Chapter 11

“You dog!”

Thump, with the sound of a servant’s head cracking, the floor turned red. Wiping the blood splattered on his cheek roughly with the back of his hand, Rihast breathed heavily.

Another servant, noticing that the wildly raging man had entered a lull, quickly grabbed the unconscious servant’s legs and dragged him outside. The head must have cracked properly as a sticky red line formed on the floor.

Editon thought he had become accustomed to the First Prince’s violence, but he easily realized that was an illusion.

“Damn it! Despite being my father, he never helped me, not even once!”

After receiving the emperor’s will through Duke Ivanstein, Rihast raged like a madman. Not only did he destroy every piece of furniture in his office, but he also randomly selected servants who were waiting to attend to him and inflicted indiscriminate violence upon them.

One of them was in danger of losing his eyesight after being stabbed in the eye by a vase fragment thrown by Rihast, and another now had his head cracked and his fate unknown.

“……”

Editon knew that the fearful gazes of the other servants were directed at him, but this time even he couldn’t step forward. He wanted to live.

The reason Rihast was so agitated was because Duke Ivanstein had sent the emperor’s will. The emperor’s will contained instructions regarding the next emperor.

[First Prince Rihast lacks the qualities of an emperor, so Second Prince Rudrich shall inherit the throne and continue the glory of the Raon Empire.]

It was remarkably simple and clear. So much so that there was no need to try to find other interpretations. Moreover, the will bore the unmistakable handwriting of the emperor and the divine mark certifying it.

Although it was unknown why Duke Ivanstein had handed it over to the First Prince before announcing it to the entire Raon Empire, with the divine mark engraved on it, there was nothing Rihast could do.

The divine mark could only be used by high priests with exceptional divine power throughout generations, and the mark contained divine power characterized by its mysterious shimmering light. Documents marked with the divine symbol were blessed, so they could neither be burned nor torn.

Even if hidden somewhere, anyone with divine power could sense the whereabouts of the document and quickly find it. This meant that the First Prince had no choice but to accept the emperor’s will certified by the divine mark.

“Genoa Ivanstein! Because of that bastard, I…!”

Rihast’s bloodshot eyes searched for the next victim. Editon bowed his head deeply, trying his best not to make eye contact with him.

When Rihast first received the emperor’s will from Duke Ivanstein, he was angry at his father, but he didn’t rage like this because he believed there must be a reason why the Duke had given him the will first.

“Duke Ivanstein must have sent me the will because he’s dissatisfied with my father’s decision. He clearly has intentions for not giving it to Rudrich.”

After saying this and heading to the Duke’s residence to discuss with Duke Ivanstein, only to be refused entry, Rihast had been smashing everything in sight without a moment’s rest.

“Just, just because of one duke, I have to suffer such humiliation!”

After catching his breath briefly, Rihast now drew a sword that had been decorating the wall. At this, Editon successfully escaped the First Prince’s room by hiding behind the trembling servants.

“Huff, huff……”

Editon gasped heavily, breathing out the breath he had been holding in. Looking around the corridor, there wasn’t even an ant in sight. Only the traces of the servant who had been dragged out unconscious moments ago stained the corridor bright red.

“Should I run away now?”

He trembled at the screams coming from the room. It was clear that nothing would reach the First Prince’s ears right now. Even if he came to his senses, the First Prince would look for Editon, and eventually realize that he had no other option.

Then it would be his turn to have his head cracked and stain the corridor with blood.

“Damn Genoa Ivanstein.”

He cursed Genoa, who had brought the situation to this point. That devil of a man manipulated the First Prince, pulling him in and pushing him out repeatedly. Without the First Prince even realizing he was doing so.

“What the hell are you plotting!”

Editon sat down right there, pulling at his hair. No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t even begin to guess what Duke Ivanstein was aiming for.

The First Prince, who had returned to the palace after neither princely authority, threats, nor negotiations had worked at the gates of Duke Ivanstein’s residence, seemed to be blinded by rage. But Editon still couldn’t shake the feeling that Duke Ivanstein was weighing his options.

He clearly wanted something from the First Prince. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have handed over the emperor’s will so easily. As Editon’s mind was turning blank, it happened.

“Lord Editon……!”

From far away, Rihast’s old servant called to him earnestly, running toward him with a limping leg. Seeing the urgent look on the old servant’s face, Editon hurriedly approached him.

“What’s the matter?”

“News has come from Duke Ivanstein’s residence!”

“What?”

Editon’s expression hardened momentarily. Judging by the old servant’s reaction, it clearly wasn’t good news.

“Duke Ivanstein is heading toward the imperial palace!”

“Did he say he would visit the First Prince’s palace? Did he request permission to enter?”

“Not yet, but if Duke Ivanstein would just come here……”

“No!”

Editon cut off the old servant’s words, clutching his head with both hands in agony. It was plainly obvious which palace Duke Ivanstein would request permission to enter.

“We’re all dead now.”

“Surely not……”

At Editon’s despairing words, the old servant’s face, sensing something, immediately turned pale.

“Where Duke Ivanstein is heading now is……”

“The Second Prince’s palace! Damn it, Duke Ivanstein is the only one who can overturn this will!”

It was no exaggeration to say that Reibritton was now in the palm of Duke Ivanstein’s hand, and the former emperor’s will would soon be announced to the nobles. If news spread that Duke Ivanstein had rejected the First Prince and visited the Second Prince, they would naturally place Rudrich on the throne. It would mean that he had been recognized as the legitimate successor by both the emperor and the vassals.

“Somehow stop Duke Ivanstein before he enters the Second Prince’s palace.”

“What? How can I……”

“If you want to live, shut up and do it!”

When Editon barked loudly, the old servant was startled and stepped back before running again with his uncomfortable leg. As Editon watched his retreating figure, biting his nails, he was about to turn around and head somewhere when—

“……Huk!”

Editon sank down, swallowing a gasp as he saw Rihast standing close behind him.

“Duke Ivanstein went to the Second Prince’s palace……”

Rihast stood there, stained red with blood, holding a sword with someone’s still-warm blood dripping from it.

Hearing his muttering, Editon realized that Rihast had heard his conversation with the old servant just now. The old servant, who had been facing him, couldn’t have missed Rihast’s approach, so most likely he had heard their shouting from inside the room.

