Chapter 1

Bang, bang, bang, bang.

The sharp sound of heels hitting the marble floor, pristine like a glass mirror, echoed. With a pale face and blood-red lips, the woman was running fast. Her jet-black hair fluttered in the wind, and the intricate beads on her blue off-shoulder dress sparkled incessantly with her quick movements.

“Lady Rohana.”

When she reached the Duke of Hanover’s residence within the imperial palace, the guard saluted her with a startled face. Contrary to her usual demeanor, Rohana didn’t respond to any greetings and hurried her steps.

She was conspicuously noticeable, but that wasn’t the problem now. Running fast was more important than hiding her escape. She was out of breath, but it didn’t matter.

The bedroom she reached with hurried steps was quiet, contrasting with the bustling atmosphere of the imperial palace, lively with the coronation ceremony.

It was even more so because she had fired her closest maid, who always guarded the place.

Rohana hastily headed toward the bed and bent down to reach underneath. A heavy bag was closer than expected. But something was wrong.

The moment she opened the bag with trembling hands, Rohana’s vivid purple eyes went dark.

The cash and gold she had saved were gone. The bonds and various property deeds had their signed parts cut out.

“Gregory Hanover.”

Rohana’s whole body trembled at the cunning act of the man she didn’t even want to call her father.

From the moment she was possessed 15 years ago, the escape plan was her last resort. But she had to fire the maid before executing it, being aware of the ruthless Gregory who would do anything to those left behind.

For 15 years, her father manipulated his daughter, taking hostages from the people around her. Knowing she would escape with her assets, he had craftily left the bag in place.

How did he know? Why didn’t he stop her, even knowing?

Her heart pounded loudly in her ears.

What should she do?

At that moment.

Boom!

The sound of fireworks exploded outside. The joyous cheers of the people followed brightly. The entire empire was blessing the newly crowned young emperor, with foreigners freely gathered.

Formerly Rohana’s fiancé, Crown Prince Bardi Rentworth’s coronation was happening. His destined partner, the heroine Aurelia, would undoubtedly be smiling beside him.

If not now, if she didn’t follow the plan to move when everyone was drunk with celebration, could she escape without catching Gregory’s eye?

Even if it was already exposed, there was no other way. If she stayed still, she might end up marrying that ‘villain’ she sat next to earlier, just as he said.

Recalling the original story, Rohana moved with the bag. Though unlikely, she might struggle with the remaining documents.

With trembling knees, she took a deep breath and hurried her steps.

Grabbing only a cloak from the dressing room and wrapping it around herself, she opened the back door and ran faster. The lawn, wet with night dew, soaked her silk shoes, and the cold air stabbed deep into her lungs.

Between the maze-like garden trees, there was a hidden gap that led to the forest surrounding the palace, an unintended design flaw.

A passage known to no one.

Only through that could she leave the palace unnoticed. She had to use the same passage she once used to save the heroine, Aurelia. Quickly.

Just as she reached the path leading out of the forest, dropping branches and leaves, she heard a voice.

“Rohana!”

Her heart sank. Her feet froze as if paralyzed. A low, deep voice.

“Let me explain.”

Her hand gripped the bag tighter. Knowing it was useless, Rohana started running. Of course, her desperate run didn’t last long before her wrist and shoulder were grabbed, turning her around.

Large hands easily held her. She slapped the man’s arm away with all her strength as if burned.

Silver hair, mysterious black eyes. A height a head taller than most, with an excessively handsome face.

Everyone believed he was loyal to the new emperor, but eventually, he would betray them out of love for Aurelia. And he would kill Rohana.

“Forgive me if I was rude. There’s no need for this.”

“No need for this?”

Rohana’s voice trembled. Her purple eyes gleamed as she stared directly at him.

“How did you know?”

Kaiden gave no answer. He just furrowed his brow slightly and closed the distance between them.

“You may be trying to use me to gain something from Gregory or the emperor… But that won’t happen.”

Kaiden remained silent, only narrowing the gap between them.

Kaiden intended to use Rohana as leverage to seize Gregory Hanover’s wealth, but Gregory, of course, prioritized money and honor over his daughter’s life.

