The Imperial Medical Center, home to the palace’s top physicians including the Royal Healer himself, had been unnervingly tense these days.

“How’s His Highness holding up?”  

“They say it’s nothing serious, thank goodness…”  

The source of this collective anxiety?

The hospitalization of one man “Prince Aziel ” the Eleventh Prince. A name that echoed infamy within these halls. They called him mad, a lunatic. And now he was in the very place where his victims often ended up.

Especially within the medical center’s walls, whispers fluttered like startled birds.

“Still, what on earth happened? His Highness usually “puts” people in here. I’ve never seen him get admitted himself.”  

“I know, right? Until just recently he was the reason half the beds were full.”  

“But wasn’t he incredibly good-looking? Completely different from the rumors.”  

“Girl, focus. So what if he’s handsome? Haven’t you seen the people who came out of here after crossing him?”  

“I know, I know. But who knows? Maybe he’s the kind of bad boy who’s secretly sweet to his girl.”  

“A bad boy? Get caught up with the wrong kind of bad boy and you’ll be dead.You trying to end your life early?”  

“Unni, is that why you couldn’t stop staring at His Highness’ face when he was asleep earlier?”  

Aziel ’s victims were often wheeled into these very halls, battered and broken. His reputation preceded him. As the nurses gossiped about the sudden appearance of the notorious prince, their murmurs were cut off, 

“Why are you all standing around?! We’ve got an emergency!”  

A physician dashed down the corridor, barking orders. The nurses snapped to attention, chasing after him.

“Get the bandages and the recovery tonic! We might need sutures, get everything ready!”  

“Doctor! Where’s the patient coming from?”  

“The royal room!”  

The royal room, reserved exclusively for members of the imperial bloodline. Right now, it housed only one patient: the Eleventh Prince, Aziel. Of course he caused trouble            

the moment he got here. Bracing themselves for a disaster, they burst into the room.

“Oh no, oh my—!”  

“Your Highness!”  

Medical trays overturned, blood smeared across the floor, attendants sprawled out unconscious or groaning in pain.

“Oh, you’re here? Smashed a couple of heads, so, do treat them well. I might need to smash them again later.”  

Laid back on his bed, Prince Aziel  smiled lazily at the medical team. His grin sent a chill down their spines. A terrifying first impression, but then…

“Your Highness, I’ve brought your lunch.”  

“Leave it there.”  

“We’ll return shortly with your medication, once you’ve eaten.”  

“Bring it all at once. Don’t bother coming twice.”  

“The medicine is bitter, so if you’d prefer a sweet snack…”  

“Snacks are for you. I’m not a child.”  

“My apologies.”  

Contrary to every expectation, he showed no interest in others; No violence, No lewd comments, No cruelty. He simply stared out the window, lost in thought, except when someone crossed the line.

“Your Highness. We hope you’ve been well.”  

“Don’t cross the threshold. You stink of perfume. Why are you here again? Head still in one piece, I see.”  

“N-no, Your Highness, actually, Her Majesty the Empress wishes for an audience.”  

“Royal Healer! Bring me Alfred, now!”  

The prince’s roar sent the attendants scrambling behind the door. Aziel sneered, amused, then let his voice drop with icy warning.

“If you ever spit nonsense like that to a patient again, I’ll let you see your body parts… scattered on the floor. I’m talking about the ones I cut off.”  

“Y-Your Highness…”  

“You do know we can reattach severed limbs here, right?”  

“Your Highness…”  

“Ah, Alfred. Perfect timing. You need practice reattaching things, don’t you?”  

“W-we’ll take our leave, Your Highness!”  

“Good. Now disappear.”  

For once, the high an -mighty attendants, usually lording over everyone in Steel Fortress, were the ones cowed and humiliated. It was deliciously satisfying to witness.

Days passed. And within the fortress, rumors began to brew among women with… let’s say, “peculiar tastes”.

Whispers about the Eleventh Prince, that even when cloaked in menace, even when violent, he was “beautiful”.

“Disgusting worms.”  

“Like roaches crawling over everything.”  

“How dare they push their powdered faces in here and speak on behalf of the Empress.”  

“Do they want to die?”  

Even after the attendants fled,Aziel muttered venomously, unable to contain his anger. Watching him quietly, Alfred, the Royal Healer, finally spoke.

“Your Highness… Are you sure it’s wise to treat them that way?”  

“I know what they are. Cunning. Greedy. They trade lost parts of their bodies for power, wealth, and blood. Like wolves from the north.”  

“They’re dangerous.”  

Of course he was right. The eunuchs never forgot their grudges. They would spend decades waiting to return a slight. In the Imperial Palace, in Steel Fortress, no, throughout the Empire, they were like cancer.

“All the more reason to kill them before they become a threat.”  

“…Pardon?”  

“They’re a blight. And you know it too.”  

“Why are you saying this to me?”  

“Because I thought you might actually understand.”  

Alfred’s gaze flicked toward Aziel’s crooked smile. He nodded, slightly. Though that oddly charming smirk… wasn’t that out of character?

In a past life, Alfred had been a ruthless military instructor. Cold and brutal. So why was he smiling like that now?

“I’m listening.”  

“What’s the greatest source of the eunuchs’ power?”  

“Being in the Emperor’s inner court.”  

“Exactly. And the prestige of being backed by His Majesty and Her Majesty. What else?”  

“Connections. Wealth.”  

“People and money.”  

Their words overlapped.Aziel’s grin sharpened. If he faced the Empress now, he’d be no better than a toy swept up in her power plays. He had neither the influence nor the allies to resist her. So, what then?

“Alfred, prepare to leave the palace. I’m using the permit we acquired last time.”  

“You’re leaving? For how long?”  

“Until I get what I need.”  

“And that is?”  

If he was going to face her, he needed to be prepared. No more dancing like a leaf in the wind. He’d spent the past week thinking, and he had someone in mind.

“I’m going mining.”  

“Mining, Your Highness?”  

“Yes. For gold. A mine that spits out money.”  

Alfred blinked, clearly not following. But Azielhad already made up his mind.

[A minor fate has been postponed. However, the target’s rage increases. Future consequences may follow.]  

[A minor fortune stirs. A portion of fate points has been invested. A new destiny begins to take shape.]  

Once again, fate shifted.

Her face serene, her poise flawless down to the tips of her fingers,such was the Empress. Next to the Emperor himself, she held the highest seat in the Empire. She had always taken what she desired. Until now.

“What did you say?”  

“That… His Highness declined, citing the need for convalescence.”  

He had “refused” her summons?

“That mad prince rejected me?”  

“W-we are guilty of an unforgivable crime, Your Majesty! Please show mercy!”  

“Forgive us, Your Majesty!”  

The eunuchs who had delivered the news were on their knees in an instant.

“How long did he say he needed? When will he present his shameless face before me?”  

One eunuch stepped forward, shaking like a leaf.

“A-a fortnight, Your Majesty…”  

“A “fortnight”?!”  

“O-one week! He said he’ll be here within one week!”  

Her brow twitched, but she allowed it. Barely.

“Fine. I’ll wait. Now leave me.”  

They scurried out like mice.

Alone in the shadowy royal chamber, the Empress’s smile slowly faded.

“That insolent little wretch… How dare he defy ‘me’*?”   Her teeth clenched.

But then, just as suddenly, a flirtatious chuckle filled the dark.The handmaidens hidden in the gloom trembled where they stood.

They pitied Prince Aziel. For once again, his fate was changing, and it was headed straight into the heart of the storm.