‘I thought he was too excited to hear anything!’

It was too late to regret causing a commotion in front of Rihast’s room. Rihast now looked at Editon with a face where anger seemed to have cooled, with insensitive eyes. Eyes that seemed to be gauging Editon’s usefulness with his last remaining sanity.

Instinctively, he could feel it. That Rihast was inclined toward plunging the knife into his neck.

“Save me……”

The plea for his life flowed between his lips involuntarily, but Editon quickly shut his mouth. Rihast was a man with sadistic tendencies. Begging for his life would only fuel his sadism.

Editon’s mind raced. Rihast would know this too. That in order to survive this time, he would have to produce the best possible outcome. If it pleased him, he would live; if not, he would die.

At that moment, the face of a woman flashed through Editon’s mind.

“Ba-Baroness Cezarn……”

“Hmm?”

“Baroness Cezarn has sent word! She said she made an appointment for a tea party with the Reibritton princess!”

“Are you telling me to try to join hands with the princess again at this point?”

Rihast’s hand holding the sword tensed. The veins on the back of his hand bulged blue and wriggled. Fearing that the sword might pierce his neck at any moment, Editon hastily added:

“The princess requested the head maid to allow her into a forbidden area! This could become the her weakness! A tea party is already against Duke Ivanstein’s wishes, but if she goes to a forbidden area as well, would Duke Ivanstein stand by idly?”

If they could shake up the poor kingdom that was in Duke Ivanstein’s grasp by exploiting the Reibritton princess’s weakness, they might be able to find an opportunity in the midst of that chaos.

This was the best Editon could come up with. But as it seemed too unimpressive even to himself, his body began to tremble like an aspen leaf, sensing death.

With his eyes tightly shut in fear, Editon heard Rihast’s languid voice softly:

“The forbidden area of the Ivanstein mansion……”

A voice as sweet as whispering to a lover. Through his slightly opened eyes, Editon saw Rihast’s face smiling from ear to ear.

“Ah, I’ve been there once too. To that place.”

With a clang, the sword fell from Rihast’s hand. As if thinking of something very nostalgic, Rihast’s gaze blurred, seeming to reach some distant place beyond Editon.

Rihast’s footsteps were light as he turned back toward his room. Editon had survived.

* * *

“To think there was such a will……”

Second Prince Rudrich, unable to hide his hardened face, spent a while repeatedly clenching and unclenching his fist. It was a reaction quite contrary to the elevated expressions of his close aides.

Genoa raised his eyebrows slightly, showing interest.

“I thought you would be pleased.”

A sharp gaze flew and pierced Genoa. Rudrich, who showed overt hostility toward him, was now the man confirmed to ascend to the throne. The hostility of Rudrich, who would now become the central axis of imperial power, carried a clearly different weight than before.

But despite the knife-like gaze that should have cut and wounded him, Genoa showed no sign of agitation as he raised his hand to his chest. Rudrich found this truly abominable.

“Duke Ivanstein, do not think that I will trust everything that comes out of your mouth.”

“But you should now. Am I not to be your faithful vassal?”

“……”

Without answering, Rudrich silently stared at Genoa’s face, putting strength into his tightly closed lips. Even if he ascended to the throne without Ivanstein’s help, as long as First Prince Rihast stood firmly, a bloody wind between brothers would be unavoidable.

What would have been an appropriate tool for the First Prince, who valued mighty power, to check Duke Ivanstein’s family, was a predicament for Rudrich.

For Rudrich, stabilizing the period of upheaval was more important than anything else, even if it meant somewhat reducing imperial authority. Knowing this, Genoa could maintain a relaxed attitude despite Rudrich’s explicit rejection.

“I choose my own vassals.”

“Then I have no choice but to strive. So that Your Highness will choose me.”

How could one call a man a vassal when his arrogance showed through despite his seemingly humble attitude? Rudrich finally shook his head with a sigh and said:

“I don’t understand why my father trusted you so much.”

“It’s natural for you to think so. The former emperor was reluctant for Your Highness and me to be close.”

A smile spread across Genoa’s lips as he mentioned the former emperor. Rudrich clenched his fist at the sight, which looked like someone without emotions pretending to have them.

“I’m saying that I cannot trust you, Duke, regardless of whether my father was reluctant or not.”

Duke Genoa Ivanstein smelled dangerous. Not just him, but the Ivanstein ducal family itself gave an impression of danger that couldn’t be erased.

“How can I earn Your Highness’s trust?”

“……I too would like to know that method.”

Why did his father trust the Ivanstein ducal family, and how had they earned the trust of Raon’s rulers throughout history?

Rudrich didn’t know what words had passed between the former emperor and Duke Ivanstein, or what intentions they shared. But should he treat that man the same way the former emperor did in governing the state from now on? Rudrich firmly suppressed the instinctive revulsion that boiled up.

“As for the method, we can figure it out slowly over the time we have left.”

Genoa continued speaking, pretending not to notice Rudrich’s discomfort, though he clearly had.

“The coronation will proceed soon. Your Highness need only think about that now.”

“My brother will hardly just stand by and watch, Duke.”

Rudrich frowned, expressing concern. This was shared by his close aides, whose elevated expressions began to sink one by one.

“I don’t think I can become emperor with just a will.”

The First Prince and the nobles supporting him would never accept this outcome. Since the empire was not a country led unilaterally by one emperor, the support of the nobles directly translated to imperial authority.

If he couldn’t win over the hearts of the nobles supporting the First Prince, even if he ascended to the throne, that position would be precarious—like standing in the middle of a battlefield.

“What are you so worried about? Since the will has been certified by the high priest, you will become an emperor with strong legitimacy under the name of God.”

“My brother is someone who can sufficiently challenge that legitimacy.”

“I can handle that at my level. Your Highness should just prepare for the coronation.”

Genoa acted as if the coronation would proceed naturally, without paying any heed to Rudrich’s concerns. Given his confident attitude, Rudrich and his close aides could only think that Duke Ivanstein must have something that could convince the First Prince’s forces.

There was only one thing the nobles in the current empire wanted and drooled over.

“Do you intend to finally grasp and wield Reibritton?”

