Chapter 001
The day I first met Sioden was the day of the harvest festival banquet held at the palace.
My father, Capren Rowen, dressed me up in fashionable clothes and expensive jewelry before attending the banquet.
Before pushing me into the banquet hall, my father roughly grabbed my arm. Then, with gentleness that contrasted with his rough hands, he admonished me softly.
“You know the crown prince is interested in you, right? Although the engagement is already half decided, make sure to conduct yourself well.”
My father wanted to be connected by blood to the imperial family. It was to find a way to cure his long-standing illness.
He had a heart disease that he was born with.
He had tried every medicine that could be obtained through the power of our family, but he had never fully recovered.
That was why he turned to magic.
However, the magic that once filled the land had now almost disappeared, except for the distant northern Raslet and the imperial family.
But the relationship between Raslet and Rowen was the worst. It was a well-known theory that the previous Duke of Raslet’s death was actually a poisoning planned by my father.
In Raslet, there was a forest where a special tree grew.
The sap of that tree, imbued with magic, was said to cure any disease.
When the previous Duke of Raslet was alive, my father attempted to make a deal to obtain that sap, but when he was refused, he harbored resentment.
Not long after, the Duke of Raslet was poisoned by someone.
Everyone in the world knew that “someone” was my father. He also did not deny the suspicions directed at him.
To find a way to cure his own illness, he killed someone.
It was a chilling act, but my father had never shied away from means and methods to achieve his original goal.
Just like now.
“That necklace was chosen for you by that red-haired maid.”
Still not releasing my arm, my father spoke softly.
There is only one girl among my maids with red hair.
Apple.
She was the only person in Rowen who truly loved me.
“I want you to be happy, Miss.”
In a household filled with my two older brothers and my father’s gaze, Apple was the only one who genuinely cared about me.
My father was aware of that fact as well.
“If the master makes a mistake, the subordinates must take responsibility. Don’t forget that.”
“……Yes.”
As I barely managed to respond, moving my stiff neck as if a stone were lodged in it, my father’s bright yellow eyes scanned me up and down.
“Your face looks dull. Anyone would think that that maid has already breathed her last.”
Those words choked me.
Just the other day, my father had threatened to beat Apple.
And now he was threatening her life.
That malice, which grew daily like the interest of a loan shark, felt like a noose tightening around my neck.
My father was essentially threatening me by dangling my life over that noose, ready to pull away the support at any moment.
“Smile. Nothing has happened yet.”
If you behave well, nothing will go wrong, Iella.
With the last whisper crafted to sound affectionate, my father took a step forward. I was compelled to move along with him, held by his grip.
Now I truly had to smile. The expression would be visible to the attendant guarding the door.
Just as I managed to raise the corners of my mouth, the door to the banquet hall opened. I heard the attendant’s announcement.
“The Duke and Lady of Rowen have arrived!”
☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
In the banquet hall, Crown Prince Aiden naturally asked me for the first dance.
Even though I knew he was openly scanning my body while we were close, I had no choice but to take his hand and spin around. In the distance, Demian was watching us.
Demian, like Iswen, was the son of my father’s first wife. By lineage, he was my second older brother.
Though we were called siblings, in reality, our relationship was worse than that of strangers.
“Don’t wander around; just stay quietly at home.”
If Iswen looked down on me with disdain, Demian found me extremely irritating.
He would pick on me at every opportunity, nagging and getting annoyed.
However, compared to Iswen, Demian was relatively fair. He was hot-headed and rough with everyone, not just me.
Even Demian, who was normally difficult to deal with, would obediently follow my father’s orders to keep an eye on me.
As the music slowly faded to allow for partner changes, Aiden tilted his head slightly toward me. His bright blonde hair, symbolizing royal blood, was slightly tousled.
“According to etiquette, one should dance with a lady from another family, but I feel regret letting go of your hand.”
“……It’s an honor to hear that from Your Highness. However, there are many eyes watching, so please give other ladies a chance as well.”
“Yes, especially since the new Duke of Raslet is also in the capital today; it’s best not to make a mistake.”
“The Duke of Raslet is here in the capital?”
This was news to me.
Without realizing it, I asked again, and Aiden responded.
“Having inherited his father’s title, he naturally must come to pledge loyalty to the capital. He should be meeting with His Majesty by now. The Duke of Rowen would also have attended to assist His Majesty.”
Now that I thought about it, I couldn’t see my father.
As I connected the two pieces of information late, Aiden frowned as he looked down at me.
“Iella, even if you’re cooped up at home, it’s good to know at least what’s happening in the capital.”
His remarks about my ignorance made my face flush involuntarily.
When there were no events like banquets, my father would lock me in the mansion and cut off all news from the outside. Controlling the tongues of the servants was just an added measure.
And when someone asked about me, he would respond like this.
“She is my precious daughter, and as a father, I want to protect her as much as I can.”
Those who heard this said that the Duke of Rowen truly loved his daughter and praised him.
“It seems even showing the young lady’s face to the world is too much to ask.”
Someone joked like that.
My father let them misunderstand. The more cherished a daughter is, the higher her value becomes.
Even within the mansion, my life was arranged according to my father’s tastes.
I learned how to play the organ and do embroidery until I was proficient, but any studies beyond suitable etiquette or history for refinement were prohibited.
This was due to Iswen’s insistence on my education.
“It’s better to keep her ignorant. If she knows nothing, she will rely on the family even after marriage.”
My father accepted those words and blocked my education.
Because of this, whenever I was treated this way by Aiden or others, I couldn’t help but resent Iswen.
After all, no matter where I went, I would never be able to escape the prison of the Rowen; he had even blocked the window that allowed me to glimpse the outside world.
Aiden seemed to think I was just shy, as he soon relaxed his expression.
He spoke in a soothing manner.
“I’m not saying anything against you. But the princess knows, right? The position of the empress of the empire is not a light one. Especially, my wife must take on the role of empress even while being the crown princess.”
It was true that since the empress had passed away a few years ago, whoever married Aiden would have to manage all the affairs of the palace.
Even so, hearing him speak as if our marriage was a foregone conclusion made my stomach churn.
I forced a smile to hide my discomfort.
“I’ll keep your words in mind.”
“Yes, I said it all for the lady’s sake, so don’t take it too harshly.”
The music, which had quieted for a moment, began to swell again.
Now it was truly time to change partners.
I had no intention of dancing any longer, so I should slip away toward the wall to avoid being noticed.
As I carefully tried to pull my hand away, Aiden rubbed the back of my hand with his thumb.
A shiver ran down my spine.
“Since both my father and the Duke of Rowen, your father, have not yet returned, shall we dance one more song?”
“However, the gazes of the people…”
“Don’t worry about that. If it really bothers you, I can say that I was so reluctant to let go of the lady’s hand that I committed the rudeness of asking for another dance.”
Then Aiden winked playfully with one eye.
His sky-blue eyes curved charmingly. His objectively handsome face wore a mischievous expression.
He probably thought I was upset due to his teasing and was trying to lighten the mood.
Even if it meant slightly bending the rules of etiquette.
He was a man who often spread rumors, but he was also meticulous about appearances, so this was a considerable favor, but the problem was that I didn’t want it.
As I thought about how to refuse as quietly as possible, someone approached us.
With short silver hair and golden eyes that closely resembled my father’s. Even in the palace, he walked briskly without any special grooming.
Most importantly, he had a sharp, hardened expression, perhaps because he often wore a fierce look.
It was Demian.
