agrees and lays down on her lap to rest.
She asks if he's comfortable, but Theo admits that he's not. What a chad. Judith wonders if
Theo isn't actually tired and just did this on purpose to lie on her lap. However, when she
looks at his face, she realizes he genuinely looks tired. She asks if he hasn't been sleeping
well lately, and Theo confirms. Judith expresses concern, saying that if he's too busy with
work to sleep, it's not good for him.

Theo changes the topic and asks what he should wear to meet her tomorrow and what he
can do so she likes him. He admits that he doesn't even know what kind of food she likes
and tells her that he spent the day imagining tomorrow, explaining that there are many things
he wants to do with her, and a single night isn't enough to think about it all. Judith blushes
and tells him they can try those things one by one. As she continues to speak, Theo takes
her hand and caresses it, telling her that he wants to hug her. However, Judith gets flustered
and tells him that she is not mentally prepared yet.

Judith blushes and tells Theo that he should sleep since he must be tired, and they can talk
more after he gets some rest. Theo tries to resist, but Judith insists, and he eventually
agrees. As he attempts to fall asleep, Judith gazes at his face. She reflects that it's not that
she dislikes Theo, he's handsome, has a good physique, and he is surprisingly kind. She
knows that she likes him, but what confuses her is why he likes her so much, especially
considering they haven't known each other for long. She somewhat dislikes the idea that
Theo might be obsessed with her just because she's the first girl he's met. She is aware that
their initial meeting was accidental and that if Serne, the female protagonist, appears, they
will likely separate. However, as long as they are together, she wants to have a pleasant
relationship with Theo. She hopes that even if Theo eventually falls in love with Serne, he
won't end up hating her enough to want to kill her.

Suddenly, she notices him wearing a necklace, although it's hidden beneath his shirt. Her
curiosity gets the better of her, and she carefully begins unbuttoning his shirt, hoping he
remains asleep. Just then, Theo stirs and wakes up, catching her in the act. He misinterprets
her actions, quickly pins her down, and smirking, asks if she's ready for what he thinks she's
initiating.

Judith is left speechless and takes a moment to gather her thoughts. She then gently pushes
him away, firmly stating that she doesn't want to go any further. Shyly averting her gaze, she
explains that she isn't interested in relationships based solely on physical attraction. Theo
tries to reassure her, expressing his genuine feelings for her, but Judith is adamant, insisting
that he is only interested in her body.

Theo gazes at her questioningly, as if to say that's not true. Despite her reservations,
Judith's hands instinctively start to touch his chest, revealing her conflicted feelings. She tells
him that she wants to learn more about him and that they should take things slow. Theo
sighs and assures her that she can simply say no if she doesn't want something and he will
always respect her boundaries. Apologizing for his earlier assumption, he gently asks for her
hand and requests one more favor: to go on a picnic together.

In the guise of a picnic invitation, Theo requests Judith to accompany him to a hunting
competition. Although Judith always avoids the event to steer clear of Theo, his personal
invitation leaves her with no choice but to attend. During her way back to her mansion from
the imperial palace, Judith and her father talk about Judith’s life. During the journey, her
father, concerned for her well-being, inquires if the emperor pressures her into anything.
Judith reassures him that she isn't being forced into anything she doesn't want. She explains
that the emperor is more considerate of her opinions than she anticipated. She
acknowledges that although she and the emperor are still getting to know each other, she
has chosen to approach their interactions with a positive attitude.

Judith further assures her father that he needn't worry excessively, promising to inform him
first if any issues arise, giving him the opportunity to address them with the emperor directly.
Her father feels a surge of emotion, realizing he perhaps worries too much. Despite his
personal dislike for the emperor, he respects Judith’s autonomy in making her own
decisions. He acknowledges that as a father, he needs to honor her choices.

Apologizing for his tendency to forget that Judith is now an adult, he expresses his resolve to
support her decisions. Judith, in turn, asks him not to fret, pointing out that marriage is a
natural part of life for everyone. Her father's emotions deepen as he marvels at Judith's
maturity and sensitivity to his feelings. He reflects on his own marriage to Judith’s mother,
Leila, and imagines the emotions his father-in-law must have felt when he married her.
Reflecting on his late wife, he internally communicates with her, expressing pride in how
much their daughter has grown.