“……”

Genoa simply curled up the corners of his lips in a smile without bothering to answer.

Reibritton, how sharp would the blade be for those waiting with bloodshot eyes, wondering if they would get a share of the pieces of golden land that would be finely divided by Duke Ivanstein’s hands.

Reibritton was a weapon Duke Ivanstein had honed with great care for a very long time. As if prepared for this very moment……

There was a voice that naturally came to Rudrich’s mind whenever he thought of Reibritton.

“I plan to give the people of Reibritton a daily life they never had before.”

Did the princess know? What kind of future Duke Ivanstein intended to give her kingdom and her people. Did she know that her existence, their lives, would be wielded as weapons by nobles of another country like this?

“Is that why you brought the Reibritton princess here as a prisoner? To stimulate their greed?”

The more pitiful and desperate the beautiful princess became, the more the nobles would think: Couldn’t her desperation grow more intense because the Reibritton Kingdom had no hope left? The fall of a noble person gave the Raon Empire’s nobles a taste of sweet sadism.

“Your words are excessive. You know that it was His Majesty the former emperor who wanted the princess.”

“My father who wanted that has passed away. So there’s no need to keep the princess bound to the empire any longer……”

“Then shall I cut off the princess’s head?”

“Duke Ivanstein!”

Rudrich burst out in anger at Genoa’s words, which lacked even a hint of mercy. Genoa responded in a voice that seemed not to understand.

“If it hadn’t been for the former emperor’s will, the princess would have been executed under my blade the day the Reibritton royal palace fell. That’s the fate of defeated royalty.”

“……”

“I’ve kept the princess alive until now because I am a nobleman who knows honor, and because I knew that Your Highness, who would become my master, would extend your mercy to the princess as well.”

The pursuit of the king and crown prince who had fled was still continuing within the Reibritton Kingdom. Although the capital had fallen, other territories were still holding out, continuing their defense. This result was possible because Duke Ivanstein, the leader, was away from the battlefield due to the currently vacant imperial throne.

If Duke Ivanstein were to abandon all matters in the capital and head to Reibritton now, the kingdom’s destruction would not be difficult.

“If I don’t become the Duke’s master……”

“Then I would have to carry out the last task ordered by my former master. And if even that doesn’t please you, I might find other ways then. For instance……”

Finding another master.

The words Genoa left unfinished naturally arose in Rudrich’s mind.

If the First Prince were to hold the leash of Duke Ivanstein as his vassal, Reibritton would face a hell worse than now. The empire’s honor and pride would be forgotten in the face of personal greed, and there would be no place for the word mercy to settle in that land.

“……”

What vassal could threaten so arrogantly, asking to hold his own leash? Whenever the Duke’s beautiful face smiled, not only Rudrich but even his close aides who were quietly listening to the conversation turned pale.

“I thought the Duke had been maintaining a good relationship with the princess. I believed that was why you deliberately introduced her to the empire’s social circles…… Am I wrong?”

In the empire’s social circles, they enjoyed attaching the word ‘fragile’ before the Reibritton princess’s name after witnessing her beauty in person. Since sorrowful beauty deepens with a more pitiful situation, which many ladies could not easily imitate, the Reibritton princess was now receiving great attention beyond just political reasons.

It was Duke Ivanstein who had made her that way and created a foothold for her to live in the empire. Although it was said to be the former emperor’s order, Rudrich had held a faint hope that he had opened a path for the princess to survive because he knew honor……

Rudrich was completely disgusted with Genoa, who acted as if he would easily discard even the princess’s life.

“Since Your Highness, who will be my lord, is so concerned about the princess, Ivanstein and the princess will not be at odds.”

“That means……”

Rudrich narrowed his brow and looked at Genoa’s face. His face, which was likely recalling the princess’s face, softened and showed quite a human-like expression, causing Rudrich to rub his goosebump-covered forearm.

“I proposed to the princess.”

“……Huk!”

At Genoa’s declaration, exclamations that sounded like screams erupted from among Rudrich’s close aides who had been silent until now. Rudrich’s feelings were no different from theirs, and he stood up abruptly from his seat without time to think about dignity.

“What on earth does that mean for the princess……!”

“Your Highness can look down upon the imperial citizens who suffered under the former Emperor’s tyranny, with the solid support brought by the union of the princess carrying the Reibritton people and your faithful vassal.”

“Are you saying all this is for my benefit?”

“You once told me that you wanted to do so someday.”

“……!”

Rudrich’s body, which had been about to lunge threateningly as if to grab Genoa’s collar, paused.

He recalled a past conversation with Genoa, who was preparing for an expedition following the emperor’s order, shouting that he would erase Reibritton from this continent and bring the princess alive to make her kneel before him.

“Just because a kingdom became an empire, the only thing people living in this land have gained is honor. That single pride of becoming imperial citizens is what helps them endure the ever-increasing taxes and the tyranny of nobles. If the empire’s honor rolls on the ground because of this war, what will they rely on and what will they live for?”

“Ivanstein does not disobey the emperor’s orders.”

“Then if I become your master and order you to stop this war, to focus on caring for the Raon Empire’s citizens, would you do so?”

“Didn’t I just say? Ivanstein does not disobey the emperor’s orders.”

Rudrich’s face began to turn pale from the moment he recalled the last words Duke Ivanstein had left him that day.

“However, if Your Highness wishes to become my master, there is one thing you should know. Ivanstein tends not to mind going against their master in order to follow orders.”

Could it be that everything started from that conversation? A chilling assumption arose and subsided repeatedly in Rudrich’s mind.

Looking at his face, where those complicated inner thoughts were deeply revealed, Genoa continued speaking, pretending not to know anything.

“Since both the princess and Ivanstein will get what they want from this union, I hope Your Highness will bless us as well.”

“The princess, the princess…… Has she accepted your proposal?”

At Rudrich’s question, the corners of Genoa’s eyes hardened slightly. Though very subtle, the crack in Duke Ivanstein’s thoroughly managed expression appeared quite large to Rudrich’s eyes.

“Don’t tell me you decided unilaterally without considering her wishes,”

“To be honest, right now I’m in a position of unilaterally begging her.”

“Begging?”

