Chapter 3: If You Want to Survive

At dawn, Simon walked out of Alexia’s palace openly, making no attempt to conceal his movements.

To those in the Imperial Palace, this had long been an open secret.

Everyone knew Simon was the Empress’s lover, and for the two of them, there was no need to hide it.

In the eyes of the Empire’s people, no matter what strange actions Alexia took, it was unsurprising, and the fact that Simon, who assisted her, developed some indescribable relationship with her was only natural.

With their prominent status in the Empire, they naturally didn’t care about rumors.

“Commander, this is the total asset from selling off all items of the Pandas Family, approximately three hundred and ninety thousand, seven hundred and fifty gold coins. There are still many unsellable items remaining.”

Simon had just left the Imperial Palace when his deputy, Miroya, who had been waiting outside the gate, stepped forward to report the spoils of confiscation.

“Keep seventy percent, and report the remaining thirty percent as proceeds to the Empress.”

“?!”

Miroya froze.

She hurried forward to ask, “Keep seventy percent?! Commander, isn’t that too much this time? Usually, only ten percent is kept.”

How is this any different from swallowing it all for yourself? Compared to this, their previous actions seemed like child’s play.

“The Empress has no idea how much Count Pandas has embezzled over the years. In her understanding, Pandas is a good man who never accepted bribes.”

In the story, when this money was reported to Alexia, she showed a shocked and incredulous expression.

Even she didn’t expect that confiscating Count Pandas’s estate would yield such a fortune.

“But… forgive my bluntness, Commander.”

Miroya continued, “We have no use for this money, and it’s really too much.

If the Empress questions it in the future, it will be very troublesome.”

Simon stopped, turned his head to look at his deputy, and said coldly, “This is a Command, Miroya.”

“As citizens of the Empire, we should be loyal to the Empress. But as my deputy, you should obey me.”

A cold sweat seeped down Miroya’s back.

She quickly lowered her head.

“I spoke out of turn.”

Simon didn’t intend to explain further to Miroya—words can bring disaster.

Even if Miroya was his confidante, some things couldn’t be stated outright.

At least on the surface, he was absolutely loyal to the Empress and could not possibly do such things.

Because of the contract, Alexia never suspected Simon of any improper conduct.

No matter what others said about him, she took it as an attempt to frame or slander him.

In her view, if Simon ever broke free from her control, he would draw his sword and kill her immediately, not behave as respectfully as he did now.

Therefore, as long as Simon had no intention to kill her, she trusted him completely.

The reason Simon kept a portion of the money each time was for future plans.

Once handed over to Alexia, the money would soon be used to maintain the Empire’s operations.

There was nothing wrong with this in practice, but the problem lay with those executing it.

These nearly forty thousand gold coins, once distributed through the ranks, were deducted layer by layer, and what reached the bottom was probably just a few copper coins.

And what could those few copper coins accomplish?

With Alexia yet to begin the Great Imperial Reform, this money would sink without a trace, unable to stir a single ripple—naturally, it would be useless.

If he didn’t take it, Simon was certain the outcome would be this: the Empress above would believe she had made the right decision, those in the middle would gorge themselves, and those in need at the bottom would receive nothing.

Though he was reluctant to admit it, this was the current state of the Empire—a decaying and bloated end.

But if he did take it, what would the result be? Simon couldn’t predict.

But at least the money was still in his hands and hadn’t fallen into those people’s grasp.

It could still be useful in the future.

Before Alexia initiated the Great Imperial Reform, he would hold onto the money for her.

……

Simon had just returned to the Estate and immediately sensed Belinda peeking at him from a gap in the second-floor staircase.

When she realized Simon had spotted her, Belinda tried to turn and run, but suddenly stopped, standing up straight and facing him.

Simon’s gaze fell on her pure white dress, his tone tinged with reproach.

“I told you to change into that set of clothes after waking up, not what you’re wearing now.”

Belinda hesitated and mumbled,

“But… that’s what the maids wear.”

That black-and-white maid uniform was clearly unsuitable for her.

As Simon walked up, he spoke.

“Belinda, you’re no longer the noble daughter of a Count. Now, you’re just a criminal stripped of status.”

“Outside this Estate, countless eyes are watching you. Some are just curious to see your current appearance; others harbor different thoughts, wanting to witness the fall of a noble lady.”

“I’m not going to force you to wear that outfit. But if you want to survive and wait for your parents to save you, you’d best put it on.”

“I know many people out there are waiting to catch my mistakes, but I don’t care how others see me.”

Belinda silently stared at Simon as he approached.

After a long time, she finally spoke.

“Simon, was what you said before the Empress yesterday true? You want me to personally kill my parents?”

“It’s true.”

Simon had no intention of deceiving Belinda.

“But that is a choice you will have to make, not something I want you to do.”

Once Belinda knew the whole truth, the choice would naturally become less difficult.

“Choice?”

Belinda gave a bitter smile.

“I’ve fallen so far, and you still say I have a choice?”

“When that day really comes, I’m afraid there will only be one choice left. No, I won’t make that choice!”

In her current predicament, what room was there for choice?

Simon may have told her mother that they could come to save her, but anyone could see that such a chance was slim.

Especially since she was personally guarded by Simon.

To escape from the hands of the Empire’s strongest Commander, she couldn’t even imagine how strong one would have to be.

Anyway, she didn’t hold much hope.

Belinda sighed.

“Forget it, talking about this is pointless. I’m just your prisoner… But still, why must I wear those clothes? Is it to satisfy your special fetish?”

“Because it’s the Decree of the Empress. She wants you to live. That’s all.”

Simon replied.

“Empress? But you’re not even loyal to her. Why listen to her?!”

Belinda looked at the man before her in confusion.

In the time she’d spent with Simon, she had discovered the greatest doubt—the Empress’s most trusted guard might never have been truly loyal.

Simon did carry out the Empress’s orders, but never with absolute compliance.

“Why?”

Simon slowly stood up, walked a few steps aside.

“Perhaps because I’m unwilling to accept her inevitable death.”

He turned to look at Belinda.

“That’s enough questions. Now, let me tell you how to survive.”