Then, the narration explains about the hunting contest organized by the Imperial Palace.
This annual event promotes harmony between the imperial family and the nobility, with the
winner being the one who hunts the most on the day. Before the competition begins, women
kiss the participants to wish them a safe return and good luck, while men have the custom of
giving flowers along with their game and confessing to the woman they like. It is a popular
event among young men and women.

Judith reflects on Theo's request for her to participate, realizing it means he wants to give
her flowers. She feels embarrassed at the thought of publicly declaring they are lovers and
wonders if she will have to kiss Theo. As she prepares for the hunt, she realizes she had
been so focused on breaking up with Theo safely that she forgot that in her past life, she
died without ever having a romantic relationship. If she accepts Theo's proposal, he will be
her first boyfriend.

This thought makes her blush so hard that she tightly hugs a pillow, getting all red. She feels
shy thinking that if it becomes true, she will have the emperor of the kingdom as her
boyfriend. The idea of being the emperor's lover overwhelms her, and she finds herself
unable to calm down, totally going crazy out of excitement. To clear her mind, she decides to
go out for a moment and get some fresh air.

She heads to the same bakery again to get her favorite chocolate scones. To her delight,
she finds that many chocolate scones are available today, unlike the last time when only one
scorn was left and she even lost it to that black-haired man. Happy with her find, she decides
to buy all the scones and give them to her family and the people of Duchy.
As she heads back to her carriage, Judith begins to wonder if she has bought too many
chocolate scones, as the weight makes it difficult for her to walk. With both hands full, she
finds herself unable to open the carriage door. She calls out to the carriage driver, Jason, for
assistance. However, before Jason can respond, an unknown man steps forward and opens
the door for her. Judith thanks the stranger and prepares to leave, but as she boards the
carriage, she notices the man watching her with a shady gaze. Ignoring her unease, she
settles into the carriage, and it begins to move towards her mansion.

As the journey progresses, Judith becomes aware that the carriage is shaking unusually
much today. She starts to wonder if they are even heading in the right direction. Suddenly,
the carriage comes to an abrupt stop. Judith, finding the quick arrival strange, asks the driver
why they have reached their destination so fast. But instead of a response from Jason, the
carriage door opens to reveal the same man who had helped her earlier. The man tells her
that her driver is probably in a warehouse somewhere and she is his victim now. Judith
quickly recognizes him as the man who had opened the carriage door for her earlier, and
she realizes that she is in the midst of a kidnapping.

Alarmed, Judith demands to know what the man is after and if he needs money. Maybe he
wants your chocolate scones, give it a try. However, the man says that she doesn't need to
know about their plans and attacks him with a magical beam to make her unconscious. But
to his surprise, before the attack could hit her, she absorbs the beam thanks to her Demonic
ability to absorb magic.

Catching the man off-guard, Judith sees an opportunity and tries to remember what her
brother taught her during their training sessions. She is sure that there is a magic spell
specifically meant for situations like this. She recalls a powerful spell that can blow away an
opponent in a single blow, but her brother had warned her that it requires a genuine magical
talent, which she lacks.

Accepting that she cannot use the powerful spell, Judith remembers that her brother also
taught her a quick and effective move for self-defense. Determined to protect herself, she
recalls the spell and swiftly performs it. She uses lightning magic, which surprises the shady
man. Aware that lightning spells are difficult to aim due to their speed, Judith closes the
distance between them to ensure a direct hit. She successfully executes the spell, knocking
the man down with a precise and powerful strike.

After rendering the man unconscious, Judith quickly runs away. However, she soon finds
herself in a shady and unfamiliar area. As she tries to figure out which way to go, the man
swiftly recovers and catches her from behind. He angrily tells her that she will pay for hurting
him and covers her mouth, warning that he will break her thin wrists if she tries to use magic
again. With her back against the wall, Judith feels desperate and silently prays for someone
to come to her aid. Suddenly, her prayers are answered when the man is hit by a sudden,
unexpected attack that knocks him down. To her immense surprise, it is Icard who has come
to her rescue, yet the fact that she doesn't know his real identity is a different matter.