When the word least suited to Duke Ivanstein came from his mouth, Rudrich openly frowned. At that blatant expression, Genoa burst into a small laugh and said:

“Fortunately, the princess takes pity on me and is thinking quite positively about it.”

“……”

Rudrich widened his eyes in disbelief. His conversation with the Reibritton princess had been very brief. In that short time, he could tell that the princess was a delicate but strong person with goals.

Had she decided to join hands with Duke Ivanstein to achieve her goals? Was that truly a decision the princess made herself?

A natural doubt arose since the princess’s opponent was Duke Ivanstein. Genoa seemed to know this too, as he lifted his braided hair in front of Rudrich’s eyes, gently shaking it as he spoke.

“This, the princess braided it with a hair tie she personally selected. It suits me quite well, doesn’t it?”

“The princess did?”

Only then could Rudrich properly see Genoa’s appearance with his hair braided. The commotion in the corridor since Duke Ivanstein entered the palace today seemed to be because of that. The Duke’s new style, who usually let his long hair hang loosely, was worthy of becoming a topic in social gazettes.

‘I’ve been this tense.’

Rudrich realized he had been so tense that he only now noticed such a change in Genoa.

‘Does it mean the princess feels intimate enough with Duke Ivanstein to personally touch his hair? Is she truly considering marrying the Duke?’

Even if the princess were to accept Duke Ivanstein’s proposal, would that truly be a conclusion she wanted?

The reason Rudrich couldn’t fully believe Duke Ivanstein’s words was because he too had realized at some point that he had no choice but to make decisions according to Genoa Ivanstein’s will.

Even if he ascended to the throne, could he truly handle that man who would claim to be the emperor’s vassal?

Feeling for the first time that his father’s death, which he had once desperately wished for, was regrettable, Rudrich took a deep breath.

“I want to meet the Reibritton princess in person and talk with her.”

“You must be busy preparing for the coronation.”

“My first action when I safely ascend to the throne will be addressing how the Reibritton Kingdom will be treated. It would be proper to prioritize hearing the wishes of the princess, who is royalty, so I would appreciate if the Duke would follow my words.”

“Are you already giving orders?”

At Genoa’s question, Rudrich gritted his teeth for a moment. Behind him, he heard his close aides swallowing hard. This answer would determine whether he would grasp the leash of the dangerous vassal, Duke Ivanstein, or reject it.

Whoever holds the leash of the Ivanstein ducal family rules this country.

Days when he shuddered at those words, which might be older than the empire’s history, flashed by, but ultimately Rudrich too was destined to become this country’s ruler.

“It is an order, Duke Ivanstein.”

Rudrich watched the man who smiled happily at his words and closed his eyes. He saw his future where he would have to constantly strive not to waver on the throne, which might be ruthlessly manipulated by that man.

* * *

Thud, Mel put down the social gazette she had been reading with a somewhat rough touch.

“……The empire is in a festive mood.”

The social gazettes were flooded daily with news of Second Prince Rudrich’s accession. There were opinions that the unusually quiet First Prince’s side was strange, but the empire was now excited about the fresh wind the new emperor would bring.

Interest in the Reibritton princess, who had once been a regular guest on the front page of social gazettes, maintained just the right amount of interest. The prevailing opinion in the social gazettes was that now that the First Prince’s downfall was likely among the two men the Reibritton princess had tried to rely on to survive—Duke Ivanstein and the First Prince—Duke Ivanstein was her only support left.

It seemed like everyone in the Raon Empire was telling Mel that accepting Genoa’s proposal was her only way to survive.

‘Since you can’t see my face, is this how you’re going to act now?’

Mel poured out her resentment toward Genoa, who hadn’t shown his face since the day she braided his hair in the carriage. Before, he acted as if he would pester her every day to become the mistress of the Ivanstein ducal family, but these days Mel couldn’t meet Genoa at all.

‘Even though I said I would stop acting as a sleeping pill, how can he be so stubborn as to not visit even once……’

Genoa’s insomnia persisted, so he needed Mel. At first, she had avoided him because she disliked being alone with him after his proposal, but despite her obvious avoidance, Genoa showed no reaction.

Knowing that her rejection stemmed from his proposal, he was showing in this way that he would not bend his thoughts.

“It must be hard.”

Mel couldn’t even imagine how much insomnia could push and eat away at a person’s mind. Whenever she felt how firm Genoa’s will was as he endured against his instincts, Mel’s heart wavered precariously like a candle in the wind.

Could she hide it until the end? If she became a duchess and just kept quiet in the Ivanstein territory, wouldn’t she gradually be forgotten?

What if Genoa found other royalty? Now that the Second Prince had become emperor, he could restore the Reibritton Kingdom. What if the real princess appeared? They would learn that she was actually a slave, and if she couldn’t explain her betrayal that day…. What about her poor mother?

Whenever Mel thought about Genoa and beyond, a vividly disastrous future appeared before her eyes.

“……”

Whenever she hated the fact that she wasn’t the real Reibritton princess, whenever she thought that she, the fake, was more princess-like than the real princess, Mel would discover herself trying to overstep her bounds with just a little carelessness, and she would shudder with rising goosebumps.

Among these moments, Mel felt the deepest disappointment in herself upon realizing that, if she were truly the princess, she would have accepted Genoa’s proposal with genuine happiness.

“If I could just stay by the young master’s side, any form would be fine for me. It’s okay if you don’t like me, and it’s okay if you don’t cherish me specially like now. Just… just if you let me stay by your side, I would be happy!”

She newly realized how ignorant of her place those words had been, which she had blurted out with a bright red face in her immature younger days.

If only her younger self had known that it would take someone of Amelia Reibritton’s stature to secure a place beside him, even without a shred of his heart.

Mel tried hard to think of something else.

“Seeing that the head maid hasn’t canceled the tea party……, it seems the First Prince has some other scheme.”

Genoa hadn’t instructed Mel on how to handle the tea party. He was letting her do as she wished. It was probably a test arising from the basic suspicion that she, the princess of an enemy country, might have other intentions and harm the Ivanstein ducal family.

Genoa, who had proposed to Mel, seemed to deliberately show an image where boundaries were subtly broken down. It seemed like he could turn a blind eye to a certain degree of mischief, which made Mel’s mood sink day by day.