In the original story, he was portrayed as a father who painfully sacrificed his beloved daughter for patriotism. However, having lived with him, Rohana was certain: he wouldn’t have even hesitated.

Thus, taking Rohana hostage was utterly pointless.

Choosing her words carefully, Rohana finally spoke the unbearable truth, which might sound insane.

“Trust me. If you want to grasp Gregory Hanover’s weakness, my younger brother is still around.”

The case might be different with a son. She was sincere. Kaiden’s eyes darkened beneath his eyebrows at her plea.

“So, just let me go,” Rohana’s voice trembled significantly.

“Please, just.”

Her words, almost a sigh of desperation, made her bitterly laugh at her own improvisation.

Like he’d let her go. She was unusually losing her composure in front of Kaiden Delcliff. She felt embarrassed about why she had responded this way, knowing he wouldn’t let her go just because she pleaded earnestly.

Memories of the past 15 years flashed like a kaleidoscope in her mind. Her efforts to deviate from the original story, all of which had failed, came flooding back.

Tears she could no longer hold back dropped onto the dirt floor, forming small, round clumps.

The cold night wind scattered her hair around her ears. Just as she gave up and looked up, a deep voice echoed in her ears.

“Lady Rohana.”

His peculiar black eyes gleamed.

At that moment.

<Does it hurt, a lot?>

Suddenly, her own voice from the past echoed in her ears. Back when she was still a girl, believing she was just having a strange dream after her death.

Caught up in this puzzling memory, Rohana looked down, furrowing her brow, while Kaiden’s shoes drew closer.

One step, then another. The scent of a snowstorm emanated from him, just like the first day they met.

As she slowly lifted her head, moonlight cast a shadow on his nose. His deep, long eyes stared intently at her.

How much time passed with their eyes locked, she didn’t know. His large hand carefully wrapped around her arm.

Startled, his gentle touch guided her cloak to cover her bare shoulder and chest.

“I will let you go.”

His black eyes shone with various hues. His hand, hesitatingly pulling away from her cloak, naturally reached for her chin.

The tears she thought had fallen clung to her neck. His long fingers, warm and gentle, wiped away the tears.

And then, an even more surprising statement followed.

“But… please let me be the one to send you off.”

A contract marriage with the villain who would eventually kill her.

Gasping, her violet eyes widened. Her long lashes trembled uncontrollably.

That voice again.

<I needed you.>

A peculiar boy’s voice.

<So I had to bring you.>

Her heart, which had been racing, finally found its rhythm.

“Good morning, Lady Rohana.”

With the sound of silk curtains brushing against the marble floor, sunlight flooded in through the tall windows.

Rohana hurriedly sat up in bed. The recurring nightmares plagued her every year around this time, but she quickly composed herself, not wanting to cause unnecessary worry.

“Yes, good morning.”

“My Lady, are you unwell? Did you have another nightmare?”

Jody, with her black hair neatly tied in two braids, frowned.

Rohana widened her eyes, feigning innocence. Though it was clear her maid wasn’t fooled.

With a deep sigh, Jody continued.

“What a nightmare to have on such a fine day. You’ve been missing the Crown Prince terribly, haven’t you? And now the wedding is just around the corner.”

It had been almost 15 years since she started living as Rohana in the popular fantasy novel, “Golden Tulip.”

Smiling at the excited face of her maid and closest friend, Jody, Rohana immersed her hands in a basin of clear water, creating gentle ripples.

“Golden Tulip” was a love story between Bardi Constance Rentworth, the Crown Prince of the Empire, and Aurelia Bree, a simple noble lady from the southern, fallen aristocracy.

A beautiful love story blooming amid the realistic war between the great Empire of Ardgold, represented by the Arin tribe, and the emerging neighboring nation of Shatonwell, dominated by the Kark tribe.

“Today, I’ll make you especially beautiful!”

Turning to the mirror, she saw a reflection that felt strangely unfamiliar.

A transparent face contrasted by long, jet-black hair cascading down to her waist. Deep violet eyes highlighting her large, almond-shaped eyes.

Rohana Marcia Hanover. The firstborn among the Duke of Hanover’s two children in the great Empire of Ardgold.

She was beautiful but pitiful in the original story.