Icard asks Judith if she's hurt, but she responds by questioning what he is doing there. Icard,
slightly frustrated, asks if that's all she has to say upon seeing him. Judith, however, insists
on knowing how he got here. She thanks him for his help and tells him that she will repay his
kindness once she returns to the Fergre Dukedom to which Icard remains silent. Icard then
asks Judith if she can return to the Duke's residence alone to which Judith nods, but Icard
insists that Judith should follow him since she doesn't know the way. Judith internally
wonders why he is suddenly being so helpful. She feels conflicted, although she wants to
refuse, she feels anxious about being alone.

Deciding to follow the guard, Judith warns him that she will scream if he takes her
somewhere strange. Icard finds her comment amusing and reassures her that if he had any
ill intentions, he would have already acted on them. Judith realizes this is true and lets him
help her. Afterward, they reach the Fergre Dukedom. She thanks him again for saving her,
admitting that she was scared earlier, explaining that is still somewhat angry about what
happened on their first meeting when Icard took away her Chocolate scones. Besides, She
insists that she must repay him for his help. Icard tells her it's unnecessary, but Judith
persists, explaining that she doesn't like to receive help without returning the favour.

Icard suggests that if she is truly grateful, she should visit him personally instead of him
coming to the Duke's residence. Frustrated, Judith asks for his address, intending to come
with a bunch of gold coins. However, Icard declines, expressing his dislike for such gestures.
Suddenly, Icard turns around and suggests that if she truly wants to repay him, she can buy
him the chocolate cookies from the bakery. She finds his request somewhat strange,
speculating that maybe this person is obsessed with chocolate cookies. Finally, they arrive
at the square of the Duke's mansion, where Icard informs her that the escort ends here.

Icard teases Judith, saying he doesn't need to hold the princess's hand to help her into the
carriage. Irritated, Judith retorts that she can manage on her own and tells him he can leave.
As she heads towards the mansion, she feels foolish for briefly considering he might be a
good person. However, she quickly dismisses those thoughts, acknowledging how helpful he
has been today. She turns around to ask for his name, but he has already disappeared.
Judith feels a bit upset that she couldn't properly say goodbye.

Later, her father and brothers arrived to look for her. Jason, the carriage driver who had
gone missing, was found safe in a warehouse. Theo searched the entire empire to find the
person responsible for planning Judith's kidnapping but came up empty-handed. Thanks to
Judith's tearful pleas, Jason avoided being fired but still received a harsh punishment of a
pay cut. Judith is also banned from going out for a while as a consequence. Lying in bed,
she feels sorry for Jason, knowing she was the one who insisted on going outside. She feels
sad about being banned from going out, particularly because she won't be able to visit
Camilla's bakery for some time. Thinking about the bakery, she suddenly remembers Icard,
realising she was supposed to meet Icard today. However, she doubts he will still be waiting
for her.

The scene shifts to Icard, who is seen meeting a tiger-bat chimera named Shran. Suddenly a
maroon haired man, probably Icard's subordinate, comes and reports to him that they have
dealt with the thief who had bribed him. Icard thanks him for being such a big help but the
man acts moderate. He then asks Icard about Judith, questioning if she actually has the
ability to undo magic, something that is considered impossible.
Icard explains that, to be precise, it’s not about nullifying or undoing the magic, but rather
about absorbing it. He elaborates that Judith has the ability to convert her opponent's attack
into her own mana. He reveals that this power originates from an extinct demonic race.
There is a well-known rumor that Duke Fergre and his eldest son have inherited demonic
powers, granting them superhuman abilities. Even their daughter, Judith, is said to have
inherited a different type of demonic power, Icard explains. He instructs his subordinates to
keep a close watch on Judith, ensuring that they remain undetected.
As the subordinate leaves, Icard begins to reflect on his step-brother Theo. He feels jealous,
knowing that Judith, the emperor's lover, is a woman with an unparalleled magical power.
With a smirk, he contemplates how Theo always seems to get everything he desires.