“How annoying.”

It had been quite a while since Mel had visited Genoa’s bedroom, so was Genoa still handling the massive workload alone without proper sleep? Is the identity of the Reibritton princess so attractive to Ivanstein and the empire that he would push himself that hard?

“Let’s walk a bit.”

To calm her complicated feelings, Mel went outside her room with Lin and walked through the corridor. She could feel the servants passing through the corridor watching her cautiously with hardened faces. Realizing that they could notice her state so quickly meant she failed in managing her expression, so Mel forced strength into the corners of her mouth.

Lost in various thoughts as she walked, Mel soon found herself back in front of her room door. She had circled the entire Ivanstein mansion.

‘The mansion has become familiar to me too.’

Familiar enough that her footsteps naturally headed back to her place even though she had just been walking absentmindedly.

Although the period Mel had stayed here as a slave was longer than the period she had stayed as a princess, she knew more about the Ivanstein mansion now than back then. Even that difference now bothered her, and Mel could newly realize how disproportionately her inferiority complex had grown.

“……You’ve arrived.”

When she opened the door and entered the room, a voice welcomed Mel. Though she hadn’t hoped for it to be Genoa, she felt a subtle disappointment along with fatigue washing over her.

“Sigh. Head maid, how could you enter someone’s room without permission when the owner isn’t here.”

“I apologize.”

Waiting for her in the room was the head maid with an anxious face.

Ever since the emperor’s will was announced along with the Second Prince’s accession, the head maid often showed this kind of flustered appearance. Mel, who had already confirmed from Genoa that the head maid was the First Prince’s person, could easily guess the First Prince’s current situation just by looking at that face.

“I wanted to quickly inform you that the date for the tea party has been set.”

“……”

Mel swallowed a sigh that was about to escape at the news she had been waiting for and sat on the sofa. She gestured for the head maid to sit, but the woman shook her head and continued.

“On the coronation day, I heard that you will not be attending. Coincidentally, the ladies who will participate in the tea party also said they have no schedule and asked if that day would be suitable.”

Indeed, on the coronation day, Duke Ivanstein would have more than enough to worry about, so a small tea party held within the mansion could be quietly conducted under the head maid’s influence. Mel had vaguely expected it would be that day, but when the head maid actually set the tea party for the coronation day, she felt strange. She felt uneasy precisely because everything was flowing exactly as she had thought.

It made her wonder if she should pretend to fall for her overly careless plan, or if there might be another trap hidden within it.

‘If I needed to be careful, he would have given me a hint.’

Recalling that all this was happening with Genoa’s tacit approval, Mel nodded to the head maid.

“In the festive atmosphere of the empire, my existence would only dampen the mood, so I thought I’d spend it quietly. But this won’t be boring.”

Mel smiled slightly and showed an excited appearance as if she was looking forward to it. The head maid seemed reassured by her pure cooperation.

“Then can I take a walk in the western garden the night before the coronation?”

At Mel’s question, the head maid looked as if she couldn’t breathe. At that blatant refusal, Mel burst into genuine laughter this time.

“I just want to take a look. You don’t have to get involved; I’ll just take a quick peek and come right out.”

“Haa, but the western garden is……”

“Are you that scared? Of a forbidden place in the Ivanstein mansion.”

“It’s not the place I fear. I fear what would happen if it were discovered that someone had entered there in case of any incident.”

Mel saw the head maid’s neatly folded hands trembling slightly. It was strange that this bold person, who had entered the Ivanstein mansion as the First Prince’s person and planned to hold a tea party behind the Duke’s back, would tremble so much just at the thought of entering a forbidden place.

‘Come to think of it, the order to execute immediately if someone enters the forbidden place hasn’t been withdrawn.’

Would that order still be valid even if she were to become the mistress of the Ivanstein mansion?

Mel suddenly became curious about how far she could go with the status of the Reibritton princess who had received a marriage proposal from Genoa Ivanstein.

* * *

“An errand?”

Mel nodded her head slightly, just enough not to disturb the brushing, as she entrusted her hair to Lin who was gently brushing it.

“You’re the only person I can trust with this kind of personal errand.”

“Well, that’s true.”

“It will be noisy outside on the coronation day, but can I ask you this favor?”

“Well, it’s not difficult, but will you be alright? That day, many other servants will take leave to watch the coronation, so there won’t be many people to attend to you in the mansion.”

“It’s not like there will be none at all, right? It might not be as comfortable as having you, but I think one day will be fine.”

“If the princess is okay with it, then……”

Watching Lin nod without any suspicion, Mel smiled with a hint of guilt.

In fact, if Lin were to learn that this hair she was so carefully brushing actually belonged to a slave of even lower status than herself, how would she react?

Since slavery was illegal in the empire and one couldn’t see slaves around, she might find it curious. Or she might get angry, saying how dare someone so lowly make her do such menial tasks.

Mel had been thinking about these things frequently lately. The more rapidly the empire’s situation changed, the more she felt that this life under the guise of a princess would soon end. That day, which was already approaching, seemed to have been drastically accelerated due to Genoa’s proposal.

“Oh, the butler said earlier that the Duke is coming to the mansion.”

“……What brings such a busy person here.”

“He said he’s coming for dinner.”

“Is the chef putting in extra effort today?”

“Seems so. Considering the busy Duke is stopping by just for dinner.”

Unlike Lin who spoke casually, Mel’s face was gradually freezing with the same smiling expression.

‘Surely not……’

Uneasy premonitions had never been wrong. It had always been that way.

Publicly, Genoa was known to be handling the succession to the throne while preparing for the coronation, but he was now acting as the largest axis to keep the First Prince’s forces in check to prevent any disturbances.

When Duke Ivanstein officially declared his support for the Second Prince, the neutral nobles moved quickly. The reason Genoa, who should be like the eye of the storm in that whirlwind, was returning to the mansion was obvious.

‘It’s because of me.’

No matter how she thought about it, the answer led to the same conclusion, and Mel closed her eyes tightly and said:

“Lin, if I say I’m going to be sick from now on, who would believe me?”

“To start with… I wouldn’t believe it.”

“But my lack of appetite is real.”

“That doesn’t count as being sick.”

