Empress Maria

Divorce me, Maria.”

Born into a prestigious family, Maria became the Empress of the Rastonia Empire at the age of fifteen. She devoted herself entirely, both as the Empress of the Empire and as the wife of one man. Yet all she received in return was brutal betrayal and the downfall of her family. Before her, now reduced to rags, stood a man leading a crimson army.

“I’ve come to collect a debt.”

Günter Playsley, the Great King of Helland, a nation founded by mercenaries.

Maria, once an empress, was branded a traitor and ultimately taken as collateral for Rastonia’s debt. Dragged away by his hand, she was led to the land of savages…

***

“Do not worry. I will protect you.”

Günter took Maria’s hand. Only then did she finally look properly at the red-haired man holding her. A crimson dragon mask. Who was he? Her tangled memories refused to bring forth an answer.

But did it even matter? No matter who took her, no matter if they killed her, what did it change? She had survived alone, burdened with guilt toward her late parents.

Just as Maria was about to step through the imperial palace gates, she suddenly halted and turned back.

“Do not look back. The past is behind you.”

Despite Günter’s words, Maria fixed her gaze on Henry and Nancy, who stood watching her from a distance. Then, slowly, she began walking toward them once more.

“Maria!”

Even as Günter called her name, Maria did not stop. Instead, she quickened her pace, stepping in front of Henry. She took a deep breath, suppressing the surge of emotions that threatened to overtake her. For a moment, she simply stared at Henry in silence before gently taking his right hand in hers.

“Maria…”

Henry, too, wavered at the sight of Maria’s conflicted emotions. He no longer loved her as he once did, yet somewhere deep inside, he could not bring himself to fully resent her either. Perhaps it was lingering sentiment, the remnants of an old attachment. That was why, despite everything, she held his hand so tenderly, gazing at him with such longing.

Maria slowly brought Henry’s palm to her lips and pressed a kiss against it. A murmur rippled through the crowd. Given the circumstances, one might have expected her to curse Henry as a traitor, yet she stood before him like a devoted wife bidding a final farewell.

Then, without hesitation, Maria pulled out a pen she had kept hidden and began writing something on Henry’s palm.

[Wait for me. I will bring divine punishment upon you. You murderous bastard.]

After inscribing her final words with the pen Liberio had given her, Maria calmly pocketed it once more. Then, without another word, she took a step back.