After a while, the day finally arrives when Judith's ban from leaving the mansion is lifted,
thanks to hunting competition. Judith steps out of her carriage, relishing the beautiful
weather and fresh air she has missed for so long. She stretches, feeling invigorated.
Suddenly, she spots Theo, marvelled to see his Handsome face after so long. She asks him
why he arrived so early, as the royal family typically arrives last. Theo kisses her hand and
explains that he came early because he wanted to see her. Seeing Theo so close to Judith
makes her father and brothers uneasy. Judith herself feels a bit embarrassed by Theo's
closeness in front of her family.

As the preparations for the competition begin, women kiss their men for good luck and
success. Judith’s brother Kain also heads towards the competition area but gets stopped by
Judith, who kisses him on the cheek, cheering him on that the captain of the knights must
lead the participants. Judith then kisses her father's cheek, asking him not to overdo it.
Afterward, she searches for Theo in the tents, curious about who he might be with.

She finally spots him alone, with no family members around. Quietly approaching him to
avoid being seen, she tells him she has come to bless him. Theo quickly connects the dots
that this means it’s time for their kiss. However, to Judith’s shock, he tells her that she
doesn’t need to kiss him just because everyone else is doing it. Regardless, Judith comes
closer and kisses his cheek and blushingly explains that she is not doing this out of some
necessity. Seeing her shyness, Theo leans in and attempts to kiss her again, this time on the
lips, reminding her that he has given the right to his lips to only her. However, Judith, with a
red face, pushes him back, clarifying that she just came to bless him so he should not get
the wrong idea.

Theo stands silently without saying anything and sensing the awkward environment, Judith
begins to leave his tent. As she walks away, she wonders why his expression seemed so
cold despite the fact she gave him a kiss. Just then, Theo calls out to her, asking her to stop.
When she turns around, he quickly kisses her forehead, wittily remarking that this is also a
blessing, so she shouldn't misunderstand it.

After that, the much-awaited hunting festival begins, and all the men ride off on their horses
to hunt. Meanwhile, their mistresses wait, gossiping among themselves about how this year
the emperor has come with his lover. They glance at Judith, making her feel self-conscious.
Judith considers excusing herself by saying she needs to go to the bathroom, thinking it
might be a good way to escape being the centre of their gossip. Suddenly, a woman named
Isabella approaches Judith, surprising her. Judith is taken aback to see Isabella at the
hunting competition and wonders if this is the moment when they first meet in the original
novel. As per the novel, Isabella Leon, an assistant to the villainess Judith, harboured
feelings for Theo and was jealous of Judith, his fiancée. In the novel, Judith cleverly
manipulated Isabella's feelings to conspire against Serne, the female protagonist. However,
the righteous Serne saved Isabella's life when she was in danger, which deeply moved
Isabella and transformed her into a loyal friend of Serne.

Considering this backstory, Judith is currently wary of forming any kind of relationship with
Isabella, knowing that, according to the novel, they will eventually betray each other.
Nevertheless, Judith greets Isabella with a smile, saying it is a pleasure to meet her. Deep
down, she knows that nothing good will come from getting close to Isabella, so she decides
it is best to keep her distance. Isabella expresses that she has really wanted to meet Judith
and asks if she can send her an invitation to the next tea party. Internally, Judith is
screaming, "No, please don't send it," but outwardly, she politely responds that Isabella can
indeed send the invitation, and if nothing important comes up, she will definitely try to attend.

After that, Isabella sits next to Judith, much to Judith's dismay, and starts chatting about
various topics. Isabella offers her a special flower tea that she brought, explaining that it is a
rare flowering tea found only in the jungles of the continent's southwest. Intrigued, Judith
reaches out to take the cup, but suddenly, the tea spills onto Isabella's dress. Judith quickly
realizes that Isabella spilled the tea on purpose.

Everyone around them begins asking Isabella if she is okay. Surprisingly, Isabella responds
with a cold tone, insisting she is fine, and then sarcastically remarks that Judith apparently
has slippery hands, blaming her for the spill. Despite being extremely furious inside, Judith
maintains her composure and boldly tells her that what she is doing is quite childish.

What will happen next ? Will they end up ripping off each other’s hair ? Jokes apart, who will
come triumphant in the hunting competition. Stay tuned to find out.