“That’s right……”

Just as Mel was nodding weakly at Lin’s resolute words, there was a neat knock, knock. Lin answered after receiving Mel’s permission, and the butler quietly opened the door and entered.

“Princess, the master has requested to dine together……”

“I refuse.”

Mel answered before the butler could finish. However, the butler continued without any sign of confusion, as if he had known she would respond that way.

“In that case, he said to inform you that he would come to your room personally.”

“……And if I refuse that too?”

“He asked me to convey his apologies in advance for the rudeness of forcibly opening a lady’s door.”

She had no choice but to go. Mel realized that her refusal was nothing more than a small tantrum to Genoa.

As Mel could only open and close her mouth without saying anything, the butler understood it as acceptance, bowed his head, and closed the door as he left.

“I wonder what delicious food will be served today for the Duke to urge the princess two or three times like this?”

Lin spoke cheerfully, knowing nothing. Mel was on the verge of going crazy with envy for her.

“Let’s go.”

Trying to hide her voice that was about to become gloomy, Mel stood up. Each step toward the dining room felt unbearably heavy, as if weights were attached.

As Genoa’s brilliant hair began to shine and sparkle from the distant dining area, Mel just wanted to close her eyes.

“I’ve been waiting, Princess.”

It was the first time in quite a while that she had faced Genoa since the day she had tied his hair in the carriage. Unlike Mel, who still felt awkward, Genoa extended his hand to escort her with the same kindness as if they had met just yesterday.

“……You shouldn’t have waited.”

Mel sighed and placed her hand on top of Genoa’s outstretched hand. Despite her attitude, which now openly showed that she wasn’t pleased to see him, Genoa spoke without hiding his smile.

“I said I would respect you, Princess. I intend to wait as long as it takes for you to be ready.”

“Such a busy person.”

“If you wish, I can set aside time for the princess every day.”

“And if I don’t wish it?”

“Making that heart change would be quite enjoyable.”

Feeling as if she hadn’t even recouped her investment in this conversation, Mel barely settled into the chair that Genoa pulled out for her.

Her seat was not across from Genoa but right next to him. It was a seating arrangement that was not at all welcome to Mel, who had expected and taken comfort in the thought that they would sit at opposite ends of the long table. This too was clearly due to Genoa’s influence.

“Setting aside ‘that’ which the Duke proposed to me. Why are you doing this to me?”

“What do you mean?”

“Why do you keep……”

Mel stopped mid-sentence, bit her lip firmly, and looked at Genoa. Looking at that picture-perfect face exuding composure, she felt something welling up in her chest.

“Why do you act as if you’re trying to seduce me? Someone who could take whatever they want, crushing my feelings and heart if they wished.”

The words that burst out were sincere. If the political union of the Reibritton princess and the Ivanstein ducal family was necessary, Genoa was the type of person who would simply proceed out of necessity. Genoa’s attitude of giving her time to think, acting as if her will was important, and deliberately considering her feelings kept confusing Mel.

As if he needed not just the ‘Reibritton princess’ but her as a person.

So Mel hoped that Genoa would sincerely answer this question now. If Genoa would just say yes, she felt she might be able to escape from the weight that the burdensome identity of the Reibritton princess was pressing down on her.

“Because you’re interesting.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means exactly what I said. I don’t want you to become boring, Princess.”

Mel stared intently at Genoa’s lips with eyes that hoped he would say something more. But Genoa, despite feeling that fervent gaze, pretended not to notice and simply smiled as he brought the wine glass to his lips.

“……”

Mel felt her eyes stinging and bit her lip firmly as she turned her head away sharply.

Before long, dishes prepared with the chef’s utmost care began to appear on the table. Genoa quietly observed the princess, who didn’t even think about picking up her cutlery and just glared at the plate placed in front of her, then spoke.

“What I want is a princess who knows how to openly show her dissatisfaction in front of me.”

“……So you knew I was dissatisfied?”

“Weren’t you making that face and not touching your food so that I would notice?”

At Genoa’s words, Mel raised her hand and ran it over her tightly closed lips. Indeed, as he said, she could feel the stiffened, drooping corners of her mouth under her fingertips.

“Without this much effort, there would be only one face you could show me, Princess.”

Mel could easily imagine that one face. The fear that would appear on a face devoid of life, with its soul stolen.

She didn’t know how much care was required for what Genoa called “this much effort,” but it sounded as if it could become that way at any time according to his whim.

“I see the Duke also has the talent for making threats quite meticulously.”

“I thought you knew about this talent better than anyone else, so I’m at a loss for words when you suddenly praise me for it.”

Genoa curled up the corners of his mouth toward her as if quite pleased, and Mel’s face visibly soured.

She finally gave up and picked up her cutlery. No matter how much she protested, he would not show mercy with that face like a messenger of God while committing evil.

“……I’m tired. I plan to go to bed early tonight, so I won’t be able to visit your bedroom, Duke.”

“You’re being cruel.”

“I don’t think that’s something the Duke should say to me.”

Genoa liked the princess who didn’t back down and retorted to his words until the end. The most necessary virtue for the Duchess of Ivanstein was precisely not fearing the Duke. At times like this, he became more confident in his choice to make her the mistress of Ivanstein.

‘It’s surprising that the princess is thinking quite seriously about the proposal, to the point of protesting like this.’

Genoa had thought that the princess might not take his proposal seriously. After all, he had often enjoyed throwing small and large jokes at the princess and watching her animated reactions. He couldn’t complain if she dismissed this as just another of his distasteful jokes.

But judging by how she had been carefully avoiding him since that day and even stopped playing the role of his sleeping pill, the princess seemed to have realized that Genoa seriously intended to bind her to Ivanstein. Genoa quite liked this perceptive side of her, but this time it didn’t feel particularly pleasant.

Genoa’s nerves were growing sharper by the day from not getting proper sleep. To the point where he couldn’t understand how he had endured those years without the princess, his body, having forgotten insomnia, screamed and thrashed several times more painfully at the returning suffering.

So Mel’s statement that she wouldn’t come to his bedroom was an effective threat to Genoa, and it was truly unbearably cruel.

‘This won’t do.’

Genoa was quite disappointed in his body, which had become complacent in such a short time. The pleasure of bringing the princess in as the mistress of the Ivanstein ducal family and his desperate need for her were separate matters.

