Chapter 4

No—more precisely, as a member of the royal bloodline, he was never a normal person to begin with.

He was the only prince of the empire, and had become the crown prince the moment he was born. Because he wasn’t very active publicly, rumors surrounded him—strange myths, even.

But putting all of that aside, one thing was clear: he was extraordinary.

Idina thought back to the first time she saw him. She had been a young girl, newly attending the academy.

She recalled the moment she laid eyes on Killian Escass.

‘Could he be a god?’

Or perhaps a descendant of one. Or a god’s proudest creation.

That was the first time she had ever seen someone so beautiful that it felt like she might go blind from looking.

He was someone who could be called beautiful even though he wasn’t a woman. Killian Escass was a breathtaking man—so much so that even Duke Lilles, who lived a self-absorbed life, could seem ugly in comparison.

The second time she saw him, her heart had cooled a little for some reason. Yet, she still couldn’t help but admire his appearance.

Even the third time, and the fourth, she had only glimpsed him from a distance—but no matter where he was, Idina could recognize him in an instant.

And it had been the same ever since.

If there were ever someone who stood out even from behind, it was Killian Escass.

Blonde hair that shone like the sun. Deep blue eyes, as vast and calm as the ocean. Tall and powerfully built.

Among Alphas, he was the only one who could truly be called dominant.

It was said that both Alphas and Omegas were naturally beautiful—but to be dominant? That put him on a completely different level.

That was why, even though he did very little to draw attention to himself, he was constantly the subject of envy among noble ladies.

Many dreamed of having their first dance with Killian at a banquet.

Yet Killian had never once danced at any banquet.

No lady had ever been chosen.

Idina, who had already been engaged at the time, was never a candidate to begin with—so she never had reason to feel disappointed.

In truth, Killian Escass had always held a different meaning for her—something other than an object of envy.

<Omega…?>

It was when they first met.

She had seen him alongside Lord Lilles and greeted him politely. She vaguely remembered him asking that question, his expression tinged with something like mild disgust.

She had never heard any rumors that Killian suffered from omegaphobia, but it seemed to be a problem for him.

The moment he spoke that single word, Idina’s heart—racing for just a brief second—cooled instantly.

His tone had been that cold.

As her thoughts continued to wander, unpleasant memories resurfaced. Idina let out a bitter smile and closed the window again.

The line to enter the palace was long, and the wait looked just as tedious.

Depending on the family, some exceptions might be made—but the imperial family didn’t allow such privileges. So, she had no choice but to patiently endure it.

“Lady Bride, please open the door and present your identification.”

Before she realized it, quite some time had passed, and a voice called from outside. Idina waited as the servants opened the carriage door. She presented her identification to the knights stationed at the entrance. Since Duke Bride had already passed through, the procedure wasn’t too strict for her.

Once they received clearance, the carriage moved again and stopped at a designated area within the vast palace grounds. With Duke Bride’s escort, she stepped out of the carriage.

Her older brother, Elliot Bride, stood waiting. He greeted her with a smile and spoke in a tone that suggested he was oddly cheerful.

“Idina, something very interesting is going to happen today.”

“Something interesting?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Had there ever been an interesting banquet? Not that she could recall.

To her, the conversations of nobles were always laced with pretense and formality, making it difficult to feel comfortable among them.

She wasn’t the kind of person who could utter empty flattery.

She had never once told Lord Lilles that he was handsome. She knew he would have been pleased to hear it—but she simply couldn’t bring herself to say something she didn’t believe.

He lived his life convinced of his own charm, but Idina had never really found him attractive. Perhaps it was because she knew about his endless philandering.

As she entertained those idle thoughts, Elliot suddenly said something unexpected.

“Today is a masquerade.”

“A masquerade?” she repeated, surprised.

“Yes, they’re handing out masks at the entrance.”

A masquerade ball… at the royal palace?

Idina found it all rather unique. With her hand gently resting in Elliot’s, she turned toward the entrance of the banquet hall.

Before them stood nobles, each wearing identical masks. Some appeared to be grumbling, while others had faces filled with anticipation.

Idina lifted her gaze to the grand banquet hall bathed in soft yellow light. The tall, imposing structure made her tilt her head back just to take it all in.

That ivory-colored building—solemn, graceful, and breathtaking—was where the royal masquerade would unfold tonight.

***

The masquerade ball hosted by the royal family was unlike anything Idina had ever witnessed.

Even her father, Duke Bride, couldn’t recall anything like it. According to him, this was the first time the royal family had ever done something so whimsical—“like a prank,” he had said.

And yet, most of the guests seemed to welcome the royal family’s sudden playfulness. It was a refreshing change, a breath of novelty amid the usual formality.

As Idina arrived at the lively entrance, she could already feel herself being swept up in the festive atmosphere. The servants of the royal family moved efficiently, handing out masks to each guest.

She accepted hers quietly, the material cool against her fingertips.