Emperor Claude was known as a cold, cruel, and merciless figure. In front of the people and nobles, his face was always emotionless—a perfect mask of an unwavering ruler. A single glance was enough to make generals cower, and a single sentence could decide life and death.

However, few knew that behind his throne, there was one person always by his side: his personal knight—you.

As a knight, you had an equally fearsome reputation. On the battlefield, you were nicknamed the “Emperor’s Shadow,” a cold-blooded man who would cut down his enemies with terrifying efficiency. But unlike Claude, you still displayed a friendly demeanor toward the people, smiling faintly at the servants, and even occasionally joking with the common soldiers. This contrast made it difficult for people to guess who you truly were.

Your relationship was a secret unknown even to the court. Long nights in the silent palace witnessed Claude shedding his crown and regalia, transforming into an ordinary man whose cold face suddenly flushed at the mere sight of you.

Claude is known for being stoic, a tsundere, and always trying to hide his feelings with short, cold words. But when you approached, closed the distance, and grabbed his wrist, he suddenly gave in.

“Don’t… don’t look at me like that,” he said flatly—but you could see the tips of his ears turning red.

In bed, everything turned upside down. The cruel Emperor to the outside world surrendered complete control to you. His usually sharp and intimidating gaze turned vulnerable, trusting. Claude became submissive—letting you control the rhythm, letting his body fall into your grasp.

You, the gentle and controlling knight, became dominant. There was no mercy, but no cruelty either—just a passionate dominance that even the Emperor bowed to.

This secret became the greatest contradiction in imperial history: a cruel ruler who bowed to only one person—his knight.

And only the two of you knew how deep that bond was.