In any situation, the desperate side is at a disadvantage. That’s why Genoa enjoyed securing advantageous positions first.

But the current situation, where he couldn’t enjoy that, displeased Genoa. To the point where it irritated him that the freedom the princess so desperately wanted couldn’t be found in the Ivanstein ducal family.

“If I find what you want, will you come back to my bedroom?”

“Have you found it?”

“Not yet.”

Genoa watched intently as the princess’s face briefly lit up with hope before slowly fading. Before that spark completely died out, he casually dropped:

“However, I did discover that the maid who ran away with your precious thing is quite capable, more than you might think.”

“……What does that mean?”

The princess put down the cutlery she had just picked up and looked at him. She didn’t seem to care how her wavering gaze appeared to Genoa. Genoa became even more curious about what her precious thing might be.

“Do you remember the investigation report I gave you before, princess?”

“……Yes.”

Mel nodded and recalled the report she had received before.

[During the height of the bombing, six people escaped from the royal palace: two elderly women, three knights, and one young maid. After changing clothes in a civilian house near the side gate of the palace, they mixed with the refugee procession and headed south of the kingdom.]

The princess, her escort knights, the nanny, and Mel’s mother. Genoa might not know, but in Mel’s mind, there were clear faces. Mel’s heart beat with an irregular rhythm.

“I thought those who abandoned royalty and fled would scatter during their journey as refugees, but I discovered they’re still traveling together.”

“……!”

“What could be keeping them from dispersing?”

Genoa believed that those who abandoned royalty would show no loyalty. That’s why he couldn’t help but wonder. Why were they still together?

Mel couldn’t answer Genoa’s question, but she already knew the answer. Amelia Reibritton. The true Reibritton royal. It was because of her existence.

Mel hid her trembling hands under the table. The fact that Genoa knew they were together meant that Mel now knew her mother’s whereabouts and, simultaneously, the whereabouts of the real Amelia.

“The value of your precious thing seems quite significant.”

Genoa said this while quietly lowering his eyes. Then he calmly observed the princess’s face, lost in thought.

By now, she must be either thinking hard inside that small head of hers or recalling her precious thing. What form would that take in her mind?

‘It doesn’t seem to be jewelry or ornaments.’

While tracking the princess’s escaped maid, the most carefully examined aspect was what they had been selling off bit by bit to fund their escape. They were all valuable items that could have been stolen from the royal palace. Yet, despite this, there was nothing that seemed special enough for the princess to personally ask for its disposal.

“If you tell me specifically what it is, it would be easier to find.”

“……”

At Genoa’s words, the princess raised her head and looked directly at him. Though her face was complicated, her resolute eyes showed that she had no intention of revealing information about her ‘precious thing’ to him. Finding this quite unfamiliar, Genoa narrowed his brow. He didn’t like how she was showing her inner thoughts so clearly yet firmly keeping her lips sealed.

Genoa recalled other information he had ultimately not shared with the princess.

[It seems there’s been a dropout among the group. The number of people changed after passing through the forest near the border. Awaiting search orders.]

The informant said he was waiting for his search orders, but Genoa deliberately didn’t give any. In the midst of war, it wouldn’t be strange if someone had died or separated due to differing opinions. Instead, he wanted to focus on discovering the identity of whatever the runaway maid might be carrying.

Genoa had withheld that information due to his intuition, but by doing so, he now held another card to probe the princess’s true feelings.

‘The princess might be looking for a person.’

What reaction would she show if he told her about the change in the number of people in the runaway maid’s group? Was her lover perhaps among the escaped knights? Was that why she so desperately wanted freedom and rejected his proposal?

Genoa briefly considered whether to share this fact, and if so, how to convey it. If his suspicion was true, he also had to calculate how his own feelings might twist. Having decided to bind the princess to the Ivanstein mansion, he had not the slightest intention of sharing what was already in his grasp with others.

Just then, the princess’s voice woke Genoa from his deep contemplation.

“Since you said they headed south……, could they be trying to board a ship at Singliton?”

“Ah.”

To the south of the Reibritton Kingdom was the small city-state of Singliton. Bordering the sea, Singliton had developed into a free trade city-state with its trade and ports. Once part of Reibritton, the exchange between the two was so active that Reibritton citizens could freely enter and exit with their identity cards.

“Singliton is currently teeming with refugees, so they probably won’t be able to enter easily.”

“……So they have attempted to cross into Singliton.”

The princess’s face grew quiet again, as if lost in thought.

If one took a ship from Singliton and sailed across the sea, they would reach the Eastern Continent. Due to limited exchange with the Eastern Continent, little was known about it. However, the countries and people of the Eastern Continent did not like the people from this continent.

They shunned everyone except for Singliton’s market and merchants from a few families with whom they had long traded, so it was clear that the runaway maid would be expelled soon after crossing over.

Nevertheless, refugees would attempt to cross to the Eastern Continent. Since there was no place on this continent untouched by the Raon Empire’s reach, they had to escape somehow.

What Genoa aimed for was to have his people board the same ship heading to the Eastern Continent, from which there was no escape.

“If they just board the ship, we can easily secure them. It would only be a matter of time before your precious thing returns to your embrace.”

“……”

Despite Genoa’s hopeful words, Mel wasn’t happy at all. Not a single thing made her happy. Her insides were twisted into complicated knots.

‘The princess surely hasn’t heard news about me.’

The fact that Amelia was trying to cross the southern border to Singliton meant she hadn’t been able to contact the king and crown prince.

Due to the death of the empire’s old emperor, the imperial army had halted its advance, and the war was temporarily in a lull. The Reibritton king and crown prince, who were continuing defensive battles while moving from territory to territory far from the capital, would surely know about the emperor’s death.

‘They must have also heard that the Reibritton princess has appeared in the empire’s social circles.’

If Amelia were with the king and crown prince, she would probably know that Mel was alive and would realize that she was still impersonating her, so there would be no reason for her to cross to Singliton. If she understood what kind of rumors the Reibritton princess lived among in the empire’s social circles, Amelia’s greedy nature would make her want to reclaim her place.

If that happened, Mel’s mother would be safe. For Amelia, Mel would regain her value. The value of her mother as a hostage would change too.

