Jae-Hyun's laughter abruptly ceased, the sound cutting off as if someone had snapped a string. His expression remained composed, but there was a noticeable shift in his eyes—something darker and more dangerous flickered there. He leaned in even closer, their faces inches apart, as the emperor's words hung in the air like a toxic fog.
"Do you really think threats will save you now?" Jae-Hyun whispered, his voice carrying a sinister calmness that sent a chill down the emperor's spine. "You may try to harm her, but remember, every drop of her blood you spill will only deepen the abyss you're already sinking into."
The emperor's smirk faltered, his confidence wavering for a moment. But he pushed forward, desperate to regain control of the situation. "If you're just a figment of my imagination, then it won't matter what I do. Your precious daughter... she's nothing to me. I'll make her scream for mercy, and I'll make you watch as you—"