‘I didn’t expect Amelia not to seek out the king and crown prince……’

Was it because of her sense of betrayal toward her father and brother? Or because she lacked confidence in surviving in a place where the war with the imperial army continued? It might be natural, as a princess who hadn’t contacted the king would find it difficult to obtain any information among refugees.

She thought Amelia might try to disappear from this continent forever by crossing to the Eastern Continent. If that happened, what would become of her mother?

‘Once they reach the Eastern Continent, will they abandon my mother?’

Mel’s face sank impassively. While she worried about her frail mother boarding a ship, a thought crossed her mind that it might not be so bad.

‘Mother said she was from the Eastern Continent.’

Mel’s mother had lived her life longing for the Eastern Continent she had left behind. She spoke of how warm the weather was there, how kind the people were, and the sweetness of the lyrics that sang of beautiful scenery.

Whenever Mel listened to her mother’s stories, she felt a choking guilt. As if the reason her mother couldn’t return was because of Mel. Because it sounded like she endured the harsh life of a slave, unable to leave Mel behind.

‘Perhaps it’s fortunate that she’s returning to her homeland this way, even without me……’

Mel thought this but then shook her head as if trying to come to her senses. That couldn’t be true. Her frail mother couldn’t survive alone in the Eastern Continent. Her mother needed Mel, and Mel needed her mother. This had been their destined fate since she was born.

Mel felt a chill at the direction her thoughts had taken and rubbed her arms with both hands.

“Are you cold, princess?”

“No, I’m not.”

Mel lowered her hands at Genoa’s question and took a small deep breath. Then, meeting Genoa’s mysterious purple eyes that were staring intently at her, she thought:

‘If my mother and the real princess were gone, I could accept the Duke’s proposal. That’s why I had such crazy thoughts.’

If she didn’t stay alert, she would be devoured. By that man. Mel felt the need to constantly remind herself of this fact, even if it seemed redundant.

“……The situation has changed.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve decided not to look for my precious thing. Upon reflection, it doesn’t seem that important.”

“Changing your words…. That isn’t like you, Princess.”

“We haven’t known each other that long, so how can you be so confident you know everything about me?”

Genoa seemed to notice a subtle chill in Mel’s words that hadn’t been there before, and his face crumpled.

“I also want to stop acting as your sleeping pill.”

“……Have I been too lenient with you all this time?”

Genoa slowly rose from his seat. His cool gaze fell upon Mel, who had firmed her lips and lowered her eyes.

“Even while you unkindly refused to visit me, I diligently worked to fulfill your request.”

“I appreciate that effort.”

“Then you shouldn’t treat me this way. While I’ve overlooked a few cute tantrums before, this time it’s troublesome.”

Genoa’s voice was as cold as ice, as if he had never been kind to Mel. Just like when he had calculated her life and death in the fallen royal palace.

As if all the soft attitudes he had shown her until now were lies, Genoa emanated a killing intent that one might associate with the God of Death. It was as if his entire being was telling Mel to recognize her place.

Mel had never been more acutely aware of her place than at this moment.

‘I must reject him somehow, to increase my chances of survival when it’s revealed that I’m a slave.’

Moreover, she couldn’t add the deception of having desired him with a slave’s body.

“I intend to refuse your proposal until the end. I want to avoid situations where we’re alone in the bedroom.”

“……”

“Of course, if you force me to act, I’ll have to comply. I’m well aware of my place.”

“I thought we had a quite favorable deal.”

“Wouldn’t that be when you kept your side of the deal? Our initial agreement was simple. Until you proposed to me and took away the freedom you promised.”

Mel and Genoa’s gazes intertwined. A strong stubbornness that neither would back down from was palpable.

It was a fight Mel would ultimately lose. From the beginning, she was not in a position to be equal to Genoa. Neither from the truth of being a slave nor from the lie of being a princess. No matter which position she stood in, Genoa always had the upper hand.

Nothing in the Ivanstein mansion would go against Genoa’s will, and no one could stop him if he forcibly took her. He only needed to make the simple choice of suppressing Mel with pressure and coercion.

“It seems my words about respecting your choice haven’t earned even a shred of trust.”

“……!”

That’s why Mel could only swallow her breath at Genoa’s bitterly cracking voice. She slowly blinked her eyes. With each blink as her eyelids covered and uncovered her vision, she could clearly see the life gradually disappearing from Genoa’s eyes.

“Duke, I just……”

“I’m tired, so I’ll retire first. Thanks to you avoiding me, I haven’t been able to sleep properly.”

Genoa turned away without saying anything more. Mel unconsciously reached out her hand to him, but Genoa passed by that hand indifferently.

Mel couldn’t hide her confused emotions as she watched his retreating figure. She felt that she needed to draw a clear line with him to make her presumptuous heart abandon its desires. She was also certain that this wouldn’t mean much to him.

After all, he hadn’t proposed to her because he genuinely wanted her. She knew that her will wasn’t that important in a politically calculated proposal.

‘But why does he look as if he’s been hurt……’

It was an unfamiliar sight. She had never seen Genoa like this before. He was leaving with a face she didn’t recognize.

“Duke!”

She called out to him without realizing it. He paused momentarily as he was about to disappear around the corner. Just as Mel was about to say something, Genoa turned back and spoke.

“Ah. I forgot to mention this.”

“What……”

“His Highness the Second Prince is waiting. To have a conversation with you, Princess.”

“Where?”

“Here, at the Ivanstein mansion.”

At Genoa’s words, Mel could only open and close her mouth without answering. What did it mean that the Second Prince was waiting for her here?

Seeing Mel’s confused face, Genoa pulled up one corner of his mouth and smiled.

“Now that’s the face of the princess I know.”

“Duke, you should have told me in advance that I needed to have an audience with His Highness the Second Prince……”

“Why? Didn’t we just finish discussing how we don’t even have that level of trust in our relationship?”

“Are you going to be this petty about it?”

“I’ve always been this way, so there’s nothing new about it.”

Genoa shrugged his shoulders and then continued walking until he disappeared from sight.

Mel remained frozen in place for a while. Until someone sent by the Second Prince, who had been waiting in the reception room, came to find her.